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:Purpose:analysing the differential expression of miRNAs in tissue between GLM patients and healthy controls, provide a comprehensive differential expression profile of miRNAs, screen out possible biomarkers, and elucidate post-transcriptional regulation from the whole level.Methods: The expression profile of miRNAs was measured here by high-throughput sequencing in tissue of GLM patients and healthy controls. Significantly differentially expressed miRNAs were screened by threshold setting and cluster analysis, and their target genes were analysed by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment.Results: a total of 31,077 miRNAs were predicted by high-throughput sequencing.Under the condition of threshold ∣log2 fold change (log2FC)|>2.5, qvalue<0.001, 13 miRNAs that were expected to be GLM biomarkers were sreened out. The expression of 13 miRNAs in the GLM group were higher than in the control group, as follows: hsa-miR-106a-5p, hsa-miR-155-5p, hsa-miR-20b-5p, hsa-miR-223-5p, hsa-miR-3916, hsa-miR-4433a-3p, hsa-miR-4433b-5p, hsa-miR-451a, hsa-miR-4659a-3p, hsa-miR-4802-3p, hsa-miR-5571-3p, hsa-miR-624-5p, and hsa-miR-942-3p. Cell and biological process were the most significantly enriched GO term and KEGG pathway.Conclusions: This is the first report detailing genome-wide miRNA profiling of GLM, and the possible targets and pathways of GLM were analysed from bioinformatic analysis. This study finds that 13 significantly differential expressed miRNAs may have important theoretical significance and potential application value and need subsequent large-sample clinical trials for further validation.
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:Meis1 is a transcription factor involved in a broad range of functions including development and proliferation and has been previously shown to harness cell cycle progression. This study aimed to investigate the regulation of Meis1 by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and their sponged microRNAs (miRNAs) and hence the impact of this regulatory axis on cell proliferation. Using in-silico analysis, miR-499-5p was predicted to target Meis1 and Malat1 was predicted and previously proven to sponge miR-499-5p. We showed that forcing the expression of miR-499-5p downregulates Meis1 expression in C166 cell line by directly binding to its 3’UTR. In addition, Malat1 knockdown significantly increases miR-499-5p expression, subsequently suppressing Meis1 mRNA and protein expression levels. Furthermore, the impact of manipulating the Malat1/miR-499-5p/Meis1 axis on cellular proliferation was assessed using the BrdU incorporation assay. We demonstrated that upon knockdown of Malat1, mimicking with miR-499-5p, or knockdown of Meis1, cell proliferation was induced. Gene Ontology, KEGG and Reactome enrichment analyses were performed on proteins detected by mass spectrometry following manipulation of the Malat1/miR-499-5p/Meis1 axis. The data revealed a multitude of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) significantly enriched in processes related to cell cycle, cell division and proliferation. These DEPs were also involved in key signaling pathways, such as Wnt and mTOR, known to play critical roles in cell proliferation and cell cycle. Finally, since Malat1 and miR-499-5p are conserved in humans and mice, we examined the expression pattern of both non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the hearts of neonatal, postnatal, and adult mice, representing models of proliferative and non-proliferative tissues. We demonstrated a paradoxical expression pattern, where Malat1 is underexpressed while miR-499-5p is overexpressed in proliferative neonatal cardiomyocytes. Collectively, our findings confirm that Malat1 sponges miR-499-5p which directly regulates Meis1, and that Malat1/miR-499-5p/Meis1 axis has a pivotal influence on cellular proliferation.
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.\