miRNAs in lung cancer: A link to aging

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Development of lung cancer is associated with exposure to carcinogens such as tobacco smoke and some environmental factors. The incidence of lung cancer increases with age, particularly after age 60. It was estimated that less than 2% of all lung cancer cases occurred in patients younger than 45; therefore, this type of tumor can be considered as an aging-related disease. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules capable of regulating expression of over 50% of protein-coding genes. miRNAs were shown to play an extremely important role in cell functioning, affecting all biological processes, as well as development of various diseases. Expression profiles of miRNAs are known to be altered in cancer, including lung cancer, and also exhibit changes during aging. These RNA molecules are stable in tissue sections and blood and reflect tumor origin, histotype, and stage, which make them candidate diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. miRNA mimetics or inhibitors can be delivered into a cell, with possible therapeutic implications. Here, we review the results obtained during the last several years that demonstrate the aging-related regulation of miRNAs expression, in association with their role in lung cancer initiation, progression, and resistance to anticancer therapy, as well as the possibility to use miRNAs as predictive biomarkers for treatment response.     

Spontaneous periodontitis is associated with metabolic syndrome in rhesus monkeys

Objective

The present study was designed to investigate (1) whether the non-human primate would be an appropriate animal model for the study of spontaneous periodontitis and its association with metabolic syndrome (MetS), and (2) whether microRNAs (miRNAs) play roles in the co-development of metabolic disorders and periodontitis.

Design

Rhesus monkeys (aged 12–29 years) with or without MetS were analyzed for the prevalence of periodontitis. The potential mechanisms underlying the association between MetS and periodontitis were explored using miRNA profiling of the gingival tissues from the MetS monkey groups with or without periodontitis as well as the age-matched controls.

Results

Among the 57 rhesus monkeys examined, 18 were diagnosed with periodontitis according to the inclusion criteria, with an overall prevalence of 31.6%. Moreover, the prevalence of periodontitis was 8.3% in the control group, 18.2% in the at-risk group, and 44.1% in the MetS group. The C-reactive protein level was doubled in the MetS periodontitis group, compared to the non-periodontitis sub-groups. Most importantly, only 3 miRNAs were confirmed to be differentially expressed between the MetS periodontitis and non-periodontitis subgroups while other miRNAs showed similar expression profiles.

Conclusions

The results indicate that the monkey with MetS is an ideal model for studies of spontaneous periodontitis and its association with MetS. miRNA profiling using this unique model showed that miRNAs play roles in the co-development of MetS and periodontitis.     

抗磷脂抗体和子痫前期的研究进展

抗磷脂抗体是一类能与磷脂或磷脂结合蛋白结合的自身免疫性抗体,与血栓形成、不良孕产史密切相关。抗磷脂抗体中高滴度阳性的患者易有子痫前期等不良妊娠结局。子痫前期发生于妊娠期,可导致全身多脏器的损伤,严重危及母儿生命和健康。子痫前期的发病机制目前还不是很清楚,研究提示抗磷脂抗体可能通过诱导氧化应激,促进血管内炎症等作用参与子痫前期的发病;对于抗磷脂抗体阳性的患者,早期发现和早期干预对获得良好的妊娠结局至关重要。     

microRNA介导的基因工程病毒减毒株研究进展

为了安全有效地进行基因治疗,需要把转染的基因限制在特定组织中表达。应用miRNA调节病毒基因表达是一个新方法。在miRNA介导的转基因表达系统中,可以将与miRNA互补的靶序列串联插入病毒基因3’非编码区域,导致在miRNA高表达细胞中抑制病毒的表达。我们总结了miRNA介导的病毒减毒株的应用。     

微小RNA与牙周炎

近十年,一类非编码蛋白的小RNA分子——微小RNA (miRNAs)证实参与免疫细胞发育以及多种疾病如肿瘤、炎症等生理和病理过程.而牙周炎作为危害人类口腔健康的常见慢性炎症,其发病机制的研究尚有不确切之处,也未能找到十分有效的治疗方法.近年,学者开始对牙周炎及miRNAs两者间的关系开展研究,以探索miRNAs参与牙周炎的发病机制.本文根据miRNAs与牙周炎研究的最新进展,就其在牙周组织及牙槽骨组织中异常表达及可能机制两方面作一综述.     

非编码RNA在脑缺血再灌注损伤中的作用

脑卒中(stroke)是导致成年人残疾和死亡的第二大病因,缺血性脑卒中约占所有脑卒中病例的87％[1],成为了现代社会健康和生活质量的主要威胁.缺血性脑卒中(ischemic stroke)由于脑血流量严重减少,脑组织缺乏血液和氧气供应,最终导致神经元细胞死亡和脑梗死[2].目前临床上常用的治疗缺血性脑卒中的方法是及时...