MiR-193b-3p–ERBB4 axis regulates psoriasis pathogenesis via modulating cellular proliferation and inflammatory-mediator production of keratinocytes

AbstractPsoriasis is an auto-inflammatory skin disease characterized by abnormal activation of epidermal keratinocytes, aberrant neovascularization, and dysregulation of immune cells. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that mainly function in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Recently, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that expression of microRNAs is dysregulated in psoriasis patients and microRNAs play key roles in psoriasis pathogenesis. Downregulation of miR-193b-3p has been identified to be associated with psoriasis development. However, the precise functions and action mechanisms of miR-193b-3p in psoriasis pathogenesis remain unclear. In this study, we confirmed the downregulation of miR-193b-3p in psoriasis patients, psoriasis-like inflammatory cellular models, and an imiquimod (IMQ) -induced mouse model. A negative correlation was found between miR-193b-3p level and patient Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score. Furthermore, miR-193b-3p suppressed proliferation, inflammatory-factor secretion, and the STAT3 and NF-κB signaling pathways in keratinocytes. Importantly, intradermal injection of agomiR-193b-3p blocked, whereas antagomiR-193b-3p augmented, the psoriasis-like inflammation in the IMQ-induced mouse model. Bioinformatics analysis and the dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-193b-3p targets ERBB4 3ʹ untranslated region (UTR). In addition, ERBB4 induced proliferation, inflammatory-factor production, and the STAT3 and NF-κB pathways in keratinocytes. Most importantly, forced expression of ERBB4 could attenuate the effects of miR-193b-3p in keratinocytes, indicating that miR-193b-3p inhibits keratinocyte activation by directly targeting ERBB4. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that the miR-193b-3p–ERBB4 axis underlies the hyperproliferation and aberrant inflammatory-factor secretion of psoriatic keratinocytes, providing a novel, microRNA-related causal mechanism and a potential therapeutic target in psoriasis.

Download Full-text

Carrot Supplementation Improves Blood Pressure and Reduces Aortic Root Lesions in an Atherosclerosis-Prone Genetic Mouse Model

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13041181 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 1181

Author(s):

Raffaella Soleti ◽

Marine Coué ◽

Charlotte Trenteseaux ◽

Gregory Hilairet ◽

Lionel Fizanne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Mouse Model ◽

Aortic Root ◽

De Novo ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

De Novo Lipogenesis ◽

Hemodynamic Parameters ◽

Cellular Models ◽

Genetic Mouse Model

Epidemiological studies have shown that carrot consumption may be associated with a lower risk of developing several metabolic dysfunctions. Our group previously determined that the Bolero (Bo) carrot variety exhibited vascular and hepatic tropism using cellular models of cardiometabolic diseases. The present study evaluated the potential metabolic and cardiovascular protective effect of Bo, grown under two conditions (standard and biotic stress conditions (BoBS)), in apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE−/−) mice fed with high fat diet (HFD). Effects on metabolic/hemodynamic parameters and on atherosclerotic lesions have been assessed. Both Bo and BoBS decreased plasma triglyceride and expression levels of genes implicated in hepatic de novo lipogenesis and lipid oxidation. BoBS supplementation decreased body weight gain, secretion of very-low-density lipoprotein, and increased cecal propionate content. Interestingly, Bo and BoBS supplementation improved hemodynamic parameters by decreasing systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure. Moreover, Bo improved cardiac output. Finally, Bo and BoBS substantially reduced the aortic root lesion area. These results showed that Bo and BoBS enriched diets corrected most of the metabolic and cardiovascular disorders in an atherosclerosis-prone genetic mouse model and may therefore represent an interesting nutritional approach for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Download Full-text

A novel phosphoramide compound, DCZ0805, shows potent anti-myeloma activity via the NF-κB pathway

Cancer Cell International ◽

10.1186/s12935-021-01973-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xuejie Gao ◽

Bo Li ◽

Anqi Ye ◽

Houcai Wang ◽

Yongsheng Xie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mouse Model ◽

Tumor Burden ◽

High Rate ◽

Cell Counting ◽

Tumor Xenograft ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Xenograft Mouse Model

Abstract Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is a highly aggressive and incurable clonal plasma cell disease with a high rate of recurrence. Thus, the development of new therapies is urgently needed. DCZ0805, a novel compound synthesized from osalmide and pterostilbene, has few observed side effects. In the current study, we intend to investigate the therapeutic effects of DCZ0805 in MM cells and elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying its anti-myeloma activity. Methods We used the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, immunofluorescence staining, cell cycle assessment, apoptosis assay, western blot analysis, dual-luciferase reporter assay and a tumor xenograft mouse model to investigate the effect of DCZ0805 treatment both in vivo and in vitro. Results The results showed that DCZ0805 treatment arrested the cell at the G0/G1 phase and suppressed MM cells survival by inducing apoptosis via extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. DCZ0805 suppressed the NF-κB signaling pathway activation, which may have contributed to the inhibition of cell proliferation. DCZ0805 treatment remarkably reduced the tumor burden in the immunocompromised xenograft mouse model, with no obvious toxicity observed. Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that DCZ0805 can serve as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of MM.

Download Full-text

Exosome-transported circRNA_0001236 enhances chondrogenesis and suppress cartilage degradation via the miR-3677-3p/Sox9 axis

Stem Cell Research & Therapy ◽

10.1186/s13287-021-02431-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Guping Mao ◽

Yiyang Xu ◽

Dianbo Long ◽

Hong Sun ◽

Hongyi Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Mouse Model ◽

Chondrogenic Differentiation ◽

Cartilage Degradation ◽

Human Bone ◽

Human Bone Marrow ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Gene And Protein Expression

Abstract Objectives Aberrations in exosomal circular RNA (circRNA) expression have been identified in various human diseases. In this study, we investigated whether exosomal circRNAs could act as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) to regulate the pathological process of osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to elucidate the specific MSC-derived exosomal circRNAs responsible for MSC-mediated chondrogenic differentiation using human bone marrow-derived MSCs (hMSCs) and a destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) mouse model of OA. Methods Exosomal circRNA deep sequencing was performed to evaluate the expression of circRNAs in human bone marrow-derived MSCs (hMSCs) induced to undergo chondrogenesis from day 0 to day 21. The regulatory and functional roles of exosomal circRNA_0001236 were examined on day 21 after inducing chondrogenesis in hMSCs and were validated in vitro and in vivo. The downstream target of circRNA_0001236 was also explored in vitro and in vivo using bioinformatics analyses. A luciferase reporter assay was used to evaluate the interaction between circRNA_0001236 and miR-3677-3p as well as the target gene sex-determining region Y-box 9 (Sox9). The function and mechanism of exosomal circRNA_0001236 in OA were explored in the DMM mouse model. Results Upregulation of exosomal circRNA_0001236 enhanced the expression of Col2a1 and Sox9 but inhibited that of MMP13 in hMSCs induced to undergo chondrogenesis. Moreover, circRNA_0001236 acted as an miR-3677-3p sponge and functioned in human chondrocytes via targeting miR-3677-3p and Sox9. Intra-articular injection of exosomal circRNA_0001236 attenuated OA in the DMM mouse model. Conclusions Our results reveal an important role for a novel exosomal circRNA_0001236 in chondrogenic differentiation. Overexpression of exosomal circRNA_0001236 promoted cartilage-specific gene and protein expression through the miR-3677-3p/Sox9 axis. Thus, circRNA_0001236-overexpressing exosomes may alleviate cartilage degradation, suppressing OA progression and enhancing cartilage repair. Our findings provide a potentially effective therapeutic strategy for treating OA.

Download Full-text

Regulatory Mechanism for Exfoliative Toxin Production inStaphylococcus aureus

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.00872-10 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 79 (4) ◽

pp. 1660-1670 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Fuminori Kato ◽

Noriko Kadomoto ◽

Yuko Iwamoto ◽

Katsuaki Bunai ◽

Hitoshi Komatsuzawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mouse Model ◽

Regulatory Mechanism ◽

Toxin Production ◽

Neonatal Mouse ◽

Epidermal Keratinocytes ◽

Global Regulators ◽

Exfoliative Toxin ◽

Blistering Disease

ABSTRACTThe exfoliative toxin (ET) is a major virulence factor ofStaphylococcus aureusthat causes bullous impetigo and its disseminated form, staphylococcal scalded-skin syndrome (SSSS). ET selectively digests one of the intracellular adhesion molecules, desmoglein 1, of epidermal keratinocytes and causes blisters due to intraepidermal cell-cell dissociation. MostS. aureusstrains that cause blistering disease produce either ETA or ETB. They are serologically distinct molecules, where ETA is encoded on a phage genome and ETB is enocded on a large plasmid. ETA-producingS. aureusstrains are frequently isolated from impetigo patients, and ETB-producingS. aureusstrains are isolated from SSSS. ET-induced blister formation can be reproduced with the neonatal mouse. To determine the regulatory mechanism of ET production, we investigated the role of the two-component systems and global regulators foretaoretbexpressionin vitroandin vivowith the mouse model. Western blot and transcription analyses using a series of mutants demonstrate ETA production was downregulated bysigB,sarS, andsarA, while ETB production was downregulated bysigBandsarAbut not bysarS. Production of both toxins is upregulated bysaeRS,arlRS, andagrCA. Furthermore, by thein vivoneonatal mouse model,sigBandsarSbut notsarAnegatively regulate the exfoliation activity of the ETA-producing strain, whilesarAnegatively regulates the ETB-producing strain. In both strains,saeRS,arlRS, andagrCApositively regulate the exfoliation activityin vivo. The data illustrate similar but distinct regulatory mechanisms for ETA and ETB productionin S. aureus in vitroas well asin vivo.

Download Full-text

Protein signaling and regulation of gene transcription in leukemia: role of the Casein Kinase II-Ikaros axis

Journal of Investigative Medicine ◽

10.1136/jim-2016-000075 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 64 (3) ◽

pp. 735-739 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Chandrika S Gowda ◽

Chunhua Song ◽

Yali Ding ◽

Malika Kapadia ◽

Sinisa Dovat

Keyword(s):

Gene Transcription ◽

Target Genes ◽

Cellular Proliferation ◽

Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽

Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽

Regulatory Elements ◽

Casein Kinase Ii ◽

Casein Kinase ◽

Protein Signaling

Protein signaling and regulation of gene expression are the two major mechanisms that regulate cellular proliferation in leukemia. Discerning the function of these processes is essential for understanding the pathogenesis of leukemia and for developing the targeted therapies. Here, we provide an overview of one of the mechanisms that regulates gene transcription in leukemia. This mechanism involves the direct interaction between Casein Kinase II (CK2) and the Ikaros transcription factor. Ikaros (IKZF1) functions as a master regulator of hematopoiesis and a tumor suppressor in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Impaired Ikaros function results in the development of high-risk leukemia. Ikaros binds to the upstream regulatory elements of its target genes and regulates their transcription via chromatin remodeling. In vivo, Ikaros is a target for CK2, a pro-oncogenic kinase. CK2 directly phosphorylates Ikaros at multiple amino acids. Functional experiments showed that CK2-mediated phosphorylation of Ikaros, regulates Ikaros’ DNA binding affinity, subcellular localization and protein stability. Recent studies revealed that phosphorylation of Ikaros by CK2 regulates Ikaros binding and repression of the terminal deoxytransferase (TdT) gene in normal thymocytes and in T-cell ALL. Available data suggest that the oncogenic activity of CK2 in leukemia involves functional inactivation of Ikaros and provide a rationale for CK2 inhibitors as a potential treatment for ALL.

Download Full-text

LncRNA PCAT19 Regulates Neuropathic Pain via Regulation of miR-182-5p/JMJD1A in a Rat Model of Chronic Constriction Injury

NeuroImmunoModulation ◽

10.1159/000518847 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Miao Huo ◽

Xingxing Zheng ◽

Ning Bai ◽

Ruifen Xu ◽

Guang Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neuropathic Pain ◽

Rat Model ◽

Noncoding Rna ◽

Thermal Hyperalgesia ◽

Luciferase Reporter Assay ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Inflammatory Factor ◽

Reporter Assay ◽

Withdrawal Threshold ◽

Dual Luciferase Reporter Assay

Introduction: Neuropathic pain (NP) is one of the most severe chronic pain types. In recent years, more and more studies have shown that long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) plays a key role in a variety of human diseases, including NP. However, the role of LncRNA prostate cancer-associated transcript 19 (PCAT19) in NP and its specific mechanism remain unclear. Methods: A chronic constrictive injury (CCI) rat model was established. Rat paw withdrawal threshold and paw withdrawal latency were used to evaluate the neuronal pain behavior of rats in this model. mRNA expression of PCAT19, neuroinflammatory factor, microRNA (miR)-182-5p, and Jumonji domain containing 1A (JMJD1A) were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. ELISA analysis was used to detect inflammatory factor protein expression. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to evaluate the targeting relationship between genes. Results: PCAT19 was continuously upregulated in CCI rats. miR-182-5p was the target of PCAT19, and miR-182-5p was increased after PCAT19 knockdown. NP behaviors such as mechanical ectopic pain and thermal hyperalgesia as well as neuroinflammation can be reduced by knocking down PCAT19. However, the injection of miR-182-5p antagomir significantly reversed the level of the NP behaviors and neuroinflammation caused by PCAT19 knockdown. Besides, dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that JMJD1A was the target gene of miR-182-5p. The level of JMJD1A in CCI rats increased with time. After PCAT19 knockdown, JMJD1A was significantly decreased, but inhibition of miR-182-5p can reverse its levels. Conclusion: This study shows that PCAT19 plays a role in NP by targeting the miR-182-5p/JMJD1A axis, and PCAT19 can be used as a new therapeutic target for NP.

Download Full-text

IL-6 trans-signaling drives a STAT3-dependent pathway that leads to structural alterations of the peritoneal membrane

AJP Renal Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajprenal.00319.2019 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 318 (2) ◽

pp. F338-F353 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Xiaoxiao Yang ◽

Hao Yan ◽

Na Jiang ◽

Zanzhe Yu ◽

Jiangzi Yuan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mouse Model ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Umbilical Vein ◽

Inflammatory Factor ◽

Peritoneal Membrane ◽

Peritoneal Fibrosis ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Structural Alterations ◽

Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells ◽

Junction Molecules

IL-6 is a vital inflammatory factor in the peritoneal cavity of patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). The present study examined the effect of IL-6 trans-signaling on structural alterations of the peritoneal membrane. We investigated whether the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) and the production of proangiogenic factors were controlled by IL-6 trans-signaling. Its role in the peritoneal alterations was detected in a mouse model. The morphology of HPMCs and levels of cytokines in PD effluent were also explored. Stimulation of HPMCs with the IL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptor complex (IL-6/S) promoted the EMT process of HPMCs depending on the STAT3 pathway. In a coculture system of HPMCs and human umbilical vein endothelial cells, IL-6/S mediated the production of VEGF and angiopoietins so as to downregulate the expression of endothelial junction molecules and finally affect vascular permeability. Daily intraperitoneal injection of high glucose-based dialysis fluid induced peritoneal fibrosis, angiogenesis, and macrophage infiltration in a mouse model, accompanied by phosphorylation of STAT3. Blockade of IL-6 trans-signaling prevented these peritoneum alterations. The fibroblast-like appearance of HPMCs ex vivo was upregulated in patients undergoing prevalent PD accompanied by increasing levels of IL-6, VEGF, and angiopoietin-2 in the PD effluent. Taken together, these findings identified a critical link between IL-6 trans-signaling and structural alterations of the peritoneal membrane, and it might be a potential target for the treatment of patients undergoing PD who have developed peritoneal alterations.

Download Full-text

Deficient or Excess Folic Acid Supply During Pregnancy Alter Cortical Neurodevelopment in Mouse Offspring

Cerebral Cortex ◽

10.1093/cercor/bhaa248 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 635-649

Author(s):

Angelo Harlan De Crescenzo ◽

Alexios A Panoutsopoulos ◽

Lyvin Tat ◽

Zachary Schaaf ◽

Shailaja Racherla ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Folic Acid ◽

Cellular Proliferation ◽

De Novo ◽

Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽

Folate Deficiency ◽

Nucleotide Synthesis ◽

Biochemical Alterations ◽

Supplement Use ◽

Behavioral Abnormalities ◽

Folate Cycle

Abstract Folate is an essential micronutrient required for both cellular proliferation through de novo nucleotide synthesis and epigenetic regulation of gene expression through methylation. This dual requirement places a particular demand on folate availability during pregnancy when both rapid cell generation and programmed differentiation of maternal, extraembryonic, and embryonic/fetal tissues are required. Accordingly, prenatal neurodevelopment is particularly susceptible to folate deficiency, which can predispose to neural tube defects, or when effective transport into the brain is impaired, cerebral folate deficiency. Consequently, adequate folate consumption, in the form of folic acid (FA) fortification and supplement use, is widely recommended and has led to a substantial increase in the amount of FA intake during pregnancy in some populations. Here, we show that either maternal folate deficiency or FA excess in mice results in disruptions in folate metabolism of the offspring, suggesting diversion of the folate cycle from methylation to DNA synthesis. Paradoxically, either intervention causes comparable neurodevelopmental changes by delaying prenatal cerebral cortical neurogenesis in favor of late-born neurons. These cytoarchitectural and biochemical alterations are accompanied by behavioral abnormalities in FA test groups compared with controls. Our findings point to overlooked potential neurodevelopmental risks associated with excessively high levels of prenatal FA intake.

Download Full-text

IL-8 Secreted from M2 Macrophages Promoted Prostate Tumorigenesis via STAT3/MALAT1 Pathway

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms20010098 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 98 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Tingjin Zheng ◽

Guoxing Ma ◽

Mingqing Tang ◽

Zhongwan Li ◽

Ruian Xu

Keyword(s):

Cell Lines ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Cellular Proliferation ◽

Tumor Formation ◽

Expression Level ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

M2 Macrophages ◽

Major Health Problem ◽

Prostate Tumorigenesis ◽

Stat3 Signaling Pathway

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a major health problem in males. Metastasis-associated with lung adenocarcinoma transcript-1 (MALAT1), which is overexpressed in PCa tissue, is associated with physiological and pathological conditions of PCa. M2 macrophages are major immune cells abundant in the tumor microenvironment. However, it remains unknown whether M2 macrophages are involved in the effects or not, and molecular mechanisms of MALAT1 on PCa progression have not yet been comprehensively explored. Here we reported that, M2 macrophages (PMA/IL-4 treated THP1) induced MALAT1 expression in PCa cell lines. Knockdown MALAT1 expression level in PCa cell lines inhibited cellular proliferation, invasion, and tumor formation. Further mechanistic dissection revealed that M2 macrophages secreted IL-8 was sufficient to drive up MALAT1 expression level via activating STAT3 signaling pathway. Additional chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and luciferase reporter assays displayed that STAT3 could bind to the MALAT1 promoter region and transcriptionally stimulate the MALAT1 expression. In summary, our present study identified the IL-8/STAT3/MALAT1 axis as key regulators during prostate tumorigenesis and therefore demonstrated a new mechanism for the MALAT1 transcriptional regulation.

Download Full-text

MKL-1 regulates the stem cell marker. CD44 in breast cancer cells

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/20197801002 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 78 ◽

pp. 01002

Author(s):

Zhou-Tong Dai ◽

Ao Yao ◽

Yuan Xiang ◽

Jia Peng Li ◽

Wei Guo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Malignant Tumors ◽

Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽

Gene Promoter ◽

Expression Regulation ◽

Stem Cell Marker ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Regulation Mechanism ◽

Luciferase Reporter Gene ◽

Factors Affecting

CD44, cluster of differentiation 44 is a typical marker of stem cells. At present, it has been found that CD44 is prevalent in various human malignant tumors, but its expression regulation mechanism is still not clear. The initiation of gene expression, the modification of RNA levels, and the regulation of protein levels are the main factors affecting the expression level of genes, and the most critical one is the regulation of gene expression by signaling pathways. Up to now, there has been no report on the role of MKL-1 in the cloning of the cd44 promoter. Therefore, this study intends to clone the cd44 gene promoter, construct its luciferase reporter gene vector, transfect the MKL-1 overexpression vector, and analyze how it affects transcriptional activity, in order to further study the expression regulation of cd44. The mechanism provides a powerful tool in the future.

Download Full-text