Exposure to high concentrations of triphenyl phosphate altered functional performance, liver metabolism and intestinal bacterial composition of aquatic turtles.

Organophosphorus flame retardants, such as triphenyl phosphate (TPhP), exist ubiquitously in various environments owing to their widespread usage. Potential toxic effects of residual flame retardants on cultured non-fish species are not concerned commonly. TPhP-induced physiological and biochemical effects in an aquatic turtle were evaluated here by systematically investigating the changes in growth and locomotor performance, hepatic antioxidant ability and metabolite, and intestinal microbiota composition of turtle hatchlings after exposure to different TPhP concentrations. Reduced locomotor ability and antioxidant activity were only observed in the highest concentration group. Several metabolic perturbations that involved in amino acid, energy and nucleotide metabolism, in exposed turtles were revealed by metabolite profiles. No significant among-group difference in intestinal bacterial diversity was observed, but the composition was changed markedly in exposed turtles. Increased relative abundances of some bacterial genera (e.g., Staphylococcus, Vogesella and Lawsonella) probably indicated adverse outcomes of TPhP exposure. Despite having only limited impacts of exposure at environmentally relevant levels, our results revealed potential ecotoxicological risks of residual TPhP for aquatic turtles considering TPhP-induced metabolic perturbations and intestinal bacterial changes.

Environmentally Relevant Levels of Antiepileptic Carbamazepine Altered Intestinal Microbial Composition and Metabolites in Amphibian Larvae.

There is growing concern about the potential ecological risks posed by pharmaceutical residues in the aquatic environment. However, our understanding of the toxic effects of antiepileptic pharmaceuticals, such as carbamazepine (CBZ), on aquatic animal larvae is still limited. In this study, the tadpoles of the black-spotted pond frog (Pelophylax nigromaculatus) were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of CBZ (0.3 and 3.0 µg/L) for 30 days, and their growth, intestinal microbial composition, and metabolites were investigated to assess the potential toxic effects of CBZ in non-targeted aquatic organisms. Some tadpoles died during exposure, but there was no significant among-group difference in the survival and growth rates. CBZ exposure significantly altered the composition of tadpole intestinal microbiota. Relative abundances of some bacterial genera (e.g., Blautia, Prevotella, Bacillus, Microbacterium, etc.) decreased, while others (e.g., Paucibacter, etc.) increased in CBZ-exposed tadpoles. Interestingly, CBZ-induced alterations in some bacteria might not necessarily lead to adverse outcomes for animals. Meanwhile, small molecular intestinal metabolites related to energy metabolism, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were also altered after exposure. Taken together, environmentally relevant levels of CBZ might alter the metabolic and immune performances of amphibian larvae by modifying the abundance of some specific bacteria and the level of metabolites in their intestines, thereby potentially causing a long-term effect on their fitness.

Application of bridge-link type combined fixation system in the treatment of trifocal femoral fractures.

PURPOSE: Ipsilateral combined fractures of the proximal femur, femoral shaft, and distal femur, though uncommon, present significant treatment challenges for orthopaedic surgeons. This retrospective study aims to investigate the intraoperative and long-term postoperative outcomes of this combination fracture when treated using a bridge-link type combined fixation system (BCFS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four individuals received treatment at a level 1 trauma centre between January 2013 and December 2017 for combined fractures of the proximal femur, femoral shaft, and distal femur. The medical records of these patients were retrospectively examined. In addition to minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIO), all patients underwent BCFS. RESULTS: The median follow-up period for each patient was 28.5 months. The median duration of the surgical procedure was 176.0 min, with intraoperative haemorrhage measured at 470.0 ml. Among the cases, three patients showed firm union of the femoral shaft fractures. However, one patient experienced nonunion 12 months after the procedure, while another patient suffered from refracture of the femoral shaft and postoperative avascular necrosis of the femoral head. At the time of the last follow-up, the Friedman-Wyman functional scores were excellent in one case, good in two cases, and fair in one case. CONCLUSIONS: Trifocal femoral fractures lack a widely approved therapeutic strategy. Nonetheless, BCFS may present itself as a viable alternative for treating this type of fracture, offering positive clinical outcomes.

Two new triterpenoid saponins from ginseng medicinal fungal substance.

Two new dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins, namely ginsenosides Rb4 (1) and Rb5 (2), were isolated from ginseng medicinal fungal substance. The structures of 1 and 2 were established as 3ß,12ß,20(S)-trihydroxydammar-24(25)-ene-3-O-[α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-ß-d-glucopyranosyl]-20-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside and 3ß,12ß,20(S)-trihydroxydammar-24(25)-ene-3-O-[α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-ß-d-glucopyranosyl]-20-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical analysis, respectively.

Cysteamine alleviates early brain injury via reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis in a rat experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage model.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of early brain injury (EBI) following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The aim of this study was to assess whether cysteamine prevents post-SAH oxidative stress injury via its antioxidative and anti-apoptotic effects. It was observed that intraperitoneal administration of cysteamine (20 mg/kg/day) could significantly alleviate EBI (including neurobehavioral deficits, brain edema, blood-brain barrier permeability, and cortical neuron apoptosis) after SAH in rats. Meanwhile, cysteamine treatment reduced post-SAH elevated the reactive oxygen species level, the concentration of malondialdehyde, 3-nitrotyrosine, and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and increased the glutathione peroxidase enzymatic activity, the concentration of glutathione and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in brain cortex at 48 h after SAH. These results indicated that administration of cysteamine may ameliorate EBI and provide neuroprotection after SAH in rat models.

Expression of Toll-Like Receptors 2 and 4 and Related Cytokines in Patients with Hepatic Cystic and Alveolar Echinococcosis.

Several studies have demonstrated the important role of Toll-like receptors in various parasitic infections. This study aims to explore expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and related cytokines in patients with human cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE). 78 subjects including AE group (N = 28), CE group (N = 22), and healthy controls (HC, N = 28) were enrolled in this study. The mRNA expression levels of TLR2 and TLR4 in blood and hepatic tissue and plasma levels related cytokines were detected by using ELISA. Median levels of TLR2 mRNA in AE and CE groups were significantly elevated as compared with that in healthy control group. Median levels of TLR4 expression were increased in AE and CE. Plasma concentration levels of IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10 were slightly increased in AE and CE groups compared with those in HC group with no statistical differences (p > 0.05). The IL-23 concentration levels were significantly higher in AE and CE groups than that in HC subjects with statistical significance. The increased expression of TLR2 and IL-23 might play a potential role in modulating tissue infiltrative growth of the parasite and its persistence in the human host.

Perivascular macrophage-like melanocyte responsiveness to acoustic trauma--a salient feature of strial barrier associated hearing loss.

Tissue perivascular resident macrophages (PVM/Ms), a hybrid cell type with characteristics of both macrophages and melanocytes, are critical for establishing and maintaining the endocochlear potential (EP) required for hearing. The PVM/Ms modulate expression of tight- and adherens-junction proteins in the endothelial barrier of the stria vascularis (intrastrial fluid-blood barrier) through secretion of a signaling molecule, pigment epithelium growth factor (PEDF). Here, we identify a significant link between abnormalities in PVM/Ms and endothelial barrier breakdown from acoustic trauma to the mouse ear. We find that acoustic trauma causes activation of PVM/Ms and physical detachment from capillary walls. Concurrent with the detachment, we find loosened tight junctions between endothelial cells and decreased production of tight- and adherens-junction protein, resulting in leakage of serum proteins from the damaged barrier. A key factor in the intrastrial fluid-blood barrier hyperpermeability exhibited in the mice is down-regulation of PVM/M modulated PEDF production. We demonstrate that delivery of PEDF to the damaged ear ameliorates hearing loss by restoring intrastrial fluid-blood barrier integrity. PEDF up-regulates expression of tight junction-associated proteins (ZO-1 and VE-cadherin) and PVM/M stabilizing neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM-120). These studies point to the critical role PVM/Ms play in regulating intrastrial fluid-blood barrier integrity in healthy and noise-damaged ears.

Surgery vs. observation for liver hemangioma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To conduct a systematic review of observational studies to evaluate effectiveness of surgery for liver hemangioma. METHODOLOGY: Related studies were identified using different searching engines. Two reviewers independently extracted data on mortality, morbidity and symptoms recurrence and/or aggravation. RESULTS: Sixteen studies with a total of 1485 patients (402 in surgery and 1085 in observation group) were included in the analysis. Two deaths in surgical group (8.0%, 2/25) and two deaths in observation group (1.4%, 2/143) were reported. The RRs for mortality were not homogeneous (χ2=3.40, 1 d.f., P=0.07, I2=71 per cent). The RRs for morbidity were homogeneous across studies (x2=5.55, 12 d.f., P=0.94, I2=0 per cent). Morbidity in surgery group was significantly higher than that in observation group (RR=14.7, 95 per cent c.i. 9.56 to 45.63). Eight studies reported the symptom aggravation and RRs were heterogeneous (x2=31.03, 7 d.f., P<0.0001, I2=77 per cent), However, showed no statistical difference. CONCLUSION: The currently involved retrospective cohort studies of surgical series were likely to imply that surgery may take more risks than the benefits for non-emergency hemangioma patients.

Nonunion of the distal one-fourth of the tibia treated by retrograde tibial intramedullary nail.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of retrograde tibial intramedullary nail (RTN) in addressing nonunion in the distal one-fourth of the tibia. METHODS: This retrospective study included consecutive patients who were treated with RTN for nonunion in the distal one-fourth of the tibia between December 2020 and August 2023. Data regarding age, sex, injury mechanism, fracture type, initial fixation method, nonunion duration and type, risk factors, surgical duration, hospital stay, time to bone union, ankle function at final follow-up, and any complications were extracted from hospital records and analysed. RESULTS: Five patients in total were included, with previous treatments comprising locking plates and/or external fixation. The mean duration of RTN surgery was 94.0 ± 13.7 min, and mean duration of hospital stay was 9.8 ± 1.9 days. Patients were monitored for 10-18 months post RTN, achieving complete bone healing within a mean of 4.8 months. At the latest follow-up, the mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 84.4 ± 6.8 (range, 77-95). No complications, such as infection, reoperation, implant issues, rotational deformity, or shortening were reported. CONCLUSION: RTN emerges as a dependable, minimally invasive, and safe treatment modality for managing nonunion in the distal one-fourth of the tibia.

Hepatic Metabolomic Responses to Low-Temperature Stress in the Invasive Turtle, Trachemys scripta elegans.

Investigating the physiological and biochemical changes of ectothermic species before entering hibernation would contribute to the understanding of how they adapt to low-temperature environments. Here, red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) hatchlings were maintained under different thermal treatments (24 °C, slowly decreasing temperatures from 24 °C to 14 °C, and to 4 °C). Hepatic metabolite alterations were measured to assess the metabolic impacts of low-temperature stress in this species. Of these differentially changed metabolites, some (e.g., raffinose, spermidine, allocholic acid, taurohyocholate, 2-ketobutyric acid, acetylcysteine) were shown to decrease, while others (e.g., stearolic acid, D-mannose) increased in low-temperature treatments. Our results indicated that short-term low-temperature stress might have limited impacts on lipid and energy metabolism in this species. The changes in other metabolites (e.g., allocholic acid, taurohyocholate, spermine, acetylcysteine) might be associated with a low food intake (and thus reduced digestive performance) and weakened immune ability of low-temperature-exposed animals.

Impact of high-protein enteral nutrition on muscle preservation in mechanically ventilated patients with severe pneumonia: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the effects of enteral nutrition with different protein concentrations on muscle mass in severe pneumonia patients, providing insights for enteral nutrition practice in intensive care units (ICUs). METHODS: A total of 120 severe pneumonia patients admitted to Dazhou Central Hospital's ICU between June 1, 2022, and February 1, 2023, meeting inclusion criteria, were randomly assigned to either a high-protein group (n = 60, 1.8 g/kg/d) or a standard-protein group (n = 60, 1.2 g/kg/d). Changes in relevant indicators were monitored on days 1, 5, and 10 of ICU admission, including quadriceps and diaphragm thickness, nutritional status (prealbumin and albumin), and adverse events such as diarrhea and constipation. RESULTS: Autoregressive of order 1 model (AR(1)) analysis revealed a decrease in both quadriceps and diaphragm thickness over time in both groups. A significant group × time interaction was observed in quadriceps thickness. By day 10, compared to baseline, quadriceps thickness decreased in the high-protein (-0.315 cm [95% CI, -0.340 to -0.289]) and standard-protein (-0.429 cm [95% CI, -0.455 to -0.404]) groups. The high-protein group exhibited a lower quadriceps atrophy rate (13.97 ± 2.43%) compared to the standard-protein group (18.96 ± 2.61%), showing a significant difference (P < 0.001). No significant differences were found in diaphragmatic thickness between groups and over time. By day 10, both groups exhibited decreased diaphragmatic muscle thickness compared to baseline. The high-protein group (33.76 ± 5.09%) had a slightly lower phrenic atrophy rate compared to the standard-protein group (33.41 ± 4.53%). Both groups experienced enteral nutritional intolerance manifested as diarrhea, constipation, and other adverse events. CONCLUSION: High-protein enteral nutrition significantly improved quadriceps thickness and demonstrated good safety in severe pneumonia patients, suggesting its suitability for widespread clinical application.

Autophagy-related long non-coding RNAs act as prognostic biomarkers and associate with tumor microenvironment in prostate cancer.

Aberrant autophagy could promote cancer cells to survive and proliferate in prostate cancer (PCa). LncRNAs play key roles in autophagy regulatory network. We established a prognostic model, which autophagy-related lncRNAs (au-lncRNAs) were used as biomarkers to predict prognosis of individuals with PCa. Depending on au-lncRNAs from the Cancer Genome Atlas and the Human Autophagy Database, a risk score model was created. To evaluate the prediction accuracy, the calibration, Kaplan-Meier, and receiver operating characteristic curves were used. To clarify the biological function, gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA) were performed. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was employed to determine the au-lncRNAs expression in PCa cell lines and healthy prostate cells for further confirmation. We identified five au-lncRNAs with prognostic significance (AC068580.6, AF131215.2, LINC00996, LINC01125 and LINC01547). The development of a risk scoring model required the utilization of multivariate Cox analysis. According to the model, we categorized PCa individuals into low- and high-risk cohorts. PCa subjects in the high-risk group had a worse disease-free survival rate than those in the low-risk group. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year periods had corresponding areas under curves (AUC) of 0.788, 0.794, and 0.818. The prognosis of individuals with PCa could be predicted by the model with accuracy. Further analysis with GSEA showed that the prognostic model was associated with the tumor microenvironment, including immunotherapy, cancer-related inflammation, and metabolic reprogramming. Four lncRNAs expression in PCa cell lines was greater than that in healthy prostate cells. The au-lncRNA prognostic model has significant clinical implications in prognosis of PCa patient.

Application of femoral nail, reconstruction locked plate and bone morphogenic protein - 7 in an osteopetrosis patient with a recurrent femoral shaft fracture: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Femoral fractures are common in the patients with osteopetrosis and multiple treatment strategies have been described with varying results. However, there is a paucity of literature describing the treatment of recurrent fractures and subsequent deformity. CASE PRESENTATION: We present detailed revision strategies and long-term follow-up results of a patient with osteopetrosis who suffered unsuccessful operative treatment using the plate-screw system (recurrent femoral shaft fracture and implant failure). CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The success of revision surgery of osteopetrosis is based on good preoperative planning, appropriate selection of fixation methods, and a meticulous approach during surgery. The combined application of the expert adolescent lateral femoral nail, the reconstruction locked plate, and bone morphogenic protein (BMP)-7 in this patient achieved good clinical results. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of failed plated and recurrent osteopetrotic femoral shaft fractures, the combination of nails and plating presents an alternative, potentially more successful, revision strategy.

Resistant distal femoral nonunion treated with combined nail/plate construct and reamer-irrigator-aspirator technique.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of intramedullary nailing and a lateral locking plate combined with the reamer-irrigator-aspirator (RIA) bone grafting technique for resistant distal femoral nonunion. METHODS: This retrospective observational study was performed from January 2018 to December 2021 and involved five patients who presented with resistant distal femoral nonunion despite undergoing several surgeries. They were treated with intramedullary nailing and a lateral locking plate combined with the RIA bone grafting technique. Postoperative follow-up was performed to observe the healing time, and functional outcomes were evaluated using the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). RESULTS: After the patients had been monitored for a mean of 17.9 months, complete bone healing was observed in every patient (mean healing time of 4.8 months). Postoperative wound failure in an older patient was successfully treated with resuturing and nutritional assistance. At the last follow-up, the mean LEFS score was 71.2/80 and the mean knee flexion was 109 degrees. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that combining intramedullary nailing and a lateral locking plate with the RIA bone grafting technique enhances biological properties, provides good structural support, and achieves good union and functional results in the management of resistant nonunion of the distal femur.

A potassium-chloride co-transporter promotes tumor progression and castration resistance of prostate cancer through m6A reader YTHDC1.

SLC12A5, a neuron-specific potassium-chloride co-transporter, has been reported to promote tumor progression, however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here we report that SLC12A5 functions as an oncogene to promote tumor progression and castration resistance of prostate cancer through the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) reader YTHDC1 and the transcription factor HOXB13. We have shown that the level of SLC12A5 was increased in prostate cancer, in comparison to its normal counterparts, and further elevated in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The enhanced expression of SLC12A5 mRNA was associated with neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) progression and poor survival in prostate cancer. Furthermore, we demonstrated that SLC12A5 promoted the castration resistance development of prostate cancer in addition to the cell proliferation and migration. Interestingly, SLC12A5 was detected in the cell nucleus and formed a complex with nuclear m6A reader YTHDC1, which in turn upregulated HOXB13 to promote the prostate cancer progression. Therefore, our findings reveal a mechanism that how the potassium-chloride cotransporter SLC12A5 promotes the tumor progression and provide a therapeutic opportunity for prostate cancer to apply the neurological disorder drug SLC12A5 inhibitors.

Downregulation of N6-methyladenosine-modified LINC00641 promotes EMT, but provides a ferroptotic vulnerability in lung cancer.

The prognosis of lung cancer is poor with few effective therapies. Targeting ferroptosis is a new promising strategy for cancer therapy. LINC00641 has been involved in several cancers, however, its specific roles in lung cancer treatment remain largely unknown. Here, we reported that LINC00641 was down-regulated in tumor tissues and its downregulation was associated with poor outcomes in lung adenocarcinoma. LINC00641 was localized primarily in the nucleus and was modified by m6A. The nuclear m6A reader YTHDC1 regulated LINC00641 expression by affecting its stability. We demonstrated that LINC00641 suppressed lung cancer by inhibiting migration and invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo. Knockdown of LINC00641 upregulated HuR protein level (especially in the cytoplasm), which subsequently increased N-cadherin levels by stabilizing its mRNA, then ultimately promoted EMT. Interestingly, LINC00641 knockdown in lung cancer cells increased the arachidonic acid metabolism and promoted ferroptosis sensitivity. Our findings identified LINC00641 as a tumor suppressor through inhibiting EMT. In another aspect, low expression of LINC00641 caused a ferroptotic vulnerability in lung cancer cells, which may serve as a potential ferroptosis-related therapeutic target for lung cancer.

YTHDC1 as a tumor progression suppressor through modulating FSP1-dependent ferroptosis suppression in lung cancer.

Ferroptosis is a regulated cell death process initiated by iron-dependent phospholipid peroxidation and is mainly suppressed by GPX4-dependent and FSP1-dependent surveillance mechanisms. However, how the ferroptosis surveillance system is regulated during cancer development remains largely unknown. Here, we report that the YTHDC1-mediated m6A epigenetic regulation of FSP1 alleviates the FSP1-dependent ferroptosis suppression that partially contributes to the tumor suppressive role of YTHDC1 in lung cancer progression. YTHDC1 knockdown promoted the lung tumor progression and upregulated FSP1 protein level that resulted in ferroptosis resistance of lung cancer cells. Silencing FSP1 abrogated YTHDC1 knockdown-induced proliferation increase and ferroptosis resistance. Mechanistically, YTHDC1 binding to the m6A sites in the FSP1 3'-UTR recruited the alternative polyadenylation regulator CSTF3 to generate a less stable shorter 3'-UTR contained FSP1 mRNA, whereas YTHDC1 downregulation generated the longer 3'-UTR contained FSP1 mRNA that is stabilized by RNA binding protein HuR and thus led to the enhanced FSP1 protein level. Therefore, our findings identify YTHDC1 as a tumor progression suppressor in lung cancer and a ferroptosis regulator through modulating the FSP1 mRNA stability and thus suggest a ferroptosis-related therapeutic option for YTHDC1high lung cancer.

The N-terminal domain of NPC1L1 protein binds cholesterol and plays essential roles in cholesterol uptake.

Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) is a multitransmembrane protein playing a crucial role in dietary and biliary cholesterol absorption. Cholesterol promotes the formation and endocytosis of NPC1L1-flotillin-cholesterol membrane microdomains, which is an early step in cholesterol uptake. How cholesterol is sensed in this step is unknown. Here, we find that the N-terminal domain (NTD) of NPC1L1 binds cholesterol. Mutation of residue Leu-216 in NPC1L1-NTD eliminates cholesterol binding, decreases the formation of NPC1L1-flotillin-cholesterol membrane microdomains, and prevents NPC1L1-mediated cholesterol uptake in culture cells and mice livers. NPC1L1-NTD specifically binds cholesterol but not plant sterols, which may account for the selective cholesterol absorption in intestine. Furthermore, 25- or 27-hydroxycholesterol competes with cholesterol to bind NPC1L1-NTD and inhibits the cholesterol induced endocytosis of NPC1L1. Together, these results demonstrate that plasma membrane-localized NPC1L1 binds exogenous cholesterol via its NTD, and facilitates the formation of NPC1L1-flotillin-cholesterol membrane microdomains that are then internalized into cells through the clathrin-AP2 pathway. Our study uncovers the mechanism of cholesterol sensing by NPC1L1 and proposes a mechanism for selective cholesterol absorption.

Thiazolidinediones play a positive role in the vascular endothelium and inhibit plaque progression in diabetic patients with coronary atherosclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Rosiglitazone (Avandia) and pioglitazone (Actos) belong to the class of thiazolidinediones (TZDs) drugs that act by increasing insulin sensitivity and are widely used for treating diabetic patients with insulin resistance. TZDs exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, then may play an active role in inhibiting plaque formation and coronary atherosclerosis. But the results of evidence-based medicine suggest that TZDs may increase the risk of cardiovascular adverse events. To explore the dispute in depth, our meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the changes in vascular endothelial and plaque-related indicators following treatment with TZDs in diabetic patients with coronary atherosclerosis. According to our meta-analysis, TZDs showed an inhibiting effect on plaque progression and a protective effect on the vascular endothelium in patients with diabetes and coronary atherosclerosis. Interestingly, these effects may not depend on the regulation of inflammation and lipid metabolism. By this token, TZDs may develop a potential protective effect on myocardial infarction. Systematic review registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/], identifier [CRD42021231663].

Targeting of TLE3 by miR-3677 in human breast cancer promotes cell proliferation, migration and invasion.

Numerous studies have indicated an important function of microRNAs (miRs) in breast cancer (BC) progression, oncogenesis and metastasis. However, the function of miR-3677, which has been revealed to be upregulated in BC [The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data], has not been investigated to date. In the present study, miR-3677 was revealed to be upregulated in BC as determined using TCGA. miR-3677 was significantly upregulated in BC tissues and cell lines compared with those noted in adjacent non-cancerous tissues and primary normal breast cells (P<0.05). The overexpression of miR-3677 promoted the cell proliferation, migration and invasion of BC cells. Using bioinformatics algorithms and luciferase assays, a novel target gene for miR-3677, namely transducin-like enhancer of Split3 (TLE3), was identified. Silencing of TLE3 in miR-3677-transfected BC cells suppressed their proliferation and migration. An inverse correlation was observed between miR-3677 and TLE3 expression levels in human BC tissues. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that miR-3677 promoted BC cell proliferation, migration and invasion by inhibiting TLE3 expression, which provided a novel mechanism and a promising therapeutic target for patients with BC.