Analysis of clinical characteristics of centrally mediated abdominal pain syndrome, exploration of diagnostic markers and its relationship with the efficacy of duloxetine treatment

INTRODUCTION

Centrally mediated abdominal pain syndrome (CAPS) is characterized by severe abdominal pain. Diagnosis of CAPS is still an exclusionary diagnosis, there remain no effective diagnostic biomarkers so far. Duloxetine is the major pharmacotherapy of CAPS, while some CAPS patients do not respond to duloxetine treatment. However, there is a lack of molecular markers to predict the efficacy of duloxetine. In our pilot study, we have found differential expression profiles of serum miRNAs between CAPS patients and healthy controls. Our study aims to explore the clinical characteristics, specific miRNAs in serum as diagnostic biomarkers of CAPS and predictive biomarkers of the efficacy of duloxetine.

METHODS/DESIGN

In this prospective cohort study, we plan to enroll 430 participants including 215 CAPS patients and 215 healthy controls. The CAPS group takes duloxetine 30 mg per day as an initial dose. Patients will have 24-week medication period and follow up at week 0, 4, 12, 24 and 36. Blood samples will be obtained from patients at every visits and health controls at the initial visit and a series of questionnaires will be completed by the participants. The primary end points are: The differential expression of miRNAs between CAPS groups and healthy control groups at baseline. The changes in abdominal pain scores before and after duloxetine treatment in patients with CAPS and their relationship with the changes in miRNAs. The secondary end point is the changes in scores of depression, anxiety, sleep quality and quality of life before and after duloxetine treatment in patients with CAPS and their relationship with changes in miRNAs.

DISCUSSION

Findings of study will provide the reliable basis for diagnosis and the predictor of duloxetine efficacy of CAPS. Importantly, findings grant patients a chance to benefit from treatment.

Expression and distribution pattern of aggrecanases and miR-140s in the thickened synovia of shoulder joints in rotator cuff tears: A retrospective observational study

The rotator cuff (RC) is frequently torn at the enthesis composed of fibrocartilage. We aimed to histopathologically evaluate lining layers and assess the distribution of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)4, ADAMTS5, and microRNA (miR)-140s in the synovia of patients with RC tears. We recruited 51 patients who underwent arthroscopic surgical treatment for full-thickness rotator cuff tears, including 26 patients with < 3 cm tear size (group N) and 25 patients with ≥ 3 cm tear size (group W). Biopsied synovia were analyzed using histological and immunohistological techniques for the presence ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5. The layers of the synovial lining were morphologically classified into 3 grades according to the synovitis score and staining levels of ADAMTSs. The glenohumeral synovia from 8 patients with recurrent shoulder dislocation (group C) were used as controls. Furthermore, in situ hybridization was performed to evaluate the presence of miR-140s in patients with massive tears and recurrent shoulder dislocation. The staining levels were evaluated and analyzed based on comparison between patient groups and correlation between ADAMTS5 and miR-140s. Histological analysis revealed significant differences between groups W and C. ADAMTS5 and ADAMTS4 were strongly expressed in the synovial lining of patients in group W, and this expression was significantly higher than that in groups C and N. In addition, expression of ADAMTS5 was inversely correlated with that of miR-140-3p. This study showed that synovia from group W had a significantly higher rate of severely thickened areas with strong expression of both aggrecanases. Furthermore, the area with weak expression of miR-140-3p showed strong ADAMTS5 expression.

Utilization of Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteome Analysis in the Diagnosis of Meningioma: A Systematic Review

Meningiomas have been classified as the most commonly occurring primary brain tumors. Although the majority of meningiomas are benign and slow-progressing, the tumors that grow to a larger size are associated with various risks during surgical procedures. Early detection of meningiomas is crucial to the treatment as those detected early can be treated through non-invasive methods. Due to their benign nature, meningiomas contain homogeneous protein biomarkers that can be easily identified. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has a high protein composition which can be used to diagnose various brain tumors. Because CSF comes into direct contact with the brain during its functioning, it is one of the factors that makes it an important source of different biomarkers. An analysis of biochemical changes occurring in the CSF can be useful in assessing the condition of the periventricular white matter and the parenchyma.

In this review, PubMed, Medline, PubMed Central, and Google Scholar were used to identify studies discussing meningiomas regarding their assessment, types, diagnosis, and treatment, with more attention directed towards the application of CSF proteome analysis in diagnosis. Priority was given to studies published within the last 15 years. The following keywords were used in the literature search: “cerebrospinal fluid,” “meningiomas,” “brain tumors,” “primary brain tumors,” “protein biomarkers,” “proteome analysis,” and “diagnosis.” Subsequently, the 15 most relevant studies were selected for inclusion in the review. We excluded studies discussing different types of non-brain tumors as well as older articles. The selected studies also underwent a quality appraisal process using corresponding assessment tools. The selected articles were highly informative about meningiomas and the processes of diagnosis and treatment that are currently in use as well as those that are being developed or implemented. The use of CSF proteins in the diagnostic process is also discussed in this review. The studies also describe proteomics as a less invasive procedure that allows for the analysis of entire proteins and the projection of diagnostic images with higher resolutions that aid in the diagnosis.

Storage of Extracellular Vesicles in Human Milk, and MicroRNA Profiles in Human Milk Exosomes and Infant Formulas

The objectives of this study were to lay the methodological groundwork for field studies of microRNA analysis in exosomes from small sample volumes of human milk, and assess exosome and microRNA content in infant formulas. When human milk was stored at 4°C for 4 weeks, the count of exosome-sized vesicles decreased progressively to 49% ± 13% of that in fresh milk. Exosomes were purified from 1 mL of fresh human milk and their microRNA content was assessed by microRNA-sequencing analysis and compared with that in infant formulas. We identified 221 microRNAs in exosomes from 3 samples of fresh human milk; 84 microRNAs were present in all 3 samples. MicroRNAs were not detectable in infant formulas and their exosome-sized vesicles, which appeared to be casein micelles. We conclude that large-scale studies of microRNAs in human milk exosomes are feasible, and exosomes and microRNAs are not detectable in formulas.

MicroRNA-21 and Dicer are dispensable for hepatic stellate cell activation and the development of liver fibrosis

Fibrosis and cancer represent two major complications of chronic liver disease. MicroRNAs have been implicated in the development of fibrosis and cancer, thus constituting potential therapeutic targets. Here, we investigated the role of microRNA-21 (miR-21), a microRNA that has been implicated in the development of fibrosis in multiple organs and has also been suggested to act as an "oncomir." Accordingly, miR-21 was the microRNA that showed the strongest up-regulation in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in multiple models of fibrogenesis, with an 8-fold to 24-fold induction compared to quiescent HSCs. However, miR-21 antisense inhibition did not suppress the activation of murine or human HSCs in culture or in liver slices. Moreover, genetic deletion of miR-21 in two independently generated knockout mice or miR-21 antisense inhibition did not alter HSC activation or liver fibrosis in models of toxic and biliary liver injury. Despite a strong up-regulation of miR-21 in injury-associated hepatocellular carcinoma and in cholangiocarcinoma, miR-21 deletion or antisense inhibition did not reduce the development of liver tumors. As inhibition of the most up-regulated microRNA did not affect HSC activation, liver fibrosis, or fibrosis-associated liver cancer, we additionally tested the role of microRNAs in HSCs by HSC-specific Dicer deletion. Although Dicer deletion decreased microRNA expression in HSCs and altered the expression of select genes, it only exerted negligible effects on HSC activation and liver fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

Genetic and pharmacologic manipulation of miR-21 does not inhibit the development of liver fibrosis and liver cancer. Moreover, suppression of microRNA synthesis does not significantly affect HSC phenotype and activation. (Hepatology 2018;67:2414-2429).

Differential temporal expression of milk miRNA during the lactation cycle of the marsupial tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii)

BACKGROUND

Lactation is a key aspect of mammalian evolution for adaptation of various reproductive strategies along different mammalian lineages. Marsupials, such as tammar wallaby, adopted a short gestation and a relatively long lactation cycle, the newborn is immature at birth and significant development occurs postnatally during lactation. Continuous changes of tammar milk composition may contribute to development and immune protection of pouch young. Here, in order to address the putative contribution of newly identified secretory milk miRNA in these processes, high throughput sequencing of miRNAs collected from tammar milk at different time points of lactation was conducted. A comparative analysis was performed to find distribution of miRNA in milk and blood serum of lactating wallaby.

RESULTS

Results showed that high levels of miRNA secreted in milk and allowed the identification of differentially expressed milk miRNAs during the lactation cycle as putative markers of mammary gland activity and functional candidate signals to assist growth and timed development of the young. Comparative analysis of miRNA distribution in milk and blood serum suggests that milk miRNAs are primarily expressed from mammary gland rather than transferred from maternal circulating blood, likely through a new putative exosomal secretory pathway. In contrast, highly expressed milk miRNAs could be detected at significantly higher levels in neonate blood serum in comparison to adult blood, suggesting milk miRNAs may be absorbed through the gut of the young.

CONCLUSION

The function of miRNA in mammary gland development and secretory activity has been proposed, but results from the current study also support a differential role of milk miRNA in regulation of development in the pouch young, revealing a new potential molecular communication between mother and young during mammalian lactation.

MicroRNA 100: a context dependent miRNA in prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE

MicroRNAs are noncoding RNA molecules involved in the development and progression of tumors. We have found that miRNA-100 is underexpressed in metastatic prostate cancer compared to localized disease. Conversely higher levels of miR-100 are related to biochemical recurrence after surgery. This suggests that miR-100 may be a context-dependent miRNA, acting as oncogene or tumor suppressor miRNA. Our aim is to demonstrate the role of miR-100 in the control of predicted target genes in prostate cancer cell lines.

METHODS

Cell lines DU145 and PC3 were transfected with miR-100, antimiR-100 and after 24 h and 48 h of exposure, qRT-PCR and western blot were performed for mTOR, FGFR3, THAP2, SMARCA5 and BAZ2A.

RESULTS

There was reduction in mTOR (p=0.025), THAP2 (p=0.038), SMARCA5 (p=0.001) and BAZ2A (p=0.006) mRNA expression in DU145 cells after exposure to miR-100. In PC3 cells, mTOR expression was decreased by miR-100 (p=0.01). There was a reduction in the expression levels of proteins encoded by studied genes, ranging from 34% to 69%.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate that miR-100 is a context-dependent miRNA controlling BAZ2, mTOR, FGFR3, SMARCA5 and THAP2 that might be involved in PC progression. The elucidation of the roles of miRNAs in tumors is important because they can be used as therapeutic targets in the future.

The role of micro RNAs let7c, 100 and 218 expression and their target RAS, C-MYC, BUB1, RB, SMARCA5, LAMB3 and Ki-67 in prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to verify the expression of proteins that are controlled by miR-let7c, 100 and 218 using immunohistochemistry in tissue microarray representative of localized and metastasized the lymph nodes and bone prostate cancer.

METHODS

To verify the expression of proteins that are controlled by miR-let7c (C-MYC, BUB1, RAS) 100 (SMARCA5, RB) and 218 (LAMB3) and cell proliferation (Ki-67) we used immunohistochemistry and computerized image system ImageJ MacBiophotonics in three tissue microarrays representative of localized prostate cancer and lymph node and bone metastases. miRNA expression was evaluated by qRT-PCR using 60 paraffin blocks to construct the tissue microarray representative of localized disease.

RESULTS

RAS expression was increased in localized prostate cancer and bone metastases compared to the lymph nodes (p=0.017). RB showed an increase in expression from localized prostate cancer to lymph node and bone metastasis (p=0.036). LAMB3 was highly expressed in localized and lymph node metastases (p<0.001). Cell proliferation evaluated by Ki-67 showed an increase from localized prostate cancer to metastases (p<0.001). We did not found any relationship between C-MYC (p=0.253), BUB1 (p=0.649) and SMARCA5 (p=0.315) protein expression with prognosis or tumor behavior.

CONCLUSION

We found that the expression of RAS, RB, LAMB3 and Ki-67 changed in the different stages of prostate cancer. Furthermore, we confirmed the overexpression of the miRNAs let7c, 100 and 218 in localized prostate cancer but failed to show the control of protein expression by the putative controller miRNAs using immunohistochemistry.

MicroRNAs are necessary for vascular smooth muscle growth, differentiation, and function

OBJECTIVE

Regulation of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) proliferation and contractile differentiation is an important factor in vascular development and subsequent cardiovascular diseases. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to regulate fundamental cellular processes in a number of cell types, but the integrated role of miRNAs in VSM in blood vessels is unknown. Here, we investigated the role of miRNAs in VSM by deleting the rate-limiting enzyme in miRNA synthesis, Dicer.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Deletion of Dicer in VSM results in late embryonic lethality at embryonic day 16 to 17, associated with extensive internal hemorrhage. The loss of VSM Dicer results in dilated, thin-walled blood vessels caused by a reduction in cellular proliferation. In addition, blood vessels from VSM-deleted Dicer mice exhibited impaired contractility because of a loss of contractile protein markers. We found this effect to be associated with a loss of actin stress fibers and partly rescued by overexpression of microRNA (miR)-145 or myocardin.

CONCLUSIONS

Dicer-dependent miRNAs are important for VSM development and function by regulating proliferation and contractile differentiation.

Database of cattle candidate genes and genetic markers for milk production and mastitis

A cattle database of candidate genes and genetic markers for milk production and mastitis has been developed to provide an integrated research tool incorporating different types of information supporting a genomic approach to study lactation, udder development and health. The database contains 943 genes and genetic markers involved in mammary gland development and function, representing candidates for further functional studies. The candidate loci were drawn on a genetic map to reveal positional overlaps. For identification of candidate loci, data from seven different research approaches were exploited: (i) gene knockouts or transgenes in mice that result in specific phenotypes associated with mammary gland (143 loci); (ii) cattle QTL for milk production (344) and mastitis related traits (71); (iii) loci with sequence variations that show specific allele-phenotype interactions associated with milk production (24) or mastitis (10) in cattle; (iv) genes with expression profiles associated with milk production (207) or mastitis (107) in cattle or mouse; (v) cattle milk protein genes that exist in different genetic variants (9); (vi) miRNAs expressed in bovine mammary gland (32) and (vii) epigenetically regulated cattle genes associated with mammary gland function (1). Fourty-four genes found by multiple independent analyses were suggested as the most promising candidates and were further in silico analysed for expression levels in lactating mammary gland, genetic variability and top biological functions in functional networks. A miRNA target search for mammary gland expressed miRNAs identified 359 putative binding sites in 3'UTRs of candidate genes.