环状RNA circMRPS35通过miR-130a-3p/ZNRF3轴调节胃癌细胞的增殖、凋亡、迁移和侵袭

摘要 目的：探讨环状RNA MRPS35（circMRPS35）对胃癌（GC）细胞增殖、凋亡、迁移和侵袭的调控机制。方法：体外培养人GC细胞系（HGC-27、MGC-803、MKN45和AGS）和正常胃上皮GES-1细胞,实时荧光定量PCR（RT-qPCR）检测circMRPS35、miR-130a-3p和锌环指蛋白3（ZNRF3）mRNA表达。另取MGC-803细胞,分为对照组、pc-NC组、pc-circMRPS35组、pc-circMRPS35+miR-NC组、pc-circMRPS35+miR-130a-3p组,采用Lipofectamine 3000进行质粒转染。RT-qPCR检测circMRPS35、miR-130a-3p和ZNRF3 mRNA表达,Western blot检测ZNRF3蛋白表达,CCK-8法、流式细胞术检测细胞增殖与凋亡,划痕实验和Transwell小室实验检测细胞迁移与侵袭能力,裸鼠移植瘤实验探究circMRPS35对GC细胞体内生长的影响。双荧光素酶报告基因检测miR-130a-3p与circMRPS35或ZNRF3的靶标关系。结果：GC细胞系中circMRPS35和ZNRF3 mRNA呈低表达,miR-130a-3p呈高表达（均P＜0.05）。过表达circMRPS35可降低miR-130a-3p,上调ZNRF3 mRNA和蛋白水平,抑制细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭,并促进细胞凋亡（均P＜0.05）;circMRPS35过表达对GC细胞恶性行为和裸鼠移植瘤生长的抑制作用可被miR-130a-3p mimic逆转（P＜0.05）。双荧光素酶实验结果显示,过表达miR-130a-3p可降低circMRPS35-WT和ZNRF3-WT的荧光素酶活性（P＜0.05）。结论：circMRPS35可能通过miR-130a-3p/ZNRF3轴抑制GC细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭,并促进细胞凋亡。     

叶酸抑制宫颈癌进展过程中miR-642a-5p的表达及其对肿瘤细胞的抑制作用研究

摘要 目的：探讨叶酸抑制宫颈癌进展中过程中miR-642a-5p的表达及其对肿瘤细胞的抑制作用。方法：选择宫颈癌细胞株SiHa进行传代培养,采用随机法分为4组：低剂量组、中剂量组、高剂量组分别加入1 μg/mL、10 μg/mL、100 μg/mL的叶酸,而空白对照组未加入叶酸处理。利用实时定量聚合酶链式反应（RT-qPCR）检测miR-642a-5p的表达;采用细胞增殖毒性试验（CCK-8法）、细胞迁移实验（划痕实验）和细胞侵袭实验（Transwell法）分别测量宫颈癌SiHa细胞的增殖活性、迁移和侵袭能力。结果：低、中、高剂量组中叶酸显著抑制了宫颈癌SiHa细胞中miR-642a-5p的表达（P<0.05）,而且随着叶酸浓度升高,其对miR-642a-5p的抑制作用逐渐增强。此外,低、中、高剂量组中叶酸对宫颈癌SiHa细胞的增殖、迁移以及侵袭具有显著抑制作用（P<0.05）,而且叶酸浓度越高,其抑制作用越强。结论：叶酸可以抑制宫颈癌进展过程中miR-642a-5p的表达,而且对宫颈癌SiHa细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭具有一定的抑制作用。     

miRNA-145-5p调控FMNL2基因对口腔鳞癌干细胞增殖、迁移的影响

摘要 目的：分析miRNA-145-5p调控形成素2（formin-like 2,FMNL2）基因对口腔鳞癌干细胞增殖、迁移的影响。方法：按照脂质体2000说明书对细胞进行转染miRNA-145-5p inhibitor及miRNA-145-5p mimics,按照实验设计,将其分为空白组、沉默组（miRNA-145-5p inhibitor）及过表达组（miRNA-145-5p mimics）。荧光定量PCR法检测miRNA-145-5p、FMNL2表达量,MTT检测细胞增殖能力,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡能力,细胞划痕实验检测细胞迁移能力,采用Western blot法检测各组细胞中Wnt/β-catenin信号通路蛋白表达量。结果：过表达组miRNA-145-5p、Bax蛋白表达量,凋亡率,细胞G0/G1比例高于沉默组,具有统计学差异（P＜0.05）;过表达组口腔鳞癌干细胞增殖率,FMNL2表达量、MMP-13、β-catenin、Bcl-2、APC蛋白表达量低于沉默组,具有统计学差异（P＜0.05）;过表达组口腔鳞癌干细胞迁移能力弱于沉默组,具有统计学差异（P＜0.05）。结论：miRNA-145-5p通过靶向调控FMNL2,作用于Wnt/β-catenin信号通路调控口腔鳞癌干细胞,进而抑制细胞增殖、迁移。     

下调lncRNA MCF2L-AS1靶向miR-33b-5p抑制胃癌细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭并促进凋亡

摘要 目的：探讨lncRNA MCF2L-AS1对胃癌细胞恶性生物学行为的影响及分子机制。方法：选取45例胃癌患者的癌组织及癌旁正常组织,或培养胃黏膜上皮细胞GES-1、胃癌细胞HGC-27,采用RT-qPCR检测MCF2L-AS1和miR-33b-5p的表达水平。采用双荧光素酶报告实验检测MCF2L-AS1和miR-33b-5p的靶向关系。将HGC-27细胞分为si-NC组、si-MCF2L-AS1组、mimic NC组、miR-33b-5p mimic组、si-MCF2L-AS1+inhibitor NC组、si-MCF2L-AS1+miR-33b-5p inhibitor组,分别转染si-NC、si-MCF2L-AS1、mimic NC、miR-33b-5p mimic或共转染si-MCF2L-AS1+inhibitor NC、si-MCF2L-AS1+miR-33b-5p inhibitor。采用MTT实验检测细胞增殖情况,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率,克隆形成实验检测细胞克隆形成数,Transwell实验检测迁移和侵袭细胞数。结果：与癌旁正常组织或GES-1细胞相比,胃癌组织或HGC-27细胞中MCF2L-AS1表达水平升高、miR-33b-5p表达水平降低,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。MCF2L-AS1可靶向调控miR-33b-5p。下调MCF2L-AS1或过表达miR-33b-5p,miR-33b-5p表达水平升高,HGC-27细胞凋亡率升高,但细胞增殖、克隆形成数、迁移和侵袭数均减少,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。抑制miR-33b-5p可减弱下调MCF2L-AS1对HGC-27细胞的生物学作用。结论：下调MCF2L-AS1通过上调miR-33b-5p抑制胃癌细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭并促进凋亡;MCF2L-AS1通过靶向调控miR-33b-5p表达进而参与胃癌细胞的恶性生物学行为。     

MiR-150-5p靶向TP53对结直肠癌细胞侵袭和增殖的影响

摘要 目的：探索miR-150-5p靶向调控TP53基因对结直肠癌（colorectal cancer, CRC）在临床和生物学的相关性,研究miR-150-5p调控TP53基因在结直肠癌细胞增殖和侵袭病变中的作用。方法：收集临床手术切除并病理证实的结直肠癌患者的手术及血浆样本（结直肠癌和癌旁组织）60例,另选取癌旁正常粘膜10例,腺瘤30例。根据瘤体直径分为肿瘤＞5 cm（n=30）和≤5 cm（n=30）。qRT-PCR法测定样本中miR-150-5p表达,荧光素酶活性测定以确定TP53是否为miR-150-5p的靶基因。使用SW480细胞株,进行Transwell小室检测细胞侵袭能力,CCK-8检测细胞增值能力,对miR-150-5p进行生物信息学分析。结果：TP53是miR-150-5p的下游基因。癌组织及血浆中miR-150-5p表达量低于癌旁组织,直径＞5 cm瘤体中的miR-150-5p表达量显著低于直径≤5 cm瘤体,Ⅰ-Ⅱ期结直肠癌组织中的miR-150-5p表达显著高于Ⅲ-Ⅳ期（P＜0.05）。上调miR-150-5p后,细胞中TP53表达下降,下调miR-150-5p后,TP53表达升高;CCK-8增殖试验显示细胞中miR-150-5p过表达组抑制细胞增殖（P＜0.05）。结论：MiR-150-5p在结直肠癌组织和细胞中显著低表达,miR-150-5p通过靶向调节TP53抑制人CRC细胞的侵袭和增殖,有望成为结直肠癌治疗的新靶点。     

MicroRNA-520e通过靶向抑制AEG-1发挥抗结直肠癌特性

摘要 目的：探究MicroRNA-520e（miR-520e）在结直肠癌中的表达模式及其对细胞功能的影响。方法：采用qRT-PCR方法检测47例结直肠癌患者的癌组织和癌旁组织中miR-520e和星形胶质细胞上调基因-1（AEG-1）的mRNA表达水平。将SW480细胞分为对照组、miR-520e-mimic组、NC-mimic组、miR-520e-inhibitor组、NC-inhibitor组、miR-520e-mimic+AEG-1-pcDNA3.1组和miR-520e-mimic+NC-pcDNA3.1组。通过MTT法检测SW480细胞的增殖,通过Annexin V-FITC/PI双染色试剂盒检测细胞凋亡,通过Transwell检测细胞迁移和侵袭,通过双荧光素酶报告基因实验验证miR-520e和AEG-1的靶向关系,通过qRT-PCR或Western blotting检测AEG-1、基质金属蛋白酶2（MMP2）、MMP9、NF-κB p65（p65）和磷酸化的NF-κB p65（p-p65）的表达。结果：与癌旁组织相比,结直肠癌组织中miR-520e的表达水平降低（t=9.353,P<0.001）。与对照组相比,miR-520e-mimic组的OD_490nm 值降低,细胞凋亡率升高,细胞迁移和侵袭数量降低,MMP2、MMP9和p-p65蛋白表达水平降低（P<0.001）。与对照组相比,miR-520e-inhibitor组的OD_490nm 值升高,细胞凋亡率降低,细胞迁移和侵袭数量升高,MMP2、MMP9和p-p65蛋白表达水平升高。与NC-mimic组相比,miR-520e-inhibitor组的相对荧光素酶活性降低（P<0.001）。与对照组相比,miR-520e-mimic组的AEG-1的mRNA和蛋白表达水平均降低,而miR-520e-inhibitor组均升高（P<0.001）。与miR-520e-mimic+NC-pcDNA3.1组相比,miR-520e-mimic+AEG-1-pcDNA3.1组的AEG-1的mRNA和蛋白表达水平升高,OD_490nm 值升高,细胞凋亡率降低,迁移和侵袭细胞数增加,MMP2和MMP9的蛋白表达水平及p65的磷酸化水平均增加（P<0.001）。结论：miR-520e在结直肠癌中表达降低,可通过靶向抑制AEG-1来发挥抗结直肠癌特性,其抗癌机制可能通过NF-κB信号通路介导。     

hsa_circ_0076931可能通过hsa-miR-181a-5p影响胶质瘤发生发展

摘要 目的：探讨hsa_circ_0076931在胶质瘤中的表达及其潜在分子机制。方法：通过生物信息学分析,筛选出目的基因hsa_circ_0076931,在H4细胞系中过表达hsa_circ_0076931后进行转录组测序、生物信息学分析和验证。结果：基因本体（GO）和基因组百科全书（KEGG）结果显示：差异环状RNA（circRNAs）母基因及差异信使核糖核酸（mRNA）主要参与细胞周期、细胞分裂等生物学功能以及代谢、癌症相关和MAPK等信号通路。此外,与hsa_circ_0076931互相作用的基因主要参与细胞增殖、细胞凋亡和细胞迁移等生物功能以及MAPK、PI3K-Akt、Rap1等信号通路。hsa_circ_0076931可以下调靶基因hsa-miR-26a-5p、hsa-miR-181a-5p和hsa-miR-34a-5p表达,上调双特异性磷酸酶 5（DUSP5）、血小板衍生生长因子受体（PDGFRB）和钙通道β3亚基（CACNB3）的表达,并抑制磷酸化ERK（p-ERK）蛋白的表达。结论：hsa_circ_0076931可能通过吸附hsa-miR-181a-5p结合上调DUSP5的表达,从而抑制MAPK信号通路参与胶质瘤的发生发展过程。     

UPF1甲基化和miR-744-5p/CCND1在甲状腺乳头状癌中的作用机制研究

摘要 目的：探讨UPF1甲基化和miR-744-5p/CCND1在甲状腺乳头状癌中的作用机制研究。方法：将人甲状腺乳头状癌细胞株TCP-1和正常甲状腺上皮细胞Nthy-ori-3分别用去甲基化试剂5-Aza-CdR进行干预,分别在干预前后采用甲基化特异性PCR技术检测UPF1基因甲基化变化,采用Western-Blotting 检测干预UPF1、DNMT1、miR-744-5p、CCND1蛋白相对表达,采用transwell细胞侵袭实验检测细胞侵袭情况。结果：PCR扩增显示,UPF1基因在Nthy-ori-3组仅出现非甲基化引物扩增条带（U条带）,在TCP-1组仅出现甲基化引物扩增条带（M条带）。经5-Aza-Cdr作用后,UPF1基因甲基化扩增条带减少,甲基化表达降低。各组UPF1、DNMT1、miR-744-5p、CCND1蛋白相对表达差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。与Nthy-ori-3组比较,TCP-1组DNMT1、UPF1蛋白相对表达明显提高,miR-744-5p、CCND1蛋白相对表达明显降低（P＜0.05）;与TCP-1组比较,TCP-1干预组DNMT1、UPF1蛋白相对表达明显降低,miR-744-5p、CCND1蛋白相对表达明显提高（P＜0.05）。与TCP-1组比较,TCP-1干预组细胞侵袭、迁移数量明显减少（P＜0.05）。结论：UPF1甲基化存在于甲状腺乳头状癌中,UPF1基因甲基化的表达缺失可能抑制miR-744-5p/CCND1轴,在甲状腺乳头状癌发生发展中发挥关键作用。     

circ_0001461靶向抑制miR-30a-5p对骨肉瘤细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

摘要 目的：探讨circ_0001461对骨肉瘤细胞增殖和凋亡的影响及调控机制。方法：采用实时荧光定量聚合酶反应（qRT-PCR）检测检测circ_0001461在骨肉瘤组织和细胞中的表达水平。在U2OS和HOS细胞中转染sh-NC和sh-circ_0001461后,采用CCK8检测细胞增殖情况,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡情况,qRT-PCR检测增殖相关分子Ki-67 mRNA的表达水平,Western Blot检测凋亡相关分子Cleaved-caspase-3蛋白的表达水平。采用双荧光素酶报告基因检测circ_0001461和miR-30a-5p的结合情况。结果：circ_0001461在骨肉瘤组织中的表达水平明显高于癌旁正常组织（P<0.05）,circ_0001461在骨肉瘤细胞U2OS和HOS中的表达水平均明显高于成骨细胞NHOst（P<0.05）。低表达circ_0001461能够抑制骨肉瘤细胞U2OS和HOS的增殖和增殖相关分子Ki-67的表达（P<0.05）;促进骨肉瘤细胞U2OS和HOS的凋亡和凋亡相关分子Cleaved-caspase-3蛋白的表达（P<0.05）。双荧光素酶结果显示circ_0001461能够靶向结合miR-30a-5p。低表达circ_0001461能够促进miR-30a-5p的表达（P<0.05）,circ_0001461和miR-30a-5p在骨肉瘤组织中的表达呈负相关（P<0.05）。在U2OS细胞中共转染sh-circ_0001461和miR-30a-5p mimics后能够进一步加强单独转染sh-circ_0001461对U2OS细胞增殖和凋亡的影响（P<0.05）;在HOS细胞中共转染sh-circ_0001461和miR-30a-5p inhibitors后能够逆转单独转染sh-circ_0001461对U2OS细胞增殖和凋亡的影响（P>0.05）。结论：circ_0001461在骨肉瘤组织和细胞中明显高表达,低表达circ_0001461能够靶向促进miR-30a-5p的表达进而抑制骨肉瘤细胞增殖和促进细胞凋亡。     

miR-155-5p增强卵巢癌细胞UWB1.289对PARP抑制剂的敏感性

摘要 目的：探讨卵巢癌细胞UWB1.289中miR-155-5p对PARP抑制剂敏感性的影响及可能涉及的分子机制研究。方法：采用qRT-PCR技术检测miR-155-5p在有BRCA1/2突变和无BRCA1/2突变的卵巢癌组织及卵巢癌细胞中的表达情况。利用细胞转染、qRT-PCR以及Western Blot技术检测转染miR-155-5p模拟物和抑制剂的卵巢癌细胞UWB1.289中miR-155-5p的表达以及同源重组修复相关基因SIRT1、BRG1的表达。通过双荧光素酶报告基因实验验证miR-155-5p与SIRT1、BRG1之间的靶向性。运用CCK-8检测卵巢癌细胞UWB1.289中miR-155-5p对PARP抑制剂敏感性的影响。结果：与无BRCA1/2突变的卵巢癌组织及卵巢癌细胞相比,miR-155-5p在有BRCA1/2突变的卵巢癌组织及卵巢癌细胞中低表达。转染miR-155-5p模拟物可增加卵巢癌细胞UWB1.289中miR-155-5p的表达,同时降低同源重组修复相关基因SIRT1、BRG1的表达;转染miR-155-5p抑制剂可下调卵巢癌细胞UWB1.289中miR-155-5p的表达,同时增加SIRT1、BRG1的表达,进一步通过双荧光素酶报告基因实验证实miR-155-5p与SIRT1、BRG1存在特异性靶向结合序列。与对照组相比,干扰同源重组修复相关基因以及miR-155-5p过表达均可增强卵巢癌细胞UWB1.289对PARP抑制剂的敏感性。结论：miR-155-5p可能通过影响同源重组修复基因增强卵巢癌细胞UWB1.289对PARP抑制剂的敏感性。     

miR-448-3p通过调节KLF5的表达抑制颅内动脉瘤进展

目的:明确mi R-448-3p对颅内动脉瘤发展的影响。方法:我们通过结扎左侧肾动脉和左侧颈总动脉的方法建立大鼠IA模型;qRT-PCR用于检测mi R-448-3p表达;qRT-PCR和western blot用于检测KLF5 m RNA和蛋白表达;qRT-PCR和ELISA法用于检测炎症因子水平。结果:我们发现IA诱导大鼠中mi R-448-3p表达下调,而KLF5表达上调。我们发现并鉴定出KLF5是平滑肌细胞中mi R-448-3p的直接靶点。此外,mi R-448-3p处理使得IA诱导4周后动脉瘤大小和瘤腔截面积变小。mi R-448-3p处理保护了IA诱导后的壁厚比,抑制了巨噬细胞浸润。IAs引起KLF5表达显著增加,被mi R-448-3p处理后表达显著降低。我们还发现mi R-448-3p在脂多糖诱导的RAW 264.7巨噬细胞中具有抗炎作用。脂多糖促进KLF5、MMP2、MMP9的表达水平,但却被mi R-448-3p所抑制。结论:研究结果表明,mi R-448-3p可以抑制IA的进展,其机制可能是通过下调KLF5的介导的炎症反应。     

Decreased expression of circ_0020397 in intracranial aneurysms may be contributing to decreased vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation via increased expression of miR-138 and subsequent decreased KDR expression

Dysfunction of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) mediates intracranial aneurysm (IA). KDR is reported to alleviate IA progression via promoting VSMC proliferation, while the upstream regulators are still unclear. Arterial wall tissues at the aneurysm site from 12 patients were obtained. The real-time PCR result indicated that circRNA_0020397 was down-regulated, but miR-138 was up-regulated in artery wall tissues and cells of IA. Overexpressed circRNA_0020397 promoted proliferation of human umbilical artery SMCs. MiR-138 negatively regulated KDR via binding with 3’UTR of KDR mRNA. The expression of circRNA_0020397 was negatively correlated with miR-138. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that decreased expression of circRNA_0020397 in IA may contribute to the decreased VSMC proliferation via increasing miR-138 expression and subsequently decreasing KDR expression.     

Silencing interleukin 1α underlies a novel inhibitory role of miR-181c-5p in alleviating low-grade inflammation of rats with irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of unknown etiology. Studies have found a close relation between IBS and microRNAs (miRNAs), but the study concerning the relationship between IBS and miR-181c-5p in IBS is still blank. Thus, this study aims to explore the role of miR-181c-5p in IBS via interleukin 1α (IL1A). Initially, microarray analysis was used to retrieve the genes related to IBS and to predict miRNAs regulating IL1A gene. IBS model was then established with abdominal withdraw reflection (AWR) and Bristol stool grading in mice measured. Afterwards, the functional role of miR-181c-5p in IBS was determined using the ectopic expression, depletion and reporter assay experiments, as well as miR-181c-5p and IL1A expression detected. Subsequently, expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and IL-6 were detected to further determine the effects of miR-181c-5p and IL1A on inflammation in IBS. miR-181c-5p and IL1A might be involved in IBS. miR-181c-5p was found to be decreased while IL1A was increased in IBS rats. In addition, miR-181c-5p could target and inhibit expression of IL1A, and IBS mice exhibited elevated AWR and Bristol stool grading, namely 6 to 7 points (70.4 [38 of 54]). Moreover, with the overexpression of miR-181c-5p or silencing of IL1A, the expression of TNF-α, IL-2, and IL-6 was decreased. Collectively, this study suggested that overexpressed miR-181c-5p could silence IL1A, thus inhibiting low-grade inflammation in IBS rats. miR-181c-5p/IL1A is expected to serve as a novel target for the treatment of IBS.     

Licochalcone A reverses NNK-induced ectopic miRNA expression to elicit in vitro and in vivo chemopreventive effects

BackgroundChemoprevention is the best cost-effective way regarding cancers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to be differentially expressed during the development of lung cancer. However, if lung cancer prevention can be achieved through modulating miRNAs expression so far remains unknown.PurposeTo discover ectopically expressed miRNAs in NNK-induced lung cancer and clarify whether Licochalcone A (lico A) can prevent NNK-induced lung cancer by modulating miRNA expression.Study design and methodsA/J mice were used to construct a lung cancer model by intraperitoneal injection with physiological saline NNK (100 mg/kg). Chemopreventive effects of lico A against lung cancer at 2 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg doses were evaluated in vivo. MicroRNA array and RT-qPCR were used to assess the expression levels of miRNAs. MLE-12 cells were treated with 0.1 mg/ml NNK, stimulating the ectopic expression pattern of miR-144-3p, miR-20a-5p, miR-29c-3p, let-7d-3p, and miR-328-3p. miR-144-3p mimics and inhibitors were used to manipulate miR-144-3p levels. The effects of lico A (10 μM) on cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, and the expression of CK19, RASA1, miR-144-3p, miR-20a-5p, miR-29c-3p, let-7d-3p, and miR-328-3p in NNK-treated MLE-12 cells were studied.ResultsThe expression levels of miR-144-3p, miR-20a-5p, and miR-29c-3p increased, while those of let-7d-3p and miR-328-3p decreased in both NNK-induced A/J mice and MLE-12 cells. Lico A could reverse the NNK-induced ectopic miRNA (miR-144-3p, miR-20a-5p, miR-29c-3p, let-7d-3p, and miR-328-3p) expression both in vivo and in vitro and elicit in vivo lung cancer chemopreventive effect against NNK. In MLE-12 cells, the overexpression of miR-144-3p elicited the same effect as NNK regarding the expression of lung cancer biomarker CK19; the silencing of miR-144-3p reversed the effect of NNK on cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. Lico A could reverse the effect of NNK on the expression of miR-144-3p, CK19, and RASA1 (predicted target of miR-144-3p).ConclusionThe present study suggests that miR-144-3p, miR-20a-5p, miR-29c-3p, let-7d-3p, and miR-328-3p were involved in the in vivo pathogenesis of NNK-induced lung cancer, and lico A could reverse the effect of NNK both in vivo and in vitro to elicit lung cancer chemopreventive effects through, at least partially, these five ectopically expressed miRNAs, especially miR-144-3p.     

Up-regulated circBACH2 contributes to cell proliferation,invasion, and migration of triple-negative breast cancer

An increasing amount of evidence has proven the vital role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in cancer progression. However, there remains a dearth of knowledge on the function of circRNAs in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Utilizing a circRNA microarray dataset, four circRNAs were identified to be abnormally expressed in TNBC. Among them, circBACH2 was most significantly elevated in TNBC cancerous tissues and its high expression was positively correlated to the malignant progression of TNBC patients. In normal human mammary gland cell line, the overexpression of circBACH2 facilitated epithelial to mesenchymal transition and cell proliferation. In TNBC cell lines, circBACH2 knockdown suppressed the malignant progression of TNBC cells. Mechanistically, circBACH2 sponged miR-186-5p and miR-548c-3p, thus releasing the C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) expression. The interference of miR-186-5p/miR-548c-3p efficiently promoted the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion suppressed by circBACH2 knockdown in the TNBC cell lines. Finally, circBACH2 knockdown repressed the growth and lung metastasis of TNBC xenografts in nude mice. In summary, circBACH2 functions as an oncogenic circRNA in TNBC through a novel miR-186-5p/miR-548c-3p/CXCR4 axis.Subject terms: Cancer, Cell biology     

The Smad3-miR-29b/miR-29c axis mediates the protective effect of macrophage migration inhibitory factor against cardiac fibrosis

Although macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is known to have antioxidant property, the role of MIF in cardiac fibrosis has not been well understood. We found that MIF was markedly increased in angiotension II (Ang-II)-infused mouse myocardium. Myocardial function was impaired and cardiac fibrosis was aggravated in Mif-knockout (Mif-KO) mice. Functionally, overexpression of MIF and MIF protein could inhibit the expression of fibrosis-associated collagen (Col) 1a1, COL3A1 and α-SMA, and Smad3 activation in mouse cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). Consistently, MIF deficiency could exacerbate the expression of COL1A1, COL3A1 and α-SMA, and Smad3 activation in Ang-II-treated CFs. Interestingly, microRNA-29b-3p (miR-29b-3p) and microRNA-29c-3p (miR-29c-3p) were down-regulated in the myocardium of Ang-II-infused Mif-KO mice but upregulated in CFs with MIF overexpression or by treatment with MIF protein. MiR-29b-3p and miR-29c-3p could suppress the expression of COL1A1, COL3A1 and α-SMA in CFs through targeting the pro-fibrosis genes of transforming growth factor beta-2 (Tgfb2) and matrix metallopeptidase 2 (Mmp2). We further demonstrated that Mif inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and Smad3 activation, and rescued the decrease of miR-29b-3p and miR-29c-3p in Ang-II-treated CFs. Smad3 inhibitors, SIS3 and Naringenin, and Smad3 siRNA could reverse the decrease of miR-29b-3p and miR-29c-3p in Ang-II-treated CFs. Taken together, our data demonstrated that the Smad3-miR-29b/miR-29c axis mediates the inhibitory effect of macrophage migration inhibitory factor on cardiac fibrosis.     

Inhibited HDAC3 promotes microRNA-376c-3p to suppress malignant phenotypes of gastric cancer cells by reducing WNT2b

ObjectiveOur study aims to identify the impact of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) and microRNA-376c-3p (miR-376c-3p) on gastric cancer (GC) by targeting wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 2b (WNT2b).MethodsLevels of miR-376c-3p, HDAC3 and WNT2b were assessed. GC cells were treated with altered HDAC3 or miR-376c-3p to evaluate their biological functions, and rescue experiment was performed to assess the effect of WNT2b on GC cells. The tumor growth in vivo was observed.ResultsHDAC3 and WNT2b were up-regulated while miR-376c-3p was reduced in GC tissues and cell lines. The inhibited HDAC3 or elevated miR-376c-3p could restrain malignant behaviors of GC cells in vitro, and also suppress the xenograft growth. WNT2b silencing reduced the effect of miR-376c-3p inhibition while WNT2b overexpression mitigated that of miR-376c-3p promotion on GC cell growth.ConclusionInhibiting HDAC3 promotes miR-376c-3p to suppress malignant phenotypes of GC cells via reducing WNT2b, thereby restricting GC development.     

miR-29c-3p Increases Cell Viability and Suppresses Apoptosis by Regulating the TNFAIP1/NF-κB Signaling Pathway via TNFAIP1 in Aβ-Treated Neuroblastoma Cells

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia among older people in worldwide. miR-29c-3p was reported to play a role in AD development. However, the detail function of miR-29c-3p in AD remains unclear. The aim of this research is to analyze the functional mechanism of miR-29c-3p in AD. The RNA levels of miR-29c-3p and Tumor necrosis factor-α-inducible protein-1 (TNFAIP1) were detected by Quantitative real time polymerase chain (qRT-PCR) reaction. Western blot assay was carried out to examine the protein levels of TNFAIP1, Bax, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Cleaved caspase 3, and Nuclear factor-k-gene binding (NF-κB). The interaction between miR-29c-3p and TNFAIP1 was predicted by online tool TargrtScan and verified using the dual luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation RIP (RIP) assay. Besides, cell proliferation and apoptosis rate were determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. Aβ treatment decreased miR-29c-3p expression and increased TNFAIP1 expression. Overexpression of miR-29c-3p mitigated the effects of Aβ on proliferation and apoptosis. Similarly, knockdown of TNFAIP1 also reversed the effects of Aβ on cell progression. Interestingly, miR-29c-3p suppressed the expression of TNFAIP1 via binding to 3′UTR of TNFAIP1 mRNA. As expected, overexpression of TNFAIP1 reversed the effects of miR-29c-3p on Aβ-mediated cell progression. Besides, we also confirmed that miR-29c-3p affected Aβ-mediated cell progression by regulating TNFAIP1/NF-κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, our findings confirmed that miR-29c-3p attenuated Aβ-induced neurotoxicity through regulation of NF-κB signaling pathway by directly targeting TNFAIP1, providing the potential value for the treatment of AD patients.