miR-373-3p promotes lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation via APP

Integrated grade-wise profiling analysis reveals potential plasma miR-373-3p as prognostic indicator in Prostate Cancer & its target KPNA2

Background

Plasma microRNAs (miRNAs) have recently garnered attention for their potential as stable biomarkers in the context of Prostate Cancer (PCa), demonstrating established associations with tumor grade, biochemical recurrence (BCR), and metastasis. This study seeks to assess the utility of plasma miRNAs as prognostic indicators for distinguishing between high-grade and low-grade PCa, and to explore their involvement in PCa pathogenesis.

Methodology

We conducted miRNA profiling in both plasma and tissue specimens from patients with varying PCa grades. Subsequently, the identified miRNAs were validated in a substantial independent PCa cohort. Furthermore, we identified and confirmed the gene targets of these selected miRNAs through Western blot analysis.

Results

In our plasma profiling investigation, we identified 98, 132, and 154 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) in high-grade PCa vs. benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), low-grade PCa vs. BPH, and high-grade PCa vs. low-grade PCa, respectively. Our tissue profiling study revealed 111, 132, and 257 statistically significant DEMs for the same comparisons. Notably, miR-373-3p emerged as the sole consistently dysregulated miRNA in both plasma and tissue samples of PCa. This miRNA displayed significant overexpression in plasma and tissue samples, with fold changes of 3.584 ± 0.5638 and 8.796 ± 1.245, respectively. Furthermore, we observed a significant reduction in KPNA2 protein expression in PCa.

Conclusion

Our findings lend support to the potential of plasma miR-373-3p as a valuable biomarker for predicting and diagnosing PCa. Additionally, this miRNA may contribute to the progression of PCa by inhibiting KPNA2 expression, shedding light on its role in the disease.

Genetic inhibition of PDK1 robustly reduces plaque deposition and ameliorates gliosis in the 5×FAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

AIMS

Abundant recent evidence has shown that 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) is activated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it remains unknown whether inhibition of PDK1 in neurons may affect AD-like pathology in animal models of AD. Here, we aim to examine the effects of specific inactivation of neuronal PDK1 on pathology and behaviour in 5×FAD mice and to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms.

METHODS

The Cre-loxP system was employed to generate Pdk1 cKO/5×FAD mice, in which PDK1 is inactivated in excitatory neurons in the adult forebrain. Cellular and behavioural techniques were used to examine plaque burden, inflammatory responses and spatial working memory in mice. Biochemical and molecular analyses were conducted to investigate relevant mechanisms.

RESULTS

First, Aβ deposition was massively decreased and gliosis was highly attenuated in Pdk1 cKO/5×FAD mice compared with 5×FAD mice. Second, memory deficits were significantly improved in Pdk1 cKO/5×FAD mice. Third, APP levels were notably decreased in Pdk1 cKO/5×FAD mice. Fourth, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling and ribosome biogenesis were reduced in Pdk1 cKO/5×FAD mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Neuron-specific deletion of PDK1 robustly ameliorates AD-like pathology and improves spatial working memory in 5×FAD mice. We propose that genetic approach to inhibit PDK1 may be an effective strategy to slow AD.

Polysaccharides Extracted from Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels Relieve the Malignant Characteristics of Glioma Cells through Regulating the MiR-373-3p-Mediated TGF-β/Smad4 Signaling Pathway

Objectives

Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) is a traditional herbal medicine accompanied by antitumor potential. This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of ASP on glioma, as well as the underlying mechanisms involving microRNA-373-3p (miR-373-3p) and the TGF-β/Smad4 signaling pathway.

Methods

U251 cells (a human glioma cell line) were treated with different concentrations of ASP. miR-373-3p was silenced in U251 cells by the transfection of the miR-373-3p inhibitor. Cell viability and apoptosis were measured by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Cell migration and invasion were detected by wound healing and transwell assays, respectively. The miR-373-3p expression was measured by RT-qPCR. The protein expressions of TGF-β and Smad4 were evaluated by both western blotting and immunofluorescence.

Results

ASP inhibited the viability, migration, and invasion, and enhanced the apoptosis of U251 cells in a dose-dependent manner. ASP increased miR-373-3p expression and decreased TGF-β and Smad4 expressions in U251 cells. Silencing of miR-373-3p weakened the effects of ASP on inhibiting cell viability, migration, and invasion, as well as promoting cell apoptosis. In addition, deleting miR-373-3p weakened the inhibiting effects of ASP on the TGF-β/Smad4 pathway in U251 cells.

Conclusions

ASP suppresses the malignant progression of glioma via regulating the miR-373-3p-mediated TGF-β/Smad4 pathway.

miR-373-3p Regulates the Proliferative and Migratory Properties of Human HTR8 Cells via SLC38A1 Modulation

The genetic pathogenesis of selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR) remains elusive, with evidence suggesting an important role of epigenetic factors such as microRNAs. In this study, we explored the relevance of miR-373-3p to the occurrence of sIUGR. Hypoxia enhanced the levels of miR-373-3p and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, while HIF-1α knockdown not only boosted the migration and proliferation of HTR8 cells but also suppressed the hypoxia-induced upregulation of miR-373-3p and SLC38A1. By contrast, HIF-1α overexpression induced miR-373-3p downregulation and SLC38A1 upregulation, reducing cell growth and migration, which could be reversed by a miR-373-3p inhibitor. Importantly, the miR-373-3p inhibitor and mimic reproduced phenomena similar to those induced by HIF-1α downregulation and overexpression, respectively (including altered SLC38A1 expression, mTOR activation, cell growth, and migration). Mechanistically, the miRNA regulated cell behaviors and related mTOR signaling by targeting SLC38A1 expression through an interaction with the 3′-untranslated region of SLC38A1. The placental tissues of smaller sIUGR fetuses exhibited miR-373-3p and HIF-1α upregulation, SLC38A1 downregulation, and activated mTOR. Overall, miR-373-3p appears to restrict the growth and migration of HTR8 trophoblast cells by targeting SLC38A1, as observed in the placental tissues associated with smaller sIUGR fetuses, and it could have utility in the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.

miR-373 Suppresses Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis via Regulation of SIRT1/PGC-1α/NRF2 Axis in Pancreatic Cancer

Objective

Our study aimed to investigate function and mechanism of miR-373 in proliferation and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer (PC) cells by regulating NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase sirtulin 1 (SIRT1).

Materials and Methods

This experimental study included two PC cell lines AsPC-1 and PANC-1 in which expression levels of miR-373 and SIRT1 were manipulated. The level of miR-373 was detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method. Expression levels of SIRT1, BCL-2, BAX, cleaved CASPASE-8/9/3, PARP, PGC-1α, NRF2, eNOS and iNOS were examined via RT-qPCR and western blotting, respectively. The binding sites of miR-373 on the SIRT1 were examined via dual-luciferase assay. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were examined by MTT assay, colony formation assay, Annexin-V/PI staining and TUNEL assay. The oxidative metabolic changes were monitored by reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) detection.

Results

miR-373 could specifically target the 3’-UTR of SIRT1 and reduce its expression in PC cells. Either elevated expression of miR-373 or partial loss of SIRT1 inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis. Accumulation of BAX and cleaved CASPASE-8/9/3, inhibition of PGC-1α/NRF2 pathway, increase oxidative stress and reduction of BCL-2 as well as uncleaved PARP were found in the presence of miR-373 or the absence of SIRT1. Overexpression of SIRT1 could reduce anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of miR-373.

Conclusion

Overall, this study concluded that miR-373-dependent SIRT1 inhibition displays anti-proliferative and pro- apoptotic roles in PC cells via PGC-1α/NRF2 pathway, which highlights miR-373 as a potential target for PC treatment.

Experimental Study on the Correlation between miRNA-373 and HIF-1α, MMP-9, and VEGF in the Development of HIE

INTRODUCTION

Microribonucleic acids (miRNAs) have short (approximately 18 to 25) nucleotides and are evolutionarily conserved and endogenously expressed RNAs belonging to a family of noncoding RNA molecules. miRNA-373 regulates cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, invasion, and repairing damaged DNA after hypoxia stress. Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) refers to perinatal asphyxia caused by partial or complete hypoxia, reduced or suspended cerebral blood flow, and fetal or neonatal brain damage. We aim to investigate the relationship between miRNA-373 and HIF-1α, between miRNA-373 MMP-9, and between miRNA-373 VEGF in the occurrence and development of HIE.

METHODS

Human (children) samples were divided into four groups (n = 15 in each group) according to HIE severity. The patient group was divided into middle, moderate, and severe HIE groups. The control group included healthy children or children with nonneurological diseases. The expressions of miRNA-373, HIF-1α, MMP-9, and VEGF were assayed in the serum samples.

RESULTS

Our study showed a strong relationship between miRNA-373 and HIF-1α, between miRNA-373 and MMP-9, and between miRNA-373 and VEGF. The expression levels of miRNA-373, HIF-1α, MMP-9, and VEGF in the HIE groups were much higher than those of the control group.

CONCLUSION

The increased change in miRNA-373 expression has a certain diagnostic significance on neonatal HIE. In the occurrence and development of HIE, miRNA-373 is positively correlated with HIF-1α, MMP-9, and VEGF.

Identification of microRNAs and their target genes in the placenta as biomarkers of inflammation

OBJECTIVE

Recently, microRNA (miRNA) has been identified both as a powerful regulator involved in various biological processes through the regulation of numerous genes and as an effective biomarker for the prediction and diagnosis of various disease states. The objective of this study was to identify and validate miRNAs and their target genes involved in inflammation in placental tissue.

METHODS

Microarrays were utilized to obtain miRNA and gene expression profiles from placentas with or without inflammation obtained from nine normal pregnant women and 10 preterm labor patients. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blots were performed to validate the miRNAs and differentially-expressed genes in the placentas with inflammation. Correlations between miRNA and target gene expression were confirmed by luciferase assays in HTR-8/SVneo cells.

RESULTS

We identified and validated miRNAs and their target genes that were differentially expressed in placentas with inflammation. We also demonstrated that several miRNAs (miR-371a-5p, miR-3065-3p, miR-519b-3p, and miR-373-3p) directly targeted their target genes (LEF1, LOX, ITGB4, and CD44). However, some miRNAs and their direct target genes showed no correlation in tissue samples. Interestingly, miR-373-3p and miR-3065-3p were markedly regulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment, although the expression of their direct targets CD44 and LOX was not altered by LPS treatment.

CONCLUSION

These results provide candidate miRNAs and their target genes that could be used as placental biomarkers of inflammation. These candidates may be useful for further miRNA-based biomarker development.

AEBP1 expression increases with severity of fibrosis in NASH and is regulated by glucose, palmitate, and miR-372-3p

Factors governing the development of liver fibrosis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are only partially understood. We recently identified adipocyte enhancer binding protein 1 (AEBP1) as a member of a core set of dysregulated fibrosis-specific genes in human NASH. Here we sought to investigate the relationship between AEBP1 and hepatic fibrosis. We confirmed that hepatic AEBP1 expression is elevated in fibrosis compared to lobular inflammation, steatosis, and normal liver, and increases with worsening fibrosis in NASH patients. AEBP1 expression was upregulated 5.8-fold in activated hepatic stellate cells and downregulated during chemical and contact induction of biological quiescence. In LX-2 and HepG2 cells treated with high glucose (25 mM), AEBP1 expression increased over 7-fold compared to normal glucose conditions. In response to treatment with either fructose or palmitate, AEBP1 expression in primary human hepatocytes increased 2.4-fold or 9.6-fold, but was upregulated 55.8-fold in the presence of fructose and palmitate together. AEBP1 knockdown resulted in decreased expression of nine genes previously identified to be part of a predicted AEBP1-associated NASH co-regulatory network and confirmed to be upregulated in fibrotic tissue. We identified binding sites for two miRNAs known to be downregulated in NASH fibrosis, miR-372-3p and miR-373-3p in the AEBP1 3' untranslated region. Both miRNAs functionally interacted with AEBP1 to regulate its expression. These findings indicate a novel AEBP1-mediated pathway in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis in NASH.