Silencing of activating transcription factor 4 inhibits neuronal necroptosis after intracerebral hemorrhage in vitro / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Neuronal necroptosis induced by intracerebral hemorrhage is an important cause of secondary brain injury.Activating transcription factor 4(ATF4)is a member of the transcription activator family,which plays an important role in secondary brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage.However,the mechanism of ATF4 in neuronal necroptosis after intracerebral hemorrhage remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of ATF4 silencing(ATF4 small interfering RNA,ATF4 siRNA)on neuronal necroptosis after intracerebral hemorrhage. METHODS:The HT-22 mouse hippocampal neuron cell line and the BV-2 mouse microglial cell line were co-cultured,and hemin was used to mimic an in vitro model of intracerebral hemorrhage.A gradient concentration of hemin was used to treat cells and was set in the interval of 0-100 μmol/L,and the cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay after 24 hours of administration of hemin.The cells were divided into four groups:the blank control group without any intervention;the control group was treated with hemin(50 μmol/L),and the other two groups were treated with negative control small interfering RNA(NC siRNA)and ATF4 small interfering RNA(ATF4 siRNA)48 hours before administration of hemin.After the cells were treated with hemin(50 μmol/L)for 24 hours,PI/Hoechst staining was used to detect neuronal necroptosis.Western blot assay was used to detect the protein expression of ATF4,receptor-interacting protein 3(RIP3),and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein(MLKL),and double immunofluorescent staining was located in neurons to observe the level of neuronal necroptosis and the regulatory effect of ATF4 on it. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)50 μmol/L of hemin could induce neuronal necroptosis to a greater extent.(2)The number of PI+/Hoechst+ cells in the control group and NC siRNA group was higher than that in the blank control group(P<0.000 1).The number of PI+/Hoechst+ cells in the ATF4 siRNA group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.000 1).(3)Compared with the control group,the ATF4 siRNA group not only inhibited the expression of ATF4 protein(P<0.001),but also inhibited the expression of RIP3 and MLKL protein(P<0.001).(4)Through double immunofluorescent staining,compared with the control group,the protein expression of RIP3 and MLKL was significantly reduced in the ATF4 siRNA group(P<0.000 1).(5)The results show that the silencing of the ATF4 gene can directly or indirectly inhibit the expression of genes related to neuronal necroptosis after intracerebral hemorrhage,and play a vital role in alleviating secondary brain injury.

Silencing essential meiotic endonuclease 1 inhibits the proliferation of liver cancer cells： A study of related mechanisms / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of essential meiotic endonuclease 1 （EME1） in liver cancer tissue and its effect on the biological behavior of hepatoma cells. MethodsThe TCGA database was used to identify the differentially expressed genes between liver cancer tissue and paracancerous tissue. Immunohistochemistry and Western Blot were used to measure the expression abundance of EME1 in liver cancer tissue. A lentivirus was constructed by short hairpin RNA， and BEL-7404 cells were transfected with the lentivirus to interfere with the expression of the EME1 gene； the cells were divided into silencing group （shEME1 group） and control group （shCtrl group）. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western Blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of EME1； Celigo Image Cytometer and MTT assay were used to measure cell proliferation rate； flow cytometry was used to observe cell cycle； Caspase 3/7 activity was used to measure cell apoptosis. The independent-samples t-test was used for comparison between two groups. ResultsTCGA results showed that the mRNA expression level of EME1 in liver cancer tissue was 18.9 times that in paracancerous tissue （t=5.00， P<0.001）， and the protein expression level of EME1 in liver cancer tissue was 7.0 times （based on immunohistochemistry： 8.4±2.6 vs 1.2±0.4， t=7.55， P<0.001） or 2.5 times （based on Western Blot： 249.0%±35.5% vs 100.0%±77.8%， t=3.02， P<0.05） that in paracancerous tissue. After lentivirus infection， compared with the shCtrl group， the shEME1 group had an mRNA expression level of EME1 reduced by 29.9% （29.9%±0.9% vs 100.0%±3.6%， t=32.82， P<0.001）， a protein expression level of EME1 reduced by 35.7% （35.7%±14.9% vs 100.0%±28.9%， t=3.42， P<0.05）， and a level of cell counting reduced by 45.1% （4 053±167 vs 8 988±477， t=16.91， P<0.001）， as well as a level of cell activity reduced to 66.9% （0.518±0.046 vs 0.774±0.022， t=8.74， P<0.001） and a level of colony forming ability reduced to 29.0% （75±6 vs 260±9， t=28.92， P<0.001）. Compared with the shCtrl group， the shEME1 group had a significant increase in the proportion of cells in G1 phase （49.9% vs 44.0%， t=8.96， P<0.001） and significant reductions in the proportion of cells in G2/M phase （15.9% vs 17.9%， t=9.13， P<0.001） and S phase （34.2% vs 38.1%， t=6.91， P<0.001）， while Caspase 3/7 activity was enhanced by 1.5 times （145.8%±5.9% vs 100.0%±2.3%， t=12.50， P<0.001）. ConclusionEME1 is highly expressed in liver cancer tissue， and silencing the EME1 gene can inhibit the proliferation of hepatoma cells and promote cell apoptosis.

Effect of interfering hsa_circ_0103232 on the biological behavior of uveal melanoma cells / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects of interference with hsa_circ_0103232 on the proliferation, metastasis, cell cycle and apoptosis of melanoma cells C918 and MUM2B.Methods:C918 and MUM2B cells were cultured, and the interference efficiency of three small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting hsa_circ_0103232 were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).The siRNA with the highest interference efficiency was used for the following experiment.Both C918 and MUM2B cells were divided into negative control transfection (siCtrl) groups and interference (si-hsa_circ_0103232) groups.The proliferation of C918 and MUM2B cells was examined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and cell colony formation assay.The migration of C918 and MUM2B cells was determined by transwell assay.The cell cycle distribution and apoptosis rate of C918 and MUM2B cells were detected by flow cytometry.The localization of hsa_circ_0103232 in C918 and MUM2B cells was tested by the fluorescence in situ hybridization experiment (FISH).Results:The results of real-time quantitative PCR showed that among the three siRNAs targeting hsa_circ_0103232, si-hsa_circ_0103232#1 had the best effect, which reduced the expression level of gene in C918 and MUM2B cells to 0.263±0.016 and 0.469±0.028, significanthy lower than 1.013±0.008 and 1.004±0.108 of control groups (both at P<0.001).CCK-8 results showed that the proliferation activity of C918 and MUM2B cells was significantly lower in si-hsa_circ_0103232 group than in siCtrl group after transfection (all at P<0.05).The results of cell clone formation showed that the clone number of C918 and MUM2B cells in si-hsa_circ_0103232 group were 12±1 and 45±7, which were significantly lower than 28±4 and 83±3 in siCtrl group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=4.93, 7.42; both at P<0.05).Transwell assay results showed that the number of migrating C918 and UM2B cells in si-hsa_circ_0103232 group were 4±1 and 24±2, respectively, which were significantly lower than 37±12 and 57±3 in siCtrl group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=3.91, 10.80; both at P<0.05).The results of flow cytometry showed that compared with siCtrl group, the proportion of G1 phase cells in C918 and MUM2B cells in si-hsa_circ_0103232 group increased significantly, the proportion of G2/M phase cells decreased significantly, and the number of apoptotic cells increased significantly (all at P<0.05).FISH experiment showed that hsa_circ_0103232 was located in the nuclei of C918 and MUM2B cells. Conclusions:Interference with hsa_circ_0103232 can inhibit the proliferation, migration and cycle progression of C918 and MUM2B cells, and promote their apoptosis.hsa_circ_0103232 may be a new therapeutic target for uveal melanoma.

Effect of RhoC silencing on migration and invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To explore the expression of RhoC in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)and its effects on the malignant biological behavior of OSCC cells.METHODS:The UALCAN and K-M plotter databases,alongside tis-sue sample analyses,facilitated understanding RhoC expression in cancer and its links to clinicopathological traits.Two small interfering RNAs(RhoC-siRNA)were constructed according to the RhoC gene sequence.The mRNA and protein ex-pression levels of RhoC in OSCC cells were determined.The protein levels of FAK,p-FAK,MAPK,p-MAPK,matrix me-talloproteinase-2(MMP-2)and MMP-9 were also examined by Western blot.Furthermore,the invasion and migration of OSCC cells were analyzed by Transwell assay and scratch test.Finally,the pulmonary metastasis model of nude mice was established.RESULTS:The results of the databases showed that RhoC was highly expressed in OSCC tissues,which was closely related to pathological stage,pathological grade and lymph node metastasis,but not significantly related to the sur-vival rate of patients.Furthermore,compared with paracancer tissues,the mRNA and protein expression levels of RhoC were increased in OSCC tissues(P<0.01).Silencing of RhoC prominently reduced the migration and invasion of OSCC cells as well as the protein levels of p-FAK,p-MAPK,MMP2 and MMP9(P<0.05).The protein levels of MAPK and FAK were unchanged(P>0.05).The fluorescence intensity of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group,and the results of HE staining showed that the number of lung nodules in the experimental group was sig-nificantly reduced(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:RhoC can effectively influence the migration and invasion of OSCC cells,and its potential mechanism may be related to FAK/MAPK/MMPs signaling pathway.

m 6A RNA Methylation Decreases Atherosclerotic Vulnerable Plaque Through Inducing T Cells

ABSTRACT Introduction: Knockdown of fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) can induce N6-methyladenosine (m 6A) ribonucleic acid (RNA) methylation. The objective of this study was to explore the effect of m 6A RNA methylation on atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque by FTO knockdown. Methods: A total of 50 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into pure high-fat group, sham operation group, vulnerable plaque group, empty load group, and FTO knockdown group (10 rabbits/group). Results: Flow cytometry showed that helper T (Th) cells in the FTO knockdown group accounted for a significantly higher proportion of lymphocytes than in the vulnerable plaque group and empty load group (P<0.05). Th cells were screened by cell flow. The level of m 6A RNA methylation in the FTO knockdown group was significantly higher than in the vulnerable plaque group and empty load group (P<0.05). The levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein C were higher at the 12th week than at the 1st week, but the high-density lipoprotein C level was lower at the 12th week than at the 1st week. At the 12th week, the interleukin-7 level was significantly lower in the adeno-associated virus-9 (AVV9)-FTO short hairpin RNA group than in the control and AVV9-green fluorescent protein groups (P<0.001). Conclusion: After successfully establishing a vascular parkinsonism rabbit model, m 6A RNA methylation can decrease Th cells and vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques.

Effects of ICMT gene silencing on the invasion and migration of human salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma cells in vitro / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @#To investigate the effect of isoprene cysteine carboxymethyltransferase (ICMT) gene on the migration and invasion of salivary adenoid cystic cancer cells (SACC) and the related mechanism, to provide experimental evidence for molecular targeted therapy of SACC.@*Methods@# Adenoid cystic cancer cells SACC-LM and SACC-83 were cultured in vitro, and siRNA was transfected into human SACC-LM and SACC-83 cells (experimental group) by transient transfection of a liposome vector. A blank control group and negative control group were set up respectively (transfected NC-siRNA). qRT-PCR was peformed to measure the mRNA expression of ICMT and RhoA in each group after transfection and to determine the silencing efficiency. The expression of ICMT, membrane RhoA, total RhoA, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and Rho associated with coiled helical binding protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) in each group was detected by Western blot. The proliferation abilityies of SACC cells was detected by CCK-8 assay. The migration and invasion ability of SACC cells were detected by comparing the relative healing area of cell scratch assay and the number of Transwell assay cells. @*Results@#After transfection of ICMT-siRNA into SACC-LM and SACC-83 cells, the expression of ICMT gene and protein in the experimental group was significantly decreased compared with the negative control group and blank control group (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences in the expression of RhoA gene and total protein among all groups (P>0.05). The expression of RhoA membrane proteins, ROCK1, MMP-2, MMP-9 in the experimental group was significantly decreased compared with that in the negative control group and blank control group (P<0.05). Cell proliferation ability was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The migration and invasion abilities were significantly decreased (P<0.05). @*Conclusion @#In vitro silencing of ICMT gene can effectively inhibit the migration and invasion of human SACC-LM and SACC-83 cells, and the mechanism may be related to RhoA-ROCK signaling pathway.

Effects of Foxp3 gene silencing on the expression of inflammatory cytokines and the proliferation and migration of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts in an inflammatory environment / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#This study aimed to clarify the effects of Foxp3 silencing on the expression of inflammatory cytokines in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLFs) in an inflammatory environment and on cell proliferation and invasiveness, as well as to explore the role of Foxp3 gene in the development of periodontitis.@*METHODS@#An small interfering RNA (siRNA) construct specific for Foxp3 was transfected into hPDLFs. Foxp3 silencing efficiency was verified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, and the siRNA with the optimum silencing effect of Foxp3 gene was screened. Using lipopolysaccharide to simulate an inflammatory environment in vitro, CCK-8 detected the effect of silencing Foxp3 on hPDLFs proliferation under inflammatory conditions. Wound-healing experiments and transwell assays were conducted to detect the effect of silencing Foxp3 on hPDLF migration under inflammatory conditions. The expression of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting under inflammatory conditions.@*RESULTS@#After siRNA transfection, RT-PCR and Western blotting analyses showed that the expression of Foxp3 mRNA in the Foxp3-si3 group decreased significantly (t=21.03, P<0.000 1), and the protein expression of Foxp3 also decreased significantly (t=12.8, P<0.001). In the inflammatory environment, Foxp3 gene silencing had no significant effect on hPDLFs proliferation (P>0.05), and Foxp3 gene silencing promoted hPDLFs migration (P<0.05). Moreover, the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 increased (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#In an inflammatory environment, Foxp3 gene silencing promoted hPDLFs migration but had no significant effect on hPDLFs proliferation. The expression of inflammatory factors expressed in hPDLFs increased after Foxp3 gene silencing, indicating that Foxp3 gene inhibited inflammation in periodontitis.

Lipid nanoparticle delivery of siRNA targeting Cyp2e1 gene attenuates subacute alcoholic liver injury in mice / 浙江大学学报·医学版

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the effect and mechanism of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting Cyp2e1 gene on subacute alcoholic liver injury in mice.@*METHODS@#siRNA targeting Cyp2e1 gene was encapsulated in LNP (si-Cyp2e1 LNP) by microfluidic technique and the resulting LNPs were characterized. The optimal dose of si-Cyp2e1 LNP administration was screened. Forty female C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into blank control group, model control group, si-Cyp2e1 LNP group, LNP control group and metadoxine group. The subacute alcoholic liver injury mouse model was induced by ethanol feeding for 10 d plus ethanol gavage for the last 3 d. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity as well as malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, glutathione, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol contents in liver tissue were measured in each group, and liver index was calculated. The expression of genes related to oxidative stress, lipid synthesis and inflammation in each group of mice were measured by realtime RT-PCR.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the model control group, the levels of liver index, serum ALT, AST activities, malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol contents in liver tissue decreased, but the SOD activity as well as glutathione increased in the si-Cyp2e1 LNP group (all P<0.01). Hematoxylin-eosin staining result showed disorganized hepatocytes with sparse cytoplasm and a large number of fat vacuoles and necrosis in the model control group, while the si-Cyp2e1 LNP group had uniformly sized and arranged hepatocytes with normal liver tissue morphology and structure. Oil red O staining result showed si-Cyp2e1 LNP group had lower fat content of the liver compared to the model control group (P<0.01), and no fat droplets accumulated. Anti-F4/80 monoclonal antibody fluorescence immunohistochemistry showed that the si-Cyp2e1 LNP group had lower cumulative optical density values compared to the model control group (P<0.01) and no significant inflammatory reaction. Compared with the model control group, the expression of catalytic genes P47phox, P67phox and Gp91phox were reduced (all P<0.01), while the expression of the antioxidant enzyme genes Sod1, Gsh-rd and Gsh-px were increased (all P<0.01). The mRNA expression of the lipid metabolism genes Pgc-1α and Cpt1 were increased (all P<0.01) and the lipid synthesis-related genes Srebp1c, Acc and Fasn were decreased (all P<0.01); the expression of liver inflammation-related genes Tgf-β, Tnf-α and Il-6 were decreased (all P<0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The si-Cyp2e1 LNP may attenuate subacute alcoholic liver injury in mice mainly by reducing reactive oxygen levels, increasing antioxidant activity, blocking oxidative stress pathways and reducing ethanol-induced steatosis and inflammation.

Progresses on RNA-based therapeutics for genetic diseases / 浙江大学学报·医学版

RNA therapeutics inhibit the expression of specific proteins/RNAs by targeting complementary sequences of corresponding genes, or synthesize proteins encoded by the desired genes to treat genetic diseases. RNA-based therapeutics are categorized as oligonucleotide drugs (antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNA, RNA aptamers), and mRNA drugs. The antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA for treatment of genetic diseases have been approved by the FDA in the United State, while RNA aptamers and mRNA drugs are still in clinical trials. Chemical modifications are applied to RNA drugs, such as pseudouridine modification of mRNA, to reduce immunogenicity and improve the efficacy. The secure and effective delivery systems like lipid-based nanoparticles, extracellular vesicles, and virus-like particles are under development to address stability, specificity, and safety issues of RNA drugs. This article provides an overview of the specific molecular mechanisms of 11 RNA drugs currently used for treating genetic diseases, and discusses the research progress of chemical modifications and delivery systems of RNA drugs.

Research progress of RNA drugs delivery / 药学学报

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) medicines have strong therapeutic potential for numerous rare genetic illnesses and malignancies because of its exact programmability based on Watson-Crick base pairing principle and unique ability to regulate gene expression. However, RNA medicines still have limitations in many areas, including stability, half-life time, immunogenicity, organ selectivity, cellular uptake and endosomal escape efficiency despite their great therapeutic potentials. This review briefly introduced numerous RNA medications [mostly messenger RNA (mRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA), microRNA (miRNA) and antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)] that have intrigued of researchers in recent years, as well as their action mechanism in vivo. A number of delivery techniques, such as chemical modification, ligands coupling and nanocarriers have been proposed. The manufacture and applications of lipid nanoparticle, polymer nanoparticle and exosomes were discussed in depth. The goal of this work is to give a theoretical foundation and design concepts for the development of effective and safe RNA delivery technology, as well as to facilitate RNA therapeutic clinical translation.

Application progress on contrast-enhanced ultrasound in acute rejection after kidney transplantation / 器官移植

Early diagnosis of acute rejection is of significance for the protection of renal allograft function. Pathological puncture biopsy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of acute rejection of renal allografts. Nevertheless, it may provoke multiple complications, such as bleeding, infection and renal parenchymal injury, which limit its widespread application. In recent years, the sensitivity of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute rejection has been constantly improved. Ultrasound-targeted microbubble technique has further enhanced the diagnostic specificity of contrast-enhanced ultrasound, making it possible to replace pathological puncture biopsy. Besides, in the field of acute rejection treatment, microbubble ultrasonic cavitation may promote local delivery of immunosuppressants by inducing sonoporation and exhibit anti-rejection effect. In this article, the application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of acute rejection after kidney transplantation was reviewed, aiming to provide reference for widespread application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in kidney transplantation.

Advances in approved nucleic acid drugs and lipid nanoparticle system / 药学学报

Nucleic acids, as a next generation of biotechnology drugs, not only can fundamentally treat diseases, but also own significant platform characteristics in view of technology and production. Therefore, nucleic acid-based drugs have broad clinical applications in biomedical fields. However, nucleic acids are degradable and unstable, and have very low intracellular delivery efficiency in vitro and in vivo, which greatly limits their applications. In recent years, ionizable lipid-based lipid nanoparticles have shown promising application potentials and have been successfully applied to COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) vaccines in clinic. Lipid nanoparticles demonstrate high in vivo delivery efficiency and good safety profile due to their unique structural and physicochemical properties, which provides many possibilities for their clinical applications for nucleic acid delivery in the future. This review focused on the characteristics of nucleic acid drugs and their delivery barriers, and discussed the approved nucleic acid drugs to illustrate the key aspects of the success of their delivery carrier system. In addition, problems to be solved in the field were highlighted.

Thyroxine promotes the progression of integrin α vβ 3-positive differentiated thyroid cancer through the ERK1/2 pathway / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To explore whether thyroxine (T 4) could promote differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) progression by binding to integrin α vβ 3in vitro and its downstream mechanism. Methods:Papillary thyroid cancer cell lines TPC-1, K1 and follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) cell line FTC133 were cultured in vitro, and the expressions of integrin α vβ 3 in those 3 DTC cell lines were determined with immunofluorescence and flow cytometry analysis. After the treatment of T 4, tetraiodo thyroacetic acid (Tetrac) and Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide alone or in combination, the proliferation and metastatic potential of DTC cell lines were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), Transwell migration and invasion assays. The small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection was used to verify whether integrin α v or β 3 subunit knockdown could reverse the effect of T 4 on DTC cells. The expression levels of downstream signaling proteins phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK)1/2 and total extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 were detected by Western blot. The effects of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)1/2 inhibitor (GSK1120212) on the proliferation, migration and invasion of T 4-treated cells were detected. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey test were used for data analysis. Results:The integrin α vβ 3 expressions in TPC-1, K1 and FTC133 cells were all positive, with the relative mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of 61.93±18.61, 16.89±2.43 and 32.36±0.83, and the percentages of positive cells of (94.38±1.30)%, (74.11±3.87)% and (50.67±1.78)%, respectively ( F values: 13.36 and 217.30, P=0.006 and P<0.001). Compared with control group, the proliferation, migration and invasion in the three DTC cell lines treated with T 4 were significantly enhanced (96 h, F values: 62.67-297.50, q values: 13.15-20.73, all P<0.001). T 4-induced cell proliferation, migration and invasion were markedly reversed by Tetrac or RGD (96 h, q values: 8.61-17.54, all P<0.001). T 4-induced cell proliferation, migration and invasion were also significantly inhibited by the knockdown of integrin α v or β 3 subunit (72 h, F values: 7.75-70.98, q values: 4.77-15.21, all P<0.05). Western blot results showed that the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 in DTC cells were significantly increased by T 4 treatment, and the T 4-induced activation of ERK1/2 signaling pathway could be blocked by Tetrac, RGD, integrin α v or β 3 subunit knockdown. T 4-induced cell proliferation, migration and invasion were significantly reversed by GSK1120212 (96 h, F values: 47.53-151.40, q values: 10.32-16.65, all P<0.001). Conclusion:T 4 can promote cell proliferation and metastasis of DTC cells by binding to integrin α vβ 3 and activating the ERK1/2 pathway.

Analysis of differential expression profiles of Piwi-interacting RNA in diabetic nephropathy patients / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective:To investigate the correlation between Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) and diabetic nephropathy (DN).Methods:The differential expression profiles of piRNAs in renal tissues of patients with DN (experimental group) and renal tissues adjacent to tumors of patients with renal tumors (control group) were detected by high-throughput sequencing. The biological function of differentially expressed piRNAs was described by gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analysis. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the serum expression level of target piRNAs in patients with DN. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum target piRNAs and clinical indexes of patients with DN.Results:The results of high throughput sequencing showed that there were 127 differentially expressed piRNAs between DN group and control group, with screening condition of |log 2(fold changes)|≥2 and P<0.05. Among them, there were 99 up-regulated piRNAs and 28 down-regulated piRNAs. The top 5 up-regulated piRNAs were piRNA-hsa-161686, piRNA-hsa-349255, piRNA-hsa-355720, piRNA-hsa-151229 and piRNA-hsa-154959, respectively. The top 5 down-regulated piRNAs were piRNA-hsa-1929960, piRNA-hsa-174194, piRNA-hsa- 148658, piRNA-hsa-172594 and piRNA-hsa-172421, respectively. The PCR verification results of 3 up-regulated genes and 3 down-regulated genes with low P values and high expression levels showed that serum expression level of piRNA-hsa-77976 was significantly down-regulated in patients with DN ( P=0.028), which was consistent with that of sequencing, while the expression levels of other genes were inconsistent with the sequencing results or had no statistical significance. Bioinformatics analysis results predicted that significantly differentially expressed piRNAs might participate in the regulation of DN through Rap1, Ras, PI3K-Akt and axon guiding pathways. The results of correlation analysis showed that the expression level of piRNA-hsa-77976 was negatively correlated with blood urea nitrogen ( r=-0.584, P=0.028), serum creatinine ( r=-0.637, P=0.014), cystatin C ( r=-0.738, P=0.003) and β2 microglobulin ( r=-0.822, P<0.001), and positively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate ( r=0.661, P=0.010). Conclusion:The differential expression of piRNA is closely related to DN, and may be used as a new biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of DN.

Mechanism for regulation of trophoblast invasion through piR-3127964 via PIWIL-3/sialophorin pathway / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the molecular mechanism for regulation of trophoblast invasion by piR-3127964, which is differentially expressed in placental tissues of preeclamptic and healthy pregnant women.Methods:Placenta samples of healthy (control group, n=12) and preeclamptic pregnant (PE group, n=10) women who delivered by caesarean section and chorionic villi specimens of patients undergoing artificial abortion were collected in the Department of Obstetrics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University during November 2020 to August 2021. Total RNA was extracted from placenta samples and sequenced and the expression of piR-3127964 in different tissues was determined by real-time quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The expressions of PIWI proteins including PIWIL-1, PIWIL-2 and PIWIL-3 in different tissues were detected by Western blot. The expressions of two candidate targets, guanine nucleotide-binding protein-like 3-like (GNL3L) mRNA and sialophorin (SPN) mRNA were evaluated by qRT-PCR after exogenous treating HTR-8/SVneo cells with mimics, inhibitor or negative control of piR-3127964, respectively. qRT-PCR was also used to detect the relative expression of GNL3L and SPN at mRNA level in placentas of all women. The interactions between GNL3L/SPN and piR-3127964 were analyzed by double luciferase reporter gene detection. The localization of piR-3127964 and SPN in chorionic villi was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence. Transwell assay was performed to analyze the influence of piR-3127964 on the invasion of HTR-8/SVneo cells and the possible mechanism. Independent sample t-test, analysis of variance, and LSD post test were used for analysis Results:(1) Enrichment pathways of candidate targets predicted by differentially expressed piR-3127964 were associated with cell motility. There were statistically significant differences in piR-3127964 expression in villi, healthy and preeclamptic placentas (2.950±0.853 vs 1.036±0.303 vs 0.254±0.155, F=27.35, P<0.05), and piR-3127964 was predominantly expressed in extravillous cytotrophoblasts (EVTs). (2) The expression of PIWIL-3 protein in placentas of preeclamptic patients was significantly lower than that in healthy placentas and villi (0.810±0.400 vs 3.175±0.429 and 6.843±1.379, F=49.36, P<0.05). (3) Compared with the control group, exogenous piR-3127964 mimics (piR-mimics) and inhibitors (piR-inhibitor) significantly affected the expression of SPN mRNA (0.971±0.045 vs 0.732±0.010, F=6.50; 1.076±0.073 vs 1.293±0.092, F=7.58; both P<0.05), while the expression of GNL3L mRNA had no significant correlation with piR-3127964 level. (4) The luciferase activity of wild-type SPN (SPN-WT) plasmids was significantly affected by piR-mimics (1.010±0.049 vs 0.645±0.047, t=9.34, P<0.05) and piR-inhibitor (1.035±0.058 vs 1.397±0.015, t=－10.60, P<0.05). (5) SPN mRNA was significantly upregulated in placentas of preeclamptic patients than in healthy placentas (2.097±0.239 vs 1.305±0.290, t=－4.22, P<0.05), but no significant difference in the expression of GNL3L mRNA was observed. Immunofluorescence experiment showed that SPN was expressed in EVTs. (6) The invasive potential of HTR8/SVneo cells treated with piR-inhibitor was significantly inhibited, but this effect could be reversed by SPN knockdown (160.714±53.860 vs 371.667±103.061 and 344.333±120.267, F=9.76, both P<0.05). Conclusions:piR-3127964 expression is abnormally downregulated in placentas of preeclamptic patients, resulting in inhibition of trophoblasts invasion through upregulation of SPN expression, which may be related to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Progress on RNA-based therapeutics for genetic diseases / 浙江大学学报·医学版

RNA therapeutics inhibit the expression of specific proteins/RNAs by targeting complementary sequences of corresponding genes or encode proteins for the synthesis desired genes to treat genetic diseases. RNA-based therapeutics are categorized as oligonucleotide drugs (antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNA, RNA aptamers), and mRNA drugs. The antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA for treatment of genetic diseases have been approved by the FDA in the United States, while RNA aptamers and mRNA drugs are still in clinical trials. Chemical modifications can be applied to RNA drugs, such as pseudouridine modification of mRNA, to reduce immunogenicity and improve the efficacy. The secure and effective delivery systems such as lipid-based nanoparticles, extracellular vesicles, and virus-like particles are under development to address stability, specificity, and safety issues of RNA drugs. This article provides an overview of the specific molecular mechanisms of eleven RNA drugs currently used for treating genetic diseases, and discusses the research progress of chemical modifications and delivery systems of RNA drugs.

Research progress of ionizable lipid nanoparticles for siRNA delivery / 药学学报

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is the initiator of RNA interference and inhibits gene expression by targeted degradation of specific messenger RNA. siRNA-mediated gene regulation has high efficiency and specificity and exhibits great significance in the treatment of diseases. However, the naked or unmodified siRNA has poor stability, easy to degrade by nuclease, short half-life, and low intracellular delivery. As an emerging non-viral nucleic acid delivery system, ionizable lipid nanoparticles play an important role in improving the druggability of siRNA. At present, one siRNA drug based on ionizable lipid nanoparticles has been approved for the treatment of rare disease. This review introduces the research progress in ionizable lipid nanoparticles for siRNA delivery, focusing on the effect of each component of lipid nanoparticles on the efficiency of siRNA-mediated gene silencing, which provides new references for the studies on ionizable lipid nanocarriers for siRNA delivery.

Inhibitory effect of ILK-siRNA-AAV on scar formation after glaucoma filtering surgery in rats / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To investigate the role of integrin-linked kinase (ILK)-small interfering RNA (siRNA)-adeno-associated virus (AAV) in scar formation after glaucoma filtering surgery in rat eyes.Methods:Forty-eight Sprague Dawley rats of SPF grade, aged 8 to 9 weeks old, were selected and divided into blank control group, ILK-siRNA-AAV group, NC-siRNA-AAV group and mitomycin C (MMC) group by random number table method, with 12 rats in each group.Left eyes of the rats were taken as experimental eyes, and no intervention was administered to fellow eyes.The bulbar conjunctival filtering bleb after glaucoma filtration surgery in rats was established by anterior chamber drainage tube implantation.One day after operation, phosphate buffer solution, ILK-siRNA-AAV, and NC-siRNA-AAV were injected into the filtering bleb of blank control group, ILK-siRNA-AAV group and NC-siRNA-AAV group, 5 μl each group, respectively.Cotton tablets containing 0.4 mg/ml MMC were placed under conjunctival flap for 5 minutes during operation in MMC group.Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured with a handheld tonometer before surgery and at 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 days after surgery.Formation of filtering blebs in rats was observed with a surgical microscope at 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 days after operation, and the bleb survival time was calculated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.The mRNA and protein expression levels of ILK in conjunctival and subconjunctival tissues at the surgical sites were detected by reverse transcription PCR and Western blot, respectively, on the 28th day after operation.Silencing of ILK gene was identified.Effect of ILK gene silencing on the morphology of drainage pathway was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.Effect of ILK gene silencing on collagen fiber deposition in the bulbar conjunctiva at filtration area was examined by Masson staining, and the percentage of positive area of collagen fiber staining in the total tissue visual field was calculated.The use and care of the animals complied with the ARVO Statement.This research protocol was approved by an Ethics Committee of Xi'an Jiaotong University (No.2013-772). Results:There were statistically significant differences in IOP at different time points between before and after surgery among four groups ( Fgroup=76.84, P<0.001; Ftime=114.49, P<0.001). The IOP of ILK-siRNA-AAV group on the 1st, 7th, 14th and 28th day after operation and the IOP of MMC group on the 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 14th and 28th day after operation were lower than those of blank control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). The IOP of ILK-siRNA-AAV group was lower on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day after operation than those of NC-siRNA-AAV group, with statistically significant differences (all at P<0.05). The bleb survival time of blank control group, NC-siRNA-AAV group, ILK-siRNA-AAV group and MMC group was (3.50±1.51), (5.00±3.41), (31.50±3.15) and (31.33±2.46) days, respectively, with a significant difference among them ( F=395.83, P<0.05). The bleb survival time of ILK-siRNA-AAV group and MMC group was higher than that of blank control group and NC-siRNA-AAV group, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the relative expression levels of ILK mRNA and protein among four groups ( F=222.32, 752.69; both at P<0.05), and the relative expression levels of ILK mRNA and protein were significantly lower in ILK-siRNA-AAV group than blank control group and NC-siRNA-AAV group, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). Proliferative fibrous connective tissue and a large number of cells at surgical sites were found in blank control group and NC-siRNA-AAV group, and the fibroblasts were of a high density and grew in clumps.In ILK-siRNA-AAV group, the bulbar conjunctiva was thin, and the arrangement of fibrous connective tissue was loose, and a few proliferative fibroblasts were found.In MMC group, the conjunctival fibrous layer was loose and thin, forming cavities, and scarce cells were found.There was statistically significant difference in the percentage of collagen fiber positive staining area among four groups ( F=741.66, P<0.05). The positive staining percentage of ILK-siRNA-AAV group and MMC group was significantly lower than that of blank control group, among which there was lower positive staining percentage in ILK-siRNA-AAV group than NC-siRNA-AAV group, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). Conclusions:Silencing of ILK can inhibit the scar formation after glaucoma filtering surgery and maintain low IOP in rats.

Inhibitory effect of siRNA-Pax6 on biological behavior and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of human lens epithelial cells / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of knockdown of the homeobox gene paired-box 6 ( Pax6) on the biological behavior and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human lens epithelial cells (LECs). Methods:The SRA01/04 human LECs were divided into small interfering RNA-Pax6 (siRNA-Pax6) group transfected with siRNA-Pax6 and siRNA negative control (siRNA-NC) group transfected with disordered siRNA.Cell survival rate was detected by cell counting kit-8 method at 24, 48 and 72 hours after transfection.Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry at 48 hours after transfection.Migratory capability of cells was examined by cell scratch test at 24 hours after transfection.The mRNA relative expression levels of Pax6, α-crystallin A (CRYAA), α-crystallin B (CRYAB), Sox2, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and E-cadherin were detected by quantitative real-time PCR at 48 hours after transfection.The relative expression of Pax6 protein was detected by Western blot at 48 hours after transfection.Results:There was a significant difference in cell survival rates at different time points between the two groups ( Fgroup=4.776, P<0.05; Ftime=13.535, P<0.05). The cell survival rate of siRNA-Pax6 group was obviously lower than that of siRNA-NC group at 48 and 72 hours after transfection, and the differences were statistically significant (both at P<0.05). Compared with siRNA-NC group, the proportion of cells in G 0/G 1 phase was significantly increased and the proportion of cells in S phase was significantly reduced in siRNA-Pax6 group ( t=9.971, -5.063; both at P<0.05). The cell migration rate of siRNA-Pax6 group was (19.73±6.07)%, which was lower than (70.56±2.97)% of siRNA-NC group, showing a statistically significant difference ( t=-7.245, P<0.05). The relative expressions of Sox2 mRNA and α-SMA mRNA were lower, and the relative expression of E-cadherin mRNA was higher in siRNA-Pax6 group than siRNA-NC group, with statistically significant differences between them ( t=-23.254, -5.294, 6.062; all at P<0.01). The relative expression of CRYAA mRNA and CRYAB mRNA was significantly higher in siRNA-Pax6 group than siRNA-NC group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=5.521, 8.270; both at P<0.01). The relative expressions of Pax6 mRNA and protein in siRNA-Pax6 group were 0.27±0.01 and 0.24±0.05, respectively, which were both lower than 1.00±0.05 and 1.14±0.10 in siRNA-NC group, showing statistically significant differences ( t=-14.456, -4.458; both at P<0.001). Conclusions:Silence of Pax6 can suppress the proliferation and EMT of human LECs and enhance the expression of crystallin.

Targeting TSHR and ICAM-1 for treatment of Graves′ disease in BALB/c mice / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To explore new methods of treating Graves′ disease (GD) by targeting thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1).Methods:The small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting TSHR and the ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) were designed and synthesized. Thirty GD model mice were randomly divided into siRNA treatment group, ICAM-1 mAb treatment group, and untreated GD group (10 mice in each group), and 10 normal mice were taken as blank control. Serum thyroxine (T 4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), TSH receptor-stimulating antibody (TSAb) and TSH-stimulation blocking antibody (TSBAb) were measured before and after treatment. At the end of the treatment, body mass and heart rate of mice in each group were measured, and thyroid uptake of 99Tc mO 4-, thyroid size and pathological changes were evaluated. Independent-sample t test, paired t test and one-way analysis of variance were used to analyze data. Results:After three treatments, the body mass of mice in siRNA group and ICAM-1 mAb group were significantly lower than that of normal mice ( F=3.50, P=0.025); the heart rates of the mice in two groups were significantly lower than that of untreated GD mice ( F=24.73, P<0.001). Heart rate of mice treated with siRNA decreased significantly, close to that of normal mice. After treatment, the serum T 4((27.58±1.94) vs (65.71±6.89) μg/L, (27.24±3.50) vs (70.84±8.46) μg/L), TSAb ((331.44±43.38) vs (457.33±45.85) mU/L, (275.16±45.80) vs (443.91±42.32) mU/L) and TSBAb ((13.94±1.11) vs (15.83±5.92) mU/L, (14.59±1.02) vs (17.05±6.16) mU/L) levels of mice in both siRNA group and ICAM-1 mAb group significantly decreased ( t values: 4.45-10.87, all P<0.05), while the serum TSH levels of mice in two groups significantly increased ((0.13±0.05) vs (0.04±0.05) mU/L, (1.46±0.34) vs (0.06±0.03) mU/L; t values: -2.22, -5.87, P values: 0.007, <0.001). The elevated TSH level and decreased TSAb level of mice treated with ICAM-1 mAb were significantly different from those treated with siRNA ( t values: 1.03, -1.63, P values: 0.002, 0.031). After treatment, the uptake of 99Tc mO 4- in part of the thyroid lobes of mice was decreased, and the enlargement degree of the corresponding lobes was reduced. The thyroid pathology of mice in the treated groups showed that the absorption vacuoles of thyroid follicles were reduced, and the phenomenon of thinner colloids was improved. No obvious damage was observed in the heart, liver and kidneys of the mice. Conclusions:Both the siRNA targeting TSHR and ICAM-1 mAb have therapeutic effects on GD model mice. The siRNA is better at controlling heart rate, and ICAM-1 mAb is better at increasing TSH and decreasing TSAb. Each of the above treatment methods is safe and effective, which can provide new ideas for GD targeted therapy.