NEAT1 contributes to ox-LDL-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in macrophages through inhibiting miR-128.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) have been recognized as significant regulators in the progression of atherosclerosis (AS). Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) can induce macrophage inflammation and oxidative stress, that serves important roles in AS. However, the exact function of lncRNA NEAT1 and its possible molecular mechanism in AS remain unclear. Here, we concentrated on the roles and molecular mechanisms of NEAT1 in AS development. In our current study, we observed that NEAT1 was elevated by ox-LDL in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. RAW264.7 cell survival was greatly enhanced, and cell apoptosis was significantly inhibited by LV-shNEAT1 transfection. In addition, knockdown of NEAT1 in RAW264.7 cells repressed CD36 expression and foam cell formation while NEAT1 overexpression shown an opposite process. Moreover, NEAT1 downregulation inhibited inflammation molecules including IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α. Meanwhile, silencing of NEAT1 can also suppress reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels with an enhancement of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in RAW264.7 cells. MicroRNAs are some short RNAs, and they can regulate multiple biological functions in many diseases including AS. Here, we found that miR-128 expression was remarkably decreased in ox-LDL-incubated RAW264.7 cells. Interestingly, miR-128 mimics was able to reverse AS-correlated events induced by overexpression of NEAT1. By using bioinformatics analysis, miR-128 was predicted as a target of NEAT1 and the correlation between them was validated in our study. Taken these together, it was implied that NEAT1 participated in ox-LDL-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in AS development through sponging miR-128.

All-trans retinoic acid upregulates the expression of ciliary neurotrophic factor in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Retinopathy of prematurity, a leading cause of visual impairment in low birth-weight infants, remains a crucial therapeutic challenge. Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a promyelinating trophic factor that promotes rod and cone photoreceptor survival and cone outer segment regeneration in the degenerating retina. Ciliary neurotrophic factor expression is regulated by many factors such as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). In this study, we found that ATRA increased CNTF expression in mouse retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and PKA signaling pathway is necessary for ATRA-induced CNTF upregulation. Furthermore, we showed that ATRA promoted CNTF expression through CREB binding to its promoter region. In addition, CNTF levels were decreased in serum of retinopathy of prematurity children and in retinal tissue of oxygen-induced retinopathy mice. In mouse RPE cells cultured with high oxygen, CNTF expression and secretion were decreased, but could be recovered after treatment with ATRA. In conclusion, our data suggest that ATRA administration upregulates CNTF expression in RPE cells.

Differential analysis of clinical efficacy on patients with serious infection in ICU by different meropenem regimens.

To investigate the difference in clinical efficacy and safety of different meropenem regimens on patients with serious infection in ICU. Then, 228 patients with serious infection in ICU were divided by random into control group (intermittent administration in 1000mg/30min single dose) and research group (continuous administration in 200mg/10min +800mg/180min), respectively. The blood concentration of meropenem were recorded in two groups at different time points, and difference in treatment effectiveness, iconographic effectiveness, bacterial eradication rate, 28-day survival rate and many other clinical scoring indices (SOFA, APACHEII, CPIS, and SIRS) were compared between two groups. There were 212 patients completing the whole research, including 104 patients in research group and 108 patients in control group. The difference in treatment effectiveness (77.8% vs 53.7%), iconographic effectiveness (51.0% vs 18.5%), and 28-day survival rate (86.5% vs 64.8%) between two groups performed statistical significance (P<0.05). However, the difference in bacterial eradication rate (48.0% vs 46.3%) performed no statistical significance. Eight hours later, the difference in average blood concentration between two groups (9.61±3.63µg/ml vs 1.5±0.51µg/ml) showed statistical significance. Moreover, the difference in clinical scoring indices except APACHE II score between two groups performed statistical significance. It was helpful to maintain the blood concentration of meropenem by extending the transfusion time. Therefore, it could increase the clinical cure rate and 28-day survival of patients with serious infection in ICU, improve clinical indices, and reduce the usage amount of antibiotics.

ZnPPIX inhibits peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer via its antiangiogenic activity.

Our previous study suggests that heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) may play an important role in the metastasis of gastric cancer. Zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPPIX) is a special HO-1 inhibitor that inhibits the angiogenesis of pancreatic and lung cancer. In this study, we employed ZnPPIX to investigate the role of HO-1 in peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer (PMGC) and explored the potential mechanism. We established animal model of PMGC by orthotopic implantation into nude mice of human gastric cancer cell line GC9811-P with high peritoneal metastasis potential. The mice were injected intraperitoneally with saline, CTX or ZnPPIX. Tumor microvessel density (MVD) in peritoneal metastatic nodules was determined by immunohistochemistry, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level was determined by ELISA. We found that the number, volume, weight of peritoneal metastatic nodules and volume of seroperitoneum in ZnPPIX (4 mg/kg) group decreased remarkably compared with control group. MVD value and VEGF level of peritoneal metastatic tumor in ZnPPIX (4 mg/kg) group also decreased significantly, while the survival rate and survival time of the mice were higher than control group. ZnPPIX dose-dependently suppressed VEGF and GC9811-P induced angiogenesis. Furthermore, ZnPPIX suppressed VEGF induced reactive oxygen species production and ERK phosphorylation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In conclusion, our results suggest that HO-1 plays an important role in PMGC and ZnPPIX is an effective antitumor and antiangiogenic agent for PMGC.