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Non-coding RNA Jun 2024Mesenchymal stem cells, due to their multipotent ability, are considered one of the best candidates to be used in regenerative medicine. To date, the most used source is...
Mesenchymal stem cells, due to their multipotent ability, are considered one of the best candidates to be used in regenerative medicine. To date, the most used source is represented by the bone marrow, despite the limited number of cells and the painful/invasive procedure for collection. Therefore, the scientific community has investigated many alternative sources for the collection of mesenchymal stem cells, with the adipose tissue representing the best option, given the abundance of mesenchymal stem cells and the easy access. Although adipose mesenchymal stem cells have recently been investigated for their multipotency, the molecular mechanisms underlying their adipogenic potential are still unclear. In this scenario, this communication is aimed at defining the role of miRNAs in adipogenic potential of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells via real-time PCR. Even if preliminary, our data show that cell culture conditions affect the expression of specific miRNA involved in the adipogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells. The in vitro/in vivo validation of these results could pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies in the field of regenerative medicine. In conclusion, our research highlights how specific cell culture conditions can modulate the adipogenic potential of adipose mesenchymal stem cells through the regulation of specific miRNAs.
PubMed: 38921832
DOI: 10.3390/ncrna10030035 -
Non-coding RNA May 2024Hypertension is a chronic, multifactorial disease, leading to high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality globally. Despite the advantages of pharmaceutical treatments,...
Hypertension is a chronic, multifactorial disease, leading to high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality globally. Despite the advantages of pharmaceutical treatments, natural products have gained scientific interest due to their emerging phytotherapeutic properties. Chios mastic is a natural Greek product, consisting of bioactive compounds which modify microRNAs' (small, expression-regulating molecules) expression. In this study, we investigated the antihypertensive properties of Chios mastic through the assessment of miR-21 levels. Herein, plasma samples of 57 individuals with hypertension, recruited for the purposes of the HYPER-MASTIC study, were analyzed. This was a clinical trial with Chios mastic supplements in which the patients were divided into groups receiving high and low mastic doses and placebo supplements, respectively. miR-21 was significantly upregulated in patients compared to normotensive individuals. Mean changes in miR-21 levels were statistically significant, after adjusting for sex and age, between the placebo and low-dose group and between the low- and high-dose group. Post-intervention miR-21 levels were positively associated with night-time systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, and central systolic mean arterial pressure and negatively associated with night-time pulse wave velocity in the low-dose group. Our findings suggest a potential implication of miR-21 in the association of Chios mastic with night-time blood pressure measurements.
PubMed: 38921830
DOI: 10.3390/ncrna10030033 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024In the original publication [...].
In the original publication [...].
PubMed: 38921820
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13060502 -
Current Issues in Molecular Biology May 2024Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the world's most common neurodegenerative disease, expected to affect up to one-third of the elderly population in the near future. Among the... (Review)
Review
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the world's most common neurodegenerative disease, expected to affect up to one-third of the elderly population in the near future. Among the major challenges in combating AD are the inability to reverse the damage caused by the disease, expensive diagnostic tools, and the lack of specific markers for the early detection of AD. This paper highlights promising research directions for molecular markers in AD diagnosis, including the diagnostic potential of microRNAs. The latest molecular methods for diagnosing AD are discussed, with particular emphasis on diagnostic techniques prior to the appearance of full AD symptoms and markers detectable in human body fluids. A collection of recent studies demonstrates the promising potential of molecular methods in AD diagnosis, using miRNAs as biomarkers. Up- or downregulation in neurodegenerative diseases may not only provide a new diagnostic tool but also serve as a marker for differentiating neurodegenerative diseases. However, further research in this direction is needed.
PubMed: 38920976
DOI: 10.3390/cimb46060304 -
Dentistry Journal May 2024During the last few decades there has been a growing interest in understanding the involvement of epigenetics in the pathogenesis and treatment of periodontal disease.... (Review)
Review
During the last few decades there has been a growing interest in understanding the involvement of epigenetics in the pathogenesis and treatment of periodontal disease. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), may serve as epigenetic modifiers affecting the expression of genes involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. There is increasing evidence supporting the idea that the function of all three types of ncRNAs seems to be interdependent. LncRNAs can act as miRNA decoys, while circRNAs can act as miRNA sponges, leading to the re-expression of miRNA target genes. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the expression patterns of ncRNAs in periodontal disease. Studies demonstrate a positive correlation between miRNA expression and periodontitis; however, this cannot be claimed for lncRNAs and circRNAs, which appear to be differentially expressed in periodontitis patients. Several studies have also suggested utilizing ncRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in periodontitis, or even as potential therapeutic targets; Nevetheless, the evidence to support this is premature. Future well-designed research remains necessary to establish the functional role of ncRNAs in the evolution and progression of periodontal disease.
PubMed: 38920860
DOI: 10.3390/dj12060159 -
Cells Jun 2024Neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders pose substantial challenges to public health, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms... (Review)
Review
Neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders pose substantial challenges to public health, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying their pathogenesis. In recent years, the focus has shifted toward the intricate world of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), a class of RNA molecules that do not encode proteins but play pivotal roles in gene regulation and cellular processes. This review explores the emerging significance of ncRNAs in the context of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, shedding light on their diverse functions and regulatory mechanisms. The dysregulation of various ncRNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), has been implicated in the pathophysiology of conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, and mood disorders. This review delves into the specific roles these ncRNAs play in modulating key cellular processes, including synaptic plasticity, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis, providing a nuanced understanding of their impact on disease progression. Furthermore, it discusses the potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications of targeting ncRNAs in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. The identification of specific ncRNA signatures holds promise for the development of novel biomarkers for early disease detection, while the manipulation of ncRNA expression offers innovative therapeutic avenues. Challenges and future directions in the field are also considered, highlighting the need for continued research to unravel the complexities of ncRNA-mediated regulatory networks in the context of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge and stimulate further exploration into the fascinating realm of ncRNAs in the brain's intricate landscape.
Topics: Humans; RNA, Untranslated; Nervous System Diseases; Mental Disorders; RNA, Circular; Animals; RNA, Long Noncoding; Gene Expression Regulation; MicroRNAs
PubMed: 38920691
DOI: 10.3390/cells13121063 -
Cells Jun 2024Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a progressive optic neuropathy with a complex, multifactorial aetiology. Raised intraocular pressure (IOP) is the most important...
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a progressive optic neuropathy with a complex, multifactorial aetiology. Raised intraocular pressure (IOP) is the most important clinically modifiable risk factor for POAG. All current pharmacological agents target aqueous humour dynamics to lower IOP. Newer therapeutic agents are required as some patients with POAG show a limited therapeutic response or develop ocular and systemic side effects to topical medication. Elevated IOP in POAG results from cellular and molecular changes in the trabecular meshwork driven by increased levels of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) in the anterior segment of the eye. Understanding how TGFβ affects both the structural and functional changes in the outflow pathway and IOP is required to develop new glaucoma therapies that target the molecular pathology in the trabecular meshwork. In this study, we evaluated the effects of TGF-β1 and -β2 treatment on miRNA expression in cultured human primary trabecular meshwork cells. Our findings are presented in terms of specific miRNAs (miRNA-centric), but given miRNAs work in networks to control cellular pathways and processes, a pathway-centric view of miRNA action is also reported. Evaluating TGFβ-responsive miRNA expression in trabecular meshwork cells will further our understanding of the important pathways and changes involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma and could lead to the development of miRNAs as new therapeutic modalities in glaucoma.
Topics: Trabecular Meshwork; Humans; MicroRNAs; Glaucoma, Open-Angle; Transforming Growth Factor beta2; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Transforming Growth Factor beta1; Cells, Cultured; Gene Expression Regulation; Intraocular Pressure
PubMed: 38920689
DOI: 10.3390/cells13121060 -
Cells Jun 2024Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as pivotal regulators of gene expression with diverse roles in various biological processes. In recent years, research into... (Review)
Review
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as pivotal regulators of gene expression with diverse roles in various biological processes. In recent years, research into circRNAs' involvement in bone biology has gained significant attention, unveiling their potential as novel regulators and biomarkers in bone-related disorders and diseases. CircRNAs, characterized by their closed-loop structure, exhibit stability and resistance to degradation, underscoring their functional significance. In bone tissue, circRNAs are involved in critical processes such as osteogenic differentiation, osteoclastogenesis, and bone remodeling through intricate molecular mechanisms including microRNA regulation. Dysregulated circRNAs are associated with various bone disorders, suggesting their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. The therapeutic targeting of these circRNAs holds promise for addressing bone-related conditions, offering new perspectives for precision medicine. Thus, circRNAs constitute integral components of bone regulatory networks, impacting both physiological bone homeostasis and pathological conditions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of circRNAs in bone biology, emphasizing their regulatory mechanisms, functional implications, and therapeutic potential.
Topics: Humans; RNA, Circular; Bone and Bones; Animals; Bone Diseases; Osteogenesis; Biomarkers; MicroRNAs; Gene Expression Regulation
PubMed: 38920630
DOI: 10.3390/cells13120999 -
Cells Jun 2024Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor neuron degeneration in the central nervous system. Recent research has...
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor neuron degeneration in the central nervous system. Recent research has increasingly linked the activation of nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome to ALS pathogenesis. NLRP3 activation triggers Caspase 1 (CASP 1) auto-activation, leading to the cleavage of Gasdermin D (GSDMD) and pore formation on the cellular membrane. This process facilitates cytokine secretion and ultimately results in pyroptotic cell death, highlighting the complex interplay of inflammation and neurodegeneration in ALS. This study aimed to characterize the NLRP3 inflammasome components and their colocalization with cellular markers using the wobbler mouse as an ALS animal model. Firstly, we checked the levels of miR-223-3p because of its association with NLRP3 inflammasome activity. The wobbler mice showed an increased expression of miR-223-3p in the ventral horn, spinal cord, and cerebellum tissues. Next, increased levels of NLRP3, pro-CASP 1, cleaved CASP 1 (c-CASP 1), full-length GSDMD, and cleaved GDSMD revealed NLRP3 inflammasome activation in wobbler spinal cords, but not in the cerebellum. Furthermore, we investigated the colocalization of the aforementioned proteins with neurons, microglia, and astrocyte markers in the spinal cord tissue. Evidently, the wobbler mice displayed microgliosis, astrogliosis, and motor neuron degeneration in this tissue. Additionally, we showed the upregulation of protein levels and the colocalization of NLRP3, c-CASP1, and GSDMD in neurons, as well as in microglia and astrocytes. Overall, this study demonstrated the involvement of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptotic cell death in the spinal cord tissue of wobbler mice, which could further exacerbate the motor neuron degeneration and neuroinflammation in this ALS mouse model.
Topics: Animals; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; Motor Neurons; Inflammasomes; Mice; MicroRNAs; Spinal Cord; Disease Models, Animal; Nerve Degeneration; Microglia; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Caspase 1
PubMed: 38920626
DOI: 10.3390/cells13120995 -
Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Cellular metabolism, apoptosis, fertilization, and proliferation of granulosa cells belong to a battery of processes where microRNAs can be detected and associated with... (Review)
Review
Cellular metabolism, apoptosis, fertilization, and proliferation of granulosa cells belong to a battery of processes where microRNAs can be detected and associated with infertility. The aim of the present review is to focus on mammalian oocyte maturation events and the association between oocyte growth and miRNA expression. PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar and Scopus databases were searched, and 33 studies were included. Regarding the correlation among miRNA expression and the regulation of granulosa cells and cumulus cells, the most important miRNAs were let-7b, let-7c and miR-21. Additionally, the loss of Dicer, an enzyme involved in miRNA biogenesis, is probably a crucial factor in oogenesis, oocyte maturation and embryogenesis. Furthermore, miRNAs interfere with different cellular mechanisms like apoptosis, steroidogenesis, genome integrity, angiogenesis, antioxidative response and, consequently, oocyte maturation. Hence, it is of major importance to clarify the role and mechanism of each miRNA as understanding its action may develop new tools and establish new diagnostic and treatment approaches for infertility and ovarian disorders.
PubMed: 38920553
DOI: 10.3390/diseases12060121