CaZn(HPO3)2 and Ba2Zn(HPO3)3: novel alkaline-earth zincophosphites with diversified anionic frameworks.

Two novel alkaline-earth zincophosphites, namely CaZn(HPO3)2 and Ba2Zn(HPO3)3, were successfully synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. CaZn(HPO3)2 exhibits a three-dimensional (3D) anionic framework with a 6-connected uni-nodal pcu α-Po primitive cubic topology, constructed by unique Zn2O8 dimers and HPO3 pseudo-tetrahedra, while Ba2Zn(HPO3)3 displays one-dimensional (1D) [Zn(HPO3)3]4- anionic chains. It is worth mentioning that CaZn(HPO3)2 represents the first example of an alkaline-earth zincophosphite compound with a 3D framework structure. Our research also revealed the importance of both alkaline earth cation sizes and Zn/P ratios in anionic open-framework formation. The crystal structures of both compounds were further verified by energy dispersive spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Optical diffuse reflectance spectra, coupled with Tauc's fitting, revealed direct bandgaps with energy values of 4.33 and 4.48 eV for CaZn(HPO3)2 and Ba2Zn(HPO3)3, respectively, which differ from the prediction of theoretical calculations. Density of states calculations were conducted to reveal the origin of the bandgaps and bond interactions. Both compounds exhibited moderate birefringence values. This work may have implications for the design and synthesis of novel metal phosphites with desired properties.

Potential application of let-7a antagomir in injured peripheral nerve regeneration.

Neurotrophic factors, particularly nerve growth factor, enhance neuronal regeneration. However, the in vivo applications of nerve growth factor are largely limited by its intrinsic disadvantages, such as its short biological half-life, its contribution to pain response, and its inability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Considering that let-7 (human miRNA) targets and regulates nerve growth factor, and that let-7 is a core regulator in peripheral nerve regeneration, we evaluated the possibilities of let-7 application in nerve repair. In this study, anti-let-7a was identified as the most suitable let-7 family molecule by analyses of endogenous expression and regulatory relationship, and functional screening. Let-7a antagomir demonstrated biosafety based on the results of in vivo safety assessments and it entered into the main cell types of the sciatic nerve, including Schwann cells, fibroblasts and macrophages. Use of hydrogel effectively achieved controlled, localized, and sustained delivery of let-7a antagomir. Finally, let-7a antagomir was integrated into chitosan conduit to construct a chitosan-hydrogel scaffold tissue-engineered nerve graft, which promoted nerve regeneration and functional recovery in a rat model of sciatic nerve transection. Our study provides an experimental basis for potential in vivo application of let-7a.

Robust temporal changes of cellular senescence and proliferation after sciatic nerve injury.

Cellular senescence and proliferation are essential for wound healing and tissue remodeling. However, senescence-proliferation cell fate after peripheral nerve injury has not been clearly revealed. Here, post-injury gene expression patterns in rat sciatic nerve stumps (SRP113121) and L4-5 dorsal root ganglia (SRP200823) obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology Information were analyzed to decipher cellular senescence and proliferation-associated genetic changes. We first constructed a rat sciatic nerve crush model. Then, ß-galactosidase activities were determined to indicate the existence of cellular senescence in the injured sciatic nerve. Ki67 and EdU immunostaining was performed to indicate cellular proliferation in the injured sciatic nerve. Both cellular senescence and proliferation were less vigorous in the dorsal root ganglia than in sciatic nerve stumps. These results reveal the dynamic changes of injury-induced cellular senescence and proliferation from both genetic and morphological aspects, and thus extend our understanding of the biological processes following peripheral nerve injury. The study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Nantong University, China (approval No. 20190226-001) on February 26, 2019.

Novel miRNA, miR-sc14, promotes Schwann cell proliferation and migration.

MicroRNAs refer to a class of endogenous, short non-coding RNAs that mediate numerous biological functions. MicroRNAs regulate various physiological and pathological activities of peripheral nerves, including peripheral nerve repair and regeneration. Previously, using a rat sciatic nerve injury model, we identified many functionally annotated novel microRNAs, including miR-sc14. Here, we used real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to examine miR-sc14 expression in rat sciatic nerve stumps. Our results show that miR-sc14 is noticeably altered following sciatic nerve injury, being up-regulated at 1 day and diminished at 7 days. EdU and transwell chamber assay results showed that miR-sc14 mimic promoted proliferation and migration of Schwann cells, while miR-sc14 inhibitor suppressed their proliferation and migration. Additionally, bioinformatic analysis examined potential target genes of miR-sc14, and found that fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 might be a potential target gene. Specifically, our results show changes of miR-sc14 expression in the sciatic nerve of rats at different time points after nerve injury. Appropriately, up-regulation of miR-sc14 promoted proliferation and migration of Schwann cells. Consequently, miR-sc14 may be an intervention target to promote repair of peripheral nerve injury. The study was approved by the Jiangsu Provincial Laboratory Animal Management Committee, China on March 4, 2015 (approval No. 20150304-004).

Increased levels of miR-3099 induced by peripheral nerve injury promote Schwann cell proliferation and migration.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can regulate the modulation of the phenotype of Schwann cells. Numerous novel miRNAs have been discovered and identified in rat sciatic nerve segments, including miR-3099. In the current study, miR-3099 expression levels following peripheral nerve injury were measured in the proximal stumps of rat sciatic nerves after surgical crush. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to determine miR-3099 expression in the crushed nerve segment at 0, 1, 4, 7, and 14 days post sciatic nerve injury, which was consistent with Solexa sequencing outcomes. Expression of miR-3099 was up-regulated following peripheral nerve injury. EdU and transwell chamber assays were used to observe the effect of miR-3099 on Schwann cell proliferation and migration. The results showed that increased miR-3099 expression promoted the proliferation and migration of Schwann cells. However, reduced miR-3099 expression suppressed the proliferation and migration of Schwann cells. The potential target genes of miR-3099 were also investigated by bioinformatic tools and high-throughput outcomes. miR-3099 targets genes Aqp4, St8sia2, Tnfsf15, and Zbtb16 and affects the proliferation and migration of Schwann cells. This study examined the levels of miR-3099 at different time points following peripheral nerve injury. Our results confirmed that increased miR-3099 level induced by peripheral nerve injury can promote the proliferation and migration of Schwann cells.