scholarly journals Overexpression of LncRNA AC067945.2 Down-Regulates Collagen Expression in Skin Fibroblasts and Possibly Correlates with the VEGF and Wnt Signalling Pathways

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 761-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Chen ◽  
Jingyun Li ◽  
Qian Li ◽  
Xue Li ◽  
Yanli Gao ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are thought to play crucial roles in human diseases. However, the function of lncRNAs in hypertrophic scar formation remains poorly understood. Methods: Utilizing qRT-PCR, we explored the expression changes of AC067945.2. Overexpression of AC067945.2 in normal skin fibroblasts was performed by transient plasmid transfection. Western blot was used to check the proteins’ expression changes. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and Annexin V/7-AAD staining were used to examine cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. mRNA-seq was applied to dissect the differentially expressed mRNAs in AC067945.2 overexpressed cells. We also performed ELISA to detect the VEGF secretion. Results: AC067945.2 was down-regulated in hypertrophic scar tissues. Overexpression of AC067945.2 did not affect cell proliferation, but it mildly promoted early apoptosis in normal skin fibroblasts. Furthermore, AC067945.2 overexpression inhibited the expression of COL1A1, COL1A2, COL3A1 and α-SMA proteins. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) could inhibit the expression of AC067945.2. Based on mRNA-seq data, compared with mRNAs in the control group, 138 mRNAs were differentially expressed, including 14 up-regulated and 124 down-regulated transcripts, in the AC067945.2 overexpression group. Gene ontology and pathway analyses revealed that AC067945.2 overexpression was correlated with developmental processes, binding, extracellular region, and the vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) and Wnt signalling pathways. ELISA confirmed that AC067945.2 overexpression could repress VEGF secretion. Conclusion: Taken together, our data uncovered the functions of a novel lncRNA AC067945.2, which might help us understand the mechanisms regulated by AC067945.2 in the pathogenesis of hypertrophic scar formation.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 4995-4995
Author(s):  
Francesco A. Piazza ◽  
Carmela Gurrieri ◽  
Gino Chioetto ◽  
Luca Bonanni ◽  
Barbara Montini ◽  
...  

Abstract GSK3 is a cellular serine-threonine kinase discovered because of its involvement in insulin, growth factor and Wnt signalling, downstream of which it is inhibited through the action of the PI3K/AKT cell survival pathway or through other Wnt signalling-dependent mechanisms. GSK3, therefore, has been included in the group of “tumor suppressors”, as it can antagonize cell proliferation triggered by these cascades. Recent findings, however, have challenged this notion in that GSK3β has been found central for cell survival and NF-κB signalling. Since growth factor, Wnt and cytokine-dependent signalling pathways have been implicated in MM pathogenesis, we decided to investigate the role of GSK3 in multiple myeloma cell biology. GSK3 kinase activity was found slightly higher in malignant plasma cells as compared to normal resting B-lymphocytes and normal in vitro generated plasmablasts. GSK3 enzymatic activity was hampered by stimulation of MM cells with IL-6 and IGF-I but, remarkably, not with TNFα. IL-6 and IGF-I driven MM cell proliferation was significantly increased by GSK3 blockade as it was MM cell survival upon serum starvation or contact with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC). At molecular level, IL-6-dependent STAT3 phosphorylation was unaffected by GSK3 inhibition, however, ERK1, 2 phosphorylation was increased. Importantly, NF-κB activation and transcriptional activity downstream from TNFα were only slightly affected when GSK3 function was inhibited in MM cells. However, when GSK3 inhibitors were added to MM cell cultured with BMSC, IL-6 secretion in the medium was reduced and the expression of NF-κB-dependent antiapoptotic genes was altered. Lastly, the addition of GSK3 inhibitors in MM cells-BMSC cultures led to an increased expression of Wnt/β-catenin-dependent genes both in MM and in BMSC cells. Our data indicate a different involvement of GSK3 downstream from growth factors or TNFα-induced signalling pathways in MM cells; the observed effects of GSK3 inhibition on the Wnt-signalling pathway indicate that, whereas they would be desirable in the BMSC compartment (i.e. antagonisms of Wnt-inhibitors released in the MM bone marrow, such as Dikkopf-1 (DKK1) or secreted Frizzled-Related Protein (sFRP)-2 and favouring of the osteoblast maturation) on the other hand they could lead, together with the loss of a brake downstream from growth factor signals, to uncontrolled and enhanced MM cell proliferation; thus, the inhibition of this kinase for therapeutic purposes in MM is likely to be accompanied by dangerous and unwanted side effects that may promote the progression of this disease.


Author(s):  
C. W. Kischer

The morphology of the fibroblasts changes markedly as the healing period from burn wounds progresses, through development of the hypertrophic scar, to resolution of the scar by a self-limiting process of maturation or therapeutic resolution. In addition, hypertrophic scars contain an increased cell proliferation largely made up of fibroblasts. This tremendous population of fibroblasts seems congruous with the abundance of collagen and ground substance. The fine structure of these cells should reflect some aspects of the metabolic activity necessary for production of the scar, and might presage the stage of maturation.A comparison of the fine structure of the fibroblasts from normal skin, different scar types, and granulation tissue has been made by transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 1147-1154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Chen ◽  
Qian Li ◽  
Xun Lu ◽  
Xiaohua Dong ◽  
Jingyun Li

<P>Objective: MicroRNA (miR)-340-5p has been identified to play a key role in several cancers. However, the function of miR-340-5p in skin fibroblasts remains largely unknown. </P><P> Methods: Gain of function experiments were performed by infecting normal skin fibroblast cells with a lentivirus carrying 22-bp miR-340-5p. Cell proliferation was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. To uncover the mechanisms, mRNA-seq was used. Differentially expressed mRNAs were further determined by Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analyses. The protein levels were analysed by Western blotting. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to detect the direct binding of miR-340-5p with the 3&#039;UTR of Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2). </P><P> Results: MiR-340-5p lentivirus infection suppressed normal skin fibroblast proliferation. The mRNAseq data revealed that 41 mRNAs were differentially expressed, including 22 upregulated and 19 downregulated transcripts in the miR-340-5p overexpression group compared with those in the control group. Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analyses revealed that miR-340-5p overexpression correlated with the macromolecule biosynthetic process, cellular macromolecule biosynthetic process, membrane, and MAPK signalling pathway. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-340-5p binds to the 3&#039;UTR of KLF2. Forced expression of miR-340-5p decreased the expression of KLF2 in normal skin fibroblasts. Overexpression of KLF2 restored skin fibroblast proliferation in the miR-340-5p overexpression group. </P><P> Conclusion: This study demonstrates that miR-340-5p may suppress skin fibroblast proliferation, possibly through targeting KLF2. These findings could help us understand the function of miR-340-5p in skin fibroblasts. miR-340-5p could be a therapeutic target for preventing scarring.</P>


BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Xi ◽  
Zhuang Jing ◽  
Wu Wei ◽  
Zhang Chun ◽  
Qi Quan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Sodium butyrate (NaB) is produced through the fermentation of dietary fiber that is not absorbed and digested by the small intestine. Purpose Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of NaB on the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of CRC cells and their potential underlying molecular mechanism(s). Methods The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and EdU assay were used to detect cell proliferation ability, flow cytometry was used to investigate the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle progression, and the scratch-wound healing and transwell assays were used to evaluate cell migration and invasion, respectively. The human CRC genome information for tissues and CRC cells treated with NaB obtained from the NCBI GEO database was reannotated and used for differential RNA analysis. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses were performed for differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network for the hub genes was constructed using the Cytoscape software. Targeted miRNAs were predicted based on the lnCeDB database, and a ceRNA network was constructed using the Cytoscape software. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze patient prognosis using the clinical information and exon-seq data for CRC obtained from the Broad Institute’s GDAC Firehose platform. Results NaB decreased the proliferation ability of CRC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The number of apoptotic CRC cells increased with the increase in NaB concentrations, and NaB induced a G1 phase block in CRC cells. Moreover, NaB suppressed the migratory and invasive capabilities of CRC cells. There were 666 differentially expressed mRNAs and 30 differentially expressed lncRNAs involved in the CRC inhibition by NaB. The PPI network and ceRNA network were constructed based on the differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs. Three differentially expressed mRNAs, including HMGA2, LOXL2, and ST7, were significantly correlated with the prognosis of CRC. Conclusion NaB induces the apoptosis and inhibition of CRC cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis by modulating complex molecular networks. RNA prediction and molecular network construction need to be the focus of further research in this direction.


2016 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 388-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruixia Kuang ◽  
Zhiguo Wang ◽  
Quanchen Xu ◽  
Xia Cai ◽  
Tao Liu

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 1873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Feng Sun ◽  
Xing-Hong Sun ◽  
Shun-Feng Cheng ◽  
Jun-Jie Wang ◽  
Yan-Ni Feng ◽  
...  

The Notch and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signalling pathways play an important role in granulosa cell proliferation. However, the mechanisms underlying the cross-talk between these two signalling pathways are unknown. Herein we demonstrated a functional synergism between Notch and TGF-β signalling in the regulation of preantral granulosa cell (PAGC) proliferation. Activation of TGF-β signalling increased hairy/enhancer-of-split related with YRPW motif 2 gene (Hey2) expression (one of the target genes of the Notch pathway) in PAGCs, and suppression of TGF-β signalling by Smad3 knockdown reduced Hey2 expression. Inhibition of the proliferation of PAGCs by N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butylester (DAPT), an inhibitor of Notch signalling, was rescued by both the addition of ActA and overexpression of Smad3, indicating an interaction between the TGF-β and Notch signalling pathways. Co-immunoprecipitation (CoIP) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were performed to identify the point of interaction between the two signalling pathways. CoIP showed direct protein–protein interaction between Smad3 and Notch2 intracellular domain (NICD2), whereas ChIP showed that Smad3 could be recruited to the promoter regions of Notch target genes as a transcription factor. Therefore, the findings of the present study support the idea that nuclear Smad3 protein can integrate with NICD2 to form a complex that acts as a transcription factor to bind specific DNA motifs in Notch target genes, such as Hey1 and Hey2, and thus participates in the transcriptional regulation of Notch target genes, as well as regulation of the proliferation of PAGCs.


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