MicroRNAs in the growth plate are responsive to nutritional cues: association between miR-140 and SIRT1

Involvement of Sirtuin 1 in the Growth Hormone/Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Signal Transduction and Its Impact on Growth Processes in Children

The regulation of growth processes in children depends on the synthesis of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Insulin-like growth factor 1, which is mainly secreted in the liver in response to GH, is the main peripheral mediator of GH action. Newly discovered factors regulating GH secretion and its effects are being studied recently. One of them is sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). This NAD+-dependent deacetylase, by modulating the JAK2/STAT pathway, is involved in the transduction of the GH signal in hepatocytes, leading to the synthesis of IGF-1. In addition, it participates in the regulation of the synthesis of GHRH in the hypothalamus and GH in the somatotropic cells. SIRT1 is suggested to be involved in growth plate chondrogenesis and longitudinal bone growth as it has a positive effect on the epiphyseal growth plate. SIRT1 is also implicated in various cellular processes, including metabolism, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, oxidative stress response, and DNA repair. Thus, its expression varies depending on the different metabolic states. During malnutrition, SIRT1 blocks GH signal transduction in hepatocytes to reduce the IGF-1 secretion and prevent hypoglycemia (i.e., it causes transient GH resistance). In this review, we focused on the influence of SIRT1 on GH signal transduction and the implications that may arise for growth processes in children.

DDIT3/CHOP mediates the inhibitory effect of ER stress on chondrocyte differentiation by AMPKα-SIRT1 pathway

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is an evolutionarily conserved cellular stress response related to multiple diseases, including temporomandibular joint (TMJ) cartilage-related diseases. Recent studies have indicated that DDIT3/CHOP (a downstream transcription factor of ER stress) is an important effector in mediating ER stress to inhibit chondrogenesis. However, the underlying mechanism by which DDIT3 regulates chondrogenesis remains unclear. In this study, tunicamycin (an ER stress agonist)-induced ER stress inhibited chondrocyte differentiation and matrix synthesis in vitro and led to an osteoarthritis-like phenotype in mouse TMJ cartilage. Meanwhile, DDIT3 expression in chondrocytes was robustly upregulated. Loss-of-function experiments validated the inhibiting effect of DDIT3 on chondrocyte differentiation and matrix synthesis. Mechanistically, the inhibiting effect was attributed to the direct and indirect regulatory effect of DDIT3 on SIRT1 (sirtuin1, silent mating type information regulation protein type 1, a member of NAD+ dependent class III histone deacetylases). On one hand, DDIT3 directly promoted the transcription of SIRT1. On the other hand, DDIT3 indirectly increased the expression of SIRT1 by promoting AMPKα phosphorylation and activation. Furthermore, activation of AMPKα or SIRT1 with the corresponding agonist AICAR or resveratrol in the DDIT3-knockdown cells partially restored the inhibiting effect of DDIT3 on chondrocyte differentiation and matrix synthesis. Collectively, these novel findings indicate that DDIT3 regulates the inhibitory effect of ER stress on chondrocyte differentiation and matrix synthesis partially via the AMPKα-SIRT1 pathway. A thorough understanding of ER stress in regulating chondrocyte homeostasis and its role in the onset of osteoarthritis may be promising to develop therapeutic targets and prevent condyle cartilage destruction.

Increased BMSC exosomal miR-140-3p alleviates bone degradation and promotes bone restoration by targeting Plxnb1 in diabetic rats

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered to be an important factor for bone degeneration disorders such as bone defect nonunion, which is characterized by physical disability and tremendous economy cost to families and society. Exosomal miRNAs of BMSCs have been reported to participate in osteoblastogenesis and modulating bone formation. However, their impacts on the development of bone degeneration in DM are not yet known. The role of miRNAs in BMSCs exosomes on regulating hyperglycemia bone degeneration was investigated in the present study.

Results

The osteogenic potential in bone defect repair of exosomes derived from diabetes mellitus BMSCs derived exosomes (DM-Exos) were revealed to be lower than that in normal BMSCs derived exosomes (N-Exos) in vitro and in vivo. Here, we demonstrate that miR-140-3p level was significantly altered in exosomes derived from BMSCs, ADSCs and serum from DM rats. In in vitro experiments, upregulated miR-140-3p exosomes promoted DM BMSCs differentiation into osteoblasts. The effects were exerted by miR-140-3p targeting plxnb1, plexin B1 is the receptor of semaphoring 4D(Sema4D) that inhibited osteocytes differentiation, thereby promoting bone formation. In DM rats with bone defect, miR-140-3p upregulated exosomes were transplanted into injured bone and accelerated bone regeneration. Besides, miR-140-3p in the exosomes was transferred into BMSCs and osteoblasts and promoted bone regeneration by targeting the plexin B1/RohA/ROCK signaling pathway.

Conclusions

Normal-Exos and miR-140-3p overexpressed-Exos accelerated diabetic wound healing by promoting the osteoblastogenesis function of BMSCs through inhibition plexin B1 expression which is the receptor of Sema4D and the plexin B1/RhoA/ROCK pathway compared with diabetes mellitus-Exos. This offers a new insight and a new therapy for treating diabetic bone unhealing.

Graphical Abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-022-01267-2.

The Role of microRNAs in the Mammary Gland Development, Health, and Function of Cattle, Goats, and Sheep

Milk is an integral and therefore complex structural element of mammalian nutrition. Therefore, it is simple to conclude that lactation, the process of producing milk, is as complex as the mammary gland, the organ responsible for this biochemical activity. Nutrition, genetics, epigenetics, disease pathogens, climatic conditions, and other environmental variables all impact breast productivity. In the last decade, the number of studies devoted to epigenetics has increased dramatically. Reports are increasingly describing the direct participation of microRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally, in the regulation of mammary gland development and function. This paper presents a summary of the current state of knowledge about the roles of miRNAs in mammary gland development, health, and functions, particularly during lactation. The significance of miRNAs in signaling pathways, cellular proliferation, and the lipid metabolism in agricultural ruminants, which are crucial in light of their role in the nutrition of humans as consumers of dairy products, is discussed.

Anxiety and Cognition in Cre- Collagen Type II Sirt1 K/O Male Mice

Introduction

Using transgenic collagen type II-specific Sirt1 knockout (CKO) mice we studied the role of Sirt1 in nutritional induced catch up growth (CUG) and we found that these mice have a less organized growth plate and reduced efficiency of CUG. In addition, we noted that they weigh more than control (CTL) mice. Studying the reason for the increased weigh, we found differences in activity and brain function.

Methods

Several tests for behavior and activity were used: open field; elevated plus maze, Morris water maze, and home cage running wheels. The level of Glu- osteocalcin, known to connect bone and brain function, was measured by Elisa; brain Sirt1 was analyzed by western blot.

Results

We found that CKO mice had increased anxiety, with less spatial memory, learning capabilities and reduced activity in their home cages. No significant differences were found between CKO and CTL mice in Glu- osteocalcin levels; nor in the level of brain SIRT1.

Discussion/Conclusion

Using transgenic collagen type II-specific Sirt1 knockout (CKO) mice we found a close connection between linear growth and brain function. Using a collagen type II derived system we affected a central regulatory mechanism leading to hypo activity, increased anxiety, and slower learning, without affecting circadian period. As children with idiopathic short stature are more likely to have lower IQ, with substantial deficits in working memory than healthy controls, the results of the current study suggest that SIRT1 may be the underlying factor connecting growth and brain function.

Role of histone deacetylases in bone development and skeletal disorders

Bone cells must constantly respond to hormonal and mechanical cues to change gene expression programs. Of the myriad of epigenomic mechanisms used by cells to dynamically alter cell type-specific gene expression, histone acetylation and deacetylation has received intense focus over the past two decades. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) represent a large family of proteins with a conserved deacetylase domain first described to deacetylate lysine residues on histone tails. It is now appreciated that multiple classes of HDACs exist, some of which are clearly misnamed in that acetylated lysine residues on histone tails is not the major function of their deacetylase domain. Here, we will review the roles of proteins bearing deacetylase domains in bone cells, focusing on current genetic evidence for each individual HDAC gene. While class I HDACs are nuclear proteins whose primary role is to deacetylate histones, class IIa and class III HDACs serve other important cellular functions. Detailed knowledge of the roles of individual HDACs in bone development and remodeling will set the stage for future efforts to specifically target individual HDAC family members in the treatment of skeletal diseases such as osteoporosis.

Cartilage -specific knockout of Sirt1 significantly reduces bone quality and catch-up growth efficiency

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous catch-up (CU) growth occurs when a growth-restricting factor is resolved. However, its efficiency is sometimes inadequate and growth deficits remain permanent. The therapeutic toolbox for short stature is currently very limited, thus, finding new regulatory pathways is important for the development of novel means of treatment. Our previous studies using a nutrition-induced CU growth model showed that the level of sirtuin-1 (Sirt1) was significantly increased in food-restricted animals and decreased during CU growth.

AIM

This study sought to investigate the role of Sirt1 in modulating the response of the epiphyseal growth plate (EGP) to nutritional manipulation.

METHOD

Collagen type II-specific Sirt1 knockout (CKO) mice were tested for response to our CU growth model consisting of a period of food restriction followed by re-feeding.

RESULTS

The transgenic CKO mice weighed more than the control (CTL) mice, their EGP was higher and less organized, specifically at the resting and proliferative zones, leading to shorter bones. Ablation of Sirt1 in the chondrocytes was found to have a dramatic effect on bone mineralization on micro-CT analysis. The CKO mice were less responsive to the nutritional manipulation, and their CU growth was less efficient. They remained shorter than the CTL mice who corrected the food restriction-induced growth deficit during the re-feeding period.

CONCLUSIONS

Sirt1 appears to be important for normal regulation of the EGP. In its absence, the EGP is less organized and CU growth is less efficient. These results suggest that SIRT1 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for short stature.

Defective insulin receptor signaling in patients with gestational diabetes is related to dysregulated miR-140 which can be improved by naringenin

Gestational diabetes (GDM) affects about 20 % of pregnancies globally. Defective insulin receptor (IR) signaling has been found in the placenta from patients with GDM, but the underly mechanism is still unclear. In the present study, the mRNA and protein levels of IR-α, insulin receptor substrate 1(IRS-1) and inulin like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) were detected in the placenta tissue samples from 33 GDM patients and 20 healthy controls. Reduced IR-α protein level was observed in both obese and non-obese GDM patients, and decreased IGF1R protein level was found in obese GDM patients. However, the IR-α and IGF1R mRNAs level was not significantly altered in GDM patients. Subsequently, the expression of 10 miRNAs that have the potential targeting IR-α and IGF1R was examined by qRT-PCR in the placenta, and miR-140-3p was found overexpressed. Through dual-luciferase assay and immunoblotting, miR-140-3p was confirmed to suppress IR-α and IGF1R expression via targeting the 3'UTRs. As a treatment candidate, naringenin downregulated miR-140-3p level in trophoblasts and endothelial cells. Meanwhile, IR-α and IGF1R expression was upregulated by naringenin, and the glucose uptake was increased in naringenin treated trophoblasts and endothelial cells. Finally, naringenin upregulated cell viability, migration capacity of HTR-8/SVneo and HUVEC cells, and increased HUVEC cells angiogenesis in high glucose condition. In conclusion, miR-140-3p overexpression contributes to the defective placental IR signaling in patients with GDM. Naringenin treatment protects trophoblasts and endothelial cells from the harmful high glucose environment which have the potential for GDM treatment.

Macronutrient modulation of mRNA and microRNA function in animals: A review

Dietary macronutrients have been regarded as a basic source of energy and amino acids that are necessary for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, metabolic programming as well as protein synthesis. Due to the emergence of “nutrigenomics”, a unique discipline that combines nutritional and omics technologies to study the impacts of nutrition on genomics, it is increasingly evident that macronutrients also have a significant role in the gene expression regulation. Gene expression is a complex phenomenon controlled by several signaling pathways and could be influenced by a wide variety of environmental and physiological factors. Dietary macronutrients are the most important environmental factor influencing the expression of both genes and microRNAs (miRNA). miRNA are tiny molecules of 18 to 22 nucleotides long that regulate the expression of genes. Therefore, dietary macronutrients can influence the expression of genes in both direct and indirect manners. Recent advancements in the state-of-the-art technologies regarding molecular genetics, such as next-generation sequencing, quantitative PCR array, and microarray, allowed us to investigate the occurrence of genome-wide changes in the expression of genes in relation to augmented or reduced dietary macronutrient intake. The purpose of this review is to accumulate the current knowledge focusing on macronutrient mediated changes in the gene function. This review will discuss the impact of altered dietary carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake on the expression of coding genes and their functions. In addition, it will also summarize the regulation of miRNA, both cellular and extracellular miRNA, expression modulated by dietary macronutrients.

Hsa_circ_0088036 promotes the proliferation and migration of fibroblast-like synoviocytes by sponging miR-140-3p and upregulating SIRT 1 expression in rheumatoid arthritis

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been demonstrated to play crucial roles in the development and progression of various types of cancers by serving as microRNA sponges to regulate the expression of target genes. Although in-depth studies of circRNAs have been conducted, their functional and pathological significance in autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), remains unclear. Our previous study verified that hsa_circ_0088036 (circ0088036) is significantly elevated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with RA. The present study aimed to explore the roles of circ0088036 in the pathogenesis of RA. The circ0088036/miR-140-3p/silent information regulator 1 (SIRT 1) axis was predicted by bioinformatics tools. Circ0088036 was found to be aberrantly upregulated in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) in RA compared with FLSs in osteoarthritis (OA). Functionally, upregulated circ0088036 promoted the proliferation and migration of RA-FLSs. Mechanistically, circ0088036 acted as a miR-140-3p sponge to upregulate SIRT 1 expression, subsequently promoting RA progression. In conclusion, this study revealed that circ0088036 may play an essential role in promoting synovial pathogenesis via the circ0088036/miR-140-3p/SIRT 1 axis in RA, providing new insight into circRNAs during RA progression.

Undernutrition impairs the quality of growth plate and trabecular and cortical bones in growing rats1

Purpose

To investigate the effects of dietary restriction on the growth plate and long bone tissue in growing rats.

Methods

Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to two groups: Control (Con) and Diet-restricted (Res). After weaning, the Res rats were offered 50% of the chow ingested by the control (ad libitum food intake). The animals were subdivided into two subgroups with follow-ups up to 56 or 70 days. After euthanasia, the growth plate of tibias was analyzed by histomorphometry, micro-computed tomography, and mechanical test. The trabecular and compact bones were evaluated by histomorphometry, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and micro-computed tomography (μCT). Real-time PCR was used to analyze gene expression.

Results

Although dietary restriction did not alter gene expression, several phenotypic changes were seen in the growth plate; i.e., decrease in volume, reduction in total area and height, decrease in the area ossified zones, mechanical weakening, reduction in mass of trabecular and cortical bone, lower bone density, deterioration of the trabecular and cortical microarchitecture, and trabeculae with lower collagen deposition.

Conclusion

Dietary restriction had severe detrimental effects on the growth plate and trabecular and cortical bone.

Undernutrition and growth in the developing world

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Despite targeted interventions, an estimated 150.8 million children under 5 years globally are still stunted, of which more than half live in Asia and more than one-third live in Africa. This review summarizes our current knowledge regarding how longitudinal bone growth is regulated by nutritional intake in the developing world. Dietary macronutrients and micronutrients necessary for growth are also briefly reviewed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent advances include investigations of nutritionally sensitive regulators of growth as well as prospective evaluations of the role of specific dietary components on growth in order to better assess their impact.

SUMMARY

Further investigation is required to understand how nutrition impacts growth, the mechanisms underlying stunting and to optimize therapeutic strategies for children who are at risk for growth attenuation or are stunted in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Effect of Nutrition on Statural Growth

In children, proper growth and development are often regarded as a surrogate marker for good health. A complex system controls the initiation, rate, and cessation of growth, and thus gives a wonderful example of the interactions between genetics, epigenetics, and environmental factors (especially stress and nutrition). Malnutrition is considered a leading cause of growth attenuation in children. This review summarizes our current knowledge regarding the mechanisms linking nutrition and skeletal growth, including systemic factors, such as insulin, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1, fibroblast growth factor-21, etc., and local mechanisms, including mTOR, miRNAs, and epigenetics. Studying the molecular mechanisms regulating skeletal growth may lead to the establishment of better nutritional and therapeutic regimens for more effective linear growth in children with malnutrition and growth abnormalities. 
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Expression and Regulatory Network Analysis of miR-140-3p, a New Potential Serum Biomarker for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Given its prevalence and social impact, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is drawing much interest. Molecular basis of ASD is heterogeneous and only partially known. Many factors, including disorders comorbid with ASD, like TS (Tourette Syndrome), complicate ASD behavior-based diagnosis and make it vulnerable to bias. To further investigate ASD etiology and to identify potential biomarkers to support its precise diagnosis, we used TaqMan Low Density Array technology to profile serum miRNAs from ASD, TS, and TS+ASD patients, and unaffected controls (NCs). Through validation assays in 30 ASD, 24 TS, and 25 TS+ASD patients and 25 NCs, we demonstrated that miR-140-3p is upregulated in ASD vs.: NC, TS, and TS+ASD (Tukey's test, p-values = 0.03, = 0.01, < 0.0001, respectively). ΔCt values for miR-140-3p and YGTSS (Yale Global Tic Severity Scale) scores are positively correlated (Spearman r = 0.33; Benjamini-Hochberg p = 0.008) and show a linear relationship (p = 0.002). Network functional analysis showed that nodes controlled by miR-140-3p, especially CD38 and NRIP1 which are its validated targets, are involved in processes convergingly dysregulated in ASD, such as synaptic plasticity, immune response, and chromatin binding. Biomarker analysis proved that serum miR-140-3p can discriminate among: (1) ASD and NC (Area under the ROC curve, AUC: 0.70; sensitivity: 63.33%; specificity: 68%); (2) ASD and TS (AUC: 0.72; sensitivity: 66.66%; specificity: 70.83%); (3) ASD and TS+ASD (AUC: 0.78; sensitivity: 73.33%; specificity: 76%). Characterization of miR-140-3p network would contribute to further clarify ASD etiology. Serum miR-140-3p could represent a potential non-invasive biomarker for ASD, easy to test through liquid biopsy.

Beta Palmitate Improves Bone Length and Quality during Catch-Up Growth in Young Rats

Palmitic acid (PA) is the most abundant saturated fatty acid in human milk, where it is heavily concentrated in the sn-2-position (termed beta palmitate, BPA) and as such is conserved in all women, regardless of their diet or ethnicity, indicating its physiological and metabolic importance. We hypothesized that BPA improves the efficiency of nutrition-induced catch up growth as compared to sn-1,3 PA, which is present in vegetable oil. Pre-pubertal male rats were subjected to a 17 days food restriction followed by re-feeding for nine days with 1,3 PA or BPA-containing diets. We measured bone length, epiphyseal growth plate height (EGP, histology), bone quality (micro-CT and 3-point bending assay), and gene expression (Affymetrix). The BPA-containing diet improved most growth parameters: humeri length and EGP height were greater in the BPA-fed animals. Further analysis of the EGP revealed that the hypertrophic zone was significantly higher in the BPA group. In addition, Affymetrix analysis revealed that the diet affected the expression of several genes in the liver and EGP. Despite the very subtle difference between the diets and the short re-feeding period, we found a small but significant improvement in most growth parameters in the BPA-fed rats. This pre-clinical study may have important implications, especially for children with growth disorders and children with special nutritional needs.

Nutriepigenomics and malnutrition

Epigenetics is defined as the modulation of gene expression without changes to the underlying DNA sequence. Epigenetic alterations, as a consequence of in utero malnutrition, may play a role in susceptibility to develop adulthood diseases and inheritance. However, the mechanistic link between epigenetic modifications and abnormalities in nutrition remains elusive. This review provides an update on the association of suboptimal nutritional environment and the high propensity to produce adult-onset chronic illnesses with a particular focus on modifications in genome functions that occur without alterations to the DNA sequence. We will mention the drivers of the phenotype and pattern of epigenetic markers set down during the reprogramming along with novel preventative and therapeutic strategies. New knowledge of epigenetic alterations is opening a gate toward personalized medicine.

The emergence of noncoding RNAs as Heracles in autophagy

Macroautophagy/autophagy is a catabolic process that is widely found in nature. Over the past few decades, mounting evidence has indicated that noncoding RNAs, ranging from small noncoding RNAs to long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and even circular RNAs (circRNAs), mediate the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of autophagy-related genes by participating in autophagy regulatory networks. The differential expression of noncoding RNAs affects autophagy levels at different physiological and pathological stages, including embryonic proliferation and differentiation, cellular senescence, and even diseases such as cancer. We summarize the current knowledge regarding noncoding RNA dysregulation in autophagy and investigate the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying noncoding RNA involvement in autophagy regulatory networks. Then, we integrate public resources to predict autophagy-related noncoding RNAs across species and discuss strategies for and the challenges of identifying autophagy-related noncoding RNAs. This article will deepen our understanding of the relationship between noncoding RNAs and autophagy, and provide new insights to specifically target noncoding RNAs in autophagy-associated therapeutic strategies.

Quantitative proteomics of rat livers shows that unrestricted feeding is stressful for proteostasis with implications on life span

Studies in young mammals on the molecular effects of food restriction leading to prolong adult life are scares. Here, we used high-throughput quantitative proteomic analysis of whole rat livers to address the molecular basis for growth arrest and the apparent life-prolonging phenotype of the food restriction regimen. Over 1800 common proteins were significantly quantified in livers of ad libitum, restriction- and re-fed rats, which summed up into 92% of the total protein mass of the cells. Compared to restriction, ad libitum cells contained significantly less mitochondrial catabolic enzymes and more cytosolic and ER HSP90 and HSP70 chaperones, which are hallmarks of heat- and chemically-stressed tissues. Following re-feeding, levels of HSPs nearly reached ad libitum levels. The quantitative and qualitative protein values indicated that the restriction regimen was a least stressful condition that used minimal amounts of HSP-chaperones to maintain optimal protein homeostasis and sustain optimal life span. In contrast, the elevated levels of HSP-chaperones in ad libitum tissues were characteristic of a chronic stress, which in the long term could lead to early aging and shorter life span.

Food Deprivation Affects the miRNome in the Lactating Goat Mammary Gland

Background

Nutrition affects milk composition thus influencing its nutritional properties. Nutrition also modifies the expression of mammary genes, whose regulation is not fully understood. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small non coding RNA which are important post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression by targeting messenger RNAs. Our goal was to characterize miRNA whose expression is regulated by nutrition in the lactating goat mammary gland, which may provide clues to deciphering regulations of the biosynthesis and secretion of milk components.

Methodology/principal findings

Using high-throughput sequencing technology, miRNomes of the lactating mammary gland were established from lactating goats fed ad libitum or deprived of food for 48h affecting milk production and composition. High throughput miRNA sequencing revealed 30 miRNA with an expression potentially modulated by food deprivation; 16 were down-regulated and 14 were up-regulated. Diana-microT predictive tools suggested a potential role for several nutriregulated miRNA in lipid metabolism. Among the putative targets, 19 were previously identified as differently expressed genes (DEG). The functions of these 19 DEG revealed, notably, their involvement in tissue remodelling.

Conclusion/significance

In conclusion, this study offers the first evidence of nutriregulated miRNA in the ruminant mammary gland. Characterization of these 30 miRNA could contribute to a clearer understanding of gene regulation in the mammary gland in response to nutrition.

Growth attenuation is associated with histone deacetylase 10-induced autophagy in the liver

Our previous data suggested that the histone deacetylase (HDAC) SIRT1 is involved in mediating the effect of nutrition on growth. The aim of the present research was to study the mechanism by which additional HDACs may be involved in nutrition-induced linear growth. The in vivo studies were performed in young male Sprague-Dawley rats that were either fed ad libitum (AL) or subjected to 10days of 40% food restriction (RES) and then refed (CU). For in vitro studies, Huh7 hepatoma cells were used. Food restriction led to significant reduction in liver weight, concomitant with increased autophagy (i.e., a decrease in the level of P62 and an increase in the expression level of Ambra1 and Atg16L2 genes in the RES group). At the same time, we found that the level of HDAC10 was significantly increased. Overexpression of HDAC10 in Huh7 hepatoma cells led to reduced cell viability and increased autophagy as shown by increased conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II. An increase in the level of HDAC10 was also obtained when mTOR was inhibited by Rapamycin. siRNA directed against HDAC10 abolished the effect of Rapamycin on cell viability and Ambra1 and Atg16L2 increased expression. These results suggest that increased levels of HDAC10 may mediate the effect of malnutrition on growth attenuation and autophagy. Deciphering the role of epigenetic regulation in the nutrition-growth connection may pave the way for the development of new forms of treatment for children with growth disorders.

Nutritionally-induced catch-up growth

Malnutrition is considered a leading cause of growth attenuation in children. When food is replenished, spontaneous catch-up (CU) growth usually occurs, bringing the child back to its original growth trajectory. However, in some cases, the CU growth is not complete, leading to a permanent growth deficit. This review summarizes our current knowledge regarding the mechanism regulating nutrition and growth, including systemic factors, such as insulin, growth hormone, insulin- like growth factor-1, vitamin D, fibroblast growth factor-21, etc., and local mechanisms, including autophagy, as well as regulators of transcription, protein synthesis, miRNAs and epigenetics. Studying the molecular mechanisms regulating CU growth may lead to the establishment of better nutritional and therapeutic regimens for more effective CU growth in children with malnutrition and growth abnormalities. It will be fascinating to follow this research in the coming years and to translate the knowledge gained to clinical benefit.

Bone quality is affected by food restriction and by nutrition-induced catch-up growth

Growth stunting constitutes the most common effect of malnutrition. When the primary cause of malnutrition is resolved, catch-up (CU) growth usually occurs. In this study, we have explored the effect of food restriction (RES) and refeeding on bone structure and mechanical properties. Sprague-Dawley male rats aged 24 days were subjected to 10 days of 40% RES, followed by refeeding for 1 (CU) or 26 days long-term CU (LTCU). The rats fed ad libitum served as controls. The growth plates were measured, osteoclasts were identified using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, and micro-computed tomography (CT) scanning and mechanical testing were used to study structure and mechanical properties. Micro-CT analysis showed that RES led to a significant reduction in trabecular BV/TV and trabecular number (Tb.N), concomitant with an increase in trabecular separation (Tb.Sp). Trabecular BV/TV and Tb.N were significantly greater in the CU group than in the RES in both short- and long-term experiments. Mechanical testing showed that RES led to weaker and less compliant bones; interestingly, bones of the CU group were also more fragile after 1 day of CU. Longer term of refeeding enabled correction of the bone parameters; however, LTCU did not achieve full recovery. These results suggest that RES in young rats attenuated growth and reduced trabecular bone parameters. While nutrition-induced CU growth led to an immediate increase in epiphyseal growth plate height and active bone modeling, it was also associated with a transient reduction in bone quality. This should be taken into consideration when treating children undergoing CU growth.

Recent research on the growth plate: Impact of inflammatory cytokines on longitudinal bone growth

Children with inflammatory diseases usually display abnormal growth patterns as well as delayed puberty. This is a result of several factors related to the disease itself, such as malnutrition, hypercortisolism, and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These factors in combination with glucocorticoid treatment contribute to growth retardation during chronic inflammation by systemically affecting the major regulator of growth, the GH/IGF1 axis. However, recent studies have also shown evidence of a direct effect of these factors at the growth plate level. In conditions of chronic inflammation, pro-inflammatory cytokines are upregulated and released into the circulation. The most abundant of these, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1β (IL1β), and IL6, are all known to directly act on growth plate cartilage to induce apoptosis and thereby suppress bone growth. Both clinical and experimental studies have shown that growth retardation can partly be rescued when these cytokines are blocked. Therefore, therapy modulating the local actions of these cytokines may be effective for preventing growth failure in patients with chronic inflammatory disorders. In this review, we report the current knowledge of inflammatory cytokines and their role in regulating bone growth.

Significance of epigenetic landscape in cartilage regeneration from the cartilage development and pathology perspective

Regenerative therapies for cartilage defects have been greatly advanced by progress in both the stem cell biology and tissue engineering fields. Despite notable successes, significant barriers remain including shortage of autologous cell sources and generation of a stable chondrocyte phenotype using progenitor cells. Increasing demands for the treatment of degenerative diseases, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, highlight the importance of epigenetic remodeling in cartilage regeneration. Epigenetic regulatory mechanisms, such as microRNAs, DNA methylation, and histone modifications, have been intensively studied due to their direct regulatory role on gene expression. However, a thorough understanding of the environmental factors that initiate these epigenetic events may provide greater insight into the prevention of degenerative diseases and improve the efficacy of treatments. In other words, if we could identify a specific factor from the environment and its downstream signaling events, then we could stop or retard degradation and enhance cartilage regeneration. A more operational definition of epigenetic remodeling has recently been proposed by categorizing the signals during the epigenetic process into epigenators, initiators, and maintainers. This review seeks to compile and reorganize the existing literature pertaining to epigenetic remodeling events placing emphasis on perceiving the landscape of epigenetic mechanisms during cartilage regeneration with the new operational definition, especially from the environmental factors' point of view. Progress in understanding epigenetic regulatory mechanisms could benefit cartilage regeneration and engineering on a larger scale and provide more promising therapeutic applications.

A serum component mediates food restriction-induced growth attenuation

Proper nutrition in terms of calories and essential food components is required to maximize longitudinal growth in children. Our previous study showed that prepubertal male rats subjected to 10 days of 40% food restriction (RES) exhibited a dramatic reduction in weight and epiphyseal growth plate height, as well as changes in gene expression and microRNAs (miRNAs) in the epiphyseal growth plate. These findings reversed rapidly after renewal of the regular food supply (catch-up [CU]). To further elucidate the mechanisms underlying the nutrition-growth association, serum collected from the RES and CU rats and control rats fed ad libitum (AL) was added to the culture medium of the chondrocyte cell line ATDC5 (instead of fetal calf serum). Serum from the RES group induced a reduction in cell viability (25%, P < .05) concomitant with an increase in cell differentiation compared with that for the AL group serum. The most interesting observation, in our opinion, was the significant reduction in the expression of specific miRNAs, including the chondro-specific miR-140. These effects were not observed for serum from refed (CU) rats. Serum levels of IGF-I, leptin, and fibroblast growth factor 21 were reduced by food restriction. The addition of IGF-I and leptin to the culture increased cell viability, whereas fibroblast growth factor 21 reduced it, suggesting the involvement of IGF-I, leptin, and possibly other still unidentified serum factors in chondrocyte cell growth. In conclusion, specific miRNAs respond to nutritional cues, and these effects are mediated by serum-borne factors. These results may promote the development of superior interventions for children with malnutrition and growth abnormalities.

MicroRNAs and ethanol toxicity

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small nonprotein-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that have been shown to promote the degradation of target messenger RNAs and inhibit the translation of networks of protein-coding genes to control the development of cells and tissues, and facilitate their adaptation to environmental forces. In this chapter, we will discuss recent data that show that miRNAs are an important component of the epigenetic landscape that regulates the transcription as well as the translation of protein-coding gene networks. We will discuss the evidence that implicates miRNAs in both developmental and adult effects of alcohol consumption. Understanding the interactions of this novel class of ncRNAs with the epigenome will be important for understanding the etiology of alcohol teratology and addiction as well as potential new treatment strategies.

Identifying common and specific microRNAs expressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cell of type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes mellitus patients

Background

Regardless the regulatory function of microRNAs (miRNA), their differential expression pattern has been used to define miRNA signatures and to disclose disease biomarkers. To address the question of whether patients presenting the different types of diabetes mellitus could be distinguished on the basis of their miRNA and mRNA expression profiling, we obtained peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) RNAs from 7 type 1 (T1D), 7 type 2 (T2D), and 6 gestational diabetes (GDM) patients, which were hybridized to Agilent miRNA and mRNA microarrays. Data quantification and quality control were obtained using the Feature Extraction software, and data distribution was normalized using quantile function implemented in the Aroma light package. Differentially expressed miRNAs/mRNAs were identified using Rank products, comparing T1DxGDM, T2DxGDM and T1DxT2D. Hierarchical clustering was performed using the average linkage criterion with Pearson uncentered distance as metrics.

Results

The use of the same microarrays platform permitted the identification of sets of shared or specific miRNAs/mRNA interaction for each type of diabetes. Nine miRNAs (hsa-miR-126, hsa-miR-1307, hsa-miR-142-3p, hsa-miR-142-5p, hsa-miR-144, hsa-miR-199a-5p, hsa-miR-27a, hsa-miR-29b, and hsa-miR-342-3p) were shared among T1D, T2D and GDM, and additional specific miRNAs were identified for T1D (20 miRNAs), T2D (14) and GDM (19) patients. ROC curves allowed the identification of specific and relevant (greater AUC values) miRNAs for each type of diabetes, including: i) hsa-miR-1274a, hsa-miR-1274b and hsa-let-7f for T1D; ii) hsa-miR-222, hsa-miR-30e and hsa-miR-140-3p for T2D, and iii) hsa-miR-181a and hsa-miR-1268 for GDM. Many of these miRNAs targeted mRNAs associated with diabetes pathogenesis.

Conclusions

These results indicate that PBMC can be used as reporter cells to characterize the miRNA expression profiling disclosed by the different diabetes mellitus manifestations. Shared miRNAs may characterize diabetes as a metabolic and inflammatory disorder, whereas specific miRNAs may represent biological markers for each type of diabetes, deserving further attention.

Differentially expressed microRNAs in chondrocytes from distinct regions of developing human cartilage

There is compelling in vivo evidence from reports on human genetic mutations and transgenic mice that some microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important functional role in regulating skeletal development and growth. A number of published in vitro studies also point toward a role for miRNAs in controlling chondrocyte gene expression and differentiation. However, information on miRNAs that may regulate a specific phase of chondrocyte differentiation (i.e. production of progenitor, differentiated or hypertrophic chondrocytes) is lacking. To attempt to bridge this knowledge gap, we have investigated miRNA expression patterns in human embryonic cartilage tissue. Specifically, a developmental time point was selected, prior to endochondral ossification in the embryonic limb, to permit analysis of three distinct populations of chondrocytes. The location of chondroprogenitor cells, differentiated chondrocytes and hypertrophic chondrocytes in gestational day 54-56 human embryonic limb tissue sections was confirmed both histologically and by specific collagen expression patterns. Laser capture microdissection was utilized to separate the three chondrocyte populations and a miRNA profiling study was carried out using TaqMan® OpenArray® Human MicroRNA Panels (Applied Biosystems®). Here we report on abundantly expressed miRNAs in human embryonic cartilage tissue and, more importantly, we have identified miRNAs that are significantly differentially expressed between precursor, differentiated and hypertrophic chondrocytes by 2-fold or more. Some of the miRNAs identified in this study have been described in other aspects of cartilage or bone biology, while others have not yet been reported in chondrocytes. Finally, a bioinformatics approach was applied to begin to decipher developmental cellular pathways that may be regulated by groups of differentially expressed miRNAs during distinct stages of chondrogenesis. Data obtained from this work will serve as an important resource of information for the field of cartilage biology and will enhance our understanding of miRNA-driven mechanisms regulating cartilage and endochondral bone development, regeneration and repair.