scholarly journals miR-98-5p Alleviated Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Renal Fibrosis via Targeting Hmga2 in Diabetic Nephropathy

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingchun Zhu ◽  
Jiang Xu ◽  
Wenxing Liang ◽  
Ji Li ◽  
Linhong Feng ◽  
...  

Recently, microRNAs have been recognized as crucial regulators of diabetic nephropathy (DN) development. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) can play a significant role in tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and it is a hallmark of diabetic nephropathy progression. Nevertheless, the function of miR-98-5p in the modulation of EMT and renal fibrosis during DN remains barely investigated. Hence, identifying the mechanisms of miR-98-5p in regulating EMT and fibrosis is of huge significance. In our present research, decreased miR-98-5p was demonstrated in db/db mice and mice mesangial cells treated with the high dose of glucose. Meanwhile, activated EMT and increased fibrosis was accompanied with the decrease of miR-98-5p in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, to further find out the roles of miR-98-5p in DN development, overexpression of miR-98-5p was applied. Firstly, in vivo investigation exhibited that elevation of miR-98-5p restrained proteinuria, serum creatinine, BUN, the EMT process, and fibrosis. Furthermore, high glucose was able to promote mice mesangial cell proliferation, EMT process, and induced renal fibrosis, which could be prevented by overexpression of miR-98-5p. Moreover, high mobility group A (HMGA2) can exhibit an important role in diverse biological processes. Here, HMGA2 was investigated as a target of miR-98-5p currently. Luciferase reporter assay was conducted and the correlation of miR-98-5p and HMGA2 was validated. Moreover, it was displayed that HMGA2 was remarkably elevated in db/db mice and mice mesangial cells. Furthermore, miR-98-5p strongly depressed HMGA2 protein and mRNA levels in mice mesangial cells. Overall, these revealed miR-98-5p could suppress the EMT process and renal fibrosis through targeting HMGA2 in DN.

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
MingJun Shi ◽  
PingPing Tian ◽  
ZhongQiang Liu ◽  
Fan Zhang ◽  
YingYing Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Diabetic nephropathy (DN) commonly causes end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Increasing evidence indicates that abnormal miRNA expression is tightly associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This work aimed to investigate whether miR-27a can promote the occurrence of renal fibrosis in DN by suppressing the expression of secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (Sfrp1) to activate Wnt/β-catenin signalling. Therefore, we assessed the expression levels of miR-27a, Sfrp1, Wnt signalling components, and extracellular matrix (ECM)-related molecules in vitro and in vivo. Sfrp1 was significantly down-regulated in a high-glucose environment, while miR-27a levels were markedly increased. A luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-27a down-regulated Sfrp1 by binding to the 3′ untranslated region directly. Further, NRK-52E cells under high-glucose conditions underwent transfection with miR-27a mimic or the corresponding negative control, miR-27a inhibitor or the corresponding negative control, si-Sfrp1, or combined miR-27a inhibitor and si-Sfrp1. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescence were performed to assess the relative expression levels of Wnt/β-catenin signalling and ECM components. The mRNA levels of Sfrp1, miR-27a, and ECM-related molecules were also detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). We found that miR-27a inhibitor inactivated Wnt/β-catenin signalling and reduced ECM deposition. Conversely, Wnt/β-catenin signalling was activated, while ECM deposition was increased after transfection with si-Sfrp1. Interestingly, miR-27a inhibitor attenuated the effects of si-Sfrp1. We concluded that miR-27a down-regulated Sfrp1 and activated Wnt/β-catenin signalling to promote renal fibrosis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 5194
Author(s):  
Paola Pontrelli ◽  
Francesca Conserva ◽  
Rossella Menghini ◽  
Michele Rossini ◽  
Alessandra Stasi ◽  
...  

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most frequent cause of end-stage renal disease. Tubulointerstitial accumulation of lysine 63 (K63)-ubiquitinated (Ub) proteins is involved in the progression of DN fibrosis and correlates with urinary miR-27b-3p downregulation. We explored the renoprotective effect of an inhibitor of K63-Ub (NSC697923), alone or in combination with the ACE-inhibitor ramipril, in vitro and in vivo. Proximal tubular epithelial cells and diabetic DBA/2J mice were treated with NSC697923 and/or ramipril. K63-Ub protein accumulation along with α-SMA, collagen I and III, FSP-1, vimentin, p16INK4A expression, SA-α Gal staining, Sirius Red, and PAS staining were measured. Finally, we measured the urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (uACR), and urinary miR-27b-3p expression in mice. NSC697923, both alone and in association with ramipril, in vitro and in vivo inhibited hyperglycemia-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition by significantly reducing K63-Ub proteins, α-SMA, collagen I, vimentin, FSP-1 expression, and collagen III along with tubulointerstitial and glomerular fibrosis. Treated mice also showed recovery of urinary miR-27b-3p and restored expression of p16INK4A. Moreover, NSC697923 in combination with ramipril demonstrated a trend in the reduction of uACR. In conclusion, we suggest that selective inhibition of K63-Ub, when combined with the conventional treatment with ACE inhibitors, might represent a novel treatment strategy to prevent the progression of fibrosis and proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy and we propose miR-27b-3p as a biomarker of treatment efficacy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wentao Li ◽  
Ismatullah Soufiany ◽  
Xiao Lyu ◽  
Lin Zhao ◽  
Chenfei Lu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Mounting evidences have shown the importance of lncRNAs in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. LBX2-AS1 is an oncogenic lncRNA that has been found abnormally expressed in gastric cancer and lung cancer samples. Nevertheless, the biological function of LBX2-AS1 in glioblastoma (GBM) and potential molecular mechanism are largely unclear. Methods: Relative levels of LBX2-AS1 in GBM samples and cell lines were detected by qRT-PCR and FISH. In vivo and in vitro regulatory effects of LBX2-AS1 on cell proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and angiogenesis in GBM were examined through xenograft models and functional experiments, respectively. The interaction between Sp1 and LBX2-AS1 was assessed by ChIP. Through bioinformatic analyses, dual-luciferase reporter assay, RIP and Western blot, the regulation of LBX2-AS1 and miR-491-5p on the target gene leukemia Inhibitory factor (LIF) was identified. Results: LBX2-AS1 was upregulated in GBM samples and cell lines, and its transcription was promoted by binding to the transcription factor Sp1. As a lncRNA mainly distributed in the cytoplasm, LBX2-AS1 upregulated LIF, and activated the LIF/STAT3 signaling by exerting the miRNA sponge effect on miR-491-5p, thus promoting cell proliferation, EMT and angiogenesis in GBM. Besides, LBX2-AS1 was unfavorable to the progression of glioma and the survival. Conclusion: Upregulated by Sp1, LBX2-AS1 promotes the progression of GBM by targeting the miR-491-5p/LIF axis. It is suggested that LBX2-AS1 may be a novel diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target of GBM.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han Wang ◽  
Yingying Zhou ◽  
Siyang Zhang ◽  
Ya Qi ◽  
Min Wang

Abstract Background Small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 (SNHG16) and pre-mRNA processing factor 6(PRPF6) play vital roles in regulatory mechanisms of multiple cancers, but the mechanisms in ovarian cancer (OC) remains poorly understood. Methods The expression of SNHG16 transcripts-SNHG16-L/S in OC tissues were analyzed by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). The expression of PRPF6 in OC tissues were detected by Immunohistochemistry (IHC). Tumorigenesis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and PTX-resistance were detected by western blot, transwell, CCK-8 assays, colony formation assays and flow cytometry analyses. Molecular interactions were examined by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Results The results indicated the expression of SNHG16-L/S was opposite in chemo-resistance and chemo-sensitivity tissues of OC. And SNHG16-L/S had different effects on the progression and PTX-resistance of OC cells. SNHG16-L inhibited GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3) transcription through CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein b (CEBPB) to further promote tumorigenesis, EMT and PTX-resistance of OC. Moreover, PRPF6 was upregulated in chemo-resistance tissues of OC. PRPF6 promoted tumorigenesis and PTX-resistance in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, PRPF6 induced the alternative splicing of SNHG16 to downregulate SNHG16-L, which further mediated progression and PTX-resistance through upregulating GATA3 in OC. Conclusions Totally, the results demonstrated that PRPF6 promoted progression and PTX-resistance in OC through SNHG16-L/CEBPB/GATA3 axis. Thus, PRPF6 may become a valuable target for OC therapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dandan Li ◽  
Jiawei Zhang ◽  
Jing Yang ◽  
Jie Wang ◽  
Runling Zhang ◽  
...  

AbstractCircRNA mitochondrial tRNA translation optimization 1 (circMTO1) functions as a tumor suppressor usually and is related to the progression of many tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CircMTO1 is downregulated in HCC as compared to adjacent nontumor tissue, which may suppress the HCC progression by certain signal pathways. However, the underlying signal pathway remains largely unknown. The interactions between circMTO1 and miR-541-5p were predicted through bioinformatics analysis and verified using pull-down and dual-luciferase reporter assays. CCK-8, transwell, and apoptosis assays were performed to determine the effect of miR-541-5p on HCC progression. Using bioinformatic analysis, dual-luciferase reporter assay, RT-qPCR, and western blot, ZIC1 was found to be the downstream target gene of miR-541-5p. The regulatory mechanisms of circMTO1, miR-541-5p, and ZIC1 were investigated using in vitro and in vivo rescue experiments. The results depicted that silencing circMTO1 or upregulating miR-541-5p expression facilitated HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and inhibited apoptosis. CircMTO1 silencing upregulated the expression of downstream ZIC1 regulators of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway markers, β-catenin, cyclin D1, c-myc, and the mesenchymal markers N-cadherin, Vimentin, and MMP2, while the epithelial marker E-cadherin was downregulated. MiR-541-5p knockdown had the opposite effect and reversed the effect of circMTO1 silencing on the regulation of downstream ZIC1 regulators. Intratumoral injection of miR-541-5p inhibitor suppressed tumor growth and reversed the effect of circMTO1 silencing on the promotion of tumor growth in HCC. These findings indicated that circMTO1 suppressed HCC progression via the circMTO1/ miR-541-5p/ZIC1 axis by regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, making it a novel therapeutic target.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ada Admin ◽  
Fenfen Peng ◽  
Wangqiu Gong ◽  
Shuting Li ◽  
Bohui Yin ◽  
...  

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a vascular complication of diabetes mellitus, is the leading cause of death in diabetic patients. The contribution of aberrantly expressed circRNAs to diabetic nephropathy <i>in vivo</i> is poorly understood. Integrated comparative circRNA microarray profiling was used to examine the expression of circRNAs in diabetic kidney of db/db mice. We found that circRNA_010383 expression was markedly downregulated in diabetic kidneys, mesangial cells and tubular epithelial cells cultured in high-glucose conditions. circRNA_010383 colocalized with microRNA-135a (miR-135a) and inhibited miR-135a function by directly binding to miR-135a. <i>In vitro,</i> the knockdown of circRNA_010383 promoted the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins <a></a><a>and </a>downregulated the expression of transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily C, member (TRPC1), which is a target protein of miR-135a. Furthermore, <a></a><a>circRNA_010383 overexpression</a> effectively inhibited the high-glucose-induced accumulation of ECM and increased TRPC1 levels <i>in vitro</i>. More importantly, the kidney-target of circRNA_010383 overexpression inhibited <a></a><a>proteinuria</a> and renal fibrosis in db/db mice. Mechanistically, we identified that a loss of circRNA_010383 promoted proteinuria and renal fibrosis in DN by acting as a sponge for miRNA-135a. This study reveals that circRNA_010383 may be a novel therapeutic target for DN in the future.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Conserva ◽  
Paola Pontrelli ◽  
Rossella Menghini ◽  
Michele Rossini ◽  
Alessandra Stasi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Aims Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is the primary cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD). Our group demonstrated that in DN an accumulation of lysine63 (K63)-ubiquitinated proteins at tubular level is involved in the progression of renal damage, in particular renal fibrosis. Current treatments do not provide complete renoprotection and targeted therapies that prevent fibrosis or delay its progression are still lacking. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the renoprotective effect of specific drug and their combinations, including an inhibitor of K63 ubiquitination (K63Ub) and/or an anti-hypertensive agent, in vitro and in vivo in a murine model of DN. Method Renal Proximal Tubule Epithelial Cells (HK2) were pre-incubated with a specific inhibitor of K63Ub and/or with the ACE-inhibitor Ramipril. Accumulation of K63 ubiquitinated proteins along with α-sma expression, indicator of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), were analyzed through immunofluorescence and western blotting. The same drug combination was also tested in streptozotocin (STZ)-treated DBA/2J mice, a model of human DN. In mice, K63Ub was evaluated by IHC, while renal fibrosis was evaluated by Sirius red and Collagen III expression. Urinary albuminuria was measured by ELISA. Results We observed that the association of the specific K63Ub inhibitor with Ramipril was able to block hyperglycemia-induced EMT in HK2 cells by significantly reducing α-sma expression, when compared to single drugs alone (p&lt;0.05).To demonstrate the efficacy of these drug combinations in reducing the progression of renal damage in DN we firstly confirmed the increased accumulation of K63 Ub proteins in DBA/2J STZ-treated mice (p=0.01). Interestingly, increased K63Ub in diabetic mice was also associated to increased tubular-interstitial fibrosis (p&lt;0.05). Treatment of STZ-mice with the specific K63Ub inhibitor was able to reduce both K63Ub proteins accumulation and renal fibrosis, evaluated on kidney samples by IHC against Collagen III (p≤0.05) and by Sirius Red staining (p≤0.05) when compared to both untreated mice and mice treated with ramipril. Importantly, treatment with the K63Ub inhibitor alone did not reduce albuminuria (STZ-mice: 561.29±390.56; STZ+K63Ubinhibitor: 724.25±690.89; p=n.s.), while the drug combination including the specific K63Ub inhibitor and Ramipril, significantly reduced both K63Ub-related fibrosis and albuminuria (p=0.01), demonstrating an addictive and synergic effect of these molecules when used in combination. Conclusion Our data demonstrated and confirmed the importance of K63Ub in the progression of renal fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. We proposed and patented a novel combination of drugs that ameliorates both fibrosis and proteinuria in DN. Novel treatment regimens could represent an important goal for reducing the incidence of ESRD related to diabetes complication.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fengzhen Wang ◽  
Dong Sun ◽  
Haihan Sun ◽  
Bangjie Zuo ◽  
Kun Shi ◽  
...  

Abstract The aim of the study was to compare the role of metformin on tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) in different stages of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in vivo and evaluate its mechanism in high-glucose-treated Renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) in vitro. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used to establish model of DN, then the changes of biochemical indicators and body weight were measured. The degree of renal fibrosis was quantified via histological analysis, immunohistochemistry, and immunoblot. The underlying relationship between autophagy and DN was analyzed and the cellular regulatory mechanism of metformin on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was detected. Metformin markedly improved renal function and showed histological restoration of renal tissues especially in the early stage of DN, with a significant improvement of autophagy and a low expression of fibrotic biomarkers (Fibronectin and Collagen I) in renal tissue. RTECs under hyperglycemic conditions exhibited inactivation of p-AMPK and activation of EMT. But the promotion of AMPK activated by metformin significantly improved renal autophagic function, inhibited the EMT of RTECs, attenuated TIF, so as to effectively prevent or delay the course of DN. This evidence provided theoretical and experimental basis for the following research on the potential clinical usefulness of metformin for the treatment of diabetic TIF.


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