The microRNA-195-5p/hnRNP A1 axis contributes to the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating the migration of cancer cells.

Dysregulation of gene expression is critical for the progression of cancer. The augmented expression of hnRNP A1 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been related to its oncogenic functions. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for upregulation of hnRNP A1 have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we identified microRNA-195-5p (miR-195-5p), a miRNA downregulated in HCC, as a novel regulator governing hnRNP A1 expression. Notably, our investigations showed an inverse correlation between hnRNP A1 level, which was increased in HCC, and miR-195-5p level, which was decreased. Our findings demonstrated that hnRNP A1 significantly enhanced the migration and invasion of PLC/PRF/5 cells through its association with mRNAs regulating metastasis. MiR-195-5p also interfered with the hnRNP A1-mediated cell migration by targeting hnRNP A1. Our results underscore the significance of the miR-195-5p/hnRNP A1 axis in regulating the migratory potential of cancer cells and its role in promoting HCC by orchestrating cell migration processes.

RNA binding protein HuD mediates the crosstalk between ß cells and islet endothelial cells by the regulation of Endostatin and Serpin E1 expression.

RNA binding protein HuD plays essential roles in gene expression by regulating RNA metabolism, and its dysregulation is involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including tumors, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes. Here, we explored HuD-mediated differential expression of secretory proteins in mouse insulinoma ßTC6 cells using a cytokine array. Endostatin and Serpin E1 that play anti-angiogenic roles were identified as differentially expressed proteins by HuD. HuD knockdown increased the expression of α chain of collagen XVIII (Col18a1), a precursor form of endostatin, and Serpin E1 by associating with the 3'-untranslated regions (UTRs) of Col18a1 and Serpin E1 mRNAs. Reporter analysis revealed that HuD knockdown increased the translation of EGFP reporters containing 3'UTRs of Col18a1 and Serpin E1 mRNAs, which suggests the role of HuD as a translational repressor. Co-cultures of ßTC6 cells and pancreatic islet endothelial MS1 cells were used to assess the crosstalk between ß cells and islet endothelial cells, and the results showed that HuD downregulation in ßTC6 cells inhibited the growth and migration of MS1 cells. Ectopic expression of HuD decreased Col18a1 and Serpin E1 expression, while increasing the markers of islet vascular cells in the pancreas of db/db mice. Taken together, these results suggest that HuD has the potential to regulate the crosstalk between ß cells and islet endothelial cells by regulating Endostatin and Serpin E1 expression, thereby contributing to the maintenance of homeostasis in the islet microenvironment.

Hyaluronic Acid Nanoparticles as a Topical Agent for Treating Psoriasis.

Although conventional topical approaches for treating psoriasis have been offered as an alternative, there are still unmet medical needs such as low skin-penetrating efficacy and off-target adverse effects. A hyaluronic acid nanoparticle (HA-NP) formed by self-assembly of HA-hydrophobic moiety conjugates has been broadly studied as a nanocarrier for long-term and target-specific delivery of drugs, owing to their excellent physicochemical and biological characteristics. Here, we identify HA-NPs as topical therapeutics for treating psoriasis using in vivo skin penetration studies and psoriasis animal models. Transcutaneously administered HA-NPs were found to be accumulated and associated with pro-inflammatory macrophages in the inflamed dermis of a psoriasis mouse model. Importantly, HA-NP exerted potent therapeutic efficacy against psoriasis-like skin dermatitis in a size-dependent manner by suppressing innate immune responses and restoring skin barrier function without overt toxicity signs. The therapeutic efficacy of HA-NPs on psoriasis-like skin dermatitis was due to the outermost hydrophilic HA shell layer of HA-NPs, independent of the molecular weight of HA and hydrophobic moiety, and comparable with that of other conventional psoriasis therapeutics widely used in the clinical settings. Overall, HA-NPs have the potential as a topical nanomedicine for treating psoriasis effectively and safely.

Loss of RNA binding protein HuD facilitates the production of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype.

HuD, an RNA binding protein, plays a role in the regulation of gene expression in certain types of cells, including neuronal cells and pancreatic ß-cells, via RNA metabolism. Its aberrant expression is associated with the pathogenesis of several human diseases. To explore HuD-mediated gene regulation, stable cells expressing short hairpin RNA against HuD were established using mouse neuroblastoma Neuro2a (N2a) cells, which displayed enhanced phenotypic characteristics of cellular senescence. Two approaches, RNA immunoprecipitation (RNA IP)-NanoString profiling and cytokine array, were used to subsequently identify a subset of putative HuD targets that act as senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), including C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2), CCL20, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CXCL2), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Here, we further demonstrated that HuD regulates the expression of CCL2, a SASP candidate upregulated in cells following HuD knockdown, by binding to the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of Ccl2 mRNA. Downregulation of HuD increased the level of CCL2 in N2a cells and the brain tissues of HuD knockout (KO) mice. Exposure to γ-irradiation induced cellular senescence in N2a cells and HuD knockdown facilitated stress-induced cellular senescence. Our results reveal that HuD acts as a novel regulator of CCL2 expression, and its aberrant expression may contribute to cellular senescence by regulating SASP production.