Long non-coding RNA TUG1 promotes the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by regulating the AMPK/mTOR/autophagy pathway.

Promoting the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into osteoblasts is an effective strategy against osteoporosis. Long non-coding RNAs are closely implicated in BMSC osteogenic differentiation. The present study explored the expression pattern and biological role of taurine upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) in osteogenic differentiation. The expressions of TUG1 and osteogenic markers following the osteogenic induction of BMSCs were detected. The functional relevance of TUG1 was evaluated by performing gain- and loss-of-function tests. Inhibitors of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) autophagy were applied to ascertain the effects of TUG1 on the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. TUG1 expression increased during the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The overexpression of TUG1 was promoted, whereas the knockdown of TUG1 was suppressed, by BMSC osteogenic differentiation. Mechanically, TUG1 promoted the osteogenesis of BMSCs via the AMPK-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-autophagy signaling pathway. Blocking AMPK and autophagy could abrogate the osteogenic role of TUG1 in BMSCs. These results demonstrated that TUG1 promoted the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by regulating the AMPK/mTOR/autophagy axis, suggesting that targeting TUG1 may be a potential therapy for osteoporosis.

Bisperoxovanadium protects against spinal cord injury by regulating autophagy via activation of ERK1/2 signaling.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a disease of the central nervous system with few restorative treatments. Autophagy has been regarded as a promising therapeutic target for SCI. The inhibitor of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) bisperoxovanadium (bpV[pic]) had been claimed to provide a neuroprotective effect on SCI; but the underlying mechanism is still not fully understood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute SCI model were generated with SD Rats and were treated with control, acellular spinal cord scaffolds (ASC) obtained from normal rats, bpV(pic), and combined material of ASC and bpV(pic). We used BBB score to assess the motor function of the rats and the motor neurons were stained with Nissl staining. The expressions of the main autophagy markers LC3B, Beclin1 and P62, expressions of apoptosis makers Bax, Bcl2, PARP and Caspase 3 were detected with IF or Western Blot analysis. RESULTS: The bpV(pic) showed significant improvement in functional recovery by activating autophagy and accompanied by decreased neuronal apoptosis; combined ASC with bpV(pic) enhanced these effects. In addition, after treatment with ERK1/2 inhibitor SCH772984, we revealed that bpV(pic) promotes autophagy and inhibits apoptosis through activating ERK1/2 signaling after SCI. CONCLUSION: These results illustrated that the bpV(pic) protects against SCI by regulating autophagy via activation of ERK1/2 signaling.

Association between functional polymorphisms in IL-33/ST2 pathway and risk of osteosarcoma.

Interleukin (IL)-33/ST2 pathway plays crucial roles in tumour growth and metastasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of two functional polymorphisms (IL-33 rs7025417 and ST2 rs3821204) with osteosarcoma (OS) risk. The rs7025417 and rs3821204 were genotyped by Taqman assay. IL-33mRNA and protein levels were measured by real-time PCR or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The luciferase activity was measured by a dual luciferase reporter gene assay. The allele-specific transcription factor binding for rs7025417 was examined by ChIP-seq. The IL-33 rs7025417 CC genotype was significantly associated with a decreased risk of OS (CC vs TT: OR = 0.59, 95% CI, 0.41-0.85; recessive model: OR = 0.68, 95% CI, 0.49-0.94; C vs T: OR = 0.76, 95% CI, 0.63-0.91). Combined analysis showed that the IL-33 rs7025417CT/CC-ST2 rs3821204CG/CC and the IL-33 rs7025417CT/CC-ST2 rs3821204GG genotypes also had a decreased risk of OS. IL-33mRNA and protein levels in OS patients were significantly higher than controls. Patients with the rs7025417 CC genotype exhibited lower levels of IL-33 (P = .03). The rs7025417 C allele presented a lower transcriptional activity by disrupting the binding site to c-Myb (P < .01). Moreover, the rs3821204 G/C influences the transcriptional activity and ST2mRNA expression by altering the binding site of miR-202-3p. These findings suggest that the rs7025417 and rs3821204 may have a combined effect to protect against the development of OS by decreasing the expression levels of IL-33 or ST2.

Upregulation of microRNA-320 decreases the risk of developing steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head by inhibiting CYP1A2 both in vivo and in vitro.

Steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head (SANFH) occurs frequently in patients receiving high-dose steroid treatment for these underlying diseases. The target of this study is to investigate the effect of microRNA-320 (miR-320) on SANFH by targeting CYP1A2. CYP1A2 expression was detected using immunohistochemistry. Specimens were collected from patients with SANFH and femoral neck fracture. Seventy rats were assigned into seven groups. The targeting relationship between miR-320 and CYP1A2 was verified by bioinformatics website and dual luciferase reporter gene assay. RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis were used to detect miR-320 and CYP1A2 expressions. The enzymatic activity of CYP1A2 was detected by fluorescence spectrophotometry. Hemorheology and microcirculation were measured in rats. MiR-320 expression decreased and CYP1A2 expression and enzymatic activity increased in SANFH patients compared to those with femoral neck fracture. CYP1A2 was the target gene of miR-320. Hemorheology and microcirculation results showed that up-regulated expression of CYP1A2 promoted the development of SANFH while increased expression of miR-320 inhibited the development of SANFH. Compared with the SANFH group, the SANFH + miR-320 mimic group showed increased miRNA-320 expression, and decreased CYP1A2 expression and enzymatic activity. Opposite results were found in the SANFH + miR-320 inhibitor group. The SANFH + miR-320 inhibitor + pCR-CYP1A2_KO group showed decreased miRNA-320 expression and the SANFH + pCR-CYP1A2_KO group showed decreased CYP1A2 expression and enzymatic activity. Our findings provide evidences that miR-320 might inhibit the development of SANFH by targeting CYP1A2.

Association of interleukin 16 gene polymorphisms and plasma IL16 level with osteosarcoma risk.

Interleukin (IL) 16 plays a key role in inflammatory diseases as well as in tumorigenesis of osteosarcoma (OS). The aim of this study was to investigate the association of IL16 polymorphisms and plasma IL16 level with OS risk in a Chinese population. We genotyped IL16 rs4778889, rs11556218, and rs4072111 in 358 patients with OS and 402 controls using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Plasma IL16 level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Rs11556218 was associated with an increased risk of OS in heterozygote comparison (adjusted OR = 1.65, 95% CI, 1.23-2.21, P < 0.001), dominant model (adjusted OR = 1.66, 95% CI, 1.24-2.21, P < 0.001), and allele comparison (adjusted OR = 1.44, 95% CI, 1.14-1.81, P = 0.002). Moreover, rs11556218 TG/GG genotypes were associated with higher levels of IL16 as compared to TT genotype (P = 0.03). However, no significant association of rs4778889 and rs4072111 and OS was found. These findings suggest that rs11556218 TG/GG genotypes may be associated with increased susceptibility to OS, probably by increasing the production of IL16 level.

Polymorphisms in the precursor microRNAs and aflatoxin B1-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

The altered expression of some microRNAs (miRNAs) is observed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the genetic polymorphisms in the precursor miRNAs (pre-miRNAs) in aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-related HCC have not yet been investigated. A hospital-based case-control study, including 1,706 HCC cases and 2,270 controls without any liver diseases or tumors, was conducted in a high AFB1 exposure area of China to assess the relationship between 48 polymorphisms in the pre-miRNAs and AFB1-related HCC risk and prognosis. Among 48 polymorphisms, only rs28599926 (in the miRNA 1268a) affected HCC risk. Compared with the homozygote of rs28599926C alleles (rs28599926-CC), the genotypes of rs28599926 T alleles (namely rs28599926-CT or -TT) increased HCC risk (odds ratio [OR]: 1.63 and 5.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.40-1.90 and 4.27-7.14, respectively). Significant interactive effects between risk genotypes and AFB1 exposure status were also observed in the joint effects analysis. This polymorphism was associated not only with larger tumor size, higher portal vein tumor risk, and tumor dedifferentiation, but also with higher AFB1 adducts levels and increasing the mutation risk of TP53 gene. Furthermore, rs28599926 modified the tumor recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.86, 95% CI: 2.36-3.43) and overall survival (HR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.86-2.41) of cases. Additionally, one target of miR-1268a was show to be the ADAMTS4 mRNA and rs28599926 polymorphism might modify ADAMTS4 expression. These findings indicate that polymorphisms in the pre-miRNAs may be risk and prognostic biomarkers of AFB1-related HCC, and rs28599926 in miR-1268a is such a potential candidate. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Associations of IL-27 polymorphisms and serum IL-27p28 levels with osteosarcoma risk.

Interleukin (IL)-27 is a novel cytokine secreted by stimulation of antigen-presenting cells. No previous studies currently reported the role of IL-27 in the carcinogenesis of osteosarcoma. We aimed to investigate the association of IL-27 polymorphisms and serum IL-27p28 with osteosarcoma risk in a Chinese population.One hundred and sixty osteosarcoma patients and 250 health controls were selected. IL-27 gene -964 A/G, 2905 T/G, and 4730 T/C polymorphisms were determined by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect serum IL-27p28 levels.The serum IL-27p28 levels were significantly lower in osteosarcoma patients compared with those in controls (P < 0.01). Serum IL-27p28 levels in stages III-IV were lower than those in stages I-II of osteosarcoma (P < 0.05); similar results were also found in patients with metastasis, that is, patients with metastasis have higher IL-27p28 levels than those without metastasis (P < 0.05). There were no associations between genotype and allele frequencies of IL-27 -964 A/G, 2905 T/G, 4730 T/C, and the risk of osteosarcoma (P > 0.05). Stratification analysis also failed to show the associations between -964 A/G, 2905 T/G, and 4730 T/C polymorphisms and the clinical stage and metastasis of osteosarcoma (P > 0.05). Three possible haplotypes (ATT, GTT, and GGC) were identified, but no associations were found between them and the osteosarcoma risk (P > 0.05).This study indicates that the lower serum IL-27p28 levels may be associated with development and progression of osteosarcoma, but IL-27 gene -964 A/G, 2905 T/G, and 4730 T/C polymorphisms and their haplotypes are not associated with osteosarcoma risk.

Correlation between OPN gene polymorphisms and the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Previous studies suggest that osteopontin (OPN) levels are associated with the incidence and development of multiple types of cancer. This study analyzes the correlation between OPN gene variants and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). A total of 150 NPC patients and 150 healthy adults were enrolled and divided into NPC and control groups. In both groups, four OPN polymorphisms including rs1126772, rs4754, rs11728697 and rs9138 were quantitatively genotyped by SNaPshot SNP genotyping assay. Allele frequencies of four OPN polymorphisms were compared between two groups. No statistical significance was noted regarding genotype frequency of four OPN polymorphisms between male NPC and healthy subjects (all P > 0.05). Female subjects between two groups significantly differed in terms of genotype frequency of rs1172869 (P = 0.002). No statistical significance was observed in allele frequencies in each of four OPN polymorphisms between two groups (all P > 0.05). For NPC patients, the polymorphisms information content (PIC) ranged from 0.2961 to 0.3584 and 0.3047 to 0.3655 for normal controls. Additionally, rs11728697 had the highest effective number of alleles (Ne), expected heterozygosity (HE) and PIC in two groups. Female subjects in two groups significantly differed in the genotype frequency of rs1172869 while no statistical significance was noted for male counterparts. All subjects in the NPC and control groups had similar allele frequency. All the four OPN polymorphisms were moderately polymorphic. The mean NA, Ne, Ho, He and PIC of each OPN polymorphism in the control group were higher than those in the NPC group without a significant difference.

Association of interleukin-8 gene polymorphisms with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Interleukin-8 (IL8) polymorphisms have been implicated in several cancers, but their roles in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are largely unknown. The present study was designed to explore the association between IL8 polymorphism and the risk of HCC in a Chinese population. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the IL8 gene -251A/T, +781C/T, -353A/T and +678T/C were analyzed in 205 HCC patients and 208 healthy controls in a Chinese population. Serum levels of IL8 were detected in HCC patients and healthy controls. The association between IL8 polymorphisms and HCC risk was measured using the adjusted odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) from multiple logistic regression analysis. Haplotype analysis and gene-environment interaction analysis was also performed. The serum level of IL8 was significantly higher in HCC patients compared with healthy controls (P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, no significant associations were found between -251A/T, +781C/T, -353A/T and +678T/C and HCC risk (all P > 0.05). Haplotype analysis showed that A(251)-C(781)-A(353)-C(678) conferred decreased risk of HCC onset (adjusted OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.13-0.77). No significant interaction effects were found between the four SNPs and HBV infection, cirrhosis, gender smoking and alcohol consumption (all P > 0.05). No association between -251A/T, +781C/T, -353A/T and +678T/C of the IL8 gene and the risk of HCC was found in this Chinese population, and the SNPs did not display any interaction with several environmental factors with regard to HCC risk. However, it appears that A(251)-C(781)-A(353)-C(678) is perhaps a protective haplotype for HCC.