Differential expression of transfer RNA-derived small RNAs in IgA nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is one of the most common forms of primary glomerulonephritis. Recent studies have indicated that small noncoding RNAs, such as tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs), might be novel biomarkers for glomerulonephritis. We therefore investigated the potential roles and possible functions of the tsRNAs in IgAN. METHOD: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were extracted from blood samples of the patients with IgAN and healthy control groups. The expression profiles of tsRNAs were assessed by small RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) in PBMCs of the IgAN and control groups. Dysregulated tsRNAs were selected for validation by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Target gene prediction and enrichment were performed by bioinformatics analysis. RESULTS: The results revealed that 143 significantly upregulated and 202 significantly downregulated tsRNAs were differentially altered in the IgAN group compared with the control group. Five upregulated tsRNAs (tRF-Val-AAC-007, tRF-Ala-AGC-063, tRF-Gln-CTG-010, tRF-Tyr-GTA-011 and tRF-Thr-AGT-007) and 3 downregulated tsRNAs (tiRNA-Val-TAC-004, tRF-Gly-CCC-005 and tRF-His-GTG-006) were selected for validation by qRT-PCR; the results were consistent with the sequencing data. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed that the target genes predicted by upregulated tsRNAs were mostly enriched in "nucleic acid metabolic process,' "intracellular part,' and "ion binding,' whereas the target genes predicted by downregulated tsRNAs were mostly enriched in "regulation of cellular component organization,' "membrane-bound organelle,' and "ion binding.' Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed that the target genes predicted by upregulated tsRNAs were mostly enriched in "herpes simplex virus 1 infection,' whereas the target genes predicted by downregulated tsRNAs were mostly enriched in "circadian rhythm CONCLUSIONS:: The present study confirmed the differential expression of tsRNAs in patients with IgAN, and these dysregulated tsRNAs might be novel potential targets for the diagnosis and treatment of IgAN.

[Effect of echinacoside on replication and antigen expression of hepatitis B virus].

To verify the effect of echinacoside on replication and antigen expression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) by using HBV-transfected HepG2. 2. 15 cells as the in vitro model. The ELISA method was used to determine HBeAg and HBsAg levels in cellular supernatants. The effect of echinacoside on HBV replication was studied by using HBV transgenic mice as the in vivo model. First of all, the HBV DNA level in hepatic tissues was quantified with PCR method. Meanwhile, the serum transaminase levels and hepatic pathological changes were also evaluated. Subsequently, HBV transgenic mice were divided into five groups: the control group, the lamivudine group (50 mg · kg(-1)) and echinacoside high, medium and low dose group (50, 25 and 12.5 mg · kg(-1)). The mice were orally administered with drugs once per day for 30 days. At the 31st day, the mice serum was separated to measure HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA. Additionally, the liver HBV DNA level and histopathological change were detected. The results indicated that echinacoside at 50 and 100 mg · L(-1) suppressed significantly HBsAg and HBeAg expressions on the sixth day, with the maximum inhibition ratios of 42.68% and 46.29%; And echinacoside at 100 mg · L(-1) also showed an inhibitory effect on HBV DNA. Besides, echinacoside at 50 mg · kg(-1) inhibited significantly HBsAg and HBeAg expressions of HBV transgenic mice, with the inhibition ratios of 42.82% and 29.12%, and reduced markedly the serum HBV DNA level in HBV transgenic mice. In conclusion, the study suggested that echinacoside has a strong effect against HBV replication and antigen expression.

Genome-wide analysis of DNA 5-hmC in peripheral blood of uremia by hMeDIP-chip.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of uremia is now dominated by dialysis; in some cases, patients are treated with dialysis for decades, but overall outcomes are disappointing. A number of studies have confirmed the relevance of several experimental insights to the pathogenesis of uremia, but the specific biomarkers of uremia have not been fully elucidated. To date, our knowledge about the alterations in DNA 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) in uremia is unclear, to investigate the role of DNA 5-hmC in the onset of uremia, we performed hMeDIP-chip between the uremia patients and the normal controls from the experiment to identify differentially expressed 5-hmC in uremia-associated samples. METHODS: Extract genomic DNA, using hMeDIP-chip technology of Active Motif companies for the analysis of genome-wide DNA 5-hmC, and quantitative real-time PCR confirmation to identify differentially expressed 5-hmC level in uremia-associated samples. RESULTS: There were 1875 genes in gene Promoter, which displayed significant 5-hmC differences in uremia patients compared with normal controls. Among these genes, 960 genes displayed increased 5-hmC and 915 genes decreased 5-hmC. 4063 genes in CpG Islands displayed significant 5-hmC differences in uremia patients compared with normal controls. Among these genes, 1780 genes displayed increased 5-hmC and 2283 genes decreased 5-hmC. Three positive genes, HMGCR, THBD, and STAT3 were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. CONCLUSION: Our studies indicate the significant alterations of 5-hmC. There is a correlation of gene modification 5-hmC in uremia patients. Such novel findings show the significance of 5-hmC as a potential biomarker or promising target for epigenetic-based uremia therapies.