Genistein promotes M1 macrophage apoptosis and reduces inflammatory response by disrupting miR-21/TIPE2 pathway.

Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of mortality, and vascular injury, a common pathological basis of cardiovascular disease, is deeply correlated with macrophage apoptosis and inflammatory response. Genistein, a type of phytoestrogen, exerts cardiovascular protective activities, but the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. In this study, RAW264.7 cells were treated with genistein, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) inhibitor, and/or protein kinase B (AKT) agonist to determine the role of genistein in apoptosis and inflammation in LPS-stimulated cells. Simultaneously, high fat diet-fed C57BL/6 mice were administered genistein to evaluate the function of genistein on LPS-induced cardiovascular injury mouse model. Here, we demonstrated that LPS obviously increased apoptosis resistance and inflammatory response of macrophages by promoting miR-21 expression, and miR-21 downregulated tumor necrosis factor-α-induced protein 8-like 2 (TIPE2) expression by targeting the coding region. Genistein reduced miR-21 expression by inhibiting NF-κB, then blocked toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway and AKT phosphorylation dependent on TIPE2, resulting in inhibition of LPS. Our research suggests that miR-21/TIPE2 pathway is involved in M1 macrophage apoptosis and inflammatory response, and genistein inhibits the progression of LPS-induced cardiovascular injury at the epigenetic level via regulating the promoter region of Vmp1 by NF-κB.

Trim65: a cofactor for regulation of the microRNA pathway.

MicroRNA (miRNA) comprise a large family of non-protein coding transcripts which regulate gene expression in diverse biological pathways of both plants and animals. We recently used a systematic proteomic approach to generate a protein interactome map of the human miRNA pathway involved in miRNA biogenesis and processing. The interactome expands the number of candidate proteins in the miRNA pathway and connects the network to other cellular processes. Functional analyses identified TRIM65 and at least 3 other proteins as novel regulators of the miRNA pathway. Biochemical studies established that TRIM65 forms stable complexes with TNRC6 proteins and these molecules co-localize in P-body-like structures. Gain of function and RNAi analyses reveal that TRIM65 negatively regulates miRNA-driven suppression of mRNA translation by targeting TNRC6 proteins for ubiquitination and degradation. The potential molecular mechanisms which regulate TRIM65 catalytic activity are discussed.

The role of microRNAs in osteoclasts and osteoporosis.

Osteoclasts are the exclusive cells of bone resorption. Abnormally activating osteoclasts can lead to low bone mineral density, which will cause osteopenia, osteoporosis, and other bone disorders. To date, the mechanism of how osteoclast precursors differentiate into mature osteoclasts remains elusive. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are novel regulatory factors that play an important role in numerous cellular processes, including cell differentiation and apoptosis, by post-transcriptional regulation of genes. Recently, a number of studies have revealed that miRNAs participate in bone homeostasis, including osteoclastic bone resorption, which sheds light on the mechanisms underlying osteoclast differentiation. In this review, we highlight the miRNAs involved in regulating osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption, and their roles in osteoporosis.

PDCD4 inhibits lung tumorigenesis by the suppressing p62-Nrf2 signaling pathway and upregulating Keap1 expression.

Programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) suppresses tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and invasion by inhibiting transcription and translation of oncogenes. However, the role of PDCD4 in lung tumorigenesis is unclear. Sequestosome1/p62 mediates cell proliferation, survival, and death through multiple signaling pathways, including autophagy and cell metabolism. p62/SQSTM1 is transcriptional target of Nrf2 and an important regulator of tumor growth. The aim of this study was to clarify whether and how PDCD4 regulates the p62-Nrf2 pathway, and how this regulation relates to tumorigenesis in human lung cancer cells. We established two stable human lung cancer cell lines, A549 and H460 that each overexpressed PDCD4. We found that PDCD4 overexpression decreased p62 expression levels and inhibited cell proliferation, and also increased the expression levels of cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase 3. Knockdown of p62 markedly increased the apoptotic rate of A549 and H460 cells overexpressing PDCD4. Furthermore levels of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related markers Slug, Snail, Twist1 and Vimentin were decreased and expression level of E-cadherin was increased in PDCD4-overexpressing cells. We also found that PDCD4 suppressed transcriptional activation of Nrf2 (an upstream regulator of p62) and increased endogenous levels of Keap1 (a negative regulator of Nrf2). Upregulation of Keap1 induced apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation by suppressing activity of the p62-Nrf2 pathway in PDCD4-overexpressing cells. As anticipated, results from a mouse xenograft model showed that PDCD4 overexpression in xenografts inhibited cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Taken together, our results demonstrate that PDCD4 overexpression, which increased Keap1 expression, reduces the levels and activity of the p62-Nrf2 pathway, thereby inhibiting tumorigenesis. Our findings suggest that PDCD4 may be a potential target for lung cancer therapies.

Interplay of non-coding RNAs and approved antimetabolites such as gemcitabine and pemetrexed in mesothelioma.

Gemcitabine and pemetrexed are clinically approved antimetabolites for the therapy of mesothelioma diseases. These drugs are often applied in combination with platinum complexes and other drugs. The activity of antimetabolites depended on the expression levels of certain non-coding RNAs, in particular, of small microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). The development of tumor resistance towards antimetabolites was regulated by non-coding RNAs. An overview of the interplay between gemcitabine/pemetrexed antimetabolites and non-coding RNAs in mesothelioma is provided. Further to this, various non-coding RNA-modulating agents are discussed which displayed positive effects on gemcitabine or pemetrexed treatment of mesothelioma diseases. A detailed knowledge of the connections of non-coding RNAs with antimetabolites will be constructive for the design of improved therapies in future.

Relations between approved platinum drugs and non-coding RNAs in mesothelioma.

Malignant mesothelioma diseases feature an increasing risk due to their severe forms and their association with asbestos exposure. Platinum(II) complexes such as cisplatin and carboplatin are clinically approved for the therapy of mesothelioma often in combination with antimetabolites such as pemetrexed or gemcitabine. It was observed that pathogenic properties of mesothelioma cells and the response of mesothelioma tumors towards platinum-based drugs are strongly influenced by non-coding RNAs, in particular, by small microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). These non-coding RNAs controlled drug sensitivity and the development of tumor resistance towards platinum drugs. An overview of the interactions between platinum drugs and non-coding RNAs is given and the influence of non-coding RNAs on platinum drug efficacy in mesothelioma is discussed. Suitable non-coding RNA-modulating agents with potentially beneficial effects on cisplatin treatment of mesothelioma diseases are mentioned. The understanding of mesothelioma diseases concerning the interactions of non-coding RNAs and platinum drugs will optimize existing therapy schemes and pave the way to new treatment options in future.

Emerging role of microRNAs in lipid metabolism.

microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are small non-coding RNAs that are involved in post-transcriptional regulation of their target genes in a sequence-specific manner. Emerging evidence demonstrates that miRNAs are critical regulators of lipid synthesis, fatty acid oxidation and lipoprotein formation and secretion. Dysregulation of miRNAs disrupts gene regulatory network, leading to metabolic syndrome and its related diseases. In this review, we introduced epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of miRNAs expression. We emphasized on several representative miRNAs that are functionally involved into lipid metabolism, including miR-33/33(⁎), miR122, miR27a/b, miR378/378(⁎), miR-34a and miR-21. Understanding the function of miRNAs in lipid homeostasis may provide potential therapeutic strategies for fatty liver disease.