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Background/Aims: Increased osteoclastogenic differentiation may disrupt the balance of bone resorption and formation, giving rise to bone defective disease. The study aimed to investigate the influence of carbon monoxide releasing molecule 3 on osteoclastogenic differentiation of RAW264.7 cells, and explore the possible mechanism underlying the regulatory effect. Methods: Influence of CORM-3 on the proliferation of RAW264.7 cells was determined by CCK-8 assay. RAW264.7 cells were divided into four groups: Control group; Osteoclastogenic differentiation group, in which cells were induced osteoclastogenic differentiation in medium supplemented with 100μg/L RANKL and 50μg/L M-CSF; Degassed CORM-3-osteoclastogenic differentiation group, in which cells were pretreated with 200μmol/L degassed CORM-3 for 6hrs, and then induced osteoclastogenic differentiation; CORM-3-osteoclastogenic differentiation group, in which cells were pretreated with 200μmol/L CORM-3, and then induced osteoclastogenic differentiation. The mRNA and protein expression of RANK, TRAP, MMP-9, Cts-K and HO-1 of the cells during the osteoclastogenic differentiation was checked by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The induced osteoclasts were identified by TRAP staining. The HO-1 expression of the RAW264.7 cells was silenced by lentivirus transfection, and the expression of RANK, TRAP, MMP-9 and Cts-K was examined by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Results: CORM-3 promoted the proliferation of RAW264.7 cells at the concentration of 200μmol/L. Pretreatment with CORM-3, but not degassed CORM-3, significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expression of osteoclast-specific marker TRAP, RANK, MMP-9 and Cts-K induced by RANKL and M-CSF on day 5, 7 and 9 during the osteoclastogenic differentiation (P< 0.05). After HO-1 was silenced by lentivirus transfection, the mRNA and protein expression of TRAP, RANK, MMP-9 and Cts-K in group with CORM-3 pretreatment maintained the same level as in osteoclastogenic differentiation group. Conclusion: CORM-3 inhibits osteoclastogenic differentiation of RAW264.7 cells via releasing CO. The inhibitory effect is mediated partially by HO-1 pathway. The results suggest the potential application of CORM-3 on some bone defective diseases.

Background/Aims: Podocyte damage is associated with proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis and decline of renal function. This study aimed to screen critical genes associated with podocyte injury in chronic kidney disease (CKD) by weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA), and explore related functions. Methods: GSE66107, GSE93798, GSE30528, GSE32591 gene expression data including podocyte injury models or glomeruli in CKD patients were downloaded from the GEO database. R was used for data analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (FDR< 0.05 or |Fold Change|≥1.5) in GSE993395 were assessed by WGCNA. According to Gene Ontology (GO) and known podocyte standard genes (PSGs), podocyte injury-associated modules were defined, with hub genes selected based on average intramodular connectivity. The Cytoscape software was used for network visualization. Nephroseq was used to assess the clinical significance of hub genes. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to evaluate the roles of hub genes in podocyte injury Results: Totally 7957 DEGs were screened, with 15 (co.DEGs) altered in all 4 datasets; 4031 DEGs were used for WGCNA, encompassing 12 modules. Green modules (most PSGs and co.DEGs) were significantly enriched in glomerular development, and considered podocyte injury-associated modules. Furthermore, MAGI2 (a hub gene) was also a co.DEG and PSG. Glomerular MAGI2 levels were reduced in various kidney diseases, and positively and negatively associated with glomerular filtration rate and urinary protein levels in CKD patients. Moreover, MAIG2 knockdown reduced NPHS2, CD2AP and SYNPO levels, and induced podocyte rearrangement and apoptosis. Conclusion: MAGI2 identified by WGCNA regulates cytoskeletal rearrangement in podocytes, with its loss predisposing to proteinuria and CKD.

Background/Aims: The HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR), a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of multiple tumors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in HOTAIR are related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) susceptibility in a Chinese population. Methods: We genotyped three SNPs of HOTAIR in a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) case-control study, including 482 cases and 520 control subjects. SNPs were genotyped using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Associations between gene polymorphisms and HCC were evaluated using multiple logistic regression analysis. The allele-specific effects on HOTAIR expression in HCC were confirmed by real time quantitative PCR and luciferase activity assays. The influence of HOTAIR SNPs on the proliferation of HCC cells was evaluated using a CCK-8 assay. Results: Significant associations were observed between the HOTAIR rs920778 C>T polymorphism and HCC risk (TT versus CC: OR = 1.634, 95% CI =1.028-2.598, P = 0.046) and the allelic model (allele T versus allele C: OR =1.293, 95% CI = 1.060-1.577, P = 0.011). However, no statistically significant differences of rs4759314 and rs1899663 genotypes were observed between patients and controls (both P > 0.05). The increased risk for rs920778 TT genotype carriers was more evident in a sub-group of drinkers (OR = 3.103, 95% CI = 1.151-8.368, p=0.025) and in people positive for HBV infection (OR = 2.885, 95% CI = 1.086-7.663, p=0.034). RT-PCR and luciferase activity assay confirmed that the rs920778 TT genotype induced significantly higher HOTAIR levels than did the CC genotype (P < 0.05). CCK-8 assays and colony formation assays demonstrated that the rs920778 TT genotype had a higher proliferation rate of HCC cells than did the CC genotype (P < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that SNP rs920778 of HOTAIR acts as a potential biomarker for predicting hepatocellular carcinoma, and further studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Background/Aims: Accumulating evidence revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated as critical molecules in tumor development and progression. MiR-26a, located in a fragile chromosomal region associated with various human cancer, has been reported to be involved in regulating various cellular process, such as proliferation, apoptosis and invasion through targeting multiple oncogene. Docetaxel-mediated chemotherapy has been applied in improving the survival and prognosis of patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma (LAD). However, chemoresistance remains a major impediment to clinical application of this agent. It has been presented that decreased miR-26a expression lead to cisplatin resistance and promoted growth and migration in human lung cancer. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is the target of miR-26a. The present study aimed to investigate the function of miR-26a/EZH2 in the acquisition of malignant behaviors of LAD. Methods: MiR-26a and EZH2 expression levels in the dcetaxel-insensitive groups (n = 19) and the docetaxel-sensitive groups (n = 18) were assessed by qRT-PCR. Colony formation assay, flow cytometric analysis, wound healing assay, cell transwell assays and western blotting were performed to assess the effects of miR-26a on proliferation, apoptosis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) phenotypes in docetaxel resistant LAD cells in vitro. Xenograft transplantation, immunohistochemistry, tunel assays and western blotting assays were employed to demonstrate the role of miR-26a in docetaxel resistant LAD cells in vivo. The expression level of EZH2 in docetaxel-resistant LAD cells and corresponding parental cells was detected by qRT-PCR and western blotting. The relationship between miR-26a and EZH2 was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. And rescue assays were performed to further confirm that miRNA-26a contributes to the acquisition of malignant behaviors of docetaxel-resistant LAD cells through targeting EZH2. Results: MiR-26a was significantly down-regulated in the dcetaxel-insensitive groups (n = 19) compared with the docetaxel-sensitive groups (n = 18) assessed by qRT-PCR. MiR-26a decreased the proliferation, increased the apoptosis rate and reversed EMT to MET of docetaxel-resistant LAD cells both in vivo and vitro. EZH2 was confirmed as target of miR-26a. Rescue assays further verified that the function of miR-26a exerts in docetaxel-resistant LAD cells is through targeting EZH2. Conclusions: Our data revealed that overexpression of miR-26a in docetaxel-resistant LAD cells could decrease the proliferation, increase the apoptosis rate and reverse EMT to MET of docetaxel-resistant LAD cells both in vivo and vitro and such function is partially exerted via downregulating EZH2. MiR-26a/EZH2 signal pathway makes contribute to the malignant phenotype of docetaxel-resistant of LAD cells which indicated that miR-26a exerts pivotal functions in the molecular etiology of chemoresistant lung adenocarcinoma.

To date, there is only up to 2% of protein-coding genes that are stably transcribed, whereas the vast majority are non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). These ncRNAs, also known as non-messenger RNAs (nmRNAs) or functional RNAs (fRNAs), include transfer RNAs, ribosomal RNAs, microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). With the advance of high-resolution microarrays and massively parallel sequencing technology, lncRNAs have gained extended attentions nowadays and are found to play important roles in tumorigenesis and progression of human cancers. Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA, regulator of reprogramming (linc-ROR), was first discovered in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), where it was controlled by the key pluripotency factors Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog. Linc-ROR has been shown to be dysregulated in many types of cancers, including breast cancer (BC), pancreatic cancer (PC), hepatocellular cancer (HCC), endometrial cancer (EC), and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Also, linc-ROR functions as regulatory molecule in a large amount of biological processes. However, the underlying mechanisms of its contribution to carcinogenesis remain to be elucidated. In this review, we will emphasize on the characteristics of linc-ROR and their roles in different types of human cancers.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death around the world. The advanced discovery of numerous long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has dramatically changed the understanding of biology of human cancers, including lung cancer. LncRNAs are a group of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) with a length greater than 200 nucleotides with limited or no protein-coding capacity. Increasing evidence has shown that specific lncRNAs may be implicated in the process of tumorigenesis. Because of their roles in the regulation of multiple molecular pathways associated with changes in gene expression, lncRNAs can serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets in lung cancer. Importantly, dysregulated lncRNAs is reported to be correlated with the sensitivity of lung cancer cells to anticancer therapies, including chemotherapy, molecular-targeted therapy, etc. Herein, we review the recent progress of lncRNAs in lung cancer, with a particular focus on the multiple molecular roles of regulatory lncRNAs on the molecular signaling pathways involved in tumorigenesis and the resistance to such therapies.

Cisplatin (CDDP) is one of the most effective broad-spectrum anticancer drugs, which has been employed for the treatment of lung cancer. The development of CDDP resistance is a major problem of tumor chemotherapy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an abundant class of small non-protein-coding RNAs, involved in the initiation and progression of human cancer. Increasing evidence has shown that dysregulation of miRNAs is involved in chemo resistance of tumor cells to anti-cancer drugs, including CDDP. This article summarizes current research involving miRNAs as regulators of key target genes for CDDP resistance in lung cancer. Potential use of targeting miRNAs can lead to miRNA-based therapies, which will be helpful for overcoming drug resistance and developing more effective personalized anti-cancer treatment strategies in human lung cancers.

Background/Aims: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major complication of kidney transplantation, resulting in early graft dysfunction. Since diuretic acetazolamide (AZA) has been shown to improve contrast induced AKI, we hypothesized that AZA also protected against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) caused AKI. Methods: An in vivo mouse renal I/R injury model and an in vitro H2O2 stimulated HK-2 cell injury model were utilized to examine the renoprotective effect of AZA. Renal injury and blood flow were measured. Nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)/Nitric oxide (NO), cell apoptosis and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) changes were analyzed. Results: AZA reduced kidney injury scores and improved renal function by decreasing serum creatinine and BUN levels after I/R. Impaired renal blood flow was restored by increasing eNOS activities and NO production, as indicated by Laser Doppler imaging. TUNEL staining presented that AZA reduced apoptotic cells due to attenuated caspase activation and increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio. Furthermore, HIF-1α induction by AZA was demonstrated. AZA also enhanced in vitro NO production, reduced cell apoptosis and increased HIF-1α expression. Knockdown of HIF-1α by RNAi confirmed that AZA exerted its protective role depending on HIF-1α. AZA's effects were significantly reduced by Akt inhibitor LY294002. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that AZA exerted a renoprotective role against I/R induced AKI through activating HIF-1α and downstream pathways.