microRNA-130b-3p delivery by mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes confers protection on acute lung injury

Harnessing stem cell therapeutics in LPS-induced animal models: mechanisms, efficacies, and future directions

The severity and threat posed by inflammation are well documented, and lipopolysaccharides (LPS), as important inducers of inflammatory responses, are widely recognized for studying host immunity and the resulting tissue and organ damage. The LPS-induced disease model, triggers a remarkable release of inflammatory factors, immune and coagulation dysfunction, and damage to vital organs such as the brain, lungs, heart, liver, and kidneys. Recently, the role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in various clinical diseases has garnered significant attention due to their immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, tissue healing, anti-apoptotic, and antibacterial properties. Despite the common use of LPS models to induce disease models and simulate acute inflammation, the integration of stem cell therapy within these models remains underexplored. This article integrates the LPS induced animal model and reviews the current evidence regarding the therapeutic mechanisms of stem cells in LPS-induced disease models across various human body systems. Furthermore, this review predicts and hypothesizes the feasibility and potential of using stem cells in disease models that have not yet been extensively studied, based on existing animal inflammation models.

Mechanism of miR-130b-3p in relieving airway inflammation in asthma through HMGB1-TLR4-DRP1 axis

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory disease characterized by recurrent breathing difficulties caused by airway obstruction and hypersensitivity. Although there is diversity in their specific mechanisms, microRNAs (miRNAs) have a significant impact on the development of asthma. Currently, the contribution of miR-130b-3p to asthma remains elusive. The goal of this study was to examine whether miR-130b-3p attenuates house dust mite (HDM)-induced asthma through High-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1)/Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/mitochondrial fission protein (DRP1) signaling pathway. We elucidate that miR-130b-3p can bind to the HMGB1 3'UTR, attenuating HMGB1 mRNA and protein levels, and nucleo-cytoplasmic translocation of HMGB1. We observed that miR-130b-3p agomir or HMGB1 CKO attenuated HDM-induced airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness, and decreased Th2-type cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and mediastinal lymph nodes. Further, HMGB1 CKO contributes to alleviating Th2 inflammation in AT-II cells (CD45.2-/CD31-/Epcam-+/proSP-C+/MHC-II+) from lung single cell suspensions of asthmatic mice by flow cytometry. Our findings identified miR-130b-3p as a potent regulator in asthma that exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by targeting HMGB1 and the subsequent HMGB1/TLR4/DRP1axis, presenting a prospective novel therapeutic avenue for asthma management.

Microvesicle-Shuttled microRNA-130b Activates the Hepatic Inflammation by Inhibiting Glucocorticoid-Receptor-Mediated Immunosuppression in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Metabolism-disorder-induced liver diseases have become increasingly prevalent worldwide and are clinically linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes. In addition, a large number of previous literature studies have indicated that plasma miR-130b is a promising biomarker for the early diagnosis and treatment of obesity. However, whether miRNA-130b that was positively correlated with obesity resulted in hepatic inflammation needs to be further studied. Therefore, the study aims to determine the effect of microvesicle-shuttled miRNA-130b (miR-130b-MV) on the hepatic inflammation and its potential mechanism in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Three-week-old C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks. Then, the obese mice received tail vein injections of MV-packaged scrambled control microRNA (miR-SC-MV) or miR-130b-MV every other day for 10 days. Compared with the control group, the miR-130b-MV injection significantly reduced the body weight while increasing the ratio of liver wet weight to total body weight. In addition, the miR-130b-MV injection significantly activated the hepatic inflammation by increasing the expression of proinflammatory genes, although the plasma concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α were only slightly increased. Furthermore, the miR-130b-MV injection significantly increased the hepatic miR-130b expression while significantly suppressing the protein expression and phosphorylation of GR, a potential target of miR-130b. Moreover, the miR-130b overexpression results in a decrease in the expression of endogenous GR protein and a decrease in the activity of the luciferase reporter of GR 3'-UTR. In addition, the miR-130b-MV injection significantly upregulated NF-kB (p50) in both the cytoplasm and nucleus, showing enhanced proinflammation response. The above results demonstrated that miR-130b-MV activated the hepatic inflammation by inhibiting GR-mediated immunosuppression in high-fat diet-induced obese mice, suggesting a novel mechanism underlying the obesity-induced hepatic inflammation, and the inhibition of miR-130b may serve as a new molecular therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of hepatic inflammation.

INDUCED PLURIPOTENT STEM CELL-DERIVED MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS-DERIVED EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES ATTENUATE LPS-INDUCED LUNG INJURY AND ENDOTOXEMIA IN MICE

ABSTRACT

Introduction: We hypothesized extracellular vesicles (EVs) from preconditioned human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) attenuate LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and endotoxemia. Methods: iMSCs were incubated with cell stimulation cocktail (CSC) and EVs were isolated. iMSC-EVs were characterized by size and EV markers. Biodistribution of intratracheal (IT), intravenous, and intraperitoneal injection of iMSC-EVs in mice was examined using IVIS. Uptake of iMSC-EVs in lung tissue, alveolar macrophages, and RAW264.7 cells was also assessed. C57BL/6 mice were treated with IT/IP iMSC-EVs or vehicle ± IT/IP LPS to induce ALI/acute respiratory distress syndrome and endotoxemia. Lung tissues, plasma, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were harvested at 24 h. Lung histology, BALF neutrophil/macrophage, cytokine levels, and total protein concentration were measured to assess ALI and inflammation. Survival studies were performed using IP LPS in mice for 3 days. Results: iMSC-EV route of administration resulted in differential tissue distribution. iMSC-EVs were taken up by alveolar macrophages in mouse lung and cultured RAW264.7 cells. IT LPS-treated mice demonstrated marked histologic ALI, increased BALF neutrophils/macrophages and protein, and increased BALF and plasma TNF-α/IL-6 levels. These parameters were attenuated by 2 h before or 2 h after treatment with IT iMSC-EVs in ALI mice. Interestingly, the IT LPS-induced increase in IL-10 was augmented by iMSC-EVs. Mice treated with IP LPS showed increases in TNF-α and IL-6 that were downregulated by iMSC-EVs and LPS-induced mortality was ameliorated by iMSC-EVs. Administration of IT iMSC-EVs 2 h after LPS downregulated the increase in proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α/IL-6) by LPS and further increased IL-10 levels. Conclusions: iMSC-EVs attenuate the inflammatory effects of LPS on cytokine levels in ALI and IP LPS in mice. LPS-induced mortality was improved with administration of iMSC-EVs.

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes as delivery vehicles for non-coding RNAs in lung diseases

The burden of lung diseases is gradually increasing with an increase in the average human life expectancy. Therefore, it is necessary to identify effective methods to treat lung diseases and reduce their social burden. Currently, an increasing number of studies focus on the role of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) as a cell-free therapy in lung diseases. They show great potential for application to lung diseases as a more stable and safer option than traditional cell therapies. MSC-Exos are rich in various substances, including proteins, nucleic acids, and DNA. Delivery of Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) enables MSC-Exos to communicate with target cells. MSC-Exos significantly inhibit inflammatory factors, reduce oxidative stress, promote normal lung cell proliferation, and reduce apoptosis by delivering ncRNAs. Moreover, MSC-Exos carrying specific ncRNAs affect the proliferation, invasion, and migration of lung cancer cells, thereby playing a role in managing lung cancer. The detailed mechanisms of MSC-Exos in the clinical treatment of lung disease were explored by developing standardized culture, isolation, purification, and administration strategies. In summary, MSC-Exo-based delivery methods have important application prospects for treating lung diseases.

Delivery systems of therapeutic nucleic acids for the treatment of acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute lung injury (ALI)/ acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a devastating inflammatory lung disease with a high mortality rate. ALI/ARDS is induced by various causes, including sepsis, infections, thoracic trauma, and inhalation of toxic reagents. Corona virus infection disease-19 (COVID-19) is also a major cause of ALI/ARDS. ALI/ARDS is characterized by inflammatory injury and increased vascular permeability, resulting in lung edema and hypoxemia. Currently available treatments for ALI/ARDS are limited, but do include mechanical ventilation for gas exchange and treatments supportive of reduction of severe symptoms. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids have been suggested, but their clinical effects are controversial with possible side-effects. Therefore, novel treatment modalities have been developed for ALI/ARDS, including therapeutic nucleic acids. Two classes of therapeutic nucleic acids are in use. The first constitutes knock-in genes for encoding therapeutic proteins such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and adiponectin (APN) at the site of disease. The other is oligonucleotides such as small interfering RNAs and antisense oligonucleotides for knock-down expression of target genes. Carriers have been developed for efficient delivery for therapeutic nucleic acids into the lungs based on the characteristics of the nucleic acids, administration routes, and targeting cells. In this review, ALI/ARDS gene therapy is discussed mainly in terms of delivery systems. The pathophysiology of ALI/ARDS, therapeutic genes, and their delivery strategies are presented for development of ALI/ARDS gene therapy. The current progress suggests that selected and appropriate delivery systems of therapeutic nucleic acids into the lungs may be useful for the treatment of ALI/ARDS.

MicroRNAs in T Cell-Immunotherapy

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as master regulators of gene expression in homeostasis and disease. Despite the rapidly growing body of evidence on the theranostic potential of restoring miRNA levels in pre-clinical models, the translation into clinics remains limited. Here, we review the current knowledge of miRNAs as T-cell targeting immunotherapeutic tools, and we offer an overview of the recent advances in miRNA delivery strategies, clinical trials and future perspectives in RNA interference technologies.