Wenlin Lu,Xuhui Liu,Linghui Zhao,Shirong Yan,Qingyun Song,Cao Zou,Xun Li
Heart failure (HF) is often the inevitable manifestation of myocardial ischemia. Hypoxia can induce cardiomyocytes to express many microRNAs (miRNAs), which are highly expressed in exosomes. In addition, miR-22-3p is a marker in heart failure. Therefore, miR-22-3p was taken as the research object to explore its role and mechanism in HF. HF differentially expressed miRNAs were screened by bioinformatic analysis. The HF rats model was constructed and identified by detecting serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and ultrasound analysis [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS)]. The extracted exosomes were identified by transmission electron microscopy, and Western blot was used to detect the expressions of Tsg101 and CD63. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction detected miR-22-3p expression in serum, exosomes, and serum without exosomes, while the cardiomyocytes cytotoxicity was detected by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and PKH26 staining. After overexpressing/silencing miR-22-3p in cells, cell viability, apoptosis, and apoptosis-associated markers were detected. Bioinformatic analysis screened the target gene of miR-22-3p, which was verified by dual-luciferase assay. Regulation of miR-22-3p on FURIN was measured by rescue tests. In vivo experiments were verified the above results. MiR-22-3p was identified as the research object. BNP was increased in the model group, while LVEF and LVFS were decreased. MiR-22-3p was overexpressed in HF-treated serum and exosomes. Normal exosomes did not affect cardiomyocyte function, while high concentrations of HF-treated exosomes were cytotoxic. By regulating apoptosis-related genes, overexpressed miR-22-3p inhibited cell activity and promoted cell apoptosis. Silenced miR-22-3p with opposite effects counteracted effects of HF-treated exosomes. FURIN, target gene of miR-22-3p, was negatively regulated by miR-22-3p, while overexpressed FURIN promoted cell activity and inhibited apoptosis. In vivo research was consistent with the results of cell experiments. By regulating FURIN, miR-22-3p in exosomes increases the risk of HF damage.
Liver fibrosis is a common response to chronic liver injury, ultimately leading to cirrhosis. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) plays a dominant role in liver fibrosis. The regulatory roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in multiple human diseases have been observed. This study was dedicated to investigating the regulatory effects of the lncRNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (Neat1) on liver fibrosis and HSC activation. Upregulation of Neat1 and cytohesin 3 (Cyth3) and downregulation of miR-148a-3p and miR-22-3p were observed in mouse fibrotic liver tissues. Knockdown of Neat1 or Cyth3 attenuated liver fibrosis and collagen deposition in vivo and the activation of HSCs in vitro. An miR-148a-3p and miR-22-3p inhibitor facilitated HSC activation and collagen fiber expression. Neat1 directly targeted miR-148a-3p and miR-22-3p to modulate Cyth3 expression. Knockdown of Neat1 inhibited Cyth3 expression via the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism of sponging miR-148a-3p and miR-22-3p to regulate liver fibrosis and HSC activation. The ceRNA regulatory network may promote a better understanding of liver fibrogenesis, contribute to an original agreement of liver fibrosis etiopathogenesis and provide insights into the development of a novel domain of lncRNA-directed therapy against liver fibrosis.
Yongfeng Ren,Dongxiao Sun-Waterhouse,Fangxin Ouyang,Xintong Tan,Dapeng Li,Longhua Xu,Bo Li,Yongli Wang,Feng Li
Lead can lead to neurotoxicity and cognitive impairment. In this study, for the first time, the protective effects and working mechanisms of apple phenolic extracts (APEs) against lead acetate (Pb(Ac)2)-induced cognitive impairment and depression- and anxiety-like behavior were examined in vivo. Forty male mice were administered daily (via gastric gavage; 8 weeks) with 0.9% normal saline (control), Pb(Ac)2 (20 ppm), APE (200 ppm) or Pb(Ac)2 (20 ppm) + APE (200 ppm). The APE contained five major phenolic compounds: chlorogenic acid, proanthocyanidin B2, epicatechin, phloridzin and phloretin. Behavioral tests, histopathological examinations and biochemical analyses revealed that Pb(Ac)2-treated mice exhibited cognitive and behavioral deficits (i.e. a reduced percentage of spontaneous alternation, prolonged duration of immobility and decreased open field test scores compared with the control. Pb(Ac)2 exposure significantly increased cellular oxidative damage and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) and pro-apoptotic proteins (caspase 3, caspase 9 and Bax), while downregulating the expression of Bcl-2 in the brain. APE administration alleviated these Pb(Ac)2-induced changes through regulating oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and apoptosis via the miR-22-3p/Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) signaling pathway. Taken together, the APE has the potential to treat lead-induced neurotoxicity and neurodegenerative disorders via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic actions.