ObjectiveTo summarize the latest progress of microRNA (miRNA or miR) in colorectal cancer (CRC)-related signaling pathways in the past three years, and provide new ideas for miRNA-targeted intervention or miRNA as tumor molecular markers for early diagnosis of CRC. MethodThe literature on the roles of miRNA in the CRC-related signaling pathways was retrieved and reviewed. ResultsMiRNAs were associated with cancers in nearly all critical pathways, which regulated almost all important signaling pathways associated with CRC. At present, the signaling pathways and miRNAs related to CRC mainly included Wnt-β-catenin (miR-520e, miR-8063, miR-576-5p, miR-142-3p, miR-19a-3p, miR-381, miR-411, miR-1205), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinaset-Akt (miR-19a, miR-493-5p, miR-3064-5p, mi-196b-5p, miR-3651), mitogen-activated protein kinase (miR-1288-3p, miR-3651, miR-152-3p), transforming growth factor-β (miR-183-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-195-5p, miR-581, miR-2911, miR-128-3p, let-7a), nuclear factor kappa B (miR-155, miR-129, miR-21), Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (miR-198, miR-452, miR-128-3p, miR-495), Notch (miR-223, miR-10b, miR-449a), Hippo (miR-30a-5p, miR-375, miR-9), and Hedgehog (miR-372, miR-373), etc. signaling pathways. ConclusionsMiRNA play a role in one or more signaling pathways at the same time, and play an important regulatory role in the occurrence and development of CRC. MiRNAs have great potential as tumor markers in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of colorectal cancer.
ObjectiveTo understand the research status of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway in the thyroid cancer (TC), as well as its role in the occurrence, cell differentiation, invasion, and metastasis of the TC, so as to find potential targets for treatment of TC. MethodThe literature about the research of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in the TC was searched and summarized. ResultsThe PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was abnormally activated directly or indirectly in the TC, resulting in inhibition of cell apoptosis, malignant proliferation, accelerated cycle progression, invasion, and metastasis, etc., which promoted the occurrence and development of the TC. There were also some tumor suppressor genes, microRNAs, long chain non-coding RNAs, etc., which indirectly inhibited the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, or directly acted on it inhibiting its activity to inhibit the occurrence and development of the TC. ConclusionsFor the TC, some proteins, genes, microRNAs, and long chain non-coding RNAs directly or indirectly activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway through different targets to promote the occurrence and development of TC. At the same time, many targets inhibit the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which inhibits the malignant proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of TC. At present, there have been studies trying to use PI3K/AKT signaling pathway as a breakthrough for the treatment of TC. In-depth exploration of the role of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in different TC is of great significance to find new targets for the treatment of TC.
ObjectiveTo summarize the active changes of Wnt signaling pathway in osteoarthritis (OA) as well as the influence and mechanism of dual-targeted regulation on cartilage and subchondral bone and the role of crosstalk between them on OA process.MethodsThe relevant literature concerning the articular cartilage, subchondral bone, and crosstalk between them in OA and non-OA states by Wnt signaling pathway in vivo and vitro experimental studies and clinical studies in recent years was reviewed, and the mechanism was analyzed and summarized.ResultsWnt signaling can regulate the differentiation and function of chondrocytes and osteoblasts through the classic β-catenin-dependent or non-classical β-catenin-independent Wnt signaling pathway and its cross-linking with other signaling pathways, thereby affecting the cartilage and bone metabolism. Moreover, Wnt signaling pathway can activate the downstream protein Wnt1-inducible-signaling pathway protein 1 to regulate the progress of OA and it also can be established gap junctions between different cells in cartilage and subchondral bone to communicate molecules directly to regulate OA occurrence and development. Intra-articular injection of Wnt signaling inhibitor SM04690 can inhibit the progress of OA, and overexpression of Wnt signaling pathway inhibitor Dickkopf in osteoblasts can antagonize the role of vascular endothelial growth factor work on chondrocytes and inhibit the catabolism of its matrix.ConclusionThe regulation of metabolism and function of cartilage and subchondral bone and crosstalk between them is through interactions among Wnt signaling pathway and molecules of other signaling. Therefore, it plays an vital role in the occurrence and development of OA and is expected to become a new target of OA treatment through intervention and regulation of Wnt signaling pathway.
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are tissue specific stem cells that replenish all mature blood lineages during the lifetime of an individual. Hematopoietic cell clusters in the aorta of vertebrate embryos play a pivotal role in the formation of the adult blood system. Recently, people have learned a lot about the embryonic HSCs on their development and homing. During their differentiation, HSCs are regulated by the transcription factors, such as Runx1 and Notch signaling pathway, etc. MicroRNAs also regulate the self-renewal and differentiation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells on the post-transcriptional levels. Since the onset of circulation, the formation of HSCs and their differentiation into blood cells, especially red blood cells, are regulated by the hemodynamic forces. It would be of great significance if we could treat hematologic diseases with induced HSCs in vitro on the basis of fully understanding of hemotopoietic stem cell development. This review is focused on the advances in the research of HSCs' development and regulation.
Objective To explore the protective effect of rapamycin on brain tissues injury in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and its possible mechanism in experimental rats. Methods Ninety SPF males SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups by random envelope opening method: sham operation group (SO group), SAP group, and rapamycin group (RAPA group), then the rats of each group were divided into 24 h, 36 h, and 48 h 3 subgroups by random number table method. Rats in each group underwent laparotomy, the model was prepared by retrograde injection of solutions into biliopancreatic duct, rat of the SO group was injected with 0.9% normal saline (2 mL/kg), rats of the SAP group and the RAPA group were injected with 5% sodium taurocholate solution (2 mL/kg), but rat of the RAPA group was injected with rapamycin (1 mg/kg) at 30 min before narcosis. All survival rats in each subgroup were killed at 24 h, 36 h, and 48 h respectively, then the pancreas and brain tissues of rats were collected, pancreas and brain tissues were stained by hematoxylin-eosin staining, brain tissues were stained by Luxol fast blue additionally, pathological changes of brain tissues were scored under light microscope. The protective effect of rapamycin on brain tissues injury was determined by comparing the differences in the degree of brain tissues among 3 groups. The phosphorylated mammaliantarget of rapamycin (p-mTOR) and phosphorylated ribosomal 40S small subunitS6 protein kinase (p-S6K1) expression levels in brain tissues were detected by Western blot. In addition, the correlations between the expression levels of p-mTOR and p-S6K1 in brain tissues and the degree of brain tissues injury were analyzed to further explore the possible mechanism of rapamycin’s protective effect on brain tissues injury in SAP. Results① At the point of 24 h, 36 h, and 48 h, the order of the relative expression levels of p-mTOR and p-S6K1 in brain tissues of three groups were all as follows: the SO group < the RAPA group < the SAP group (P<0.05). ② At the point of 24 h, 36 h, and 48 h, the order of brain histological score in three groups were all as follows: the SO group < the RAPA group < the SAP group (P<0.05). ③ The relative expression levels of p-mTOR and p-S6K1 in brain tissues were positively correlated with pathological scores of brain tissues (r=0.99, P<0.01; r=0.97, P<0.01). ConclusionRapamycin plays a protective role in pancreatic brain tissues injure by down-regulating the expression levels of p-mTOR and p-S6K1 in mTOR signaling pathway.
Objective To investigate whether p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) inhibitor can reduce acute lung injury (ALI) caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by regulating Th17/Treg balance. Methods Balb/c mice were randomly divided into a control group, an ALI group and an intervention group. The mice in the control group were injected with phosphate-buffered saline, the mice in the ALI group were intraperitoneally injected with 40 mg/kg LPS, and the mice in the intervention group were injected with SB203580 (0.5 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg) intraperitoneally 1 h prior to the intraperitoneal injection of LPS. All mice were killed on 12 h later respectively. Hematoxylin-eosinstin staining was used to observe the pathological changes of lung tissue, and cell classification, counting, and total protein levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected. Transcript expression of forkhead box p3 (Foxp3) and retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-γt (RORγt) was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-17, IL-23 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in lung tissue and IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The Th17 and Treg subset distribution in spleen was determined by flow cytometry. Results Histopathological examination showed that LPS induced inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissue, increased cell count and protein levels in BALF (P<0.05), and increased proportion of neutrophils and monocytes in the ALI mice. SB203580 significantly attenuated tissue injury of the lungs in LPS-induced ALI mice. Serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the ALI group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and inflammatory cytokines were decreased after SB203580 intervention. Compared with the ALI group, the production of inflammatory cytokines associate with Th17, including IL-17, IL-23, RORγt was inhibited, and the production of cytokines associate with Treg, such as IL-10 and Foxp3 in lung tissue was increased in the intervention group in a concentration-dependent manner with SB203580. After SB203580 intervention, Th17/Treg ratio was significantly decreased compared with the LPS group (P<0.05). Conclusion p38MAPK inhibitor can reduce LPS-induced ALI by regulating the imbalance of Treg cells and Th17 cells.
Objective To discuss the role of heparan sulfate (HS) in bone formation and bone remodeling and summarize the research progress in the osteogenic mechanism of HS. Methods The domestic and abroad related literature about HS acting on osteoblast cell line in vitro, HS and HS composite scaffold materials acting on the ani-mal bone defect models, and the effect of HS proteoglycans on bone development were summarized and analyzed. Results Many growth factors involved in fracture healing especially heparin-binding growth factors, such as fibroblast growth factors, bone morphogenetic protein, and transforming growth factor β, are connected noncovalently with long HS chains. HS proteoglycans protect these proteins from protease degradation and are directly involved in the regulation of growth factors signaling and bone cell function. HS can promote the differentiation of stem cells into osteoblasts and enhance the differentiation of osteoblasts. In bone matrix, HS plays a significant role in promoting the formation, maintaining the stability, and accelerating the mineralization. Conclusion The osteogenesis of HS is pronounced. HS is likely to become the clinical treatment measures of fracture nonunion or delayed union, and is expected to provide more choices for bone tissue engineering with identification of its long-term safety.
Tenascin-C (TNC) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein, which is usually highly expressed in embryonic tissues and tumor tissues, but is not expressed or just lowly expressed in mature tissues. TNC is involved in various complex signaling pathways during tumor metastasis, especially through modulating FAK, RhoA, Wnt and Notch pathways by interacting with syndecan-4, integrinα5β1, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). As a result, TNC affects epithelial mesenchymal transition, tumor cell adhesion, proliferation and angiogenesis, which eventually enhances the invasion and metastasis ability of many tumors. Further studies have demonstrated that TNC could be used as prognosis or metastasis marker of patients with malignant tumor.
Objective To review the progress of the mechanisms of Wnt/β-catenin and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-кB) pathways in the process of the intervertebral disc degeneration. Methods The related literature about the mechanisms of Wnt/β-catenin and NF-кB pathways in the process of the intervertebral disc degeneration was reviewed, analyzed, and summarized. Results Wnt/β-catenin and NF-кB pathways are both activated in the process of the intervertebral disc degeneration, and exist interaction. However, the specific mechanisms and interactive mediums of Wnt/β-catenin and NF-кB pathways in the process of the intervertebral disc degeneration are still unclear. Conclusion The mechanisms of Wnt/β-catenin and NF-кB pathways in the process of the intervertebral disc degeneration have to be studied deeply.
Objective To investigate the role of mitochondrial autophagy mediated by PINK1 (homologous phosphatase tensin induced kinase 1) /Parkin (Parkinson’s protein) signaling pathway in severe pneumonia of rats. Methods Twenty rats were randomly divided into control group and model group (severe pneumonia model), with 10 rats in each group, to explore the effects of severe pneumonia on lung function and pathology in rats. Then, 30 rats were randomly divided into control group, model group and mdivi-1 (mitochondrial autophagy inhibitor) group, with 10 rats in each group, to further explore the effects of severe pneumonia on mitochondrial autophagy indicators of rats. ResultsCompared with the control group, the resting ventilation volume [(3.44±0.22) vs. (1.58±0.18) mL/min] and airway resistance ratio (77.48±3.84 vs. 47.76±5.54) in the model group were decreased (P<0.05). In the model group, the lung tissue was injured and a large number of inflammatory cells were infiltrated. The protein and mRNA expression levels of Parkin, PINK1 and microtubule-associated protein1 light chain 3 in lung tissues of model group were increased (P<0.05). Compared with model group, the ratio of resting ventilator-to-airway resistance in mdivi-1 group increased (P<0.05). The injury and inflammatory infiltration of lung tissue were improved in mdivi-1 group. The expression levels of Parkin, PINK1 and microtubule-associated protein1 light chain 3 protein and mRNA in lung tissues of mdivi-1 group were decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion Mdivi-1 can improve the abnormal lung function structure in rats with severe pneumonia, and the mechanism may be related to mitochondrial autophagy mediated by PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway.