1
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Kepreotis SV, Oh JG, Park M, Yoo J, Lee C, Mercola M, Hajjar RJ, Jeong D. Inhibition of miR-25 ameliorates cardiac and skeletal muscle dysfunction in aged mdx/utrn haploinsufficient (+/-) mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102174. [PMID: 38584818 PMCID: PMC10998245 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Dystrophic cardiomyopathy is a significant feature of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Increased cardiomyocyte cytosolic calcium (Ca2+) and interstitial fibrosis are major pathophysiological hallmarks that ultimately result in cardiac dysfunction. MicroRNA-25 (miR-25) has been identified as a suppressor of both sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) and mothers against decapentaplegic homolog-7 (Smad7) proteins. In this study, we created a gene transfer using an miR-25 tough decoy (TuD) RNA inhibitor delivered via recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) to evaluate the effect of miR-25 inhibition on cardiac and skeletal muscle function in aged dystrophin/utrophin haploinsufficient mice mdx/utrn (+/-), a validated transgenic murine model of DMD. We found that the intravenous delivery of AAV9 miR-25 TuD resulted in strong and stable inhibition of cardiac miR-25 levels, together with the restoration of SERCA2a and Smad7 expression. This was associated with the amelioration of cardiomyocyte interstitial fibrosis as well as recovered cardiac function. Furthermore, the direct quadricep intramuscular injection of AAV9 miR-25 TuD significantly restored skeletal muscle Smad7 expression, reduced tissue fibrosis, and enhanced skeletal muscle performance in mdx/utrn (+/-) mice. These results imply that miR-25 TuD gene transfer may be a novel therapeutic approach to restore cardiomyocyte Ca2+ homeostasis and abrogate tissue fibrosis in DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sacha V. Kepreotis
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, NY, USA
| | - Jae Gyun Oh
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, NY, USA
| | - Mina Park
- Department of Medicinal and Life Science, College of Science and Convergence Technology, Hanyang University-ERICA, Ansan, South Korea
| | - Jimeen Yoo
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, NY, USA
| | - Cholong Lee
- Department of Medicinal and Life Science, College of Science and Convergence Technology, Hanyang University-ERICA, Ansan, South Korea
| | - Mark Mercola
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Roger J. Hajjar
- Mass General Brigham Gene and Cell Therapy Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dongtak Jeong
- Department of Medicinal and Life Science, College of Science and Convergence Technology, Hanyang University-ERICA, Ansan, South Korea
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, NY, USA
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2
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Wang J, Suh JM, Woo BJ, Navickas A, Garcia K, Yin K, Fish L, Cavazos T, Hänisch B, Markett D, Yu S, Hirst G, Brown-Swigart L, Esserman LJ, van ‘t Veer LJ, Goodarzi H. Systematic annotation of orphan RNAs reveals blood-accessible molecular barcodes of cancer identity and cancer-emergent oncogenic drivers. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.19.585748. [PMID: 38562907 PMCID: PMC10983903 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.19.585748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
From extrachromosomal DNA to neo-peptides, the broad reprogramming of the cancer genome leads to the emergence of molecules that are specific to the cancer state. We recently described orphan non-coding RNAs (oncRNAs) as a class of cancer-specific small RNAs with the potential to play functional roles in breast cancer progression1. Here, we report a systematic and comprehensive search to identify, annotate, and characterize cancer-emergent oncRNAs across 32 tumor types. We also leverage large-scale in vivo genetic screens in xenografted mice to functionally identify driver oncRNAs in multiple tumor types. We have not only discovered a large repertoire of oncRNAs, but also found that their presence and absence represent a digital molecular barcode that faithfully captures the types and subtypes of cancer. Importantly, we discovered that this molecular barcode is partially accessible from the cell-free space as some oncRNAs are secreted by cancer cells. In a large retrospective study across 192 breast cancer patients, we showed that oncRNAs can be reliably detected in the blood and that changes in the cell-free oncRNA burden captures both short-term and long-term clinical outcomes upon completion of a neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen. Together, our findings establish oncRNAs as an emergent class of cancer-specific non-coding RNAs with potential roles in tumor progression and clinical utility in liquid biopsies and disease monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Wang
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, US Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Present address: School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, US
| | - Jung Min Suh
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, US Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Brian J Woo
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, US Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Albertas Navickas
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, US Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Present address: Institut Curie, CNRS UMR3348, INSERM U1278, Orsay, France
| | - Kristle Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, US Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Keyi Yin
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, US Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Lisa Fish
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, US Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Taylor Cavazos
- Biological and Medical Informatics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Benjamin Hänisch
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, US Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Daniel Markett
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, US Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Shaorong Yu
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, US Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Gillian Hirst
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Lamorna Brown-Swigart
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Laura J. Esserman
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Laura J. van ‘t Veer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Hani Goodarzi
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, US Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Arc Institute, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
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3
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Thomsen MM, Skouboe MK, Møhlenberg M, Zhao J, de Keukeleere K, Heinz JL, Werner M, Hollensen AK, Lønskov J, Nielsen I, Carter-Timofte ME, Zhang B, Mikkelsen JG, Fisker N, Paludan SR, Assing K, Mogensen TH. Impaired STING Activation Due to a Variant in the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase AMFR in a Patient with Severe VZV Infection and Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis. J Clin Immunol 2024; 44:56. [PMID: 38277122 PMCID: PMC10817851 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-024-01653-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a neurotropic alphaherpesvirus exclusively infecting humans, causing two distinct pathologies: varicella (chickenpox) upon primary infection and herpes zoster (shingles) following reactivation. In susceptible individuals, VZV can give rise to more severe clinical manifestations, including disseminated infection, pneumonitis, encephalitis, and vasculopathy with stroke. Here, we describe a 3-year-old boy in whom varicella followed a complicated course with thrombocytopenia, hemorrhagic and necrotic lesions, pneumonitis, and intermittent encephalopathy. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) was strongly suspected and as the condition deteriorated, HLH therapy was initiated. Although the clinical condition improved, longstanding hemophagocytosis followed despite therapy. We found that the patient carries a rare monoallelic variant in autocrine motility factor receptor (AMFR), encoding a ubiquitin ligase involved in innate cytosolic DNA sensing and interferon (IFN) production through the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of IFN genes (cGAS-STING) pathway. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from the patient exhibited impaired signaling downstream of STING in response dsDNA and 2'3'-cGAMP, agonists of cGAS and STING, respectively, and fibroblasts from the patient showed impaired type I IFN responses and significantly increased VZV replication. Overexpression of the variant AMFR R594C resulted in decreased K27-linked STING ubiquitination compared to WT AMFR. Moreover, ImageStream technology revealed reduced STING trafficking from ER to Golgi in cells expressing the patient AMFR R594C variant. This was supported by a dose-dependent dominant negative effect of expression of the patient AMFR variant as measured by IFN-β reporter gene assay. Finally, lentiviral transduction with WT AMFR partially reconstituted 2'3'-cGAMP-induced STING-mediated signaling and ISG expression in patient PBMCs. This work links defective AMFR-STING signaling to severe VZV disease and hyperinflammation and suggests a direct role for cGAS-STING in the control of viral infections in humans. In conclusion, we describe a novel genetic etiology of severe VZV disease in childhood, also representing the first inborn error of immunity related to a defect in the cGAS-STING pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Mølgaard Thomsen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens, Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Morten Kelder Skouboe
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens, Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Michelle Møhlenberg
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens, Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jian Zhao
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kerstin de Keukeleere
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens, Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Johanna Laura Heinz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens, Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marvin Werner
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens, Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anne Kruse Hollensen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens, Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jonas Lønskov
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens, Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ian Nielsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Baocun Zhang
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Niels Fisker
- Department of Pediatrics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Søren R Paludan
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kristian Assing
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Trine H Mogensen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens, Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
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4
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Huang W, Paul D, Calin GA, Bayraktar R. miR-142: A Master Regulator in Hematological Malignancies and Therapeutic Opportunities. Cells 2023; 13:84. [PMID: 38201290 PMCID: PMC10778542 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a type of non-coding RNA whose dysregulation is frequently associated with the onset and progression of human cancers. miR-142, an ultra-conserved miRNA with both active -3p and -5p mature strands and wide-ranging physiological targets, has been the subject of countless studies over the years. Due to its preferential expression in hematopoietic cells, miR-142 has been found to be associated with numerous types of lymphomas and leukemias. This review elucidates the multifaceted role of miR-142 in human physiology, its influence on hematopoiesis and hematopoietic cells, and its intriguing involvement in exosome-mediated miR-142 transport. Moreover, we offer a comprehensive exploration of the genetic and molecular landscape of the miR-142 genomic locus, highlighting its mutations and dysregulation within hematological malignancies. Finally, we discuss potential avenues for harnessing the therapeutic potential of miR-142 in the context of hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilson Huang
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (W.H.); (G.A.C.)
| | - Doru Paul
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA;
| | - George A. Calin
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (W.H.); (G.A.C.)
- Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Recep Bayraktar
- Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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5
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Cruz-Aguilar M, Groman-Lupa S, Jiménez-Martínez MC. MicroRNAs as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in age-related macular degeneration. FRONTIERS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY 2023; 3:1023782. [PMID: 38983087 PMCID: PMC11182111 DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2023.1023782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) involves degenerative and neovascular alteration in the macular region of the retina resulting in central vision loss. AMD can be classified into dry (dAMD) and wet AMD (wAMD). There is no established treatment for dAMD, and therapies available for wAMD have limited success. Diagnosis in early AMD stages is difficult due to the absence of clinical symptoms. Currently, imaging tests are used in the diagnosis of AMD, but cannot predict the clinical course. The clinical limitations to establishing a diagnosis of AMD have led to exploration for innovative and more sensitive tests to support the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small single-stranded non-coding RNA molecules that negatively regulate genes by post-transcriptional gene silencing. Because these molecules are dysregulated in various processes implicated in the pathogenesis of AMD, they could contribute to the early detection of the disease and monitoring of its progression. Studies of miRNA profiling have indicated several miRNAs as potential diagnostic biomarkers of AMD, but no approved biomarker is available at present for early AMD detection. Thus, understanding the function of miRNAs in AMD and their use as potential biomarkers may lead to future advances in diagnosis and treatment. Here we present a brief review of some of the miRNAs involved in regulating pathological processes associated with AMD and discuss several candidate miRNAs proposed as biomarkers or therapeutic targets for AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Cruz-Aguilar
- Department of Immunology and Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology "Conde de Valenciana Foundation", Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Sergio Groman-Lupa
- Retina Service, Codet Vision Institute, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
| | - María C Jiménez-Martínez
- Department of Immunology and Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology "Conde de Valenciana Foundation", Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Ciudad de México, Mexico
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6
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Han J, Mendell JT. MicroRNA turnover: a tale of tailing, trimming, and targets. Trends Biochem Sci 2023; 48:26-39. [PMID: 35811249 PMCID: PMC9789169 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2022.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) post-transcriptionally repress gene expression by guiding Argonaute (AGO) proteins to target mRNAs. While much is known about the regulation of miRNA biogenesis, miRNA degradation pathways are comparatively poorly understood. Although miRNAs generally exhibit slow turnover, they can be rapidly degraded through regulated mechanisms that act in a context- or sequence-specific manner. Recent work has revealed a particularly important role for specialized target interactions in controlling rates of miRNA degradation. Engagement of these targets is associated with the addition and removal of nucleotides from the 3' ends of miRNAs, a process known as tailing and trimming. Here we review these mechanisms of miRNA modification and turnover, highlighting the contexts in which they impact miRNA stability and discussing important questions that remain unanswered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeil Han
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9148, USA
| | - Joshua T Mendell
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9148, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9148, USA.
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7
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Paschou M, Papazafiri P, Charalampous C, Zachariadis M, Dedos SG, Doxakis E. Neuronal microRNAs safeguard ER Ca 2+ homeostasis and attenuate the unfolded protein response upon stress. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:373. [PMID: 35727337 PMCID: PMC11073139 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04398-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Ca2+ is a critical mediator of neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, and gene expression, but also excitotoxicity. Ca2+ signaling and homeostasis are coordinated by an intricate network of channels, pumps, and calcium-binding proteins, which must be rapidly regulated at all expression levels. Τhe role of neuronal miRNAs in regulating ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) was investigated to understand the underlying mechanisms that modulate ER Ca2+ release. RyRs and IP3Rs are critical in mounting and propagating cytosolic Ca2+ signals by functionally linking the ER Ca2+ content, while excessive ER Ca2+ release via these receptors is central to the pathophysiology of a wide range of neurological diseases. Herein, two brain-restricted microRNAs, miR-124-3p and miR-153-3p, were found to bind to RyR1-3 and IP3R3 3'UTRs, and suppress their expression at both the mRNA and protein level. Ca2+ imaging studies revealed that overexpression of these miRNAs reduced ER Ca2+ release upon RyR/IP3R activation, but had no effect on [Ca2+]i under resting conditions. Interestingly, treatments that cause excessive ER Ca2+ release decreased expression of these miRNAs and increased expression of their target ER Ca2+ channels, indicating interdependence of miRNAs, RyRs, and IP3Rs in Ca2+ homeostasis. Furthermore, by maintaining the ER Ca2+ content, miR-124 and miR-153 reduced cytosolic Ca2+ overload and preserved protein-folding capacity by attenuating PERK signaling. Overall, this study shows that miR-124-3p and miR-153-3p fine-tune ER Ca2+ homeostasis and alleviate ER stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Paschou
- Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens (BRFAA), Soranou Efesiou 4, 11527, Athens, Greece
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Panepistimiopolis, 15784, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota Papazafiri
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Panepistimiopolis, 15784, Athens, Greece
| | - Chrysanthi Charalampous
- Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens (BRFAA), Soranou Efesiou 4, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Michael Zachariadis
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Panepistimiopolis, 15784, Athens, Greece
- Material and Chemical Characterization Facility (MC2), Faculty of Science, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Skarlatos G Dedos
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Panepistimiopolis, 15784, Athens, Greece.
| | - Epaminondas Doxakis
- Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens (BRFAA), Soranou Efesiou 4, 11527, Athens, Greece.
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8
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Duncan CJA, Skouboe MK, Howarth S, Hollensen AK, Chen R, Børresen ML, Thompson BJ, Stremenova Spegarova J, Hatton CF, Stæger FF, Andersen MK, Whittaker J, Paludan SR, Jørgensen SE, Thomsen MK, Mikkelsen JG, Heilmann C, Buhas D, Øbro NF, Bay JT, Marquart HV, de la Morena MT, Klejka JA, Hirschfeld M, Borgwardt L, Forss I, Masmas T, Poulsen A, Noya F, Rouleau G, Hansen T, Zhou S, Albrechtsen A, Alizadehfar R, Allenspach EJ, Hambleton S, Mogensen TH. Life-threatening viral disease in a novel form of autosomal recessive IFNAR2 deficiency in the Arctic. J Exp Med 2022; 219:e20212427. [PMID: 35442417 PMCID: PMC9026249 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20212427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFN-I) play a critical role in human antiviral immunity, as demonstrated by the exceptionally rare deleterious variants of IFNAR1 or IFNAR2. We investigated five children from Greenland, Canada, and Alaska presenting with viral diseases, including life-threatening COVID-19 or influenza, in addition to meningoencephalitis and/or hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis following live-attenuated viral vaccination. The affected individuals bore the same homozygous IFNAR2 c.157T>C, p.Ser53Pro missense variant. Although absent from reference databases, p.Ser53Pro occurred with a minor allele frequency of 0.034 in their Inuit ancestry. The serine to proline substitution prevented cell surface expression of IFNAR2 protein, small amounts of which persisted intracellularly in an aberrantly glycosylated state. Cells exclusively expressing the p.Ser53Pro variant lacked responses to recombinant IFN-I and displayed heightened vulnerability to multiple viruses in vitro-a phenotype rescued by wild-type IFNAR2 complementation. This novel form of autosomal recessive IFNAR2 deficiency reinforces the essential role of IFN-I in viral immunity. Further studies are warranted to assess the need for population screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J A Duncan
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Morten K Skouboe
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sophie Howarth
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Anne K Hollensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Rui Chen
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Malene L Børresen
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Benjamin J Thompson
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Jarmila Stremenova Spegarova
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Catherine F Hatton
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Frederik F Stæger
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette K Andersen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - John Whittaker
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Søren R Paludan
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sofie E Jørgensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | | | - Carsten Heilmann
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Medical Department, Pediatric Section, Dronning Ingrid Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Daniela Buhas
- Division of Genetics, Department of Specialized Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nina F Øbro
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jakob T Bay
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne V Marquart
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M Teresa de la Morena
- Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | | | | | - Line Borgwardt
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Isabel Forss
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tania Masmas
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anja Poulsen
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Francisco Noya
- Division of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Guy Rouleau
- The Neuro, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Torben Hansen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sirui Zhou
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Anders Albrechtsen
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Reza Alizadehfar
- Division of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Eric J Allenspach
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - Sophie Hambleton
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Trine H Mogensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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9
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Abstract
CD46 is a receptor for human herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A) and is in some cells also important for infection with HHV-6B. CD46 has several isoforms of which the most commonly expressed can be distinguished by expression of a BC domain or a C domain in a serine-threonine-proline rich (STP) extracellular region. Using a SupT1 CD46 CRISPR-Cas9 knockout model system reconstituted with specific CD46 isoforms, we demonstrated that HHV-6A infection was more efficient when BC-isoforms were expressed as opposed to C-isoforms, measured by higher levels of intracellular viral transcripts and recovery of more progeny virus. Although the B domain contains several O-glycosylations, mutations of Ser and Thr residues did not prevent infection with HHV-6A. The HHV-6A infection was blocked by inhibitors of clathrin-mediated endocytosis. In contrast, infection with HHV-6B was preferentially promoted by C-isoforms mediating fusion-from-without, and this infection was less affected by inhibitors of clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Taken together, HHV-6A preferred BC isoforms, mediating endocytosis, whereas HHV-6B preferred C isoforms, mediating fusion-from-without. This demonstrates that the STP region of CD46 is important for regulating the mode of infection in SupT1 cells and suggests an epigenetic regulation of the host susceptibility to HHV-6A and HHV-6B infection. Importance CD46 is the receptor used by human herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A) during infection of T cells, but it is also involved in infection of certain T cells by HHV-6B. The gene for CD46 allows expression of several variants of CD46, known as isoforms, but whether the isoforms matter for infection of T cells is unknown. We used a genetic approach to delete CD46 from T cells and reconstituted them with separate isoforms to study these individually. We expressed the isoforms known as BC and C, which are distinguished by the potential inclusion of a B domain in the CD46 molecule. We demonstrate that HHV-6A prefers the BC isoform to infect T cells, and this occurs predominantly by clathrin-mediated endocytosis. In contrast, HHV-6B prefers the C isoform and infects predominantly by fusion-from-without. Thus, CD46 isoforms may affect susceptibility of T cells to infection with HHV-6A and HHV-6B.
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10
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Shin B, Hrdlicka HC, Delany AM, Lee SK. Inhibition of miR-29 Activity in the Myeloid Lineage Increases Response to Calcitonin and Trabecular Bone Volume in Mice. Endocrinology 2021; 162:bqab135. [PMID: 34192317 PMCID: PMC8328098 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The miR-29-3p family (miR-29a, miR-29b, miR-29c) of microRNAs is increased during receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis. In vivo, activation of a miR-29-3p tough decoy inhibitor in Cre recombinase under the control of the lysozyme 2 promoter-expressing cells (myeloid lineage) resulted in mice displaying enhanced trabecular and cortical bone volume because of decreased bone resorption. Calcitonin receptor (Calcr) is a miR-29 target that negatively regulates bone resorption. CALCR was significantly increased in RANKL-treated miR-29-decoy osteoclasts, and these cells were more responsive to the inhibitory effect of calcitonin on osteoclast formation. Further, cathepsin K (Ctsk), which is critical for resorption, was decreased in miR-29-decoy cells. CALCR is a Gs-coupled receptor and its activation raises cAMP levels. In turn, cAMP suppresses cathepsin K, and cAMP levels were increased in miR-29-decoy cells. siRNA-mediated knock-down of Calcr in miR-29 decoy osteoclasts allowed recovery of cathepsin K levels in these cells. Overall, using a novel knockin tough decoy mouse model, we identified a new role for miR-29-3p in bone homeostasis. In RANKL-driven osteoclastogenesis, as seen in normal bone remodeling, miR-29-3p promotes resorption. Consequently, inhibition of miR-29-3p activity in the myeloid lineage leads to increased trabecular and cortical bone. Further, this study documents an interrelationship between CALCR and CTSK in osteoclastic bone resorption, which is modulated by miR-29-3p.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bongjin Shin
- Center on Aging, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Henry C Hrdlicka
- Center for Molecular Oncology, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Anne M Delany
- Center for Molecular Oncology, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Sun-Kyeong Lee
- Center on Aging, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
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11
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Garcia J, Smith SS, Karki S, Drissi H, Hrdlicka HH, Youngstrom DW, Delany AM. miR-433-3p suppresses bone formation and mRNAs critical for osteoblast function in mice. J Bone Miner Res 2021; 36:1808-1822. [PMID: 34004029 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.4339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key posttranscriptional regulators of osteoblastic commitment and differentiation. miR-433-3p was previously shown to target Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and to be repressed by bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. Here, we show that miR-433-3p is progressively decreased during osteoblastic differentiation of primary mouse bone marrow stromal cells in vitro, and we confirm its negative regulation of this process. Although repressors of osteoblastic differentiation often promote adipogenesis, inhibition of miR-433-3p did not affect adipocyte differentiation in vitro. Multiple pathways regulate osteogenesis. Using luciferase-3' untranslated region (UTR) reporter assays, five novel miR-433-3p targets involved in parathyroid hormone (PTH), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Wnt, and glucocorticoid signaling pathways were validated. We show that Creb1 is a miR-433-3p target, and this transcription factor mediates key signaling downstream of PTH receptor activation. We also show that miR-433-3p targets hydroxysteroid 11-β dehydrogenase 1 (Hsd11b1), the enzyme that locally converts inactive glucocorticoids to their active form. miR-433-3p dampens glucocorticoid signaling, and targeting of Hsd11b1 could contribute to this phenomenon. Moreover, miR-433-3p targets R-spondin 3 (Rspo3), a leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor (LGR) ligand that enhances Wnt signaling. Notably, Wnt canonical signaling is also blunted by miR-433-3p activity. In vivo, expression of a miR-433-3p inhibitor or tough decoy in the osteoblastic lineage increased trabecular bone volume. Mice expressing the miR-433-3p tough decoy displayed increased bone formation without alterations in osteoblast or osteoclast numbers or surface, indicating that miR-433-3p decreases osteoblast activity. Overall, we showed that miR-433-3p is a negative regulator of bone formation in vivo, targeting key bone-anabolic pathways including those involved in PTH signaling, Wnt, and endogenous glucocorticoids. Local delivery of miR-433-3p inhibitor could present a strategy for the management of bone loss disorders and bone defect repair. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
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Affiliation(s)
- John Garcia
- Center for Molecular Oncology, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Spenser S Smith
- Center for Molecular Oncology, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sangita Karki
- Center for Molecular Oncology, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Hicham Drissi
- Department of Orthopaedics, Emory University and Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia, USA
| | - Henry H Hrdlicka
- Center for Molecular Oncology, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Daniel W Youngstrom
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Anne M Delany
- Center for Molecular Oncology, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
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12
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MiR-124 synergism with ELAVL3 enhances target gene expression to promote neuronal maturity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2015454118. [PMID: 34031238 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2015454118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuron-enriched microRNAs (miRNAs), miR-9/9* and miR-124 (miR-9/9*-124), direct cell fate switching of human fibroblasts to neurons when ectopically expressed by repressing antineurogenic genes. How these miRNAs function after the repression of fibroblast genes for neuronal fate remains unclear. Here, we identified targets of miR-9/9*-124 as reprogramming cells activate the neuronal program and reveal the role of miR-124 that directly promotes the expression of its target genes associated with neuronal development and function. The mode of miR-124 as a positive regulator is determined by the binding of both AGO and a neuron-enriched RNA-binding protein, ELAVL3, to target transcripts. Although existing literature indicates that miRNA-ELAVL family protein interaction can result in either target gene up-regulation or down-regulation in a context-dependent manner, we specifically identified neuronal ELAVL3 as the driver for miR-124 target gene up-regulation in neurons. In primary human neurons, repressing miR-124 and ELAVL3 led to the down-regulation of genes involved in neuronal function and process outgrowth and cellular phenotypes of reduced inward currents and neurite outgrowth. Our results highlight the synergistic role between miR-124 and RNA-binding proteins to promote target gene regulation and neuronal function.
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13
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Opportunities and challenges for microRNA-targeting therapeutics for epilepsy. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2021; 42:605-616. [PMID: 33992468 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a common and serious neurological disorder characterised by recurrent spontaneous seizures. Frontline pharmacotherapy includes small-molecule antiseizure drugs that typically target ion channels and neurotransmitter systems, but these fail in 30% of patients and do not prevent either the development or progression of epilepsy. An emerging therapeutic target is microRNA (miRNA), small noncoding RNAs that negatively regulate sets of proteins. Their multitargeting action offers unique advantages for certain forms of epilepsy with complex underlying pathophysiology, such as temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). miRNA can be inhibited by designed antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs; e.g., antimiRs). Here, we outline the prospects for miRNA-based therapies. We review design considerations for nucleic acid-based approaches and the challenges and next steps in developing therapeutic miRNA-targeting molecules for epilepsy.
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14
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Landmesser U, Poller W, Tsimikas S, Most P, Paneni F, Lüscher TF. From traditional pharmacological towards nucleic acid-based therapies for cardiovascular diseases. Eur Heart J 2021; 41:3884-3899. [PMID: 32350510 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid-based therapeutics are currently developed at large scale for prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), since: (i) genetic studies have highlighted novel therapeutic targets suggested to be causal for CVD; (ii) there is a substantial recent progress in delivery, efficacy, and safety of nucleic acid-based therapies; (iii) they enable effective modulation of therapeutic targets that cannot be sufficiently or optimally addressed using traditional small molecule drugs or antibodies. Nucleic acid-based therapeutics include (i) RNA-targeted therapeutics for gene silencing; (ii) microRNA-modulating and epigenetic therapies; (iii) gene therapies; and (iv) genome-editing approaches (e.g. CRISPR-Cas-based): (i) RNA-targeted therapeutics: several large-scale clinical development programmes, using antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) or short interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics for prevention and management of CVD have been initiated. These include ASO and/or siRNA molecules to lower apolipoprotein (a) [apo(a)], proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), apoCIII, ANGPTL3, or transthyretin (TTR) for prevention and treatment of patients with atherosclerotic CVD or TTR amyloidosis. (ii) MicroRNA-modulating and epigenetic therapies: novel potential therapeutic targets are continually arising from human non-coding genome and epigenetic research. First microRNA-based therapeutics or therapies targeting epigenetic regulatory pathways are in clinical studies. (iii) Gene therapies: EMA/FDA have approved gene therapies for non-cardiac monogenic diseases and LDL receptor gene therapy is currently being examined in patients with homozygous hypercholesterolaemia. In experimental studies, gene therapy has significantly improved cardiac function in heart failure animal models. (iv) Genome editing approaches: these technologies, such as using CRISPR-Cas, have proven powerful in stem cells, however, important challenges are remaining, e.g. low rates of homology-directed repair in somatic cells such as cardiomyocytes. In summary, RNA-targeted therapies (e.g. apo(a)-ASO and PCSK9-siRNA) are now in large-scale clinical outcome trials and will most likely become a novel effective and safe therapeutic option for CVD in the near future. MicroRNA-modulating, epigenetic, and gene therapies are tested in early clinical studies for CVD. CRISPR-Cas-mediated genome editing is highly effective in stem cells, but major challenges are remaining in somatic cells, however, this field is rapidly advancing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulf Landmesser
- Department of Cardiology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, CC11 (Cardiovascular Medicine), Charite-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Strasse 2, 10178 Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Poller
- Department of Cardiology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, CC11 (Cardiovascular Medicine), Charite-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sotirios Tsimikas
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, BSB 1080, La Jolla, CA 92093-0682, USA
| | - Patrick Most
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Center for Translational Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.,Molecular and Translational Cardiology, Department of Medicine III, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 669, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Francesco Paneni
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zürich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland.,Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Research and Education, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, MOU2, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas F Lüscher
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zürich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland.,Research, Education and Development, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital Trust and Imperial College London, National Heart and Lung Institute, Guy Scadding Building, Dovehouse Street, London SW3 6LY, UK
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15
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Maldonado R, Calvé P, García-Blanco A, Domingo-Rodriguez L, Senabre E, Martín-García E. Genomics and epigenomics of addiction. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2021; 186:128-139. [PMID: 33819378 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Recent progress in the genomics and epigenomics of addiction has contributed to improving our understanding of this complex mental disorder's etiology, filling the gap between genes, environment, and behavior. We review the behavioral genetic studies reporting gene and environment interactions that explain the polygenetic contribution to the resilience and vulnerability to develop addiction. We discuss the evidence of polymorphic candidate genes that confer susceptibility to develop addiction as well as the studies of specific epigenetic marks that contribute to vulnerability and resilience to addictive-like behavior. A particular emphasis has been devoted to the miRNA changes that are considered potential biomarkers. The increasing knowledge about the technology required to alter miRNA expression may provide promising novel therapeutic tools. Finally, we give future directions for the field's progress in disentangling the connection between genes, environment, and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Maldonado
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-Neurophar, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Calvé
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-Neurophar, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alejandra García-Blanco
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-Neurophar, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Domingo-Rodriguez
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-Neurophar, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eric Senabre
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-Neurophar, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Martín-García
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-Neurophar, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
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16
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Hrdlicka HC, Pereira RC, Shin B, Yee SP, Deymier AC, Lee SK, Delany AM. Inhibition of miR-29-3p isoforms via tough decoy suppresses osteoblast function in homeostasis but promotes intermittent parathyroid hormone-induced bone anabolism. Bone 2021; 143:115779. [PMID: 33253931 PMCID: PMC7770763 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2020.115779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
miRNAs play a vital role in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and the miR-29 family is expressed in both lineages. Using mice globally expressing a miR-29-3p tough decoy, we demonstrated a modest 30-60% decrease all three miR-29-3p isoforms: miR-29a, miR-29b, and miR-29c. While the miR-29-3p decoy did not impact osteoclast number or function, the tough decoy decreased bone formation in growing mice, which led to decreased trabecular bone volume in mature animals. These data support previous in vitro studies suggesting that miR-29-3p is a positive regulator of osteoblast differentiation. In contrast, when mice were treated with intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH1-34), inhibition of miR-29-3p augmented the effect of PTH on cortical bone anabolism, increased bone formation rate and osteoblast surface, and increased levels of Ctnnb1/βcatenin mRNA, which is a miR-29 target. These findings highlight differences in the mechanisms controlling basal level bone formation and bone formation induced by intermittent PTH. Overall, the global miR-29-3p tough decoy model represents a modest loss-of-function, which could be a relevant tool for assessing the possible impact of systemically administered miR-29-3p inhibitors. Our studies provide a potential rationale for co-administration of PTH1-34 and miR-29-3p inhibitors, to boost bone formation in severely affected osteoporosis patients, particularly in the cortical compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry C Hrdlicka
- Center for Molecular Oncology, UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, United States of America
| | - Renata C Pereira
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - Bongjin Shin
- Center on Aging, UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, United States of America
| | - Siu-Pok Yee
- Center for Mouse Genome Modification, UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, United States of America
| | - Alix C Deymier
- Institute of Material Sciences, UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, United States of America
| | - Sun-Kyeong Lee
- Center on Aging, UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, United States of America.
| | - Anne M Delany
- Center for Molecular Oncology, UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, United States of America.
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17
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MicroRNAs Regulating Autophagy in Neurodegeneration. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1208:191-264. [PMID: 34260028 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-2830-6_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Social and economic impacts of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) become more prominent in our constantly aging population. Currently, due to the lack of knowledge about the aetiology of most NDs, only symptomatic treatment is available for patients. Hence, researchers and clinicians are in need of solid studies on pathological mechanisms of NDs. Autophagy promotes degradation of pathogenic proteins in NDs, while microRNAs post-transcriptionally regulate multiple signalling networks including autophagy. This chapter will critically discuss current research advancements in the area of microRNAs regulating autophagy in NDs. Moreover, we will introduce basic strategies and techniques used in microRNA research. Delineation of the mechanisms contributing to NDs will result in development of better approaches for their early diagnosis and effective treatment.
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18
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Liu J, Song XR, Zheng K, Zhang WJ, Chen HC, Liu ZF. Feedback inhibition of bovine herpesvirus 5 replication by dual-copy bhv5-miR-B10-3p. J Gen Virol 2020; 101:290-298. [PMID: 31935178 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine herpesvirus 5 (BoHV-5) is a pathogen of cattle responsible for fatal meningoencephalitis. Like alpha herpesvirus subfamily members, BoHV-5 also encodes microRNA in lytic infections of epithelial cells. BoHV-5-miR-B10 was the most abundant miRNA detected in a high-throughput sequencing study. Here, we evaluated the kinetics of miR-B10 expression after BoHV-5 productive infection by stem-loop real-time quantitative PCR. miR-B10 candidate target sites in the virus were predicted, and BoHV-5 UL39 was confirmed as a target gene by dual-luciferase assay with the design of an miR-B10 tough decoy (TuD). The UL39 gene encoding ribonucleotide reductase (RR) large subunit plays an important role in the early stage of BoHV-5 lytic infection. As BoHV-5-miR-B10 is located in internal and terminal repeat regions, we generated a TuD gene-integrated BoHV-5 strain, which effectively down-regulated miR-B10-3p. Strikingly, the suppression of miR-B10-3p significantly improved BoHV-5 replication. Taking these findings together, our study established an efficient method to deliver and express TuD RNA for viral miRNA suppression, and demonstrated that virus-encoded miRNA suppresses viral-genome biogenesis with a feedback mode, which might serve as a brake for viral replication. Herpesviruses infect humans and a variety of animals. Almost all herpesviruses can encode miRNAs, but the functions of these miRNAs remain to be elucidated. Most herpesvirus-encoded miRNA harbours dual copies, which is difficult to be deleted by current genetic modulation. Here, we developed an efficient method to deliver and express TuD RNA to efficiently suppress viral miRNA with multiple copies. Using this method, we demonstrated for the first time that viral miRNA feedback regulates viral replication by suppressing the expression of RR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Xian-Rong Song
- Hubei Vocational College of Bio-Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Ke Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Wen-Jing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Huan-Chun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Zheng-Fei Liu
- Present address: State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
- Hubei Vocational College of Bio-Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
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19
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MicroRNA-155 controls vincristine sensitivity and predicts superior clinical outcome in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Blood Adv 2020; 3:1185-1196. [PMID: 30967394 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2018029660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A major clinical challenge of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is that up to 40% of patients have refractory disease or relapse after initial response to therapy as a result of drug-specific molecular resistance. The purpose of the present study was to investigate microRNA (miRNA) involvement in vincristine resistance in DLBCL, which was pursued by functional in vitro analysis in DLBCL cell lines and by outcome analysis of patients with DLBCL treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP). Differential miRNA expression analysis identified miR-155 as highly expressed in vincristine-sensitive DLBCL cell lines compared with resistant ones. Ectopic upregulation of miR-155 sensitized germinal-center B-cell-like (GCB)-DLBCL cell lines to vincristine, and consistently, reduction and knockout of miR-155 induced vincristine resistance, documenting that miR-155 functionally induces vincristine sensitivity. Target gene analysis identified miR-155 as inversely correlated with Wee1, supporting Wee1 as a target of miR-155 in DLBCL. Chemical inhibition of Wee1 sensitized GCB cells to vincristine, suggesting that miR-155 controls vincristine response through Wee1. Outcome analysis in clinical cohorts of DLBCL revealed that high miR-155 expression level was significantly associated with superior survival for R-CHOP-treated patients of the GCB subclass, independent of international prognostic index, challenging the commonly accepted perception of miR-155 as an oncomiR. However, miR-155 did not provide prognostic information when analyzing the entire DLBCL cohort or activated B-cell-like classified patients. In conclusion, we experimentally confirmed a direct link between high miR-155 expression and vincristine sensitivity in DLBCL and documented an improved clinical outcome of GCB-classified patients with high miR-155 expression level.
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20
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MicroRNA-221: A Fine Tuner and Potential Biomarker of Chronic Liver Injury. Cells 2020; 9:cells9081767. [PMID: 32717951 PMCID: PMC7464779 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The last decade has witnessed significant advancements in our understanding of how small noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), regulate disease progression. One such miRNA, miR-221, has been shown to play a key role in the progression of liver fibrosis, a common feature of most liver diseases. Many reports have demonstrated the upregulation of miR-221 in liver fibrosis caused by multiple etiologies such as viral infections and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Inhibition of miR-221 via different strategies has shown promising results in terms of the suppression of fibrogenic gene signatures in vitro, as well as in vivo, in independent mouse models of liver fibrosis. In addition, miR-221 has also been suggested as a noninvasive serum biomarker for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. In this review, we discuss the biology of miR-221, its significance and use as a biomarker during progression of liver fibrosis, and finally, potential and robust approaches that can be utilized to suppress liver fibrosis via inhibition of miR-221.
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21
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Dissecting miRNA facilitated physiology and function in human breast cancer for therapeutic intervention. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 72:46-64. [PMID: 32497683 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key epigenomic regulators of biological processes in animals and plants. These small non coding RNAs form a complex networks that regulate cellular function and development. MiRNAs prevent translation by either inactivation or inducing degradation of mRNA, a major concern in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Aberrant regulation of gene expression by miRNAs is frequently observed in cancer. Overexpression of various 'oncomiRs' and silencing of tumor suppressor miRNAs are associated with various types of human cancers, although overall downregulation of miRNA expression is reported as a hallmark of cancer. Modulations of the total pool of cellular miRNA by alteration in genetic and epigenetic factors associated with the biogenesis of miRNA machinery. It also depends on the availability of cellular miRNAs from its store in the organelles which affect tumor development and cancer progression. Here, we have dissected the roles and pathways of various miRNAs during normal cellular and molecular functions as well as during breast cancer progression. Recent research works and prevailing views implicate that there are two major types of miRNAs; (i) intracellular miRNAs and (ii) extracellular miRNAs. Concept, that the functions of intracellular miRNAs are driven by cellular organelles in mammalian cells. Extracellular miRNAs function in cell-cell communication in extracellular spaces and distance cells through circulation. A detailed understanding of organelle driven miRNA function and the precise role of extracellular miRNAs, pre- and post-therapeutic implications of miRNAs in this scenario would open several avenues for further understanding of miRNA function and can be better exploited for the treatment of breast cancers.
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22
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Zahm AM, Wang AW, Wang YJ, Schug J, Wangensteen KJ, Kaestner KH. A High-Content Screen Identifies MicroRNAs That Regulate Liver Repopulation After Injury in Mice. Gastroenterology 2020; 158:1044-1057.e17. [PMID: 31759059 PMCID: PMC7472793 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Liver regeneration is impaired in mice with hepatocyte-specific deficiencies in microRNA (miRNA) processing, but it is not clear which miRNAs regulate this process. We developed a high-throughput screen to identify miRNAs that regulate hepatocyte repopulation after toxic liver injury using fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase-deficient mice. METHODS We constructed plasmid pools encoding more than 30,000 tough decoy miRNA inhibitors (hairpin nucleic acids designed to specifically inhibit interactions between miRNAs and their targets) to target hepatocyte miRNAs in a pairwise manner. The plasmid libraries were delivered to hepatocytes in fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase-deficient mice at the time of liver injury via hydrodynamic tail-vein injection. Integrated transgene-containing transposons were quantified after liver repopulation via high-throughput sequencing. Changes in polysome-bound transcripts after miRNA inhibition were determined using translating ribosome affinity purification followed by high-throughput sequencing. RESULTS Analyses of tough decoy abundance in hepatocyte genomic DNA and input plasmid pools identified several thousand miRNA inhibitors that were significantly depleted or increased after repopulation. We classified a subset of miRNA binding sites as those that have strong effects on liver repopulation, implicating the targeted hepatocyte miRNAs as regulators of this process. We then generated a high-content map of pairwise interactions between 171 miRNA-binding sites and identified synergistic and redundant effects. CONCLUSIONS We developed a screen to identify miRNAs that regulate liver repopulation after injury in live mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yue J Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Jonathan Schug
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kirk J Wangensteen
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Klaus H Kaestner
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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23
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Paschou M, Maier L, Papazafiri P, Selescu T, Dedos SG, Babes A, Doxakis E. Neuronal microRNAs modulate TREK two-pore domain K + channel expression and current density. RNA Biol 2020; 17:651-662. [PMID: 31994436 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2020.1722450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The TREK family of leak potassium channels has been found to play critical roles in nociception, sensitivity to general anaesthetics, neuroprotection, and memory. The three members of the family, TREK1, TREK2 and TRAAK establish the resting potential and modify the duration, frequency and amplitude of action potentials. Despite their apparent importance, the repertoire of regulatory interactions utilized by cells to control their expression is poorly understood. Herein, the contribution of miRNAs in the regulation of their post-transcriptional gene expression has been examined. Using different assays, miR-124 and to a lesser extent miR-128 and miR-183 were found to reduce TREK1 and TREK2 levels through specific binding to their 3'UTRs. In contrast, miR-9 which was predicted to bind to TRAAK 3'UTR, did not alter its expression. Expression of miR-124, miR-128 and miR-183 was found to mirror that of Trek1 and Trek2 mRNAs during brain development. Moreover, application of proinflammatory mediators in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons revealed an inverse correlation between miR-124 and Trek1 and Trek2 mRNA expression. Voltage clamp recordings of TREK2-mediated currents showed that miR-124 reduced the sensitivity of TREK2-expressing cells to non-aversive warmth stimulation. Overall, these findings reveal a significant regulatory mechanism by which TREK1 and TREK2 expression and hence activity are controlled in neurons and uncover new druggable targets for analgesia and neuroprotection.Abbreviations: microRNA: miRNA; UTR: untranslated region; K2p channels: two-pore domain K+channels; DRG: dorsal root ganglion; CNS: central nervous system; FBS: fetal bovine serum; TuD: Tough Decoy; TREK: tandem P-domain weak inward rectifying K+ (TWIK)-related K+ channel 1; TRAAK: TWIK-related arachidonic acid K+.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Paschou
- Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Larisa Maier
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Panagiota Papazafiri
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Tudor Selescu
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Skarlatos G Dedos
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandru Babes
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Epaminondas Doxakis
- Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
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24
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Rbfox1 Regulates Synaptic Transmission through the Inhibitory Neuron-Specific vSNARE Vamp1. Neuron 2019; 98:127-141.e7. [PMID: 29621484 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Dysfunction of the neuronal RNA binding protein RBFOX1 has been linked to epilepsy and autism spectrum disorders. Rbfox1 loss in mice leads to neuronal hyper-excitability and seizures, but the physiological basis for this is unknown. We identify the vSNARE protein Vamp1 as a major Rbfox1 target. Vamp1 is strongly downregulated in Rbfox1 Nes-cKO mice due to loss of 3' UTR binding by RBFOX1. Cytoplasmic Rbfox1 stimulates Vamp1 expression in part by blocking microRNA-9. We find that Vamp1 is specifically expressed in inhibitory neurons, and that both Vamp1 knockdown and Rbfox1 loss lead to decreased inhibitory synaptic transmission and E/I imbalance. Re-expression of Vamp1 selectively within interneurons rescues the electrophysiological changes in the Rbfox1 cKO, indicating that Vamp1 loss is a major contributor to the Rbfox1 Nes-cKO phenotype. The regulation of interneuron-specific Vamp1 by Rbfox1 provides a paradigm for broadly expressed RNA-binding proteins performing specialized functions in defined neuronal subtypes.
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25
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Farahani R, Rezaei-Lotfi S, Simonian M, Hunter N. Bi-modal reprogramming of cell cycle by MiRNA-4673 amplifies human neurogenic capacity. Cell Cycle 2019; 18:848-868. [PMID: 30907228 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2019.1595873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular mechanisms that inform heterochronic adaptations of neurogenesis in Homo sapiens remain largely unknown. Here, we uncover a signature in the cell cycle that amplifies the proliferative capacity of human neural progenitors by input from microRNA4673 encoded in Notch-1. The miRNA instructs bimodal reprogramming of the cell cycle, leading to initial synchronization of neural precursors at the G0 phase of the cell cycle followed by accelerated progression through interphase. The key event in G0 synchronization is transient inhibition by miR4673 of cyclin-dependent kinase-18, a member of an ancient family of cyclins that license M-G1 transition. In parallel, autophagic degradation of p53/p21 and transcriptional silencing of XRCC3/BRCA2 relax G1/S cell cycle checkpoint and accelerate interphase by ≈2.8-fold. The resultant reprogrammed cell cycle amplifies the proliferative capacity and delays the differentiation of human neural progenitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramin Farahani
- a IDR/Westmead Institute for Medical Research , Sydney , NSW , Australia.,b Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Sydney , Sydney , NSW , Australia
| | - Saba Rezaei-Lotfi
- b Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Sydney , Sydney , NSW , Australia
| | - Mary Simonian
- a IDR/Westmead Institute for Medical Research , Sydney , NSW , Australia
| | - Neil Hunter
- a IDR/Westmead Institute for Medical Research , Sydney , NSW , Australia.,b Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Sydney , Sydney , NSW , Australia
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26
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Tsay HC, Yuan Q, Balakrishnan A, Kaiser M, Möbus S, Kozdrowska E, Farid M, Tegtmeyer PK, Borst K, Vondran FWR, Kalinke U, Kispert A, Manns MP, Ott M, Sharma AD. Hepatocyte-specific suppression of microRNA-221-3p mitigates liver fibrosis. J Hepatol 2019; 70:722-734. [PMID: 30582979 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2018.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 12/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Fibrosis, a cardinal feature of a dysfunctional liver, significantly contributes to the ever-increasing mortality due to end-stage chronic liver diseases. The crosstalk between hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) plays a key role in the progression of fibrosis. Although ample efforts have been devoted to elucidate the functions of HSCs during liver fibrosis, the regulatory functions of hepatocytes remain elusive. METHODS Using an unbiased functional microRNA (miRNA) screening, we investigated the ability of hepatocytes to regulate fibrosis by fine-tuning gene expression via miRNA modulation. The in vivo functional analyses were performed by inhibiting miRNA in hepatocytes using adeno-associated virus in carbon-tetrachloride- and 3,5-di-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine-induced liver fibrosis. RESULTS Blocking miRNA-221-3p function in hepatocytes during chronic liver injury facilitated recovery of the liver and faster resolution of the deposited extracellular matrix. Furthermore, we demonstrate that reduced secretion of C-C motif chemokine ligand 2, as a result of post-transcriptional regulation of GNAI2 (G protein alpha inhibiting activity polypeptide 2) by miRNA-221-3p, mitigates liver fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, miRNA modulation in hepatocytes, an easy-to-target cell type in the liver, may serve as a potential therapeutic approach for liver fibrosis. LAY SUMMARY Liver fibrosis majorly contributes to mortality resulting from various liver diseases. We discovered a small RNA known as miRNA-221-3p, whose downregulation in hepatocytes results in reduced liver fibrosis. Thus, inhibition of miRNA-221-3p may serve as one of the therapeutic approaches for treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Chieh Tsay
- Research Group MicroRNA in Liver Regeneration, Cluster of Excellence REBIRTH, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Qinggong Yuan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Asha Balakrishnan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marina Kaiser
- Institute for Molecular Biology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Selina Möbus
- Research Group MicroRNA in Liver Regeneration, Cluster of Excellence REBIRTH, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Emilia Kozdrowska
- Research Group MicroRNA in Liver Regeneration, Cluster of Excellence REBIRTH, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marwa Farid
- Research Group MicroRNA in Liver Regeneration, Cluster of Excellence REBIRTH, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany; Human Cytogenetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Pia-Katharina Tegtmeyer
- TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany; Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, A joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Katharina Borst
- TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany; Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, A joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Florian W R Vondran
- Regenerative Medicine and Experimental Surgery (RedMediES), Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ulrich Kalinke
- TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany; Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, A joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andreas Kispert
- Institute for Molecular Biology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael P Manns
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Ott
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Amar Deep Sharma
- Research Group MicroRNA in Liver Regeneration, Cluster of Excellence REBIRTH, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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27
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Hooykaas MJG, Soppe JA, De Buhr HM, Kruse E, Wiertz EJHJ, Lebbink RJ. RNA accessibility impacts potency of Tough Decoy microRNA inhibitors. RNA Biol 2018; 15:1410-1419. [PMID: 30339041 PMCID: PMC6284568 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2018.1537746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression through silencing of complementary target mRNAs. miRNAs are involved in many biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, cell signaling and cellular defense responses to infection. Strategies that allow for strong and stable suppression of specific microRNA activity are needed to study miRNA functions and to develop therapeutic intervention strategies aimed at interfering with miRNA activity in vivo. One of these classes of miRNA inhibitors are Tough Decoys (TuD) RNAs, which comprise of an imperfect RNA hairpin structure that harbors two opposing miRNA binding sites. Upon developing TuDs targeting Epstein-Barr virus miRNAs, we observed a strong variation in inhibitory potential between different TuD RNAs targeting the same miRNA. We show that the composition of the 'bulge' sequence in the miRNA binding sites has a strong impact on the inhibitory potency of the TuD. Our data implies that miRNA inhibition correlates with the thermodynamic properties of the TuD and that design aimed at lowering the TuD opening energy increases TuD potency. Our study provides specific guidelines for the design and construction of potent decoy-based miRNA inhibitors, which may be used for future therapeutic intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjolein J G Hooykaas
- a Department of Medical Microbiology , University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - Jasper A Soppe
- a Department of Medical Microbiology , University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - Hendrik M De Buhr
- a Department of Medical Microbiology , University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth Kruse
- a Department of Medical Microbiology , University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - Emmanuel J H J Wiertz
- a Department of Medical Microbiology , University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - Robert J Lebbink
- a Department of Medical Microbiology , University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht , The Netherlands
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28
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Fish L, Zhang S, Yu JX, Culbertson B, Zhou AY, Goga A, Goodarzi H. Cancer cells exploit an orphan RNA to drive metastatic progression. Nat Med 2018; 24:1743-1751. [PMID: 30397354 PMCID: PMC6223318 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-018-0230-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In this study we performed a systematic search to identify breast cancer-specific small non-coding RNAs, which we have collectively termed orphan non-coding RNAs (oncRNAs). We subsequently discovered that one of these oncRNAs, which originates from the 3’ end of TERC, acts as a regulator of gene expression and is a robust promoter of breast cancer metastasis. This oncRNA, which we have named T3p, exerts its pro-metastatic effects by acting as an inhibitor of RISC complex activity and increasing the expression of the pro-metastatic genes NUPR1 and PANX2. Furthermore, we have shown that oncRNAs are present in cancer cell-derived extracellular vesicles, raising the possibility that these circulating oncRNAs may also play a role in non-cell autonomous disease pathogenesis. Additionally, these circulating oncRNAs present a novel avenue for cancer fingerprinting using liquid biopsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Fish
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Steven Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Johnny X Yu
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Bruce Culbertson
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alicia Y Zhou
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Andrei Goga
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hani Goodarzi
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. .,Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. .,Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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29
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Enhanced Tailored MicroRNA Sponge Activity of RNA Pol II-Transcribed TuD Hairpins Relative to Ectopically Expressed ciRS7-Derived circRNAs. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 13:365-375. [PMID: 30347350 PMCID: PMC6198105 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
As key regulators of gene expression, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as targets in basic experimentation and therapy. Administration of DNA-encoded RNA molecules, targeting miRNAs through base pairing, is one viable strategy for inhibiting specific miRNAs. A naturally occurring circular RNA (circRNA), ciRS-7, serving as a miRNA-7 (miR-7) sponge was recently identified. This has sparked tremendous interest in adapting circRNAs for suppressing miRNA function. In parallel, we and others have demonstrated efficacy of expressed anti-miRNA Tough Decoy (TuD) hairpins. To compare properties of such inhibitors, we express ciRS-7 and TuD-containing miRNA suppressor transcripts from identical vector formats adapted from RNA polymerase II-directed expression plasmids previously used for production of ciRS-7. In general, markedly higher levels of miR-7 suppression with TuD transcripts relative to ciRS-7 are observed, leading to superior miRNA sponge effects using expressed TuD hairpins. Notably however, we find that individual ciRS-7 transcripts are more potent inhibitors of miR-7 activity than individual TuD7-containing transcripts, although each miR-7 seed match target site in ciRS-7 is, on average, less potent than the perfectly matched target sites in the TuD motif. All together, our studies call for improved means of designing and producing circRNAs for customized miRNA targeting to match TuD hairpins for tailored miRNA suppression.
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30
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Poller W, Dimmeler S, Heymans S, Zeller T, Haas J, Karakas M, Leistner DM, Jakob P, Nakagawa S, Blankenberg S, Engelhardt S, Thum T, Weber C, Meder B, Hajjar R, Landmesser U. Non-coding RNAs in cardiovascular diseases: diagnostic and therapeutic perspectives. Eur Heart J 2018; 39:2704-2716. [PMID: 28430919 PMCID: PMC6454570 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehx165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 273] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 01/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent research has demonstrated that the non-coding genome plays a key role in genetic programming and gene regulation during development as well as in health and cardiovascular disease. About 99% of the human genome do not encode proteins, but are transcriptionally active representing a broad spectrum of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) with important regulatory and structural functions. Non-coding RNAs have been identified as critical novel regulators of cardiovascular risk factors and cell functions and are thus important candidates to improve diagnostics and prognosis assessment. Beyond this, ncRNAs are rapidly emgerging as fundamentally novel therapeutics. On a first level, ncRNAs provide novel therapeutic targets some of which are entering assessment in clinical trials. On a second level, new therapeutic tools were developed from endogenous ncRNAs serving as blueprints. Particularly advanced is the development of RNA interference (RNAi) drugs which use recently discovered pathways of endogenous short interfering RNAs and are becoming versatile tools for efficient silencing of protein expression. Pioneering clinical studies include RNAi drugs targeting liver synthesis of PCSK9 resulting in highly significant lowering of LDL cholesterol or targeting liver transthyretin (TTR) synthesis for treatment of cardiac TTR amyloidosis. Further novel drugs mimicking actions of endogenous ncRNAs may arise from exploitation of molecular interactions not accessible to conventional pharmacology. We provide an update on recent developments and perspectives for diagnostic and therapeutic use of ncRNAs in cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis/coronary disease, post-myocardial infarction remodelling, and heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Poller
- Department of Cardiology, CBF, CC11, Charite Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charite Centrum 11 (Cardiovascular Medicine), Hindenburgdamm 20, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie Dimmeler
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Center of Molecular Medicine, Johann Wolfgang Goethe Universität, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- DZHK, Site Rhein-Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stephane Heymans
- Center for Heart Failure Research, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Tanja Zeller
- Clinic for General and Interventional Cardiology, University Heart Center Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, Hamburg, Germany
- DZHK, Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan Haas
- Institute for Cardiomyopathies Heidelberg (ICH), Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 669, Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK, Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mahir Karakas
- Clinic for General and Interventional Cardiology, University Heart Center Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, Hamburg, Germany
- DZHK, Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - David-Manuel Leistner
- Department of Cardiology, CBF, CC11, Charite Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charite Centrum 11 (Cardiovascular Medicine), Hindenburgdamm 20, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Jakob
- Department of Cardiology, CBF, CC11, Charite Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charite Centrum 11 (Cardiovascular Medicine), Hindenburgdamm 20, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- RNA Biology Laboratory, RIKEN Advanced Research Institute, Wako, Saitama, Japan
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12-jo Nishi 6-chome, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Stefan Blankenberg
- Clinic for General and Interventional Cardiology, University Heart Center Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, Hamburg, Germany
- DZHK, Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Engelhardt
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxikology, Technische Universität München, Biedersteiner Strasse 29, München, Germany
- DZHK, Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Thum
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian Weber
- DZHK, Site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Pettenkoferstrasse 8a/9, Munich, Germany
| | - Benjamin Meder
- Institute for Cardiomyopathies Heidelberg (ICH), Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 669, Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK, Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roger Hajjar
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ulf Landmesser
- Department of Cardiology, CBF, CC11, Charite Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charite Centrum 11 (Cardiovascular Medicine), Hindenburgdamm 20, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Kapelle-Ufer 2, Berlin, Germany
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Askou AL, Alsing S, Holmgaard A, Bek T, Corydon TJ. Dissecting microRNA dysregulation in age-related macular degeneration: new targets for eye gene therapy. Acta Ophthalmol 2018; 96:9-23. [PMID: 28271607 DOI: 10.1111/aos.13407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression in humans. Overexpression or depletion of individual miRNAs is associated with human disease. Current knowledge suggests that the retina is influenced by miRNAs and that dysregulation of miRNAs as well as alterations in components of the miRNA biogenesis machinery are involved in retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Furthermore, recent studies have indicated that the vitreous has a specific panel of circulating miRNAs and that this panel varies according to the specific pathological stress experienced by the retinal cells. MicroRNA (miRNA) profiling indicates subtype-specific miRNA profiles for late-stage AMD highlighting the importance of proper miRNA regulation in AMD. This review will describe the function of important miRNAs involved in inflammation, oxidative stress and pathological neovascularization, the key molecular mechanisms leading to AMD, and focus on dysregulated miRNAs as potential therapeutic targets in AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sidsel Alsing
- Department of Biomedicine; Aarhus University; Aarhus C Denmark
| | | | - Toke Bek
- Department of Ophthalmology; Aarhus University Hospital; Aarhus C Denmark
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Yoo J, Hajjar RJ, Jeong D. Generation of Efficient miRNA Inhibitors Using Tough Decoy Constructs. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1521:41-53. [PMID: 27910040 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6588-5_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade a previously unappreciated mechanism of gene regulation has been uncovered that is mediated by a large class of small noncoding RNAs known as microRNAs (miRNAs), and this mechanism is utilized by organisms ranging from plants to humans. MiRNAs are important downregulators of gene expression and are seen to be dysregulated in disease development. Thus inhibition of aberrantly upregulated miRNAs as a therapeutic approach has become a promising field.Many models of miRNA inhibitors currently exist, with decoy models being the most successful in current research. A promising inhibition model is the tough decoy (TuD) RNAs inhibitor, which uses antisense sequences to bind to target miRNAs, preventing them from binding to their endogenous targets. Since the TuD inhibitors have the ability to be successfully used in vitro and in vivo studies, this is a covetable inhibition method. In this chapter, we introduce how to design and generate miRNA tough decoy inhibitors with an adeno-associated viral construct. TuD inhibitors will have two miRNA binding sites. The TuD will include stem sequences, a miRNA binding site, and linkers. In vitro validation experiments to confirm the effectiveness of the TuD to inhibit miRNA are described. We also propose some practical approaches for making a TuD for miRNA of interest. We hope this chapter facilitates readers to create a simpler method to generate TuD that can be used for miRNA loss of function studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimeen Yoo
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1030, New York, NY, 10029-6574, USA
| | - Roger J Hajjar
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1030, New York, NY, 10029-6574, USA
| | - Dongtak Jeong
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1030, New York, NY, 10029-6574, USA.
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Jeong D, Yoo J, Lee P, Kepreotis SV, Lee A, Wahlquist C, Brown BD, Kho C, Mercola M, Hajjar RJ. miR-25 Tough Decoy Enhances Cardiac Function in Heart Failure. Mol Ther 2017; 26:718-729. [PMID: 29273502 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs are promising therapeutic targets, because their inhibition has the potential to normalize gene expression in diseased states. Recently, our group found that miR-25 is a key SERCA2a regulating microRNA, and we showed that multiple injections of antagomirs against miR-25 enhance cardiac contractility and function through SERCA2a restoration in a murine heart failure model. However, for clinical application, a more stable suppressor of miR-25 would be desirable. Tough Decoy (TuD) inhibitors are emerging as a highly effective method for microRNA inhibition due to their resistance to endonucleolytic degradation, high miRNA binding affinity, and efficient delivery. We generated a miR-25 TuD inhibitor and subcloned it into a cardiotropic AAV9 vector to evaluate its efficacy. The AAV9 TuD showed selective inhibition of miR-25 in vitro cardiomyoblast culture. In vivo, AAV9-miR-25 TuD delivered to the murine pressure-overload heart failure model selectively decreased expression of miR-25, increased levels of SERCA2a protein, and ameliorated cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis. Our data indicate that miR-25 TuD is an effective long-term suppressor of miR-25 and a promising therapeutic candidate to treat heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongtak Jeong
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jimeen Yoo
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Philyoung Lee
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Sacha V Kepreotis
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ahyoung Lee
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Christine Wahlquist
- Department of Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Brian D Brown
- Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Changwon Kho
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Mark Mercola
- Department of Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Roger J Hajjar
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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Wang S, Han H, Hu Y, Yang W, Lv Y, Wang L, Zhang L, Ji J. MicroRNA-130a-3p suppresses cell migration and invasion by inhibition of TBL1XR1-mediated EMT in human gastric carcinoma. Mol Carcinog 2017; 57:383-392. [PMID: 29091326 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Revised: 09/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
MiR-130a-3p was found to play tumor suppressor role in most human cancers, except for gastric cancer. However, in this study, we demonstrated that miR-130a-3p was significantly down-regulated in gastric carcinoma (GC) tissues compared with adjacent non-neoplastic tissues, and decreased miR-130a-3p expression was associated with shorter overall survival (OS) and was an independent prognostic factor for OS in GC patients. Over-expression of miR-130a-3p remarkably inhibited not only GC cell migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro, but also tumorigenesis and lung metastasis in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay in vivo. Conversely, inhibition of miR-130a-3p resulted in opposite phenotype changes in GC cells. Furthermore, TBL1XR1 was identified as a direct target of miR-130a-3p, and reintroduction of TBL1XR1 into miR-130a-3p-transfected MGC-803 cells reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-130a-3p on GC cell migration, invasion and EMT. Taken together, our data suggested that miR-130a-3p suppressed aggressive phenotype of GC cells partially by direct targeting and decreasing TBL1XR1 and subsequent EMT process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Haibo Han
- Department of Biobank, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Ying Hu
- Department of Biobank, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Yunwei Lv
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Limin Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Lianhai Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Jiafu Ji
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, P.R. China
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Zhao B, Lucas KJ, Saha TT, Ha J, Ling L, Kokoza VA, Roy S, Raikhel AS. MicroRNA-275 targets sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ adenosine triphosphatase (SERCA) to control key functions in the mosquito gut. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1006943. [PMID: 28787446 PMCID: PMC5560755 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti is the major vector of arboviruses, causing numerous devastating human diseases, such as dengue and yellow fevers, Chikungunya and Zika. Female mosquitoes need vertebrate blood for egg development, and repeated cycles of blood feeding are tightly linked to pathogen transmission. The mosquito’s posterior midgut (gut) is involved in blood digestion and also serves as an entry point for pathogens. Thus, the mosquito gut is an important tissue to investigate. The miRNA aae-miR-275 (miR-275) has been shown to be required for normal blood digestion in the female mosquito; however, the mechanism of its action has remained unknown. Here, we demonstrate that miR-275 directly targets and positively regulates sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+adenosine triphosphatase, which is implicated in active transport of Ca2+ from the cytosol to the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum. We utilized a combination of the gut-specific yeast transcription activator protein Gal4/upstream activating sequence (Gal4/UAS) system and miRNA Tough Decoy technology to deplete the endogenous level of miR-275 in guts of transgenic mosquitoes. This gut-specific reduction of miR-275 post blood meal decreased SERCA mRNA and protein levels of the digestive enzyme late trypsin. It also resulted in a significant reduction of gut microbiota. Moreover, the decrease of miR-275 and SERCA correlated with defects in the Notch signaling pathway and assembly of the gut actin cytoskeleton. The adverse phenotypes caused by miR-275 silencing were rescued by injections of miR-275 mimic. Thus, we have discovered that miR-275 directly targets SERCA, and the maintenance of its level is critical for multiple gut functions in mosquitoes. Female mosquitoes transmit numerous devastating human diseases. The mosquito gut, in addition to its primary function as a site of blood digestion, represents the entry point for pathogen colonization in mosquito vectors. The conserved microRNA, miR-275, was shown to be required for blood digestion and egg development. In this study, we investigated the target of miR-275 contributing to the regulation of mosquito gut functions. We achieved spatiotemporal suppression of miR-275 using a transgenic Tough Decoy RNA approach in the A. aegypti female mosquito gut. Furthermore, we have uncovered that miR-275 targets sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+- adenosine triphosphatase (SERCA), affecting numerous gut functions including blood digestion, production of digestive proteases, and assembly of the gut actin cytoskeleton. SERCA is essential for maintenance of Ca2+ homeostasis, and its disturbance, in humans, leads to cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure and cancers. Therefore, the finding that the miRNA miR-275 targets SERCA not only contributes to the knowledge of mosquito gut regulation but also significantly adds to the general understanding of mechanisms governing this critical molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhao
- Department of Entomology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Keira J Lucas
- Department of Entomology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Tusar T Saha
- Department of Entomology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Jisu Ha
- Department of Entomology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
- Graduate Program in Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Lin Ling
- Department of Entomology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Vladimir A Kokoza
- Department of Entomology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Sourav Roy
- Department of Entomology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Alexander S Raikhel
- Department of Entomology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
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Tough decoy targeting of predominant let-7 miRNA species in adult human hematopoietic cells. J Transl Med 2017; 15:169. [PMID: 28768505 PMCID: PMC5541688 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-017-1273-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In humans, the heterochronic cascade composed of the RNA-binding protein LIN28 and its major target, the let-7 family of microRNAs (miRNAs), is highly regulated during human erythroid ontogeny. Additionally, down-regulation of the let-7 miRNAs in cultured adult CD34(+) cells or the over-expression of LIN28 in cultured erythrocytes from pediatric patients with HbSS genotype causes increased levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in the range of 19–40% of the total. Therefore, we hypothesized that focused targeting of individual let-7 miRNA family members would exhibit regulatory effect on HbF expression in human adult erythroblasts. Methods The expression levels of mature let-7 family members were measured by RT-qPCR in purified cell populations sorted from peripheral blood. To study the effects of let-7 miRNAs upon globin expression, a lentiviral construct that incorporated the tough decoy (TuD) design to target let-7a or let-7b was compared with empty vector controls. Transductions were performed in CD34(+) cells from adult healthy volunteers cultivated ex vivo in erythropoietin-supplemented serum-free media for 21 days. Downstream analyses included RT-qPCR, Western blot and HPLC for the characterization of adult and fetal hemoglobins. Results The expression of individual let-7 miRNA family members in adult peripheral blood cell populations demonstrated that let-7a and let-7b miRNAs are expressed at much higher levels than the other let-7 family members in purified adult human blood cell subsets with expression being predominantly in reticulocytes. Therefore, we focused this study upon the targeted inhibition of let-7a and let-7b with the TuD design to explore its effects upon developmentally-timed erythroid genes. Let-7a-TuD transductions significantly increased gamma-globin mRNA expression and HbF to an average of 38%. Let-7a-TuD also significantly decreased the mRNA expression of some ontogeny-regulated erythroid genes, namely CA1 and GCNT2. In addition, the erythroid-related transcription factors BCL11A and HMGA2 were down- and up-regulated, respectively, by let-7a-TuD, while ZBTB7A, KLF1 and SOX6 remained unchanged. Conclusions Overall, our data demonstrate that let-7 miRNAs are differentially expressed in human hematopoietic cells, and that targeted inhibition of the highly-expressed species of this family is sufficient for developmentally-specific changes in gamma-globin expression and HbF levels. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12967-017-1273-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Hollensen AK, Thomsen R, Bak RO, Petersen CC, Ermegaard ER, Aagaard L, Damgaard CK, Mikkelsen JG. Improved microRNA suppression by WPRE-linked tough decoy microRNA sponges. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2017; 23:1247-1258. [PMID: 28487381 PMCID: PMC5513069 DOI: 10.1261/rna.061192.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Our genes are post-transcriptionally regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs) inducing translational suppression and degradation of targeted mRNAs. Strategies to inhibit miRNAs in a spatiotemporal manner in a desired cell type or tissue, or at a desired developmental stage, can be crucial for understanding miRNA function and for pushing forward miRNA suppression as a feasible rationale for genetic treatment of disease. For such purposes, RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II)-transcribed tough decoy (TuD) miRNA inhibitors are particularly attractive. Here, we demonstrate augmented miRNA suppression capacity of TuD RNA hairpins linked to the Woodchuck hepatitis virus post-transcriptional regulatory element (WPRE). This effect is position-dependent and evident only when the WPRE is positioned upstream of the TuD. In accordance, inclusion of the WPRE does not change nuclear export, translation, total levels of TuD-containing RNA transcripts, or cytoplasmic P-body localization, suggesting that previously reported WPRE functions are negligible for improved TuD function. Notably, deletion analysis of TuD-fused WPRE unveils truncated WPRE variants resulting in optimized miRNA suppression. Together, our findings add to the guidelines for production of WPRE-supported anti-miRNA TuDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kruse Hollensen
- Department of Biomedicine, HEALTH, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science and Technology, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Rune Thomsen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science and Technology, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Rasmus O Bak
- Department of Biomedicine, HEALTH, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | | | - Eva R Ermegaard
- Department of Biomedicine, HEALTH, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Lars Aagaard
- Department of Biomedicine, HEALTH, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Christian Kroun Damgaard
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science and Technology, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Gurol T, Zhou W, Deng Q. MicroRNAs in neutrophils: potential next generation therapeutics for inflammatory ailments. Immunol Rev 2017; 273:29-47. [PMID: 27558326 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Neutrophils play fundamental roles in both acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, and directly contribute to the immune pathologies in both infectious and autoimmune ailments. MicroRNAs (miRs) regulate homeostasis in health and disease by fine tuning the expression of a network of genes through post-transcriptional regulation. Many miRs are expressed in restricted tissues, regulated by stress and disease, and are emerging as mediators for intercellular communication. MiR profiles have been recently utilized as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognostic purposes. In addition, several miRs are in clinical development for various diseases. A short list of miRs that regulate hematopoiesis and neutrophil development is identified. Unfortunately, very limited information is available regarding how miRs regulate neutrophil migration and activation in vivo. Extensive future work is required, especially in animal models such as mice, to illustrate the pivotal and complex miR-mediated regulatory network. In addition, zebrafish, a vertebrate model organism with conserved innate immunity, potentiated by the availability of imaging and genetic tools, will provide a platform for rapid discovery and characterization of miRs that are relevant to neutrophilic inflammation. Advances in this field are expected to provide the foundation for highly selective miR-based therapy to manipulate neutrophils in infection and inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore Gurol
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Wenqing Zhou
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Qing Deng
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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Tang L, Chen HY, Hao NB, Tang B, Guo H, Yong X, Dong H, Yang SM. microRNA inhibitors: Natural and artificial sequestration of microRNA. Cancer Lett 2017; 407:139-147. [PMID: 28602827 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNAs) is post-transcriptional regulator of mRNA. However, the prevalence and activity of miRNA are regulated by other regulators. miRNA inhibitors are natural or artificial RNA transcripts that sequestrate miRNAs and decrease or even eliminate miRNA activity. Competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) are natural and intracellular miRNA inhibitors that compete to bind to shared miRNA recognition elements (MREs) to decrease microRNA availability and relieve the repression of target RNAs. In recent years, studies have revealed that ceRNA crosstalk is involved in many pathophysiological processes and adds a new dimension to miRNA regulation. Artificial miRNA inhibitors are RNA transcripts that are synthesized via chemical and genetic methods. Artificial miRNA inhibitors can be used in miRNA loss-of-function research and gene therapies for certain diseases. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the two different types of miRNA inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Hong-Yan Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Ning-Bo Hao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Bo Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Hong Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Xin Yong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Hui Dong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Shi-Ming Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China.
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Yang ZP, Ma HS, Wang SS, Wang L, Liu T. LAMC1 mRNA promotes malignancy of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by competing for MicroRNA-124 binding with CD151. IUBMB Life 2017; 69:595-605. [PMID: 28524360 DOI: 10.1002/iub.1642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Specific RNAs can function as sinks for endogenous miRNAs, known as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). Here, we confirm a miR-124 mediated ceRNA crosstalk between LAMC1 and CD151 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). miR-124 negatively regulates LAMC1 expression through two miRNA binding sites within its 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) and suppresses migration and invasion of HCC cells through regulating LAMC1. The wild type LAMC1 miRNA response elements (MREs) facilitate expression of CD151, and this regulation is miR-124 dependent. In clinical hepatic tissues, LAMC1 and CD151 mRNAs exhibit positive correlation. Importantly, LAMC1 MREs promote HCC malignancy by absorbing miR-124 and by assisting CD151 expression. We conclude that LAMC1 mRNA acts as a trans regulator to stimulate CD151 expression by competing for miR-124 binding in HCC cells. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(8):595-605, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhan-Po Yang
- Department of Urology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Hong-Shun Ma
- Department of Urology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Shu-Sen Wang
- Key Laboratory for Critical Care Medicine of the Ministry of Health, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory for Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Organ Transplantation Research Center, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Le Wang
- Key Laboratory for Critical Care Medicine of the Ministry of Health, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Key Laboratory for Critical Care Medicine of the Ministry of Health, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory for Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Organ Transplantation Research Center, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
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41
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A novel mechanism governing the transcriptional regulation of ABC transporters in MDR cancer cells. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2017; 7:276-285. [DOI: 10.1007/s13346-016-0353-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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miRNAsong: a web-based tool for generation and testing of miRNA sponge constructs in silico. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36625. [PMID: 27857164 PMCID: PMC5114684 DOI: 10.1038/srep36625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA) sponges are RNA transcripts containing multiple high-affinity binding sites that associate with and sequester specific miRNAs to prevent them from interacting with their target messenger (m)RNAs. Due to the high specificity of miRNA sponges and strong inhibition of target miRNAs, these molecules have become increasingly applied in miRNA loss-of-function studies. However, improperly designed sponge constructs may sequester off-target miRNAs; thus, it has become increasingly important to develop a tool for miRNA sponge construct design and testing. In this study, we introduce microRNA sponge generator and tester (miRNAsong), a freely available web-based tool for generation and in silico testing of miRNA sponges. This tool generates miRNA sponge constructs for specific miRNAs and miRNA families/clusters and tests them for potential binding to miRNAs in selected organisms. Currently, miRNAsong allows for testing of sponge constructs in 219 species covering 35,828 miRNA sequences. Furthermore, we also provide an example, supplemented with experimental data, of how to use this tool. Using miRNAsong, we designed and tested a sponge for miR-145 inhibition, and cloned the sequence into an inducible lentiviral vector. We found that established cell lines expressing miR-145 sponge strongly inhibited miR-145, thus demonstrating the usability of miRNAsong tool for sponge generation. URL: http://www.med.muni.cz/histology/miRNAsong/.
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43
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Jung J, Yeom C, Choi YS, Kim S, Lee E, Park MJ, Kang SW, Kim SB, Chang S. Simultaneous inhibition of multiple oncogenic miRNAs by a multi-potent microRNA sponge. Oncotarget 2016; 6:20370-87. [PMID: 26284487 PMCID: PMC4653011 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The roles of oncogenic miRNAs are widely recognized in many cancers. Inhibition of single miRNA using antagomiR can efficiently knock-down a specific miRNA. However, the effect is transient and often results in subtle phenotype, as there are other miRNAs contribute to tumorigenesis. Here we report a multi-potent miRNA sponge inhibiting multiple miRNAs simultaneously. As a model system, we targeted miR-21, miR-155 and miR-221/222, known as oncogenic miRNAs in multiple tumors including breast and pancreatic cancers. To achieve efficient knockdown, we generated perfect and bulged-matched miRNA binding sites (MBS) and introduced multiple copies of MBS, ranging from one to five, in the multi-potent miRNA sponge. Luciferase reporter assay showed the multi-potent miRNA sponge efficiently inhibited 4 miRNAs in breast and pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore, a stable and inducible version of the multi-potent miRNA sponge cell line showed the miRNA sponge efficiently reduces the level of 4 target miRNAs and increase target protein level of these oncogenic miRNAs. Finally, we showed the miRNA sponge sensitize cells to cancer drug and attenuate cell migratory activity. Altogether, our study demonstrates the multi-potent miRNA sponge is a useful tool to examine the functional impact of simultaneous inhibition of multiple miRNAs and proposes a therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeyun Jung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulsan School of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea
| | | | | | - Sinae Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulsan School of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea
| | - EunJi Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulsan School of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea
| | - Min Ji Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulsan School of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea
| | - Sang Wook Kang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulsan School of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea
| | - Sung Bae Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulsan School of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea.,Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea
| | - Suhwan Chang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulsan School of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea.,Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea
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44
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Abstract
The idea of treating disease in humans with genetic material was conceived over two decades ago and with that a promising journey involving development and efficacy studies in cells and animals of a large number of novel therapeutic reagents unfolded. In the footsteps of this process, successful gene therapy treatment of genetic conditions in humans has shown clear signs of efficacy. Notably, significant advancements using gene supplementation and silencing strategies have been made in the field of ocular gene therapy, thereby pinpointing ocular gene therapy as one of the compelling "actors" bringing gene therapy to the clinic. Most of all, this success has been facilitated because of (1) the fact that the eye is an effortlessly accessible, exceedingly compartmentalized, and immune-privileged organ offering a unique advantage as a gene therapy target, and (2) significant progress toward efficient, sustained transduction of cells within the retina having been achieved using nonintegrating vectors based on recombinant adeno-associated virus and nonintegrating lentivirus vectors. The results from in vivo experiments and trials suggest that treatment of inherited retinal dystrophies, ocular angiogenesis, and inflammation with gene therapy can be both safe and effective. Here, the progress of ocular gene therapy is examined with special emphasis on the potential use of RNAi- and protein-based antiangiogenic gene therapy to treat exudative age-related macular degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Corydon
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University , Aarhus C, Denmark
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45
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Steinkraus BR, Toegel M, Fulga TA. Tiny giants of gene regulation: experimental strategies for microRNA functional studies. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2016; 5:311-62. [PMID: 26950183 PMCID: PMC4949569 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The discovery over two decades ago of short regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) has led to the inception of a vast biomedical research field dedicated to understanding these powerful orchestrators of gene expression. Here we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the methods and techniques underpinning the experimental pipeline employed for exploratory miRNA studies in animals. Some of the greatest challenges in this field have been uncovering the identity of miRNA-target interactions and deciphering their significance with regard to particular physiological or pathological processes. These endeavors relied almost exclusively on the development of powerful research tools encompassing novel bioinformatics pipelines, high-throughput target identification platforms, and functional target validation methodologies. Thus, in an unparalleled manner, the biomedical technology revolution unceasingly enhanced and refined our ability to dissect miRNA regulatory networks and understand their roles in vivo in the context of cells and organisms. Recurring motifs of target recognition have led to the creation of a large number of multifactorial bioinformatics analysis platforms, which have proved instrumental in guiding experimental miRNA studies. Subsequently, the need for discovery of miRNA-target binding events in vivo drove the emergence of a slew of high-throughput multiplex strategies, which now provide a viable prospect for elucidating genome-wide miRNA-target binding maps in a variety of cell types and tissues. Finally, deciphering the functional relevance of miRNA post-transcriptional gene silencing under physiological conditions, prompted the evolution of a host of technologies enabling systemic manipulation of miRNA homeostasis as well as high-precision interference with their direct, endogenous targets. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno R Steinkraus
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Markus Toegel
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tudor A Fulga
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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46
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Anti-Apoptotic Effects of Lentiviral Vector Transduction Promote Increased Rituximab Tolerance in Cancerous B-Cells. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153069. [PMID: 27045839 PMCID: PMC4821607 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is characterized by great genetic and clinical heterogeneity which complicates prognostic prediction and influences treatment efficacy. The most common regimen, R-CHOP, consists of a combination of anthracycline- and immuno-based drugs including Rituximab. It remains elusive how and to which extent genetic variability impacts the response and potential tolerance to R-CHOP. Hence, an improved understanding of mechanisms leading to drug tolerance in B-cells is crucial, and modelling by genetic intervention directly in B-cells is fundamental in such investigations. Lentivirus-based gene vectors are widely used gene vehicles, which in B-cells are an attractive alternative to potentially toxic transfection-based methodologies. Here, we investigate the use of VSV-G-pseudotyped lentiviral vectors in B-cells for exploring the impact of microRNAs on tolerance to Rituximab. Notably, we find that robust lentiviral transduction of cancerous B-cell lines markedly and specifically enhances the resistance of transduced germinal center B-cells (GCBs) to Rituximab. Although Rituximab works partially through complement-mediated cell lysis, increased tolerance is not achieved through effects of lentiviral transduction on cell death mediated by complement. Rather, reduced levels of PARP1 and persistent high levels of CD43 in Rituximab-treated GCBs demonstrate anti-apoptotic effects of lentiviral transduction that may interfere with the outcome and interpretation of Rituximab tolerance studies. Our findings stress that caution should be exercised exploiting lentiviral vectors in studies of tolerance to therapeutics in DLBCL. Importantly, however, we demonstrate the feasibility of using the lentiviral gene delivery platform in studies addressing the impact of specific microRNAs on Rituximab responsiveness.
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47
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Influenza A virus targets a cGAS-independent STING pathway that controls enveloped RNA viruses. Nat Commun 2016; 7:10680. [PMID: 26893169 PMCID: PMC4762884 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is known be involved in control of DNA viruses but has an unexplored role in control of RNA viruses. During infection with DNA viruses STING is activated downstream of cGAMP synthase (cGAS) to induce type I interferon. Here we identify a STING-dependent, cGAS-independent pathway important for full interferon production and antiviral control of enveloped RNA viruses, including influenza A virus (IAV). Further, IAV interacts with STING through its conserved hemagglutinin fusion peptide (FP). Interestingly, FP antagonizes interferon production induced by membrane fusion or IAV but not by cGAMP or DNA. Similar to the enveloped RNA viruses, membrane fusion stimulates interferon production in a STING-dependent but cGAS-independent manner. Abolishment of this pathway led to reduced interferon production and impaired control of enveloped RNA viruses. Thus, enveloped RNA viruses stimulate a cGAS-independent STING pathway, which is targeted by IAV.
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48
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Dynamics and plasticity of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition induced by miR-200 family inhibition. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21117. [PMID: 26887353 PMCID: PMC4758077 DOI: 10.1038/srep21117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Whereas miR-200 family is known to be involved in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a crucial biological process observed in normal and pathological contexts, it has been largely unclear how far the functional levels of these tiny RNAs alone can propagate the molecular events to accomplish this process within several days. By developing a potent inhibitor of miR-200 family members (TuD-141/200c), the expression of which is strictly regulatable by the Tet (tetracycline)-On system, we found using a human colorectal cell line, HCT116, that several direct gene target mRNAs (Zeb1/Zeb2, ESRP1, FN1and FHOD1) of miR-200 family were elevated with distinct kinetics. Prompt induction of the transcriptional suppressors, Zeb1/Zeb2 in turn reduced the expression levels of miR-200c/-141 locus, EpCAM, ESRP1 and E-Cad. The loss of ESRP1 subsequently switched the splicing isoforms of CD44 and p120 catenin mRNAs to mesenchymal type. Importantly, within 9 days after the release from the inhibition of miR-200 family, all of the expression changes in the 14 genes observed in this study returned to their original levels in the epithelial cells. This suggests that the inherent epithelial plasticity is supported by a weak retention of key regulatory gene expression in either the epithelial or mesenchymal states through epigenetic regulation.
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49
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Marques SC, Ranjbar B, Laursen MB, Falgreen S, Bilgrau AE, Bødker JS, Jørgensen LK, Primo MN, Schmitz A, Ettrup MS, Johnsen HE, Bøgsted M, Mikkelsen JG, Dybkær K. High miR-34a expression improves response to doxorubicin in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Exp Hematol 2016; 44:238-46.e2. [PMID: 26854484 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2015.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The standard treatment for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the immunochemotherapy-based R-CHOP regimen (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone). Resistance to treatment, intrinsic or acquired, is observed in approximately 40% of patients with DLBCL, who thus require novel interventions to survive. To identify biomarkers for cytotoxic response assessment, microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with doxorubicin sensitivity were determined by combining global miRNA expression profiling with systematic dose-response screens in 15 human DLBCL cell lines. One candidate, miR-34a, was tested in functional in vitro studies and in vivo in a retrospective clinical cohort. High expression of miR-34a was observed in cell lines sensitive to doxorubicin, and upregulation of miR-34a is documented here to increase doxorubicin sensitivity in in vitro lentiviral transduction assays. High expression of miR-34a had a prognostic impact using overall survival as outcome. With risk stratification of DLBCL samples based on resistance gene signatures (REGS), doxorubicin-responsive samples had statistically significant upregulated miR-34a expression. Classification of the DLBCL samples into subset-specific B cell-associated gene signatures (BAGS) revealed differentiation-specific expression of miR-34a. Our data further support FOXP1 as a target of miR-34a, suggesting that downregulation of FOXP1 may sensitize DLBCL cells to doxorubicin. We conclude that miRNAs, in particular miR-34a, may have clinical utility in DLBCL patients as both predictive and prognostic biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Correia Marques
- Department of Haematology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Maria Bach Laursen
- Department of Haematology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Steffen Falgreen
- Department of Haematology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Anders Ellern Bilgrau
- Department of Haematology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Mathematical Sciences, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Julie Støve Bødker
- Department of Haematology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | | | - Alexander Schmitz
- Department of Haematology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Marianne Schmidt Ettrup
- Department of Haematology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Hematopathology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Hans Erik Johnsen
- Department of Haematology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark; Clinical Cancer Research Center, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Martin Bøgsted
- Department of Haematology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | - Karen Dybkær
- Department of Haematology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
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50
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A PCR-Based Method to Construct Lentiviral Vector Expressing Double Tough Decoy for miRNA Inhibition. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0143864. [PMID: 26624995 PMCID: PMC4666662 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA vector-encoded Tough Decoy (TuD) miRNA inhibitor is attracting increased attention due to its high efficiency in miRNA suppression. The current methods used to construct TuD vectors are based on synthesizing long oligonucleotides (~90 mer), which have been costly and problematic because of mutations during synthesis. In this study, we report a PCR-based method for the generation of double Tough Decoy (dTuD) vector in which only two sets of shorter oligonucleotides (< 60 mer) were used. Different approaches were employed to test the inhibitory potency of dTuDs. We demonstrated that dTuD is the most efficient method in miRNA inhibition in vitro and in vivo. Using this method, a mini dTuD library against 88 human miRNAs was constructed and used for a high-throughput screening (HTS) of AP-1 pathway-related miRNAs. Seven miRNAs (miR-18b-5p, -101-3p, -148b-3p, -130b-3p, -186-3p, -187-3p and -1324) were identified as candidates involved in AP-1 pathway regulation. This novel method allows for an accurate and cost-effective generation of dTuD miRNA inhibitor, providing a powerful tool for efficient miRNA suppression in vitro and in vivo.
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