Project description:Previous studies have identified several microRNAs (miRNAs) that may coordinate multiple pathways associated with age-related carcinogenesis. We compared hepatic miRNA expression patterns in chronic hepatitis (CH) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to elucidate age-related differences potentially underlying hepatocarcinogenesis. 2565 miRNAs in 360 liver tissues specimens were analyzed.
Project description:Previous studies have identified several microRNAs (miRNAs) that may coordinate multiple pathways associated with age-related carcinogenesis. We compared hepatic miRNA expression patterns in chronic hepatitis (CH) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to elucidate age-related differences potentially underlying hepatocarcinogenesis. 2565 miRNAs in 97 liver tissues specimens were analyzed.
Project description:Background: Age-dependent renal impairment contributes to renal dysfunction in both the general population and young and middle-aged patients with renal diseases. Pathological changes in age-dependent renal impairment include glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. The molecules involved in age-dependent renal impairment are not fully elucidated. MicroRNA (miRNA) species were reported to modulate various renal diseases, but the miRNA species involved in age-dependent renal impairment are unclear. Here, we investigated miRNAs in age-dependent renal impairment, and we evaluated their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Methods: We conducted an initial microarray profiling analysis to screen miRNAs whose expression levels changed in kidneys of senescence-accelerated resistant (SAMR1)-10-week-old (wk) mice and SAMR1-50wk mice and senescence-accelerated prone (SAMP1)-10wk mice and SAMP1-50wk mice. We then evaluated the expressions of differentially expressed miRNAs in serum from 13 older patients (>65 years old) with age-dependent renal impairment (estimated glomerular filtration ratio <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and compared the expressions with those of age-matched subjects with normal renal function. We also administered miRNA mimics or inhibitors (5 nmol) with a nonviral vector (polyethylenimine nanoparticles: PEI-NPs) to SAMP1-20wk mice to investigate the therapeutic effects. Results: The qRT-PCR revealed a specific miRNA (miRNA-503-5p) whose level was significantly changed in SAMP1-50wk mouse kidneys in comparison to the controls. The expression level of miRNA-503-5p was upregulated in the serum of the 13 patients with age-dependent renal impairment compared to the age-matched subjects with normal renal function. The administration of a miRNA-503-5p-inhibitor with PEI-NPs decreased the miRNA-503-5p expression levels, resulting in the inhibition of renal fibrosis in mice via an inhibition of a pro-fibrotic signaling pathway and a suppression of glomerulosclerosis in mice by inhibiting intrinsic signaling pathways. Conclusion: miRNA-503-5p may represent a biomarker for age-dependent renal impairment, and the inhibition of miRNA-503-5p had no effect on age-dependent renal impairment. However, the inhibition of miRNA-503-5p had therapeutic effects on renal fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis.
Project description:Oral carcinogenesis is a multi-step process involving normal mucosa progressing to oral precancerous lesions and finally to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This complex process encompasses various molecules, including non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). In this study, we performed whole-transcriptome analyses on adjacent normal tissues, oral leukoplakia tissues, and OSCC tissues, with the goal of identifying key differentially expressed circRNAs, lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs associated with different stages of oral carcinogenesis. In our study, numerous differentially expressed circRNAs, lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs were identified in adjacent normal, oral leukoplakia, and OSCC tissues. Subsequently, we constructed two regulatory competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks and identified some potential critical molecules involved in oral carcinogenesis. In conclusion, based on the whole-transcriptome analyses, we mapped the molecular feathers at RNA level during the process of oral carcinogenesis and revealed certain ncRNAs with great research potential.