GAS5 regulates viability and apoptosis in TGF-β1-stimulated bronchial epithelial cells by regulating miR-217/HDAC4 axis

Discussion of the material basis for prevention and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis using naturally medicinal and edible homologous herbs based on the dynamic process of Nrf2, NF-κB and TGF-β in PF

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive chronic lung disease with a high incidence and poor prognosis. Despite extensive research into the mechanisms that initiate and drive the progression of pulmonary fibrosis, developing effective treatments remains challenging due to the multiple etiologies, pathogenic links, and signaling pathways involved in PF. Indeed, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) are central players in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, and each of these factors influences distinct yet interconnected processes that collectively contribute to disease progression: Nrf2 upregulates antioxidants to mitigate oxidative stress, NF-κB modulates inflammatory responses, and TGF-β promotes fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, leading to fibrosis. Targeting these pathways may offer therapeutic strategies, uncover new insights and provide potential therapeutic targets for PF. Absolutely, the interactions between Nrf2, NF-κB, and TGF-β pathways are complex and can significantly influence the progression of PF, which indicated that targeting a single pathway may show poor efficacy in managing the condition. Moreover, few therapies that effectively intervene in these pathways have been approved. This review focused on the molecular mechanisms of Nrf2, NF-κB, and TGF-β involving in PF and the material basis of the naturally medicinal and edible homologous herbs, which provides a solid foundation for understanding the disease's pathogenesis, and supports the development of therapeutic drugs or treatments for addressing the complex nature of PF.

GAS5, a long noncoding RNA, contributes to annulus fibroblast osteogenic differentiation and apoptosis in intervertebral disk degeneration via the miR-221-3p/SOX11 axis

miR-221-3p has been reported to attenuate the osteogenic differentiation of annulus fibrosus cells (AFs), which has been implicated in intervertebral disk degeneration (IVDD) development. This study aimed to elucidate miR-221-3p's role in osteogenic differentiation and apoptosis of AFs in an IVDD model. After successfully establishing an IVDD rat model by annulus fibrosus needle puncture, AFs were isolated. Bioinformatics, dual-luciferase reporter, and AGO2-RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays predicted and confirmed the potential miR-221-3p lncRNA and gene target. Functional analyses were performed after AF transfection to explore the roles of the identified lncRNA and gene. Western blotting, Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and Alizarin red and TUNEL staining were performed to investigate AF apoptosis and osteogenic differentiation with different transfections. Compared with AFs isolated from sham rats, IVDD-isolated Afs exhibited stronger osteogenic potential and higher apoptosis rates accompanied by miR-221-3p downregulation. The growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5) was identified as miR-221-3p's target lncRNA, which was highly expressed in IVDD. GAS5 overexpression facilitated AF apoptosis and osteogenic differentiation, whereas silencing GAS5 had the opposite effect. SRY box-related11 (SOX11) was identified as a downstream miR-221-3p target gene in IVDD. GASS silencing-induced suppression of AF apoptosis and osteogenic differentiation could be reversed by SOX11 overexpression. Our findings uncovered a lncRNA GAS5/miR-221-3p/SOX11 axis in Afs under IVDD, which may help implement novel IVDD therapeutic strategies.

ADP Ribosylation Factor 6 Relieves Airway Inflammation and Remodeling by Inhibiting Ovalbumin Induced-Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition in Experimental Asthma, Possibly by Regulating of E2F Transcription Factor 8

BACKGROUND

Childhood asthma is a major global health concern. ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6) is a low-molecular-weight GTPase; however, its role in childhood asthma remains unclear.

METHODS

Ovalbumin (OVA)-challenged neonatal mice and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced BEAS-2B cells were used as in vivo and in vitro models of childhood asthma, respectively.

RESULTS

Upon OVA stimulation, ARF6 expression was upregulated in the lung tissue. Neonatal mice administered SehinH3 (an ARF6 inhibitor) exhibited improved pulmonary pathological injury, along with reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the lungs and cytokine release in bronchial alveolar lavage fluid and serum (interleukin [IL]-3, IL-5, IL-13, IgE, and OVA-specific IgE). SehinH3 treatment restrained epithelial - mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the lungs of asthmatic mice, as evidenced by increased E-cadherin and decreased N-cadherin and α-smooth muscle actin expression. Different TGF-β1 exposures to BEAS-2B cells induced a time- and dose-dependent increase in ARF6 expression in vitro. Upon TGF-β1 stimulation, ARF6 knockdown repressed EMT and SehinH3 treatment caused similar results in BEAS-2B cells. The transcription factor E2F8 is involved in diverse biological functions and its increased expression was confirmed in vivo and in vitro. Dual-luciferase assays confirmed that E2F8 binds to the ARF6 promoter and promotes its transcriptional activity. In vitro results revealed that E2F8 silencing suppressed EMT, whereas rescue experiments showed that ARF6 overexpression partly reversed these phenomena.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that ARF6 is associated with childhood asthma progression and may be positively regulated by E2F8. These results provide insight into the pathogenesis and treatment of childhood asthma.

LncRNA MALAT1 promotes decidualization of endometrial stromal cells via sponging miR-498-3p and targeting histone deacetylase 4

Decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) is important for the maintenance of a successful pregnancy. Histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) was reported to be involved in the dysfunction of decidua-derived mesenchymal stem cells. However, the role of HDAC4 underlying decidualization of hESCs remains unclear. We intended to explore the function and molecular mechanism of HDAC4 in hESCs. In vitro expansion of hESCs using a serum-free medium was used to confirm the characteristics of hESCs. Gene expression in hESCs was evaluated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. CCK-8 assay, TUNEL staining, flow cytometry analysis, and Western blot analysis were performed to test the effects of HDAC4 and metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) on hESCs. RNA pull-down and luciferase reporter assays were performed to validate the relationship between genes. In this study, the characteristics of hESCs were sustained in serum-free medium during a process of propagation. HDAC4 knockdown suppressed hESCs viability and promoted hESCs apoptosis. HDAC4 was targeted by miR-498-3p in hESCs. MALAT1 bound with miR-498-3p in hESCs. HDAC4 expression was positively regulated by MALAT1 and negatively regulated by miR-498-3p in hESCs. HDAC4 upregulation countervailed the effects of MALAT1 silencing on hESCs proliferation, apoptosis, and decidualization of hESCs. Overall, MALAT1 facilitated the decidualization of hESCs via binding with miR-498-3p and upregulating HDAC4, which might provide a new direction for the maintenance of a successful pregnancy.

Exosomal transfer of activated neutrophil-derived lncRNA CRNDE promotes proliferation and migration of airway smooth muscle cells in asthma

BACKGROUND

Activated neutrophil-derived exosomes reportedly contribute to the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs), thereby aggravating the airway wall remodeling during asthma; however, the specific mechanism remains unclear.

METHODS

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-EXO and si-CRNDE-EXO were extracted from the media of human neutrophils treated with LPS and LPS + si-CRNDE (a siRNA targets long non-coding RNA CRNDE), respectively. Human ASMCs were co-cultured with LPS-EXO or si-CRNDE-EXO, and cell viability, proliferation, and migration were measured. The interplay of CRNDE, inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B kinase subunit beta (IKKβ), and nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group C member 2 (TAK1) was explored using RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and Co-IP assays. A mouse model of asthma was induced using ovalbumin.

RESULTS

CRNDE was upregulated in LPS-EXO and successfully transferred from LPS-treated neutrophils to ASMCs through exosome. Mechanically, CRNDE loaded in LPS-EXO reinforced TAK1-mediated IKKβ phosphorylation, thereby activating the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. Functionally, silencing CRNDE in LPS-EXO, an IKKβ inhibitor, and an NF-κB inhibitor all removed the upregulation of cell viability, proliferation, and migration induced by LPS-EXO in ASMCs. In the end, the in vivo experiment demonstrated that CRNDE knockdown in neutrophils effectively reduced the thickness of bronchial smooth muscle in a mouse model for asthma.

CONCLUSION

Activated neutrophils-derived CRNDE was transferred to ASMCs through exosomes and activated the NF-κB pathway by enhancing IKKβ phosphorylation. The latter promoted the proliferation and migration of ASMCs and then contributed to airway remodeling in asthma.