miRNA therapeutics: a new class of drugs with potential therapeutic applications in the heart

SplintR ligation-triggered in-situ rolling circle amplification on magnetic bead for accurate detection of circulating microRNAs

The circulating microRNAs (miRNAs), endogenous noncoding RNAs, post-transcriptionally participate in multiple processes during cell growth and development. Moreover, dysregulation of miRNAs expression is intricately associated with cancer. Currently, challenges of high homology, sequence similarity, and low abundance encountered in the detection of target miRNAs in complex samples need to be addressed. Biosensors established for miRNAs detection suffer from limitations in terms of sensitivity, specificity and high cost. Herein, a miRNA detection method based on in-situ RCA on magnetic bead catalyzed by SplintR ligase was proposed to achieve high sensitivity and high specificity. The following steps are included: (1) formation of P1-P2-miRNA double-stranded complex under catalyzation of SplintR ligase, and the release of P1-P2 single strand under denaturation; (2) enrichment of P1-P2 single chain by streptavidin-modified magnetic beads (SM-MB); (3) in situ RCA on surface of magnetic beads; (4) fluorescence detection. After optimization of experimental conditions, miRNA-155 detection with improved sensitivity and specificity was achieved. The detection limit was low to 36.39 fM, and one-base mismatch discrimination was demonstrated. Also, the clinical practicability for circulating miRNA-155 detection was preliminarily validated in human serum samples.

Identification of biomarkers associated with phagocytosis regulatory factors in coronary artery disease using machine learning and network analysis

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, and aberrant phagocytosis may be involved in its development. Understanding this aspect may provide new avenues for prompt CAD diagnosis.

METHODS

CAD-related information was obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus datasets GSE66360, GSE113079, and GSE59421. We identified 995 upregulated and 1086 downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in GSE66360. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed a module of 503 genes relevant to CAD. Using clusterProfiler, we revealed 32 CAD-related PRFs. Eight candidate genes were identified in a protein-protein interaction network. Machine learning algorithms identified CAD biomarkers that underwent gene set enrichment analysis, immune cell analysis with CIBERSORT, microRNA (miRNA) prediction using the miRWalk database, transcription factor (TF) level predication through ChEA3, and drug prediction with DGIdb. Cytoscape visualized the miRNA -mRNA- TF, miRNA-single nucleotide polymorphism-mRNA, and biomarker-drug networks.

RESULTS

IL1B, TLR2, FCGR2A, SYK, FCER1G, and HCK were identified as CAD biomarkers. The area under the curve of a diagnostic model based on the six biomarkers was > 0.7 for the GSE66360 and GSE113079 datasets. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed differences in their biological pathways. CIBERSORT revealed that 10 immune cell types were differentially expressed between the CAD and control groups. The TF-mRNA-miRNA network showed that has-miR-1207-5p regulates HCK and FCER1G expression and that RUNX1 and SPI may be important TFs. Ninety-five drugs were predicted, including aspirin, which influenced ILIB and FCERIG.

CONCLUSION

In this study, six biomarkers (IL1B, TLR2, FCGR2A, SYK, FCER1G, and HCK) related to CAD phagocytic regulatory factors were identified, and their expression regulatory relationships in CAD were further studied, providing a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and potential treatment strategies of CAD.

Advances in MicroRNA Therapy for Heart Failure: Clinical Trials, Preclinical Studies, and Controversies

Heart failure (HF) is a rapidly growing public health issue with more than 37.7 million patients worldwide and an annual healthcare cost of $108 billion. However, HF-related drugs have not changed significantly for decades, and it is essential to find biological drugs to provide better treatment for HF patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) with a length of approximately 21 nucleotides and play an important role in the onset and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Increasing studies have shown that miRNAs are widely involved in the pathophysiology of HF, and the regulation of miRNAs has promising therapeutic effects. Among them, there is great interest in miRNA-132, since the encouraging success of anti-miRNA-132 therapy in a phase 1b clinical trial in 2020. However, it is worth noting that the multi-target effect of miRNA may produce side effects such as thrombocytopenia, revascularization dysfunction, severe immune response, and even death. Advances in drug delivery modalities, delivery vehicles, chemical modifications, and plant-derived miRNAs are expected to address safety concerns and further improve miRNA therapy. Here, we reviewed the preclinical studies and clinical trials of HF-related miRNAs (especially miRNA-132) in the past 5 years and summarized the controversies of miRNA therapy.

Phospholipase C epsilon 1 as a therapeutic target in cardiovascular diseases

BACKGROUND

Phospholipase C epsilon 1 (PLCε1) can hydrolyze phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate at the plasma membrane and perinuclear membrane in the cardiovascular system, producing lipid-derived second messengers. These messengers are considered prominent triggers for various signal transduction processes. Notably, diverse cardiac phenotypes have been observed in cardiac-specific and global Plce1 knockout mice under conditions of pathological stress. It is well established that the cardiac-specific Plce1 knockout confers cardioprotective benefits. Therefore, the development of tissue/cell-specific targeting approaches is critical for advancing therapeutic interventions.

AIM OF REVIEW

This review aims to distill the foundational biology and functional significance of PLCε1 in cardiovascular diseases, as well as to explore potential avenues for research and the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting PLCε1.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with incidence rates escalating annually. A comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted role of PLCε1 is essential for enhancing the diagnosis, management, and prognostic assessment of patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases.

miR-16-5p aggravates sepsis-associated acute kidney injury by inducing apoptosis

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (S-AKI) is a common disease in pediatric intensive care units (ICU) with high morbidity and mortality. The newly discovered results indicate that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of S-AKI and can be used as markers for early diagnosis. In this study, the expression level of miR-16-5p was found to be significantly upregulated about 20-fold in S-AKI patients, and it also increased by 1.9 times in the renal tissue of S-AKI mice. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that miR-16-5p had the highest predictive accuracy in the diagnosis of S-AKI (AUC = 0.9188). In vitro, the expression level of miR-16-5p in HK-2 cells treated with 10 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased by more than 2 times. In addition, LPS-exposed renal tissue and HK-2 cells lead to upregulation of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-a, and kidney damage molecules kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). However, inhibition of miR-16-5p significantly mitigated LPS expose-mediated kidney injury and inflammation. Furthermore, LPS-exposed HK-2 cells increased more than 1.7-fold the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3, decreased 3.2-fold the expression level of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and significantly promoted the occurrence of apoptosis. MiR-16-5p mimic further increased LPS-induced apoptosis in HK-2 cells. Nevertheless, inhibition of miR-16-5p significantly attenuated this effect. In summary, up-regulation of miR-16-5p expression can significantly aggravate renal injury and apoptosis in S-AKI, which also proves that miR-16-5p can be used as a potential biomarker to promote early identification of S-AKI.

microRNA-637/661 ameliorate hypoxic-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension by targeting TRIM29 signaling pathway

The pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is closely linked to the abnormal proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Studies have demonstrated that microRNAs play pivotal roles in the progression of pulmonary hypertension. We found that microRNA-637 (miR-637) and microRNA-661 (miR-661) are expressed at low levels in the serum of PAH patients. Moreover, the overexpression of miR-637 or miR-661 inhibited human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (HPASMC) proliferation and migration in hypoxic culture. Mechanistically, we overexpressed these two microRNAs in HPASMCs, and the RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) results demonstrated that TRIM29 mRNA was suppressed, indicating that TRIM29 is a substrate. TRIM29 accumulates in the serum of patients with PAH and promotes cell proliferation and migration by activating AKT/mTOR signalling. In addition, overexpression of miR-637 or miR-661 reversed TRIM29-mediated HPASMC proliferation and migration. This study revealed that miR-637 and miR-661 are able to inhibit the proliferation ability of HPASMCs under hypoxic conditions through targeting TRIM29, suggesting that the microRNA-637/661/TRIM29 axis may act as a target for PAH treatment.

Epigenetic frontiers: miRNAs, long non-coding RNAs and nanomaterials are pioneering to cancer therapy

Cancer has arisen from both genetic mutations and epigenetic changes, making epigenetics a crucial area of research for innovative cancer prevention and treatment strategies. This dual perspective has propelled epigenetics into the forefront of cancer research. This review highlights the important roles of DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), particularly microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs, which are key regulators of cancer-related gene expression. It explores the potential of epigenetic-based therapies to revolutionize patient outcomes by selectively modulating specific epigenetic markers involved in tumorigenesis. The review examines promising epigenetic biomarkers for early cancer detection and prognosis. It also highlights recent progress in oligonucleotide-based therapies, including antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and antimiRs, to precisely modulate epigenetic processes. Furthermore, the concept of epigenetic editing is discussed, providing insight into the future role of precision medicine for cancer patients. The integration of nanomedicine into cancer therapy has been explored and offers innovative approaches to improve therapeutic efficacy. This comprehensive review of recent advances in epigenetic-based cancer therapy seeks to advance the field of precision oncology, ultimately culminating in improved patient outcomes in the fight against cancer.

Environmentally Persistent Free Radical Promotes Lung Cancer Progression by Regulating the Expression Profile of miRNAs

Background: Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) are generated in the combustion processes of solid waste and can cause adverse influences on human health, especially lung diseases. Lung cancer is one of the most serious malignancies in recent years, which the global deaths rate is about 1.6 million every year. Methods and Results: In this study, we verified that ZnO/MCB EPFRs promote cell proliferation and migration, impedes cell apoptosis in lung cancer. Furthermore, we found that ZnO/MCB could influence the expression of miRNAs (miR-18a and miR-34a). In vivo, ZnO/MCB and ZnO EPFRs can reduce the weight and survival rate of BALB/c male mice more than that of BALB/c female mice. In the ZnO/MCB exposed group, male mice lung became even smaller, while the female mice the lung increased significantly. Taken together, our results provide evidence for assessing the potential health risks of persistent free radicals on fine particles. Conclusions: This study linked toxicity of EPFRs with miRNAs revealed the potential health hazard to human lung cancer.

Ginsenoside Rg3 improves microcystin-induced cardiotoxicity through the miR-128-3p/MDM4 axis

Microcystin (MC) is the byproduct of cyanobacteria metabolism that is associated with oxidative stress and heart damage. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on MC-induced cardiotoxicity. A mouse model of myocardial infarction was constructed by oral MC administration. H9C2 cells were used for in vitro analysis. Cellular oxidative stress, apoptosis, and the relationship between miR-128-3p and double minute 4 protein (MDM4) were analyzed. MiR-128-3p expression was upregulated in vitro and in vivo after MC treatment, which was downregulated after Rg3 treatment. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) were increased and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was decreased after Rg3 treatment. Moreover, Rg3 alleviated MC-induced pathological changes and apoptosis in myocardial tissues. Meanwhile, Rg3 treatment decreased the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and inhabited cell apoptosis and oxidative stress in MC-treated myocardial cells. MiR-128-3p overexpression attenuated the protective effect of Rg3 on MC-induced cardiotoxicity. MiR-128-3p negatively regulated MDM4 expression. This study revealed that Rg3 alleviated MC-induced cardiotoxicity through the miR-128-3p/MDM4 axis, which emphasized the potential of Rg3 as a therapeutic agent for MC-induced cardiotoxicity, and miR-128-3p as a target for the Rg3 therapy.

The Role of Selected lncRNAs in Lipid Metabolism and Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Lipid disorders increase the risk for the development of cardiometabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. Lipids levels, apart from diet, smoking, obesity, alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise, are also influenced by genetic factors. Recent studies suggested the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the regulation of lipid formation and metabolism. Despite their lack of protein-coding capacity, lncRNAs are crucial regulators of various physiological and pathological processes since they affect the transcription and epigenetic chromatin remodelling. LncRNAs act as molecular signal, scaffold, decoy, enhancer, and guide molecules. This review summarises available data concerning the impact of lncRNAs on lipid levels and metabolism, as well as impact on cardiovascular disease risk. This relationship is significant because altered lipid metabolism is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and lncRNAs may play a crucial regulatory role. Understanding these mechanisms could pave the way for new therapeutic strategies to mitigate cardiovascular disease risk through targeted modulation of lncRNAs. The identification of dysregulated lncRNAs may pose promising candidates for therapeutic interventions, since strategies enabling the restoration of their levels could offer an effective means to impede disease progression without disrupting normal biological functions. LncRNAs may also serve as valuable biomarker candidates for various pathological states, including cardiovascular disease. However, still much remains unknown about the functions of most lncRNAs, thus extensive studies are necessary elucidate their roles in physiology, development, and disease.

Hsa_circ_0071589 aggravates stemness and oxaliplatin resistance in colorectal cancer through sponging miR-133b to upregulate SOX13 expression

Hsa_circ_0071589 can exacerbate the malignant behavior of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. However, its function in stemness and oxaliplatin (OXP) resistance of CRC cells remains unclear. To assess the function of hsa_circ_0071589 in stemness and OXP resistance of CRC cells. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were applied to assess protein and mRNA levels. The association between hsa_circ_0071589, miR-133b and SOX13 was explored via a correlation analysis. Sphere formation was used to assess cell stemness. Meanwhile, the viability of CRC cells and OXP-resistant CRC cells was evaluated with the MTT assay. Cell stemness marker (CD133) levels and apoptosis of CRC cells and OXP-resistant CRC cells were tested using flow cytometry. The ALDH level was investigated using the related detection kit. In addition, the association between hsa_circ_0071589 and miR-133b and SOX13 was investigated using the RIP and dual luciferase assay. Finally, in vivo experiments were performed to detect the function of hsa_circ_0071589 in CRC, and the levels of SOX13, Ki67, and CD44 in mice were evaluated via immunohistochemistry staining. The expression of hsa_circ_0071589 and SOX13 was upregulated in CRC, whereas the expression of miR-133b was downregulated. Hsa_circ_0071589 knockdown significantly inhibited CRC stemness via the mediation of miR-133b. Moreover, hsa_circ_0071589 silencing significantly sensitized CRC cells to OXP by upregulating miR-133b. SOX13 was the direct target of miR-133b, and miR-133b could attenuate stemness and OXP resistance in CRC cells by targeting SOX13. Notably, hsa_circ_0071589 knockdown inhibited tumor growth and decreased OXP resistance in mice with CRC. Hsa_circ_0071589 aggravates stemness and OXP resistance by sponging miR-133b to indirectly target SOX13 in CRC. Thus, our study might present a novel treatment strategy against OXP-resistant CRC.

The TGFβ Induced MicroRNAome of the Trabecular Meshwork

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a progressive optic neuropathy with a complex, multifactorial aetiology. Raised intraocular pressure (IOP) is the most important clinically modifiable risk factor for POAG. All current pharmacological agents target aqueous humour dynamics to lower IOP. Newer therapeutic agents are required as some patients with POAG show a limited therapeutic response or develop ocular and systemic side effects to topical medication. Elevated IOP in POAG results from cellular and molecular changes in the trabecular meshwork driven by increased levels of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) in the anterior segment of the eye. Understanding how TGFβ affects both the structural and functional changes in the outflow pathway and IOP is required to develop new glaucoma therapies that target the molecular pathology in the trabecular meshwork. In this study, we evaluated the effects of TGF-β1 and -β2 treatment on miRNA expression in cultured human primary trabecular meshwork cells. Our findings are presented in terms of specific miRNAs (miRNA-centric), but given miRNAs work in networks to control cellular pathways and processes, a pathway-centric view of miRNA action is also reported. Evaluating TGFβ-responsive miRNA expression in trabecular meshwork cells will further our understanding of the important pathways and changes involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma and could lead to the development of miRNAs as new therapeutic modalities in glaucoma.

miRNA‑mRNA network contributes to HBV‑related hepatocellular carcinoma via immune infiltration induced by GRB2

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a critical causative factor in the tumorigenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) serve a critical role in the process of viral infection. However, there has been insufficient evaluation of HBV-associated miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks in HCC. The differential expression levels of miRNAs were compared in HBV-associated HCC tumor and normal tissues using the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The present study evaluated potential target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs using protein-protein interaction network, hub gene, Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, gene set enrichment and immune infiltration analysis. A total of five miRNAs and seven target genes were identified in the HBV-associated miRNA-mRNA network. miRNA-93 could positively regulate the growth factor receptor bound protein 2 (GRB2) gene, while there was a positive correlation between GRB2 and cancer immune infiltrate function in Tumor Immune Estimation Resource. Collectively, the present study investigated the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in HCC with HBV infection and showed that miRNA-93 positively regulated immune infiltration-related GRB2. Restoring GRB2 may be a candidate strategy for the treatment of HBV-related HCC.

MiR-31-5p alleviates septic cardiomyopathy by targeting BAP1 to inhibit SLC7A11 deubiquitination and ferroptosis

Septic cardiomyopathy is one of the most severe and common complications in patients with sepsis and poses a great threat to their prognosis. However, the potential mechanisms and effective therapeutic drugs need to be explored. The control of cardiac cell death by miRNAs has emerged as a prominent area of scientific interest in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disorders in recent times. In the present investigation, we discovered that overexpression of miR-31-5p prevented LPS-induced damage to H9C2 cells and that miR-31-5p could inhibit BAP1 production by binding to its 3'-UTR. BRCA1-Associated Protein 1 (BAP1) is a ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase. BAP1 upregulation blocked effect of miR-31-5p on H9C2 cell injury. Moreover, BAP1 inhibited the expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) by deubiquitinating histone 2 A (H2Aub) on the promoter of SLC7A11. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-31-5p and downregulation of BAP1 inhibited SLC7A11 mediated ferroptosis. In addition, the downregulation of SLC7A11 reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-31-5p on the expression of myocardial injury and inflammatory factors, and cell apoptosis was reversed. In conclusion, these results indicate that miR-31-5p alleviates malignant development of LPS-induced H9C2 cell injury by targeting BAP1 and regulating SLC7A11 deubiquitination-mediated ferroptosis, which confirmed the protective effect of miR-31-5p on H9C2 cell injury and revealed potential mechanisms that may provide new targets for treatment of septic cardiomyopathy.

miRNA-7145-cuedc2 axis controls hematopoiesis through JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway

Hematopoiesis ensures tissue oxygenation, and remodeling as well as immune protection in vertebrates. During embryogenesis, hemangioblasts are the source of all blood cells. Gata1a and pu.1 are co-expressed in hemangioblasts before hemangioblasts are differentiated into blood cells. However, the genes that determine the differentiation of hemangioblasts into myeloid or erythroid cell lineages have not been fully uncovered. Here we showed that miRNA-7145, a miRNA with previously unknown function, was enriched in erythrocytes at the definitive wave, but not expressed in myeloid cells. Overexpression and loss-of-function analysis of miRNA-7145 revealed that miRNA-7145 functions as a strong inhibitor for myeloid progenitor cell differentiation while driving erythropoiesis during the primitive wave. Furthermore, we confirmed that cuedc2 is one of miRNA-7145 targeted-genes. Overexpression or knock-down of cuedc2 partially rescues the phenotype caused by miRNA-7145 overexpression or loss-of-function. As well, overexpression and loss-of-function analysis of cuedc2 showed that cuedc2 is required for myelopoiesis at the expense of erythropoiesis. Finally, we found that overexpression of zebrafish cuedc2 in 293 T cell inhibits the JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway. Collectively, our results uncover a previously unknown miRNA-7145-cuedc2 axis, which regulate hematopoiesis through inhibiting the JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway.

miR-450b promotes cell migration and invasion by inhibiting SERPINB2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

microRNA-450b (miR-450b) plays an important role in cancer progression; however, its function in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the action mechanisms of miR-450b in OSCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

OSCC animal model was established via continuous induction with single-drug 7, 12-dimethylbenzo[a]anthracene (DMBA). Animal tissue samples were pathologically typed using haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to predict miR-450b and SERPINB2 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect gene and protein expression in OSCC tissue and cells, respectively. OSCC cell proliferation, growth, migration and invasion were detected using CCK-8, colony formation, transwell migration and matrigel invasion assays, respectively. Bioinformatic tools were used to predict miR-450b target genes. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to verify targeting between miR-450b and SERPINB2. Finally, small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to reduce SERPINB2 expression to detect its effect on tumourigenesis.

RESULTS

Four stages of OSCC carcinogenesis (normal oral epithelium, simple epithelial hyperplasia, dysplasia and OSCC) were identified. miR-450b was found to be overexpressed in OSCC animal samples, HNSCC samples and human OSCC cells. Upregulation of miR-450b significantly promoted OSCC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion, while its downregulation had the opposite effect. SERPINB2 was found to be a miR-450b target gene, and its expression was negatively correlated with miR-450b expression. Altering SERPINB2 expression effectively inhibited OSCC cell invasion, metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

CONCLUSIONS

miR-450b plays a key role in OSCC tumourigenesis by regulating OSCC cell migration, invasion and EMT via SERPINB2.

Advantages and disadvantages of RNA therapeutics

RNA therapeutics is an innovative and rapidly evolving field at the forefront of medical research and biotechnology. Recently, many studies have shown that diverse RNA types play important roles in cells. Besides the protein translation coding, they also express and regulate a variety of cellular pathways. Indeed, along with the research and studies, many drugs and vaccines were developed from RNAs, including both coding and non-coding RNA. Some cases were approved to be medicines or under clinical trial. After years of use and application, they have shown a bright opportunity to prevent and treat many fatal and rare diseases with many strong points, such as fast production and long-term effects. Besides, they still have some drawbacks that need to be overcome, like stability or delivery to become the new generation of medicine. Therefore, this chapter focuses on providing an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of RNA therapeutics as well as some crucial points for future development.

Optimizing drug combination and mechanism analysis based on risk pathway crosstalk in pan cancer

Combination therapy can greatly improve the efficacy of cancer treatment, so identifying the most effective drug combination and interaction can accelerate the development of combination therapy. Here we developed a computational network biological approach to identify the effective drug which inhibition risk pathway crosstalk of cancer, and then filtrated and optimized the drug combination for cancer treatment. We integrated high-throughput data concerning pan-cancer and drugs to construct miRNA-mediated crosstalk networks among cancer pathways and further construct networks for therapeutic drug. Screening by drug combination method, we obtained 687 optimized drug combinations of 83 first-line anticancer drugs in pan-cancer. Next, we analyzed drug combination mechanism, and confirmed that the targets of cancer-specific crosstalk network in drug combination were closely related to cancer prognosis by survival analysis. Finally, we save all the results to a webpage for query ( http://bio-bigdata.hrbmu.edu.cn/oDrugCP/ ). In conclusion, our study provided an effective method for screening precise drug combinations for various cancer treatments, which may have important scientific significance and clinical application value for tumor treatment.

Drug regulation of microRNA

The scientific review provides the mechanisms of drug regulation of microRNA in the human body. To write the article, information was searched using Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, Global Health, The Cochrane Library databases. To restore the reduced functional activity of microRNAs, replacement therapy is used, with modified synthetic analogs of endogenous microRNAs, and drugs that enhance the production of the body’s own microRNAs. The authors state that numerous studies have confirmed the effectiveness of miRNA replacement therapy. It is known that there are several groups of drugs among miRNA inhibitors: anti-miRNA oligonucleotides, miRNA traps, miRNA mimics that prevent miRNA binding; peptide nucleic acids, small-molecule inhibitors. The authors suggest that the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes is controlled by nuclear receptors and transcription factors, epigenetic regulation such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation, and post-translational modification. It is emphasized that ursodeoxycholic acid modulates the expression of some miRNAs. It is known that probiotic bacteria can modulate the expression level of miRNA genes. The use of probiotics is accompanied by a change in the expression of nume­rous genes of the body involved in the regulation of the inflammatory response, allergic reactions, metabolism and other biological processes. Thus, modern science is intensively studying the potential of using drugs that restore miRNA content or inhibit miRNA acti­vity for the therapy of miRNA-dependent conditions. The results of scientific research confirmed the therapeutic effect of ursodeoxycholic acid and probiotic preparations due to the effect on the acti­vity of miRNA generation in hepatobiliary diseases. Therefore, the introduction into clinical practice of drugs than can modulate the content and expression of specific miRNAs will certainly open new perspectives in the treatment of patients with hepatobiliary diseases.

A New Frontier in Phytotherapy: Harnessing the Therapeutic Power of Medicinal Herb-derived miRNAs

Medicinal herbs have been utilized in the treatment of various pathologic conditions, including neoplasms, organ fibrosis, and diabetes mellitus. However, the precise pharmacological actions of plant miRNAs in animals remain to be fully elucidated, particularly in terms of their therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of action. In this review, some important miRNAs from foods and medicinal herbs are presented. Plant miRNAs exhibit a range of pharmacological properties, such as anti-cancer, anti-fibrosis, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory effects, and neuromodulation, among others. These results have not only demonstrated a cross-species regulatory effect, but also suggested that the miRNAs from medicinal herbs are their bioactive components. This shows a promising prospect for plant miRNAs to be used as drugs. Here, the pharmacological properties of plant miRNAs and their underlying mechanisms have been highlighted, which can provide new insights for clarifying the therapeutic mechanisms of medicinal herbs and suggest a new way for developing therapeutic drugs.

Newly discovered functions of miRNAs in neuropathic pain: Transitioning from recent discoveries to innovative underlying mechanisms

Neuropathic pain is a widespread clinical issue caused by somatosensory nervous system damage, affecting numerous individuals. It poses considerable economic and public health challenges, and managing it can be challenging due to unclear underlying mechanisms. Nevertheless, emerging evidence suggests that neurogenic inflammation and neuroinflammation play a role in developing pain patterns. Emerging evidence suggests that neurogenic inflammation and neuroinflammation play significant roles in developing neuropathic pain within the nervous system. Increased/decreased miRNA expression patterns could affect the progression of neuropathic and inflammatory pain by controlling nerve regeneration, neuroinflammation, and the expression of abnormal ion channels. However, our limited knowledge of miRNA targets hinders a complete grasp of miRNA's functions. Meanwhile, exploring exosomal miRNA, a recently uncovered role, has significantly advanced our comprehension of neuropathic pain's pathophysiology in recent times. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the latest miRNA studies and explore the possible ways miRNAs might play a role in the development of neuropathic pain.

CircRNA Larp4b/miR-298-5p/Mef2c Regulates Cardiac Hypertrophy Induced by Angiotensin II

Cardiac hypertrophy (CH) is an early marker in the clinical course of heart failure. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in human disease. However, the role of circ_Larp4b in myocardial hypertrophy has not been studied. Angiotensin II (Ang II) treated HL-1 cells to induce a CH cell model. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of circ_Larp4b, microRNA-298-5p, and myocyte enhancer factor 2 (Mef2c). Western blot detected the protein level of alpha-actinin-2 (ACTN2), beta-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and Mef2c. The relationship between miR-298-5p and circ_Larp4b or Mef2c was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down assay. Circ_Larp4b and Mef2c were upregulated in HL-1 cells treated with Ang II. Moreover, circ_Larp4b down-regulation regulated the progress of CH induced by Ang II. MiR-298-5p was a target of circ_Larp4b, and Mef2c was a target of miR-298-5p. Overexpressed Mef2c reversed the cell size inhibited by miR-298-5p in Ang II-induced HL-1 cells. Circ_Larp4b regulated CH progress by regulating miR-298-5p/Mef2c axis.

MiR-122-5p as a potential regulator of pulmonary vascular wall cell in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are versatile regulators of pulmonary arterial remodeling in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). We herein aimed to characterize miRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and plasma exosomes, and investigate specific miRNA expression in pulmonary artery cells and lung tissues in IPAH. A co-dysregulated miRNA was identified from the miRNA expression profiles of PBMC and plasma exosomes in IPAH. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed the potential function of differentially expressed miRNAs. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to validate the expression of specific miRNAs in hypoxia-induced pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMECs), pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), pericyte cells (PCs), and lung tissues of patients with IPAH and rats. Finally, the miRNA-mRNA mechanisms of miR-122-5p were predicted. MiR-122-5p was the only co-upregulated miRNA in PBMC and plasma exosomes in patients with IPAH. Functional analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs revealed associations with the GO terms "transcription, DNA-templated," "cytoplasm," and "metal ion binding" in both PBMC and plasma exosomes, KEGG pathway MAPK signaling in PBMC, and KEGG-pathway human papillomavirus infection in plasma exosomes. Hypoxic PMECs and PCs, lung tissue of patients with IPAH, and rats showed increased expression of miR-122-5p, but hypoxic PASMCs showed decreased expression. And miR-122-5p mimics and inhibitor affected cell proliferation. Finally, miR-122-5p was found to potentially target DLAT (in lung tissue) and RIMS1 (in PMECs) in IPAH. According to the dual-luciferase assay, miR-122-5p bound to DLAT or RIMS1. In studies, DLAT imbalance was associated with cell proliferation and migration, RIMS1 is differentially expressed in cancer and correlated with cancer prognosis. Our findings suggest that the miR-122-5p is involved in various biological functions in the adjacent vascular wall cells in IPAH.

Knockdown of ABHD11‑AS1 prevents the procession of TNBC by upregulating miR‑199a‑5p

Breast cancer (BC) has become a threat to women's health. In addition, patients with triple-negative BC (TNBC) have the worst prognosis among all patients with BC. Furthermore, long non-coding RNA ABHD11-AS1 is aberrantly highly expressed in TNBC, suggesting that RNA ABHD11-AS1 may serve as an important role in the progression of TNBC. However, the detailed function of ABHD11-AS1 in TNBC remains largely unknown. The levels of ABHD11-AS1 in MDA-MB-231 cells were assessed by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. To investigate the effect of ABHD11-AS1 on the progression of TNBC, a xenograft animal model was established. Knockdown of ABHD11-AS1 inhibited the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and migration of TNBC cells. In addition, ABHD11-AS1 promoted the viability and migration of TNBC cells by upregulating microRNA (miR)-199a-5p. Furthermore, knockdown of ABHD11-AS1 suppressed TNBC tumor growth in vivo by upregulating miR-199a-5p. In conclusion, knockdown of ABHD11-AS1 suppressed the progression of TNBC via upregulation of miR-199a-5p. The data of the present study may provide novel directions and a theoretical basis for TNBC treatment.

The role of microRNA-185 in the pathogenesis of human diseases: A focus on cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a widely-studied class of non-coding RNAs characterized by their short length (18-25 nucleotides). The precise functions of miRNAs are not well-elucidated; however, an increasing number of studies suggest their involvement in various physiologic processes and deregulation in pathologic conditions. miRNA-185 (miR-185) is among the mostly-studied miRNAs in human diseases, which is found to play putative roles in conditions like metabolic disorders, asthma, frailty, schizophrenia, and hepatitis. Notably, many cancer studies report the downregulation of miR-185 in cell lines, tumor tissues, and plasma specimens of patients, while it demonstrates a suppressing role on the malignant properties of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Accordingly, miR-185 can be considered a tumor suppressor miRNA in human malignancies, while a few studies also report inconsistent findings. Being suggested as a prognostic/diagnostic biomarker, mi-185 is also found to offer clinical potentials, particularly for early diagnosis and prediction of the prognosis of cancer patients. In this review, we have outlined the studies that have evaluated the functions and clinical significance of miR-185 in different human diseases with a particular focus on cancer.

Small RNA-Seq to Unveil the miRNA Expression Patterns and Identify the Target Genes in Panax ginseng

Panax ginseng, renowned for its medicinal properties, relies on adventitious roots and hairy roots as crucial sources for the production of ginsenosides. Despite the widespread utilization of ginseng, investigations into its miRNAs have remained scarce. To address this gap, two samples of ginseng adventitious roots and ginseng hairy roots were collected, and subsequent construction and sequencing of small RNA libraries of ginseng adventitious roots and hairy roots were performed using the Illumina HiSeq X Ten platform. The analysis of the sequencing data unveiled total miRNAs 2432. The miR166 and miR396 were the most highly expressed miRNA families in ginseng. The miRNA expression analysis results were used to validate the qRT-PCR. Target genes of miRNA were predicted and GO function annotation and KEGG pathway analysis were performed on target genes. It was found that miRNAs are mainly involved in synthetic pathways and biological processes in plants, which include metabolic and bioregulatory processes. The plant miRNAs enriched KEGG pathways are associated with some metabolism, especially amino acid metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism. These results provide valuable insights miRNAs and their roles in metabolic processes in ginseng.

HIF-1-Induced hsa-miR-429: Understanding Its Direct Targets as the Key to Developing Cancer Diagnostics and Therapies

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in the regulation of mRNA stability and translation. In spite of our present knowledge on the mechanisms of mRNA regulation by miRNAs, the utilization and translation of these ncRNAs into clinical applications have been problematic. Using hsa-miR-429 as an example, we discuss the limitations encountered in the development of efficient miRNA-related therapies and diagnostic approaches. The miR-200 family members, which include hsa-miR-429, have been shown to be dysregulated in different types of cancer. Although these miR-200 family members have been shown to function in suppressing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, tumor metastasis, and chemoresistance, the experimental results have often been contradictory. These complications involve not only the complex networks involving these noncoding RNAs, but also the problem of identifying false positives. To overcome these limitations, a more comprehensive research strategy is needed to increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying their biological role in mRNA regulation. Here, we provide a literature analysis of the verified hsa-miR-429 targets in various human research models. A meta-analysis of this work is presented to provide better insights into the role of hsa-miR-429 in cancer diagnosis and any potential therapeutic approach.

Colorimetric miRNA detection based on self-primer-initiated CRISPR-Cas12a-assisted amplification

miRNAs alter significantly throughout pregnancy to support the development of the fetus. However, sensitive detection of miRNA remains a challenge. Herein, a reliable miRNA detection approach integrating self-assembly-triggered signal amplification and CRISPR-Cas12a-system cleavage-based color generation is described. The colorimetric approach contains three signal amplification processes. The first signal amplification is formed by the released miRNA in a chain extension process. The produced sequence that is similar to the target miRNA initiates the second signal recycle. Finally, CRISPR-Cas12a-based transcleavage on linker sequences induces the third signal amplification. The method exhibits high sensitivity and a low limit of detection of 254 aM, showing promising prospects in disease diagnosis.

SLC26A4-AS1 Aggravates AngII-induced Cardiac Hypertrophy by Enhancing SLC26A4 Expression

BACKGROUND

It has been reported that solute carrier family 26 members 4 antisense RNA 1 (SLC26A4-AS1) is highly related to cardiac hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVE

This research aims to investigate the role and specific mechanism of SLC26A4-AS1 in cardiac hypertrophy, providing a novel marker for cardiac hypertrophy treatment.

METHODS

Angiotensin II (AngII) was infused into neonatal mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes (NMVCs) to induce cardiac hypertrophy. Gene expression was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Protein levels were evaluated via western blot. Functional assays analyzed the role of SLC26A4-AS1. The mechanism of SLC26A4-AS1 was assessed by RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA pull-down, and luciferase reporter assays. The P value <0.05 was identified as statistical significance. Student's t-test evaluated the two-group comparison. The difference between different groups was analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS

SLC26A4-AS1 is upregulated in AngII-treated NMVCs and promotes AngII-induced cardiac hypertrophy. SLC26A4-AS1 regulates its nearby gene solute carrier family 26 members 4 (SLC26A4) via functioning as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to modulate the microRNA (miR)-301a-3p and miR-301b-3p in NMVCs. SLC26A4-AS1 promotes AngII-induced cardiac hypertrophy via upregulating SLC26A4 or sponging miR-301a-3p/miR-301b-3p.

CONCLUSION

SLC26A4-AS1 aggravates AngII-induced cardiac hypertrophy via sponging miR-301a-3p or miR-301b-3p to enhance SLC26A4 expression.

Missing Causality and Heritability of Autoimmune Hepatitis

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune hepatitis has an unknown cause and genetic associations that are not disease-specific or always present. Clarification of its missing causality and heritability could improve prevention and management strategies.

AIMS

Describe the key epigenetic and genetic mechanisms that could account for missing causality and heritability in autoimmune hepatitis; indicate the prospects of these mechanisms as pivotal factors; and encourage investigations of their pathogenic role and therapeutic potential.

METHODS

English abstracts were identified in PubMed using multiple key search phases. Several hundred abstracts and 210 full-length articles were reviewed.

RESULTS

Environmental induction of epigenetic changes is the prime candidate for explaining the missing causality of autoimmune hepatitis. Environmental factors (diet, toxic exposures) can alter chromatin structure and the production of micro-ribonucleic acids that affect gene expression. Epistatic interaction between unsuspected genes is the prime candidate for explaining the missing heritability. The non-additive, interactive effects of multiple genes could enhance their impact on the propensity and phenotype of autoimmune hepatitis. Transgenerational inheritance of acquired epigenetic marks constitutes another mechanism of transmitting parental adaptations that could affect susceptibility. Management strategies could range from lifestyle adjustments and nutritional supplements to precision editing of the epigenetic landscape.

CONCLUSIONS

Autoimmune hepatitis has a missing causality that might be explained by epigenetic changes induced by environmental factors and a missing heritability that might reflect epistatic gene interactions or transgenerational transmission of acquired epigenetic marks. These unassessed or under-evaluated areas warrant investigation.

Circ_0043256 upregulates KLF2 expression by absorbing miR-1206 to suppress the tumorigenesis of lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to play roles in lung cancer development. The purpose of this work was to explore the function and mechanism of circ_0043256 in lung cancer tumorigenesis.

METHODS

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot were used for the detection of the levels of genes and proteins. Cell growth, angiogenesis ability, migration, and invasion were analyzed by using 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, flow cytometry, tube formation assay, transwell assay, and murine xenograft model, respectively. The target between miR-1206 and circ_0043256 or Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

Circ_0043256 was a stable circRNA, which was found to be decreased in lung cancer tissues and cells. Functionally, forced expression of circ_0043256 suppressed lung cancer cell growth, angiopoiesis, migration, and invasion. Mechanistically, circ_0043256 directly bound to miR-1206 and miR-1206 targeted KLF2, circ_0043256 could regulate KLF2 expression via absorbing miR-1206. Rescue assay showed that miR-1206 overexpression reversed the anticancer effects of circ_0043256 on lung cancer cells. Moreover, inhibition of miR-1206 could suppress the malignant phenotypes of lung cancer cells, which was attenuated by KLF2 knockdown. Pre-clinically, lentivirus-mediated circ_0043256 overexpression impeded lung cancer growth in nude mice.

CONCLUSION

Forced expression of circ_0043256 could impede the tumorigenesis of lung cancer via miR-1206/KLF2 axis, indicating a potential therapeutic approach for lung cancer.

Signaling pathways in rheumatoid arthritis: implications for targeted therapy

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an incurable systemic autoimmune disease. Disease progression leads to joint deformity and associated loss of function, which significantly impacts the quality of life for sufferers and adds to losses in the labor force. In the past few decades, RA has attracted increased attention from researchers, the abnormal signaling pathways in RA are a very important research field in the diagnosis and treatment of RA, which provides important evidence for understanding this complex disease and developing novel RA-linked intervention targets. The current review intends to provide a comprehensive overview of RA, including a general introduction to the disease, historical events, epidemiology, risk factors, and pathological process, highlight the primary research progress of the disease and various signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms, including genetic factors, epigenetic factors, summarize the most recent developments in identifying novel signaling pathways in RA and new inhibitors for treating RA. therapeutic interventions including approved drugs, clinical drugs, pre-clinical drugs, and cutting-edge therapeutic technologies. These developments will hopefully drive progress in new strategically targeted therapies and hope to provide novel ideas for RA treatment options in the future.

The Role of miRNA-221 and miRNA-34a in Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer of the Head and Neck Region

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is one of the most frequent types of malignancy in the human body with an increasing incidence. Short, non-coding RNA molecules called microRNAs (miRNAs) can control post-transcriptional gene expression and they have a significant role in several physiological cellular processes and pathologies, including cancer. Depending on the functions of the genes, miRNAs may function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. The aim of this paper was to describe the role of miRNA-34a and miRNA-221 in head and neck NMSC. Thirty-eight NMSC match paired (tumor and adjacent) tissue samples were evaluated by qRT-PCR. Total RNA was extracted and isolated from tissue samples using the phenol-chloroform (Trireagent) method according to the manufacturer's protocol. The concentration of RNA was measured by a NanoDrop-1000 spectrophotometer. The expression level of each miRNA was calculated by threshold cycle. For all statistical tests, the 0.05 significance level was used and two-tailed p values. All analyses were conducted in an R environment for statistical computing and graphics. We found the miRNA-221 being overexpressed in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (p < 0.05), basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and basosquamous cell carcinoma (BSC) compared with adjacent normal tissue. Additionally, the levels of miRNA-221 were two times higher (p < 0.05) in cases where the excision of the tumor was done with positive margins (R1), which means that we are the first to highlight the potential role of miRNA-221 in the microscopical local invasion. Mi-RNA-34a expression was altered in the malignant tissue compared with the adjacent normal one both in BCC and SCC but not statistically significantly. In conclusion, NMSC are challenging because of their increasing incidence and rapidly evolving development and discovering their molecular mechanisms of action lead us to understand tumorigenesis and evolution, while also contributing to the implementation of novel therapeutic keys.

miRNA in Parkinson's disease: From pathogenesis to theranostic approaches

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age associated neurological disorder which is specified by cardinal motor symptoms such as tremor, stiffness, bradykinesia, postural instability, and non-motor symptoms. Dopaminergic neurons degradation in substantia nigra region and aggregation of αSyn are the classic signs of molecular defects noticed in PD pathogenesis. The discovery of microRNAs (miRNA) predicted to have a pivotal part in various processes regarding regularizing the cellular functions. Studies on dysregulation of miRNA in PD pathogenesis has recently gained the concern where our review unravels the role of miRNA expression in PD and its necessity in clinical validation for therapeutic development in PD. Here, we discussed how miRNA associated with ageing process in PD through molecular mechanistic approach of miRNAs on sirtuins, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6, dopamine loss, oxidative stress and autophagic dysregulation. Further we have also conferred the expression of miRNAs affected by SNCA gene expression, neuronal differentiation and its therapeutic potential with PD. In conclusion, we suggest more rigorous studies should be conducted on understanding the mechanisms and functions of miRNA in PD which will eventually lead to discovery of novel and promising therapeutics for PD.

MiR-568 mitigated cardiomyocytes apoptosis, oxidative stress response and cardiac dysfunction via targeting SMURF2 in heart failure rats

Chronic heart failure (CHF), a conventional, complex, and severe syndrome, is generally defined by myocardial output inadequate to satisfy the metabolic requirements of body tissues. Recently, miR-568 was identified to be down-regulated in CHF patients' sera and negatively correlated with left ventricular mass index in symptomatic CHF patients with systolic dysfunction. Nevertheless, the role of miR-568 during CHF development remains obscure. The current study is aimed to investigate the role of miR-568 in CHF. The MTT assay, flow cytometry analysis, RT-qPCR analysis, western blot analysis and luciferase reporter assays were conducted to figure out the function and potential mechanism of miR-568 in vitro. Rats were operated with aortic coarctation to establish CHF animal model. The effects of miR-568 and SMURF2 on CHF rats were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson's staining, serum index testing, cardiac ultrasound detection, and TUNEL staining assays. We discovered that miR-568 level was downregulated by H₂O₂ treatment in cardiomyocytes. In mechanism, miR-568 directly targeted and negatively regulated SMURF2. In function, SMURF2 overexpression reversed the effects of miR-568 on cardiac function and histological changes in vivo. Additionally, SMURF2 overexpression reversed the effects of miR-568 on the content of LDH, AST, CK and CK-MB in vivo. Moreover, SMURF2 overexpression reversed the effects of miR-568 on oxidative stress response in vivo. MiR-568 mitigated cardiomyocytes apoptosis, oxidative stress response and cardiac dysfunction via targeting SMURF2 in CHF rats. This discovery may serve as a potential biomarker for CHF treatment.

MiR-138-5p suppresses the progression of lung cancer by targeting SNIP1

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in the development of various cancers. Here, we aimed to evaluate the roles of miR-138-5p in lung cancer progression and the value of miR-138-5p in lung cancer diagnosis.

METHODS

Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to examine the expressions of miR-138-5p and smad nuclear interacting protein 1 (SNIP1) mRNA. The diagnostic value of miR-138-5p was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, sensitivity, and specificity. We explored the effect of miR-138-5p on cell proliferation and metastasis by CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing and transwell assays. Western blot was employed to detect the protein expression of SNIP1 and related genes. Lung cancer cell growth was evaluated in vivo using xenograft tumor assay.

RESULTS

MiR-138-5p was decreased in the serum of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and in NSCLC cells and tissues. The area under the ROC curve of serum miR-138-5p in the diagnosis of NSCLC was 0.922. This finding indicates the high diagnostic efficiency for lung cancer. MiR-138-5p suppressed but its inhibitor promoted cell proliferation and migration compared with control treatment in vitro and in vivo. MiR-138-5p directly binds to the 3'-untranslated region of SNIP1 and negatively regulated the expression of SNIP1, thereby inhibiting the expression of cyclin D1 and c-Myc. Moreover, overexpression of SNIP1 rescues the miR-138-5p-mediated inhibition in NSCLC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested that miR-138-5p suppressed lung cancer cell proliferation and migration by targeting SNIP1. Serum miR-138-5p is a novel and valuable biomarker for NSCLC diagnosis.

Putting the "mi" in omics: discovering miRNA biomarkers for pediatric precision care

In the past decade, growing interest in micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) has catapulted these small, non-coding nucleic acids to the forefront of biomarker research. Advances in scientific knowledge have made it clear that miRNAs play a vital role in regulating cellular physiology throughout the human body. Perturbations in miRNA signaling have also been described in a variety of pediatric conditions-from cancer, to renal failure, to traumatic brain injury. Likewise, the number of studies across pediatric disciplines that pair patient miRNA-omics with longitudinal clinical data are growing. Analyses of these voluminous, multivariate data sets require understanding of pediatric phenotypic data, data science, and genomics. Use of machine learning techniques to aid in biomarker detection have helped decipher background noise from biologically meaningful changes in the data. Further, emerging research suggests that miRNAs may have potential as therapeutic targets for pediatric precision care. Here, we review current miRNA biomarkers of pediatric diseases and studies that have combined machine learning techniques, miRNA-omics, and patient health data to identify novel biomarkers and potential therapeutics for pediatric diseases. IMPACT: In the following review article, we summarized how recent developments in microRNA research may be coupled with machine learning techniques to advance pediatric precision care.

Emerging roles of miRNAs in neuropathic pain: From new findings to novel mechanisms

Neuropathic pain, which results from damage to the somatosensory nervous system, is a global clinical condition that affects many people. Neuropathic pain imposes significant economic and public health burdens and is often difficult to manage because the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. However, mounting evidence indicates a role for neurogenic inflammation and neuroinflammation in pain pattern development. There is increasing evidence that the activation of neurogenic inflammation and neuroinflammation in the nervous system contribute to neuropathic pain. Altered miRNA expression profiles might be involved in the pathogenesis of both inflammatory and neuropathic pain by regulating neuroinflammation, nerve regeneration, and abnormal ion channel expression. However, the lack of knowledge about miRNA target genes prevents a full understanding of the biological functions of miRNAs. At the same time, an extensive study on exosomal miRNA, a newly discovered role, has advanced our understanding of the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain in recent years. This section provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of miRNA research and discusses the potential mechanisms of miRNAs in neuropathic pain.

The Role of MicroRNAs in Myocarditis-What Can We Learn from Clinical Trials?

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the heart with a viral infection as the most common cause. It affects most commonly young adults. Although endomyocardial biopsy and cardiac magnetic resonance are used in the diagnosis, neither of them demonstrates all the required qualities. There is a clear need for a non-invasive, generally available diagnostic tool that will still remain highly specific and sensitive. These requirements could be possibly met by microribonucleic acids (miRNAs), which are small, non-coding RNA molecules that regulate many fundamental cell functions. They can be isolated from cells, tissues, or body fluids. Recently, several clinical studies have shown the deregulation of different miRNAs in myocarditis. The phase of the disease has also been evidenced to influence miRNA levels. These changes have been observed both in adult and pediatric patients. Some studies have revealed a correlation between the change in particular miRNA concentration and the degree of cardiac damage and inflammation. All of this indicates miRNAs as potential novel biomarkers in the diagnosis of myocarditis, as well as a prognostic tool for this condition. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge about the role of miRNAs in myocarditis based on the results of clinical studies.

miRNA and antisense oligonucleotide-based α-synuclein targeting as disease-modifying therapeutics in Parkinson's disease

α-synuclein is the synaptic protein majorly involved in neuronal dysfunction and death and it is well known for the last two decades as a hallmark of Parkinson's disease. Alpha-synuclein is involved in neurodegeneration mediated through various neurotoxic pathways, majorly including autophagy or lysosomal dysregulation, mitochondrial disruption, synaptic dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Moreover, the alpha-synuclein aggregation has been associated with the development of several neurodegenerative conditions such as various forms of Parkinson's disease. The recent discovery in oligonucleotide chemistry has developed potential alpha-synuclein targeting molecules for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The present review article focuses on recent advances in the applications of oligonucleotides acting via alpha-synuclein targeting mechanisms and their implication in combating Parkinson's disease. Moreover, the article emphasizes the potential of miRNAs, and antisense oligonucleotides and the challenges associated with their use in the therapeutical management of Parkinson's disease.

Non-Coding RNAs in Regulating Plaque Progression and Remodeling of Extracellular Matrix in Atherosclerosis

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulate cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, inflammation, metabolism of clinically important biomolecules, and other cellular processes. They do not encode proteins but are involved in the regulatory network of various proteins that are directly related to the pathogenesis of diseases. Little is known about the ncRNA-associated mechanisms of atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular disorders. Remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is critical in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and related disorders; however, its regulatory proteins are the potential subjects to explore with special emphasis on epigenetic regulatory components. The activity of regulatory proteins involved in ECM remodeling is regulated by various ncRNA molecules, as evident from recent research. Thus, it is important to critically evaluate the existing literature to enhance the understanding of nc-RNAs-regulated molecular mechanisms regulating ECM components, remodeling, and progression of atherosclerosis. This is crucial since deregulated ECM remodeling contributes to atherosclerosis. Thus, an in-depth understanding of ncRNA-associated ECM remodeling may identify novel targets for the treatment of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.

In Vivo Inhibition of miR-34a Modestly Limits Cardiac Enlargement and Fibrosis in a Mouse Model with Established Type 1 Diabetes-Induced Cardiomyopathy, but Does Not Improve Diastolic Function

MicroRNA 34a (miR-34a) is elevated in the heart in a setting of cardiac stress or pathology, and we previously reported that inhibition of miR-34a in vivo provided protection in a setting of pressure overload-induced pathological cardiac hypertrophy and dilated cardiomyopathy. Prior work had also shown that circulating or cardiac miR-34a was elevated in a setting of diabetes. However, the therapeutic potential of inhibiting miR-34a in vivo in the diabetic heart had not been assessed. In the current study, type 1 diabetes was induced in adult male mice with 5 daily injections of streptozotocin (STZ). At 8 weeks post-STZ, when mice had established type 1 diabetes and diastolic dysfunction, mice were administered locked nucleic acid (LNA)-antimiR-34a or saline-control with an eight-week follow-up. Cardiac function, cardiac morphology, cardiac fibrosis, capillary density and gene expression were assessed. Diabetic mice presented with high blood glucose, elevated liver and kidney weights, diastolic dysfunction, mild cardiac enlargement, cardiac fibrosis and reduced myocardial capillary density. miR-34a was elevated in the heart of diabetic mice in comparison to non-diabetic mice. Inhibition of miR-34a had no significant effect on diastolic function or atrial enlargement, but had a mild effect on preventing an elevation in cardiac enlargement, fibrosis and ventricular gene expression of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the anti-angiogenic miRNA (miR-92a). A miR-34a target, vinculin, was inversely correlated with miR-34a expression, but other miR-34a targets were unchanged. In summary, inhibition of miR-34a provided limited protection in a mouse model with established type 1 diabetes-induced cardiomyopathy and failed to improve diastolic function. Given diabetes represents a systemic disorder with numerous miRNAs dysregulated in the diabetic heart, as well as other organs, strategies targeting multiple miRNAs and/or earlier intervention is likely to be required.

Role of MicroRNAs, Aptamers in Neuroinflammation and Neurodegenerative Disorders

Exploring the microRNAs and aptamers for their therapeutic role as biological drugs has expanded the horizon of its applicability against various human diseases, explicitly targeting the genetic materials. RNA-based therapeutics are widely being explored for the treatment and diagnosis of multiple diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders (NDD). Latter includes microRNA, aptamers, ribozymes, and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which control the gene expression mainly at the transcriptional strata. One RNA transcript translates into different protein types; hence, therapies targeted at the transcriptional sphere may have prominent and more extensive effects than alternative therapeutics. Unlike conventional gene therapy, RNAs, upon delivery, can either altogether abolish or alter the synthesis of the protein of interest, therefore, regulating their activities in a controlled and diverse manner. NDDs like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, Prion disease, and others are characterized by deposition of misfolded protein such as amyloid-ß, tau, α-synuclein, huntingtin and prion proteins. Neuroinflammation, one of the perquisites for neurodegeneration, is induced during neurodegenerative pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss microRNAs and aptamers' role as two different RNA-based approaches for their unique ability to regulate protein production at the transcription level, hence offering many advantages over other biologicals. The microRNA acts either by alleviating the malfunctioning RNA expression or by working as a replacement to lost microRNA. On the contrary, aptamer act as a chemical antibody and forms an aptamer-target complex.

The role of microRNAs in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy

INTRODUCTION

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an end-point macrovascular complication associated with increased morbidity and mortality in 12% of diabetic patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that can act as cardioprotective or cardiotoxic agents in DCM.

METHODS

We used PubMed as a search engine to collect and analyse data in published articles on the role of miRNAs on the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of DCM.

RESULTS

MiRNAs play an essential role in the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of DCM due to their distinct gene expression patterns in diabetic patients compared to healthy individuals. Advances in gene therapy have led to the discovery of potential circulating miRNAs, which can be used as biomarkers for DCM diagnosis and prognosis. Furthermore, targeted miRNA therapies in preclinical and clinical studies, such as using miRNA mimics and anti-miRNAs, have yielded promising results. Application of miRNA mimics and anti-miRNAs via different nanodrug delivery systems alleviate hypertrophy, fibrosis, oxidative stress and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes.

CONCLUSION

MiRNAs serve as attractive potential targets for DCM diagnosis, prognosis and treatment due to their distinctive expression profile in DCM development.

AAV-mediated delivery of osteoblast/osteoclast-regulating miRNAs for osteoporosis therapy

Osteoporosis occurs due to a dysregulation in bone remodeling, a process requiring both bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-resorbing osteoclasts. Current leading osteoporosis therapies suppress osteoclast-mediated bone resorption but show limited therapeutic effects because osteoblast-mediated bone formation decreases concurrently. We developed a gene therapy strategy for osteoporosis that simultaneously promotes bone formation and suppresses bone resorption by targeting two microRNAs (miRNAs)-miR-214-3p and miR-34a-5p. We modulated the expression of these miRNAs using systemically delivered recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors targeting the bone. rAAV-mediated overexpression of miR-214-3p or inhibition of miR-34a-5p in the skeleton resulted in bone loss in adult mice, resembling osteoporotic bones. Conversely, rAAV-mediated inhibition of miR-214-3p or overexpression of miR-34a-5p reversed bone loss in mouse models for postmenopausal and senile osteoporosis by increasing osteoblast-mediated bone formation and decreasing osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Notably, these mice did not show any apparent pathological phenotypes in non-skeletal tissues. Mechanistically, inhibiting miR-214-3p upregulated activating transcription factor 4 in osteoblasts and phatase and tensin homolog in osteoclasts, while overexpressing miR-34a-5p downregulated Notch1 in osteoblasts and TGF-β-induced factor homeobox 2 in osteoclasts. In summary, bone-targeting rAAV-mediated regulation of miR-214-3p or miR-34a-5p is a promising new approach to treat osteoporosis, while limiting adverse effects in non-skeletal tissues.

The Role of microRNAs in the Gonocyte Theory as Target of Malignancy: Looking for Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers

Some pediatric patients with cryptorchidism preserve cells with gonocyte characteristics beyond their differentiation period, which could support the theory of the gonocyte as a target for malignancy in the development of testicular neoplasia. One of the key molecules in gonocyte malignancy is represented by microRNAs (miRNAs). The goal of this review is to give an overview of miRNAs, a class of small non-coding RNAs that participate in the regulation of gene expression. We also aim to review the crucial role of several miRNAs that have been further described in the regulation of gonocyte differentiation to spermatogonia, which, when transformed, could give rise to germ cell neoplasia in situ, a precursor lesion to testicular germ cell tumors. Finally, the potential use of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in testicular neoplasia is addressed, due to their specificity and sensitivity compared to conventional markers, as well as their applications in therapeutics.

The crosstalk between STAT3 and microRNA in cardiac diseases and protection

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), an important transcription factor and signaling molecule, play an important role in cardiac disease and protection. As a transcription factor, STAT3 upregulates anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic genes but suppresses anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic genes in cardiac disease and protection. As a signaling molecule, STAT3 is the downstream or upstream of other molecules for signaling transduction, also activated in cardiac disease and protection. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous short non-coding RNAs that regulate mRNA expression at the transcriptional level and prevent protein translation. Recently, STAT3 is reported to be not only the target of miRNA but also the inhibitor or inducer of miRNA to modify the mRNA expression profiles in cardiomyocytes resulting in different effects on cardiac disease and protection. We summarize the current knowledge on STAT3 regulation of individual miRNAs and the modulation of STAT3 by miRNAs in cardiac diseases and protection.

Knockdown of lncRNA H19 alleviates ox-LDL-induced HCAECs inflammation and injury by mediating miR-20a-5p/HDAC4 axis

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease (CAD) seriously disturbs the life of people. LncRNA H19 is reported to promote the progression of CAD; Nevertheless, the detailed mechanism by which H19 modulates CAD development is unclear.

METHODS

Clinical samples of CAD patients were collected, meanwhile we established in vitro and in vivo models of CAD by treating HCAECs with ox-LDL and feeding ApoE^-/- mice with high fat diets (HFD). MTT assay was adopted to assess the cell viability. Transwell detection was applied to test the migration, and apoptosis was tested by flow cytometry. The levels of inflammatory cytokines were examined by ELISA. The relation among H19, miR-20a-5p and HDAC4 was explored by dual luciferase reporter and RIP assay.

RESULTS

H19 and HDAC4 levels were elevated, while miR-20a-5p was reduced in plasma of CAD patients and ox-LDL-treated HCAECs. ox-LDL increased H19 level and induced apoptosis and inflammation in HCAECs, while silencing of H19 rescued this phenomenon. In addition, the level of H19 was negatively correlated with miR-20a-5p, and miR-20a-5p inhibitor restored the effect of H19 silencing on HCAECs function. HDAC4 was the downstream mRNA of miR-20a-5p, and miR-20a-5p upregulation reversed ox-LDL-induced HCAECs injury through targeting HDAC4. Furthermore, H19 silencing significantly alleviated the coronary atherosclerotic plaques and inhibited the inflammatory responses in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

We proved that knockdown of H19 alleviated ox-LDL-induced HCAECs injury via miR-20a-5p/HDAC4 axis, which might provide a new tactics against CAD.

Global trends in research on miRNA-microbiome interaction from 2011 to 2021: A bibliometric analysis

An increasing number of research suggests that the microRNA (miRNA)-microbiome interaction plays an essential role in host health and diseases. This bibliometric analysis aimed to identify the status of global scientific output, research hotspots, and frontiers regarding the study of miRNA-microbiome interaction over the past decade. We retrieved miRNA-microbiome-related studies published from 2011 to 2021 from the Web of Science Core Collection database; the R package bibliometrix was used to analyze bibliometric indicators, and VOSviewer was used to visualize the field status, hotspots, and research trends of miRNA-microbiome interplay. In total, 590 articles and reviews were collected. A visual analysis of the results showed that significant increase in the number of publications over time. China produced the most papers, and the United States contributed the highest number of citations. Shanghai Jiaotong University and the University of California Davis were the most active institutions in the field. Most publications were published in the areas of biochemistry and molecular biology. Yu Aiming was the most prolific writer, as indicated by the h-index and m-index, and Liu Shirong was the most commonly co-cited author. A paper published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences in 2017 had the highest number of citations. The keywords "expression" and "gut microbiota" appeared most frequently, and the top three groups of diseases that appeared among keywords were cancer (colorectal, et al.), inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), and neurological disorders (anxiety, Parkinson's disease, et al.). This bibliometric study revealed that most studies have focused on miRNAs (e.g., miR-21, miR-155, and miR-146a), gut microbes (e.g., Escherichia coli, Bifidobacterium, and Fusobacterium nucleatum), and gut bacteria metabolites (e.g., butyric acid), which have the potential to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of diseases. We found that therapeutic strategies targeting the miRNA-microbiome axis focus on miRNA drugs produced in vitro; however, some studies suggest that in vivo fermentation can greatly increase the stability and reduce the degradation of miRNA. Therefore, this method is worthy of further research.

The roles and mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in pathological myocardial remodeling

Pathological myocardial remodeling was still one of the leading causes of death worldwide with an unmet therapeutic need. A growing number of researchers have addressed the role of epigenome changes in cardiovascular diseases, paving the way for the clinical application of novel cardiovascular-related epigenetic targets in the future. In this review, we summarized the emerged advances of epigenetic regulation, including DNA methylation, Histone posttranslational modification, Adenosine disodium triphosphate (ATP)-dependent chromatin remodeling, Non-coding RNA, and RNA modification, in pathological myocardial remodeling. Also, we provided an overview of the mechanisms that potentially involve the participation of these epigenetic regulation.