Changes in the transcriptomic profile of cumulus cells under the influence of cumulus-oocytes complex pre-incubation.

Pre-incubation of the cumulus-oocyte complex (COCs) may lead to better function of cumulus cells (CCs) and higher oocyte quality by changing the transcriptomic profile of CCs. 140 cumulus cell samples were isolated from 12 participants and divided into two groups based on pre-incubation time. In the T0 group, the COCs were immediately dissected to separate the CCs from around the oocytes. In the T2 group, CCs were prepared after 2 h of incubation. Then, the transcriptomic profile of the CCs of the non pre-incubation group was compared to the 2-h pre-incubation group. Confirmation of RNA sequencing results was done via qRT­PCR. The CCs transcriptome analysis showed 17 genes were downregulated and 22 genes upregulated in the T2 group compared to the T0 group. Also, the pathways related to ATP production (oxidative phosphorylation, electron transport chain, and Mitochondrial complex I assembly model OXPHOS system), TNF-alpha signaling pathway, and glucocorticoid receptor pathway increased in the T2 group compared to the T0 group. Also, the TGF-ß pathway was decreased in the T2 group compared to the T0 group. This study showed that 2 h pre-incubation leads to changes in important pathways in CCs, which positively affects oocyte quality.

Expression Analysis of Long Noncoding RNA-MALAT1 and Interleukin-6 in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients.

 Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) manifests as chronic inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract. The study focuses on a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) known as Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1). MALAT1's misregulation has been linked with various autoimmune diseases and regulates proinflammatory cytokines. The role of IL6 in immune-triggered conditions, including IBD, is another focal point. In this research, the expression of MALAT1 and IL6 in IBD patients was meticulously analyzed to uncover potential interactions. The study involved 33 IBD patients (13 with Crohn's disease and 20 with ulcerative colitis) and 20 healthy counterparts. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction determined the MALAT1 and IL6 gene expression levels. The competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network was constructed using several tools, including LncRRIsearch and Cytoscape. A deep dive into the Inflammatory Bowel Disease database was undertaken to understand IL6's role in IBD. Drugs potentially targeting these genes were also pinpointed using DGIdb. Results indicated a notable elevation in the expression levels of MALAT1 and IL6 in IBD patients versus healthy controls. MALAT1 and IL6 did not show a direct linear correlation, but IL6 could serve as MALAT1's target. Analyses unveiled interactions between MALAT1 and IL6, regulated by hsa-miR-202-3p, hsa-miR-1-3p, and has-miR-9-5p. IL6's pivotal role in IBD-associated inflammation, likely interacting with other cytokines, was accentuated. Moreover, potential drugs like CILOBRADINE for MALAT1 and SILTUXIMAB for IL6 were identified. This research underscored MALAT1 and IL6's potential value as targets in diagnosis and treatment for IBD patients.