Emerging Role of MicroRNA-30c in Neurological Disorders

MicroRNAs modulate CaMKIIα/SIRT1 signaling pathway as a biomarker of cognitive ability in adolescents

The dynamic regulation of synaptic plasticity underlies memory formation, involving intricate signaling pathways with both facilitatory and inhibitory roles. MicroRNAs are emerging modulators of memory processes through their fine-tuning of gene expression. To explore the influence of miRNAs on adolescent cognitive function, we investigated the association between academic performance, cognitive ability as measured by the Inquiry for Scientific Thinking, Analytics, and Reasoning test, and plasma miRNA profiling in 486 senior high school students. Our analysis identified 38 differentially expressed miRNAs between students with high and low academic performance. Notably, miR-219 b/548e/628/885 and miR-30a/30c-1/195/204 potentially targeted genes associated with the CaMKII/SIRT1 signaling pathway, a crucial facilitator of memory consolidation. Collectively, our findings suggest that specific plasma miRNAs, particularly the CaMKII/SIRT1-related miR-30a/30c-1/195/204 cluster, potentially serve as promising biomarkers for cognitive function in adolescents. Our findings further support the proposed interaction between NF-kB activity and CaMKIIα in regulating synaptic plasticity. Under hypomethylation conditions, increased NF-kB activity, a key component of inflammation and neural plasticity, influences learning and memory. This biological pathway, representing the initiation of epigenetic memory, demonstrates significant predictive power for both cognitive ability and academic performance.

Exploring the material basis and molecular targets of Changma Xifeng tablet in treating Tourette syndrome: an integrative approach of network pharmacology and miRNA analysis

This study was to investigate the mechanism of Changma Xifeng tablet, a traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of Tourette syndrome. Network pharmacology was utilized to pinpoint blood-entering constituents of Changma Xifeng and explore their potential targets. Additionally, differential microRNA expression analysis was conducted to predict Tourette syndrome-associated targets, complemented by molecular docking and dynamics simulations to support the interactions of the active compounds with these targets. The study identified 98 common targets between Changma Xifeng and Tourette syndrome, which may be involved in the treatment process. A protein-protein interaction network and a drug-active ingredient-disease target network highlighted the formulation's multi-component, multi-target therapeutic approach. Eight pivotal targets-AR, GRM5, MET, RORA, HTR2A, CNR1, PDE4B, and TOP1-were identified at the intersection of microRNA and drug targets. Molecular docking revealed 12 complexes with favorable binding energies below - 7 kcal/mol, specifically: AR with Alfacalcidol, TOP1 with Albiflorin, GRM5 with Arachidic Acid, GRM5 with Palmitic Acid, AR with Arachidic Acid, AR with 2-Hydroxyoctadecanoic Acid, RORA with Pinellic Acid, RORA with Palmitic Acid, AR with Acoronene, AR with Epiacoronene, AR with 4,4'-Methylenediphenol, and HTR2A with Calycosin. Our molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations suggest potential stable interactions between the formulation's active components and target proteins. These computational methods provide a preliminary theoretical framework that will guide our future experimental work. The study provides a scientific rationale for the use of traditional Chinese medicine in Tourette syndrome management and offers new insights for drug development.

Chitosan/PLGA-based tissue engineered nerve grafts with SKP-SC-EVs enhance sciatic nerve regeneration in dogs through miR-30b-5p-mediated regulation of axon growth

Extracellular vesicles from skin-derived precursor Schwann cells (SKP-SC-EVs) promote neurite outgrowth in culture and enhance peripheral nerve regeneration in rats. This study aimed at expanding the application of SKP-SC-EVs in nerve grafting by creating a chitosan/PLGA-based, SKP-SC-EVs-containing tissue engineered nerve graft (TENG) to bridge a 40-mm long sciatic nerve defect in dogs. SKP-SC-EVs contained in TENGs significantly accelerated the recovery of hind limb motor and electrophysiological functions, supported the outgrowth and myelination of regenerated axons, and alleviated the denervation-induced atrophy of target muscles in dogs. To clarify the underlying molecular mechanism, we observed that SKP-SC-EVs were rich in a variety of miRNAs linked to the axon growth of neurons, and miR-30b-5p was the most important among others. We further noted that miR-30b-5p contained within SKP-SC-EVs exerted nerve regeneration-promoting effects by targeting the Sin3a/HDAC complex and activating the phosphorylation of ERK, STAT3 or CREB. Our findings suggested that SKP-SC-EVs-incorporating TENGs represent a novel type of bioactive material with potential application for peripheral nerve repair in the clinic.

Neuroprotective effects of gemfibrozil in neurological disorders: Focus on inflammation and molecular mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Gemfibrozil (Gem) is a drug that has been shown to activate PPAR-α, a nuclear receptor that plays a key role in regulating lipid metabolism. Gem is used to lower the levels of triglycerides and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in patients. Experimental studies in vitro and in vivo have shown that Gem can prevent or slow the progression of neurological disorders (NDs), including cerebral ischemia (CI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Neuroinflammation is known to play a significant role in these disorders.

METHOD

The literature review for this study was conducted by searching Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases.

RESULT

The results of this study show that Gem has neuroprotective effects through several cellular and molecular mechanisms such as: (1) Gem has the ability to upregulate pro-survival factors (PGC-1α and TFAM), promoting the survival and function of mitochondria in the brain, (2) Gem strongly inhibits the activation of NF-κB, AP-1, and C/EBPβ in cytokine-stimulated astroglial cells, which are known to increase the expression of iNOS and the production of NO in response to proinflammatory cytokines, (3) Gem protects dopamine neurons in the MPTP mouse model of PD by increasing the expression of PPARα, which in turn stimulates the production of GDNF in astrocytes, (4) Gem reduces amyloid plaque pathology, reduces the activity of glial cells, and improves memory, (5) Gem increases myelin genes expression (MBP and CNPase) via PPAR-β, and (6) Gem increases hippocampal BDNF to counteract depression.

CONCLUSION

According to the study, Gem was investigated for its potential therapeutic effect in NDs. Further research is needed to fully understand the therapeutic potential of Gem in NDs.

Cladribine and ocrelizumab induce differential miRNA profiles in peripheral blood mononucleated cells from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients

Background and objectives

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive neurological disease characterized by early-stage neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and demyelination that involves a spectrum of heterogeneous clinical manifestations in terms of disease course and response to therapy. Even though several disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are available to prevent MS-related brain damage-acting on the peripheral immune system with an indirect effect on MS lesions-individualizing therapy according to disease characteristics and prognostic factors is still an unmet need. Given that deregulated miRNAs have been proposed as diagnostic tools in neurodegenerative/neuroinflammatory diseases such as MS, we aimed to explore miRNA profiles as potential classifiers of the relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients' prospects to gain a more effective DMT choice and achieve a preferential drug response.

Methods

A total of 25 adult patients with RRMS were enrolled in a cohort study, according to the latest McDonald criteria before (pre-cladribine, pre-CLA; pre-ocrelizumab, pre-OCRE, time T0) and after high-efficacy DMTs, time T1, 6 months post-CLA (n = 10, 7 F and 3 M, age 39.0 ± 7.5) or post-OCRE (n = 15, 10 F and 5 M, age 40.5 ± 10.4) treatment. A total of 15 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects (9 F and 6 M, age 36.3 ± 3.0) were also selected. By using Agilent microarrays, we analyzed miRNA profiles from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). miRNA-target networks were obtained by miRTargetLink, and Pearson's correlation served to estimate the association between miRNAs and outcome clinical features.

Results

First, the miRNA profiles of pre-CLA or pre-OCRE RRMS patients compared to healthy controls identified modulated miRNA patterns (40 and seven miRNAs, respectively). A direct comparison of the two pre-treatment groups at T0 and T1 revealed more pro-inflammatory patterns in the pre-CLA miRNA profiles. Moreover, both DMTs emerged as being capable of reverting some dysregulated miRNAs toward a protective phenotype. Both drug-dependent miRNA profiles and specific miRNAs, such as miR-199a-3p, miR-29b-3p, and miR-151a-3p, emerged as potentially involved in these drug-induced mechanisms. This enabled the selection of miRNAs correlated to clinical features and the related miRNA-mRNA network.

Discussion

These data support the hypothesis of specific deregulated miRNAs as putative biomarkers in RRMS patients' stratification and DMT drug response.

The role of Nurr1-miR-30e-5p-NLRP3 axis in inflammation-mediated neurodegeneration: insights from mouse models and patients' studies in Parkinson's disease

Nuclear receptor related-1 (Nurr1), a ligand-activated transcription factor, is considered a potential susceptibility gene for Parkinson's disease (PD), and has been demonstrated to possess protective effects against inflammation-induced neuronal damage. Despite the evidence showing decreased NURR1 level and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines in cell and animal models as well as in PD patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), the underlying mechanism remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism of Nurr1 in PD-related inflammation. Through the miRNA-sequencing and verification in PBMCs from a cohort of 450 individuals, we identified a significant change of a Nurr1-dependent miRNA miR-30e-5p in PD patients compared to healthy controls (HC). Additionally, PD patients exhibited an elevated plasma interleukin-1β (IL-1β) level and increased nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) expression in PBMCs compared to HC. Statistical analyses revealed significant correlations among NURR1, miR-30e-5p, and NLRP3 levels in the PBMCs of PD patients. To further explore the involvement of Nurr1-miR-30e-5p-NLRP3 axis in the inflammation-mediated PD pathology, we developed a mouse model (Nurr1flox+/Cd11b-cre+, Nurr1cKO) conditionally knocking out Nurr1 in Cd11b-expressing cells. Our investigations in Nurr1cKO mice unveiled significant dopaminergic neurodegeneration following lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation. Remarkably, Nurr1 deficiency triggered microglial activation and activated NLRP3 inflammasome, resulting in increased IL-1β secretion. Coincidently, we found that miR-30e-5p level was significantly decreased in the PBMCs and primary microglia of Nurr1cKO mice compared to the controls. Furthermore, our in vitro experiments demonstrated that miR-30e-5p specifically targeted NLRP3. In Nurr1-knockdown microglia, NLRP3 expression was upregulated via miR-30e-5p. In summary, our findings highlight the involvement of Nurr1-miR-30e-5p-NLRP3 axis in the inflammation-mediated neurodegeneration in PD, the results of which may offer promising prospects for developing PD biomarkers and targeted therapeutic interventions.

miRNA-Based Technologies in Cancer Therapy

The discovery of therapeutic miRNAs is one of the most exciting challenges for pharmaceutical companies. Since the first miRNA was discovered in 1993, our knowledge of miRNA biology has grown considerably. Many studies have demonstrated that miRNA expression is dysregulated in many diseases, making them appealing tools for novel therapeutic approaches. This review aims to discuss miRNA biogenesis and function, as well as highlight strategies for delivering miRNA agents, presenting viral, non-viral, and exosomic delivery as therapeutic approaches for different cancer types. We also consider the therapeutic role of microRNA-mediated drug repurposing in cancer therapy.