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Objective:To investigate whether microRNA-21-5p (miR-21-5p) alleviates hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury (HALI) through activating the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/serine-threonine protein kinase (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway by regulating apoptosis of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cell (AECⅡ).Methods:Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into normozone-controlled group, HALI group, PI3K/Akt signaling pathway inhibitor LY294002+HALI group (LY+HALI group), miR-21-5p overexpression+LY294002+HALI group (miR-21-5p+LY+HALI group), miR-21-5p overexpression+HALI group (miR-21-5p+HALI group), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)+HALI group by random number table method with 12 rats in each group. Animal models of HALI were prepared using 95% concentrations of oxygen. The animals in the normozone-controlled group were fed normally under normoxia. Transfection of lung tissue by miR-21-5p adeno-associated viral vector AAV6-miR-21-5p was performed by instillation of 200 μL titer (1×10 12 TU/mL) through a tracheal catheter 3 weeks prior to modeling. DMSO and LY294002 were administered via the tail vein at 0.3 mg/kg 1 hour before modeling. After 48 hours of modeling, carotid artery blood was collected to detect oxygenation index (OI) and respiratory index (RI), and real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect miR-21-5p expression. Lung tissue was collected, and the levels of inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukins (IL-6, IL-1β) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the ratio of pulmonary wet/dry weight (W/D) was determined, and the pathological changes of lung histopathology were observed under the light microscopy after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Each group was purified AECⅡ cells from 6 rats, the apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry, and the expression levels of phosphatase and tensin homologous gene (PTEN), and proteins from the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway were detected by Western blotting. Results:Compared with the normozone-controlled group, alveolar septal thickening and massive inflammatory cell infiltration were found after hyperoxia exposure, RI, inflammatory factors, lung W/D ratio, pathological score, AECⅡ cells early apoptosis rate, PTEN protein expression and phosphorylation level of Akt were increased, while OI and miR-21-5p expression were decreased, indicating the successful preparation of the model. After pretreatment, LY294002 could aggravate the pathological injury of lung tissue in HALI rats, RI, inflammatory factors and lung W/D ratio were further increased, and OI was further reduced compared with HALI group. At the same time, it could promote the AECⅡ cell apoptosis, further up-regulate the expression of PTEN, and reduce the phosphorylation of Akt. However, miR-21-5p pretreatment could negatively regulate PTEN, activate PI3K/Akt signal pathway, inhibit AECⅡ cell apoptosis, and reduce HALI, which was shown by the decreased level of inflammatory factors in miR-21-5p+LY+HALI group compared with LY+HALI group [TNF-α (μg/L): 100.33±3.48 vs. 116.55±2.53, IL-6 (ng/L): 141.06±3.70 vs. 161.31±3.59, IL-1β (μg/L): 90.82±3.69 vs. 112.23±2.87, all P < 0.05], RI, lung injury pathology score, lung W/D ratio, and AECⅡ cell early apoptosis rate were significantly decreased [RI: 0.81±0.02 vs. 1.05±0.07, pathology score: 0.304±0.008 vs. 0.359±0.007, lung W/D ratio: 5.29±0.03 vs. 5.52±0.08, apoptosis rate: (27.20±2.34)% vs. (34.17±1.49)%, all P < 0.05], OI and expressions of miR-21-5p were significantly increased [OI (mmHg, 1 mmHg≈0.133 kPa): 266.71±2.75 vs. 230.12±4.04, miR-21-5p (2 -ΔΔCt): 2.21±0.13 vs. 0.33±0.03, both P < 0.05], and PTEN protein expression in AECⅡ cell was significantly reduced (PTEN/GAPDH: 0.50±0.06 vs. 0.93±0.06, P < 0.05), and phosphorylation level of Akt was significantly increased [phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) protein (p-Akt/GAPDH): 0.86±0.05 vs. 0.56±0.06, P < 0.05]. Conclusion:miR-21-5p attenuates HALI by inhibiting AECⅡ cell apoptosis, possibly through negative regulation of PTEN to activate PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
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Objective:To investigate the expression and significance of microRNA-21 (miRNA-21) and microRNA-181b (miRNA-181b) in the peripheral blood of patients with schizophrenia.Methods:A total of 100 patients with schizophrenia who received treatment in Shaoxing 7 th People's Hospital from March 2020 to March 2022 were included in the study group. An additional 30 healthy controls who concurrently underwent physical examination were included in the control group. The expression of miRNA-21 and miRNA-181b in peripheral blood was compared between the two groups. The 100 patients with schizophrenia received standardized clinical treatment. Their mental symptoms were evaluated with the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS). miRNA-21 and miRNA-181b expression and PANSS scores before and 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment were collected and compared between the two groups. The receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted to analyze the value of miRNA-21 and miRNA-181b expression in the diagnosis of schizophrenia. Results:Serum miRNA-21 and miRNA-181b expression in the study group were (2.41 ± 1.12) and (15.62 ± 2.26), respectively, which were significantly higher than (0.73 ± 0.37) and (8.11 ± 0.98) in the control group ( t = 8.07,17.67, both P < 0.05). With the prolongation of treatment time, serum miRNA-21 and miRNA-181b expression and PANSS score in the study group gradually decreased (all P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve plotted for evaluating the value of miRNA-21 and miRNA-181b expression in the diagnosis of schizophrenia was 0.616 and 0.683, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve plotted for evaluating the value of miRNA-21 combined with miRNA-181b expression in the diagnosis of schizophrenia was 0.788, which was markedly higher than that for the detection of miRNA-21 or miRNA-181b expression alone. Conclusion:miRNA-21 and miRNA-181b are abnormally highly expressed in the peripheral blood of patients with schizophrenia. Both of them can be used as objective and effective indicators for early diagnosis of schizophrenia. Combined detection of miRNA-21 and miRNA-181b provides higher accuracy in the diagnosis of schizophrenia than the detection of miRNA-21 or miRNA-181b alone.
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OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the relationship between microRNA (miR)-21, miR-191 and clinical stage of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).@*METHODS@#100 patients with DLBCL treated in Shanxi Fenyang Hospital from January 2019 to January 2021 were selected as the research subjects. All patients was divided into stage I, stage II, stage III and stage IV according to Ann-Arbor (Cotswolds) staging system at admission. The baseline data of patients at different clinical stages were counted and compared in detail. The relationship between the levels of miR-21 and miR-191 and the clinical stage of DLBCL patients was mainly analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Among the 100 patients with DLBCL, there were 15 patients at stage I, 25 patients at stage II, 37 patients at stage III and 23 patients at stage IV. The levels of miR-21 and miR-191 in patients at stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ were increased gradually, which showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05). According to Kendall's tau-b correlation analysis, it was found that the levels of miR-21 and miR-191 were positively correlated with the clinical stage of DLBCL patients (r=0.566, 0.636). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the overexpression of serum miR-21 and miR-191 was a risk factor for high clinical stage in patients with DLBCL (OR>1, P<0.05). Bivariate Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between miR-21 and miR-191 levels in patients with DLBCL (r=0.339).@*CONCLUSION@#The overexpression of miR-21 and miR-191 in patients with DLBCL is related to high clinical stage.
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Humans , Prognosis , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/genetics , MicroRNAs/geneticsABSTRACT
Background Environmental pollutants can affect N6-methyladenosine (m6A) level in the body, but the change of m6A level in kidney after being exposed to cadmium (Cd) and the molecular mechanism of renal injury need to be further studied. Objective To analyze the associations of m6A modification and methyltransferases/demethylases with microRNA-21 (miR-21) and transforming growth factor- β1 (TGF - β1) in kidney of rats exposed to Cd. Methods Twenty-four SPF male SD rats were divided into 4 groups, with 6 rats in each group, and were exposed to Cd by subcutaneous injection of 2.0, 1.0, and 0.5 mg·kg−1 cadmium chloride (CdCl2) and equal volume of normal saline for 2 weeks, 7 d a week, respectively. The levels of N-acetyl-β-D-glucosidase (UNAG) and albumin (UALB) in urine, and the levels of m6A methylation and TGF-β1 in kidney were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The level of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was measured by urease method. The levels of renal oxidative stress indicators such as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were detected by total bile acid method, water-soluble tetrazolium asssay, and colorimetric method respectively. The relative levels of TGF-β1, methyltransferases, and demethylases in kidney were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The expression of miR-21 in kidney was detected by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results After 2 weeks of exposure to Cd, the body weights of rats in the 2.0 and 1.0 mg·kg−1 cadmium chloride groups decreased, and the ratio of kidney/body weight and the levels of BUN, UNAG, and TGF-β1 mRNA and protein increased in the 2.0 mg·kg−1 cadmium chloride group (P<0.05). The expression levels of m6A modification, methyltransferases METTL3, METTL14, Wilms’ tumor 1-associated protein (WTAP), and miR-21 were increased both in the 2.0 and 1.0 mg·kg−1 cadmium chloride groups, with significant differences compared with the control group (P<0.05). The results of correlation analysis showed that the m6A modification level was negatively correlated with SOD (r=−0.4489, P<0.05) and GSH-Px (r=−0.4874, P<0.05), METTL3 was negatively correlated with MDA (r=−0.5158, P<0.05), while there was a positive correlation between FTO and GSH-Px (r=0.4802, P<0.05). In addition, miR-21 was positively correlated with METTL3 (r=0.7491), METTL14 (r=0.6157), and WTAP (r=0.6660) (P<0.05), TGF-β1 was positively correlated with METTL3 (r=0.5025, P<0.05) but negatively correlated with FTO (r=−0.5634, P<0.05) . Conclusion Cd can induce m6A methylation and up-regulation of METTL3, METTL14, WTAP, and miR-21 expression levels in rat kidney tissues, indicating that m6A and miR-21 may be associated with Cd-induced renal fibrosis.
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Background The pathogenesis of beryllium-induced pulmonary fibrosis is unknown and there is no specific treatment for the disease as yet. MicroRNA (miRNA) may play a role in the process of beryllium-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Objective To construct a microRNA-21 (miR-21) interfering cell line, and to investigate the effect of miR-21 on beryllium sulfate (BeSO4)-induced fibrosis in human lung adenocarcinoma alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549 cells) and its potential mechanism. Methods The miR-21 target genes were predicted by the online database miRBase and verified by experiments using dual luciferase reporter gene. After transfecting A549 with miR-21interference lentivirus, puromycin was used to select a stable cell line. An in vitro model of pulmonary fibrosis was established using BeSO4 infecting A549 cells with a concentration of 10 μmol·L−1 and an exposure time of 48 h. Then the treated cells were divided into control group, model group, miR-21 interference group, and miR-21 interference control group. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the relative expression level of miR-21 gene. Western blotting was used to detect the relative expression levels of TGF-β1/Smads pathway related proteins [Smad2, Smad3, p-Smad2, p-Smad3, Smad7, and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)], myofibrosis cell marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), andextracellular matrix collagen-I (COL-I) and collagen-Ⅲ (COL-Ⅲ). Results The miRBase predicted that miR-21 had a binding site with Smad7, and the results of the dual luciferase reporter gene experiment showed that the target gene of miR-21 was Smad7. The construction of miR-21 interfered with A549 cell line was successful. Compared with the control group, the relative expression of miR-21 gene in the model group increased by 97.57%; the relative expression of Smad7 protein in the model group decreased by 15.48%; the relative protein expression of Smad2, Smad3, p-Smad2, p-Smad3, TGF-β1, α-SMA, COL-I, and COL-Ⅲ increased by 13.55%, 35.72%, 18.35%, 35.75%, 25.52%, 31.58%, 24.61%, and 11.66% respectively (P<0.05). Compared with the interference control group, the miR-21 gene expression level in the interference group decreased by 28.96%; the relative expression of Smad7 protein increased by 19.07%; the relative protein expression of Smad2, Smad3, p-Smad2, p-Smad3, TGF-β1, α-SMA, COL-I, and COL-Ⅲ decreased by 8.01%, 19.95%, 14.56%, 19.37%, 11.95%, 10.96%, 18.81%, and 31.36% repectively (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the gene abd protein expression levels of each gene between the model group and the interference control group (P>0.05). Conclusion In an in vitro model of pulmonary fibrosis induced by beryllium compounds, miR-21 may promote fibrosis by targeting Smad7 to regulate the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.
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MicroRNA (miRNA) is a short noncoding RNA, which can regulate gene expression.miR-21 is one of the human miRNAs identified earlier.As an oncovirus, it is involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene and plays important roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation.In addition, miR-21 promotes inflammatory responses and also plays a key role in regulating the function of immune system.Recent studies have shown that miR-21 could be detected in corneal fibroblasts cells, retinal pigment epithelial cells, retinal microvascular endothelial cells, retinal microglia and other eye-derived cells.Furthermore, miR-21 plays an important part in the development of various eye diseases including retinoblastoma, uveal melanoma, corneal alkali burn, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, diabetic retinopathy and uveitis.Further studies have shown that inhibited expression of miR-21 can treat retinoblastoma and rescue vision loss caused by corneal neovascularization and diabetic retinopathy, while overexpression of miR-21 can promote corneal epithelial healing and treat primary open-angle glaucoma and retinal degeneration.This review summarized the recent research progress of the role of miR-21 in eye diseases.
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Objective:To investigate the changes of proopiomelanocortin(POMC) expression in hypothalamus and corresponding metabolism in miR-21 knockout mice.Methods:miR-21 knockout or wild-type C57BL/6J mice were divided into diabetic group and control group, respectively. Diabetic mice model were forged with high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin. The changes of body weight and blood glucose in each group were monitored. By the end of the experiment, mice were sacrificed, and POMC protein expression and STAT3 mRNA expression in hypothalamus were detected.Results:There were no significant differences in body weight and blood glucose levels among all groups at baseline( P>0.05). The differences of body weight and blood glucose levels among various groups were compared at 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks after the model was established. The results showed that body weight of mice in the diabetes group or miR-21 knockout+ diabetes group was higher than that in the control group at each time point( P<0.05). Moreover, there were significant difference in body weight between diabetes group and miR-21 knockout+ diabetes group at 3 and 12 weeks( P<0.05). The blood glucose levels in diabetes group were significantly higher than those in other groups at each time point( P<0.05). The blood glucose level in miR-21 knockout+ diabetes group was lower than that in diabetes group and higher than control group( P<0.05). POMC protein and STAT3 mRNA levels in diabetes group were significantly lower than those in control group, while those in the miR-21 knockout+ diabetes group were higher than those in the diabetes group. Conclusions:The expression of POMC in hypothalamus of miR-21 knockout mice is higher than that of wild-type diabetic mice. miR-21 knockout can decrease blood glucose level and body weight, and improve energy metabolism of diabetic mice.
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Objective:To investigate the regulatory mechanism of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) NEF on T cell immune function in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) mice.Methods:Female Balb/c mice were used to construct OVX model ( n=46) and sham control group ( n=16) . Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-SCs) from these two groups of mice were cultured. NEF recombinant expression vector (pIRSE2-NEF) was constructed and transfected into BMSCs. RT-qPCR was used to detect NEF and miR-21 levels in BMSCs cells in sham group, OVX group, and pIRSE2-NEF group. Luciferase gene report experiment was used to verify the binding effect of NEF and miR-21. The remaining 40 OVX mice were divided into 4 groups, including OVX group ( n=10) , pIRSE2-NEF injection group (pIRSE2-NEF group, n=10) , pIRSE2-NEF combined with PD-1 inhibitor group (pIRSE2-NEF+ PD-L1-IN-1 group, n=10) , and pIRSE2-NEF combined with miR-21 mimic (mimic) group (pIRSE2-NEF+ mimic group, n=10) . The remaining 10 mice in sham group were used as the control group. ELI-SA was used to detect the levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-13 and PD-1/PD-1L in peripheral blood. Flow cytometry was used to detect the shift of serum Treg-Th17 cell subsets. Results:Compared with the Sham group (1.01±0.04, 1.00±0.03) , the expression of NEF in BMSCs of OVX group was down-regulated (0.23±0.01) , and miR-21 was up-regulated (2.96±0.05) ( P<0.05) . Compared with OVX group (1.23±0.15, 5.20±0.31) , NEF in BMSCs cells of Pirse2-nef group was significantly up-regulated (6.83±0.35) ( P<0.05) , while miR-21 was down-regulated (0.29±0.11) ( P<0.05) .NEF has a direct binding base site with miR-21.The levels of IFN-γ (3.25±0.21) , IL-2 (2.44±0.06) and Th17/Treg ratio (3.18±0.65) in peripheral blood of mice in OVX group were significantly higher than those in Sham group (1.03±0.02, 1.00±0.01, 0.86±0.09) (all P<0.05) . The levels of IL-4 (0.45±0.02) , IL-13 (0.43±0.07) , PD-1 (0.24±0.03) and PD-1L (0.51±0.06) were significantly lower than those of Sham group (1.00±0.04, 1.00±0.02, 1.00±0.03, 1.00±0.00) ( P<0.05) ; Compared with OVX, IFN-γ (2.02±0.06) , IL-2 (0.88±0.01) and Th17/Treg ratio (1.43±0.22) in Pirse2-nef group were decreased. The levels of IL-4 (0.87±0.03) , IL-13 (0.84±0.07) , PD-1 (0.79±0.06) and PD-1L (0.77±0.06) were increased (all P<0.05) ; Compared with Pirse2-nef group, IFN-γ (2.89±0.06) , IL-2 (2.07±0.07) and Th17/Treg ratio (2.39±0.38) were increased in Pirse2-nef+ PD-L1-in-1 group. The levels of IL-4 (0.68±0.03) , IL-13 (0.76±0.08) , PD-1 (0.52±0.02) and PD-1L (0.83±0.04) were decreased (all P<0.05) . Moreover, the pIRSE2-NEF+ mimic group had the same adjustment effect as the pIRSE2-NEF+ PD-L1-IN-1 group. Conclusion:lncRNA-NEF improves immune imbalance and PD-1/PD-1L-mediated Treg-Th17 cell balance in postmenopausal osteoporosis mice by sponging miR-21.
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@#In the process of orthodontic treatment, the balance between the modeling of alveolar bone and the mechanical stress exerted by the appliance is key to the effective movement of orthodontic teeth. Alveolar bone modeling involves many regulatory factors, and microRNAs (miRNAs), as posttranscriptional regulatory factors, play an important role in the occurrence of bone modeling. As an important member of the miRNA family, miRNA-21 promotes the differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells into osteoblasts and plays an important role in maintaining bone balance and preventing bone resorption as a regulator of osteoclast formation and a promoter of osteoclast differentiation. A literature review showed that miRNA-21 can regulate osteoclast function and promote bone resorption through programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4), phosphate and tension homology deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN), receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG). MiRNA-21 is highly sensitive to external mechanical stress in the process of orthodontic tooth movement. After orthodontic force is applied, miRNA-21 can promote osteoclast formation and accelerate orthodontic movement; through targeted regulation of periodontal ligament associated protein-1 (PLAP-1), it can regulate periodontal ligament remodeling in the late stage of tooth movement and improve the potential of tooth movement. In addition, miRNA-21 mediates orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) and alveolar bone remodeling in the periodontal inflammatory microenvironment. miRNA-21 can upregulate the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in periodontal ligament stem cells in a hypoxic environment. It can promote the expression of osteogenic markers, such as osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin (OCN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), and promote osteogenic differentiation during orthodontic tooth movement.
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@#[Abstract] Objective: To explore the effects of miR-21 targeting PDCD4 (programmed cell death factor 4) on proliferation and migration of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 cells and the possible mechanism. Methods: The miR-21 mimics, miR-21 inhibitors and miR-NC plasmids were transfected into A549 cells in logarithmic growth phase by liposome transfection technology. Forty-eight hours after transfection, the transfection efficiency was observed under a fluorescence microscope, and the mRNA expression levels of miR-21 and PDCD4 in A549 cells were detected by qPCR. Dual luciferase reporter gene experiment was used to detect the targeting relationship between miR-21 and PDCD4, MTT method was used to detect cell proliferation, Transwell chamber method was used to detect cell migration ability, and ELISA was used to detect the content of TNF-α in each group of cell culture fluids. WB was used to detect the protein expression levels of PDCD4, NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 in cells. Results: The A549 cell line with miR-21 over-expression or knockdown was successfully constructed. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that miR-21 targetedly inhibited PDCD4 expression. Over-expression of miR-21 could significantly inhibit the mRNA expression of PDCD4 in A549 cells (P<0.01), promote cell proliferation and migration (P<0.05 or P<0.01), increase the secretion level of TNF-α (P<0.01), down-regulate the expression of PDCD4 protein (P<0.01), and up-regulate p-NF-κB p65 protein level (P<0.05). The effect of silencing miR-21 on cells was opposite to the effect of miR-21 over-expression. Conclusion: Over-expression of miR-21 can promote the proliferation and migration ability of A549 cells, which may be related to its targeted inhibition of PDCD4 and activating the NF-κB/TNF-α pathway.
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OBJECTIVES@#To explore the molecular mechanism for thyroid cancer metastasis via analyzing the role of microRNA (miR)-21-5p and its target gene recombinant sclerostin domain containing protein 1 (SOSTDC1) in thyroid cancer.@*METHODS@#The target miR-21-5p was screened through bioinformatics analysis and cell verification, and the thyroid cancer cell lines was transfected with miR-21-5p inhibitor. 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test, flow cytometry, and cell scratch test were used to detect the proliferation, apoptosis and migration of thyroid cancer cells in the miR-21-5p inhibitor group and the inhibitor control group, respectively. The luciferase report experiment was used to verify the relationship between miR-21-5p and SOSTDC1, Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels and phosphorylation levels of SOSTDC1,phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) in thyroid cancer cells.@*RESULTS@#MiR-21-5p was significantly increased in thyroid cancer cells,which was negatively correlated with SOSTDC1 (@*CONCLUSIONS@#MiR-21-5p in thyroid cancer cells can target the expression of SOSTDC1 and affect the activities of PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK, thereby inhibiting the apoptosis of thyroid cancer cells and promoting cell proliferation and migration.
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Humans , Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing , Apoptosis/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Movement , Cell Proliferation , MicroRNAs/genetics , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism , Thyroid Neoplasms/geneticsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biological mechanism of curcumin inhibiting the invasion and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: The cytotoxicity of curcumin was detected by Am-Blue assay. Cell-based luciferase assay was used to detect the change of the microRNA-21 expression level. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of mRNA of pri-miR-21, pre-miR-21 and microRNA-21. The protein expression levels of PTEN, PDCD4 and EMT markers were detected by Western blot. Wound healing assay and transwell assay were used to detect cell invasion and migration. RESULTS: Curcumin can significantly inhibit the expression of microRNA-21, while inhibiting the mRNA expression of the precursors pri-miR-21, pre-miR-21 and mature microRNA-21. Curcumin can significantly enhance the expression levels of microRNA target proteins PTEN and PDCD4. Curcumin inhibited the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, in which the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin was increased, and the expression of N-cadherin and vimentin was decreased. Curcumin can inhibit the invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Curcumin inhibits the invasion and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting the expression of microRNA-21.
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OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of vitamin D on microRNA-21(miR-21) expression and migration and invasion of human placental trophoblast cells.@*METHODS@#The changes in the expression of miR-21 were detected using RT-qPCR in HTR-8/SVneo cells following stimulation by vitamin D at different doses for 24, 48 and 72 h.HTR-8/SVneo cells transfected with miR-21 mimic or inhibitor with or without vitamin D treatment were examined for changes in cell migration and invasion abilities using Transwell assay, and Western blotting was used to detect protein expressions of E-cadherin, fibronectin, and MMP9.@*RESULTS@#Vitamin D obviously inhibited the expression of micoRNA-21 in HTR-8/SVneo cells in a concentration-and time-dependent manner.Transfection with the miR-21 mimic significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of HTR-8/SVneo cells, and this inhibitory effect was abolished by treatment with vitamin D; transfection with miR-21 inhibitor obviously promoted the migration and invasion of HTR-8/SVneo cells, and these effects were not significantly affected by vitamin D treatment.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Vitamin D may promote trophoblast cell migration and invasion to accelerate the development of preeclampsia by down-regulating the expression of miR-21.
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Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Cell Movement , MicroRNAs , Genetics , Placenta , Pre-Eclampsia , Trophoblasts , Vitamin DABSTRACT
To investigate the effect of overexpression of microRNA-21-5p (miR-21-5p) on early apoptosis of type Ⅱalveolar epithelial cells (AECⅡ) in rats with hyperoxic acute lung injury (HALI). Methods The Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group (CON group), hyperoxia group (H group), overexpression group (OE group) and empty vector group (EV group), with 20 rats in each group. HALI animal model was made by inhaling high concentration oxygen (oxygen concentration ≥90%); CON group was arranged to inhale room air. The miR-21-5p adeno-associated virus-6 (AAV-6) overexpression vectors or empty vectors were dripped into the lungs of OE group and EV group through tracheal tube, respectively. The hyperoxia model was prepared after 3 weeks of feeding. At 0, 24, 48 and 60 hours after making model, 5 rats were selected to detect lung injury parameters:oxygenation index (OI), respiratory index (RI), wet/dry ratio (W/D), pathological injury score of lung tissue; real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of miR-21-5p in AECⅡ, and flow cytometry was used to detect the early apoptotic rate of AECⅡ. Results ① The lung injury parameters: in H group, the OI gradually decreased with time, but the RI, lung W/D ratio and pathological score increased gradually with time, the difference between CON group was statistically significant at 24 hours [OI (mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa):336.04±5.79 vs. 400.22±19.70, RI: 0.20±0.02 vs. 0.10±0.06, lung W/D ratio: 5.04±0.09 vs. 4.85±0.09, lung tissue pathological score: 0.13±0.01 vs. 0.07±0.01, all P < 0.05]. It indicated that HALI model could be successfully established by inhaling high concentration oxygen continuously. ② The expression of miR-21-5p: the miR-21-5p was gradually increased in H, OE and EV groups, and the expression of miR-21-5p was significantly higher than that in CON group at 24, 48 and 60 hours. Compared with H group, the expression of miR-21-5p was significantly increased further in OE group at 0, 24, 48 and 60 hours (2-ΔΔCt: 3.75±0.11 vs. 0.98±0.14, 3.98±0.12 vs. 1.18±0.13, 4.28±0.18 vs. 1.49±0.06, 4.66±0.12 vs. 1.80±0.12, all P < 0.05). ③ The early apoptosis of AECⅡ: the early apoptosis rate gradually increased with time in H, OE and EV groups, and the early apoptosis of AECⅡ was significantly higher than that in CON group at 24, 48 and 60 hours. Compared with H group, the early apoptosis rate was significantly decreased in OE group at 24, 48 and 60 hours [(1.22±0.63)% vs. (2.84±0.59)%, (5.76±0.18)% vs. (13.10±2.01)%, (29.48±0.48)% vs. (49.04±1.36)%, all P < 0.05]. ④ There was no significant difference in the expression of miR-21-5p and the early apoptosis of AECⅡ cells between EV group and H group at each time point. Conclusion Overexpression of miR-21-5p could inhibit the early apoptosis of AECⅡ in rats with HALI.
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AIM:To investigate the regulation ofβ-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) agonist isoproterenol (ISO) on cardiac microRNA-21 (miR-21) expression.METHODS:The primary cultured mouse cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts were isolated by enzyme digestion and treated with ISO at 10μmol/L for 1, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h.The expression of miR-21 was detected by real-time PCR.The protein levels of p-STAT3 and STAT3 were determined by Western blot, and the concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the cultured supernatant was measured by ELISA.The cells were transfected with the luciferase reporter gene plasmid p GL3-21PPR containing the miR-21 promoter region, and the luciferase reporter gene assay was used to examine the effect of conditioned medium on the transcriptional activity of miR-21.RESULTS:The medium supernatant produced by ISO on cardiac fibroblasts was used as the conditioned medium, which increased the miR-21 expression in the cardiomyocytes in a time-dependent manner after fibroblasts was treated with ISO (P<0.05).The conditioned medium caused a significant increase in the transcriptional activity of miR-21 in the cardiomyocytes, while24 h and 48 h conditioned medium increased the transcriptional activity by 94.9％and 77.1％, respectively (P<0.01).The concentration of IL-6 in the conditioned medium was significantly increased, and the activity of transcriptional factor STAT3 was enhanced by paracrine action of IL-6 in the cardiomyocytes, which promoted the transcription and expression of miR-21.CONCLUSION:β-AR stimulation induces fibroblast synthesis and expression of IL-6 with paracrine effect on cardiomyocytes, up-regulates the expression of miR-21 in cardiomyocytes by IL-6/STAT3 pathway, and participates in the cardiac remodeling.
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Objeetive Airway remodeling is an important pathological feature of asthma.This study is to investigate the role of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in airway remodeling in asthmatic mice.Methods A total of 16 female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group and asthma model group.Mice were sensitized and challenged by ovalbumin to establish a murine model of asthma.The mice in the normal control group were intraperitoneally injected with phosphate buffered saline for sensitization and given a phosphate buffered saline inhalation for the challenge.Twenty-four hours after the last aerosol inhalation,lung tissues of mice were sampled and subjectd to Western blot for testing expression of TGFβ type Ⅱ receptor,Smad7,and Collagen Type Ⅰ (COL Ⅰ) in lung tissue of mice of each group.Quantitative real-time PCR was used to test miR-21 expression in lung tissue of mice of each group.Target gene prediction software (TargetScan) was used to predict target gene of miR-21.293T cell was used to conduct dual-luciferase reporter gene assay for verification of miR-21 target gene.Results Compared with control group,asthma group had increased expression of COL Ⅰ protein and miR-21 in lung tissue (t =11.94,P ＜ 0.05;t =23.05,P ＜ 0.05).Smad7 and TGF-βR Ⅱ were target genes of miR-21.Conclusion miR-21 down-regulates Smad7,a target gene of miR-21,activates the TGFβ/Smad signaling pathway,and promotes airway remodeling,indicating that miR-21 may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of airway remodeling in asthma.
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Objective To determine the expression level of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in serum exosomes of patients with different severities of asthma, and to explore the diagnostic value. Methods A total of 82 patients with asthma who did not received any treatment and 80 healthy control volunteers were enrolled in this study. The asthma cases were divided into four groups according to the severity of asthma, including intermittent group (n=20), mild sustained group (n=22), moderate sustained group (n=22), and severe sustained group (n=18). Expression levels of miR-21 were determined using qPCR and the differences were compared among the five groups. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between miR-21 expression level and severity of asthma. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnosis performance of miR-21 expression level in serum exosomes for different severities of asthma. Results The expression levels of miR-21 were significantly higher in the intermittent, mild sustained, moderate sustained and severe sustained groups than that in the healthy control group (all P<0.01). The difference of miR-21 expression level was statistically significant between the intermittent, mild sustained, moderate sustained and severe sustained groups (all P<0.01). Spearman correlation analysis showed that the relative expression level of miR-21 in serum exosomes was positively correlated with the severity of asthma (r=0.974, P=0.016 7). The areas under ROC curve of exosome miR-21 for diagnosing intermittent, mild sustained, moderate sustained and severe sustained asthma were 0.657, 0.769, 0.847 and 0.916, respectively (all P<0.01). Conclusion The expression level of miR-21 in serum exosomes is effective in diagnosing different severities of asthma, and miR-21 in serum exosomes may be a new non-invasive biomarkers.
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Objective@#To explore the effect of microRNA-21 (miR-21) on myocardial fibrosis in mice with chronic viral myocarditis (CVMC) and related mechanisms.@*Methods@#Forty 4-week-old Balb/c male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10 each): phosphate buffer saline (PBS) group, CVMC group, CVMC+miR-21 inhibitor group, CVMC+isotype control group. The first injection of Coxsackie virus B3 (CVB3) or PBS was performed on day 0, and the total study time was 42 days. Each mouse in CVMC group, CVMC+miR-21 inhibitor group and CVMC+isotype control group was intraperitoneally (i.p) injected with 100TCID50 CVB3 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 ml on day 0, 14, and 28, respectively. The mice in PBS group were i.p injected with the same dose of PBS at the same time point. After the initial infection, each mouse in CVMC+miR-21 inhibitor group and CVMC+isotype control group was intravenously injected with 0.1 ml miR-21 inhibitor or 0.1 ml isotype control, on day 14 and 28. Cardiac function was measured on surviving mice of 4 groups by echocardiography on day 42. Then, the hearts were removed aseptically to observe the expressions of green fluorescence protein (GFP). The myocardial pathological changes were examined with HE, Masson staining and the myocardial pathological scores (PS), the collagen volume fraction (CVF) were calculated respectively. The levels of miR-21, collagen typeⅠ-A1 (COL1-A1) and collagen type Ⅲ-A1 (COL3-A1) mRNA in heart were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Furthermore, the expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 7(Smad7) in heart were determined with Western blot assay.@*Results@#(1) Cardiac function in 4 groups: Compared with PBS group, left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD) and left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) were markedly increased in CVMC group and CVMC+isotype control group (all P<0.05), whereas the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was decreased (P<0.05). LVESD and LVEDD were significantly decreased, and LVEF was increased in CVMC+miR-21 inhibitor group compared with those in CVMC group and CVMC+isotype control group (all P<0.05). (2) Myocardial pathological changes: The expressions of GFP in CVMC+miR-21 inhibitor group and CVMC+isotype control group were visible in heart tissues frozen sections. The hearts in CVMC group and CVMC+isotype control group were enlarged and stiff, inflammatory cells were visible and significantly increased myocardial fibrosis was evidenced in mice of these two groups. Higher PS and CVF were evidenced in CVMC group (PS: 1.14±0.69 vs. 0, CVF: (17.86±2.61)% vs. (5.70±1.42)%, all P<0.05) and CVMC+isotype control group(PS: 1.00±0.63 vs. 0, CVF: (16.78±2.58)% vs. (5.70±1.42)%, all P<0.05) compared to PBS group. Compared with CVMC group and CVMC+isotype control group, degree of cardiac fibrosis was reduced in mice of CVMC+miR-21 inhibitor group (CVF: (11.01±2.55)% vs. (17.86±2.61)%, (11.01±2.55)% vs. (16.78±2.58)%, all P<0.05), whereas PS were similar between them (PS: 0.89±0.60 vs. 1.14±0.69, 0.89±0.60 vs. 1.00±0.63, all P>0.05). (3) Cardiac expressions of miR-21, COL1-A1 and COL3-A1 mRNA: The cardiac expressions of miR-21, COL1-A1 mRNA, COL3-A1mRNA in CVMC group and CVMC+isotype control group were markedly higher than those in PBS group (all P<0.05), which were significantly downregulated in CVMC+miR-21 inhibitor group (all P<0.05 vs. CVMC group and CVMC+isotype control group). (4) The cardiac expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad7 protein: The cardiac expressions of TGF-β1 protein in CVMC group and CVMC+isotype control group were markedly higher, whereas the cardiac Smad7 protein expressions were significantly lower (all P<0.05) than those in PBS group (all P<0.05), these changes could be reversed in CVMC+miR-21 inhibitor group (P<0.05 vs. CVMC group and CVMC+isotype control group).@*Conclusions@#Our results suggest that miR-21 contributes to the myocardial fibrosis in CVMC mice through modulating TGF-β1/Smad7 signaling pathway.
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OBJECTIVBE To investigate the intervention of compound Astragalus and Salvia milt-iorrhiza extract (CASE) consisted of astragalosides, astragalus polysaccharides and salvianolic acids on the interaction of microRNA-145/microRNA-21 (miR-145/miR-21) and Smad3C/3L phosphorylation (pSmad3C/pSmad3L) down-stream of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression by in vitro and in vivo experi-ments. METHODS In HepG2 cells and xenografts of nude mice, antagomir/agomir and plasmids of Smad3C/3L phosphorylation site mutation (Smad3 3S-A/Smad3 EPSM) were used to intervene miR-145/miR-21 and pSmad3C/pSmad3L expression respectively,then incorporative CASE treatment. Cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, tumor growth and histopathologic characteristics of xenografts, relevant proteins of TGF-β/Smad pathway and miR-145/miR-21 were evaluated.RESULTS CASE up-regulated miR-145 while down-regulated miR-21, inhibited cell proliferation,migration and tumor growth, accelerated cell apoptosis in HepG2 cells respectively transfected with Smad3 WT, Smad3 EPSM,Smad3 3S-A plasmids in cultured dishes and xenografts of nude mice,the above effects were more evident in HepG2 cells with increased pSmad3C.In TGF-β1-stimulated HepG2 cells and xenografts of nude mice, CASE antagonized the facilitating effects of miR-145 antagomir/miR-21 agomir on cell migration,proliferation,tumor growth and inhibiting effects of miR-145 antagomir/miR-21 agomir on cell apoptosis; CASE increased miR-145 down-regulated by miR-145 antagomir and decreased miR-21 up-regulated by miR-21 agomir,reduced protein level of pSmad3L and their proteins including TβRⅡ, pERK1/2, pJNK1/2 and pp38 while elevated pSmad3C expression. CONCLUSION These results suggest that pSmad3C/pSmad3L maybe interact with miR-145/miR-21 in HCC progression,which may be one of important molecular mechanisms of CASE's anti-HCC effects.
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Objective:To investigate the expression and clinical significance of plasma microRNA-21 (miRNA-21) and microRNA-200b (miRNA-200b) in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).Methods:The levels of plasma miRNA-200b,miRNA-21 and CA125 were detected by RT-PCR in 162 patients with EOC,120 patients with benign epithelial ovarian tumors(benign group) and 108 healthy women(control group),analyze the relation between miRNA-200b and miRNA-21 expression and clinicopathological features of EOC.The sensitivity and specificity of miRNA-200b,miRNA-21 and CA125 to EOC diagnosis were evaluated by ROC curve,and the re-lationship between three indexes and EOC was analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression model.Correlation analysis of plasma miRNA-200b and miRNA-21,CA125 in patients with EOC by Pearson correlation.Results:The levels of plasma miRNA-200b,miRNA-21 and CA125 in EOC group were significantly higher than those in benign group and control group[miRNA-200b(2-ΔΔCt):3.52±1.03 vs 1.26±0.37 and 1.15±0.34;miRNA-21(2-ΔΔCt):2.32±0.45 vs 1.18±0.32 and 1.04±0.28;CA125(U/ml):78.64±30.57 vs 26.27±11.36 and 21.53±9.45,all P<0.01].Plasma miRNA-200b,miRNA-21,CA125 and three combined diagnosis EOC of AUC (95% CI) were 0.896(0.834-0.958),0.792(0.731-0.847),0.908(0.841-0.973),0.947(0.883-0.995),the optimal cut-off values were 2.08,1.46,52.84 U/ml.Logistic regression analysis showed that elevated plasma levels of miRNA-200b,miRNA-21 and CA125 were independent risk factors for EOC[OR(95% CI)= 2.518(1.563-3.547),OR(95% CI)= 1.724(1.103-2.528),OR (95% CI)=2.316(1.347-3.419)].The correlation between plasma miRNA-200b and CA125 in patients with EOC was the best(r=0.702,P<0.01).Conclusion:Plasma miRNA-200b and miRNA-21 can be used as molecular markers for the early diagnosis of EOC, and their diagnostic efficacy is comparable to that of CA125.The combined use of the three methods is expected to improve the accuracy of early diagnosis of EOC.