Increased Expression of LASI lncRNA Regulates the Cigarette Smoke and COPD Associated Airway Inflammation and Mucous Cell Hyperplasia

Plexin B1 controls Treg numbers, limits allergic airway inflammation, and regulates mucins

We investigated the effect of global Plexin B1 deficiency on allergic airway responses to house dust mite (HDM) or ovalbumin (OVA). In the HDM model, there were higher Th2 cytokine levels in the BALF of Plexin B1 knock-out (KO) mice compared to wild type (WT), and tissue inflammation and mucus production were modestly enhanced. In the OVA model, Plexin B1 deficiency led to increases in lung inflammation, mucus production, and lung Th2 cytokines accompanied by dysregulated mucin gene expression without affecting anti-OVA IgE/IgG1 levels. Spleen cells from Plexin B1 KO mice proliferated more robustly than WT cells in vitro to a variety of stimuli. Plexin B1 KO CD4+ T cells from spleens expressed higher levels of Ki-67 and CD69 compared to WT cells. Spleen cells from naïve Plexin B1 KO mice secreted increased amounts of IL-4 and IL-6 when pulsed in vitro with OVA whereas in vivo OVA-primed spleen cells produced IL-4/IL-5 when subjected to in vitro OVA restimulation. The upregulated allergic inflammatory response in Plexin B1 KO mice was associated with a lower number of Tregs in the lung tissues. Moreover, these mice displayed lower numbers of Treg cells in the lymphoid tissues at the baseline. These results demonstrate a previously unrecognized link between Plexin B1, Treg cells, and mucus in allergic lung inflammation.

The role of lncRNA in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive and irreversible airflow obstruction with abnormal lung function. Because its pathogenesis involves multiple aspects of oxidative stress, immunity and inflammation, apoptosis, airway and lung repair and destruction, the clinical approach to COPD treatment is not further updated. Therefore, it is crucial to discover a new means of COPD diagnosis and treatment. COPD etiology is associated with complex interactions between environmental and genetic determinants. Numerous genes are involved in the pathogenic process of this illness in research samples exposed to hazardous environmental conditions. Among them, Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to be involved in the molecular mechanisms of COPD development induced by different environmental exposures and genetic susceptibility encounters, and some potential lncRNA biomarkers have been identified as early diagnostic, disease course determination, and therapeutic targets for COPD. In this review, we summarize the expression profiles of the reported lncRNAs that have been reported in COPD studies related to environmental risk factors such as smoking and air pollution exposure and provided an overview of the roles of those lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Identification of a Novel lncRNA LNC_001186 and Its Effects on CPB2 Toxin-Induced Apoptosis of IPEC-J2 Cells

The Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringen) beta2 (CPB2) toxin produced by C. perfringens type C (CpC) can cause necrotizing enteritis in piglets. Immune system activation in response to inflammation and pathogen infection is aided by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). In our previous work, we revealed the differential expression of the novel lncRNA LNC_001186 in CpC-infected ileum versus healthy piglets. This implied that LNC_001186 may be a regulatory factor essential for CpC infection in piglets. Herein, we analyzed the coding ability, chromosomal location and subcellular localization of LNC_001186 and explored its regulatory role in CPB2 toxin-induced apoptosis of porcine small intestinal epithelial (IPEC-J2) cells. RT-qPCR results indicated that LNC_001186 expression was highly enriched in the intestines of healthy piglets and significantly increased in CpC-infected piglets' ileum tissue and CPB2 toxin-treated IPEC-J2 cells. The total sequence length of LNC_001186 was 1323 bp through RACE assay. CPC and CPAT, two online databases, both confirmed that LNC_001186 had a low coding ability. It was present on pig chromosome 3. Cytoplasmic and nuclear RNA isolation and RNA-FISH assays showed that LNC_001186 was present in the nucleus and cytoplasm of IPEC-J2 cells. Furthermore, six target genes of LNC_001186 were predicted using cis and trans approaches. Meanwhile, we constructed ceRNA regulatory networks with LNC_001186 as the center. Finally, LNC_001186 overexpression inhibited IPEC-J2 cells' apoptosis caused by CPB2 toxin and promoted cell viability. In summary, we determined the role of LNC_001186 in IPEC-J2 cells' apoptosis caused by CPB2 toxin, which assisted us in exploring the molecular mechanism of LNC_001186 in CpC-induced diarrhea in piglets.

Resveratrol enhances MUC2 synthesis via the ANRIL-miR-34a axis to mitigate IBD

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural polyphenol with strong biological activity that confers a measure of protection against the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) antisense non-coding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) is closely related to inflammation. The present study determined whether resveratrol attenuated IBD by regulating ANRIL and its specific molecular mechanism.

METHODS

In vivo model of IBD was induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). In total, 60 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups (normal control - NC, DSS, RSV), and their weight changes, fecal traits, colon length and tissue hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) were observed. Moreover, human colonic epithelial cells (HCoEpiC) treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used as cell models of IBD. The tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, lncRNA ANRIL, and miR-34a levels were measured by RT-PCR. The expression of mucin 2 (MUC2) and an enzyme associated with MUC2 synthesis, polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 7 (GALNT7), was measured by RT-PCR and western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Resveratrol treatment mitigated colitis by significantly decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e. TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and miR-34a, and increasing the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine (i.e. IL-10), MUC2, GLNAT7, and lncRNA ANRIL in mice and HCoEpiC (all P<0.05). The elevated synthesis of MUC2 could be attributed to the ANRIL-miR-34a axis.

CONCLUSIONS

Resveratrol attenuates IBD by promoting MUC2 synthesis via the ANRIL-miR-34a axis.

Basic Science Perspective on Engineering and Modeling the Large Airways

The airway epithelium provides a physical and biochemical barrier playing a key role in protecting the lung from infiltration of pathogens and irritants and is, therefore, crucial in maintaining tissue homeostasis and regulating innate immunity. Due to continual inspiration and expiration of air during breathing, the epithelium is exposed to a plethora of environmental insults. When severe or persistent, these insults lead to inflammation and infection. The effectiveness of the epithelium as a barrier is reliant upon its capacity for mucociliary clearance, immune surveillance, and regeneration upon injury. These functions are accomplished by the cells that comprise the airway epithelium and the niche in which they reside. Engineering of new physiological and pathological models of the proximal airways requires the generation of complex structures comprising the surface airway epithelium, submucosal gland epithelium, extracellular matrix, and niche cells, including smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells. This chapter focuses on the structure-function relationships in the airways and the challenges of developing complex engineered models of the human airway.

ICAM1-Targeting Theranostic Nanoparticles for Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Therapy of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

PURPOSE

Owing to the lack of effective biomarkers, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has the worst prognosis among all subtypes of breast cancer. Meanwhile, tremendous progress has been made to identify biomarkers for TNBC. However, limited number of biomarkers still restrain the specifically targeting outcomes against TNBC. Here, to solve the obstacle, we designed and synthesized a new type of biocompatible nanoparticles to amplify the targeting effects for TNBC theranostics.

METHODS

To identify the biomarker of TNBC, the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1) was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot among all subtypes of breast cancer and normal breast epithelium. Then, vesicular nanoparticles based on poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) copolymers were prepared by the double emulsion method and modified with anti-ICAM1 antibodies through click chemistry to conjugate with related antigens on TNBC cell membranes and then loaded with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent gadolinium and chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin. The targeting capability, diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of this nanoparticle were validated through cell-based and tumor model-based experiments.

RESULTS

ICAM1 was expressed significantly higher on TNBC than on other subtypes of breast cancer and normal breast epithelium in both mRNA and protein level. Theranostic nanoparticle modified with anti-ICAM1 was proved to be able to specifically target to TNBC in vitro experiments. Such theranostic nanoparticle also displayed enhanced diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy by specifically targeting capability and extending circulation time in tumor models. The biocompatibility and biosafety of this nanoparticle was also confirmed in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Overall, this new nanoparticle has been demonstrated with effective therapeutic outcomes against TNBC, providing a promising theranostic approach for MRI-guided therapy of TNBC.

LINC00599 influences smoke-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and regulates CSE-induced epithelial cell apoptosis and inflammation by targeting miR-212-5p/BASP1 axis

LINC00599 has been reported to be upregulated in response to cigarette smoking. However, the effect and underlying mechanism of LINC00599 in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are still under exploration. In this study, LINC00599 was upregulated in the COPD patients and was of clinical value to distinguish COPD patients. COPD cell models were established using 16HBE cells under cigarette smoke extract (CSE) treatment. LINC00599 levels were elevated in a dose and time-dependent way in response to CSE stimulation. The effect of LINC00599 on CSE-induced 16HBE cells was explored. The results showed that LINC00599 deficiency reversed the CSE-induced inhibition on cell viability and proliferation, and rescued the CSE-induced enhancement on cell 16HBE cell apoptosis and inflammation response. Moreover, LINC00599 bound with miR-212-5p to upregulate the BASP1 (brain abundant membrane attached signal protein 1) expression. MiR-212-5p was expressed at a low level in the tissue samples of COPD patients, and its levels were upregulated in LINC00599 silenced cells. BASP1 was targeted by miR-212-5p and its upregulation was identified in the tissue samples of COPD patients and cell models. BASP1 levels were downregulated after miR-212-5p overexpression or LINC00599 silencing. Moreover, the rescue assays demonstrated that BASP1 overexpression reversed the effect of silenced LINC00599 on 16HBE cells after CSE treatment, which indicated that LINC00599 promoted the COPD development by regulating BASP1 expression. In conclusion, LINC00599 facilitated CSE-induced cell apoptosis and inflammation response, while inhibiting the cell viability and proliferation in COPD progression via modulating miR-212-5p/BASP1 axis.