miR-340-5p inhibits pancreatic acinar cell inflammation and apoptosis via targeted inhibition of HMGB1

HMGB1: key mediator in digestive system diseases

High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1), a multifunctional non-histone protein, and its involvement in various physiological and pathological contexts has garnered significant attention. Given HMGB1's central function in modulating key biological activities, such as inflammatory responses and cellular death, its contribution to the pathogenesis of digestive system diseases has become a focus of growing interest. This review aims to comprehensively explore the mechanisms by which HMGB1 contributes to the progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), liver disorders, and pancreatitis. Furthermore, we explore the prospective clinical applications and outline future research directions for HMGB1 in digestive diseases, providing fresh perspectives that highlight the necessity of ongoing studies to understand its role in these conditions.

Dysregulation of LINC01094 is involved in the pathogenesis of pulpitis by regulating the miR-340-5p expression

Pulpitis seriously affects people's living standards and dental health, so identifying effective therapeutic targets is crucial for pulpitis. The research aimed to explore the underlying regulatory mechanism of LINC01094 and miR-340-5p in pulpitis. The study involved a total of 173 subjects (97 pulpitis and 76 healthy individuals). The expression of LINC01094 and miR-340-5p were evaluated through the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The association linking LINC01094 and miR-340-5p expression was assessed by Pearson correlation analysis. The Human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) injury model was conducted by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cell proliferation was examined through the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and flow cytometry. Cell apoptosis was also evaluated by flow cytometry. The caspase-3 levels and inflammatory cytokines were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Upregulated LINC01094 and downregulated miR-340-5p expression were observed in pulpitis and LPS-induced HDPC injury models. A negative correlation was observed between miR-340-5p and LINC01094 expression in pulpitis. LPS could suppress proliferation and promote apoptosis of HDPCs. The TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels in LPS-induced HDPCs were also elevated. The HDPC injury induced by LPS could be aggravated by the LINC01094 overexpression. MiR-340-5p showed a relieved effect on HDPC injury and could alleviate the HDPC injury aggravated by LINC01094 overexpression. In summary, upregulated LINC01094 and downregulated miR-340-5p expression was observed in pulpitis. LINC01094 could accelerate the pulpitis progression via targeting miR-340-5p.

A bibliometric analysis of non-coding RNA studies in acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) is a type of RNA that does not code for proteins and plays a crucial role in the onset, progression, diagnosis, and therapy of acute pancreatitis. However, bibliometric, and visual analyses of studies on acute pancreatitis and ncRNA are lacking. This study seeks to provide a bibliometric overview of the knowledge structure and research hotspots of ncRNA in the field of acute pancreatitis research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Literature search and collection of information in the field of ncRNA-related research in acute pancreatitis from 2000-2023 through the Web of Science Core Collection. Use CiteSpace and VOSviewer to visually analyze countries, institutions, authors, and keywords.

RESULTS

A total of 563 articles have been published in the field of ncRNA-related research in acute pancreatitis, and the number of publications in this field is gradually increasing. The largest number of publications was from China. Four clusters were produced by the co-occurrence cluster analysis of the top 89 keywords: studies of ncRNA in inflammation, autophagy, and apoptosis in acute pancreatitis; studies related to microRNA expression in pancreatic cancer among ncRNA; studies related to microRNAs as diagnostic and therapeutic markers in acute pancreatitis; and studies related to ncRNA in acute pancreatitis; The key words "injury," "pathway" and "extracellular vesicles" are the key words of emerging research hotspots.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, ncRNA research in acute pancreatitis is an established discipline. Researchers can use the research hotspots and frontiers in this field as a guide for choosing their research direction.

HMGB1 in the interplay between autophagy and apoptosis in cancer

Lysosome-mediated autophagy and caspase-dependent apoptosis are dynamic processes that maintain cellular homeostasis, ensuring cell health and functionality. The intricate interplay and reciprocal regulation between autophagy and apoptosis are implicated in various human diseases, including cancer. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a nonhistone chromosomal protein, plays a pivotal role in coordinating autophagy and apoptosis levels during tumor initiation, progression, and therapy. The regulation of autophagy machinery and the apoptosis pathway by HMGB1 is influenced by various factors, including the protein's subcellular localization, oxidative state, and interactions with binding partners. In this narrative review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the structure and function of HMGB1, with a specific focus on the interplay between autophagic degradation and apoptotic death in tumorigenesis and cancer therapy. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the significance of HMGB1 as a biomarker and its potential as a therapeutic target in tumor diseases is crucial for advancing our knowledge of cell survival and cell death.

HDAC Inhibitor SAHA Alleviates Pyroptosis by up-regulating miR-340 to Inhibit NEK7 Signaling in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a cerebral hemorrhagic disease with a high disability and fatality rate. Cell pyroptosis is involved in the brain injury following SAH. Here, we explored the effect of HDAC inhibitor SAHA against cell pyroptosis after SAH.

METHODS

The rat SAH model was established by endovascular perforation and the rat microglia were treated with 25 μm oxyhemoglobin (OxyHb) for 24 h to mimic SAH model in vitro. Neurological score and brain edema were assessed in rat SAH model. TUNEL staining detected apoptosis. qRT-PCR and western blotting were employed to detect expression levels of miR-340, NEK7 and inflammatory cytokines. ELISA assay determined the secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 in rat serum and cell supernatant. A lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) kit measured the LDH activity in rat primary microglia. Microglia pyroptosis was detected by flow cytometry. RIP and dual luciferase reporter assays confirmed the binding relationship between miR-340 and NEK7.

RESULTS

SAHA alleviated neurological dysfunction, inflammatory injury and microglia pyroptosis in SAH rats. SAHA suppressed LDH release, inflammatory factor expression and pyroptosis in microglia treated with OxyHb. Meanwhile, SAHA increased miR-340 expression and inhibited NEK7 level in vivo and in vitro SAH models. Further, miR-340 directly targeted NEK7 to inhibit the NLRP3 signaling pathway. Knockdown of miR-340 or overexpression of NEK7 reversed the suppressive effects of SAHA on microglia inflammation and pyroptosis. Additionally, knockdown of NEK7 impaired microglia inflammation and pyroptosis induced by miR-340 inhibitor.

CONCLUSION

HDAC inhibitor SAHA ameliorates microglia pyroptosis in SAH through triggering miR-340 expression to suppress NEK7 signaling. This novel mechanism provides promise for SAHA in SAH treatment.

Damage associated molecular patterns and neutrophil extracellular traps in acute pancreatitis

Previous researches have emphasized a trypsin-centered theory of acute pancreatitis (AP) for more than a century. With additional studies into the pathogenesis of AP, new mechanisms have been explored. Among them, the role of immune response bears great importance. Pro-inflammatory substances, especially damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), play an essential role in activating, signaling, and steering inflammation. Meanwhile, activated neutrophils attach great importance to the immune defense by forming neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which cause ductal obstruction, premature trypsinogen activation, and modulate inflammation. In this review, we discuss the latest advances in understanding the pathological role of DAMPs and NETs in AP and shed light on the flexible crosstalk between these vital inflammatory mediators. We, then highlight the potentially promising treatment for AP targeting DAMPs and NETs, with a focus on novel insights into the mechanism, diagnosis, and management of AP.