miR-21 and miR-145 as Prognostic Biomarkers for Radiotherapy Responses in Cervical Cancer Patients: A Preliminary Study.

Radioresistance poses a significant challenge in the effective treatment of cervical cancer, often leading to poor patient outcomes. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) and MicroRNA-145 (miR-145) are oncogenic micro-RNAs associated with various cancers, including cervical cancer, but their potential as predictive biomarkers for radioresistance remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the association between miR-21 and miR-145 expressions and the response to radiation therapy in cervical cancer patients. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 140 subjects with cervical cancer stages IIIB and IVA who received definitive radiotherapy. miR-21 and miR-145 expressions were measured using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). A total of 102 subjects (72.9%) were classified as having stage III cervical cancer, and 38 subjects (27.1%) were classified as having stage IV cervical cancer. Disease progression occurred in 60.7% of subjects. The cut-off value for miR-21 expression was 0.00088 nmol/(mg/mL) (AUC 0.676, sensitivity 70.8%, specificity 50.8%), and a higher expression was significantly associated with radioresistance (p = 0.010). miR-145, with a cut-off of 0.0239 nmol/(mg/mL) (AUC 0.612, sensitivity 67.5%, specificity 45.5%), showed no significant association with treatment response (p = 0.132). Combining miR-21 and miR-145 (AUC 0.639, sensitivity 68.6%, specificity 46.9%, p = 0.063) did not significantly improve the predictive accuracy. This study suggests that an elevated miR-21 expression is significantly associated with radioresistance in cervical cancer patients, while miR-145 expression shows no significant correlation with treatment response. Additionally, combining miR-21 and miR-145 does not enhance the predictive power.

MicroRNA-145 enhances lung cancer cell progression after exposure to lyophilized fertile hydatid cyst fluid of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto.

There is increasing evidence that the secretory/excretory antigens of the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus can induce both anticancer and oncogenic effects between parasite-derived metabolites and various cancer cells. The dual role of miR-145 as either a tumor suppressor or oncogene has already been reported in cancer. However, the mechanism by which miR-145 induces apoptosis in lung cancer cells treated with hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) remains unclear. The fertile HCF was obtained from sheep, purified and lyophilized. H1299 human lung cancer cells were then cultured into two groups: HCF-treated H1299 lung cancer cells and untreated H1299 cancer cells as control cells. Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay to evaluate the effects of HCF on the H1299 cells. Caspase-3 activity was assessed by fluorometric assay. In addition, mRNA expression levels of VGEF, vimentin, caspase-3, miRNA-145, Bax and Bcl-2 genes were quantified by real-time PCR. A scratch test was also performed to assess the effects of HCF on cell migration. The MTT assay revealed that the growth of H1299 cells increased when treated with 60 µg/mL of fertile HCF for 24 h. The fold change of caspase-3, miRNA-145, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 activity was lower in HCF-treated H1299 cells compared to the control cell. The fold change in VGEF and vimentin gene expression was higher in the HCF-treated H1299 cells than in the control cell. The scratch test results showed that H1299 cell mobility increased 24 and 48 h after exposure to HCF. Our results suggest that the downregulation of miR-145 in HCF-treated H1299 cells may play a role as a possible oncogenic regulator of lung cancer growth. To confirm this assumption, further studies are required to evaluate the microRNA profile and effective oncogenes in vivo.

MiRNA-145-5p inhibits gastric cancer progression via the serpin family E member 1- extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 axis.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and play a critical role in cancer physiology. However, there is still a limited understanding of the function and regulatory mechanism of miRNAs in gastric cancer (GC). AIM: To investigate the role and molecular mechanism of miRNA-145-5p (miR145-5p) in the progression of GC. METHODS: Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect miRNA expression in human GC tissues and cells. The ability of cancer cells to migrate and invade was assessed using wound-healing and transwell assays, respectively. Cell proliferation was measured using cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays, and apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry. Expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated protein was determined by Western blot. Targets of miR-145-5p were predicated using bioinformatics analysis and verified using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Serpin family E member 1 (SERPINE1) expression in GC tissues and cells was evaluated using RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining. The correlation between SERPINE1 expression and overall patient survival was determined using Kaplan-Meier plot analysis. The association between SERPINE1 and GC progression was also tested. A rescue experiment of SERPINE1 overexpression was conducted to verify the relationship between this protein and miR-145-5p. The mechanism by which miR-145-5p influences GC progression was further explored by assessing tumor formation in nude mice. RESULTS: GC tissues and cells had reduced miR-145-5p expression and SERPINE1 was identified as a direct target of this miRNA. Overexpression of miR-145-5p was associated with decreased GC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT, and these effects were reversed by forcing SERPINE1 expression. Kaplan-Meier plot analysis revealed that patients with higher SERPINE1 expression had a shorter survival rate than those with lower SERPINE1 expression. Nude mouse tumorigenesis experiments confirmed that miR-145-5p targets SERPINE1 to regulate extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2). CONCLUSION: This study found that miR-145-5p inhibits tumor progression and is expressed in lower amounts in patients with GC. MiR-145-5p was found to affect GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by negatively regulating SERPINE1 levels and controlling the ERK1/2 pathway.

[Retracted] LncRNA TUG1 serves an important role in hypoxia­induced myocardial cell injury by regulating the miR­145­5p­Binp3 axis.

Following the publication of this article, a concerned reader drew to the Editor's attention that, for several of the figures showing the results of Transwell migration and invasion assay experiments, unexpected areas of similarity were identified in terms of cellular patterns comparing among data panels where the results from differently performed experiments were intended to have been shown, although the areas immediately surrounding these areas often featured comparatively different distributions of cells. Moreover, several of the figures contained invasion/migration assay data that were strikingly similar to data that had appeared in articles published previously by different authors at different research institutes. In addition, the western blots in this article were presented with atypical, unusually shaped and possibly anomalous protein bands in many cases. After having conducted an internal investigation, the Editor of Molecular Medicine Reports has reached the conclusion that the potentially anomalous data in this paper were unlikely to have arisen by coincidence. Therefore, on the grounds of a lack of confidence in the integrity of these data, and given the fact that some of the data were strikingly similar to that which had been published previously in other articles and journals, the Editor has decided that the article should be retracted from the publication. The authors were asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office did not receive a reply. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused, and thanks the concerned reader for drawing this matter to our attention. [Molecular Medicine Reports 42: 2422­2430, 2018; DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.8116].

Plasma microRNA-143 and microRNA-145 levels are elevated in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

MicroRNA(miR)-143 and miR-145 are mainly expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells. However, the relationship between plasma miR-143 or miR-145 levels and the left ventricular (LV) function in patients with heart diseases remains unclear. Blood samples were taken from the antecubital vein in patients with heart diseases (n = 52), such as coronary artery disease, old myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and valvular heart disease, and controls without heart diseases (n = 22). We measured plasma miR-143 and -145 levels by quantitative RT-PCR using TaqMan MicroRNA Assays and THUNDERBIRD Probe qPCR Mix. Plasma BNP levels were also measured. Echocardiography was performed to measure the LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and LV dilation. Plasma miR-143 and miR-145 levels were significantly higher in patients with heart diseases than in controls, respectively. Plasma miR-143 and miR-145 levels were significantly higher in patients with LVEF < 50% than in those with LVEF ≧ 50%, respectively. Plasma miR-143 and miR-145 levels were inversely correlated with LVEF, respectively. Plasma miR-143 and miR-145 levels were positively correlated with LV end-systolic dimension, respectively. Plasma miR-143 and -145 levels were positively correlated with plasma BNP levels, respectively. Plasma BNP levels were inversely correlated with LVEF. Plasma miR-143 and miR-145 levels are elevated in patients with LV dysfunction and may counteract LV dysfunction.

[Retracted] Propofol modulates the proliferation, invasion and migration of bladder cancer cells through the miR­145­5p/TOP2A axis.

Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editor's attention by a concerned reader that the tumour images shown in Fig. 6B on p. 8 were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in other articles written by different authors at different research institutes, which had either already been published or were under consideration for publication at around the same time. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article were already under consideration for publication prior to its submission to Molecular Medicine Reports, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. The authors were asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office did not receive a reply. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [Molecular Medicine Reports 23: 439, 2021; DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12078].

Urinary exosomal microRNA-145-5p and microRNA-27a-3p act as noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers for diabetic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), characterized by increased urinary microalbumin levels and decreased renal function, is the primary cause of end-stage renal disease. Its pathological mechanisms are complicated and multifactorial; Therefore, sensitive and specific biomarkers are needed. Urinary exosome originate from diverse renal cells in nephron segments and partially mirror the pathological changes in the kidney. The microRNAs (miRNAs) in urinary exosome are remarkably stable and highly tissue-specific for the kidney. AIM: To determine if urinary exosomal miRNAs from diabetic patients can serve as noninvasive biomarkers for early DKD diagnosis. METHODS: Type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) patients were recruited from the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University and were divided into two groups: DM, diabetic patients without albuminuria [urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) < 30 mg/g] and DKD, diabetic patients with albuminuria (UACR ≥ 30 mg/g). Healthy subjects were the normal control (NC) group. Urinary exosomal miR-145-5p, miR-27a-3p, and miR-29c-3p, were detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The correlation between exosomal miRNAs and the clinical indexes was evaluated. The diagnostic values of exosomal miR-145-5p and miR-27a-3p in DKD were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Biological functions of miR-145-5p were investigated by performing Gene Ontology analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment. RESULTS: Urinary exosomal expression of miR-145-5p and miR-27a-3p was more upregulated in the DKD group than in the DM group (miR-145-5p: 4.54 ± 1.45 vs 1.95 ± 0.93, P < 0.001; miR-27a-3p: 2.33 ± 0.79 vs 1.71 ± 0.76, P < 0.05) and the NC group (miR-145-5p: 4.54 ± 1.45 vs 1.55 ± 0.83, P < 0.001; miR-27a-3p: 2.33 ± 0.79 vs 1.10 ± 0.51, P < 0.001). The exosomal miR-145-5p and miR-27a-3p positively correlated with albuminuria and serum creatinine and negatively correlated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate. miR-27a-3p was also closely related to blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. ROC analysis revealed that miR-145-5p had a better area under the curve of 0.88 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.784-0.985, P < 0.0001] in diagnosing DKD than miR-27a-3p with 0.71 (95%CI: 0.547-0.871, P = 0.0239). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the target genes of miR-145-5p were located in the actin filament, cytoskeleton, and extracellular exosome and were involved in the pathological processes of DKD, including apoptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Urinary exosomal miR-145-5p and miR-27a-3p may serve as novel noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers or promising therapeutic targets for DKD.

Long noncoding RNA XIST inhibition promotes Leydig cell apoptosis by acting as a competing endogenous RNA for microRNA-145a-5p that targets SIRT1 in late-onset hypogonadism.

Leydig cell (LCs) apoptosis is responsible for decreased serum testosterone levels during late-onset hypogonadism (LOH). Our study was designed to illustrate the regulatory effect of lncRNA XIST on LCs and to clarify its molecular mechanism of action in LOH. The Leydig cells (TM3) was treated by 300 µM H2O2 for 8 h to establish Leydig cell oxidative stress model in vitro. The expression levels of lncRNA XIST in the testicular tissues of patients with LOH were measured using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The interaction between lncRNA XIST/SIRT1 and miR-145a-5p was assessed using starBase and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays. Apoptotic cells and Caspase3 activity were determined by flow cytometry (FCM) assay. Testosterone concentration was determined by ELISA. Moreover, histological assessment of testicles in mice was performed by using HE staining and the TUNEL assay was used to determine apoptosis. We found that the lncRNA XIST was downregulated in the testicular tissues of LOH patients and mice and in H2O2-induced TM3 cells. XIST siRNA significantly promoted apoptosis, enhanced Caspase3 activity and reduced testosterone levels in H2O2-stimulated TM3 cells. Further studies showed that the miR-145a-5p inhibitor reversed the effect of XIST-siRNA on H2O2-induced Leydig cell apoptosis. MiR-145a-5p negatively regulated SIRT1 expression, and SIRT1-siRNA reversed the effects of the miR-145a-5p inhibitor on H2O2 stimulated TM3 cells. The in vivo experiments indicated that silencing of the lncRNA XIST aggravated LOH symptoms in mice. Inhibition of lncRNA XIST induces Leydig cell apoptosis through the miR-145a-5p/SIRT1 axis in the progression of LOH.

L-carnitine contributes to enhancement of viability and quality of platelet concentrates through changing the apoptotic and anti-apoptotic associated microRNAs.

BACKGROUND: Micro RNAs are known as the main regulator of messenger RNA translation in platelets and have a vital role in process of apoptosis during platelet storage. Our pervious study revealed that the expression of miR-145 and miR-326 changed significantly in platelets under maintenance conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine (LC) as an additive to augment platelet quality by changing the microRNA expression. METHODS: We used ten platelet concentrate (PC) bags and divided each into two equal parts, LC- treated, and LC free PC. The expression of miR-145 and miR-326 were determined using real-time PCR. Moreover, we measured platelet count, platelet aggregation, platelet viability, and lactate dehydrogenase activity in all samples. RESULTS: The miR-326 expression significantly increased during platelet storage with mean fold changes of 3.2 for the control and 2.5 for LC- treated PC. The mean fold changes in miR-145 expression was less in the control PC (0.52) compared to the LC- treated PC (0.79). Increased levels of platelet count, platelet aggregation, and platelet viability were found in the LC-treated compared to the untreated PC. CONCLUSION: LC has a protective effect on platelet apoptosis, reduces the expression of apoptotic microRNA, and prevents the reduction of anti-apoptotic microRNA.

Tectorigenin Inhibits Glycolysis-induced Cell Growth and Proliferation by Modulating LncRNA CCAT2/miR-145 Pathway in Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) places a heavy burden on global health. Tectorigenin (Tec) is a type of flavonoid-based compound obtained from the Chinese medical herb Leopard Lily Rhizome. It was found to exhibit remarkable anti-tumor properties in previous studies. However, the effect and molecular mechanisms of Tec in colorectal cancer have not been reported. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the action of Tec in proliferation and glycolysis in CRC and the potential mechanism with regard to the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) CCAT2/micro RNA-145(miR-145) pathway in vitro and in vivo . METHODS: The anti-tumor effect of Tec in CRC was examined in cell and animal studies, applying Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay as well as xenograft model experiments. Assay kits were utilized to detect glucose consumption and lactate production in the supernatant of cells and animal serum. The expression of the glycolysis-related proteins was assessed by Western Blotting, and levels of lncRNA CCAT2 and miR-145 in CRC tissue specimens and cells were assessed by realtime quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). RESULTS: Tec significantly suppressed cell glycolysis and proliferative rate in CRC cells. It could decrease lncRNA CCAT2 in CRC cells but increase the expression of miR-145. LncRNA CCAT2 overexpression or inhibition of miR-145 could abolish the inhibitive effects of Tec on the proliferation and glycolysis of CRC cells. The miR-145 mimic rescued the increased cell viability and glycolysis levels caused by lncRNA CCAT2 overexpression. Tec significantly inhibited the growth and glycolysis of CRC xenograft tumor. The expression of lncRNA CCAT2 decreased while the expression of miR-145 increased after Tec treatment in vivo. CONCLUSION: Tec can inhibit the proliferation and glycolysis of CRC cells through the lncRNA CCAT2/miR-145 axis. Altogether, the potential targets discovered in this research are of great significance for CRC treatment and new drug development.

Urinary exosomes from patients with diabetic kidney disease induced podocyte apoptosis via microRNA-145-5p/Srgap2 and the RhoA/ROCK pathway.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease without early diagnostic and specific therapeutic approaches. Podocyte apoptosis and loss play important roles in the pathological process of DKD. This study aimed to explore whether urinary exosomes from type 2 diabetes patients with DKD could induce podocyte apoptosis and the underlying pathological mechanisms. The exosomes were isolated from the urine samples of patients with DKD (DKD-Exo). Later, they were taken up and internalized by MPC5 cells. MPC5 cells were co-cultured with DKD-Exo (45 µg/ml) for 24 h in the presence or absence of microRNA-145-5p (miR-145-5p) inhibitor, fasudil and pcDNA-Srgap2 transfection. MiR-145-5p and Srgap2 expression was evaluated using real-time quantitative PCR. The protein levels of Srgap2, Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3, as well as ROCK activity were determined using Western blotting. Cell apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry and the TUNEL assay. miR-145-5p expression in MPC5 cells exposed to DKD-Exo was markedly upregulated. miR-145-5p negatively regulated Srgap2 levels. Exposure of MPC5 cells to DKD-Exo reduced Srgap2 expression and activated ROCK, which was partly reversed by the presence of the miR-145-5p inhibitor or Srgap2 overexpression. The apoptosis of MPC5 cells exposed to DKD-Exo increased significantly, which was counteracted by the addition of the miR-145-5p inhibitor and fasudil. The results showed that urinary exosomal miR-145-5p from patients with DKD induced podocyte apoptosis by inhibiting Srgap2 and activating the RhoA/ROCK pathway, suggesting that urinary exosomal miR-145-5p is involved in the pathological process of DKD and could become a noninvasive diagnostic biomarker for DKD.

Targeting microRNA-145-mediated progressive phenotypes of early bladder cancer in a molecularly defined in vivo model.

A progressive subclass of early-stage non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) frequently recurs and progress into invasive carcinoma, thus decreasing the overall survival rate of NMIBC. However, therapeutic development for progressive NMIBC has been challenging due to the lack of molecularly validated in vivo models and agents targeting its genetic vulnerability. We herein molecularly characterized an interventional model of progressive NMIBC and revealed the principal functions and therapeutic potential of microRNA-145 (miR-145) in early bladder tumorigenesis. N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine-induced premalignant lesions (BiPLs) in rats exhibited downregulated expression of miR-145 as well as highly similar mutation/expression profiles to those of the human progressive NMIBC subclass with the worst prognosis. The expression patterns of miR-145 inversely correlated with those of BC-related oncogenes in BiPLs. We also demonstrated that miR-145 dominantly regulated interferon pathways and c-Myc expression, which play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of progressive NMIBC. Furthermore, we demonstrated that miR-145 replacement with a novel miR-145-based intravesical agent (miR-145S1) significantly inhibited the progression of BiPLs in vivo. These results provide insights into the essential role of miR-145 as the earliest-acting oncogenic driver of bladder tumorigenesis as well as a validated interventional model and novel miR-145-based nucleic acid therapeutic agent for progressive NMIBC.

[Corrigendum] Celecoxib inhibits the epithelial­to­mesenchymal transition in bladder cancer via the miRNA­145/TGFBR2/Smad3 axis.

Following the publication of the above article, an interested reader drew to the authors' attention that, for the Transwell migration assays shown in Figs. 1B and 3B on p. 685 and p. 688 respectively, the images selected for the '5637 / DMSO' experiment in Fig. 1B and the DMSO experiment in Fig. 3B were apparently the same, such that these data appeared to have been derived from the same original source. After having consulted their original data, the authors have realized that the 5637 DMSO data panel in Fig. 3B had been selected incorrectly. The revised version of Fig. 3, showing the correct data for the DMSO experiment in Fig. 3B, is shown on the next page. The authors regret that these errors went unnoticed prior to the publication of this article, and thank the Editor of International Journal of Molecular Medicine for allowing them the opportunity to publish this corrigendum. All the authors agree with the publication of this corrigendum; furthermore, they also apologize to the readership of the journal for any inconvenience caused. [International Journal of Molecular Medicine 44: 683­683, 2019; DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2019.4241].

Long-term, in vivo therapeutic effects of a single dose of miR-145 micelles for atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is characterized by the build-up of lipid-rich plaques in the arterial walls. The standard treatment for patients with atherosclerosis is statin therapy aimed to lower serum lipid levels. Despite its widespread use, many patients taking statins continue to experience acute events. Thus, to develop improved and alternative therapies, we previously reported on microRNA-145 (miR-145 micelles) and its ability to inhibit atherosclerosis by targeting vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Importantly, one dose of miR-145 micelles significantly abrogated disease progression when evaluated two weeks post-administration. Thus, in this study, to evaluate how long the sustained effects of miR-145 micelles can be maintained and towards identifying a dosing regimen that is practical for patients with chronic disease, the therapeutic effects of a single dose of miR-145 micelles were evaluated for up to two months in vivo. After one and two months post-treatment, miR-145 micelles were found to reduce plaque size and overall lesion area compared to all other controls including statins without causing adverse effects. Furthermore, a single dose of miR-145 micelle treatment inhibited VSMC transdifferentiation into pathogenic macrophage-like and osteogenic cells in plaques. Together, our data shows the long-term efficacy and sustained effects of miR-145 micelles that is amenable using a dosing frequency relevant to chronic disease patients.

[Corrigendum] Long non­coding RNA AC245100.4 promotes prostate cancer tumorigenesis via the microRNA­145­5p/RBBP5 axis.

Subsequently to the publication of the above article, an interested reader drew to the authors' attention that, concerning the cell proliferation and migration assay data shown in Figs. 6D and 7B, there were a pair of panels showing overlapping data, such that the same data had apparently been selected to show the results from different experiments. Subsequently, the authors referred back to their original data, and identified further incorrectly assembled data panels in Figs. 3B and 7B. The corrected versions of Fig. 3B (showing the correct data for the 'AC245100.4 / PC3 / 0 h' scratch­wound assay data panel), Fig. 6D (showing the correct data for the 'PC3 / NC­mimic' and 'DU­145 / NC­inhibitor' data panels) and Fig. 7D (showing the correct data for the 'PC3 / 24 h / Inhibitor­miR­145­5p + siAC245100.4' data panel) are shown on the subsequent pages. The authors regret the errors that were made during the preparation of the published figures, and confirm that these errors did not grossly affect the conclusions reported in the study. The authors are grateful to the Editor of Oncology Reports for allowing them the opportunity to publish a Corrigendum, and all the authors agree to this Corrigendum. Furthermore, they apologize to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [Oncology Reports 45: 619­629, 2021; DOI: 10.3892/or.2020.7894].

An Increase in Plasma MicroRNA-143 Levels in the Acute Phase Is Positively Correlated With Recovery of Cardiac Function in the Chronic Phase in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNA (miR)-143 and miR-145 are non-coding RNAs present in smooth muscle cells and the heart. However, their behavior and physiological role in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have not been clarified.Methods and Results: Plasma miR-143 and miR-145 concentrations were measured on Day 0 (on admission) and on Day 7 in AMI patients who could be followed up for 6 months (n=25). The control group consisted of subjects without significant coronary stenosis (n=20). Blood samples were collected from the antecubital vein, and plasma miR-143 and miR-145 concentrations were measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. In AMI patients (n=25), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measured by echocardiography in the acute and chronic (6 months) phases. On Day 7, plasma miR-143 and miR-145 concentrations were significantly higher in AMI patients than in the control group and on Day 0 in AMI patients. Plasma miR-143 and miR-145 concentrations increased significantly from Day 0 to Day 7. The increase in plasma miR-143 concentrations (∆miR-143) in the acute phase was positively correlated with the increase in LVEF in the chronic phase. Among many factors, only ∆miR-143 was favorably correlated with left ventricle (LV) functional recovery in the chronic phase. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in plasma miR-143 concentrations in the acute phase may be a biomarker predicting recovery of LV function in the chronic phase in AMI patients.

Enhanced Local Delivery of microRNA-145a-5P into Mouse Aorta via Ultrasound-Targeted Microbubble Destruction Inhibits Atherosclerotic Plaque Formation.

Abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a key role in the formation and rupture of atherosclerotic plaques. Previous studies have confirmed that microRNA-145 (miR-145) is involved in the phenotypic regulation of VSMCs and reduction of atherosclerosis. At present, seeking safe and effective gene delivery remains a key problem restricting the development of gene therapy. In recent years, ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) has become a safe and effective transfection method that is widely used in the basic research of gene therapy for heart and tumor diseases. Here, we synthesized cationic microbubbles to encapsulate miR-145 and targeted their release into VSMCs in vitro and in vivo using ultrasound. The feasibility of this gene therapy was verified by fluorescence microscopy and an in vivo imaging system. The results showed that treatment with miR-145 delivered via UTMD considerably improved the gene transfection efficiency and promoted the contraction phenotype of VSMCs in vitro. In vivo, this treatment reduced the atherosclerotic plaque area by 48.04% compared with treatment with free miR-145. Therefore, UTMD-mediated miRNA therapy may provide a new targeted therapeutic approach for atherosclerotic plaques.

The function of miR-145 in colorectal cancer progression; an updated review on related signaling pathways.

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are a broad class of small, highly conserved non-coding RNAs that largely influence gene expression after transcription through binding to various target mRNAs. miRNAs are frequently dysregulated in a wide array of human cancers, possessing great value as diagnostic and therapeutic targets. miR-145, as promising tumor suppressor miRNA, also exhibits deregulated expression levels in human malignancies and participates in various processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and differentiation. In particular, miR-145 has been shown to be downregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC), which in turn leads to cell growth, invasion, metastasis and drug resistance. Furthermore, miR-145 is involved in the regulation of multiple tumor specific signaling pathways, such as KRAS and P53 signaling by targeting various genes through colorectal tumorigenesis. Therefore, considering its diagnostic and therapeutic potential, it was aimed to present the recent finding focusing on miR-145 functions to better understand its involvement in CRC incidence and progression through interplay with various signaling pathways. This study is based on articles indexed in PubMed and Google scholar until 2021.

Prognostic utility of microRNA-145 and CD 133 in oral squamous cell carcinoma: A pilot study from Northern India.

Introduction: Multiple factors alter the microRNAs (miRNAs) at cellular level and promote oncogenesis in oral mucosa. The present study was performed with an aim to find any expression of miRNA-145 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and correlate it with CD-133 immuno-expression, clinicopathological, and demographical variables in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with respect to controls. Materials and methods: In a prospective observational study 50 samples from patients of OSCC and 20 from unremarkable oral mucosa were studied. After initial detailed histology, miRNA-145 profiling was performed using qRT-PCR, followed by CD-133 immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: The mean age of patients with oral cancer was 47.5 ± 10.25 years. Mean miR-145 levels in OSCC were 0.4312 ± 0.32026 and mean in healthy controls was 0.99 ±0 .21771. There was significant downregulation of miRNA-145 in cases with respect to controls. Significant reduced levels of miRNA-145 with respect to higher clinical tumor size, pathological pT tumor, nodal status, and resultant clinical tumor stage was observed. As far as presence and absence of stem cells was concerned it was seen that tumors displaying presence of stem cells highlighted by CD-133 had lower levels of miRNA-145 as compared to tumors with absent CD-133 staining. Conclusions: miRNA-145 is significantly altered in OSCC in our patient population and its reduced values carry a poor prognosis. Its interaction with CSCs may not be significant but mean miRNA-145 levels are lower in tumors with CSCs. There should be further studies on the larger sample size for these two biomarkers, to know its value.

MircroRNA-145 Attenuates Cardiac Fibrosis Via Regulating Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase 3.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the effect of microRNA (miR)-145 on cardiac fibrosis in heart failure mice and its target. METHODS: Experiments were carried out in mice receiving left coronary artery ligation, transverse aortic constriction (TAC), or angiotensin (Ang) II to trigger heart failure, and in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) with Ang II-induced fibrosis. RESULTS: The miR-145 levels were decreased in the mice hearts of heart failure induced by myocardial infarction (MI), TAC or Ang II infusion, and in the Ang II-treated CFs. The impaired cardiac function was ameliorated by miR-145 agomiR in MI mice. The increased fibrosis and the levels of collagen I, collagen III, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) in MI mice were inhibited by miR-145 agomiR or miR-145 transgene (TG). The agomiR of miR-145 also attenuated the increases of collagen I, collagen III, and TGF-ß in Ang II-treated CFs. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assays indicated that mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 3 (MAP3K3) was a direct target gene of miR-145. MAP3K3 expression was suppressed by MiR-145 in CFs, while the MAP3K3 over-expression reversed the inhibiting effects of miR-145 agomiR on the Ang II-induced increases of collagen I, collagen III, and TGF-ß in CFs. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that miR-145 upregulation could improve cardiac dysfunction and cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting MAP3K3 in heart failure. Thus, upregulating miR-145 or blocking MAP3K3 can be used to treat heart failure and cardiac fibrosis.