MiR-363-3p attenuates neonatal hypoxic-ischemia encephalopathy by targeting DUSP5

Identification of lncRNA-based regulatory mechanisms of Takifugu rubripes growth traits in fast and slow-growing family lines

Family selection is an important method in fish aquaculture because growth is the most important economic trait. Fast-and slow-growing families of tiger puffer fish (Takifugu rubripes) have been established through family selection. The development of teleost fish is primarily controlled by the growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis that includes the hypothalamus-pituitary-liver. In this study, the molecular mechanisms underlying T. rubripes growth were analyzed by comparing transcriptomes from fast- and slow-growing families. The expressions of 214 lncRNAs were upregulated, and those of 226 were downregulated in the brain tissues of the fast-growing T. rubripes family compared to those of the slow-growing family. Differentially expressed lncRNAs centrally regulate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and forkhead box O (FoxO) signaling pathways. Based on the results of lncRNA-gene network construction, we found that lncRNA3133.13, lncRNA23169.1, lncRNA23145.1, and lncRNA23141.3 regulated all four genes (igf1, mdm2, flt3, and cwf19l1). In addition, lncRNA7184.10 may be a negative regulator of rasgrp2 and a positive regulator of gadd45ga, foxo3b, and dusp5. These target genes are associated with the growth and development of organisms through the PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK pathways. Overall, transcriptomic analyses of fast- and slow-growing families of T. rubripes provided insights into the molecular mechanisms of teleost fish growth rates. Further, these analyses provide evidence for key genes related to growth regulation and the lncRNA expression regulatory network that will provide a framework for improving puffer fish germplasm resources.

Astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles inhibit the abnormal activation of immune function in neonatal mice with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage by carrying miR-124-3p

OBJECTIVE

Hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) is among the leading causes of neonatal death worldwide. miR-124-3p can be utilized as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for perinatal asphyxia and HI encephalopathy in newborns. This study investigated the protective effect and mechanism of miR-124-3p in astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (ADEVs) in HIBD.

METHODS

    The neonatal mouse model of HIBD was established. Astrocytes were transfected with the miR-124-3p inhibitor, followed by isolation and identification of ADEVs (ADEVs + inhi miR). HIBD mice were injected with ADEVs or ADEVs + inhi miR through the lateral ventricle, and neurological function was evaluated based on the modified neurological severity score (mNSS). The infarct volume of mice and the morphological modifications of neurons were observed by TTC staining and hematoxylin-eosin staining. The contents of SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, and MDA in the hippocampus were measured. The neuronal apoptosis, the activation of MPO+ neutrophils, NK cells, and CD3+ cells in CA1 region of the hippocampus was determined by means of TUNEL staining and immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

ADEVs alleviated HIBD in neonatal mice. ADEVs could intrinsically protect mice from HIBD by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis in hippocampal tissue. ADEVs inhibited the positive expression of MPO+ neutrophils, NK cells, and CD3+ cells in HIBD neonatal mice. ADEVs inhibited the hippocampal immune cells by delivering miR-124-3p in neonatal HIBD mice.

CONCLUSION

ADEVs can inhibit the abnormal activation of immune function in HIBD by delivering miR-124-3p, thereby eliciting a protective effect on brain damage in neonatal mice.

Neuronal Responses to Ischemia: Scoping Review of Insights from Human-Derived In Vitro Models

Translation of neuroprotective treatment effects from experimental animal models to patients with cerebral ischemia has been challenging. Since pathophysiological processes may vary across species, an experimental model to clarify human-specific neuronal pathomechanisms may help. We conducted a scoping review of the literature on human neuronal in vitro models that have been used to study neuronal responses to ischemia or hypoxia, the parts of the pathophysiological cascade that have been investigated in those models, and evidence on effects of interventions. We included 147 studies on four different human neuronal models. The majority of the studies (132/147) was conducted in SH-SY5Y cells, which is a cancerous cell line derived from a single neuroblastoma patient. Of these, 119/132 used undifferentiated SH-SY5Y cells, that lack many neuronal characteristics. Two studies used healthy human induced pluripotent stem cell derived neuronal networks. Most studies used microscopic measures and established hypoxia induced cell death, oxidative stress, or inflammation. Only one study investigated the effect of hypoxia on neuronal network functionality using micro-electrode arrays. Treatment targets included oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death, and neuronal network stimulation. We discuss (dis)advantages of the various model systems and propose future perspectives for research into human neuronal responses to ischemia or hypoxia.

The Role of microRNAs in Epigenetic Regulation of Signaling Pathways in Neurological Pathologies

In recent times, there has been a significant increase in researchers' interest in the functions of microRNAs and the role of these molecules in the pathogenesis of many multifactorial diseases. This is related to the diagnostic and prognostic potential of microRNA expression levels as well as the prospects of using it in personalized targeted therapy. This review of the literature analyzes existing scientific data on the involvement of microRNAs in the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the development of pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease, cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury, and dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier.

Dual-specificity phosphatase 26-dificient neurons are susceptible to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation-evoked apoptosis and proinflammatory response by affecting the TAK1-medaited JNK/P38 MAPK pathway

Dual-specificity phosphatase 26 (DUSP26) is linked to a broad range of human disorders as it affects numerous signaling cascades. However, the involvement of DUSP26 in ischemic stroke has not been explored. Here, we investigated DUSP26 as a key mediator of oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-associated neuronal injury, an in vitro model for investigating ischemic stroke. A decline in DUSP26 occurred in neurons suffering from OGD/R. A deficiency in DUSP26 rendered neurons more susceptible to OGD/R by aggravating neuronal apoptosis and inflammation, while the overexpression of DUSP26 blocked OGD/R-evoked neuronal apoptosis and inflammation. Mechanistically, enhanced phosphorylation of transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was evidenced in DUSP26-deficient neurons suffering from OGD/R, whereas the opposite effects were observed in DUSP26-overexpressed neurons. Moreover, the inhibition of TAK1 abolished the DUSP26-deficiency-elicited activation of JNK and P38 MAPK and exhibited anti-OGD/R injury effects in DUSP26-deficiency neurons. Results from these experiments show that DUSP26 is essential for neurons in defending against OGD/R insult, while neuroprotection is achieved by restraining the TAK1-mediated JNK/P38 MAPK pathway. Therefore, DUSP26 may serve as a therapeutic target for the management of ischemic stroke.

MiR-216a-3p inhibits the proliferation and invasion of fibroblast-like synoviocytes by targeting dual-specificity phosphatase 5

Dual-specificity phosphatase 5 (DUSP5) is a novel anti-inflammatory modulator in many inflammatory diseases. However, the role of DUSP5 in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to explore the biological function and regulation of DUSP5 in FLS. We found that lower DUSP5 expression level was detected in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and synoviocyte MH7A. Overexpression of DUSP5 markedly decreased the proliferation, migration, and invasion of MH7A, which correlated with suppressing the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Moreover, DUSP5 was identified as a novel target gene of miR-216a-3p, which was upregulated in FLS. Therefore, DUSP5 expression was negatively regulated by miR-216a-3p, and the effect of DUSP5 overexpression on FLS was reversed by miR-216a-3p mimics. Overall, our study demonstrates that DUSP5 is a miR-216a-3p target gene and its anti-inflammatory function in FLS via inactivation of ERK. These results revealed that the miR-216a-3p/DUSP5 pathway may play a crucial role in the malignant behavior of FLS, which may serve as a new target for the treatment of RA.

Maternal and Fetal Risk Factors for Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Retrospective Study

Background

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) leads to different degree of neurological sequelae. The incidence of HIE is relatively high, and the risk factors associated with HIE are still controversial. It is necessary to identify the risk factors associated with HIE.

Methods

A total of 258 neonates (110 HIE patients and 148 controls) were enrolled in this study. The characteristics of pregnant women and fetuses during pregnancy and delivery were compared between HIE patients and controls, and the risk factors of HIE were analyzed.

Results

The proportions of premature infants, low-birth-weight infants and the levels of 1-minute Apgar score, 5-minute Apgar score in HIE group were significantly lower than those in control group, while the proportion of amniotic fluid contamination in the HIE group was significantly higher than those of the controls. When HIE was taken as the end point of 1-minute Apgar score, and 5-minute Apgar score, the cut-off value of 1-minute Apgar score was 3, and 5-minute Apgar score was 7 by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low birth weight (<2.5 kg) (OR 1.780, 95% CI: 0.124-25.463, P=0.016), amniotic fluid contamination (OR 3.223, 95% CI: 1.049-9.901, P=0.041), low 1-minute Apgar score (≤3) (OR 92.425, 95% CI: 15.522-550.343, P<0.001), and low 5-minute Apgar score (≤7) (OR 12.641, 95% CI: 2.894-55.227, P=0.001) may increase risk of HIE. In addition, amniotic fluid contamination, low 1-minute Apgar score (≤3), and low 5-minute Apgar score (≤7) may increase risk of HIE among newborns born to women without previous childbearing history, but not in newborns born to women with previous childbearing history.

Conclusion

Low birth weight (<2.5 kg), amniotic fluid contamination, low 1-minute Apgar score (≤3), and 5-minute Apgar score (≤7) may increase risk of HIE.

New Insights into Mechanisms of Ferroptosis Associated with Immune Infiltration in Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Damage

BACKGROUND

The mechanisms underlying ferroptosis in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) remain unclear.

METHOD

Four microarray datasets were collected from the GEO database (three mRNA datasets GSE23317, GSE144456, and GSE112137, and one miRNA microarray dataset GSE184939). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify modules of HIBD-related genes. The ferroptosis-related genes were extracted from FerrDb, of which closely correlated to HIBD were obtained after the intersection with existing HIBD's DEGs. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, as well as protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis were subsequently conducted. Cytoscape was used to identify central genes. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed by the CIBERSORT algorithm.

RESULT

Fifty-six ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (FRDEGs) were screened, mainly related to ferroptosis, autophagy, hypoxia response, metabolic pathways, and immune inflammation. The seven optimal hub FRDEGs were obtained by intersecting with key modules of WGCNA. Then, the expression levels of the seven optimal hub FRDEGs were validated in the GSE144456 and GSE112137 datasets, and the ferroptosis-related mRNA-miRNA network was established. In addition, this study revealed immune cell infiltration in the HIBD cerebral cortex and the interaction between immune cells. Moreover, notably, specific FRDEGs were strongly positively correlated with immune function.

CONCLUSIONS

The mechanism of ferroptosis is intricate and closely related to neonatal HIBD. Therefore, targeting ferroptosis-related gene therapy and immunotherapy may have therapeutic prospects for neonatal HIBD.

MiR-21 participates in the neuroprotection of diazoxide against hypoxic-ischemia encephalopathy by targeting PDCD4

BACKGROUND

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is one of the leading causes of neonatal death and permanent neurological disability. Here, we designed to quest therapeutic effects of diazoxide (DZ) on HIE and its mechanism.

METHODS

The cell model of HIE was established. CCK8 and flow cytometry were applied to test cell viability and apoptosis. RT-qPCR and western blotting was evaluated to the expression of miR-21, PDCD4, PI3K, and p-AKT/AKT. Commercial kits were employed to detect SOD, MDA, LDH. DCFH-DA was used to measure intracellular ROS. ELISA was performed to estimate IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Dual-luciferase reporter gene and RIP assay were applied to confirm the binding relationships between miR-21 and PDCD4.

RESULTS

In H19-7 cells and PC12 cells stimulated by OGD, with low cell viability, high apoptosis, miR-21 high expression and PDCD4 low expression. However, the functions were all reversed by DZ administration. Furthermore, miR-21 inhibitor could abolish the beneficial effects of DZ on OGD-induced cells. Besides, miR-21 could interact with PDCD4. In addition, PDCD4 involved with the regulation of DZ to OGD-induced cells via PI3K/AKT pathway.

CONCLUSION

DZ enhanced miR-21 level and inhibited PDCD4 level via PI3K/AKT pathway to resisted HIE.

Exosomal miRNA Profile in Small-for-Gestational-Age Children: A Potential Biomarker for Catch-Up Growth

Objective: The mechanism underlying postnatal growth failure and catch-up growth in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) children is poorly understood. This study investigated the exosomal miRNA signature associated with catch-up growth in SGA children. Methods: In total, 16 SGA and 10 appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) children were included. Serum exosomal miRNA was analyzed using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Exosomal miRNA was profiled for five SGA children with catch-up growth (SGA-CU), six SGA children without CU growth (SGA-nCU), and five AGA children. Results: Exosomal miRNA profiles were clustered into three clear groups. The exosomal miRNA expression profiles of the SGA-nCU group differed from those of the SGA-CU and AGA groups. In all, 22 miRNAs were differentially expressed between SGA-nCU and AGA, 19 between SGA-nCU and SGA-CU, and only 6 between SGA-CU and AGA. In both SGA-nCU and SGA-CU, miR-874-3p was upregulated and miR-6126 was downregulated. Therefore, these two miRNAs could serve as biomarkers for SGA. Compared with SGA-CU and AGA, miR-30c-5p, miR-363-3p, miR-29a-3p, and miR-29c-3p were upregulated in SGA-nCU, while miR-629-5p and miR-23a-5p were downregulated. These six miRNAs could be associated with growth failure in SGA-nCU children. Conclusions: SGA children without CU have a distinct exosomal miRNA expression profile compared with AGA and SGA children with CU. Exosomal miRNAs could serve as novel biomarkers for CU.