scholarly journals Integrative analysis of competitive endogenous RNA network reveals the regulatory role of non-coding RNAs in high-glucose-induced human retinal endothelial cells

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9452
Author(s):  
Nan-Jue Cao ◽  
He-Nan Liu ◽  
Feng Dong ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
Wei Sun ◽  
...  

Background Increasing evidence has suggested that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play critical roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR), but their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine latent key genes and to structure a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network to discover the potential molecular mechanisms governing the effects of high glucose on human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs). Methods We obtained microarray data for long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and mRNA of high-glucose-induced HREC samples from NCBI GEO datasets. The ceRNA network was screened using intersecting prediction results from miRcode, TargetScan, miRTarBase and miRDB. The protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes and hub genes were obtained using the cytoHubba app. The ClusterProfiler package was applied for performing Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. The expression of key RNAs was verified using the qRT-PCR method. A key ceRNA subnetwork was constructed based on the criticality of the genes and its binding sites were verified by luciferase reporter assay. The viability and apoptosis of HRECs were tested using the transfection of the miR-449c inhibitor. Results A total of 3,328 lncRNAs and 2,017 mRNAs were screened for differentially expressed (DE) profiles. The newly constructed ceRNA network was composed of 410 lncRNAs, 35 miRNAs and 122 mRNAs. The 10 hub genes were identified through the PPI network. GO and KEGG analysis revealed that DE mRNAs were mainly related to the positive regulation of the mRNA catabolic process, cell polarity, and the G1/S transition of mitotic and cell cycle signaling pathways. QRT-PCR was used to verify RNAs and the most important genes were screened out. A key ceRNA subnetwork OIP5-AS1/miR-449c/MYC was established. The binding site was verified by luciferase reporter assay. The expression levels of OIP5-AS1 and MYC increased after miR-449c inhibitor transfection, miR-449c decreased, HRECs activity increased, and apoptosis decreased, compared with the control group. Conclusion We successfully built the key ceRNA subnetwork, OIP5-AS1/miR-449c/MYC, by applying the GEO database for data analysis and mining. The results from the ceRNA network allow us to better understand the effect of ncRNAs on HRECs under hyperglycemic conditions and the pathogenesis of DR.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Gericke ◽  
K. Suminska-Jasińska ◽  
A. Bręborowicz

AbstractChronic exposure of retinal endothelium cells to hyperglycemia is the leading cause of diabetic retinopathy. We evaluated the effect of high glucose concentration on senescence in human retinal endothelial cells (HREC) and modulation of that effect by Sulodexide. Experiments were performed on HREC undergoing in vitro replicative senescence in standard medium or medium supplemented with glucose 20 mmol/L (GLU) or mannitol 20 mnol/L (MAN). Effect of Sulodexide 0.5 LRU/mL (SUL) on the process of HREC senescence was studied. Glucose 20 mmol/L accelerates senescence of HREC: population doubling time (+ 58%, p < 0.001) β-galactosidase activity (+ 60%, p < 0.002) intracellular oxidative stress (+ 65%, p < 0.01), expression of p53 gene (+ 118%, p < 0.001). Senescent HREC had also reduced transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) (− 30%, p < 0.001). Mannitol 20 mmol/L used in the same scenario as glucose did not induce HREC senescence. In HREC exposed to GLU and SUL, the senescent changes were smaller. HREC, which became senescent in the presence of GLU, demonstrated higher expression of genes regulating the synthesis of Il6 and VEGF-A, which was reflected by increased secretion of these cytokines (IL6 + 125%, p < 0.001 vs control and VEGF-A + 124% p < 0.001 vs control). These effects were smaller in the presence of SUL, and additionally, an increase of TEER in the senescent HREC was observed. Chronic exposure of HREC to high glucose concentration in medium accelerates their senescence, and that process is reduced when the cells are simultaneously exposed to Sulodexide. Additionally, Sulodexide decreases the secretion of IL6 and VEGF-A from senescent HREC and increases their TEER.


2010 ◽  
Vol 177 (1) ◽  
pp. 447-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Trudeau ◽  
Anthony J.A. Molina ◽  
Wen Guo ◽  
Sayon Roy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhixi Li ◽  
Gang Wu ◽  
Jie Li ◽  
Youyu Wang ◽  
Xueming Ju ◽  
...  

Abstract Background This article focuses on the roles and mechanism of lncRNA CRNDE on the progression of HCC. Methods We used qRT-PCR to detect the expression of lncRNA CRNDE in HCC cells, normal cells and clinical tissues. MTT assay, FCM analysis, Transwell migration and invasion assay were used to detect the effects of lncRNA CRNDE on cell viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion of HCC cells. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, Bax, Cleaved Caspase 3, Cleaved Caspase 9, EMT epithelial marker E-cadherin and mesothelial marker Vimentin were analyzed by Western blot. Online prediction software was used to predict the binding sites between lncRNA CRNDE and miR-539-5p, or miR-539-5p and POU2F1 3’UTR. Dual luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR and RNA pulldown were used to detect target-relationship between lncRNA CRNDE and miR-539-5p. Dual luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR, Western blot and Immunofluorescence were used to detect target-relationship between miR-539-5p and POU2F1. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-539-5p and POU2F1 in clinical tissues. Rescue experiments was used to evaluate the association among lncRNA CRNDE, miR-539-5p and POU2F1. Finally, we used Western blot to detect the effects of lncRNA CRNDE, miR-539-5p and POU2F1 on NF-κB and AKT pathway. Results lncRNA CRNDE was highly expressed in HCC cells and HCC tissues compared with normal cells and the corresponding adjacent normal tissues. lncRNA CRNDE promoted the cell viability, migration and invasion of HCC cells, while inhibited the apoptosis and promoted the EMT process of HCC cells. lncRNA CRNDE adsorbed miR-539-5p acts as a competitive endogenous RNA to regulate POU2F1 expression indirectly. In HCC clinical tissues, miR-539-5p expression decreased and POU2F1 increased compared with the corresponding adjacent normal tissues. lncRNA CRNDE/miR-539-5p/POU2- F1 participated the NF-κB and AKT pathway in HCC. Conclusion lncRNA CRNDE promotes the expression of POU2F1 by adsorbing miR-539-5p, thus promoting the progression of HCC. Keywords: HCC, lncRNA CRNDE, miR-539-5p, POU2F1, ceRNA


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qin Zhang ◽  
Jing Long ◽  
Nannan Li ◽  
Xuelian Ma ◽  
Lisheng Zheng

Hyperglycemia exposure results in the dysfunction of endothelial cells (ECs) and the development of diabetic complications. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been demonstrated to play critical roles in EC dysfunction. The current study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of circRNA CLIP–associating protein 2 (circ_CLASP2, hsa_circ_0064772) on HG-induced dysfunction in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to assess the levels of circ_CLASP2, miR-140-5p and F-box, and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBXW7). The stability of circ_CLASP2 was identified by the actinomycin D and ribonuclease (RNase) R assays. Cell colony formation, proliferation, and apoptosis were measured by a standard colony formation assay, colorimetric 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the expression of related proteins. Targeted correlations among circ_CLASP2, miR-140-5p, and FBXW7 were confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. High glucose (HG) exposure downregulated the expression of circ_CLASP2 in HUVECs. Circ_CLASP2 overexpression or miR-140-5p knockdown promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of HUVECs under HG conditions. Circ_CLASP2 directly interacted with miR-140-5p via pairing to miR-140-5p. The regulation of circ_CLASP2 overexpression on HG-induced HUVEC dysfunction was mediated by miR-140-5p. Moreover, FBXW7 was a direct target of miR-140-5p, and miR-140-5p regulated HG-induced HUVEC dysfunction via FBXW7. Furthermore, circ_CLASP2 mediated FBXW7 expression through sponging miR-140-5p. Our current study suggested that the overexpression of circ_CLASP2 protected HUVEC from HG-induced dysfunction at least partly through the regulation of the miR-140-5p/FBXW7 axis, highlighting a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of diabetic-associated vascular injury.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cuifeng Wei ◽  
Li Meng ◽  
Yuting Zhang

Abstract Background miR-450a-5p was involved in fat formation, but its role in insulin resistance remains unclear. This study further investigated the effects of miR-450a-5p in endothelial cells, with the aim of finding a potential target for diabetes mellitus. Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were severally treated with low-glucose, high-glucose, methylglyoxal (MGO), and insulin only or plus MGO. miR-450a-5p was up-regulated or down-regulated in treated HUVECs. miR-450a-5p expression in cells was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays. The cell activity was determined through MTT experiments. Transwell assay and oil red O staining were used for the detection of cell invasion and fat formation. The expressions of eNOS/AKT pathway-related proteins in cells were assessed by Western blot (WB) analysis. Furthermore, the target gene of miR-450a-5p was analyzed by double-luciferase reporter analysis, and its influence in eNOS/AKT pathway was estimated. Results miR-450a-5p decreased obviously in endothelial cells with high-glucose and MGO. Through in vitro cell experiments, we knew that MGO could not only intensify the activity of endothelial cells, but also accelerate cell invasion and fat accumulation, which could be reversed by up-regulated miR-450a-5p. Moreover, MGO inhibited eNOS/AKT pathway activation and NO release mediated by insulin, which were eliminated by up-regulated miR-450a-5p. Furthermore, CREB was the target gene of miR-450a-5p that had an activation effect on the eNOS/AKT pathway. Conclusions Up-regulated miR-450a-5p eliminated MGO-induced insulin resistance via targeting CREB, which might be a potential target to improve insulin resistance and benefit patients with related diseases.


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