Silencing of miR-10b-5p alleviates the mechanical stretch-induced proliferation of HASMCs

Mogroside V enhances bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells osteogenesis under hyperglycemic conditions through upregulating miR-10b-5p and PI3K/Akt signaling

BACKGROUND

Mogroside V (MV) is a triterpene glucoside that reportedly exhibits an array of antitumor, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, and hypoglycemic properties. In prior studies, our group determined that MV was able to readily enhance osteogenic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) differentiation under high-glucose conditions through mechanisms potentially associated with miR-10b-5p and PI3K/Akt signaling activity. The precise molecular basis for these effects, however, remains to be fully elucidated.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore the potential mechanisms by which MV regulates the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs under hyperglycemic conditions.

METHODS

Femoral and tibial BMSCs were isolated from control and diabetic C57BL/6J mice. qRT-PCR was used to quantify miR-10b-5p levels. Putative miR-10b-5p target genes were predicted through bioinformatics assays and validated in a luciferase reporter assay system. miR-10b-5p expression was inhibited with an antagomiR-10b-5p construct, while PI3K/Akt pathway signaling was inhibited with LY294002. Western blotting was used to detect PI3K/Akt pathway and target gene protein levels, while Alizarin red staining was used to detect calcium nodule deposition by BMSCs.

RESULTS

miR-10b-5p upregulation was noted in BMSCs exposed to hyperglycemic conditions. HOXD10 was identified as a cell differentiation-related miR-10b-5p target gene in bioinformatics analyses, and the targeting relationship between the two was confirmed in a luciferase reporter assay. MV treatment elicited significantly higher levels of miR-10b-5p expression, PI3K phosphorylation, and calcium deposition, while antagomiR-10b-5p or LY294002 treatment reversed these changes, and the opposite trends were observed with respect to HOXD10 protein levels.

CONCLUSION

MV favors BMSCs osteogenic differentiation under high-glucose conditions through the upregulation of miR-10b-5p and the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling.

LINC00963 Represses Osteogenic Differentiation of hBMSCs via the miR-10b-5p/RAP2A/AKT Axis

Osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) is important for human bone formation. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are critical regulators in osteogenic differentiation. This study aimed to explore the function and mechanisms of long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 963 (LINC00963) in affecting osteogenesis. Cell differentiation was assessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity detection and ALP staining assay. Meanwhile, levels of osteogenic marker genes, including RUNX family transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteocalcin (OCN), and osteopontin (OPN), were detected by RT-qPCR and western blot. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured using CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry analysis. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA pull-down and luciferase reporter assays were used to investigate the interaction between genes. LINC00963 expression was down-regulated in hBMSCs treated with osteogenic induction. LINC00963 overexpression inhibited hBMSCs differentiation, proliferation, and elevated apoptosis. LINC00963 acted as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to interact with miR-10b-5p and thereby regulated the expression level of Ras-related protein Rap-2a (RAP2A). LINC00963 regulated RAP2A to inhibit the level of phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT). LINC00963 inhibited hBMSCs differentiation, proliferation, and elevated apoptosis via the miR-10b-5p/RAP2A/AKT signaling, which might help improve the treatment of osteoporosis.

Comprehensive analysis of the differential expression of mRNAs, lncRNAs, and miRNAs in Zi goose testis with high and low sperm mobility

Sperm mobility (SM) is an objective index for measuring sperm motility; however, the mechanisms underlying its regulation in geese remain unclear. The present study sought to elucidate the genetic mechanism underlying SM traits in Zi geese (Anser cygnoides L.). To this end, three successive experiments were performed. In Experiment I, SM was determined in 40 ganders; the 3 ganders with the highest mobility and three with the lowest mobility were assigned to the high and low sperm mobility rank (SMR) groups, respectively. In Experiment II, the differences in fertility between the two SMR groups were assessed within two breeding flocks comprising the selected six ganders from Experiment I and 30 females (each flock had 3 ganders and 15 females). In Experiment III, the testes of the 6 ganders were harvested for histological observation and whole-transcriptome sequencing. Results revealed better fertility, well-developed seminiferous tubules, and abundant mature sperm in the high-SMR-flock compared to those of the low-SMR-flock (89 vs. 81%) (P < 0.05). Differential expression (DE) analysis identified 76 mRNAs, 344 lncRNAs, and 17 miRNAs between the SMR groups, with LOC106049708, XPNPEP3, GNB3, ADCY8, PRKAG3, oha-miR-182-5p, and ocu-miR-10b-5p identified as key mRNAs and miRNAs contributing to SM. Enrichment analysis implicated these DE RNAs in pathways related to ATP binding, cell metabolism, apelin signaling, Wnt signaling, and Adherens junctions. Additionally, competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks comprising 9 DE mRNAs, 17 DE miRNAs, and 169 DE lncRNAs were constructed. Two ceRNA network pathways (LOC106049708-oha-miR-182-5p-MSTRG.2479.6 and PRKAG3-ocu-miR-10b-5p-MSTRG.9047.14) were identified as key regulators of SM in geese. These findings offer crucial insights into the identification of key genes and ceRNA pathways influencing sperm mobility in geese.

Bronchial thermoplasty decreases airway remodeling by inhibiting autophagy via the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway

Bronchial thermoplasty (BT), an effective treatment for severe asthma, requires heat to reach the airway to reduce the mass of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). Autophagy is involved in the pathological process of airway remodeling in patients with asthma. However, it remains unclear whether autophagy participates in controlling airway remodeling induced by BT. In this study, we aim to elucidate the autophagy-mediated molecular mechanisms in BT. Our study reveal that the number of autophagosomes and the level of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) fluorescence are significantly decreased in airway biopsy tissues after BT. As the temperature increased, BT causes a decrease in cell proliferation and a concomitant increase in the apoptosis of human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). Furthermore, increase in temperature significantly downregulates cellular autophagy, autophagosome accumulation, the LC3II/LC3I ratio, and Beclin-1 expression, upregulates p62 expression, and inhibits the AMPK/mTOR pathway. Furthermore, cotreatment with AICAR (an AMPK agonist) or RAPA (an mTOR antagonist) abolishes the inhibition of autophagy and attenuates the increase in the apoptosis rate of HASMCs induced by the thermal effect. Therefore, we conclude that BT decreases airway remodeling by blocking autophagy induced by the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway in HASMCs.

Noncoding RNAs in asthmatic airway smooth muscle cells

Asthma is a complex and heterogeneous airway disease caused by genetic, environmental and epigenetic factors treated with hormones and biologics. Irreversible pathological changes to airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) such as hyperplasia and hypertrophy can occur in asthmatic patients. Determining the mechanisms responsible is vital for preventing such changes. In recent years, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), especially microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs and circular RNAs, have been found to be associated with abnormalities of the ASMCs. This review highlights recent ncRNA research into ASMC pathologies. We present a schematic that illustrates the role of ncRNAs in pathophysiological changes to ASMCs that may be useful in future research in diagnostic and treatment strategies for patients with asthma.

Micropattern Silk Fibroin Film Facilitates Tendon Repair In Vivo and Promotes Tenogenic Differentiation of Tendon Stem/Progenitor Cells through the α2β1/FAK/PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway In Vitro

Background

Tendon injuries are common clinical disorders. Due to the limited regeneration ability of tendons, tissue engineering technology is often used as an adjuvant treatment. This study explored the molecular pathways underlying micropattern SF film-regulated TSPC propensity and their repairing effects to highlight the application value of micropattern SF films.

Methods

First, we characterized the physical properties of the micropattern SF films and explored their repairing effects on the injured tendons in vivo. Then, we seeded TSPCs on SF films in vitro and determined the micropattern SF film-induced gene expression and activation of signaling pathways in TSPCs through high-throughput RNA sequencing and proteomics assays.

Results

The results of in vivo studies suggested that micropattern SF films can promote remodeling of the injured tendon. In addition, immunohistochemistry (IHC) results showed that tendon marker genes were significantly increased in the micropattern SF film repair group. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses demonstrated that micropattern SF film-induced genes and proteins in TSPCs were mainly enriched in the focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/actin and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathways. Western blot analysis showed that the expression of integrins α2β1, tenascin-C (TNC), and tenomodulin (TNMD) and the phosphorylation of AKT were significantly increased in the micropattern SF film group, which could be abrogated by applying PI3K/AKT inhibitors.

Conclusion

Micropattern SF films modified by water annealing can promote remodeling of the injured tendon in vivo and regulate the tendon differentiation of TSPCs through the α2β1/FAK/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in vitro. Therefore, they have great medical value in tendon repair.