Bio-Prospecting of Crude Leaf Extracts from Thirteen Plants of Brazilian Cerrado Biome on Human Glioma Cell Lines.

(1) Background: Malignant gliomas are aggressive tumors characterized by fast cellular growth and highly invasive properties. Despite all biological and clinical advances in therapy, the standard treatment remains essentially palliative. Therefore, searching for alternative therapies that minimize adverse symptoms and improve glioblastoma patients' outcomes is imperative. Natural products represent an essential source in the discovery of such new drugs. Plants from the cerrado biome have been receiving increased attention due to the presence of secondary metabolites with significant therapeutic potential. (2) Aim: This study provides data on the cytotoxic potential of 13 leaf extracts obtained from plants of 5 families (Anacardiaceae, Annonaceae, Fabaceae, Melastomataceae e Siparunaceae) found in the Brazilian cerrado biome on a panel of 5 glioma cell lines and one normal astrocyte. (3) Methods: The effect of crude extracts on cell viability was evaluated by MTS assay. Mass spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR MS) was performed to identify the secondary metabolites classes presented in the crude extracts and partitions. (4) Results: Our results revealed the cytotoxic potential of Melastomataceae species Miconia cuspidata, Miconia albicans, and Miconia chamissois. Additionally, comparing the four partitions obtained from M. chamissois crude extract indicates that the chloroform partition had the greatest cytotoxic activity against the glioma cell lines. The partitions also showed a mean IC50 close to chemotherapy, temozolomide; nevertheless, lower toxicity against normal astrocytes. Analysis of secondary metabolites classes presented in these crude extracts and partitions indicates the presence of phenolic compounds. (5) Conclusions: These findings highlight M. chamissois chloroform partition as a promising component and may guide the search for the development of additional new anticancer therapies.

Bioprospecting of Natural Compounds from Brazilian Cerrado Biome Plants in Human Cervical Cancer Cell Lines.

Cervical cancer is the third most common in Brazilian women. The chemotherapy used for the treatment of this disease can cause many side effects; then, to overcome this problem, new treatment options are necessary. Natural compounds represent one of the most promising sources for the development of new drugs. In this study, 13 different species of 6 families from the Brazilian Cerrado vegetation biome were screened against human cervical cancer cell lines (CCC). Some of these species were also evaluated in one normal keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). The effect of crude extracts on cell viability was evaluated by a colorimetric method (MTS assay). Extracts from Annona crassiflora, Miconia albicans, Miconia chamissois, Stryphnodendron adstringens, Tapirira guianensis, Xylopia aromatica, and Achyrocline alata showed half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values < 30 µg/mL for at least one CCC. A. crassiflora and S. adstringens extracts were selective for CCC. Mass spectrometry (Electrospray Ionization Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer (ESI FT-ICR MS)) of A. crassiflora identified fatty acids and flavonols as secondary compounds. One of the A. crassiflora fractions, 7C24 (from chloroform partition), increased H2AX phosphorylation (suggesting DNA damage), PARP cleavage, and cell cycle arrest in CCC. Kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside and oleic acid were bioactive molecules identified in 7C24 fraction. These findings emphasize the importance of investigating bioactive molecules from natural sources for developing new anti-cancer drugs.

Integrated analysis of mRNA and miRNA profiles revealed the role of miR-193 and miR-210 as potential regulatory biomarkers in different molecular subtypes of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy among women. However, the role of microRNA (miRNA) expression in breast cancer progression is not fully understood. In this study we examined predictive interactions between differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs in breast cancer cell lines representative of the common molecular subtypes. Integrative bioinformatics analysis identified miR-193 and miR-210 as potential regulatory biomarkers of mRNA in breast cancer. Several recent studies have investigated these miRNAs in a broad range of tumors, but the mechanism of their involvement in cancer progression has not previously been investigated. METHODS: The miRNA-mRNA interactions in breast cancer cell lines were identified by parallel expression analysis and miRNA target prediction programs. The expression profiles of mRNA and miRNAs from luminal (MCF-7, MCF-7/AZ and T47D), HER2 (BT20 and SK-BR3) and triple negative subtypes (Hs578T e MDA-MB-231) could be clearly separated by unsupervised analysis using HB4A cell line as a control. Breast cancer miRNA data from TCGA patients were grouped according to molecular subtypes and then used to validate these findings. Expression of miR-193 and miR-210 was investigated by miRNA transient silencing assays using the MCF7, BT20 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Functional studies included, xCELLigence system, ApoTox-Glo triplex assay, flow cytometry and transwell inserts were performed to determine cell proliferation, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, migration and invasion, respectively. RESULTS: The most evident effects were associated with cell proliferation after miR-210 silencing in triple negative subtype cell line MDA-MB-231. Using in silico prediction algorithms, TNFRSF10 was identified as one of the potential regulated downstream targets for both miRNAs. The TNFRSF10C and TNFRSF10D mRNA expression inversely correlated with the expression levels of miR-193 and miR210 in breast cell lines and breast cancer patients, respectively. Other potential regulated genes whose expression also inversely correlated with both miRNAs were CCND1, a known mediator on invasion and metastasis, and the tumor suppressor gene RUNX3. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our findings identify miR-193 and miR-210 as potential regulatory miRNA in different molecular subtypes of breast cancer and suggest that miR-210 may have a specific role in MDA-MB-231 proliferation. Our results highlight important new downstream regulated targets that may serve as promising therapeutic pathways for aggressive breast cancers.

Investigation of U-251 cell death triggered by flavonoid luteolin: towards a better understanding on its anticancer property against glioblastomas.

Recently, many studies have reported the anticancer properties of flavonoid luteolin against a variety of tumors, but there is still a lack in the description of its mechanism of action. In attempt to better contribute to the literature, we evaluated the antiproliferative activity of luteolin extracted by Fridericia platyphylla in a panel of tumor cell lines representative of six different tissues. Luteolin presented antiproliferative activity for all the assessed tumor cell lines, being glioblastoma the most sensitive one. This compound was able to inhibit U-251 cells migration and tumorigenesis. Besides, luteolin leads U-251 tumor cells to apoptosis death by depolarisation of the mitochondrial membrane, ERK proteins phosphorylation, cleavage of PARP and Caspase 9, further inducing DNA damage by H2AX phosphorylation, which had not yet been described for glioblastomas. Altogether, our results reaffirm luteolin as a potential therapeutic drug.

Monitoring abscopal responses to radiation in mice.

Focal radiation therapy has the potential to generate systemic tumor-targeting immune responses so potent as to eradicate anatomically distant, non-irradiated malignant lesions, a phenomenon commonly referred to as "the abscopal response." In cancer patients, bona fide abscopal responses are rare, although the recent introduction of immune checkpoint blockers into the clinical practice has significantly increased their incidence. In rodents, abscopal responses can be conveniently modeled by establishing two, slightly asynchronous and anatomically distant subcutaneous tumors in syngeneic immunocompetent hosts, provided that the therapeutic partners of radiation potentially included in the regimen of choice do not mediate systemic anticancer effects per se. Here, we describe such method to monitor abscopal responses based on mammary carcinoma TSA cells implanted in syngeneic immunocompetent BALB/c mice. With minor variations, the same technique can be conveniently applied to a variety of transplantable mouse tumors.

Coronarin D Induces Apoptotic Cell Death and Cell Cycle Arrest in Human Glioblastoma Cell Line.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent and highest-grade brain tumor in adults. The prognosis is still poor despite the use of combined therapy involving maximal surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The development of more efficient drugs without noticeable side effects is urgent. Coronarin D is a diterpene obtained from the rhizome extract of Hedychium coronarium, classified as a labdane with several biological activities, principally anticancer potential. The aim of the present study was to determine the anti-cancer properties of Coronarin D in the glioblastoma cell line and further elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Coronarin D potently suppressed cell viability in glioblastoma U-251 cell line, and also induced G1 arrest by reducing p21 protein and histone H2AX phosphorylation, leading to DNA damage and apoptosis. Further studies showed that Coronarin D increased the production of reactive oxygen species, lead to mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, and subsequently activated caspases and ERK phosphorylation, major mechanisms involved in apoptosis. To our knowledge, this is the first analysis referring to this compound on the glioma cell line. These findings highlight the antiproliferative activity of Coronarin D against glioblastoma cell line U-251 and provide a basis for further investigation on its antineoplastic activity on brain cancer.

Annona coriacea Mart. Fractions Promote Cell Cycle Arrest and Inhibit Autophagic Flux in Human Cervical Cancer Cell Lines.

Plant-based compounds are an option to explore and perhaps overcome the limitations of current antitumor treatments. Annona coriacea Mart. is a plant with a broad spectrum of biological activities, but its antitumor activity is still unclear. The purpose of our study was to determine the effects of A. coriacea fractions on a panel of cervical cancer cell lines and a normal keratinocyte cell line. The antitumor effect was investigated in vitro by viability assays, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration, and invasion assays. Intracellular signaling was assessed by Western blot, and major compounds were identified by mass spectrometry. All fractions exhibited a cytotoxic effect on cisplatin-resistant cell lines, SiHa and HeLa. C3 and C5 were significantly more cytotoxic and selective than cisplatin in SiHa and Hela cells. However, in CaSki, a cisplatin-sensitive cell line, the compounds did not demonstrate higher cytotoxicity when compared with cisplatin. Alkaloids and acetogenins were the main compounds identified in the fractions. These fractions also markedly decreased cell proliferation with p21 increase and cell cycle arrest in G2/M. These effects were accompanied by an increase of H2AX phosphorylation levels and DNA damage index. In addition, fractions C3 and C5 promoted p62 accumulation and decrease of LC3II, as well as acid vesicle levels, indicating the inhibition of autophagic flow. These findings suggest that A. coriacea fractions may become effective antineoplastic drugs and highlight the autophagy inhibition properties of these fractions in sensitizing cervical cancer cells to treatment.

Modified ingenol semi-synthetic derivatives from Euphorbia tirucalli induce cytotoxicity on a large panel of human cancer cell lines.

The latex from Euphorbia tirucalli is used in Brazil as a folk medicine for several diseases, including cancer. Recently, we showed a cytotoxic activity of E. tirucalli euphol in a wide range of cancer cell lines. Moreover, we showed that euphol inhibits proliferation, motility and colony formation in pancreatic cancer cells, induces autophagy and sensitizes glioblastoma cells to temozolomide cytotoxicity. Herein, we report in vitro activity of three semi-synthetic ingenol compounds derived from E. tirucalli, IngA (ingenol-3-trans-cinnamate), IngB (ingenol-3-hexanoate) and IngC (ingenol-3-dodecanoate), against a large panel of human cancer cell lines. Antineoplastic effects of the three semi-synthetic compounds were assessed using MTS assays on 70 cancer cell lines from a wide array of solid tumors. Additionally, their antitumor potential was compared with known compounds of the same class, namely ingenol-3-angelate (Picato®) and ingenol 3,20-dibenzoate and in combination with standard chemotherapeutic agents. We observed that IngA, B, and C exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxic effects. Amongst the semi-synthetic compounds, IngC displayed the best activity across the tumor cell lines. In comparison with ingenol-3-angelate and ingenol 3,20-dibenzoate, IngC showed a mean of 6.6 and 3.6-fold higher efficacy, respectively, against esophageal cancer cell lines. Besides, IngC sensitized esophageal cancer cells to paclitaxel treatment. In conclusion, the semi-synthetic ingenol compounds, in particular, IngC, demonstrated a potent antitumor activity on all cancer cell lines evaluated. Although the underlying mechanisms of action of IngC are not elucidated, our results provide insights for further studies suggesting IngC as a putative therapy for cancer treatment.

Hexane partition from Annona crassiflora Mart. promotes cytotoxity and apoptosis on human cervical cancer cell lines.

Cervical cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed tumor type and the fourth cause of cancer-related death in females. Therapeutic options for cervical cancer patients remain very limited. Annona crassiflora Mart. is used in traditional medicine as antimicrobial and antineoplastic agent. However, little is known about its antitumoral properties. In this study the antineoplastic effect of crude extract and derived partitions from A. crassiflora Mart in cervical cancer cell lines was evaluated. The crude extract significantly alters cell viability of cervical cancer cell lines as well as proliferation and migration, and induces cell death in SiHa cells. Yet, the combination of the crude extract with cisplatin leads to antagonistic effect. Importantly, the hexane partition derived from the crude extract presented cytotoxic effect both in vitro and in vivo, and initiates cell responses, such as DNA damage (H2AX activity), apoptosis via intrinsic pathway (cleavage of caspase-9, caspase-3, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and mitochondrial membrane depolarization) and decreased p21 expression by ubiquitin proteasome pathway. Concluding, this work shows that hexane partition triggers several biological responses such as DNA damage and apoptosis, by intrinsic pathways, and was also able to promote a direct decrease in tumor perimeter in vivo providing a basis for further investigation on its antineoplastic activity on cervical cancer.

Euphol, a tetracyclic triterpene, from Euphorbia tirucalli induces autophagy and sensitizes temozolomide cytotoxicity on glioblastoma cells.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent and aggressive type of brain tumor. There are limited therapeutic options for GBM so that new and effective agents are urgently needed. Euphol is a tetracyclic triterpene alcohol, and it is the main constituent of the sap of the medicinal plant Euphorbia tirucalli. We previously identified anti-cancer activity in euphol based on the cytotoxicity screening of 73 human cancer cells. We now expand the toxicological screening of the inhibitory effect and bioactivity of euphol using two additional glioma primary cultures. Euphol exposure showed similar cytotoxicity against primary glioma cultures compared to commercial glioma cells. Euphol has concentration-dependent cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines, with more than a five-fold difference in the IC50 values in some cell lines. Euphol treatment had a higher selective cytotoxicity index (0.64-3.36) than temozolomide (0.11-1.13) and reduced both proliferation and cell motility. However, no effect was found on cell cycle distribution, invasion and colony formation. Importantly, the expression of the autophagy-associated protein LC3-II and acidic vesicular organelle formation were markedly increased, with Bafilomycin A1 potentiating cytotoxicity. Finally, euphol also exhibited antitumoral and antiangiogenic activity in vivo, using the chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay, with synergistic temozolomide interactions in most cell lines. In conclusion, euphol exerted in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity against glioma cells, through several cancer pathways, including the activation of autophagy-associated cell death. These findings provide experimental support for further development of euphol as a novel therapeutic agent for GBM, either alone or in combination chemotherapy.

Reactivation of latent HIV-1 in vitro using an ethanolic extract from Euphorbia umbellata (Euphorbiaceae) latex.

Euphorbia umbellata (E. umbellata) belongs to Euphorbiaceae family, popularly known as Janauba, and its latex contains a combination of phorbol esters with biological activities described to different cellular protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms. Here, we identified deoxi-phorbol esters present in E. umbellata latex alcoholic extract that are able to increase HIV transcription and reactivate virus from latency models. This activity is probably mediated by NF-kB activation followed by nuclear translocation and binding to the HIV LTR promoter. In addition, E. umbellata latex extract induced the production of pro inflammatory cytokines in vitro in human PBMC cultures. This latex extract also activates latent virus in human PBMCs isolated from HIV positive patients as well as latent SIV in non-human primate primary CD4+ T lymphocytes. Together, these results indicate that the phorbol esters present in E. umbellata latex are promising candidate compounds for future clinical trials for shock and kill therapies to promote HIV cure and eradication.

A new coumarin derivative, 4-acetatecoumarin, with antifungal activity and association study against Aspergillus spp

Abstract Fungal infections have become a concern for health professionals, and the emergence of resistant strains has been reported for all known classes of antifungal drugs. Among the fungi causing disease, we highlight those that belong to the genus Aspergillus. For these reasons, the search for new antifungals is important. This study examines the effects of a coumarin derivative, 4-acetatecoumarin (Cou-UMB16) both alone and together with antifungal drugs, and its mode of action against Aspergillus spp. Cou-UMB16 was tested to evaluate its effects on mycelia growth, and germination of Aspergillus spp. fungal conidia. We investigated its possible action on cell walls, on the cell membrane, and also the capacity of this coumarin derivative to enhance the activity of antifungal drugs. Our results suggest that Cou-UMB16 inhibits Aspergillus spp. virulence factors (mycelia growth and germination of conidia) and affects the structure of the fungal cell wall. When applying Cou-UMB16 in combination with azoles, both synergistic and additive effects were observed. This study concludes that Cou-UMB16 inhibits mycelial growth and spore germination, and that the activity is due to its action on the fungal cell wall, and that Cou-UMB16 could act as an antifungal modifier.

A new coumarin derivative, 4-acetatecoumarin, with antifungal activity and association study against Aspergillus spp.

Fungal infections have become a concern for health professionals, and the emergence of resistant strains has been reported for all known classes of antifungal drugs. Among the fungi causing disease, we highlight those that belong to the genus Aspergillus. For these reasons, the search for new antifungals is important. This study examines the effects of a coumarin derivative, 4-acetatecoumarin (Cou-UMB16) both alone and together with antifungal drugs, and its mode of action against Aspergillus spp. Cou-UMB16 was tested to evaluate its effects on mycelia growth, and germination of Aspergillus spp. fungal conidia. We investigated its possible action on cell walls, on the cell membrane, and also the capacity of this coumarin derivative to enhance the activity of antifungal drugs. Our results suggest that Cou-UMB16 inhibits Aspergillus spp. virulence factors (mycelia growth and germination of conidia) and affects the structure of the fungal cell wall. When applying Cou-UMB16 in combination with azoles, both synergistic and additive effects were observed. This study concludes that Cou-UMB16 inhibits mycelial growth and spore germination, and that the activity is due to its action on the fungal cell wall, and that Cou-UMB16 could act as an antifungal modifier.

Overexpression of mir-183 and mir-494 promotes proliferation and migration in human breast cancer cell lines.

Breast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of cancer-associated mortality in females worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs), a type of non-coding RNA, have been reported to be important in the regulation of BC onset and progression. Several studies have implicated the role of miR-183 and miR-494 in different types of cancer. However, the biological functions of these miRNAs in BC remain largely unknown. In the present study, the expression of both miRNAs was assessed in the MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 BC cell lines. It was hypothesized that miR-183 and miR-494 serve an important role in regulating the expression of key genes associated with the metastatic phenotype of BC cells. To further understand their role, the expression of these miRNAs was restored in selected BC cell lines. Functional assays revealed that overexpression of miR-183 or miR-494 modulated the proliferation and migration of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells in vitro. Additionally, retinoblastoma 1 (RB1) was identified to be a downstream target of both miRNAs by in silico analysis. Western blotting revealed that upregulation of miR-183 was associated with downregulation of RB1 protein in MDA-MB-231 cells. In conclusion, the present results support the hypothesis that miR-183 and miR-494 serve a pivotal role in BC metastasis, and that miR-183 may act as an oncogene by targeting RB1 protein in MDA-MB-231 cells.

Rapid Diminution in the Level and Activity of DNA-Dependent Protein Kinase in Cancer Cells by a Reactive Nitro-Benzoxadiazole Compound.

The expression and activity of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is related to DNA repair status in the response of cells to exogenous and endogenous factors. Recent studies indicate that Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) is involved in modulating DNA-PK. It has been shown that a compound 4-nitro-7-[(1-oxidopyridin-2-yl)sulfanyl]-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (NSC), bearing a nitro-benzoxadiazole (NBD) scaffold, enhances tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR and triggers downstream signaling pathways. Here, we studied the behavior of DNA-PK and other DNA repair proteins in prostate cancer cells exposed to compound NSC. We showed that both the expression and activity of DNA-PKcs (catalytic subunit of DNA-PK) rapidly decreased upon exposure of cells to the compound. The decline in DNA-PKcs was associated with enhanced protein ubiquitination, indicating the activation of cellular proteasome. However, pretreatment of cells with thioglycerol abolished the action of compound NSC and restored the level of DNA-PKcs. Moreover, the decreased level of DNA-PKcs was associated with the production of intracellular hydrogen peroxide by stable dimeric forms of Cu/Zn SOD1 induced by NSC. Our findings indicate that reactive oxygen species and electrophilic intermediates, generated and accumulated during the redox transformation of NBD compounds, are primarily responsible for the rapid modulation of DNA-PKcs functions in cancer cells.

Activation of EGFR by small compounds through coupling the generation of hydrogen peroxide to stable dimerization of Cu/Zn SOD1.

Activation of cell signaling by reactive chemicals and pollutants is an important issue for human health. It has been shown that lipophilic nitro-benzoxadiazole (NBD) compounds rapidly move across the plasma membrane and enhance Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) tyrosine phosphorylation in cancer cells. Unlike ligand-dependent activation, the mechanism of this induction relies on the generation of hydrogen peroxide, which is involved in the activation of the catalytic site of the receptor and the inactivation of protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP-1B. Production of H2O2 during redox transformation of NBD compounds is associated with the transition of a monomeric form of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) to stable dimers. The highly stable and functionally active SOD1 dimer, in the absence of adequate activities in downstream reactions, promotes the disproportionate production and accumulation of intracellular hydrogen peroxide shortly after exposure to NBD compounds. The intrinsic fluorescence of small compounds was used to demonstrate their binding to SOD1. Our data indicate that H2O2 and concomitantly generated electrophilic intermediates behave as independent entities, but all contribute to the biological reactivity of NBD compounds. This study opens a promising path to identify new biomarkers of oxidative/electrophilic stress in the progression of cancer and other diseases.

Assessment of mutagenic, antimutagenic and genotoxicity effects of Mimosa tenuiflora

Genotoxic effects of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir, Fabaceae, were investigated by using both micronucleus test and bacterial reverse mutation assay in Salmonella typhimurium TA97, TA98, TA100, TA102 respectively. In respect of Ames test results show that the extract does not induce mutations in any strains of Salmonella typhimurium tested since the mutagenicity index is less than 2. In the antimutagenic effect was observed that the extract at the concentrations tested significantly decreased the mutagenicity index of all strains tested which characterized the extract as antimutagenic in these conditions. In the micronucleus test in vivo, we observed that the concentrations used did not induce an increase in the frequency of micronucleus in normochromatic erythrocytes of mice. Therefore, we concluded that the extract of M. tenuiflora is not mutagenic in the absence of exogenous metabolizing system and does not induce an increase in the frequency of the micronucleus characterized as an agent not mutagenic in these conditions. Further studies of toxicity need to be made to the use of this plant in the treatment of diseases to be stimulated.

Expression and cellular localization of microRNA-29b and RAX, an activator of the RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR), in the retina of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

PURPOSE: The apoptosis of retinal neurons plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR), but the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cellular localization and the expression of microRNA-29b (miR-29b) and its potential target PKR associated protein X (RAX), an activator of the pro-apoptotic RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) signaling pathway, in the retina of normal and diabetic rats. METHODS: Retinas were obtained from normal and diabetic rats within 35 days after streptozotocin (STZ) injection. In silico analysis indicated that RAX is a potential target of miR-29b. The cellular localization of miR-29b and RAX was assessed by in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence, respectively. The expression levels of miR-29b and RAX mRNA were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), and the expression of RAX protein was evaluated by western blot. A luciferase reporter assay and inhibition of endogenous RAX were performed to confirm whether RAX is a direct target of miR-29b as predicted by the in silico analysis. RESULTS: We found that miR-29b and RAX are localized in the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and the cells of the inner nuclear layer (INL) of the retinas from normal and diabetic rats. Thus, the expression of miR-29b and RAX, as assessed in the retina by quantitative RT-PCR, reflects their expression in the RGCs and the cells of the INL. We also revealed that RAX protein is upregulated (more than twofold) at 3, 6, 16, and 22 days and downregulated (70%) at 35 days, whereas miR-29b is upregulated (more than threefold) at 28 and 35 days after STZ injection. We did not confirm the computational prediction that RAX is a direct target of miR-29b. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that RAX expression may be indirectly regulated by miR-29b, and the upregulation of this miRNA at the early stage of STZ-induced diabetes may have a protective effect against the apoptosis of RGCs and cells of the INL by the pro-apoptotic RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) signaling pathway.