MicroRNA-146a promotes apoptosis of gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells by targeting TAK1

AIM: To explore the effect of microRNA-146a (miR-146a) on apoptosis of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells and the underluing mechanism. METHODS: miR-146a mimic (up-regulated miR-146a expression) and miR-146a inhibitor (down-regulated miR-146a expression) were transfected into the SGC-7901 cells by liposome method. At the same time, miRNA nonsense sequence transfection group as the negative control group (NC group) was set up. RT-qPCR was used to evaluate the levels of miR-146a in the SGC-7901 cells after transfection. The effects of miR-146a on the cell apoptosis and growth were assessed by flow cytometry analysis and CCK-8 assay, respectively. The effect of over-expression or knockdown of miR-146a on transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling was evaluated by RT-qPCR and Western blot. RESULTS: miR-146a modulated apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells. Over-expression of miR-146a significantly increased apoptosis, whereas knockdown of miR-146a inhibited the apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells. The expression of TAK1 at mRNA and protein levels was significantly decreased when miR-146a mimic was transfected into the SGC-7901 cells (P<0.05). On the contrast, the expression of TAK1 at mRNA and protein were significantly higher in miR-146a inhibitor transfection group than that in NC group (P<0.05), suggesting that miR-146a negatively regulated TAK1 expression. Moreover, knockdown of TAK1 enhanced the apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells (P<0.01), while over-expression of TAK1 inhibited the apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells(P<0.01). Additionally, both over-expression of miR-146a and knockdown of TAK1 led to a prominent increase in the expression of NF-κB inhibitor protein alpha (IκBα) and a significat decrease in B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) level in the SGC-7901 cells. CONCLUSION: miR-146a significantly promotes apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells by inhibition of NF-κB pathway via targeting TAK1.     

Celastrol blocks cell cycle of A549 cells by regulating miR-17-5p/miR-155-5p and targeting cyclin D1

AIM: To investigate the effect of celastrol on the cell cycle of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells and to probe into its mechanisms.METHODS: A549 cells were exposed to celastrol at gradient concentrations. The cell viability and apoptosis were detected by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively, and the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of celastrol was screened. The A549 cells were treated with celastrol at LC₅₀, and the cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of cyclin D1 was determined by Western blot, and the expression of microRNA (miR)-17-5p and miR-155-5p was detected by real-time PCR. The correlation between cyclin D1 and miR-17-5p or miR-155-5p was predicted by bioinformatics software. After miR-17-5p mimics/miR-155-5p mimics/mutant-miR-17-5p/mutant-miR-155-5p and pcDNA-GFP-cyclin D1-3'UTR were cotransfected into the A549 cells, the changes of GFP expression were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Finally, after miR-17-5p mimics or miR-155-5p mimics were transfeced into the A549 cells, the expression of miR-17-5p and miR-155-5p was detected by real-time PCR, and the protein level of cyclin D1 was determined by Western blot. RESULTS: With the increasing concentration of celastrol, the viability inhibition rate and apoptotic rate of the A549 cells were increased, indicating that celastrol effectively inhibited the growth of A549 cells and induced apoptosis. The LC₅₀ of celastrol was almost 3 μmol/L. After treatment with celastrol at LC₅₀, the A549 cell cycle was arrested at G₁ phase, the protein expression of cyclin D1 was down-regulated (P<0.01), and the expression levels of miR-17-5p and miR-155-5p were significantly increased (P<0.01). The results of bioinformatics software prediction indicated that there were binding sites for miR-17-5p and miR-155-5p in the 3'-UTR of cyclin D1. After cotransfected with miR-17-5p or miR-155-5p and pcDNA-GFP-cyclin D1-3'UTR into the A549 cells, the expression of GFP declined (P<0.05). After miR-17-5p or miR-155-5p mimics were transfected into A549 cells, the results of real-time PCR showed this treatment significantly increased the miRNA expression (P<0.01), and the results of Western blot showed the transfection inhibited cyclin D1 expression (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Celastrol blocks the A549 cells at G₁ phase, inhibits the viability and induces apoptosis, which may be caused by up-regulating the expression of miR-17-5p and miR-155-5p, and then down-regulating cyclin D1 expression. This study provides a new theoretical basis for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer with celastrol.     

Expression of miR-143 and its clinicopathologic significance in gastric cancer

AIM: To investigate the expression of miR-143 and its association with clinicopathologic features in gastric cancer.METHODS: The expression level of miR-143 in 32 cases of gastric cancer and matched non-tumor adjacent tissue specimens was examined using stem-loop real-time RT-PCR. The relationship between the expression of miR-143 and its clinicopathologic features of gastric cancer was analyzed.RESULTS: The expression level of miR-143 was significantly lower in the tumor tissues than that in the adjacent tissues (P<0.05). Down-regulated miR-143 expression was associated with the cell differentiation (P<0.05) and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05) in gastric cancer patients. No significant association was found between the expression of miR-143 and the status of gender, age, blood type, tumor location, tumor size, depth of tumor invasion and tumor node metastasis stage.CONCLUSION: It is possible that miR-143 plays an important role in the generation and progression of gastric cancer. The expression level of miR-143 may be a valuable adjuvant parameter for predicting the poorly differentiated gastric cancer.     

Effects of all-trans retinoic acid on sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to radiotherapy

AIM: To investigate the effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on the viability of gastric cancer cell SGC-7901 and the sensitivity to radiotherapy. METHODS: MTT assay was used to examine the cell viability. Radio-sensitivity and cell cycle were determined by colony formation assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The mRNA levels of Bax, Bcl-2, survivin and NF-κB in the cells were measured by RT-qPCR. RESULTS: ATRA inhibited the viability of SGC-7901 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The maximal inhibition was at concentration of 8 μmol/L. Colony formation assay revealed that the combination of ATRA with X-ray treatment significantly reduced the values of D0 and Dq, and shifted down the fitting survival curve, as compared with radiotherapy alone. Moreover, ATAR markedly decreased the percentage of G₂/M phase in the SGC-7901 cells (P<0.05). In addition, following ATRA treatment, the mRNA levels of Bcl-2 and survivin were decreased (P<0.05), whereas the mRNA levels of Bax and NF-κB were increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: ATRA enhances the sensitivity of SGC-7901 cells to radiotherapy, inhibits G₂/M arrest and regulates the mRNA expression of Bax, Bcl-2, survivin and NF-κB.     

Effect of Yiqi Huayu Huatan decoction on expression of KLF15, HMGB1, NF-κB and its downstream inflammatory factors in rats with UUO-induced renal interstitial fibrosis

AIM: To observe the effect of Yiqi Huayu Huatan decoction (YHHD) on unilaterral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal interstitial fibrosis in rats, and to investigate the possible mechanism. METHODS: Female SD rats (n=48) were randomly divided into sham group, model group, telmisartan group, and low-, middle-and high-dose YHHD groups, with 8 rats in each group. The UUO model rats was established by ligating left ureter. The rats in sham group and model group were treated with equal volume of normal saline, others were treated with the corresponding drugs daily. After 12 weeks, the rats were sacrificed. The serum samples were collected for determining the concentrations of cystatin C (Cys-C) and uric acid (UA). The morphological changes of the renal tissue were observed by PAS staining. The collagen fiber was observed by Masson staining. The mRNA expression of Krüppel-like factor 15 (KLF15), high-mo-bility group box protein 1 (HMGB1), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), IκB, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), fibronectin (FN), collagen type I (Col I) and Col-Ⅳ was detected by real-time PCR. The protein expression of KLF15, HMGB1 and NF-κB was detected by Western blot. The protein expression of MCP-1 was determined by the method of immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with sham group, the deposition rate of collagen fibers and the concentration of Cys-C in model group were significantly increased (P<0.05), the mRNA and protein expression of KLF15 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05), while the mRNA expression of HMGB1, NF-κB, IκB, MCP-1, IL-1β, TNF-α, FN, Col I and Col Ⅳ and the protein expression of HMGB1, NF-κB and MCP-1 were significantly up-regulated (P<0.05). Compared with model group, the deposition rates of collagen fibers in middle-and high-dose YHHD groups and telmisartan group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), with down-regulated protein expression of HMGB1 and NF-κB and mRNA expression of IL-1β and TNF-α (P<0.05). The protein expression of KLF15 was significantly up-regulated in high-dose YHHD group and telmisartan group (P<0.05), while the protein expression of MCP-1 and the mRNA expression of FN were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of KLF15 was significantly up-regulated in high-dose YHHD group (P<0.05), while the mRNA expression of MCP-1, Col I and Col IV was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of NF-κB and IκB was significantly down-regulated and the concentration of Cys-C was significantly decreased in each dose of YHHD groups and telmisartan group (P<0.05). No significant difference of UA level among the groups was observed. CONCLUSION: YHHD alleviates renal interstitial fibrosis in a dose-dependent manner, and YHHD at high dose shows the most obvious effect. The mechanism may be associated with the up-regulation of KLF15 and the down-regulation of HMGB1, NF-κB and its downstream inflammation-related factors in the renal tissue.     

miRNA-101-3p inhibits proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells by targeting EZH2

AIM: To investigate the role of microRNA-101-3p (miRNA-101-3p) on the proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of gastric cancer cells and the possible regulatory mechanisms. METHODS: The expression of miRNA-101-3p in two kinds of gastric cancer cells and a gastric mucosal cell line was detected by real-time PCR. The miRNA-101-3p was overexpressed by Lipofectamine 2000 transfection with miRNA-101-3p mimics. The effects of miRNA-101-3p on cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. The effects of miRNA-101-3p on cell proliferation and migration abilities were detected by CCK-8 assay, trypan blue exclusion test and Transwell assay. The protein expression of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) was determined by Western blot. RESULTS: The expression of miRNA-101-3p in gastric cancer cells was lower than that in gastric mucosal cells (P<0.05). The gastric cancer cell MGC-803 had the lowest expression level of miRNA-101-3p. The result of flow cytometry showed that the population of S phase was reduced, and the population of G₀/G₁ phase and the early stage apoptotic rate were increased after the expression of miRNA-101-3p was overexpressed (P<0.05). The results of CCK-8 assay, trypan blue exclusion test and Transwell assay showed that overexpression of miRNA-101-3p significantly reduced the proliferation and migration abilities of gastric cancer cells (P<0.05). Overexpression of miRNA-101-3p decreased the protein level of EZH2 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: miRNA-101-3p may suppresses the gastric cancer cell proliferation and migration, and promotes the gastric cancer cell apotosis by down-regulation of EZH2.     

Effect of abnormal expression of miR-141 on malignant biological behaviors of human hepatocarcinoma cells

AIM: To investigate the expression of microRNA-141 (miR-141) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line SMMC-7721 and normal hepatocyte line HL-7702, and to analyze the effect of abnormal expression of miR-141 on the malignant biological behaviors of human hepatocarcinoma cells. METHODS: The RNA from SMMC-7721 cells and HL-7702 cells was extracted. SYBR Green real-time PCR was performed to detect the expression of miR-141. Synthetic miR-141 mimic and its negative control were transfected into the SMMC-7721 cells, and miR-141 inhibitor and its negative control were transfected into the HL-7702 cells by the method of Lipofectamine. After transfection, MTS assay and BrdU-ELISA were employed to evaluate the effect of miR-141 on the cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle and apoptosis. The changes of migration ability were investigated by Transwell invasion assay. RESULTS: The expression of miR-141 in the SMMC-7721 cells was significantly lower than that in the HL-7702 cells (P < 0.05). Compared with blank group, Lipofectamine group and negative control group, the proliferation of the SMMC-7721 cells transfected with 25 nmol/L miR-141 mimic was significantly inhibited in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The percentages of G₁ phase cells and early apoptotic rate were significantly increased when miR-141 was up-regulated, but the migration ability was inhibited (P < 0.05). Compared with blank group, Lipofectamine group and negative control group, the proliferation of HL-7702 cells transfected with 50 nmol/L miR-141 inhibitor was significantly increased in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). When miR-141 was down-regulated, the percentages of G₁ phase cells and early apoptotic rate were significantly decreased, but the migration ability was enhanced (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: miR-141 is down-regulated in human hepatocarcinoma cell line. Up-regulation of miR-141 will not only inhibit cell proliferation and migration ability, but also affect the cell cycle and apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells. miR-141 may function as a tumor suppressor gene during HCC development.     

Effect of oncogenic microRNA-106a on growth of normal gastric mucous epithelial cells and gastric cancer cells

AIM: To investigate the oncogenic effect of microRNA-106a (miR-106a) on normal gastric mucous epithelial cells and gastric cancer cells.METHODS: The miR-106a mimic was transfected into normal gastric mucous epithelial cell line GES-1 using liposome. The change of cell growth was measured by MTT assay. The miR-106a inhibitor was transfected into gastric cancer cell lines MGC-803 and SGC-7901 using liposome, and the changes of cell cycle distribution and cell cycle-related protein expression were measured by flow cytometry and Western blotting,respectively. The growth of gastric cancer was also observed using nude mouse xenograft model. RESULTS: The miR-106a mimic increased the growth of GES-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. By decreasing the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 1 and CDK2, the miR-106a inhibitor arrested MGC-803 cells at G₀/G₁ and G₂/M phases. The miR-106a inhibitor also arrested SGC-7901 cells at G₂/M phase by decreasing the expression of CDK1. The results of animal experiments showed that the miR-106a inhibitor significantly suppressed the tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner.CONCLUSION: miR-106a may play an important role in the development of gastric cancer.     

Up-regulation of miR-133a expression attenuates myocardial fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of up-regulated expression of microRNA-133a (miR-133a) on myocardial fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS: Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats with homologous normal blood pressure served as the normal control group. SHR were divided into SHR group, SHR+ adeno-associated virus (AAV) group and SHR+miR-133a-AAV group randomly. miR-133a carried by miR-133a-AAV was transfected into SHR heart by coronary perfusion. The rat tail artery pressure was monitored. The myocardial collagen deposition was observed by Masson staining. The expression of miR-133a in myocardial tissue was detected by real-time PCR. The protein levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the WKY rats, the tail artery pressure of the SHR increased significantly. The expression of miR-133a in heart decreased, and the expression levels of TGF-β1 and CTGF increased (P<0.05), and myocardial fibrosis occurred. After up-regulating the expression level of miR-133a in the heart of SHR, the myocardial fibrosis was significantly reduced, and the expression levels of TGF-β1 and CTGF decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Up-regulation of the miR-133a expression improves myocardial fibrosis induced by hypertension, which may be related to inhibiting the protein expression of TGF-β1 and CTGF in myocardium.     

Effect of miR-375 on viability,cell cycle and apoptosis of colon cancer HCT116 cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of microRNA-375 (miR-375) on the viability, cell cycle and apoptosis of HCT116 cells.METHODS: The expression of miR-375 in different colorectal cancer cell lines was detected by real-time PCR. The miR-375 mimics was transfected into HCT116 cells by Lipofectamine^TM 2000. The mRNA expression of miR-375 and AEG-1 was detected by real-time PCR. The HCT116 cell viability was detected by MTT assay. The changes of apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were analyzed by flow cytometry.RESULTS: Real-time PCR showed that miR-375 expression was the lowest in HCT116 among 4 colorectal cancer cell lines. The expression level of miR-375 significantly increased in miR-375 mimics group compared with that in the negative control group. The high expression level of miR-375 significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of AEG-1. After transfection with miR-375 mimics, the cell viability was inhibited, the apoptotic rate was increased, the proportion of G₁-stage cells was increased, and the proportion of S-stage cells was decreased.CONCLUSION: miR-375 inhibits the viability, mediates the cell cycle arrest and promotes the apoptosis of colon cancer HCT116 cells. miR-375 may act as a tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer by inhibiting AEG-1.     

Effect of microRNA-132 transfection on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in rat alveolar macrophages

AIM: To investigate the effect of microRNA-132 (miR-132) transfection on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in rat alveolar macrophages. METHODS: The rat alveolar macrophage NR8383 cultured without pyrogen in vitrowere divided into blank control group, negative control group and transfected group. The cells in the 3 groups were transfected with phosphate buffer solution (PBS), Lipofectamine 2000 and synthesized miR-132 mimic respectively. The cell proliferation was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-132 in the cells. After NR8383 cells were stimulated with LPS for 6 h, the NF-κB DNA-binding activity was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in NR8383 cells was assayed by Western blotting.RESULTS: After transfection, the expression of miR-132 was significantly higher than that in blank control group and negative control group. The growth of NR8383 cells in transfected group was significantly inhibited compared with blank control group and negative control group (P<0.05). After the cells were stimulated with LPS, the productions of NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-6 in transfected NR8383 cells were decreased compared with blank control group and negative control group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Transfection of alveolar macrophages with miR-132 significantly suppresses the cell growth, and inhibits inflammatory responses induced by LPS.     

Hydrogen sulfide inhibits inflammatory responses induced by acute myocardial ischemia in isolated rat hearts

AIM：To investigate whether hydrogen sulfide (H2S) protects the hearts against inflammatory responses induced by acute myocardial ischemia in isolated rat hearts. METHODS：Rat acute myocardial ischemia injury was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 4 h, and the normal perfusate was replaced with NaHS (5 μmol/L, 10 μmol/L and 20 μmol/L) perfusate accordingly in NaHS groups 2 h after ischemia. The changes of cardiac function in the myocardial ischemic injury rats were observed. The mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and ICAM-1 was detected by real-time PCR. The protein level of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the myocardial tissues was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS：The cardiac function in ischemia group was lower than that in sham group (P<0.01). Compared with ischemia group, perfusion of NaHS resulted in the improvement of the cardiac function (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with sham group, the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and ICAM-1 in the cardiac tissues was significantly increased, and the mRNA expression of IL-10 in the cardiac tissues was significantly decreased in ischemia group (P<0.01). Compared with ischemia group, the perfusion of NaHS significantly decreased the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and ICAM-1 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The perfusion of NaHS at concentrations of 10 μmol/L and 20 μmol/L significantly increased the mRNA expression of IL-10 (P<0.01). The protein level of NF-κB in ischemia group was markedly higher than that in sham group (P<0.01). Compared with ischemia group, the perfusion of NaHS at concentrations of 10 μmol/L and 20 μmol/L significantly decreased the expression of NF-κB (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION：H2S protects the hearts against acute ischemia injury through inhibition of NF-κB activation and subsequent down-regulation of NF-κB-dependent inflammatory gene expression.     

Downregulation of DEK induces cell apoptosis via inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway in gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of DEK downregulation on the apoptosis of gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cells, and to explore its associations with NF-κB signaling pathway and apoptosis related proteins. METHODS: SGC-7901 cells with different treatments were divided into 3 groups including untreated group, control siRNA group and DEK siRNA group. The expression of DEK at mRNA and protein levels in the SGC-7901 cells was detected by real-time PCR and Western blot. The cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in the SGC-7901 cells were investigated by Caspase-Glo^®-3/9 kit. Finally, the expression of key regulatory protein p65 of NF-κB signaling pathway and apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax in the SGC-7901 cells was investigated by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with untreated group and control siRNA group, the expression of DEK at mRNA and protein levels was significantly downregulated in DEK siRNA group (P<0.05). In addition, the ratios of early phase apoptosis and total apoptosis in DEK siRNA group were markedly higher than those in untreated group and control siRNA group (P<0.05). Most notably, the decrease in p65 and Bcl-2 proteins, increase in Bax protein and the increases of caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities were observed in DEK siRNA group. CONCLUSION: Downregulation of DEK mediates cell apoptosis of gastric carcinoma may be tightly associated with NF-κB signaling pathway.     

Expression of A20 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

AIM: To investigate the expression and regulation of A20 in healthy individuals and the patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: The expression levels of A20, NF-κB, MALT1, and MALT1V1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of the patients with SLE (including 2 cases with scleroderma, 1 case with rheumatoid arthritis, and 1 case with lymphoma) were analyzed by real-time PCR. RESULTS: A significantly lower A20 expression level was found in the PBMC from SLE group compared with the healthy controls, while the expression levels of MALT1 and NF-κB were also decreased. In addition, no significant correlation between A20 and NF-κB expression levels in healthy group was observed, but a positive correlation was found in SLE group (P<0.05). A significant positive correlation between MALT1 and NF-κB expression levels in healthy group (P<0.05) was observed, and no significant correlation was found in SLE group. The expression level of MALT1V1 in SLE group was significantly lower than that in healthy control group, and there was a positive correlation between A20 and MALT1V1 in healthy volunteers (P<0.01), but that did not exist in SLE group. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of the expression pattern of MALT1-A20-NF-κB in the SLE patients were presented. Lower level of A20 expression was found in the SLE patients, in particular with other autoimmune disease or lymphomas, indicating the lower immune tolerance in SLE. The positive correlation of A20 and NF-κB may relate to positive regulation of MALT1.     

Effects of miR-130a on viability and apoptosis of rat basilar arterial smooth muscle cells

AIM: To investigate the regulatory effects of microRNA (miR)-130a on the biological characteristics of rat basilar arterial smooth muscle cells (BASMCs) and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: The expression of miR-130a in rat BASMCs was measured by real-time PCR. After knockdown of miR-130a with inhibitor in the BASMCs, the cell viability, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were detected by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. The expression of cell cycle-and apoptosis-related molecules, such as cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), p21, Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 at protein levels was determined by Western blot. The growth arrest-specific homeobox protein (Gax) expression at mRNA and protein levels was determined by real-time PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: AngiotensionⅡ (AngⅡ) up-regulated the expression of miR-130a and down-regulated the expression of Gax (P<0.05). Transfection with miR-130a inhibitor partly reversed the increase in AngⅡ-induced cell viability and promoted the Gax expression. Furthermore, the early cell apoptotic rate was significantly increased after down-regulation of miR-130a (P<0.05), and the protein levels of cyclin D1, CDK2, Bcl-2 and p-Rb were significantly decreased, accompanied with the up-regulation of p21 and cleaved caspase-3 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of miR-130a restrains the viability and promotes the apoptosis of BASMCs by promoting Gax expression and regulating cell cycle-and apoptosis-related molecules, suggesting that miR-130a may be a potential therapeutic target of brain vascular remodeling during hypertension.     

MicroRNA-330 inhibits growth and migration of gastric cancer cells by directly targeting EGR-2

AIM:To explore the function and significance of microRNA-330 (miR-330) in the development of gastric cancer. METHODS:Forty-eight cases of gastric cancer tissues and paired adjacent tissues were collected in Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, and the expression levels of miR-330 were detected by RT-qPCR. The expression levels of miR-330 in the gastric cancer cells and human gastric epithelial GES-1 cells were evaluated by RT-qPCR. The viability, colony formation and migration of gastric cancer cells after transfected with miR-330 inhibitor or miR-330 mimic were analyzed by CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay and Transwell assay, respectively. Furthermore, miR-330 target gene was predicted by miRanda target gene prediction database. RESULTS:miR-330 expression was down-regulated both in gastric cancer tissues and gastric cancer cells (P<0.05). The expression levels of miR-330 were negatively associated with the tumor size, lymph metastasis, pathological grade stage and T stage (P<0.05). The viability, colony formation and migration of gastric cancer cells were significantly increased after transfected with miR-330 inhibitor (P<0.05). However, the viability, colony formation and migration of gastric cancer cells were significantly decreased after transfected with miR-330 mimic (P<0.05). Furthermore, EGR-2 was the direct target gene of miR-330. CONCLUSION:miR-330 suppresses gastric cancer cell growth and migration, and the mechanism may be related to its direct target gene EGR-2, suggesting that miR-330 may be used as a potential new target for diagnosis and targeted therapy for gastric cancer.     

Up-regulation of miR-181a attenuates releases of CSE-induced pro-inflammatory factors and expression of collagen IV,fibronectin and α-SMA in human bronchial epithelial cells

AIM: To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of microRNA-181a (miR-181a) on cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced the productions of pro-inflammatory factors and the expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). METHODS: CSE-induced miR-181a expression was detected by RT-qPCR in the HBECs. After tansfected with miR-181a mimic, the releases of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were measured by ELISA, the protein expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA was determined by Western blot. The activation of NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway was also evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS: CSE increased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β1 and the expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA, and decreased the expression of miR-181a in the HBECs (P<0.05). However, transfected with miR-181a mimic partially prevented the releases of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β1, and inhibited the expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA (P<0.05). Additionally, the activation of NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3 evoked by CSE was attenuated after transfected with miR-181a mimic. CONCLUSION: Up-regulation of miR-181a prevents the releases of CSE-induced pro-inflammatory factors and expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA in the HBECs, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway.     

Inhibitory effects of right cervical sympathetic trunk transection on inflammatory response after acute myocardial infarction in rats and its influence on HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway

AIM: To observe the effects of transection of right cervical sympathetic trunk (TCST) on inflammatory response and expression of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in the rats after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: AMI model was established by ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery in SD rats, then the model rats were randomly divided into MI group and MI+TCST group. MI+TCST model was performed by transection of right cervical sympathetic trunk after left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. The rats in MI group and MI+TCST group were divided into 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 d subgroups, and another sham operation group threading without ligation, with 8 rats in above each group. After modeling for 4 weeks, the cardiac function was measured by echocardiography. All rats were killed to harvest the hearts for mesuring cardiac hypertrophy index. The myocardial tissue close to infarction was observed with HE staining. The relative mRNA expression levels of HMGB1, tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6 at different time points were detected by real-time PCR. The protein expression of HMGB1 and TLR4 at different time points after AMI was determined by Western blot. The effect of transection of right cervical sympathetic trunk on the expressions of HMGB1 and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway was also analyzed.RESULTS: Compared with the MI group, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular shorterning fraction (LVFS) were significantly higher (P<0.05), left ventricular end-diastole dimension (LVEDd), left ventricular end-systole dimension (LVESd) and cardiac hypertrophy index were significantly lower (P<0.05), and the mRNA levels of HMGB1, TNF-α and IL-6 decreased significantly in MI+TCST group (P<0.05). Western blot results revealed that the protein expression level of HMGB1 increased in the infarct border zone at 3 d, and reached its peak at 7 d, then gradually decreased, and at 28 d after MI in MI group was still significantly higher than that in sham group (P<0.05). The protein expression of TLR4 was consistent with that of HMGB1. Transection of right cervical sympathetic trunk reduced protein expression of HMGB1 and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Transection of right cervical sympathetic trunk improves ventricular remodeling and maintaining cardiac function. The mechanism may be related to inhibiting HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway to reduce inflammatory response.     

Molecular mechanism of miR-1246 enhancing radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells

AIM: To investigate the molecular mechanism of microRNA-1246(miR-1246) enhancing radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells. METHODS: Cervical cancer lines HeLa, CaSki, C33A and SiHa were transfected with miR-1246 mimic and negative control mimic (NC-mimic) using Lipofectamine 2000 kit, and the expression level of miR-1246 in cervical cancer tissue, normal tissue, cervical cancer cell lines and endometrial epithelium cell line ESC was detected by real-time PCR. The transfected cells were exposed to X-ray radiation. The cell viability and migration rate were measured respectively by MTT assay and Transwell method. The protein levels of γH2AX, ATM, p-ATM and p-p53 were monitored by immunofluorescence and Western blot. RESUITS: Higher miR-1246 level was found in normal tissue and ESC cells, while lower miR-1246 level was found in HeLa, SiHa, C33A and Caski cells and cervical cancer tissues. The expression level of miR-1246 in the cells transfected with miR-1246 mimic was significantly higher than that in the cells transfected with NC-mimic (P<0.05). The cell viability and migration rate of the cervical cancer cells with miR-1246 over-expression were notably lower than those of the cells transfected with NC-mimic (P<0.05) under the same conditions. The results of immunofluorescence indicated that the protein expression level of γH2AX significantly increased in the cervical cancer cells with miR-1246 over-expression exposed to radiation compared with the negative control (P<0.05). The protein expression level of γH2AX was significantly increased in the cervical cancer cells with miR-1246 over-expression, while the protein levels of p-ATM and p-p53 were significantly decreased as compared with the negative control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: miR-1246 is highly expressed in normal tissue and normal endometrial epithelial cells, while is low expressed in the cervical cancer tissues or cells. miR-1246 over-expression inhibits growth and migration, and significantly enhances radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells. The molecular mechanism is possibly related to inhibiting ATM pathway and DNA damage repair.     

Mechanism of miR-30c over-expression inhibiting malignant phenotypes of cervical cancer cells

AIM:To investigate the molecule mechanism of microRNA (miR)-30c over-expression inhibiting malignant phenotypes of cervical cancer cells. METHODS:Cervical cancer cell lines C33A, HeLa, SiHa and CaSki were transfected with pGenesil-1-miR-30c plasmid using Lipofectamine 2000 kit, and the expression of miR-30c was determined by TaqMan real-time PCR. The cell viability inhibition rate, colony formation ability, migration rate and apoptotic rate were measured by MTT assay, colony formation assay, Transwell experiment, and flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC staining. The protein expression of Bax, Bcl-2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, MMP-13 and tissue inhibitor of metalloprotei-nase-1 (TIMP-1) was detected by Western blot. RESULTS:The expression levels of miRNA-30c in the cervical cancer cell lines transfected with pGenesil-1-miR-30c plasmid were significantly higher than those in negative control groups (cell lines transfected with pGenesil-1 plasmid) (P<0.01). Significantly increased cell viability inhibition rate, and decreased colony formation ability and migration rate were found in the cervical cancer cell lines over-expressing miR-30c as compared with negative control groups (P<0.05). The apoptotic rate in the cervical cancer cell lines over-expressing miR-30c was dramatically higher than that in control groups (P<0.05). Over-expression of miR-30c in cervical cancer cells promoted the protein expression of Bax and TIMP-1, and decreased the protein expression of Bcl-2 and MMP-13 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Over-expression of miR-30c significantly inhibits the viability and migration, and induces apoptosis of cervical cancer cells. The mechanism may be related to activating apoptosis pathway and inhibiting MMP-13 protein expression.