Project description:Neuroinflammation causes neuronal injury in multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurological diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are central modulators of cellular stress responses, but knowledge about miRNA–mRNA interactions that determine neuronal outcome during inflammation is limited. Here, we combined unbiased neuron-specific miRNA with mRNA sequencing to assemble the regulatory network that mediates robustness against neuroinflammation. As a critical miRNA-network hub we defined miR-92a. Genetic deletion of miR-92a exacerbated the disease course of mice undergoing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), whereas miR-92a overexpression protected neurons against excitotoxicity. As a key miR-92a target transcript, we identified cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding protein 3 (Cpeb3) that was suppressed in inflamed neurons in mouse EAE and human MS. Accordingly, Cpeb3 deletion improved neuronal resistance to excitotoxicity and ameliorated EAE. Together, we discovered that the miR-92a–Cpeb3 axis confers neuronal robustness against inflammation and serves as potential target for neuroprotective therapies.
Project description:Neuroinflammation causes neuronal injury in multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurological diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are central modulators of cellular stress responses, but knowledge about miRNA–mRNA interactions that determine neuronal outcome during inflammation is limited. Here, we combined unbiased neuron-specific miRNA with mRNA sequencing to assemble the regulatory network that mediates robustness against neuroinflammation. As a critical miRNA-network hub we defined miR-92a. Genetic deletion of miR-92a exacerbated the disease course of mice undergoing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), whereas miR-92a overexpression protected neurons against excitotoxicity. As a key miR-92a target transcript, we identified cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding protein 3 (Cpeb3) that was suppressed in inflamed neurons in mouse EAE and human MS. Accordingly, Cpeb3 deletion improved neuronal resistance to excitotoxicity and ameliorated EAE. Together, we discovered that the miR-92a–Cpeb3 axis confers neuronal robustness against inflammation and serves as potential target for neuroprotective therapies.
Project description:This study aimed to elucidate the role of microRNA miR-92a-3p in the pathogenesis of adenomyosis. We focused on understanding how miR-92a-3p in exosomes derived from ectopic lesions influences the behavior of endometrial cells, DRG neurons, and Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs), and its potential as a non-invasive diagnostic biomarker. Our findings revealed that MiR-92a-3p is significantly upregulated in exosomes derived from ectopic lesions of adenomyosis. This upregulation was associated with enhanced migration and invasion capabilities in eutopic endometrial cells, DRG neurons, and HUVECs. Furthermore, the study demonstrated a significant correlation between the levels of MiR-92a-3p in urinary exosomes and the clinical symptoms of adenomyosis, suggesting its potential as a non-invasive biomarker for the disease. This study elucidates an exosomal signaling process via miR-92a-3p that drives pathological infiltration and angiogenesis to promote adenomyosis progression. Upregulated miR-92a-3p in biofluid exosomes shows promising non-invasive biomarker potential for diagnosis and monitoring of this disease. Our findings unveil novel targets and tools for improved clinical management.
Project description:We evaluated the profile of miRNA and snoRNA expression in 5 synchronous CRC and matched normal colorectal tissues using the Affymetrix GeneChip miRNA 1.0 array. A total of 24 miRNA differential expressed transcripts which represent 27 mature miRNAs, including an oncogenic miR-17-92a and oncosuppressive miR-143-145 cluster, and a global up-regulation of snoRNAs were revealed in cancer tissues compared with matched normal tissues. Global miRNA expression could distinguish synchronous cancer from normal mucosa. Our findings represent the first comprehensive miRNA and snoRNA expression signatures for synchronous CRC, which increase the understanding of the molecular basis of synchronous CRC, and firstly implicate that dysregulation of snoRNAs and miRNA clusters may present therapeutic targets for synchronous CRC. Examination of microRNA and snoRNA expression in synchronous CRC and matched normal colorectal tissues
Project description:MicroRNA (miRNA) sponges containing miRNA complementary binding sites constitute a potentially useful strategy for miRNA-inhibition therapeutics in cancer patients. Recently, naturally occurring circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been revealed to function as efficient microRNA sponges. We hypothesized that synthetic circRNA sponges targeting oncomiRs could be constructed and used to achieve potentially therapeutic microRNA loss of function. In this study, linear RNA molecules containing five miR-21 binding sites were transcribed in vitro. After dephosphorylation by calf intestinal phosphatase and phosphorylation by T4 polynucleotide kinase, circRNA sponges were circularized using 5’-3’ end ligation by T4 RNA ligase 1. Synthetic circular sponge stability was assayed in the presence of RNase R or fetal bovine serum. Luciferase reporter and cell proliferation assays were performed to assess competitive inhibition of miR-21 activity by circRNA sponges in NCI-N87 gastric cancer cells. Tandem Mass Tag (TMT) labeling proteomics analysis and Western blotting were performed to delineate effects of circRNA sponges on miR-21 downstream targeted proteins. Our experiments revealed that artificial circRNA sponges can be synthesized using enzymatic ligation. These synthetic circRNA sponges are more resistant than their linear RNA counterparts to nuclease degradation in vitro. They effectively suppress the activity of miR-21 on its downstream protein targets, including the important cancer protein DAXX. Finally, they also inhibit gastric cancer cell proliferation. Our results suggest that synthetic circRNA sponges represent a rapid, effective, convenient strategy to achieve loss of miRNA function in vitro, with potential future therapeutic application in vivo.
Project description:transcriptome profiling of miR-92a inhibitor treated and control cells with the aim of measuring miR-92a influence on its mRNA targets Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play key roles in gene regulation, but reliable bioinformatic or experimental identification of their targets remains difficult. To provide an unbiased view of human miRNA targets we developed a technique for ligation and sequencing of miRNA-target RNA duplexes associated with human Ago1. Here we report datasets of more than 18,000 high-confidence miRNA-mRNA interactions. The binding of most miRNAs includes the 5' seed region, but around 60% of seed interactions are noncanonical, containing bulged or mismatched nucleotides. Moreover, seed interactions are generally accompanied by specific, non-seed basepairing. 18% of miRNA-mRNA interactions involve the miRNA 3' end, with little evidence for 5' contacts, and some of these were functionally validated. Analyses of miRNA:mRNA basepairing showed that miRNA species systematically differ in their target RNA interactions, and strongly overrepresented motifs were found in the interaction sites of several miRNAs. We speculate that these affect the response of RISC to miRNA-target binding. In total 10 samples were analyzed, 5 repeats for each experimental condition.
Project description:transcriptome profiling of miR-92a inhibitor treated and control cells with the aim of measuring miR-92a influence on its mRNA targets Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play key roles in gene regulation, but reliable bioinformatic or experimental identification of their targets remains difficult. To provide an unbiased view of human miRNA targets we developed a technique for ligation and sequencing of miRNA-target RNA duplexes associated with human Ago1. Here we report datasets of more than 18,000 high-confidence miRNA-mRNA interactions. The binding of most miRNAs includes the 5' seed region, but around 60% of seed interactions are noncanonical, containing bulged or mismatched nucleotides. Moreover, seed interactions are generally accompanied by specific, non-seed basepairing. 18% of miRNA-mRNA interactions involve the miRNA 3' end, with little evidence for 5' contacts, and some of these were functionally validated. Analyses of miRNA:mRNA basepairing showed that miRNA species systematically differ in their target RNA interactions, and strongly overrepresented motifs were found in the interaction sites of several miRNAs. We speculate that these affect the response of RISC to miRNA-target binding.