Circulating miRNAs in extracellular vesicles related to treatment response in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Extracellular vesicle (EV)-microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers for various renal diseases. This study attempted to identify the circulating EV-miRNA signature not only for discriminating idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) from idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), but also to predict the treatment response of patients with IMN. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 60 participants, including those with IMN (n = 19) and INS (n = 21) and healthy volunteers (HVs; n = 20) in this study. Using RNA sequencing, we assessed the serum EV-miRNA profiles of all participants. To identify the EV-miRNAs predictive of treatment response in IMN, we also analyzed EV-miRNAs among patients with IMN with and without clinical remission. RESULTS: The expression levels of 3 miRNAs differed between IMN patients, INS patients and HVs. In addition, compared to HVs, RNA sequencing revealed differential expression of 77 and 44 EV-miRNAs in patients with IMN without and with remission, respectively. We also identified statistically significant (|fold change ≥ 2, p < 0.05) differences in the expression levels of 23 miRNAs in IMN without remission. Biological pathway analysis of miRNAs in IMN without remission indicated that they are likely involved in various pathways, including renal fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Our study identified EV-miRNAs associated with IMN as well as those associations with therapeutic response. Therefore, these circulating EV-miRNAs may be used as potential markers for the diagnosis and prediction of treatment response in patients with IMN.

Identification of Novel FNIN2 and FNIN3 Fibronectin-Derived Peptides That Promote Cell Adhesion, Proliferation and Differentiation in Primary Cells and Stem Cells.

In recent years, a major rise in the demand for biotherapeutic drugs has centered on enhancing the quality and efficacy of cell culture and developing new cell culture techniques. Here, we report fibronectin (FN) derived, novel peptides fibronectin-based intergrin binding peptide (FNIN)2 (18-mer) and FNIN3 (20-mer) which promote cell adhesion proliferation, and the differentiation of primary cells and stem cells. FNIN2 and 3 were designed based on the in silico interaction studies between FN and its receptors (integrin α5ß1, αvß3, and αIIbß3). Analysis of the proliferation of seventeen-cell types showed that the effects of FNINs depend on their concentration and the existence of expressed integrins. Significant rhodamine-labeled FNIN2 fluorescence on the membranes of HeLa, HepG2, A498, and Du145 cells confirmed physical binding. Double coating with FNIN2 or 3 after polymerized dopamine (pDa) or polymerized tannic acid (pTA) precoating increased HBEpIC cell proliferation by 30-40 percent, suggesting FNINs potently affect primary cells. Furthermore, the proliferation of C2C12 myoblasts and human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) treated with FNINs was significantly increased in 2D/3D culture. FNINs also promoted MSC differentiation into osteoblasts. The results of this study offer a new approach to the production of core materials (e.g., cell culture medium components, scaffolds) for cell culture.

Enhancement of Liposomal Plasmid DNA and siRNA Delivery by Itraconazole through Intracellular Cholesterol Accumulation.

PURPOSE: Efficient and safe vehicle that can enhance gene transfer is still needed. Since intracellular cholesterol is known to have an important role in gene delivery and itraconazole alters intracellular cholesterol trafficking, we investigated the effect of itraconazole on pDNA and siRNA delivery. METHODS: The pDNA and Bcl2 siRNA transfection efficiency was measured by luciferase assay and cytotoxicity. Cellular cholesterol was observed using filipin staining, and intracellular uptake was analyzed by flow cytometry. Lipoplex localization was observed by fluorescent labeling of DNA and lysosome after treatment of itraconazole or co-treatment of itraconazole and bafilomycin A1. RESULTS: Itraconazole enhanced the transfection efficiency of pDNA and siRNA compared to that of control through the accumulation of cholesterol. Bafilomycin A1 diminished the effect of itraconazole on gene delivery and the increment of cholesterol. Itraconazole did not increase the cellular uptake of lipoplex, but increased free pDNA during the endosome-lysosome pathway was observed during the endosome-lysosome pathway. Treating cells with both imipramine and itraconazole caused an additive effect in pDNA and siRNA delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Itraconazole enhanced gene delivery of pDNA and siRNA, and it can be used to potentiate nucleic acid therapeutics.

Methylglyoxal-induced apoptosis is dependent on the suppression of c-FLIPL expression via down-regulation of p65 in endothelial cells.

Methylglyoxal (MGO) is a reactive dicarbonyl metabolite of glucose, and its plasma levels are elevated in patients with diabetes. Studies have shown that MGO combines with the amino and sulphhydryl groups of proteins to form stable advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are associated with vascular endothelial cell (EC) injury and may contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis. In this study, MGO induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in HUVECs, which was attenuated by pre-treatment with z-VAD, a pan caspase inhibitor. Treatment with MGO increased ROS levels, followed by dose-dependent down-regulation of c-FLIPL . In addition, pre-treatment with the ROS scavenger NAC prevented the MGO-induced down-regulation of p65 and c-FLIPL , and the forced expression of c-FLIPL attenuated MGO-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, MGO-induced apoptotic cell death in endothelium isolated from mouse aortas. Finally, MGO was found to induce apoptosis by down-regulating p65 expression at both the transcriptional and posttranslational levels, and thus, to inhibit c-FLIPL mRNA expression by suppressing NF-κB transcriptional activity. Collectively, this study showed that MGO-induced apoptosis is dependent on c-FLIPL down-regulation via ROS-mediated down-regulation of p65 expression in endothelial cells.

Enhancement of liposome mediated gene transfer by adding cholesterol and cholesterol modulating drugs.

Cholesterol is an important cell membrane component and has been used as co-lipid for cationic liposome to enhance gene delivery. However, the role of cholesterol in transfection efficiency has not been fully understood. In this study, transfection efficiency of liposome was measured after cholesterol was added to the cell culture medium. As a result, addition of cholesterol increased transfection efficiency of several liposomes consisting of different lipid components in various cells (AGS, CHO, COS7 and, MCF7). Furthermore, treatment of cells with cholesterol modulating drugs, imipramine and U18666A, also increased transfection efficiency of liposomes. To elucidate the role of added cholesterol in gene transfer, endocytotic mechanism was studied and also revealed that adding cholesterol in culture media induced participation of caveolae-mediated endocytosis and micropinocytosis in CHO cell. Therefore, the results of this work suggest that modulation of intracellular cholesterol can be an important method to enhance gene delivery.

Synthesis of cholesteryl doxorubicin and its anti-cancer activity.

Doxorubicin (dox) has been used as anti-cancer agent, but there are disadvantages such as rapid excretion, short retention time and cardiotoxicity. For giving lipophilic properties to dox, it was modified with cholesterol derivatives that were validated as a component of liposomal gene delivery. This article describes the synthesis of dox derivatives (lipo-dox A-D), their cytotoxicity and cellular uptake. In A549, HeLa, MCF7 and MDA MB 231 cell lines, lipo-dox A and lipo-dox B substituted at alcohol group showed similar anti-cancer effect as dox, but lipo-dox C and lipo-dox D substituted at amino group did not. As a result, the amino group of dox seems an important site for its cancer cell inhibition. Lipophilic property of lipo-dox A and lipo-dox B induced more accumulation in cells compared to parent drug. Therefore, the newly synthesized lipo-dox A and lipo-dox B would be a good candidate for anti-cancer agent.

DOTAP/DOPE ratio and cell type determine transfection efficiency with DOTAP-liposomes.

The effects of lipid compositions on their physicochemical properties and transfection efficiencies were investigated. Four liposome formulations with different 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammoniumpropane (DOTAP) to dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) weight ratios were investigated, that is, weight ratios 1:0 (T1P0), 3:1 (T3P1), 1:1 (T1P1), and 1:3 (T1P3). Mean sizes of liposomes were influenced by their lipid composition and the preparation concentration at the time of sonication. Zeta potentials of liposomes were inversely correlated with their liposome sizes. However, neither liposome sizes nor zeta potentials were correlated with transfection efficiency. The optimum composition of liposomes was cell-line dependent (T1P0 and T3P1 for Huh7 and AGS, T3P1 and T1P1 for COS7, and T1P1 and T1P3 for A549). The shape of lipoplexes was changed from lamellar to inverted hexagonal structure according to the increased ratio of DOPE, but there was no definite advantage of specific structure in transfection efficiency throughout all used cell lines. However, cellular internalization was consistently faster in T1P0, T3P1, T1P1 compared to T1P3 in all cell lines, suggesting the importance of endosomal escape. Our findings show that the transfection efficiency of DOTAP liposomes is mainly influenced by lipid composition and cell type, and not by size or zeta potential.

Synthesis and validation of novel cholesterol-based fluorescent lipids designed to observe the cellular trafficking of cationic liposomes.

Cholesterol-based fluorescent lipids with ether linker were synthesized using NBD (Chol-E-NBD) or Rhodamine B (Chol-E-Rh), and the usefulnesses as fluorescent probes for tracing cholesterol-based liposomes were validated. The fluorescent intensities of liposomes containing these modified lipids were measured and observed under a microscope. Neither compound interfered with the expression of GFP plasmid, and live cell images were obtained without interferences. Changes in the fluorescent intensity of liposomes containing Chol-E-NBD were followed by flow cytometry for up to 24h. These fluorescent lipids could be useful probes for trafficking of cationic liposome-mediated gene delivery.

Efficient delivery of plasmid DNA using cholesterol-based cationic lipids containing polyamines and ether linkages.

Cationic liposomes are broadly used as non-viral vectors to deliver genetic materials that can be used to treat various diseases including cancer. To circumvent problems associated with cationic liposome-mediated delivery systems such as low transfection efficiency and serum-induced inhibition, cholesterol-based cationic lipids have been synthesized that resist the effects of serum. The introduction of an ether-type linkage and extension of the aminopropyl head group on the cholesterol backbone increased the transfection efficiency and DNA binding affinity compared to a carbamoyl-type linkage and a mono aminopropyl head group, respectively. Under optimal conditions, each liposome formulation showed higher transfection efficiency in AGS and Huh-7 cells than commercially available cationic liposomes, particularly in the presence of serum. The following molecular structures were found to have a positive effect on transfection properties: (i) extended aminopropyl head groups for a strong binding affinity to plasmid DNA; (ii) an ether linkage that favors electrostatic binding to plasmid DNA; and (iii) a cholesterol backbone for serum resistance.

Effect of exercise intensity on unfolded protein response in skeletal muscle of rat.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, unfolded protein response (UPR), and mitochondrial biogenesis were assessed following varying intensities of exercise training. The animals were randomly assigned to receive either low- (LIT, n=7) or high intensity training (HIT, n=7), or were assigned to a control group (n=7). Over 5 weeks, the animals in the LIT were exercised on a treadmill with a 10° incline for 60 min at a speed of 20 m/min group, and in the HIT group at a speed of 34 m/min for 5 days a week. No statistically significant differences were found in the body weight, plasma triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels across the three groups, but fasting glucose and insulin levels were significantly lower in the exercise-trained groups. Additionally, no statistically significant differences were observed in the levels of PERK phosphorylation in skeletal muscles between the three groups. However, compared to the control and LIT groups, the level of BiP was lower in the HIT group. Compared to the control group, the levels of ATF4 in skeletal muscles and CHOP were significantly lower in the HIT group. The HIT group also showed increased PGC-1α mRNA expression in comparison with the control group. Furthermore, both of the trained groups showed higher levels of mitochondrial UCP3 than the control group. In summary, we found that a 5-week high-intensity exercise training routine resulted in increased mitochondrial biogenesis and decreased ER stress and apoptotic signaling in the skeletal muscle tissue of rats.

Suppression of TBCK enhances TRAIL-mediated apoptosis by causing the inactivation of the akt signaling pathway in human renal carcinoma Caki-1 cells.

BACKGROUND: TBC1 domain-containing kinase (TBCK) protein functions as a growth suppressor in certain cell types and as a tumor promoter in others. Although TBCK knockdown increases the responsiveness of cancer cells to anticancer drugs, the detailed mechanisms by which TBCK knockdown increases susceptibility to anticancer drugs remain unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the role of TBCK in sensitivities to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and doxorubicin in human renal cancer cells. METHODS: Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate the extent of apoptosis. Western blotting, transient transfection, and lentiviral infection techniques were conducted to investigate the impact of TBCK on apoptosis-related protein expression and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). RESULTS: TBCK knockdown in renal cancer cells inhibits ERK and Akt signaling pathways and increases TRAIL and doxorubicin sensitivity. In TBCK-knockdown Caki-1 cells, ERK and Akt phosphorylation was suppressed compared to control cell lines, and TRAIL and doxorubicin sensitivities were increased in these cells. In addition, the phosphorylation of PDK1 was suppressed in TBCK-suppressed cells, indicating that TBCK may be involved in the PDK1 and Akt signaling pathways. The introduction of dominantly active Akt into TBCK-suppressed cells restored their sensitivity to TRAIL. In addition, TBCK downregulation enhanced TRAIL sensitivity in different renal cancer cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that TBCK could potentially have a crucial function in influencing the effects of anti-cancer drugs including TRAIL by modulating the signaling pathway involving Akt and PDK1 in human renal cancer cells.

Endocytic pathway and resistance to cholesterol depletion of cholesterol derived cationic lipids for gene delivery.

Cholesterol-based cationic lipids have been widely used because of biocompatibility and serum resistance. However, the reason for the effectiveness of cholesterol-based cationic lipids remains unclear. We compared the transfection route of CHOL-E, a cholesterol-based cationic lipid having an amine head and an ether linker, with that of DOTAP. The luciferase assay with chemical inhibitors and microscopic observation of pathway markers revealed that clathrin mediated endocytosis is the main pathway for CHOL-E and DOTAP. However, CHOL-E showed resistance to cholesterol depletion by methyl-ß-cyclodextrin. Furthermore, CHOL-E recovered the transfection efficiency of DOTAP from cholesterol depletion. These results suggested that superior transfection of CHOL-E might be partly derived from effects on the cell membrane.

Homodimeric SV40 NLS peptide formed by disulfide bond as enhancer for gene delivery.

Recently, cysteine residue incorporation increased liposome-mediated transfection compared to unmodified peptide. Therefore, we designed novel modified SV40 NLS peptides, homodimeric (NLS-CTHD, NLS-NTHD) and closed structure (cyclic NLS), simply using disulfide bond between cysteines to develop more efficient and safe non-viral gene delivery system. The simple mix of NLS-CTHD among these novel transfection enhancing peptides with DNA increased the gene transfer potency of cationic liposomes more efficiently with no additional cytotoxicity.

Gene Expression Analyses of Mutant Flammulina velutipes (Enokitake Mushroom) with Clogging Phenomenon.

Regulation of proper gene expression is important for cellular and organismal survival, maintenance, and growth. Abnormal gene expression, even for a single critical gene, can thwart cellular integrity and normal physiology to cause diseases, aging, and death. Therefore, gene expression profiling serves as a powerful tool to understand the pathology of diseases and to cure them. In this study, the difference in gene expression in Flammulina velutipes was compared between the wild type (WT) mushroom and the mutant one with clogging phenomenon. Differentially expressed transcripts were screened to identify the candidate genes responsible for the mutant phenotype using the DNA microarray analysis. A total of 88 genes including 60 upregulated and 28 downregulated genes were validated using the real-time quantitative PCR analysis. In addition, proteomic differences between the WT and mutant mushroom were analyzed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF). Interestingly, the genes identified by these genomic and proteomic analyses were involved in stress response, translation, and energy/sugar metabolism, including HSP70, elongation factor 2, and pyruvate kinase. Together, our data suggest that the aberrant expression of these genes attributes to the mutant clogging phenotype. We propose that these genes can be targeted to foster normal growth in F. velutipes.

The synthesis of cholesterol-based cationic lipids with trimethylamine head and the effect of spacer structures on transfection efficiency.

Five cholesterol-based cationic lipids were newly synthesized based on cholest-5-en-3ß-oxyethane-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bromide (Chol-ETA) structure where the cholesterol backbone is linked to cationic head via various lengths of ether-linked carbon spacer. The transfection efficiency of these compounds was increased in order of three (Chol-PRO)

Synthesis of novel cholesterol-based cationic lipids for gene delivery.

The new cholesterol-based cationic lipids B, C, and D with an ether linked spacer were synthesized by using aminopropyl chain extension with acrylonitrile. The cholesterol-based cationic lipid A with carbamoyl linkage were also synthesized in order to compare the difference in transfection efficiency of the two linkage types. To this end, GFP expression of these cationic lipids was confirmed respectively.

Combination of Doxorubicin with Gemcitabine-Incorporated G-Quadruplex Aptamer Showed Synergistic and Selective Anticancer Effect in Breast Cancer Cells.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most effective anticancer agents used for the treatment of multiple cancers; however, its use is limited by its short half-life and adverse drug reactions, especially cardiotoxicity. In this study, we found that the conjugate of DOX with APTA12 (Gemcitabine incorporated G-quadruplex aptamer) was significantly more cancer selective and cytotoxic than DOX. The conjugate had an affinity for nucleolin, with higher uptake and retention into the cancer cells than those of DOX. Further, it was localized to the nucleus, which is the target site of DOX. Owing to its mechanism of action, DOX has the ability to intercalate into the nucleotides thus making it a suitable drug to form a conjugate with cancer selective aptamers such as APTA12. The conjugation can lead to selectively accumulate in the cancer cells thus decreasing its potential nonspecific as well as cardiotoxic side effects. The aim of this study was to prepare a conjugate of DOX with APTA12 and assess the chemotherapeutic properties of the conjugate specific to cancer cells. The DOX-APTA12 conjugate was prepared by incubation and its cytotoxicity in MCF-10A (non-cancerous mammary cells) and MDA-MB-231 (breast cancer cells) was assessed. The results indicate that DOX-APTA12 conjugate is a potential option for chemotherapy especially for nucleolin expressing breast cancer with reduced doxorubicin associated side effects.

Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived mmu-miR-291a-3p Inhibits Cellular Senescence in Human Dermal Fibroblasts Through the TGF-ß Receptor 2 Pathway.

Senescent cells accumulate in various tissues over time and contribute to tissue dysfunction and aging-associated phenotypes. Accumulating evidence suggests that cellular senescence can be inhibited through pharmacological intervention, as well as through treatment with soluble factors derived from embryonic stem cells (ESCs). In an attempt to investigate the anti-senescence factors secreted by ESCs, we analyzed mouse ESC-derived extracellular microRNAs in conditioned medium via microRNA array analysis. We selected mmu-miR-291a-3p as a putative anti-senescence factor via bioinformatics analysis. We validated its inhibitory effects on replicative, Adriamycin-induced, and ionizing radiation-induced senescence in human dermal fibroblasts. Treatment of senescent cells with mmu-miR-291a-3p decreased senescence-associated ß-galactosidase activity, enhanced proliferative potential, and reduced mRNA and protein expression of TGF-ß receptor 2, p53, and p21. mmu-miR-291a-3p in conditioned medium was enclosed in ESC-derived exosomes and exosomes purified from ESC conditioned medium inhibited cellular senescence. The inhibitory effects of mmu-miR-291a-3p were mediated through the TGF-ß receptor 2 signaling pathway. Hsa-miR-371a-3p and hsa-miR-520e, the human homologs of mmu-miR-291a-3p, showed similar anti-senescence activity. Furthermore, mmu-miR-291a-3p accelerated the excisional skin wound healing process in aged mice. Our results indicate that the ESC-derived mmu-miR-291a-3p is a novel candidate agent that can be utilized for cell-free therapeutic intervention against aging and aging-related diseases.

Thermogenesis-independent metabolic benefits conferred by isocaloric intermittent fasting in ob/ob mice.

Intermittent fasting (IF) is an effective dietary intervention to counteract obesity-associated metabolic abnormalities. Previously, we and others have highlighted white adipose tissue (WAT) browning as the main underlying mechanism of IF-mediated metabolic benefits. However, whether IF retains its efficacy in different models, such as genetically obese/diabetic animals, is unknown. Here, leptin-deficient ob/ob mice were subjected to 16 weeks of isocaloric IF, and comprehensive metabolic phenotyping was conducted to assess the metabolic effects of IF. Unlike our previous study, isocaloric IF-subjected ob/ob animals failed to exhibit reduced body weight gain, lower fat mass, or decreased liver lipid accumulation. Moreover, isocaloric IF did not result in increased thermogenesis nor induce WAT browning in ob/ob mice. These findings indicate that isocaloric IF may not be an effective approach for regulating body weight in ob/ob animals, posing the possible limitations of IF to treat obesity. However, despite the lack of improvement in insulin sensitivity, isocaloric IF-subjected ob/ob animals displayed improved glucose tolerance as well as higher postprandial insulin level, with elevated incretin expression, suggesting that isocaloric IF is effective in improving nutrient-stimulated insulin secretion. Together, this study uncovers the insulinotropic effect of isocaloric IF, independent of adipose thermogenesis, which is potentially complementary for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Hepatocellular carcinoma-related gene targeting using the large circular antisense library.

The large circular (LC)-antisense library to the 221 unigene clone was constructed and utilized in the identification of genes functionally involved in the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. We identified that 37 out of the 221 members of the antisense library exerted a marked inhibitory effect on the growth of Huh-7. The putative functional categorization of each gene was then conducted on the basis of the sequence information. The relative expression levels of target genes were measured and treated with two LC-antisense molecules by real-time PCR. LC-antisense to EIF3EIP and AFP abolished the expression of EIF3EIP and AFP to the level of approximately 7 and 39% compared to the control treatment in Huh-7 cells, respectively. LC-antisense molecules to EIF3EIP and AFP were simultaneously treated with 5-FU to Huh-7 cells. Two LC-antisense molecules showed additive effects with 5-FU compared with 5-FU alone, respectively. The combination of LC-antisense molecules and 5-FU showed a dramatic increase of sub-G1 apoptotic cell death fraction in cell cycle analysis, respectively. Therefore, these candidates may be used as target genes for drug development or adjuvant of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs.