scholarly journals EZH2 is involved in psoriasis progression by impairing miR-125a-5p inhibition of SFMBT1 and leading to inhibition of the TGFβ/SMAD pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 204062232098734
Author(s):  
Shengming Qu ◽  
Zhe Liu ◽  
Bing Wang

Aims: In this study, we aimed to decipher the impact of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) in psoriasis as well as the underlying mechanism. Methods: A mouse model of psoriasis was developed by means of imiquimod induction, with the expression of EZH2, microRNA-125a-5p (miR-125a-5p), and SFMBT1 determined. The role of EZH2, miR-125a-5p, and SFMBT1 in malignant phenotypes of HaCaT cells and the development of psoriasis in vivo was subsequently investigated through gain- and loss-of-function experiments. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay were conducted to explore the relationship between EZH2 or SFMBT1 and miR-125a-5p. Finally, the effects of EZH2 and miR-125a-5p on the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)/SMAD pathway were analyzed. Results: Overexpressed SFMBT1 and EZH2 was detected while miR-125a-5p were downregulated in psoriasis tissues and human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. EZH2 increased the levels of IL-17A-induced cytokines and promoted the malignant phenotypes of HaCaT cells. Functionally, EZH2 reduced miR-125a-5p expression while miR-125a-5p targeted SFMBT1 to activate the TGFβ/SMAD pathway in vitro. Knockdown of EZH2 or up-regulation of miR-125a-5p inhibited cell proliferation and the levels of IL-17A-induced cytokines, but increased the expression of TGFβ1 and the extent of smad2 and smad3 phosphorylation in HaCaT cells. Notably, EZH2 contributed to the development of psoriasis in vivo by inhibiting the TGFβ/SMAD pathway via impairment of miR-125a-5p-mediated SFMBT1 inhibition. Conclusion: Taken together, the results of the current study highlight the ability of EZH2 to potentially inactivate the TGFβ/SMAD pathway via upregulation of miR-125a-5p-dependent SFMBT1during the progression of psoriatic lesions.

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhufeng Lu ◽  
Xiuhua Li ◽  
Yongfeng Xu ◽  
Miaomiao Chen ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract The sekelsky mothers against dpp3 (Smad3) functions as a transcriptional modulator activated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Accumulated evidences indicated that Smad3 played the important roles in carcinogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Up to now, the regulatory mechanism of Smad3 in HCC still remains unclear. It has been known that some particular microRNAs (miRNAs) involve in carcinogenesis through the regulation of gene expressions with targeting mRNAs. In our study, the unknown candidates of miRNAs that target Smad3 mRNA were searched by using a newly established in vivo approach, the miRNA in vivo precipitation (miRIP). Using a loss-of-function assay, we demonstrated that miR-17 directly targeted Smad3 in HCC cells and inhibition on miR-17 increased Smad3 expression. Furthermore, we found that downregulation on Smad3 expression was consistent with high level of miR-17 in HCC tissues of patients when compared with around normal liver tissues. The manipulated miR-17 silence in HCC cells suppressed their growth of both in vitro and in vivo. Such suppression on cell growth could be recovered through downregulating Smad3. In addition, miR-17 affected cell proliferation through arresting cell cycle in G1 phase. The negative correlation between levels of miR-17 and protein levels of Smad3 was supported by the results of analysis with HCC tissue chip. In summary, for the first time, we confirmed that miR-17 directly targeted Smad3 mRNA and downregulated Smad3 protein expression in HCC. Our results indicated that the increased expression of miR-17 promoted carcinogenesis of HCC through down-regulations of Smad3, suggesting miR-17 might serve as the potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for clinical HCC.


2018 ◽  
Vol 215 (7) ◽  
pp. 1853-1868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinya Tanaka ◽  
Yu Jiang ◽  
Gustavo J. Martinez ◽  
Kentaro Tanaka ◽  
Xiaowei Yan ◽  
...  

Transforming growth factor–β (TGF-β) regulates reciprocal regulatory T cell (T reg) and T helper 17 (Th17) differentiation, the underlying mechanism of which is still not understood. Here, we report that tripartite motif-containing 33 (Trim33), a modulator of TGF-β signaling that associates with Smad2, regulates the proinflammatory function of Th17 cells. Trim33 deficiency in T cells ameliorated an autoimmune disease in vivo. Trim33 was required for induction in vitro of Th17, but not T reg cells. Moreover, Smad4 and Trim33 play contrasting roles in the regulation of IL-10 expression; loss of Trim33 enhanced IL-10 production. Furthermore, Trim33 was recruited to the Il17a and Il10 gene loci, dependent on Smad2, and mediated their chromatin remodeling during Th17 differentiation. Trim33 thus promotes the proinflammatory function of Th17 cells by inducing IL-17 and suppressing IL-10 expression.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Teng ◽  
Ju-Xiang Zhang ◽  
Qi-Meng Chang ◽  
Xu-Bo Wu ◽  
Wei-Guo Tang ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundLong non-coding RNA is essential for the metastasis, invasion, angiogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, their specific mechanisms are still controversial. Here, we found that Lnc-MYLK-AS1 is a potential oncogene. We systematically analyzed the clinical significance and mechanism of Lnc-MYLK-AS1 in HCC metastasis, invasion and angiogenesis.MethodsDetermine research goals through bioinformatics analysis. The expression of MYLK-AS1 in matched tumor and non-tumor tissues of 156 HCC patients was detected by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. The in vitro and in vivo biological functions of MYLK-AS1 were examined through the loss of function and function gain experiments. The use of dual luciferase reporter gene analysis, quantitative PCR, Western blotting, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) clarified the underlying mechanism of this competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA). ResultsMYLK-AS1 is up-regulated in HCC cell lines and tumor tissues, which is related to tumor progression and enhancement of angiogenesis. Overexpression of MYLK-AS1 promotes the proliferation, metastasis, invasion, and angiogenesis of HCC cells, while down-regulation of MYLK-AS1 can reverse these effects in vivo and in vitro. Dual analysis of luciferase and RNA immunoprecipitation showed that microRNA miR-424-5p is the direct target of MYLK-AS1, and MYLK-AS1 acts as ceRNA, which can regulate angiogenesis in HCC. Mechanism studies have shown that miR-424-5p specifically targets E2F transcription factor 7 (E2F7), while the complex MYLK-AS1/miR-424-5p activates VEGFR2 signaling through E2F7, thereby promoting tumor proliferation and angiogenesis.ConclusionThe up-regulation of MYLK-AS1 is related to tumor cell proliferation, increased angiogenesis and poor prognosis in HCC patients. MYLK-AS1 regulates E2F7 expression and VEGFR2 signaling by acting as a ceRNA of miR-424-5p.


Gut ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 888-900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Liang ◽  
Si Shi ◽  
Yi Qin ◽  
Qingcai Meng ◽  
Jie Hua ◽  
...  

ObjectivePancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most aggressive type of GI tumour, and it possesses deregulated cellular energetics. Although recent advances in PDAC biology have led to the discovery of recurrent genetic mutations in Kras, TP53 and SMAD4, which are related to this disease, clinical application of the molecular phenotype of PDAC remains challenging.DesignWe combined molecular imaging technology (positron emission tomography/CT) and immunohistochemistry to evaluate the correlation between the maximum standardised uptake value and SMAD4 expression and examined the effect of SMAD4 on glycolysis through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Furthermore, we identified the effect of SMAD4 on metabolic reprogramming by metabolomics and glucose metabolism gene expression analyses. Dual luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation were performed to identify whether SMAD4 functioned as a transcription factor for phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) in PDAC cells. Proliferative and metastatic assays were performed to examine the effect of PGK1 on the malignant behaviour of PDAC.ResultsWe provide compelling evidence that the glycolytic enzyme PGK1 is repressed by transforming growth factor-β/SMAD4. Loss of SMAD4 induces PGK1 upregulation in PDAC, which enhances glycolysis and aggressive tumour behaviour. Notably, in SMAD4-negative PDAC, nuclear PGK1 preferentially drives cell metastasis via mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation induction, whereas cytoplasmic PGK1 preferentially supports proliferation by functioning as a glycolytic enzyme. The PDAC progression pattern and distinct PGK1 localisation combine to predict overall survival and disease-free survival.ConclusionPGK1 is a decisive oncogene in patients with SMAD4-negative PDAC and can be a target for the development of a therapeutic strategy for SMAD4-negative PDAC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liping Xue ◽  
Cheng Xiong ◽  
Juanjuan Li ◽  
Yuling Ren ◽  
Liwei Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Increasing evidence has shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, the role and mechanism of miRNA in regulating high glucose (HG)-induced ARPE-19 cell injury are still not well understood. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of miR-200a-3p on DR progression and reveal the underlying mechanisms of their effects. In the present study, we observed that miR-200a-3p was significantly decreased, while transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) expression was up-regulated in ARPE-19 cells treated with HG and retina tissues of DR rats. Subsequently, overexpression of miR-200a-3p significantly promoted cell proliferation, reduced apoptosis, as well as inhibited the levels of inflammatory cytokines secreted, matrix metalloprotease 2/9 (MMP2/9), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in HG-injured ARPE-19 cells. Moreover, miR-200a-3p was proved to target TGF-β2 mRNA by binding to its 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) using a luciferase reporter assay. Mechanistically, overexpression of miR-200a-3p reduced HG-induced ARPE-19 cell injury and reduced inflammatory cytokines secreted, as well as down-regulated the expression of VEGF via inactivation of the TGF-β2/Smad pathway in vitro. In vivo experiments, up-regulation of miR-200a-3p ameliorated retinal neovascularization and inflammation of DR rats. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that miR-200a-3p-elevated prevented DR progression by blocking the TGF-β2/Smad pathway, providing a new therapeutic biomarker for DR treatment in the clinic.


Tumor Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-26
Author(s):  
Maike Busch ◽  
Natalia Miroschnikov ◽  
Jaroslaw Thomas Dankert ◽  
Marc Wiesehöfer ◽  
Klaus Metz ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common childhood eye cancer. Chemotherapeutic drugs such as etoposide used in RB treatment often cause massive side effects and acquired drug resistances. Dysregulated genes and miRNAs have a large impact on cancer progression and development of chemotherapy resistances. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the involvement of retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) in RB progression and chemoresistance as well as the impact of miR-138, a potential RARα regulating miRNA. METHODS: RARα and miR-138 expression in etoposide resistant RB cell lines and chemotherapy treated patient tumors compared to non-treated tumors was revealed by Real-Time PCR. Overexpression approaches were performed to analyze the effects of RARα on RB cell viability, apoptosis, proliferation and tumorigenesis. Besides, we addressed the effect of miR-138 overexpression on RB cell chemotherapy resistance. RESULTS: A binding between miR-138 and RARα was shown by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. The study presented revealed that RARα is downregulated in etoposide resistant RB cells, while miR-138 is endogenously upregulated. Opposing RARα and miR-138 expression levels were detectable in chemotherapy pre-treated compared to non-treated RB tumor specimen. Overexpression of RARα increases apoptosis levels and reduces tumor cell growth of aggressive etoposide resistant RB cells in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of miR-138 in chemo-sensitive RB cell lines partly enhances cell viability after etoposide treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that RARα acts as a tumor suppressor in retinoblastoma and is downregulated upon etoposide resistance in RB cells. Thus, RARα may contribute to the development and progression of RB chemo-resistance.


2001 ◽  
Vol 193 (11) ◽  
pp. 1295-1302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan K. Levings ◽  
Romina Sangregorio ◽  
Maria-Grazia Roncarolo

Active suppression by T regulatory (Tr) cells plays an important role in the downregulation of T cell responses to foreign and self-antigens. Mouse CD4+ Tr cells that express CD25 possess remarkable suppressive activity in vitro and in autoimmune disease models in vivo. Thus far, the existence of a similar subset of CD25+CD4+ Tr cells in humans has not been reported. Here we show that human CD25+CD4+ Tr cells isolated from peripheral blood failed to proliferate and displayed reduced expression of CD40 ligand (CD40L), in response to T cell receptor–mediated polyclonal activation, but strongly upregulated cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated antigen (CTLA)-4. Human CD25+CD4+ Tr cells also did not proliferate in response to allogeneic antigen-presenting cells, but they produced interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, low levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, and no IL-4 or IL-2. Importantly, CD25+CD4+ Tr cells strongly inhibited the proliferative responses of both naive and memory CD4+ T cells to alloantigens, but neither IL-10, TGF-β, nor CTLA-4 seemed to be directly required for their suppressive effects. CD25+CD4+ Tr cells could be expanded in vitro in the presence of IL-2 and allogeneic feeder cells and maintained their suppressive capacities. These findings that CD25+CD4+ Tr cells with immunosuppressive effects can be isolated from peripheral blood and expanded in vitro without loss of function represent a major advance towards the therapeutic use of these cells in T cell–mediated diseases.


Author(s):  
Gege Shu ◽  
Huizhao Su ◽  
Zhiqian Wang ◽  
Shihui Lai ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has an extremely poor prognosis due to the development of chemoresistance, coupled with inherently increased stemness properties. Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are key regulators for tumor cell stemness and chemosensitivity. Currently the relevance between LINC00680 and tumor progression was still largely unknown, with only one study showing its significance in glioblastoma. The study herein was aimed at identifying the role of LINC00680 in the regulation HCC stemness and chemosensitivity. Methods QRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of LINC00680, miR-568 and AKT3 in tissue specimen and cell lines. Gain- or loss-of function assays were applied to access the function of LINC00680 in HCC cells, including cell proliferation and stemness properties. HCC stemness and chemosensitivity were determined by sphere formation, cell viability and colony formation. Luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and RNA pull-down assays were performed to examine the interaction between LINC00680 and miR-568 as well as that between miR-568 and AKT3. A nude mouse xenograft model was established for the in vivo study. Results We found that LINC00680 was remarkably upregulated in HCC tissues. Patients with high level of LINC00680 had poorer prognosis. LINC00680 overexpression significantly enhanced HCC cell stemness and decreased in vitro and in vivo chemosensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu), whereas LINC00680 knockdown led to opposite results. Mechanism study revealed that LINC00680 regulated HCC stemness and chemosensitivity through sponging miR-568, thereby expediting the expression of AKT3, which further activated its downstream signaling molecules, including mTOR, elF4EBP1, and p70S6K. Conclusion LINC00680 promotes HCC stemness properties and decreases chemosensitivity through sponging miR-568 to activate AKT3, suggesting that LINC00680 might be a potentially important HCC diagnosis marker and therapeutic target.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 371-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Limin Liu ◽  
Peng Zhang ◽  
Ming Bai ◽  
Lijie He ◽  
Lei Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Hypoxia plays an important role in the genesis and progression of renal fibrosis. The underlying mechanisms, however, have not been sufficiently elucidated. We examined the role of p53 in hypoxia-induced renal fibrosis in cell culture (human and rat renal tubular epithelial cells) and a mouse unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model. Cell cycle of tubular cells was determined by flow cytometry, and the expression of profibrogenic factors was determined by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter experiments were performed to explore the effect of HIF-1α on p53 expression. We showed that, in hypoxic tubular cells, p53 upregulation suppressed the expression of CDK1 and cyclins B1 and D1, leading to cell cycle (G2/M) arrest (or delay) and higher expression of TGF-β, CTGF, collagens, and fibronectin. p53 suppression by siRNA or by a specific p53 inhibitor (PIF-α) triggered opposite effects preventing the G2/M arrest and profibrotic changes. In vivo experiments in the UUO model revealed similar antifibrotic results following intraperitoneal administration of PIF-α (2.2 mg/kg). Using gain-of-function, loss-of-function, and luciferase assays, we further identified an HRE3 region on the p53 promoter as the HIF-1α-binding site. The HIF-1α–HRE3 binding resulted in a sharp transcriptional activation of p53. Collectively, we show the presence of a hypoxia-activated, p53-responsive profibrogenic pathway in the kidney. During hypoxia, p53 upregulation induced by HIF-1α suppresses cell cycle progression, leading to the accumulation of G2/M cells, and activates profibrotic TGF-β and CTGF-mediated signaling pathways, causing extracellular matrix production and renal fibrosis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yumeko Satou-Kobayashi ◽  
Jun-Dal Kim ◽  
Akiyoshi Fukamizu ◽  
Makoto Asashima

AbstractActivin, a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily of proteins, induces various tissues from the amphibian presumptive ectoderm, called animal cap explants (ACs) in vitro. However, it remains unclear how and to what extent the resulting cells recapitulate in vivo development. To comprehensively understand whether the molecular dynamics during activin-induced ACs differentiation reflect the normal development, we performed time-course transcriptome profiling of Xenopus ACs treated with 50 ng/mL of activin A, which predominantly induced dorsal mesoderm. The number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in response to activin A increased over time, and totally 9857 upregulated and 6663 downregulated DEGs were detected. 1861 common upregulated DEGs among all Post_activin samples included several Spemann’s organizer genes. In addition, the temporal transcriptomes were clearly classified into four distinct groups in correspondence with specific features, reflecting stepwise differentiation into mesoderm derivatives, and a decline in the regulation of nuclear envelop and golgi. From the set of early responsive genes, we also identified the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (socs3) as a novel activin A-inducible gene. Our transcriptome data provide a framework to elucidate the transcriptional dynamics of activin-driven AC differentiation, reflecting the molecular characteristics of early normal embryogenesis.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document