LncRNAs as Therapeutic Targets for Autophagy-involved Cardiovascular Diseases: A Review of Molecular Mechanism and T herapy Strategy

LncRNA-THBS4 affects granulosa cell proliferation and apoptosis in diminished ovarian reserve by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

BACKGROUNDS

Recent studies have found Several lncRNAs were proved differential expression in diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) patients, however, the mechanism of DOR caused by lncRNAs is still largely unclear.

METHODS

High throughput sequencing was performed in ovarian GCs extracted from women with normal ovarian function and women with DOR. Bioinformation analysis was used to analyze the sequencing data and identify the differential expression of lncRNAs. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to verify the sequencing results. Situ fluorescence hybridization (FISH) followed by confocal microscopy and qRT-PCR were used to explore the location and expression of LncRNA-THBS4 in GCs. The significantly enriched signaling pathways of LncRNA-THBS4 were identified by KEGG. The study used RNA interference technology to decipher LncRNA-THBS4 function by silencing LncRNA-THBS4 in GCs. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to explore the mRNA and protein expressions of key factors of PI3Ks pathway. The pro-apoptotic protein and anti-apoptotic protein were detected by western blot. The proliferation and apoptosis of GCs were detected by MTT assay and Flow cytometry.

RESULTS

197 lncRNAs with significant differences in expression levels were detected between control and DOR group by high throughput sequencing. The study found the expression of LncRNA-THBS4 in GCs was positively correlated with Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) (p = 0.0020, r = 0.4742)、antral follicle count (AFC) (p = 0.0007, r = 0.5130)、good embryo rate (p = 0.0006, r = 0.5210), negatively correlated with basal FSH level (p = 0.0007, r = －0.5152). LncRNA-THBS4 was mainly localized in the cytoplasm of GCs. LncRNA-THBS4 silencing could inhibit the PI3Ks pathway; decrease the levels of anti-apoptotic protein, inhibit the proliferation of GCs; increase the levels of apoptosis protein, enhance the apoptosis of GCs.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression level of lncRNA-THBS4 is correlated with ovarian function indicators and pregnancy outcomes in women. LncRNA-THBS4 may participate in the pathogenesis of DOR by affecting the proliferation and apoptosis of GCs via regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Regulating the regulators: long non-coding RNAs as autophagic controllers in chronic disease management

The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and their associated morbidities demands a deeper understanding of underlying mechanism and causative factors, with the hope of developing novel therapeutic strategies. Autophagy, a conserved biological process, involves the degradation of damaged organelles or protein aggregates to maintain cellular homeostasis. Disruption of this crucial process leads to increased genomic instability, accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased mitochondrial functions, and suppression of ubiquitination, leading to overall decline in quality of intracellular components. Such deregulation has been implicated in a wide range of pathological conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular, inflammatory, and neurological disorders. This review explores the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as modulators of transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene expression, regulating diverse physiological process like proliferation, development, immunity, and metabolism. Moreover, lncRNAs are known to sequester autophagy related microRNAs by functioning as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), thereby regulating this vital process. In the present review, we delineate the multitiered regulation of lncRNAs in the autophagic dysfunction of various pathological diseases. Moreover, by highlighting recent findings on the modulation of lncRNAs in different stages of autophagy, and the emerging clinical landscape that recognizes lncRNAs in disease diagnosis and therapy, this review highlights the potential of lncRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in clinical settings of different stages of autophagic process by regulating ATG and its target genes. This focus on lncRNAs could lead to breakthroughs in personalized medicine, offering new avenues for diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases.

Long non-coding RNAs as pathophysiological regulators, therapeutic targets and novel extracellular vesicle biomarkers for the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing disease of the gastrointestinal (GI) system that includes two groups, Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). To cope with these two classes of IBD, the investigation of pathogenic mechanisms and the discovery of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are crucial. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) which are non-coding RNAs with a length of longer than 200 nucleotides have indicated significant association with the pathology of IBD and strong potential to be used as accurate biomarkers in diagnosing and predicting responses to the IBD treatment. In the current review, we aim to investigate the role of lncRNAs in the pathology and development of IBD. We first describe recent advances in research on dysregulated lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of IBD from the perspective of epithelial barrier function, intestinal immunity, mitochondrial function, and intestinal autophagy. Then, we highlight the possible translational role of lncRNAs as therapeutic targets, diagnostic biomarkers, and predictors of therapeutic response in colon tissues and plasma samples. Finally, we discuss the potential of extracellular vesicles and their lncRNA cargo in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of IBD.

Artificial Intelligence in Cardiology and Atherosclerosis in the Context of Precision Medicine: A Scoping Review

Cardiovascular diseases remain the main cause of death worldwide which makes it essential to better understand, diagnose, and treat atherosclerosis. Artificial intelligence (AI) and novel technological solutions offer us new possibilities and enable the practice of individually tailored medicine. The study was performed using the PRISMA protocol. As of January 10, 2023, the analysis has been based on a review of 457 identified articles in PubMed and MEDLINE databases. The search covered reviews, original articles, meta-analyses, comments, and editorials published in the years 2009-2023. In total, 123 articles met inclusion criteria. The results were divided into the subsections presented in the review (genome-wide association studies, radiomics, and other studies). This paper presents actual knowledge concerning atherosclerosis, in silico, and big data analyses in cardiology that affect the way medicine is practiced in order to create an individual approach and adjust the therapy of atherosclerosis.

Identification and exploration of aging-related subtypes and distinctive role of SERPINE1 in heart failure based on single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing data

Aging is a major risk factor for heart failure (HF) and is the leading cause of death worldwide. Currently, the nature of the relationship between aging and HF is not entirely clear. Herein, this study aimed to explore new diagnostic biomarkers, molecular typing and therapeutic strategies for HF by investigating the biological significance of aging-related genes in HF. A total of 157 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened totally between HF and normal samples, and functional enrichment analysis of DEGs revealed the strong association of HF progression with aging, immune processes and metabolism. Six HF-specific aging-related genes were further identified, and a diagnostic model was developed and validated for good diagnostic efficacy. In addition, we collected blood samples from 10 normal controls and 10 HF patients for RT-qPCR analysis to verify the bioinformation. We also identified two aging-associated subtypes with distinctly different immune infiltration and metabolic microenvironment. Further single-cell sequencing analysis conducted in the study identified SERPINE1 as a key gene in HF. The distinctive role of SERPINE1 fibroblasts was revealed, including three main findings: (I) fibroblasts had a higher proportion and expression of SERPINE1 levels in HF; (II) the ligand-receptor pair MDK-LRP1 made the most contributions in high interactions with other cell types in SERPINE1 fibroblasts; and (III) SERPINE1 fibroblasts were associated with the interaction of extracellular matrix and receptor and may be regulated by the transcription factor EGR1. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of aging-related genes in diagnosing HF and regulating immune infiltration. We also identified different HF subtypes and a potentially crucial gene, which may provide a better understanding of the molecular-level mechanisms of aging-related HF and aid in developing effective therapeutic strategies.

Metabolism-related long non-coding RNA in the stomach cancer associated with 11 AMMLs predictive nomograms for OS in STAD

Background: The metabolic processes involving amino acids are intimately linked to the onset and progression of cancer. Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) perform an indispensable function in the modulation of metabolic processes as well as the advancement of tumors. Non-etheless, research into the role that amino acid metabolism-related LncRNAs (AMMLs) might play in predicting the prognosis of stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) has not been done. Therefore, This study sought to design a model for AMMLs to predict STAD-related prognosis and elucidate their immune properties and molecular mechanisms.

Methods: The STAD RNA-seq data in the TCGA-STAD dataset were randomized into the training and validation groups in a 1:1 ratio, and models were constructed and validated respectively. In the molecular signature database, This study screened for genes involved in amino acid metabolism. AMMLs were obtained by Pearson’s correlation analysis, and predictive risk characteristics were established using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, univariate Cox analysis, and multivariate Cox analysis. Subsequently, the immune and molecular profiles of high- and low-risk patients and the benefit of the drug were examined.

Results: Eleven AMMLs (LINC01697, LINC00460, LINC00592, MIR548XHG, LINC02728, RBAKDN, LINCOG, LINC00449, LINC01819, and UBE2R2-AS1) were used to develop a prognostic model. Moreover, high-risk individuals had worse overall survival (OS) than low-risk patients in the validation and comprehensive groups. A high-risk score was associated with cancer metastasis as well as angiogenic pathways and high infiltration of tumor-associated fibroblasts, Treg cells, and M2 macrophages; suppressed immune responses; and a more aggressive phenotype.

Conclusion: This study identified a risk signal associated with 11 AMMLs and established predictive nomograms for OS in STAD. These findings will help us personalize treatment for gastric cancer patients.

Over Fifty Years of Life, Death, and Cannibalism: A Historical Recollection of Apoptosis and Autophagy

Research in biomedical sciences has changed dramatically over the past fifty years. There is no doubt that the discovery of apoptosis and autophagy as two highly synchronized and regulated mechanisms in cellular homeostasis are among the most important discoveries in these decades. Along with the advancement in molecular biology, identifying the genetic players in apoptosis and autophagy has shed light on our understanding of their function in physiological and pathological conditions. In this review, we first describe the history of key discoveries in apoptosis with a molecular insight and continue with apoptosis pathways and their regulation. We touch upon the role of apoptosis in human health and its malfunction in several diseases. We discuss the path to the morphological and molecular discovery of autophagy. Moreover, we dive deep into the precise regulation of autophagy and recent findings from basic research to clinical applications of autophagy modulation in human health and illnesses and the available therapies for many diseases caused by impaired autophagy. We conclude with the exciting crosstalk between apoptosis and autophagy, from the early discoveries to recent findings.