LncRNA RMST Regulates Neuronal Apoptosis and Inflammatory Response via Sponging miR-150-5p in Parkinson's Disease

Understanding the (epi)genetic dysregulation in Parkinson's disease through an integrative brain competitive endogenous RNA network

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a rapidly growing neurodegenerative disorder characterized by dopaminergic neuron loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SN) and aggregation of α-synuclein. Its aetiology involves a multifaceted interplay among genetic, environmental, and epigenetic factors. We integrated brain gene expression data from PD patients to construct a comprehensive regulatory network encompassing messenger RNAs (mRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs) and, for the first time, RNA binding proteins (RBPs). Expression data from the SN of PD patients and controls were systematically selected from public databases to identify combined differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Brain co-expression analysis revealed modules comprising significant DEGs that function cooperatively. The relationships among co-expressed DEGs, miRNAs, circRNAs, and RBPs revealed an intricate competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network responsible for post-transcriptional dysregulation in PD. Many genes in the ceRNA network, including the TOMM20 and HMGCR genes, overlap with the most relevant genes in our previous Alzheimer's disease-associated ceRNA network, suggesting common underlying mechanisms between both conditions. Moreover, in the ceRNA subnetwork, the RBP Aly/REF export factor (ALYREF), which acts as an RNA 5-methylcytosine(m5C)-binding protein, stood out. Our data sheds new light on the potential role of brain ceRNA networks in PD pathogenesis.

Unraveling the role of miRNAs in the diagnosis, progression, and therapeutic intervention of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating neurological disorder characterized by the impairment of the motor system, resulting in symptoms such as resting tremor, cogwheel rigidity, bradykinesia, difficulty with gait, and postural instability. The occurrence of striatal dopamine insufficiency can be attributed to a notable decline in dopaminergic neurons inside the substantia nigra pars compacta. Additionally, the development of Lewy bodies serves as a pathological hallmark of PD. While current therapy approaches for PD aim to preserve dopaminergic neurons or replenish dopamine levels in the brain, it is important to acknowledge that achieving complete remission of the condition remains elusive. MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miR) are a class of small, non-coding ribonucleic acids involved in regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. The miRNAs play a crucial part in the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of several neurodegenerative illnesses, including PD. The aim of this review is to explore the role of miRNAs in regulating genes associated with the onset and progression of PD, investigate the potential of miRNAs as a diagnostic tool, assess the effectiveness of targeting specific miRNAs as an alternative therapeutic strategy to impede disease advancement, and discuss the utilization of newly developed nanoparticles for delivering miRNAs as neurodegenerative therapies.

Long non-coding RNA RMST serves as a diagnostic biomarker in patients with carotid artery stenosis and predicts the occurrence of cerebral ischemic event: A retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this retrospective study is to explore the diagnostic and prognostic roles of serum RMST in carotid artery stenosis (CAS).

METHODS

Serum levels of RMST were detected in CAS patients, and the relationship between degree of carotid stenosis and RMST levels was analyzed. The ROC curve was drawn to evaluate RMST value in predicting the risk of CAS. Then, all CAS patients received a 5-year follow-up. K-M curve was used to analyze the significance of RMST on prognosis of CAS patients. Multi-factor cox logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate independent factors for outcome of CAS patients.

RESULTS

An increased RMST expression was certified in CAS patients when compared with healthy controls. The increase of serum RMST expression was related to high degree of carotid stenosis. In addition, serum RMST was a possible diagnosis and an independent influencing factor of prognosis in patients with CAS.

CONCLUSIONS

Raised serum RMST level was found in patients with CAS. Detecting RMST expression levels was of high value for predicting the occurrence and outcomes in CAS.

Brain alarm by self-extracellular nucleic acids: from neuroinflammation to neurodegeneration

Neurological disorders such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, as well as the neurodegenerative diseases Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease are accompanied or even powered by danger associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), defined as endogenous molecules released from stressed or damaged tissue. Besides protein-related DAMPs or "alarmins", numerous nucleic acid DAMPs exist in body fluids, such as cell-free nuclear and mitochondrial DNA as well as different species of extracellular RNA, collectively termed as self-extracellular nucleic acids (SENAs). Among these, microRNA, long non-coding RNAs, circular RNAs and extracellular ribosomal RNA constitute the majority of RNA-based DAMPs. Upon tissue injury, necrosis or apoptosis, such SENAs are released from neuronal, immune and other cells predominantly in association with extracellular vesicles and may be translocated to target cells where they can induce intracellular regulatory pathways in gene transcription and translation. The majority of SENA-induced signaling reactions in the brain appear to be related to neuroinflammatory processes, often causally associated with the onset or progression of the respective disease. In this review, the impact of the diverse types of SENAs on neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases will be discussed. Based on the accumulating knowledge in this field, several specific antagonistic approaches are presented that could serve as therapeutic interventions to lower the pathological outcome of the indicated brain disorders.

Emerging concepts involving inhibitory and activating RNA functionalization towards the understanding of microcephaly phenotypes and brain diseases in humans

Microcephaly is characterized as a small head circumference, and is often accompanied by developmental disorders. Several candidate risk genes for this disease have been described, and mutations in non-coding regions are occasionally found in patients with microcephaly. Various non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), SINEUPs, telomerase RNA component (TERC), and promoter-associated lncRNAs (pancRNAs) are now being characterized. These ncRNAs regulate gene expression, enzyme activity, telomere length, and chromatin structure through RNA binding proteins (RBPs)-RNA interaction. Elucidating the potential roles of ncRNA-protein coordination in microcephaly pathogenesis might contribute to its prevention or recovery. Here, we introduce several syndromes whose clinical features include microcephaly. In particular, we focus on syndromes for which ncRNAs or genes that interact with ncRNAs may play roles. We discuss the possibility that the huge ncRNA field will provide possible new therapeutic approaches for microcephaly and also reveal clues about the factors enabling the evolutionary acquisition of the human-specific "large brain."

The Emerging Role of Autophagy-Associated lncRNAs in the Pathogenesis of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) have become a significant global public health problem and a major societal burden. The World Health Organization predicts that NDDs will overtake cancer as the second most common cause of human mortality within 20 years. Thus, it is urgently important to identify pathogenic and diagnostic molecular markers related to neurodegenerative processes. Autophagy is a powerful process for removing aggregate-prone proteins in neurons; defects in autophagy are often associated with the pathogenesis of NDDs. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been suggested as key regulators in neurodevelopment; aberrant regulation of lncRNAs contributes to neurological disorders. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in the study of lncRNAs and autophagy in the context of neurodegenerative disorders, especially Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The information presented here should provide guidance for future in-depth investigations of neurodegenerative processes and related diagnostic molecular markers and treatment targets.

Overexpressed miRNA-nov-1 promotes manganese-induced apoptosis in N27 cells by regulating Dhrs3 to activate mTOR signaling pathway

Environmental and occupational chronic manganese exposure can cause neurotoxicity and apoptosis. Moreover, microRNAs (miRNAs) are extensively involved in the process of neuronal apoptosis. Therefore, it is crucial to study the mechanism of miRNA in manganese-induced neuronal apoptosis and to find potential targets. In the present study, we found that the expression of miRNA-nov-1 was increased after N27 cells were exposed to MnCl₂. Then, seven different cell groups were constructed by lentiviral infection of cells, and the overexpression of miRNA-nov-1 promoted the apoptosis process of N27 cells. Further studies showed a negative regulatory relationship between miRNA-nov-1 and dehydrogenase/reductase 3 (Dhrs3). The up-regulation of miRNA-nov-1 reduced the protein level of Dhrs3 in N27 cells exposed to manganese, increased the expression of a caspase-3 protein, activated the rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, and increased cell apoptosis. Furthermore, we found that the expression of the Caspase-3 protein was decreased after the low expression of miRNA-nov-1, the mTOR signaling pathway was inhibited, and reduced cell apoptosis. However, these effects were reversed by the knockdown of Dhrs3. Taken together, these results suggested that overexpression of miRNA-nov-1 can promote manganese-induced apoptosis in N27 cells by activating the mTOR signaling pathway and negatively regulating Dhrs3.

Competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a distinctive clinical syndrome with several causes and clinical manifestations. Aside from an infectious cause, PD is a rapidly developing neurological disorder with a global rise in frequency. Notably, improved knowledge of molecular pathways and the developing novel diagnostic methods may result in better therapy for PD patients. In this regard, the amount of research on ceRNA axes is rising, highlighting the importance of these axes in PD. CeRNAs are transcripts that cross-regulate one another via competition for shared microRNAs (miRNAs). These transcripts may be either coding RNAs (mRNAs) or non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). This research used a systematic review to assess validated loops of ceRNA in PD. The Prisma guideline was used to conduct this systematic review, which entailed systematically examining the articles of seven databases. Out of 309 entries, forty articles met all criteria for inclusion and were summarized in the appropriate table. CeRNA axes have been described through one of the shared vital components of the axes, including lncRNAs such as NEAT1, SNHG family, HOTAIR, MALAT1, XIST, circRNAs, and lincRNAs. Understanding the multiple aspects of this regulatory structure may aid in elucidating the unknown causal causes of PD and providing innovative molecular therapeutic targets and medical fields.

PRKCA Promotes Mitophagy through the miR-15a-5p/PDK4 Axis to Relieve Sepsis-Induced Acute Lung Injury

Acute lung injury (ALI) caused by sepsis is a common respiratory critical illness with high morbidity and mortality. Protein kinase C-alpha (PRKCA) plays a protective role in sepsis-induced ALI. However, the detailed molecular mechanism of PRKCA in ALI caused by sepsis is unclear. Animal and cell models of sepsis were established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-surgery and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) treatment, respectively. Lentivirus transfection was used to overexpress PRKCA. H&E staining and lung injury in CLP-surgery mice were evaluated. Gene expression was evaluated using qPCR and Western blotting. The expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 was examined using qPCR and ELISA. The expression of LC3 and TOM20 was evaluated using immunofluorescence assays. Cell apoptosis was assessed using a flow cytometry assay. The bond between miR-15a-5p and PDK4 was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter gene and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. In vivo and in vitro, PRKCA overexpression reduced lung injury to prompt mitophagy and inhibit the inflammatory response, ROS production, and cell apoptosis. miR-15a-5p was highly expressed in macrophages treated with LPS/IFN-γ and was negatively mediated by PRKCA. The overexpression of miR-15a-5p reduced the effects of PRKCA upregulation in macrophages. miR-15a-5p could restrain mitophagy in LPS/IFN-γ-treated macrophages by directly targeting PDK4. Furthermore, PDK4 knockdown reversed the inhibition of cell apoptosis and inflammatory factor release caused by miR-15a-5p silencing. The PRKCA/miR-15a-5p/PDK4 axis alleviated ALI caused by sepsis by promoting mitophagy and repressing anti-inflammatory response.

Integrating nutriepigenomics in Parkinson's disease management: New promising strategy in the omics era

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most prevalent brain motor disorder and is frequently regarded as an idiopathic and sporadic disease due to its unclear etiology. Although the pathological mechanisms of PD have already been investigated at various omics levels, no disease-modifying drugs are currently available. At the moment, treatments can only provide symptomatic relief to control or improve motor symptoms. Parkinson's disease is a multifactorial disease, the development and progression of which are influenced by multiple factors, including the genetic markups and the environment. As an indispensable component of our daily life, nutrition is considered one of the most robust environmental factors affecting our health. Consequently, depending on our dietary habits, nutrition can either induce or reduce our susceptibility to PD. Epigenetic mechanisms regulate gene expression through DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) activity. Accumulating evidence from nutriepigenomics studies has reported altered epigenetic mechanisms in clinical and pre-clinical PD models, and the potential role of nutrition in modifying the changes. In addition, through nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics studies, the diet-gene, and gene-diet interactions concerning PD development and progression have been investigated. Herein, current findings on the roles of nutrition in epigenetic mechanisms underpinning PD development and progression are discussed. Recent advancements in the multi-omics approach in PD nutrition research are also underlined. The ability of nutrients to influence epigenetic mechanisms and the availability of multi-omics applications compel the immediate use of personalized nutrition as adjuvant therapy for PD.

Significant Role of Long Non-coding RNAs in Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the world, with clinical manifestations of resting tremor, akinesia (or bradykinesia), rigidity, and postural instability. However, the molecular pathogenesis of PD is still unclear, and its effective treatments are limited. Substantial evidence demonstrates that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have important functions in various human diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to review the role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of PD.

METHODS

The role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of PD is summarized by reviewing Pubmed.

RESULTS

Thirty different lncRNAs are aberrantly expressed in PD and promote or inhibit PD by mediating ubiquitin-proteasome system, autophagy-lysosomal pathway, dopamine (DA) neuronal apoptosis, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation.

CONCLUSION

In this direction, lncRNA may contribute to the treatment of PD as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for PD.

Emerging Potential of Exosomal Non-coding RNA in Parkinson’s Disease: A Review

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that are released by cells and circulate freely in body fluids. Under physiological and pathological conditions, they serve as cargo for various biological substances such as nucleotides (DNA, RNA, ncRNA), lipids, and proteins. Recently, exosomes have been revealed to have an important role in the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative illnesses, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). When secreted from damaged neurons, these exosomes are enriched in non-coding RNAs (e.g., miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs) and display wide distribution characteristics in the brain and periphery, bridging the gap between normal neuronal function and disease pathology. However, the current status of ncRNAs carried in exosomes regulating neuroprotection and PD pathogenesis lacks a systematic summary. Therefore, this review discussed the significance of ncRNAs exosomes in maintaining the normal neuron function and their pathogenic role in PD progression. Additionally, we have emphasized the importance of ncRNAs exosomes as potential non-invasive diagnostic and screening agents for the early detection of PD. Moreover, bioengineered exosomes are proposed to be used as drug carriers for targeted delivery of RNA interference molecules across the blood-brain barrier without immune system interference. Overall, this review highlighted the diverse characteristics of ncRNA exosomes, which may aid researchers in characterizing future exosome-based biomarkers for early PD diagnosis and tailored PD medicines.