RESUMEN

Polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 (PTBP1) regulates numerous alternative splicing events during tumor progression and neurogenesis. Previously, PTBP1 downregulation was reported to convert astrocytes into functional neurons; however, how PTBP1 regulates astrocytic physiology remains unclear. In this study, we revealed that PTBP1 modulated glutamate uptake via ATP1a2, a member of Na+/K+-ATPases, and glutamate transporters in astrocytes. Ptbp1 knockdown altered mitochondrial function and energy metabolism, which involved PTBP1 regulating mitochondrial redox homeostasis via the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)/Nrf2 pathway. The malfunction of glutamate transporters following Ptbp1 knockdown resulted in enhanced excitatory synaptic transmission in the cortex. Notably, we developed a biomimetic cationic triblock polypeptide system, i.e., polyethylene glycol44-polylysine30-polyleucine10 (PEG44-PLL30-PLLeu10) with astrocytic membrane coating to deliver Ptbp1 siRNA in vitro and in vivo, which approach allowed Ptbp1 siRNA to efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier and target astrocytes in the brain. Collectively, our findings suggest a framework whereby PTBP1 serves as a modulator in glutamate transport machinery, and indicate that biomimetic methodology is a promising route for in vivo siRNA delivery.

Asunto(s)

Astrocitos , Ácido Glutámico , Ribonucleoproteínas Nucleares Heterogéneas , Homeostasis , Factor 2 Relacionado con NF-E2 , Proteína de Unión al Tracto de Polipirimidina , ARN Interferente Pequeño , Animales , Astrocitos/metabolismo , Ácido Glutámico/metabolismo , Proteína de Unión al Tracto de Polipirimidina/metabolismo , Proteína de Unión al Tracto de Polipirimidina/genética , Factor 2 Relacionado con NF-E2/metabolismo , Ribonucleoproteínas Nucleares Heterogéneas/metabolismo , Ribonucleoproteínas Nucleares Heterogéneas/genética , Ratones , Transducción de Señal , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Masculino , Humanos , Mitocondrias/metabolismo

RESUMEN

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide because of its high morbidity and the absence of effective therapies. Even though paclitaxel is a powerful anticancer chemotherapy drug, recent studies have indicated its ineffectiveness against GC cells. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) PVT1 has a high expression in GC cells and increases the progression of tumors via inducing drug resistance. In the present study, the effects of the siRNA-mediated lncRNA PVT1 gene silencing along with paclitaxel treatment on the rate of apoptosis, growth, and migration of AGS GC cells were investigated. AGS cells were cultured and then transfected with siRNA PVT1 using electroporation. The MTT test was used to examine the effect of treatments on the viability of cultured cells. Furthermore, the flow cytometry method was used to evaluate the impact of treatments on the cell cycle process and apoptosis induction in GC cells. Finally, the mRNA expression of target genes was assessed using the qRT-PCR method. The results showed that lncRNA PVT1 gene suppression, along with paclitaxel treatment, reduces the viability of cancer cells and significantly increases the apoptosis rate of cancer cells and the number of cells arrested in the G2/M phase compared to the control group. Based on the results of qRT-PCR, combined treatment significantly decreased the expression of MMP3, MMP9, MDR1, MRP1, Bcl-2, k-Ras, and c-Myc genes and increased the expression of the Bax gene compared to the control group. The results of our study showed that lncRNA PVT1 gene targeting, together with paclitaxel treatment, induces apoptosis, inhibits growth, alleviates drug resistance, and reduces the migratory capability of GC cells. Therefore, there is a need for further investigations to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of this approach in vivo in animal models.

Asunto(s)

Apoptosis , Resistencia a Antineoplásicos , Silenciador del Gen , Paclitaxel , ARN Largo no Codificante , Neoplasias Gástricas , ARN Largo no Codificante/genética , Paclitaxel/farmacología , Humanos , Neoplasias Gástricas/genética , Neoplasias Gástricas/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias Gástricas/patología , Línea Celular Tumoral , Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Apoptosis/genética , Resistencia a Antineoplásicos/genética , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos , Proliferación Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Movimiento Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Antineoplásicos Fitogénicos/farmacología , ARN Interferente Pequeño/genética

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer, primarily caused by HPV infection, remains a global health concern. Current treatments face challenges including drug resistance and toxicity. This study investigates combining E5-siRNA with chemotherapy drugs, Oxaliplatin and Ifosfamide, to enhance treatment efficacy in HPV-16 positive cervical cancer cells, targeting E5 oncoprotein to overcome limitations of existing therapies. METHODS: The CaSki cervical cancer cell line was transfected with E5-siRNA, and subsequently treated with Oxaliplatin/Ifosfamide. Quantitative real-time PCR was employed to assess the expression of related genes including p53, MMP2, Nanog, and Caspases. Cell apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and cell viability were evaluated using Annexin V/PI staining, DAPI staining, and MTT test, respectively. Furthermore, stemness ability was determined through a colony formation assay, and cell motility was assessed by wound healing assay. RESULTS: E5-siRNA transfection significantly reduced E5 mRNA expression in CaSki cells compared to the control group. The MTT assay revealed that monotherapy with E5-siRNA, Oxaliplatin, or Ifosfamide had moderate effects on cell viability. However, combination therapy showed synergistic effects, reducing the IC50 of Oxaliplatin from 11.42 × 10-8 M (45.36 µg/ml) to 6.71 × 10-8 M (26.66 µg/ml) and Ifosfamide from 12.52 × 10-5 M (32.7 µg/ml) to 8.206 × 10-5 M (21.43 µg/ml). Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated a significant increase in apoptosis for combination treatments, with apoptosis rates rising from 11.02 % (Oxaliplatin alone) and 16.98 % (Ifosfamide alone) to 24.8 % (Oxaliplatin + E5-siRNA) and 34.9 % (Ifosfamide + E5-siRNA). The sub-G1 cell population increased from 15.7 % (Oxaliplatin alone) and 18 % (Ifosfamide alone) to 21.9 % (Oxaliplatin + E5-siRNA) and 27.1 % (Ifosfamide + E5-siRNA), indicating cell cycle arrest. The colony formation assay revealed a substantial decrease in the number of colonies following combination treatment. qRT-PCR analysis showed decreased expression of stemness-related genes CD44 and Nanog, and migration-related genes MMP2 and CXCL8 in the combination groups. Apoptosis-related genes Casp-3, Casp-9, and pP53 showed increased expression following combination therapy, while BAX expression increased and BCL2 expression decreased relative to the control. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that combining E5-siRNA with Oxaliplatin or Ifosfamide enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy in HPV-16 positive cervical cancer cells. This synergistic approach effectively targets multiple aspects of cancer cell behavior, including proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and stemness. The findings suggest that this combination strategy could potentially allow for lower chemotherapy doses, thereby reducing toxicity while maintaining therapeutic efficacy. This research provides valuable insights into targeting HPV E5 as a complementary approach to existing therapies focused on E6 and E7 oncoproteins, opening new avenues for combination therapies in cervical cancer treatment.

Asunto(s)

Apoptosis , Papillomavirus Humano 16 , Ifosfamida , Oxaliplatino , ARN Interferente Pequeño , Neoplasias del Cuello Uterino , Humanos , Neoplasias del Cuello Uterino/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias del Cuello Uterino/genética , Neoplasias del Cuello Uterino/virología , Oxaliplatino/farmacología , Femenino , ARN Interferente Pequeño/genética , Línea Celular Tumoral , Ifosfamida/farmacología , Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Papillomavirus Humano 16/genética , Infecciones por Papillomavirus/tratamiento farmacológico , Infecciones por Papillomavirus/genética , Infecciones por Papillomavirus/virología , Supervivencia Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Proteínas Oncogénicas Virales/genética , Movimiento Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Proliferación Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Antineoplásicos/farmacología , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos

RESUMEN

Transposable elements (TEs) provide a prime example of genetic conflict because they can proliferate in genomes and populations even if they harm the host. However, numerous studies have shown that TEs, though typically harmful, can also provide fuel for adaptation. This is because they code functional sequences that can be useful for the host in which they reside. In this review, I summarize the "how" and "why" of adaptation enabled by the genetic conflict between TEs and hosts. In addition, focusing on mechanisms of TE control by small piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), I highlight an indirect form of adaptation enabled by conflict. In this case, mechanisms of host defense that regulate TEs have been redeployed for endogenous gene regulation. I propose that the genetic conflict released by meiosis in early eukaryotes may have been important because, among other reasons, it spurred evolutionary innovation on multiple interwoven trajectories - on the part of hosts and also embedded genetic parasites. This form of evolution may function as a complexity generating engine that was a critical player in eukaryotic evolution.

Asunto(s)

Elementos Transponibles de ADN , ARN Interferente Pequeño , Elementos Transponibles de ADN/genética , Animales , ARN Interferente Pequeño/genética , ARN Interferente Pequeño/metabolismo , Regulación de la Expresión Génica/genética , Humanos , Evolución Molecular , ARN de Interacción con Piwi

RESUMEN

Our previous research reported the influence of 50 µM selenium (Se) on the cytosolization (endocytosis) pathway, which in turn stimulates the growth and development of Bombyx mori. Lately, dynamin is recognized as one of the key proteins in endocytosis. To explore the underlying mechanisms of Se impact, the dynamin gene was knocked down by injecting siRNAs (Dynamin-1, Dynamin-2, and Dynamin-3). This was followed by an analysis of the target gene and levels of silk protein genes, as well as growth and developmental indices, Se-enrichment capacity, degree of oxidative damage, and antioxidant capacity of B. mori. Our findings showed a considerable decrease in the relative expression of the dynamin gene in all tissues 24 h after the interference and a dramatic decrease in the silkworm body after 48 h. RNAi dynamin gene decreased the silkworm body weight, cocoon shell weight, and the ratio of cocoon. In the meantime, malondialdehyde level increased and glutathione level and superoxide dismutase/catalase activities decreased. 50 µM Se markedly ameliorated these growth and physiological deficits as well as decreases in dynamin gene expression. On the other hand, there were no significant effects on fertility (including produced eggs and laid eggs) between the interference and Se treatments. Additionally, the Se content in the B. mori increased after the dynamin gene interference. The dynamin gene was highly expressed in the silk gland and declined significantly after interference. Among the three siRNAs (Dynamin-1, Dynamin-2, and Dynamin-3), the dynamin-2 displayed the highest interference effects to target gene expression. Our results demonstrated that 50 µM Se was effective to prevent any adverse effects caused by dynamin knockdown in silkworms. This provides practical implications for B. mori breeding industry.

Asunto(s)

Bombyx , Dinaminas , Técnicas de Silenciamiento del Gen , Selenio , Animales , Bombyx/genética , Bombyx/crecimiento & desarrollo , Bombyx/metabolismo , Bombyx/efectos de los fármacos , Selenio/farmacología , Dinaminas/genética , Dinaminas/metabolismo , Proteínas de Insectos/genética , Proteínas de Insectos/metabolismo , Larva/crecimiento & desarrollo , Larva/genética , Larva/metabolismo , Larva/efectos de los fármacos , Interferencia de ARN , ARN Interferente Pequeño/genética , ARN Interferente Pequeño/metabolismo , Femenino , Seda

RESUMEN

Plants produce secondary metabolites that serve various functions, including defense against biotic and abiotic stimuli. Many of these secondary metabolites possess valuable applications in diverse fields, including medicine, cosmetic, agriculture, and food and beverage industries, exhibiting their importance in both plant biology and various human needs. Small RNAs (sRNA), such as microRNA (miRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA), have been shown to play significant roles in regulating the metabolic pathways post-transcriptionally by targeting specific key genes and transcription factors, thus offering a promising tool for enhancing plant secondary metabolite biosynthesis. In this review, we summarize current approaches for manipulating sRNAs to regulate secondary metabolite biosynthesis in plants. We provide an overview of the latest research strategies for sRNA manipulation across diverse plant species, including the identification of potential sRNAs involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis in non-model plants. We also highlight the potential future research directions, focusing on the manipulation of sRNAs to produce high-value compounds with applications in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, agriculture, cosmetics, and other industries. By exploring these advanced techniques, we aim to unlock new potentials for biotechnological applications, contributing to the production of high-value plant-derived products.

Asunto(s)

MicroARNs , Plantas , ARN de Planta , Metabolismo Secundario , Plantas/metabolismo , Plantas/genética , MicroARNs/genética , MicroARNs/metabolismo , ARN de Planta/genética , ARN Interferente Pequeño/genética , ARN Interferente Pequeño/metabolismo , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas

RESUMEN

Introduction: RNA interference (RNAi) stands as a widely employed gene interference technology, with small interfering RNA (siRNA) emerging as a promising tool for cancer treatment. However, the inherent limitations of siRNA, such as easy degradation and low bioavailability, hamper its efficacy in cancer therapy. To address these challenges, this study focused on the development of a nanocarrier system (HLM-N@DOX/R) capable of delivering both siRNA and doxorubicin for the treatment of breast cancer. Methods: The study involved a comprehensive investigation into various characteristics of the nanocarrier, including shape, diameter, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), encapsulation efficiency, and drug loading. Subsequently, in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted on cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, cellular immunofluorescence, lysosome escape, and mouse tumor models to evaluate the efficacy of the nanocarrier in reversing tumor multidrug resistance and anti-tumor effects. Results: The results showed that HLM-N@DOX/R had a high encapsulation efficiency and drug loading capacity, and exhibited pH/redox dual responsive drug release characteristics. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that HLM-N@DOX/R inhibited the expression of P-gp by 80%, inhibited MDR tumor growth by 71% and eliminated P protein mediated multidrug resistance. Conclusion: In summary, HLM-N holds tremendous potential as an effective and targeted co-delivery system for DOX and P-gp siRNA, offering a promising strategy for overcoming MDR in breast cancer.

Asunto(s)

Neoplasias de la Mama , Doxorrubicina , Resistencia a Múltiples Medicamentos , Resistencia a Antineoplásicos , Liposomas , ARN Interferente Pequeño , Animales , Doxorrubicina/farmacología , Doxorrubicina/química , Doxorrubicina/farmacocinética , Doxorrubicina/administración & dosificación , Femenino , Liposomas/química , Ratones , Resistencia a Antineoplásicos/efectos de los fármacos , Humanos , ARN Interferente Pequeño/administración & dosificación , ARN Interferente Pequeño/química , ARN Interferente Pequeño/farmacocinética , Resistencia a Múltiples Medicamentos/efectos de los fármacos , Neoplasias de la Mama/tratamiento farmacológico , Línea Celular Tumoral , Células MCF-7 , Ratones Endogámicos BALB C , Portadores de Fármacos/química , Portadores de Fármacos/farmacocinética , Nanopartículas/química , Liberación de Fármacos , Antibióticos Antineoplásicos/farmacología , Antibióticos Antineoplásicos/química , Antibióticos Antineoplásicos/administración & dosificación , Antibióticos Antineoplásicos/farmacocinética , Ensayos Antitumor por Modelo de Xenoinjerto

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: Sox2 plays crucial roles in tissues homeostasis and regeneration. However, there are lack of a comprehensive examination of Sox2 expression and its functional role in submandibular gland regeneration. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the impact of Sox2 on submandibular gland regeneration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Sprague-Dawley rat submandibular gland duct ligation/de-ligation regeneration model was conducted in this study. Sox2-shRNA vectors were retro-ductally administered into the submandibular gland to establish a stable Sox2 knockdown model. Conventional histopathological and molecular biological methods were used to investigate phenotypic changes. RESULTS: The submandibular gland normalized completely 28 days after ligature removal (following 7 days of duct ligation). AQP5 expression gradually increased after ligation removal until returning to normal levels. In submandibular gland regeneration, Sox2 re-expressed and co-expressed with AQP5+ acinar cells, and Sox2 expression peaked on day 14, recovered to normal on day 28, reproducing the developmental pattern. Sox2 knockdown hindered gland regeneration and induced irreversible fibrosis. The AQP5 expression was significantly lower than the contemporaneous solely ligated group, while the blue collagen deposition and the Vimentin expression increased prominently. The expression of CD68, IL-1ß, TNF-α and IL-17A increased significantly, and epithelial cells in the Sox2 knockdown group expressed higher levels of IL-17A. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight Sox2 as a crucial regulator of the acinar cell lineage. Sox2+ progenitor cells are pivotal for acinar cell maintenance, which is indispensable for submandibular gland regeneration. Collectively, our findings may help develop targeted interventions for enhancing tissue repair and preventing irreversible fibrosis in salivary gland disorders.

Asunto(s)

Acuaporina 5 , Ratas Sprague-Dawley , Regeneración , Factores de Transcripción SOXB1 , Células Madre , Glándula Submandibular , Animales , Glándula Submandibular/metabolismo , Ratas , Regeneración/fisiología , Acuaporina 5/metabolismo , Factores de Transcripción SOXB1/metabolismo , Células Madre/metabolismo , Masculino , Ligadura , Células Acinares/metabolismo , Vimentina/metabolismo , ARN Interferente Pequeño , Molécula CD68

Asunto(s)

Angiotensinógeno , Hipertensión , ARN Interferente Pequeño , Animales , Humanos , Angiotensinógeno/genética , Angiotensinógeno/metabolismo , Antihipertensivos/uso terapéutico , Presión Sanguínea/efectos de los fármacos , Presión Sanguínea/genética , Hipertensión/genética , Hipertensión/fisiopatología , Hipertensión/tratamiento farmacológico , Hipertensión/metabolismo , Interferencia de ARN , ARN Interferente Pequeño/uso terapéutico

RESUMEN

We previously reported that leukotriene B4 (LTB4) contained in Trichomonas vaginalis-derived secretory products (TvSP) play an essential role in interleukin-8 (IL-8) production in human mast cell line (HMC-1 cells) via LTB4 receptor (BLT)-mediated Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-кB) activation. Dynamin, a GTPase, has been known to be involved in endocytosis of receptors for signaling of production of cytokine or chemokines. In the present study, we investigated the role of dynamin-mediated BLT1 endocytosis in TvSP-induced IL-8 production. When HMC-1 cells were transfected with BLT1 or BLT2 siRNA, TvSP-induced IL-8 production was significantly inhibited compared with that in cells transfected with control siRNA. In addition, pretreatment of HMC-1 cells with a dynamin inhibitor (Dynasore) reduced IL-8 production induced by TvSP or LTB4. TvSP- or LTB4- induced phosphorylation of NF-кB was also attenuated by pretreatment with Dynasore. After exposing HMC-1 cells to TvSP or LTB4, BLT1 was translocated from the intracellular compartments to the plasma membrane within 30 min. At 60 min after stimulation with TvSP or LTB4, BLT1 remigrated from the cell surface to intracellular areas. Pretreatment of HMC-1 cells with dynamin-2 siRNA blocked internalization of BLT1 induced by TvSP or LTB4. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that dynamin-2 strongly interacted with BLT1 60 min after stimulation with TvSP or LTB4. These results suggest that T. vaginalis-secreted LTB4 induces IL-8 production in HMC-1 cells via dynamin 2-mediated endocytosis of BLT1 and phosphorylation of NF-кB.

Asunto(s)

Dinamina II , Endocitosis , Interleucina-8 , Receptores de Leucotrieno B4 , Trichomonas vaginalis , Humanos , Interleucina-8/metabolismo , Interleucina-8/genética , Receptores de Leucotrieno B4/metabolismo , Receptores de Leucotrieno B4/genética , Endocitosis/efectos de los fármacos , Dinamina II/metabolismo , Dinamina II/genética , Línea Celular , Trichomonas vaginalis/metabolismo , Leucotrieno B4/metabolismo , Mastocitos/metabolismo , Mastocitos/inmunología , FN-kappa B/metabolismo , ARN Interferente Pequeño/metabolismo , ARN Interferente Pequeño/genética

RESUMEN

Ferroptosis, triggered by iron overload and excessive lipid peroxidation, plays a pivotal role in the progression of DOX-induced cardiomyopathy (DIC), and thus limits the use of doxorubicin (DOX) in clinic. Here, we further showed that cardiac ferroptosis induced by DOX in mice was attributed to up-regulation of Hmox1, as knockdown of Hmox1 effectively inhibited cardiomyocyte ferroptosis. To targeted delivery of siRNA into cardiomyocytes, siRNA-encapsulated exosomes were injected followed by ultrasound microbubble targeted destruction (UTMD) in the heart region. UTMD greatly facilitated exosome delivery into heart. Consistently, UTMD assisted exosomal delivery of siHomox1 nearly blocked the ferroptosis and the subsequent cardiotoxicity induced by doxorubicin. In summary, our findings reveal that the upregulation of HMOX1 induces ferroptosis in cardiomyocytes and UTMD-assisted exosomal delivery of siHmox1 can be used as a potential therapeutic strategy for DIC.

Asunto(s)

Doxorrubicina , Exosomas , Ferroptosis , Hemo-Oxigenasa 1 , Microburbujas , Miocitos Cardíacos , ARN Interferente Pequeño , Ferroptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Doxorrubicina/farmacología , Exosomas/metabolismo , Ratones , Miocitos Cardíacos/efectos de los fármacos , Miocitos Cardíacos/metabolismo , Hemo-Oxigenasa 1/metabolismo , ARN Interferente Pequeño/farmacología , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Masculino , Sistemas de Liberación de Medicamentos , Cardiomiopatías/metabolismo , Proteínas de la Membrana

RESUMEN

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is a significant contributor to the development of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), an aggressive skin cancer with high recurrence and a low survival rate. In fact, it is the deadliest skin cancer. The precise routes of transmission for MCPyV-positive MCC remain unclear, but several factors may trigger its development. Conventional treatments for MCC are not highly effective, especially in patients with metastasis, with a clear need for new treatment options. Gene-targeted therapies hold great promise for the treatment of MCC, including the use of siRNA and CRISPR/Cas (C/Cas) but critically none have yet been translated into clinical trials. Validating this approach is the fact that several siRNA products are already FDA licenced, while C/Cas has entered clinical trial, albeit for conditions other than MCC. There are many challenges that must be overcome to move from preclinical research to the clinic. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the current understanding of MCC, with a particular focus on MCPyV-positive MCC, and the status of gene-targeted therapies. Additionally, we discuss the major obstacles that impede MCC research and explore future prospects.

Asunto(s)

Carcinoma de Células de Merkel , Terapia Genética , Poliomavirus de Células de Merkel , Infecciones por Polyomavirus , Humanos , Poliomavirus de Células de Merkel/genética , Carcinoma de Células de Merkel/virología , Carcinoma de Células de Merkel/terapia , Carcinoma de Células de Merkel/genética , Infecciones por Polyomavirus/virología , Infecciones por Polyomavirus/terapia , Terapia Genética/métodos , Neoplasias Cutáneas/terapia , Neoplasias Cutáneas/virología , Neoplasias Cutáneas/genética , Animales , Infecciones Tumorales por Virus/virología , Infecciones Tumorales por Virus/terapia , ARN Interferente Pequeño/genética

RESUMEN

Cell culture has long been essential for preclinical modeling of human development and disease. However, conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture fails to faithfully model the complexity found in vivo, and novel drug candidates that show promising results in 2D models often do not translate to the clinic. More recently, three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models have gained popularity owing to their greater physiological relevance to in vivo biology. In particular, 3D spheroid models are becoming widely used due to their ability to mimic solid tumors, both in architecture and gradation of nutrients distributed from the outer, proliferative layers into the inner, quiescent layers of cells. Similar to in vivo tumors, cell lines grown in 3D spheroid models tend to be more resistant to antitumor drug treatments than their 2D cultured counterparts, though distinct signaling pathways and gene targets conferring this resistance have yet to be fully explored. RNA interference (RNAi) is an effective tool to elucidate gene function and discover novel druggable targets in 2D models; however, only a few studies have successfully performed RNAi in complex 3D models to date. Here, we demonstrate efficient RNAi-mediated knockdown using "transfection-free" Dharmacon Accell siRNAs in three spheroid culture models, in the presence or absence of the extracellular matrix. This methodology has the potential to be scaled up for complex arrayed screening experiments, which may aid in the identification of novel druggable targets with greater clinical relevance than those identified in 2D experiments. © 2024 Dharmacon, Inc. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Generation of 3D spheroids in matrix-free ULA plates Alternate Protocol 1: Generation of Matrigel matrix-embedded 3D spheroids Alternate Protocol 2: Generation of GrowDex hydrogel-embedded 3D spheroids Basic Protocol 2: Delivery of siRNA and collection of matrix-free 3D spheroids Alternate Protocol 3: Delivery of siRNA and collection of matrix-embedded spheroids Basic Protocol 3: RNA and protein extraction from spheroids for characterization of gene knockdown.

Asunto(s)

ARN Interferente Pequeño , Esferoides Celulares , Esferoides Celulares/efectos de los fármacos , Esferoides Celulares/metabolismo , Humanos , ARN Interferente Pequeño/genética , Técnicas de Cultivo Tridimensional de Células/métodos , Técnicas de Cultivo de Célula/métodos , Línea Celular Tumoral , Interferencia de ARN

RESUMEN

Rationale: Photoreceptor loss is a primary pathological feature of retinal degeneration (RD) with limited treatment strategies. RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a promising method of gene therapy in regenerative medicine. However, the transfer of RNAi therapeutics to photoreceptors and the deficiency of effective therapeutic targets are still major challenges in the treatment of RD. Methods: In this study, photoreceptor-derived extracellular vesicles (PEVs) conjugated with photoreceptor-binding peptide MH42 (PEVsMH42) were prepared using the anchoring peptide CP05. Transcriptome sequencing was applied to investigate the potential therapeutic target of RD. We then engineered PEVsMH42 with specific small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) through electroporation and evaluated their therapeutic efficacy in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced RD mice and Pde6ßrd1/rd1 mutant mice. Results: PEVsMH42 were selectively accumulated in photoreceptors after intravitreal injection. Cullin-7 (Cul7) was identified as a novel therapeutic target of RD. Taking advantage of the established PEVsMH42, siRNAs targeting Cul7 (siCul7) were efficiently delivered to photoreceptors and consequently blocked the expression of Cul7. Moreover, suppression of Cul7 effectively protected photoreceptors to alleviate RD both in MNU-induced mouse model and Pde6ßrd1/rd1 mutant mouse model. Mechanistically, PEVsMH42 loaded with siCul7 (PEVsMH42-siCul7)-induced Cul7 downregulation was responsible for preventing Cul7-mediated glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4) ubiquitination and degradation, resulting in the inhibition of photoreceptor ferroptosis. Conclusions: In summary, PEVsMH42-siCul7 attenuate photoreceptor ferroptosis to treat RD by inhibiting Cul7-induced ubiquitination of Gpx4. Our study develops a PEVs-based platform for photoreceptor-targeted delivery and highlights the potential of PEVsMH42-siCul7 as effective therapeutics for RD.

Asunto(s)

Vesículas Extracelulares , ARN Interferente Pequeño , Degeneración Retiniana , Animales , Degeneración Retiniana/terapia , Degeneración Retiniana/genética , Ratones , Vesículas Extracelulares/metabolismo , ARN Interferente Pequeño/genética , ARN Interferente Pequeño/administración & dosificación , Proteínas Cullin/genética , Proteínas Cullin/metabolismo , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Terapia Genética/métodos , Células Fotorreceptoras/metabolismo , Humanos , Células Fotorreceptoras de Vertebrados/metabolismo , Inyecciones Intravítreas , Metilnitrosourea

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is the second most common malignant primary bone tumor in children and adolescents. Peroxiredoxin 2 (PRDX2) is an antioxidant enzyme. AIMS: Here, we investigated the role and mechanism of PRDX2 in the development of ES. METHODS AND RESULTS: PRDX2 expression was knocked down in A673 and RDES cells by specific siRNA interference (si-PRDX2). Knockdown of PRDX2 strongly inhibited the proliferation, growth, migration, invasion, and MMP9 activity and induces apoptosis of A673 and RDES cells. si-PRDX2 significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt and the expression of cyclin D1. The transcription factor that might regulate PRDX2 transcription was predicted with the JASPAR and UCSC databases, and analyzed using dual-luciferase and Chromatin co-immunoprecipitation experiments. SNAI1 could activate the transcription of PRDX2 by binding to predicted promoter binding site. CONCLUSION: PRDX2 may be a potential therapeutic target for ES.

Asunto(s)

Neoplasias Óseas , Movimiento Celular , Proliferación Celular , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica , Metaloproteinasa 9 de la Matriz , Peroxirredoxinas , Sarcoma de Ewing , Humanos , Peroxirredoxinas/genética , Peroxirredoxinas/metabolismo , Proliferación Celular/genética , Movimiento Celular/genética , Sarcoma de Ewing/patología , Sarcoma de Ewing/genética , Sarcoma de Ewing/metabolismo , Neoplasias Óseas/patología , Neoplasias Óseas/genética , Neoplasias Óseas/metabolismo , Metaloproteinasa 9 de la Matriz/metabolismo , Metaloproteinasa 9 de la Matriz/genética , Línea Celular Tumoral , Invasividad Neoplásica , Técnicas de Silenciamiento del Gen , Apoptosis , Factores de Transcripción de la Familia Snail/metabolismo , Factores de Transcripción de la Familia Snail/genética , ARN Interferente Pequeño/genética

RESUMEN

As the most abundant small RNAs, piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) have been identified as a new class of non-coding RNAs with 24-32 nucleotides in length, and they are expressed at high levels in male germ cells. PiRNAs have been implicated in the regulation of several biological processes, including cell differentiation, development, and male reproduction. In this review, we focused on the functions and molecular mechanisms of piRNAs in controlling spermatogenesis, including genome stability, regulation of gene expression, and male germ cell development. The piRNA pathways include two major pathways, namely the pre-pachytene piRNA pathway and the pachytene piRNA pathway. In the pre-pachytene stage, piRNAs are involved in chromosome remodeling and gene expression regulation to maintain genome stability by inhibiting transposon activity. In the pachytene stage, piRNAs mediate the development of male germ cells via regulating gene expression by binding to mRNA and RNA cleavage. We further discussed the correlations between the abnormalities of piRNAs and male infertility and the prospective of piRNAs' applications in reproductive medicine and future studies. This review provides novel insights into mechanisms underlying mammalian spermatogenesis and offers new targets for diagnosing and treating male infertility.

Asunto(s)

Infertilidad Masculina , ARN Interferente Pequeño , Espermatogénesis , Espermatogénesis/genética , Masculino , Humanos , Animales , ARN Interferente Pequeño/metabolismo , ARN Interferente Pequeño/genética , Infertilidad Masculina/genética , Infertilidad Masculina/metabolismo , Medicina Reproductiva , Mamíferos/genética , Mamíferos/metabolismo , ARN de Interacción con Piwi

RESUMEN

The poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still an urgent challenge to be solved worldwide. Hence, assembling drugs and targeted short peptides together to construct a novel medicine delivery strategy is crucial for targeted and synergy therapy of HCC. Herein, a high-efficiency nanomedicine delivery strategy has been constructed by combining graphdiyne oxide (GDYO) as a drug-loaded platform, specific peptide (SP94-PEG) as a spear to target HCC cells, sorafenib, doxorubicin-Fe2+ (DOX-Fe2+), and siRNA (SLC7A11-i) as weapons to exert a three-path synergistic attack against HCC cells. In this work, SP94-PEG and GDYO form nanosheets with HCC-targeting properties, the chemotherapeutic drug DOX linked to ferrous ions increases the free iron pool in HCC cells and synergizes with sorafenib to induce cell ferroptosis. As a key gene of ferroptosis, interference with the expression of SLC7A11 makes the ferroptosis effect in HCC cells easier, stronger, and more durable. Through gene interference, drug synergy, and short peptide targeting, the toxic side effects of chemotherapy drugs are reduced. The multifunctional nanomedicine GDYO@SP94/DOX-Fe2+/sorafenib/SLC7A11-i (MNMG) possesses the advantages of strong targeting, good stability, the ability to continuously induce tumor cell ferroptosis and has potential clinical application value, which is different from traditional drugs.

Asunto(s)

Carcinoma Hepatocelular , Doxorrubicina , Ferroptosis , Neoplasias Hepáticas , Nanomedicina , Péptidos , Sorafenib , Ferroptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/tratamiento farmacológico , Humanos , Neoplasias Hepáticas/tratamiento farmacológico , Doxorrubicina/farmacología , Doxorrubicina/química , Nanomedicina/métodos , Sorafenib/farmacología , Sorafenib/química , Línea Celular Tumoral , Animales , Péptidos/química , Péptidos/farmacología , Ratones , Antineoplásicos/farmacología , Antineoplásicos/química , Sinergismo Farmacológico , Sistema de Transporte de Aminoácidos y+/metabolismo , Ratones Desnudos , ARN Interferente Pequeño , Ratones Endogámicos BALB C , Sistemas de Liberación de Medicamentos/métodos

RESUMEN

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a typical class of small non-coding RNAs, which are essential for gene regulation, genome stability and so on. Accumulating studies have revealed that piRNAs have significant potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for a variety of diseases. However current computational methods face the challenge in effectively capturing piRNA-disease associations (PDAs) from limited data. In this study, we propose a novel method, MRDPDA, for predicting PDAs based on limited data from multiple sources. Specifically, MRDPDA integrates a deep factorization machine (deepFM) model with regularizations derived from multiple yet limited datasets, utilizing separate Laplacians instead of a simple average similarity network. Moreover, a unified objective function to combine embedding loss about similarities is proposed to ensure that the embedding is suitable for the prediction task. In addition, a balanced benchmark dataset based on piRPheno is constructed and a deep autoencoder is applied for creating reliable negative set from the unlabeled dataset. Compared with three latest methods, MRDPDA achieves the best performance on the pirpheno dataset in terms of the five-fold cross validation test and independent test set, and case studies further demonstrate the effectiveness of MRDPDA.

Asunto(s)

Biología Computacional , ARN Interferente Pequeño , ARN Interferente Pequeño/genética , ARN Interferente Pequeño/metabolismo , Humanos , Biología Computacional/métodos , Algoritmos , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad , Aprendizaje Profundo , ARN de Interacción con Piwi

RESUMEN

The vegetable leafminer (Liriomyza sativae) is a devastating invasive pest of many vegetable crops and horticultural plants worldwide, causing serious economic loss. Conventional control strategy against this pest mainly relies on the synthetic chemical pesticides, but widespread use of insecticides easily causes insecticide resistance development and is harmful to beneficial organisms and environment. In this context, a more environmentally friendly pest management strategy based on RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a powerful tool to control of insect pests. Here we report a successful oral RNAi in L. sativae after feeding on pak choi (Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis) that transiently express hairpin RNAs targeting vital genes in this pest. First, potentially lethal genes are identified by searching an L. sativae transcriptome for orthologs of the widely used V-ATPase A and actin genes, then expression levels are assessed during different life stages and in different adult tissues. Interestingly, the highest expression levels for V-ATPase A are observed in the adult heads (males and females) and for actin in the abdomens of adult females. We also assessed expression patterns of the target hairpin RNAs in pak choi leaves and found that they reach peak levels 72 h post agroinfiltration. RNAi-mediated knockdown of each target was then assessed by letting adult L. sativae feed on agroinfiltrated pak choi leaves. Relative transcript levels of each target gene exhibit significant reductions over the feeding time, and adversely affect survival of adult L. sativae at 24 h post infestation in genetically unmodified pak choi plants. These results demonstrate that the agroinfiltration-mediated RNAi system has potential for advancing innovative environmentally safe pest management strategies for the control of leaf-mining species.

Asunto(s)

Brassica rapa , Hojas de la Planta , Interferencia de ARN , Hojas de la Planta/parasitología , Brassica rapa/genética , Brassica rapa/parasitología , Animales , ARN Interferente Pequeño/genética , Femenino , Masculino

RESUMEN

This study was a meta-analysis of patient data to investigate the therapeutic effects of inclisiran on LDL-C, PCSK9, and TC in patients with atherosclerosis. Authors searched the Cochrane Library, Pubmed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases for randomised controlled trials. Data of 4,731 subjects from five randomised clinical trials were included in this analysis. Patients treated with the PCSK9 inhibitor inclisiran had significantly lower LDL-C levels than those treated with placebo or a statin (mean difference (MD) -1.477; 95% CI -1.551 to -1.403; p <0.001; I2 = 7.2%). The average level of PCSK9 was also relatively lower ((MD) -2.579; 95% CI -2.694 to -2.464; p <0.001; I2 = 36%). They exhibited significant reductions in total cholesterol protein levels ((MD) -1.477; 95% CI -1.585 to -1.369; p <0.001; I2 = 46.7%). Inclisiran reduced LDL-C and PCSK9 levels as well as TC and Apo B levels significantly in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Key Words: Inclisiran, Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, Atherosclerosis, Adverse events, Meta-analysis.

Asunto(s)

Enfermedades Cardiovasculares , LDL-Colesterol , Inhibidores de PCSK9 , Humanos , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/prevención & control , LDL-Colesterol/sangre , Aterosclerosis/prevención & control , Proproteína Convertasa 9 , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como Asunto , ARN Interferente Pequeño