Progress on epigenetic regulation of long noncoding RNAs in cardiac development and heart diseases

It was previously revealed that noncoding RNAs, especially microRNAs, control cardiac genes and regulate heart function. Recently, growing evidence from high-throughput genomic platforms has confirmed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) serve as new and enigmatic regulators in cardiac development and homeostasis. Nevertheless, little is known about their characteristics compared to microRNAs. Here, we review the latest progress on lncRNAs in cardiac biology and diseases, summarizing detailed knowledge of their functions and novel cardiac-related gene regulatory mechanisms in epigenetic processes. Finally, we highlight that lncRNAs could be promising therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers in cardiac pathophysiology.     

Progress in role of lncRNA in cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases are closely related to proliferation, injury and apoptosis of the cells in the cardiovascular system. For instance, endothelial cells play an important role in the pathogenic process of hypertension and atherosclerosis, and smooth muscle cells and monocytes/macrophages involve in the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Recently, it has been confirmed that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) regulates proliferation, apoptosis, injury, autophagy and differentiation of the cells by a series of regulatory mechanisms, thus participating in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. This article is to review the recent research progress on the function of lncRNAs and their regulatory roles in the cardiovascular diseases at cellular and molecular levels.     

Long noncoding RNA MALAT1 regulates Rac1b expression and is associated with colorectal cancer metastasis

AIM: To investigate the role of MALAT1 in colorectal cancer metastasis.METHODS: The mRNA expression levels of MALAT1 and Rac1b in the tumor and adjacent normal tissues were examined by real-time PCR. MALAT1 was knocked down by siRNA in colorectal cancer cell lines. The expression of Rac1b and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers was examined by Western blot. Cell proliferation was determined by EdU analysis. The effects of MALAT1 on the cell migration and invasion were examined by Transwell assay. RESULTS: The expression of MALAT1 was down-regulated in colorectal cancer. Down-regulation of MALAT1 induced Rac1b overexpression, which in turn increased the expression levels of E-cadherin and β-catenin. Furthermore, down-regulation of MALAT1 promoted the cell proliferation, invasion and migration. CONCLUSION: MALAT1 is associated with metastasis of colorectal cancer through regulating the expression of Rac1b and the downstream factors.     

Long noncoding RNA ZFAS1/miR-150/ROCK1 axis regulates proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells

AIM: To investigate whether long noncoding RNA ZNFX1 (zinc finger NFX1-type containing 1) antisense RNA 1 (ZFAS1) promotes the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by regulating microRNA-150 (miR-150)/ROCK1, and the involving mechanism of atherosclerosis. METHODS: Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) was used to induce proliferation and migration of VSMCs. Real-time PCR was used to detect the content of ZFAS1 in the VSMCs. After further down-regulating the expression of ZFAS1 by siRNA, the viability of VSMCs was detected by MTT assay, and the proliferation was measured by EdU staining. The migration ability of VSMCs was detected by Transwell method. The expression levels of miR-150 and ROCK1 were detected by RT-qPCR, and the protein level of ROCK1 was determined by Western blot. Luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm that ROCK1 was the target gene of miR-150. Finally, miR-150 expression was inhibited, and the proliferation and migration ability of VSMCs and expression of ROCK1 after down-regulation of ZFAS1 expression were examined. RESULTS: PDGF-BB up-regulated the expression of ZFAS1 in the VSMCs. After down-regulating the expression of ZFAS1, the proliferation and migration abilities of VSMCs were inhibited (P<0.05), the expression level of miR-150 was increased (P<0.05), and the expression level of ROCK1 was decreased (P<0.05). The results of luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-150 directly targeted ROCK1. Inhibition of miR-150 expression attenuated the inhibition of proliferation and migration of VSMCs by ZFAS1 expression knock-down (P<0.05) and up-regulated the expression level of ROCK1 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: ZFAS1 promotes the proliferation and migration of VSMCs induced by PDGF-BB by regulating miR-150/ROCK1.     

Study on expression of long non-coding RNA in colon cancer tissues and adjacent tissues

AIM: To screen the differentially expressed long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in colon cancer, and to explore its expression in colon cancer tissues and adjacent tissues. METHODS: The "Colon adenocarcinoma:Person neoplasm cancer status" which consisted of 36 cases of colon cancer tissues and 29 cases of normal colonic tissues was downloaded from the lncRNAtor database. The candidate genes were selected from these differentially expressed lncRNAs based on artificial criterion (P<0.01; fold change ≥ 2 or<0.5) and then validated by real-time PCR in 60 pairs of colon cancer tissues and adjacent tissues. RESULTS: A total of 50 lncRNAs were differentially expressed in colon cancer tissues, including 28 up-regulated and 22 down-regulated (P<0.01). The verifying results displayed that HNF1A-AS1 and ZDHHC8P1 were up-regulated (P<0.01), and SUZ12P expression was down-regulated (P<0.05), but the expression of AC069513.3 was not statistically significant between colon cancer tissues and adjacent tissues. The abilities of HNF1A-AS1, ZDHHC8P1, SUZ12P and AC069513.3 to discriminate the colon cancer from normal adjacent tissue by the ROC curve with an AUC of 0.729 (sensitivity 78%, specificity 67%), 0.617 (sensitivity 68%, specificity 55%), 0.689 (sensitivity 66%, specificity 55%) and 0.518 (sensitivity 52%, specificity 48%) were observed. CONCLUSION: Long non-coding RNA HNF1A-AS1 and ZDHHC8P1 are up-regulated and SUZ12P is down-regulated in colon cancer tissues, suggesting that they may be involved in the pathogenesis of colon cancer.     

Long non-coding RNA and diabetes mellitus

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of RNAs, which are longer than 200 nucleotides without containing functional open reading frame and cannot encode protein. The study of lncRNA will help to understand the multi-level expression regulatory network of the body, and is expected to provide the basis of prediction, diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases. Although the functions and mechanism of lncRNA remain unclear, some studies indicate that lncRNA is involved in the development of diabetes mellitus, and those lncRNAs may be new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.     

Effect of long non-coding RNA MEG3 on invasion and migration of colorectal cancer cells

AIM: To investigate the expression of long non-coding RNA maternally expressed gene 3(MEG3) in colorectal cancer(CRC) cells, and to observe the effect of MEG3 on the invasion and migration of CRC cells. METHODS: The levels of MEG3 in human normal colon cell NCM460 and CRC cells SW48 and LoVo were detected by real- time PCR. MEG3 was over-expressed by plasmid transfection, and the effects of MEG3 on the invasion and migration of SW48 and LoVo cells were analyzed by Transwell assay and wound healing assay. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase(MMP) family proteins was determined by Western blotting. RESULTS: The level of MEG3 was down-regulated in CRC cells compared with normal colon cell NCM460. The invasion and migration of CRC cells were reduced after MEG3 over-expression. Transwell invasion and migration assays showed that the numbers of transmembrane SW48 and LoVo cells were smaller in MEG3 over-expression group than control group(CONCLUSION: The expression of MEG3 is down-regulated in CRC cells. Over-expression of MEG3 inhibits the invasion and migration of CRC cells. TIMP-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 might play an important role in this regulation.     

Progress in roles of MNX1 antisense RNA 1 in malignant tumor

MNX1 antisense RNA 1 （MNX1-AS1） is a newly discovered long non-coding RNA （lncRNA）, which is highly dysregulated in various carcinomas and its expression level is closely related to the overall survival and prognosis of patients. MNX1-AS1 regulates the occurrence and development of carcinomas by endogenous competitive adsorption of miRNA, regulating cell cycle, inducing epithelial mesenchymal transformation and activating multiple signaling pathways. The in-depth study of the carcinogenesis of MNX1-AS1 is useful for the early diagnosis, targeted therapy and prognostic assessment of relevant carcinomas. This article reviews the roles of MNX1-AS1 in malignant tumor.     

Sinomenine reduces MPP+-induced damage in SK-N-SH cells via ANRIL/miR-626 signaling pathway

AIM To investigate the effect of sinomenine (SN) on the damage of human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells induced by 1-methyl-4-4 phenylpyridine (MPP⁺) and its mechanism for exploring the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease. METHODS SN was used to treat MPP⁺-induced SK-N-SH cells. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in cell culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. The apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were determined by Western blot. The expression levels of long noncoding RNA ANRIL and microRNA-626 (miR-626) were detected by RT-qPCR. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to evaluate the relationship between ANRIL and miR-626. After ANRIL small interfering RNA was transfected into SK-N-SH cells, the effects of ANRIL expression knock-down on MPP⁺-induced SK-N-SH cell apoptosis, the protein expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax, and the levels of MDA and GSH in cell culture supernatants were examined. RESULTS After treatment with MPP⁺, the apoptotic rate, Bax protein level and ANRIL expression in SK-N-SH cells were increased (P<0.05), and the Bcl-2 protein level and miR-626 expression were decreased (P<0.05). The level of MDA in cell culture supernatants was increased (P<0.05), and the level of GSH was decreased (P<0.05). After SN treatment or ANRIL expression knock-down, decreased apoptotic rate, Bax protein level and ANRIL expression (P<0.05), and increased Bcl-2 protein level and miR-626 expression in MPP⁺-induced SK-N-SH cells were observed (P<0.05). The level of MDA in the cell culture supernatants was decreased (P<0.05), and the level of GSH was increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION SN attenuates MPP⁺-induced damage in SK-N-SH cells by regulating ANRIL/miR-626 signaling pathway.     

Expression and regulatory effect of P73 antisense RNA 1T in tumors

The discovery of abundant new long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and extensive investigation of their roles in various diseases have been reported, especially in cancers. The lncRNA P73 antisense RNA 1T (TP73-AS1) is involved in dysregulation of cell signaling and closely correlated with cancer development, progression, and response to therapy. This review is a brief update of the current knowledge related to the role of TP73-AS1 in cancer-associated molecular pathways and pathophysiology, and possible determinants for TP73-AS1 to function as a biomarker, aiming to stimulate the basic investigation of TP73-AS1 as well as its translation to clinical applications.     

Long non-coding RNA TTTY15 expression in osteosarcoma and its effect on viability and invasion ability of osteosarcoma cells

AIM:To observe the expression of long noncoding RNA TTTY15 in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines and to explore its effect on the viability and invasion ability of osteosarcoma cell lines. METHODS:qPCR was used to detect the expression of TTTY15 in 11 cases of osteosarcoma and its adjacent tissues. The mRNA levels of TTTY15 in osteosarcoma cell lines (143B, Saos2, MG-63, U2OS and HOS) and human osteoblast cell line hFOB1.19 were also tested. TTTY15 was down-regulated after transfected with small interfering RNA in MG-63 cells, the cell line with the highest level of TTTY15. The effect of TTTY15 knockdown on the viability of MG-63 cells was measured by CCK-8 assay. The cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry. The effect of TTTY15 knockdown on the cell invasion ability was detected by Transwell assay. The levels of miR-216b-5p and FOXM1 mRNA were detected by qPCR, and the changes of the related proteins were determined by Western blot. RESULTS:Compared with the adjacent tissues, the expression of TTTY15 increased in the osteosarcoma tissues (P<0.01). Compared with the human osteoblast cell line, the expression of TTTY15 increased in the osteosarcoma cell lines (P<0.05), and the level of TTTY15 in the MG-63 cells was the highest (P<0.01). After knockdown of TTTY15 expression in the MG-63 cells, the cell viability was decreased (P<0.05), cell cycle progression was inhibited (P<0.01), and the cell invasion ability was decreased (P<0.01). The expression of miR-216b-5p was increased (P<0.01) and the expression of FOXM1 mRNA was decreased (P<0.01). The protein expression of FOXM1, CDK4, cyclin D1, MMP-2 and N-cadherin was decreased, while the protein expression of E-cadherin was increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:The expression of TTTY15 is increased in the osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines. The low expression of TTTY15 inhibits the cell viability and invasion ability of osteosarcoma cells. The possible mechanism is that the knockdown of TTTY15 expression results in the increase in miR-216b-5p expression and the down-regulation of FOXM1 expression.     

Therapeutic mechanism investigation of RNA interference in Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodengenerative disorder disease with the progressive cognition malfunction and memory impairment. This article analyze the biochemical cause of Alzheimer’s disease and evaluate the current status of drug therapy for the disease, and predict the possibility of RNA interference in the therapy of Alzheimer’s disease.     

Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR modulates proliferation and apoptosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells

AIM: To explore the influence of long non-coding RNA HOTAIR on the proliferation and apoptosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells via the regulation of glucocorticoid receptor (GR).METHODS: The expression le-vels of HOTAIR and GR mRNA in human bone marrow stromal cell line HS-5 and human acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines MOLT-4, CCRF-CEM and CEM-C1 were examined by RT-qPCR. HOTAIR was knocked down by siRNA in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. CCK-8 assay was used to assess the cell viability, and the effect of si-HOTAIR on the proli-feration of CEM-C1 cells was evaluated by BrdU method. The effect of si-HOTAIR on apoptosis of CEM-C1 cells was examined by Hoechst 33342 staining and Caspase-Glo^® 3/7 assay. Western blot was utilized to examine the protein level of GR.RESULTS: The expression level of HOTAIR in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells was significantly increased as compared with normal human bone marrow stromal cells (P<0.01). The viability and proliferation of acute lymphoblastic cells was inhibited, the apoptosis was induced, and the anti-proliferation effect of dexamethasone on CEM-C1 cells was enhanced after knockdown of HOTAIR expression (P<0.01). The expression of GR was up-regulated at both mRNA and protein levels (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR may modulate the viability, proliferation and apoptosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells via a GR regulatory way.