Project description:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNAs representing an important class of gene expression modulators. Extracellular circulating miRNAs are both candidate biomarkers for disease pathogenesis and mediators of cell-to-cell communication. We examined the miRNA expression profile of total serum and serum derived exosome-enriched extracellular vesicles in people with normal glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes. In contrast to total serum miRNA, which did not reveal any differences in miRNA expression, we identified differentially abundant miRNAs in type 2 diabetes patients using miRNA expression profiles of exosome RNA (exoRNA). To validate the role of these differentially abundant miRNAs on glucose metabolism, we transfected miR-20b-5p, a highly abundant exoRNA in type 2 diabetic patients, into primary human skeletal muscle cells. miR-20b-5p overexpression increased basal glycogen synthesis in human skeletal muscle cells. We identified AKTIP and STAT3 as miR-20b-5p targets. miR-20b-5p overexpression reduced AKTIP abundance and insulin-stimulated glycogen accumulation. In conclusion, exosome derived extracellular miR-20b-5p is a circulating biomarker associated with type 2 diabetes, which plays an intracellular role in modulating insulin-stimulated glucose metabolism via AKT signaling.
Project description:This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism responsible for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) progression. We analyzed microRNAs (miRNAs) expression profiling in aqueous humor (AH) of both POAG patients and normal controls, using a microarray-based approach. Subsequently, differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) were identified using Bayes moderated t-test. Next, DEmiRNAs target genes were predicted based on miRNA databases, followed by GO analysis and pathway analysis using DAVID. Furthermore, OAG-related genes analysis for target genes was carried out using CTD database, respectively. Finally, verification of DEmiRNAs expression levels was performed by RT-qPCR. A total of 40 significant DEmiRNAs were identified between control and POAG groups, including 24 up-regulated miRNAs and 16 down-regulated miRNAs. Further, the target genes of hsa-miR-206, including BMP2, SMAD4, ID2, and TNF, were mainly enriched in transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway. While, target genes of hsa-miR-184, hsa-miR-34c-5p, hsa-miR-7-2-3p and hsa-miR-20b-3p, including BCL2, EPHB2, VEGFA, COL4A1, APC, and TGFBR1, were enriched in eye development. Moreover, FNDC3B, CAV2 and VEGF, target genes of hsa-miR-206 or hsa-miR-34c-5p, were the OAG-related genes. Ultimately, RT-qPCR analysis confirmed that mRNA levels of hsa-miR-206, hsa-miR-7-2-3p, and hsa-miR-20b-3p were increased, while those of hsa-miR-184 and hsa-miR-34c-5p were decreased in POAG compared with normal groups (P < 0.05). Hsa-miR-206, hsa-miR-184, hsa-miR-34c-5p, hsa-miR-7-2-3p and hsa-miR-20b-3p might play a significant role in the pathogenesis of POAG and hsa-miR-206 might be associated with the development of POAG by regulating TGF-β signaling pathway. These results might provide insight toward a better understanding of the pathogenesis of POAG.
Project description:From a previous microarray study we developed a small chondrogenesis model. We performed qPCR and measured how knockdown of miR-199a-5p or miR-199b-5p could modulate chondrogenesis. Several experiments were used to determine the parameters of this model. We utilised parameter scan and manual sliding to refine the model. Within are two models - an initial model which only comprises of genes which we have data for, and an enhanced model which expands of the initial model to make more predictions - e.g. how miR-140-5p is indirectly regulated by miR-199a-5p and miR-199b-5p.
Project description:Fetal lung tissue fragments were implanted into adult lungs and miRNA expression at day 7 were compared. microRNA-487-3p, 374-5p, and 20b-5p expression changed by more than 2-fold in corticosteroid administration groups.
Project description:Nuclear receptors (NRs) play a crucial role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and have been widely studied(Tran et al. 2018). However, the underlying mechanisms of NR regulation remain largely unclear. Here, we show that miR-20b plays a key role in modulating PPARα, a master regulator of nutrient metabolism and energy homeostasis in the pathogenesis of fatty liver(Wahli et al. 1995; Dongiovanni and Valenti 2013). Using network analysis and RNA-seq to determine the correlation between NRs and microRNA in NAFLD patients, we revealed that miR-20b directly targets PPARα. The expression of miR-20b was remarkably upregulated in free fatty acid (FA)-treated hepatocytes and the livers of both obesity-induced mice and NAFLD patients. Overexpression of miR-20b dramatically increased hepatic lipid accumulation and plasma triglyceride levels. Furthermore, miR-20b significantly reduced fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial biogenesis by directly targeting PPARα. Fenofibrate, a specific agonist of PPARα, lost its ability to ameliorate hepatic steatosis in miR-20b-introduced mice. Finally, inhibition of miR-20b dramatically increased FA oxidation and uptake, resulting in improved insulin sensitivity and a decrease in NAFLD progression. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the novel miR-20b directly targets PPARα, plays a significant role in hepatic lipid metabolism, and presents an opportunity for the development of novel therapeutics for NAFLD.
Project description:In order to identify the targets of miR-193a-5p in osteosarcoma U2OS cell line, we used a lentivirus-mediated expression system to overexpressing miR-193a precusor, miR-193a-5p target sequence and non-target sequence, respectively, in osteosarcoma cell line U2OS. A tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomic strategy was employed to identify the global profile of miR-193a-5p-regulated proteins. order to identify the targets of miR-193a-5p, we used a lentivirus-mediated expression system to overexpressing miR-193a precusor, miR-193a-5p target sequence and non-target sequence, respectively, in osteosarcoma cell line U2OS. A tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomic strategy was employed to identify the global profile of miR-193a-5p-regulated proteins.
Project description:We tested the hypothesis that a panel of placental mammal-specific miRNAs and their targets play important to establish receptivity to implantation and their dysregulated expression may be a feature in women with early pregnancy loss. Relative expression levels of miR-340-5p, −542-3p, and −671-5p all increased following treatment of Ishikawa cells with progesterone (10 μg/ml) for 24 hrs (p < 0.05). RNA sequencing of these P4-treated cells identified co-ordinate changes to 6,367 transcripts of which 1713 were predicted targets of miR-340-5p, 670 of miR-542-3p, and 618 of miR-671-5p. Quantitative proteomic analysis of Ishikawa cells transfected with mimic or inhibitor (48 hrs: n=3 biological replicates) for each of the P4-regulated miRNAs was carried out to identify targets of these miRNAs. Excluding off target effects, mir-340-5p mimic altered 1,369 proteins while inhibition changed expression of 376 proteins (p < 0.05) of which, 72 were common to both treatments. A total of 280 proteins were identified between predicted (mirDB) and confirmed (in vitro) targets. In total, 171 proteins predicted to be targets by mirDB were altered in vitro by treatment with miR-340-5p mimic or inhibitor and were also altered by treatment of endometrial epithelial cells with P4. In vitro targets of miR-542-3p identified 1,378 proteins altered by mimic while inhibition altered 975 a core of 200 proteins were changed by both. 100 protein targets were predicted and only 46 proteins were P4 regulated. miR-671-mimic altered 1,252 proteins with inhibition changing 492 proteins of which 97 were common to both, 95 were miDB predicted targets and 46 were also P4-regulated. All miRNAs were detected in endometrial biopsies taken from patients during the luteal phase of their cycle, irrespective of prior or future pregnancy outcomes Expression of mir-340-5p showed an overall increase in patients who had previously suffered a miscarriage and had a subsequent miscarriage, as compared to those who had infertility or previous miscarriage and subsequently went on to have a life birth outcome. The regulation of these miRNAs and their protein targets regulate the function of transport and secretion, and adhesion of the endometrial epithelia required for successful implantation in humans. Dysfunction of these miRNAs (and therefore the targets they regulate) may contribute to endometrial-derived recurrent pregnancy loss in women.
Project description:MiRNAs regulate posttranscriptional gene expression and are widely implicated in the pathogenesis of complex diseases. We aim to elucidate miRNA regulation of the atrial mRNA signatures that associate with AF. This may provide novel mechanistical insights and candidate targets for therapies using miRNA mimics or antimiRs.
We present combined miRNAs-mRNAs sequencing in atrial tissues of patient without AF (n=22), with paroxysmal AF (n=22) and with persistent AF (n=20). MiRNA and mRNA signatures followed an ordinal scale from nonAF to paroxysmal to persistent AF patients. The previously reported mRNA sequencing identified 5228 differentially expressed genes involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transition, endothelial cell proliferation and extracellular matrix remodelling involving collagens, glycoproteins and proteoglycans. We discovered 103 differentially expressed miRNAs. Key downregulated miRNAs included miR-135b-5p, miR-138-5p, miR-200a-3p, miR-200b-3p and miR-31-5p and key upregulated miRNAs were miR-144-3p, miR-15b-3p, miR-182-5p miR-18b-5p, miR-4306 and miR-206. The expression levels of differentially expressed miRNAs were negatively correlated with the expression levels of their predicted target mRNAs. The downregulated miRNAs demonstrated a more profound transcriptome effect than the upregulated miRNAs. Upregulated biological processes enriched in miRNAs targets related to epithelial and endothelial cell migration and glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis, in line with the processes discovered by the mRNA sequencing analysis.
Combined analysis of miRNA and mRNA sequencing uncovered miRNAs with a broad transcriptional effect in human AF. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition and endothelial cell proliferation were processes controlled by downregulated miR-135b-5p, miR-138-5p, miR-200a-3p, miR-200b-3p and miR-31-5p, which in turn may contribute to (myo)fibroblast activation and structural remodeling.\
Project description:Patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) are commonly treated with systemic combination therapy but suffer eventually from drug resistance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are suggested to play a role in treatment resistance of CRC. We studied whether restoring downregulated miR-195-5p and 497-5p sensitize CRC cells to currently used chemotherapeutics 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin and irinotecan. Sensitivity to 5-FU, oxaliplatin and irinotecan before and after transfection with miR-195-5p and miR-497-5p mimics was analyzed in CRC cell lines HCT116, RKO, DLD-1 and SW480. Mass spectrometry based proteomic analysis of transfected and wild-type cells was used to identify targets involved in sensitivity to chemotherapy. Proteomic analysis revealed 181 proteins with significantly altered expression after transfection with miR-195-5p mimic in HCT116 and RKO, including 118 downregulated and 63 upregulated proteins. After transfection with miR-497-5p mimic, 130 proteins were significantly downregulated and 102 were upregulated in HCT116 and RKO (P<0.05 and FC<-3 or FC>3). CHUK and LUZP1 were coinciding downregulated proteins in sensitized CRC cells after transfection with either mimic. Resistance mechanisms of these two proteins may be related to nuclear factor kappa-B signaling and G1 cell cycle arrest, respectively. Restoring miR-195-5p and miR-497-5p expression enhanced sensitivity to chemotherapy, mainly oxaliplatin, in CRC cells and could be a promising treatment strategy for patients with mCRC. Proteomics revealed potential targets of these miRNAs involved in sensitivity to chemotherapy.