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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Role of biomimetic nanomaterials made from glioma cell- derived extracellular vesicles in targeted delivery of STAT3-siRNA / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#Glioma is the most common primary intracranial tumor and there is still no ideal treatment at present. Gene therapy, as one of the new methods for treating glioma, has attracted attention in recent years. But its application in treating glioma is very limited due to lack of effective delivery vectors. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of biomimetic nanomaterials made from glioma cells-derived extracellular vesicles (EV) for targeted delivery of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3)-small interfering RNA (siRNA) in treating glioma.@*METHODS@#First, U251 glioma cells-derived extracellular vessel (EVU251) was extracted by ultra-centrifugal method. Nanoparticle tracking analysis was used to characterize the particle size distribution, the transmission electron microscope was used to analyze the morphology, and Western blotting was used to verify the expression of srface characteristic protein. The homing ability was verified by cell uptake assay after labeling EVU251 with membrane dye kit PKH67; the EVU251 contents were removed by a low permeability method and then EVMU251 was prepared through a microporous membrane. Finally, the biomimetic nanomaterials EVMU251@STAT3-siRNA were prepared by loading STAT3-SiRNA with electro-dyeing method. The real-time quantitative PCR was used to quantify the successful encapsulation of siRNA, and the encapsulation and drug loading rate was calculated; then Cy5-labeled siRNA was used to evaluate the ability of biomimetic nanomaterials (EVMU251@CY5-siRNA) to target U251 cells. Lysosomal escape ability of the biomimetic nanomaterial was evaluated by lysosomal dye lyso-tracker green. At last, the ability of EVMU251@STAT3-siRNA to knock down STAT3 gene and selective killing of U251 cells was detected by cell experiments in vitro.@*RESULTS@#The size of EVU251 ranged from 50 nm to 200 nm with a natural disc shape. The expression of extracellular vesicle marker proteins could be detected on the membrane of EVU251. The cell uptake assay demonstrated that it had homing ability to target U251 cells. After EVU251 was prepared as EVMU251@STAT3-siRNA, the particle size was (177.9±5.0) nm, the siRNA loading rate was (33.5±2.2)% and the drug loading rate was (3.24±0.21)%. The biomimetic nanomaterial EVMU251@STAT3-siRNA still had the ability to target U251 cells and successfully deliver siRNA to the cytoplasm without lysosomal degradation. The EVMU251@STAT3-siRNA can effectively knock down the expression of STAT3 gene and produce selective killing ability in U251 cells.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The biomimetic nanomaterials EVMU251@STAT3-siRNA made from glioma U251 cells-derived extracellular vesicles can knock down STAT3 gene of U251 cells and produce selective killing effect, which can provide a new idea for the treatment of glioma.

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.

Post-transcriptional gene silencing: Basic concepts and applications

Post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS)-mediated gene silencing exploits the cellular mechanism whereintranscripts having sequence similarity to the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules present in the cell will besubjected to degradation. PTGS is closely related to natural processes such as RNA-mediated virus resistance andcross-protection in plants. Gene silencing and the cellular machinery for affecting this phenomenon might haveevolved as a natural protective measure against viral infection in plants. In PTGS, small interfering RNA (siRNA)molecules of 21–23 nucleotides length act as homology guides for triggering the systemic degradation of transcriptshomologous to the siRNA molecules. PTGS phenomenon, first discovered in transgenic petunia plants harbouringchalcone synthase gene and termed co-suppression, has been subsequently exploited to target specific gene transcripts for degradation leading to manifestation of desirable traits in crop plants. Targeted gene silencing has beenachieved either through the introduction of DNA constructs encoding dsRNA or antisense RNA or by deploying cosuppression constructs producing siRNAs against the transcript of interest. Understanding the mechanism of genesilencing has led to the development of several alternative strategies for inducing gene silencing in a precise andcontrolled way. This has paved the way for using PTGS as one ofthe chief functional genomicstools in plants and hashelped in unraveling the mechanism of many cellular processes and identifying the focal points in pathways, besides,opening new vistas in genetic engineering of plants for human benefits. PTGS has shown great potential in silencingthe deleterious genes efficiently so that value-added plant products could be obtained. Thus, PTGS has ushered in anew era in the genetic manipulation of plants for both applied and basic studies. In this review, we have outlined thebasics of RNAi-mediated gene silencing and summarized the work carried out at our institute using this approach, ascase studies. In particular, adopting RNAi-mediated gene silencing (a) as a method to restore fertility in transgenicmale sterile lines developed based on orfH522 gene from sunflower PET1-CMS source, (b) as a tool to suppress theproduction of toxic proteins, ricin and RCA, in castor, and (c) as an approach to induce bud necrosis virus resistancein sunflower has been discussed. Examples from other plant systems also have been mentioned to exemplify theconcept and utility of gene silencing in crop plants.

Inhibitory effect of small interfering RNA-TLR9 on high glucose-induced retinal ganglion cell apoptosis / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) on high glucose-induced retinal ganglion cells-5 (RGC-5) apoptosis and the inhibitory effects of small interfering RNA-TLR9 (si-TLR9) on apoptosis.Methods RGC-5 cells were divided into normal control group,high glucose group,high glucose+ negative control group and high glucose + si-TLR9 group which cells were respectively dealt with normal culture medium,high glucose medium,transfection of non-specific siRNA under high glucose and transfection of siRNA-TLR9 under high glucose.The expression of TLR9 mRNA was detected by real time PCR;the survival rate of the cells was evaluated by MTT assay;the apoptotic rate of the cells was detected by flow cytometry;the caspase-3 activity in the cells was detected by related kit,and the expressions of TLR9,B cell lymphoma (bcl-2),bcl-2 associated X protein (bax),p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38MAPK) and phosphorylated (p)-p38MAPK proteins were detected by Western blot.Results The expressions of TLR9 mRNA and protein in the high glucose+si-TLR9 group were significantly decreased in comparison with the high glucose+negative control group (both at P＜0.05).The cell survival rate of the high glucose group and high glucose+negative control group was (78.36±5.13)％ and (75.12± 4.25) ％,respectively,which was significantly lower than (95.48± 7.25) ％ in the normal control group,and that in the high glucose+si-TLR9 group was (86.58±5.32)％,which was significantly reduced in comparison with the high glucose+negative control group (all at P＜0.05).The apoptotic rate of the cells in the high glucose group and high glucose+negative control group was (13.23 ± 1.22) ％ and (12.52± 1.38) ％,respectively,which was significantly higher than (2.26±0.15)％ of the normal control group,and apoptotic rate in the high glucose+si-TLR9 group was (7.15±0.24) ％,which was significantly lower than that in high glucose+negative control group (all at P＜0.05).The expression of bax in the cells of the high glucose+si-TLR9 group was significantly decreased,and the expression of bcl-2 in the cells of the high glucose+si-TLR9 group was significantly increased in comparison with the high glucose+ negative control group (both at P＜ 0.05).Caspase-3 activity in the cells was significantly decreased in the high glucose+si-TLR9 group compared with the high glucose+negative control group (P＜0.05).The relative expression of p-p38MAPK in the cells was significantly decreased in the high glucose+ si-TLR9 group compared with the high glucose+negative control group (P＜0.05).Conclusions Down-regulation of TLR9 expression in the RGC-5 cells can inhibit the apoptosis induced by high glucose probablely by suppressing p38MAPK signaling pathway.

Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily C member 6 is involved in regulating cell cycle of endometrial carcinoma cells / 第二军医大学学报

ObjectiveTo study the expression of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily C member 6 (TRPC6) in endometrial carcinoma tissues and their role in regulating cell cycle of endometrial carcinoma cells. Methods Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to examine the expression of TRPC6 in 30 normal endometrial specimens, 30 atypical hyperplasia specimens and 32 endometrial carcinoma specimens. SKF96365 (an inhibitor of TRPC6 channel) and RNA interference (RNAi) targeting TRPC6 by small interference RNA (siRNA) were used to block TRPC6 so as to explore the role of TRPC6 in regulating the cell cycle of endometrial carcinoma cells HEC-1A. Results The expression levels of TRPC6 mRNA and protein in endometrial carcinoma were significantly higher than those in the atypical hyperplasia endometria and normal endometrial tissues (P<0.01). SKF96365 retarded cell cycle at G2/M phase in a dosedependent manner and reduced HEC-1A cells of G0/G1 phase. Transfection with target-TRPC6 siRNA retarded cell cycle of HEC-1A cells at G2/M phase, and reduced HEC-1A cells of G0/G1 phase compared with negative control siRNA. Meanwhile, transfection with target-TRPC6 siRNA increased phosphorylated cell division cycle 2 (pCDC2) protein expression in HEC-1A cells. Conclusion The expression of TRPC6 is elevated in endometrial carcinoma tissues. TRPC6 may influence cell cycle through regulating pCDC2.

Inhibition of chemotherapy-related breast tumor EMT by application of redox-sensitive siRNA delivery system CSO-ss-SA/siRNA along with doxorubicin treatment / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Metastasis is one of the main reasons causing death in cancer patients. It was reported that chemotherapy might induce metastasis. In order to uncover the mechanism of chemotherapy-induced metastasis and find solutions to inhibit treatment-induced metastasis, the relationship between epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and doxorubicin (DOX) treatment was investigated and a redox-sensitive small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery system was designed. DOX-related reactive oxygen species (ROS) were found to be responsible for the invasiveness of tumor cells in vitro, causing enhanced EMT and cytoskeleton reconstruction regulated by Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1). In order to decrease RAC1, a redox-sensitive glycolipid drug delivery system (chitosan-ss-stearylamine conjugate (CSO-ss-SA)) was designed to carry siRNA, forming a gene delivery system (CSO-ss-SA/siRNA) down-regulating RAC1. CSO-ss-SA/siRNA exhibited an enhanced redox sensitivity compared to nonresponsive complexes in 10 mmol/L glutathione (GSH) and showed a significant safety. CSO-ss-SA/siRNA could effectively transmit siRNA into tumor cells, reducing the expression of RAC1 protein by 38.2% and decreasing the number of tumor-induced invasion cells by 42.5%. When combined with DOX, CSO-ss-SA/siRNA remarkably inhibited the chemotherapy-induced EMT in vivo and enhanced therapeutic efficiency. The present study indicates that RAC1 protein is a key regulator of chemotherapy-induced EMT and CSO-ss-SA/siRNA silencing RAC1 could efficiently decrease the tumor metastasis risk after chemotherapy.

Research progress in transdermal delivery for small interfering RNA / 生物工程学报

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) has been used to treat various skin diseases. However, siRNA is limited in application due to its electronegativity, strong polarity, easy degradation by nuclease and difficulty in breaking through the skin barrier. Therefore, safe and efficient siRNA delivery vector is the premise of effective treatment of skin diseases by siRNA. In recent years, with the deepening of research on siRNA, great progress has been made in the development of delivery systems based on lipids, polymers, peptides and nanoparticles, some new transdermal delivery vectors of siRNA have emerged, such as liposomes, dendrimers, cell penetrating peptides, and spherical nucleic acid nanoparticles. This review will focus on the recent advance in siRNA transdermal delivery vectors.

Inhibitory effect of small interfering RNA-TLR9 on high glucose-induced retinal ganglion cell apoptosis / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective@#To investigate the effect of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) on high glucose-induced retinal ganglion cells-5 (RGC-5) apoptosis and the inhibitory effects of small interfering RNA-TLR9 (si-TLR9) on apoptosis.@*Methods@#RGC-5 cells were divided into normal control group, high glucose group, high glucose+ negative control group and high glucose+ si-TLR9 group which cells were respectively dealt with normal culture medium, high glucose medium, transfection of non-specific siRNA under high glucose and transfection of siRNA-TLR9 under high glucose.The expression of TLR9 mRNA was detected by real time PCR; the survival rate of the cells was evaluated by MTT assay; the apoptotic rate of the cells was detected by flow cytometry; the caspase-3 activity in the cells was detected by related kit, and the expressions of TLR9, B cell lymphoma (bcl-2), bcl-2 associated X protein (bax), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38MAPK) and phosphorylated (p)-p38MAPK proteins were detected by Western blot.@*Results@#The expressions of TLR9 mRNA and protein in the high glucose+ si-TLR9 group were significantly decreased in comparison with the high glucose+ negative control group (both at P<0.05). The cell survival rate of the high glucose group and high glucose+ negative control group was (78.36±5.13)% and (75.12±4.25)%, respectively, which was significantly lower than (95.48±7.25)% in the normal control group, and that in the high glucose+ si-TLR9 group was (86.58±5.32)%, which was significantly reduced in comparison with the high glucose+ negative control group (all at P<0.05). The apoptotic rate of the cells in the high glucose group and high glucose+ negative control group was (13.23±1.22)% and (12.52±1.38)%, respectively, which was significantly higher than (2.26±0.15)% of the normal control group, and apoptotic rate in the high glucose+ si-TLR9 group was (7.15±0.24)%, which was significantly lower than that in high glucose+ negative control group (all at P<0.05). The expression of bax in the cells of the high glucose+ si-TLR9 group was significantly decreased, and the expression of bcl-2 in the cells of the high glucose+ si-TLR9 group was significantly increased in comparison with the high glucose+ negative control group (both at P<0.05). Caspase-3 activity in the cells was significantly decreased in the high glucose+ si-TLR9 group compared with the high glucose+ negative control group (P<0.05). The relative expression of p-p38MAPK in the cells was significantly decreased in the high glucose+ si-TLR9 group compared with the high glucose+ negative control group (P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#Down-regulation of TLR9 expression in the RGC-5 cells can inhibit the apoptosis induced by high glucose probablely by suppressing p38MAPK signaling pathway.

Small Interfering RNA (siRNA) and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR): Emerging Molecular Tools for Genetic Manipulation

@#Gene manipulation tools have transformed biomedical research and improved the possibilities of their uses for therapeutic purposes. These tools have aided effective genomic modification in many organisms and have been successfully applied in biomedical engineering, biotechnology and biomedicine. They also shown a potential for therapeutic applications to alleviate genetic and non-genetic diseases. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) and clustered regularly inter-spaced short-palindromic repeat/associated-protein system (CRISPR/Cas) are two of the tools applied in genetic manipulation. This review aims to evaluate the molecular influence of siRNA and CRISPR/Cas as novel tools for genetic manipulations. This review discusses the molecular mechanism of siRNA and CRISPR/Cas, and the advantages and disadvantages of siRNA and CRISPR/Cas. This review also presents comparison between siRNA and CRISPR/Cas as potential tools for gene therapy. siRNA therapeutic applications occur through protein knockout without causing damage to cells. siRNA knocks down gene expression at the mRNA level, whereas CRISPR/Cas knocks out gene permanently at the DNA level. Inconclusion, gene manipulation tools have potential for applications that improve therapeutic strategies and plant-derived products, but ethical standards must be established before the clinical application of gene editing.

Effect of interfering IGF-1R by siRNA on cell cycle and apoptosis of hypoxic hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@# Objective: To explore the effect of interfering insulin-like growth factors-1 receptors (IGF-1R) by small interfering RNA (siRNA) on cell cycle and apoptosis of hypoxic hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Methods: The hypoxic hepatocellular carcinoma model was established via cobalt chloride treatment. Three siRNAs targeting IGF1R gene and one negative control siRNA were designed and synthesized. They were transfected into hypoxic HepG2 cells, and 24 h later, the transfection efficiency was detected by fluorescent microscopy. The protein expression of IFG-1R was detected with Western blotting (WB) to screen the siRNA with highest transfection efficacy. The selected siRNA was used to transfect hypoxic HepG2 cells. The proliferation of hypoxic HepG2 cells was determined by MTT assay. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed by Flow cytometry. WB was performed to detect the proteinexpressionsofCDK1,CDK2andCaspase-3inHepG2cells. Results: The hypoxic hepatocellular carcinoma model was successfully established. IGF-1R-siRNA-2 showed the most effective interference efficiency and the most significant knockdown of IGF-1R (all P<0.01). The proliferation of HepG2 cells transfected with IGF-1R siRNA-2 was significantly suppressed (P<0.05 or P<0.01), the cell cycle was blocked at G0/G1 phase (P<0.05), and the apoptosis rate was increased up to (25.3±1.3)% P<0.01). In the meanwhile, the expressions of CDK1 and CDK2 were decreased and the expression of Caspase-3 was increased in hypoxic HepG2 cells after IGF-1R knockdown (P<0.05). Conclusion: Interfering IGF-1R by siRNA inhibits the malignant biological behaviors of hypoxic HepG2 cells via regulating cell cycle and apoptosis-related proteins. IGF-1R may be a potential target for the treatment of HCC.

Research progress of non-coding RNA in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) is the main cause of liver damage and even multiple organ failure after complex liver surgery.When liver ischemia reperfusion occurs,the non-coding RNAs in the liver tissue is dysregulated and part of the non-coding RNAs with abnormal expression is involved in HIRI regulation.Non-coding RNAs to may be the intervention target for reducing HIRI.This article summarized the types and related functions of non-coding RNAs,the role of different non-coding RNAs in HIRI,and the interconnections between various non-coding RNAs in HIRI.

Effect of lentivirus-mediated silencing of P75 neurotrophin receptor gene on osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in rats / 中国修复重建外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA) lentivirus-mediated silencing of P75 neurotrophin receptor (P75NTR) gene on osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in rats. Methods: Three lentivirus-mediated P75NTR gene siRNA sequences (P75NTR-siRNA-1, 2, 3) and negative control (NC)-siRNA were designed and transfected into the 3rd generation Sprague Dawley (SD) rat BMSCs. The cells morphological changes were observed under an inverted microscope, and the expressions of P75NTR gene and protein in cells were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot. Then the best silencing P75NTR-siRNA for subsequent osteogenic differentiation experiments was screened out. The 3rd generation SD rat BMSCs were randomly divided into experimental group, negative control group, and blank control group (normal BMSCs). The BMSCs of negative control group and experimental group were transfected with NC-siRNA and the selected P75NTR-siRNA lentiviral vector, respectively. The cells of each group were cultured by osteogenic induction. The expressions of osteogenic related proteins [osteocalcin (OCN) and Runx related transcription factor 2 (Runx2)] were detected by Western blot; the collagen type Ⅰ expression was observed by immunohistochemical staining; the osteogenesis of BMSCs was observed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) detection and alizarin red staining. Results: After lentivirus-mediated P75NTR transfected into BMSCs, the expressions of P75NTR mRNA and protein significantly reduced ( P<0.05), and the best silencing P75NTR-siRNA was P75NTR-siRNA-3. After P75NTR gene was silenced, MTT test showed that the cell proliferation in the experimental group was significantly faster than those in the two control groups ( P<0.05). After osteogenic induction, the relative expressions of OCN and Runx2 proteins, collagen type Ⅰ expression, and ALP activity were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the two control groups, the differences were significant ( P<0.05). With the prolongation of osteogenic induction, the mineralized nodules in the experimental group gradually increased. Conclusion: Silencing the P75NTR gene with siRNA lentivirus can promote the osteogenic differentiation of rat BMSCs and provide a new idea for the treatment of bone defects.