scholarly journals The Potential Role of MicroRNA-124 in Cerebral Ischemia Injury

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolu Liu ◽  
Zhitao Feng ◽  
Lipeng Du ◽  
Yaguang Huang ◽  
Jinwen Ge ◽  
...  

Cerebral ischemia injury, the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, initiates sequential molecular and cellular pathologies that underlie ischemic encephalopathy (IE), such as ischemic stroke, Alzheimer disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), epilepsy, etc. Targeted therapeutic treatments are urgently needed to tackle the pathological processes implicated in these neurological diseases. Recently, accumulating studies demonstrate that microRNA-124 (miR-124), the most abundant miRNA in brain tissue, is aberrant in peripheral blood and brain vascular endothelial cells following cerebral ischemia. Importantly, miR-124 regulates a variety of pathophysiological processes that are involved in the pathogenesis of age-related IE. However, the role of miR-124 has not been systematically illustrated. Paradoxically, miR-124 exerts beneficial effects in the age-related IE via regulating autophagy, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, neuronal excitability, neurodifferentiation, Aβ deposition, and hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, while it may play a dual role via regulating apoptosis and exerts detrimental effects on synaptic plasticity and axonal growth. In the present review, we thus focus on the paradoxical roles of miR-124 in age-related IE, as well as the underlying mechanisms. A great understanding of the effects of miR-124 on the hypoxic–ischemic brain will open new avenues for therapeutic approaches to protect against cerebral ischemia injury.

2012 ◽  
Vol 554-556 ◽  
pp. 1762-1767
Author(s):  
Xue Mei Han ◽  
Hong Tao Wei ◽  
Song Yan Liu

Objective To investigate the expression of HIF-1α after permenent focal cerebral ischemia and to explore the role of HIF-1α in hypoxic preconditioning-induced neuroprotection. Methods Rat focal cerebral ischemia model and hypoxic preconditioning models were established. Animals were randomly divided into four groups: healthy control, hypoxic preconditioning (3 h of 8% O2/92% N2 treatment), focal cerebral ischemia (6 h, 1 d, 3 d or 7 d) and hypoxic preconditioning + focal cerebral ischemia (6 h, 1 d, 3 d or 7 d). The expression of HIF-1α after different treatments was determined by histological examination, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Results The mRNA and protein expressions of HIF-1α could be detected in survival and necrotic neurons, glia as well as vascular endothelial cells. Hypoxic preconditioning significantly promoted the expression of HIF-1α after focal cerebral ischemia, especially in ischemic peripheral zone (P < 0.05).


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weijin Zhang ◽  
Qiaobing Huang ◽  
Zhenhua Zeng ◽  
Jie Wu ◽  
Yaoyuan Zhang ◽  
...  

The vascular endothelium is a layer of cells lining the inner surface of vessels, serving as a barrier that mediates microenvironment homeostasis. Deterioration of either the structure or function of endothelial cells (ECs) results in a variety of cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies have shown that reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a key factor that contributes to the impairment of ECs and the subsequent endothelial dysfunction. The longevity regulator Sirt1 is a NAD+-dependent deacetylase that has a potential antioxidative stress activity in vascular ECs. The mechanisms underlying the protective effects involve Sirt1/FOXOs, Sirt1/NF-κB, Sirt1/NOX, Sirt1/SOD, and Sirt1/eNOs pathways. In this review, we summarize the most recent reports in this field to recapitulate the potent mechanisms involving the protective role of Sirt1 in oxidative stress and to highlight the beneficial effects of Sirt1 on cardiovascular functions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 728-735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolin Deng ◽  
Yangmei Xie ◽  
Yinghui Chen

Background & Objective: Epilepsy is a common and serious chronic neurological disorder that is mainly treated with antiepileptic drugs. Although current antiepileptic drugs used in clinical practice have advanced to the third generation, approximately one-third of patients are refractory to these treatments. More efficacious treatments for refractory epilepsy are therefore needed. A better understanding of the mechanism underlying refractory epilepsy is likely to facilitate the development of a more effective therapy. The abnormal expression and/or dysfunction of efflux transporters, particularly ABC transporters, might contribute to certain cases of refractory epilepsy. Inflammation in the brain has recently been shown to regulate the expression and/or function of ABC transporters in the cerebral vascular endothelial cells and glia of the blood-brain barrier by activating intracellular signalling pathways. Conclusion: Therefore, in this review, we will briefly summarize recent research advances regarding the possible role of neuroinflammation in regulating ABC transporter expression in epilepsy.


Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 253
Author(s):  
Xi Guo ◽  
Hong Yi ◽  
Tin Chiu Li ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Huilin Wang ◽  
...  

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a well-known angiogenic factor that plays a critical role in various physiological and pathological processes. VEGF also contributes to the process of embryo implantation by enhancing embryo development, improving endometrial receptivity, and facilitating the interactions between the developing embryo and the endometrium. There is a correlation between the alteration of VEGF expression and reproductive failure, including recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and recurrent miscarriage (RM). In order to clarify the role of VEGF in embryo implantation, we reviewed recent literature concerning the expression and function of VEGF in the reproductive system around the time of embryo implantation and we provide a summary of the findings reported so far. We also explored the effects and the possible underlying mechanisms of action of VEGF in embryo implantation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 2804
Author(s):  
Yasuo Yoshitomi ◽  
Takayuki Ikeda ◽  
Hidehito Saito-Takatsuji ◽  
Hideto Yonekura

Blood vessels are essential for the formation and maintenance of almost all functional tissues. They play fundamental roles in the supply of oxygen and nutrition, as well as development and morphogenesis. Vascular endothelial cells are the main factor in blood vessel formation. Recently, research findings showed heterogeneity in vascular endothelial cells in different tissue/organs. Endothelial cells alter their gene expressions depending on their cell fate or angiogenic states of vascular development in normal and pathological processes. Studies on gene regulation in endothelial cells demonstrated that the activator protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factors are implicated in angiogenesis and vascular development. In particular, it has been revealed that JunB (a member of the AP-1 transcription factor family) is transiently induced in endothelial cells at the angiogenic frontier and controls them on tip cells specification during vascular development. Moreover, JunB plays a role in tissue-specific vascular maturation processes during neurovascular interaction in mouse embryonic skin and retina vasculatures. Thus, JunB appears to be a new angiogenic factor that induces endothelial cell migration and sprouting particularly in neurovascular interaction during vascular development. In this review, we discuss the recently identified role of JunB in endothelial cells and blood vessel formation.


Author(s):  
Ye Zeng ◽  
Bingmei M. Fu

Anti-angiogenic therapies (AATs) have been widely used for cancer treatment. But the beneficial effects of AATs are short, because AAT-induced tumor revascularization facilitates the tumor relapse. In this mini-review, we described different forms of tumor neovascularization and revascularization including sprouting angiogenesis, vessel co-option, intussusceptive angiogenesis, and vasculogenic mimicry, all of which are closely mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietins, matrix metalloproteinases, and exosomes. We also summarized the current findings for the resistance mechanisms of AATs including enhancement in pro-angiogenic cytokines, heterogeneity in tumor-associated endothelial cells (ECs), crosstalk between tumor cells and ECs, masking of extracellular vesicles, matrix stiffness and contributions from fibroblasts, macrophages and adipocytes in the tumor microenvironment. We highlighted the revascularization following AATs, particularly the role of exosome stimulating factors such as hypoxia and miRNA, and that of exosomal cargos such as cytokines, miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs from the tumor ECs in angiogenesis and revascularization. Finally, we proposed that renormalization of tumor ECs would be a more efficient cancer therapy than the current AATs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 162 (33) ◽  
pp. 1318-1327
Author(s):  
Tamás Halmos ◽  
Ilona Suba

Összefoglaló. Az emberek a lehető leghosszabb ideig akarnak élni, jó egészségben. Ha kiküszöbölnénk a kedvezőtlen külső körülményeket, a várható élettartam meghaladhatná a 100 évet. A 20. és 21. században a jóléti társadalmakban a várható élettartam jelentősen megnőtt, így Magyarországon is. Az áttekintett irodalom alapján megvizsgáltuk, hogy a genetika és az öröklődés mellett milyen endokrinológiai és metabolikus tényezők játszanak szerepet az élet meghosszabbításában. Megvizsgáltunk minden endogén tényezőt, amely pozitívan vagy negatívan befolyásolhatja az életkorral összefüggő betegségeket (Alzheimer-kór, szív- és érrendszeri betegségek, rák) és az élettartamot. Kiemeltük a hyperinsulinaemia, az inzulinrezisztencia, a metabolikus szindróma öregedést gyorsító hatását, az inzulinszerű növekedési hormon-1 ellentmondásos szerepét, valamint az élet meghosszabbításában részt vevő, újabban felfedezett peptideket, mint a klotho és a humanin. Ismertettük a mitochondriumok szerepét az élettartam meghatározásában, bemutattuk a mitohormesis folyamatát és annak stresszvédő funkcióját. Bemutattuk a rapamicin célszervét, az mTOR-t, amelynek gátlása meghosszabbítja az élettartamot, valamint a szirtuinokat. Kitértünk az autophagia folyamatára, és ismertettük a szenolitikumok szerepét az öregedésben. Az időskori autoimmunitás csökkenése hozzájárul az élettartam rövidüléséhez, utaltunk a thymus koordináló szerepére. Kiemeltük a bélmikrobiom fontos szerepét az élettartam szabályozásában. Hivatkoztunk a „centenáriusok” megfigyeléséből nyert humánadatokra. Megvizsgáltuk, milyen beavatkozási lehetőségek állnak rendelkezésre az egészségben tölthető élettartam meghosszabbításához. Az életmódbeli lehetőségek közül kiemeltük a kalóriabevitel-csökkentés és a testmozgás jótékony szerepét. Megvizsgáltuk egyes gyógyszerek feltételezett hatásait. Ezek közé tartozik a metformin, az akarbóz, a rezveratrol. E gyógyszerek mindegyikének hatása hasonló a kalóriamegszorításéhoz. Nincs olyan „csodaszer”, amely igazoltan meghosszabbítja az élettartamot emberben. Egyes géneknek és génmutációknak jótékony hatásuk van, de ezt környezeti tényezők, betegségek, balesetek és más külső ártalmak módosíthatják. Kiemeljük az elhízás, az alacsony fokozatú gyulladás és az inzulinrezisztencia öregedésre gyakorolt gyorsító hatását. A metabolikus szindróma elterjedtsége miatt ez jelentős népegészségügyi kockázatot jelent. Az inzulin, a növekedési hormon és az inzulinszerű növekedési faktorok hatásainak értékelése továbbra is ellentmondásos. Az egészséges, szellemileg és fizikailag aktív életmód, a kalóriacsökkentés mindenképpen előnyös. Az életet meghosszabbító szerek értékelése még vitatott. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(33): 1318–1327. Summary. People want to live as long as possible in good health. If we eliminate the unfavorable external conditions, the life expectancy could exceed 100 years. In the 20th and 21th centuries, life expectancy in welfare societies increased significantly, including in Hungary. Based on the reviewed literature, we examined what endocrinological and metabolic factors play a role in prolonging life in addition to genetics and inheritance. We examined all endogenous factors that can positively or negatively affect age-related diseases (Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer) and longevity. We highlighted the aging effects of hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, the controversial role of insulin-like growth factor-1, and more recently discovered peptides involved in prolonging lifespan, such as klotho and humanin. We described the role of mitochondria in determining longevity, we demonstrated the process of mitohormesis and its stress-protective function. We presented the target organ of rapamycin, mTOR, the inhibition of which prolongs lifespan, as well as sirtuins. We covered the process of autophagy and described the role of senolytics in aging. The decrease in autoimmunity in old age contributes to the shortening of life expectancy, we referred to the coordinating role of the thymus. We highlighted the important role of intestinal microbiome in the regulation of longevity. We referred to human data obtained from observations on “centenarians”. We examined what intervention options are available to prolong healthy life expectancy. Among the lifestyle options, we highlighted the beneficial role of calorie reduction and exercise. We examined the putative beneficial effects of some drugs. These include metformin, acarbose, resveratrol. The effect of each of these drugs is similar to calorie restriction. There is no “miracle cure” that has been shown to prolong life-span in humans. Some genes and gene mutations have beneficial effects, but this can be modified by environmental factors, diseases, accidents, and other external harms. We highlight the accelerating effects of obesity, low-grade inflammation, and insulin resistance on aging. Due to the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, this poses a significant risk to public health. The assessment of the effects of insulin, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factors remains controversial. A healthy, mentally and physically active lifestyle, calorie reduction is definitely beneficial. The evaluation of life-prolonging agents is still controversial. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(33): 1318–1327.


2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 2096-2103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Liu ◽  
Ling Zhang ◽  
Qiyuan Shan ◽  
Yuxia Ding ◽  
Zhaocai Zhang ◽  
...  

Objective To investigate the vasodilative and endothelial-protective effects and the underlying mechanisms of total flavonoids from Astragalus (TFA). Methods The vasodilative activities of TFA were measured with a myograph ex vivo using rat superior mesenteric arterial rings. The primary human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) viabilities were assayed using the cell counting kit-8 after hypoxia or normoxia treatment with or without TFA. Akt, P-Akt, eNOS, P-eNOS, Erk, P-Erk, Bcl-2 and Bax expression were analyzed using western blotting. Results TFA showed concentration-dependent vasodilative effects on rat superior mesenteric arterial rings, but had no effects on normal or potassium chloride precontracted arterial rings. TFA did not affect HUVEC viabilities in normoxia, but dramatically promoted cell proliferation in the concentration range of 1 to 30 µg/mL under hypoxia. Moreover, TFA significantly increased the ratios of P-Akt/Akt and P-eNOS/eNOS in vascular endothelial cells under hypoxic conditions, but did not change the P-Erk/Erk or Bcl-2/Bax ratios. Conclusions TFA might exhibit vasorelaxant and endothelial-protective effects via the Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.


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