Abnormal proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) is a key mechanism in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) can induce abnormal proliferation of PASMCs. The role of miR-361-3p in serotonin-induced abnormal PASMCs proliferation remains unclear. The miR-361-3p level was analyzed in plasma from PAH patients and normal controls and in human

Arsenic trioxide has shown a strong anti-tumor effect with little toxicity when used in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). An effect on glioma has also been shown. Its mechanisms include regulation of apoptosis and autophagy; promotion of the intracellular production of reactive oxygen species, causing oxidative damage; and inhibition of tumor stem cells. However, glioma cells and

Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA00665 (LINC00665) plays a crucial tumorigenic role in many cancers, such as gastric cancer and lung adenocarcinoma. However, its role and mechanism of action in the progression of breast cancer (BC) are unknown. LINC00665 expression levels were determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis with BC tissues and cell lines. BC cell proliferation

Deer antlers have become a valuable model for biomedical research due to the capacities of regeneration and rapid growth. However, the molecular mechanism of rapid antler growth remains to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to compare and explore the molecular control exerted by the main beam and brow tine during rapid antler growth. The main beams and brow tines of sika deer antlers were

The links between the p53/MDM2 pathway and the expression of pro-oncogenic immune inhibitory receptors in tumor cells are undefined. In this report, we evaluate whether there is p53 and/or MDM2 dependence in the expression of two key immune receptors, CD276 and PD-L1. Proximity ligation assays were used to quantify protein-protein interactions in situ in response to Nutlin-3. A panel of p53-null melanoma

Animal model studies show that reductive stress is involved in cardiomyopathy and myopathy, but the exact physiological relevance remains unknown. In addition, the microRNAs miR-143 and miR-145 have been shown to be upregulated in cardiac diseases, but the underlying mechanisms associated with these regulators have yet to be explored. We developed transgenic mouse lines expressing exogenous miR-143

Exostosin-like 3 (EXTL3) encodes the glycosyltransferases responsible for the biosynthesis of the backbone structure of heparan sulfate (HS), a sulfated polysaccharide that is ubiquitously distributed on the animal cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. A lack of EXTL3 reduces HS levels and causes embryonic lethality, indicating its indispensable role in the biosynthesis of HS. EXTL3 has also

Daxx is a highly conserved nuclear protein with an important role in transcription, apoptosis and other cell processes. We investigated the role of HPV16 E6 in Daxx-induced apoptosis through their interactions in C33A cells. The binding of HPV16 E6 and Daxx was confirmed in C33A cells using co-immunoprecipitation and indirect immunofluorescence assays. Quantitative PCR and western blotting were performed

The plasma membrane (PM) spatiotemporal organization is one of the major factors controlling cell signaling and whole-cell homeostasis. The PM lipids, including cholesterol, determine the physicochemical properties of the membrane bilayer and thus play a crucial role in all membrane-dependent cellular processes. It is known that lipid content and distribution in the PM are not random, and their transversal

Rhomboid domain containing 1 (RHBDD1) plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis. Silibinin, which is a natural extract from milk thistle, has shown anti-tumor effects against various tumors. Here, we investigate whether silibinin affects the function of RHBDD1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell proliferation, migration and invasion. The Oncomine database and an immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay

One of the hallmarks of cancer cells is increased energy requirements associated with the higher rate of cellular proliferative activity. Metabolic changes in rapidly dividing cancer cells are closely associated with increased uptake of glucose and abnormal activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), which regulates the processing of glucose to lactic acid. As serum LDH levels were found to be commonly

Recent studies have revealed that dysregulated expression of long non-coding RNA nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase antisense RNA 1 (lncRNA NNT-AS1) is associated with cell tumorigenicity in non-small cell lung cancer. However, the exact molecular mechanisms of NNT-AS1 in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) remain largely unknown. The expression of NNT-AS1, microRNA (miR)-22 and Forkhead box

Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is a frequent complication caused by peritoneal dialysis (PD). Peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs), the first barrier of the peritoneum, play an important role in maintaining structure and function in the peritoneum during PD. Mesothelial-mesenchymal transition (MMT) and oxidative stress of PMCs are two key processes of PF. To elucidate the efficacy and possible mechanism of

Recent interest in the role of ascorbate in crucial metabolic processes is driven by the growing number of medical reports that show beneficial effects of ascorbate supplementation for maintaining general well-being and recovery from a variety of medical conditions. The effect of ascorbate on the local body environment highly depends on its local concentration; at low concentrations it can cause the

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a dicarboxypeptidase, plays a major role in the regulation of blood pressure by cleaving angiotensin I into angiotensin II (Ang II), a potent vasoconstrictor. Because of its wide substrate specificity and tissue distribution, ACE affects many diverse biological processes. In inflammatory diseases, including granuloma, atherosclerosis, chronic kidney disease and

Dysregulation of the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a crucial cause of atherosclerosis. MiR-637 exerts an antiproliferative effect on multiple human cells. Its impact on atherosclerosis remains largely unexplored. Real-time PCR was used to determine miR-637 expression in samples from atherosclerosis patients and animal models. Its expression in VSMC dysfunction

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) as a widespread and pivotal epigenetic molecule participates in the occurrence and progression of malignant tumors. DRAIC, a kind of lncRNA whose coding gene location is on 15q23 chromatin, has been found to be weakly expressed in a variety of malignant tumors and acts as a suppressor, but its characteristics and role in gastric cancer (GC) remain to be elucidated. Sixty-seven

Adoptive T-cell therapy (ACT) using autologous tumor-reactive T lymphocytes has considerable potential for cancer immunotherapy. In ACT, T cells are isolated from cancer patients and then stimulated and expanded in vitro by cytokines and costimulatory molecules. 4-1BB is an important costimulatory protein belonging to the TNF receptor superfamily. It is involved in T-cell survival, proliferation and

MicroRNA dysregulation occurs in many human diseases, including atherosclerosis. Here, we examined the serum expression and clinical significance of miR-186-5p in patients with atherosclerosis, and explored its influence on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration. Blood samples were collected from 104 patients with asymptomatic atherosclerosis and 80 healthy controls. Quantitative

Oxidative stress results in cell apoptosis/death and plays a detrimental role in disease development and progression. Stressors alter the miRNA expression profile and miRNAs play a role in the cell response to stress. We previously showed that miR-711 is significantly over-expressed in extended cold ischemia reperfusion injured hearts in heart transplant. In this study, we aimed to investigate the

Cervical cancer remains the second leading cause of mortality in women in developing countries. While surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and vaccine therapy are being applied for its treatment, individually or in combination, the survival rate in advanced cervical cancer patients is still very low. Traditional Chinese medicine has been found to be effective in the treatment of cervical cancer. Astragaloside

A huge array of function is played by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in development by balancing gene expression through the modulation of cell-specific DNA binding downstream effectors such as T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (TCF/LEF). The β-catenin/TCF-4 complex is a central regulatory switch for differentiation and proliferation of intestinal cells (both normal and malignant). Thus,

Apoptotic cells are rapidly engulfed and degraded by phagocytes through efferocytosis. Efferocytosis is a highly regulated process. It is triggered upon the activation of caspase-dependent apoptosis, which in turn promotes the expression of “eat me” signals on the surface of dying cells and the release of soluble “find me” signals for the recruitment of phagocytes. To date, many “eat me” signals have

Non-small lung cancer (NSCLC), with a poor 5-year survival rate (16%), is the major type of lung cancer. Metastasis has been identified as the main factor that leads to NSCLC therapy failure. MiR-206 is a metastasis suppressor in many cancers, including colorectal cancer, renal cell carcinoma and breast cancer. However, the role of miR-206 in NSCLC metastasis and the underlying mechanism are still

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is often characterized by cell proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). LncRNA cancer susceptibility candidate 2 (CASC2) has been revealed to be involved in PASMC injury in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. However, the exact molecular mechanisms whereby CASC2 regulates PASMC proliferation and migration are still incompletely

MiR-483-5p was recently identified as a risk factor in the early stages of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. Here, we further investigated how miR-483-5p affects cardiomyocyte apoptosis and oxidative stress under hypoxic conditions. Plasma samples were collected from AMI patients and healthy volunteers. The expression of miR-483-5p was determined using quantitative real-time PCR. An in vitro

It has been shown that miR-144-3p regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion in various cancers. However, the function and expression of miR-144-3p in colorectal cancer (CRC) remained obscure. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed to investigate the protein expression of BCL6 in CRC tissues. The effect of BCL6 and miR-144-3p on CRC cells was explored through methylthiazolyl

During hypoxic conditions, cells undergo critical adaptive responses that include the up-regulation of hypoxia-inducible proteins (HIFs) and the induction of the unfolded protein response (UPR). While their induced signaling pathways have many distinct targets, there are some important connections as well. Despite the extensive studies on both of these signaling pathways, the exact mechanisms involved

High levels of the post-translational modification O-GlcNAcylation (O-GlcNAc) are found in multiple cancers, including bladder cancer. Autophagy, which can be induced by stress from post-translational modifications, plays a critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and regulating tumorigenesis. The impact of O-GlcNAcylation on autophagy in bladder cancer remains unclear. Here, we evaluate the

Over the past decade, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) found in the bone marrow microenvironment have been considered to be important candidates in cellular therapy. However, the application of MSCs in clinical settings is limited by the difficulty and low efficiency associated with the separation of MSCs from the bone marrow. Therefore, distinct sources of MSCs have been extensively explored. Adipose-derived

Based on available metabolomic studies, influenza infection affects a variety of cellular metabolic pathways to ensure an optimal environment for its replication and production of viral particles. Following infection, glucose uptake and aerobic glycolysis increase in infected cells continually, which results in higher glucose consumption. The pentose phosphate shunt, as another glucose-consuming pathway

MicroRNA-125b (miR-125b) is downregulated in human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). However, its function in CSCC has yet to be extensively explored. Here, we analyze the relationship between signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and miR-125b in CSCC. Western blotting and quantitative RT-PCR were used to determine the expression of the miR-125b–STAT3 axis in human CSCC

Ferroptosis is a newly recognized type of cell death, which is different from traditional necrosis, apoptosis or autophagic cell death. However, the position of ferroptosis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) has not been explored intensively so far. In this study, we mainly analyzed the relationship between ferroptosis and LPS-induced ALI. In this study, a human bronchial epithelial

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still the most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide and accumulating studies report that HCC is frequently linked to chronic inflammation. G-protein alpha-subunit (GNAS)-activating mutations have recently been reported to form a rare subgroup of inflammatory liver tumors. In this study, we investigated the roles of GNAS in inflammation-related HCC progression

Viral myocarditis (VMC) is a type of cardiac inflammation that is generally caused by coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection. Several MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to play crucial roles in VMC pathogenesis. MiR-15 is reportedly associated with myocardial injury, inflammatory responses and viral infection. Whether miR-15 affects the occurrence and development of VMC remains largely unknown. The roles of

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) can participate in the development and progression of neuroblastoma. Many studies have indicated that miR-429 can participate in tumor development. However, the mechanism underlying miR-429-mediated progression of neuroblastoma remains largely unclear. Colony formation and apoptosis assays were used to determine the effect of miR-429 on cell proliferation. Its impact on cell

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to be involved in tumorigenesis. The functions of LINC00511 in gastric cancer are poorly understood. Quantitative RT-PCR was performed to investigate the levels of LINC00511 in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. CCK-8, flow cytometry, wound-healing and Transwell assays were performed to examine cellular functions. The underlying regulatory mechanisms of

Precise coordination of cytoskeletal components and dynamic control of cell adhesion and migration are required for crucial cell processes such as differentiation and morphogenesis. We investigated the potential involvement of αII-spectrin, a ubiquitous scaffolding element of the membrane skeleton, in the adhesion and angiogenesis mechanism. The cell models were primary human umbilical vein endothelial

This review focuses on DNA–dependent protein kinase (DNA–PK), which is the key regulator of canonical non–homologous end–joining (NHEJ), the predominant mechanism of DNA double–strand break (DSB) repair in mammals. DNA–PK consists of the DNA–binding Ku70/80 heterodimer and the catalytic subunit DNA–PKcs. They assemble at DNA ends, forming the active DNA–PK complex, which initiates NHEJ–mediated DSB

The ubiquitin system, known as a common feature in eukaryotes, participates in multiple cellular processes, such as signal transduction, cell-cycle progression, receptor trafficking and endocytosis, and even the immune response. In lung cancer, evidence has revealed that aberrant events in ubiquitin-mediated processes can cause a variety of pathological outcomes including tumorigenesis and metastasis

Circular RNA (circRNA) has recently been considered as a key regulator in carcinogenesis. In this study, we investigated the functional significance and regulatory role of circ-CAMK2A (hsa_circ_0128332) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). GSE101586 was employed to screen differentially expressed circRNAs. = Relative expression levels of circ-CAMK2A, miR-615-5p, fibronectin 1 (FN1), MMP2, and MMP9 were tested

Sex-determining region Y-box containing gene 30 (SOX30) is a newly identified tumor-associated gene in several types of cancer. However, whether SOX30 is involved in the development and progression of prostate cancer remains unknown. This study investigated the potential role of SOX30 in prostate cancer. Prostate cancer cell lines and a normal prostate epithelial cell line were used for the experiments

The expression of the long noncoding RNA LINC00483 is upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). However, its role in the progression of LUAD and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. The expressions of LINC00483 and miR-204-3p were determined using quantitative real-time PCR. The correlation between the clinicopathological characteristics of LUAD patients and LINC00483 expression was analyzed

With the first RNA interference (RNAi) drug (ONPATTRO (patisiran)) on the market, we witness the RNAi therapy field reaching a critical turning point, when further improvements in drug candidate design and delivery pipelines should enable fast delivery of novel life changing treatments to patients. Nevertheless, ignoring parallel development of RNAi dedicated in vitro pharmacological profiling aiming

We explored the role and mechanism of miR-214 involvement in the progression of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The expression levels of miR-214 and PD-L1 in human DLBCL cell lines and in tissue samples from patients with DLBCL were determined using quantitative RT-PCR. The dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to determine the correlation between the expressions of miR-214 and PD-L1.

The expression level of miR-376c-3p is significantly lower in infants with neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) than in healthy infants. However, the biological function of this microRNA remains largely elusive. We used PC-12 and SH-SY5Y cells to establish an oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) cell injury model to mimic HIE in vitro. The miR-376c-3p expression levels were measured using quantitative

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) function as post-transcriptional gene expression regulators. Some miRNAs, including the recently discovered miR-582–3p, have been implicated in leukemogenesis. This study aimed to reveal the biological function of miR-582–3p in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is one of the most frequently diagnosed hematological malignancies. The expression of miR-582–3p was determined using

Hypoestrogenism in women is strongly associated with menopause and it can lead to lipid disorder, which predisposes people to premature cardiovascular disease. However, the mechanism of lipid disorder remains unclear. Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2) is the key transcription factor regulating cholesterol metabolism. We hypothesize that estrogen regulates SREBP2 transcription through

Hypoxia in the vicinity of bone defects triggers the osteogenic differentiation of precursor cells and promotes healing. The activation of STAT3 signaling in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has similarly been reported to mediate bone regeneration. However, the interaction between hypoxia and STAT3 signaling in the osteogenic differentiation of precursor cells during bone defect healing is still unknown

The participation of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in myocardial infarction has recently been noted. However, their underlying roles in the border zone of myocardial infarction remain unclear. This study uses microarrays to determine the profiles of lncRNAs and mRNAs in the border zone. Bioinformatics methods were employed to uncover their underlying roles. Highly dysregulated lncRNAs was further validated

Myocardial ischaemia reperfusion injury (MIRI) is a difficult problem in clinical practice, and it may involve various microRNAs. This study investigated the role that endogenous microRNA-146a plays in myocardial ischaemia reperfusion and explored the possible target genes. MIRI models were established in microRNA-146a deficient (KO) and wild type (WT) mice. MicroRNA-146a expression was evaluated in

Ischemia/hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis has been considered as a main cause of myocardial infarction. Here, we aimed to investigate the functional role of miR-30b-5p in hypoxic cardiomyocytes. AC16 human cardiomyocytes were cultured under hypoxia to simulate myocardial infarction. A qRT-PCR assay was performed to determine miR-30b-5p expression in hypoxic cardiomyocytes. Cell survival, injury

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Distant metastasis is thought to be one of the most important factors responsible for the failure of NSCLC therapy. MicroRNA-7-5p (miR-7-5p) has been demonstrated to be a tumor suppressor in breast cancer, hepatocarcinoma, prostate cancer and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). However, its role in NSCLC is still not

Breast tumor growth and recurrence are driven by an infrequent population of breast tumor-initiating cells (BTIC). We and others have reported that the frequency of BTIC is orders of magnitude higher when breast tumor cells are propagated in vitro as clonal spheres, termed tumorspheres, by comparison to adherent cells. We exploited the latter to screen > 35,000 small molecules to identify agents capable

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. P21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) and miR-9-5p have emerged as attractive therapeutic targets in several tumor types, but in CRC, the regulation of their biological function and their target association remain unclear. The expression of PAK4 in CRC tissues was determined using quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry

Purpose Ectodermal dysplasias are characterized by developmental abnormalities in ectodermal structures. Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasias (HED) are the most common subtype. They are most commonly inherited via X-linked recessive routes. We report on a novel ectodysplasin-A (EDA) mutation that is expected to be involved in pathogenesis of HED. Methods Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia genes, including

Gastric cancer is a malignant tumor with the fifth incidence and third mortality worldwide. There were 951,000 new cases and about 723,000 patients died of it in 2012. Undoubtedly, gastric cancer has been affecting people's living standards, and is already a major public health problem in China with its population growth and ageing. Even though the detection methods and medical standards have improved

Background Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is a central event during hepatic fibrosis. Aerobic glycolysis is one of its metabolic hallmarks. Blocking glycolysis is a novel therapeutic option for liver fibrosis. This study investigated the effects of costunolide, a natural product demonstrated to have hepatoprotective effects, on HSC activation and glycolysis. Methods Primary HSCs were isolated

Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) serve crucial roles in the progression of osteoporosis. This study investigated the role and specific molecular mechanism of miR-135-5p in regulating osteoblast differentiation and calcification. Methods Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) was employed to interfere with the differentiation of MC3T3-E1. Then, miR-135-5p mimic or miR-135-5p inhibitor was transfected

Background Long non-coding RNA Malat1 has been widely identified as an oncogene which shows a significant relationship with tumorigenesis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Nonetheless, whether Malat1 participates in the autophagy of colorectal cancer remains unclear. Materials and methods First, the expression level of Malat1 in 96 pairs of colorectal cancer tissues and four cell lines was detected by qRT-PCR