Molecular medicine reports
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Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a common type of malignant tumor of the head and neck. An increasing number of studies have illustrated that long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs) serve an important role in the occurrence and development of LSCC. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the expression changes and mechanism of lncRNA fer‑1‑like family member 4 (FER1L4) in the progression of LSCC. ⋯ Meanwhile, the plasmid‑FER1L4 also significantly suppressed the phosphorylation levels of AKT and ERK. Further studies indicated that the aforementioned changes could be reversed by IGF‑1, indicating FER1L4 may regulate the progression of LSCC cells by inhibiting the AKT/ERK signaling pathway. In conclusion, the present study provided a potential novel direction for the treatment of LSCC in the future and suggested that FER1L4 may be a new target in this field.
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Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) contribute to the deposition of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and progression of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). This study was performed to identify novel microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) associated with IgAN. Small RNAs were isolated from PBMCs collected from 10 healthy participants and 10 patients with IgAN; the RNAs were then subjected to high‑throughput small RNA sequencing. ⋯ In conclusion, 44 differentially expressed miRNAs were discovered, 41 of which were newly found to be associated with IgAN. The differentially expressed miRNAs may regulate the progression of IgAN by controlling the behavior of PBMCs or deposition of IgA via targeting of signaling pathways or expression of C1GALT1. These findings may provide a basis for further research regarding IgAN diagnosis and therapy.
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Celastrol and triptolide, chemical compounds isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii hook (also known as thunder god vine), are effective against rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Celastrol targets numerous signaling pathways involving NF‑κB, endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‑ATPase, myeloid differentiation factor 2, toll‑like receptor 4, pro‑inflammatory chemokines, DNA damage, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Triptolide, inhibits NF‑κB, the receptor activator of NF‑κB (RANK)/RANK ligand/osteoprotegerin signaling pathway, cyclooxygenase‑2, matrix metalloproteases and cytokines. ⋯ Clinical studies have demonstrated that T. wilfordii has several promising bioactivities, but its multi‑target toxicity has restricted its application. Thus, dosage control and structural modification of T. wilfordii are required to reduce the toxicity. In this review, future directions for research into these promising natural products are discussed.
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The present study was designed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of Bao Gui capsule (BGC) against hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance and leptin resistance of PCOS. Letrozole was used to induce a PCOS model in rats, which were then randomly divided into four groups (n=9): Control, Model, high‑dose BGC (BGC‑H) and low‑dose BGC (BGC‑L) group. Serum levels of follicle‑stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), insulin, leptin, and interleukin (IL)‑1β, IL‑6 and tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF‑α) in the hypothalamus were determined by ELISA. ⋯ Furthermore, BGC markedly reduced the expression of P450c17α and significantly increased the expression of P450arom in ovaries, and increased the expression of GLUT4 in uterus and muscle tissues. BGC also effectively reduced the level of IL‑6 and TNF‑α, and the expression of IKKβ, NF‑κB and SOCS3 in the hypothalamus of PCOS model rats. These results suggest that BGC may effectively improve hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, endometrial receptivity and the low‑grade chronic inflammation in the hypothalamus.
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Long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in the development and progression of cancer. However, the mechanisms of lncRNAs in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection‑induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. The study aimed to reveal the roles of lncRNAs for HBV‑HCC based on the hypothesis of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA). ⋯ Function enrichment analysis revealed the genes in the ceRNA network that participated in the p53 signaling pathway [cyclin E2 (CCNE2), ribonucleotide reductase M2 subunit (RRM2)] and nitrogen metabolism [carbonic anhydrase 2 (CA2)], which were also included in the pathways of the CTD. Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that six RNAs (2 DELs: FAM138B, SSTR5‑AS1; 2 DEMs: hsa‑miR‑149, hsa‑miR‑7; 2 DEGs: CCNE2, RRM2) were significantly associated with OS; while seven RNAs (1 DEL: LINC00284; 3 DEMs: hsa‑miR‑7, hsa‑miR‑15b, hsa‑miR‑30c‑2; and 3 DEGs: RRM2, CCNE2, CA2) were significantly associated with RFS. In conclusion, FAM138B‑hsa‑miR‑30c‑CCNE2/RRM2 and the SSTR5‑AS1‑hsa‑miR‑15b‑5p‑CA2 ceRNA axes may be important mechanisms for HBV‑related HCC.