CircPMS1 promotes proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells,pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells,and pericytes under hypoxia

Background:Circular RNAs(circRNAs)have been recognized as significant regulators of pulmonary hypertension(PH);however,the differential expression and function of circRNAs in different vascular cells under hypoxia remain unknown.Here,we identified co-differentially expressed circRNAs and determined their putative roles in the proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells(PASMCs),pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells(PMECs),and pericytes(PCs)under hypoxia.Methods:Whole transcriptome sequencing was performed to analyze the differential expression of circRNAs in three different vascular cell types.Bioinformatic analysis was used to predict their putative biological function.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction,Cell Counting Kit-8,and EdU Cell Proliferation assays were carried out to determine the role of circular postmeiotic segregation 1(circPMS1)as well as its potential sponge mechanism in PASMCs,PMECs,and PCs.Results:PASMCs,PMECs,and PCs exhibited 16,99,and 31 differentially expressed circRNAs under hypoxia,respectively.CircPMS1 was upregulated in PASMCs,PMECs,and PCs under hypoxia and enhanced the proliferation of vascular cells.CircPMS1may upregulate DEP domain containing 1(DEPDC1)and RNA polymerase II subunit D expression by targeting microRNA-432-5p(miR-432-5p)in PASMCs,upregulate MAX interactor 1(MXI1)expression by targeting miR-433-3p in PMECs,and upregulate zinc finger AN1-type containing 5(ZFAND5)expression by targeting miR-3613-5p in PCs.Conclusions:Our results suggest that circPMS1 promotes cell proliferation through the miR-432-5p/DEPDC1 or miR-432-5p/POL2D axis in PASMCs,through the miR-433-3p/MXI1 axis in PMECs,and through the miR-3613-5p/ZFAND5 axis in PCs,which provides putative targets for the early diagnosis and treatment of PH.

Neural stem cell-derived exosomes regulate cell proliferation,migration,and cell death of brain microvascular endothelial cells via the miR-9/Hes1 axis under hypoxia

Background:Our previous study found that mouse embryonic neural stem cell(NSC)-derived exosomes(EXOs)regulated NSC differentiation via the miR-9/Hes1 axis.However,the effects of EXOs on brain microvascular endothelial cell(BMEC)dysfunction via the miR-9/Hes1 axis remain unknown.Therefore,the current study aimed to determine the effects of EXOs on BMEC proliferation,migration,and death via the miR-9/Hes1 axis.Methods:Immunofluorescence,quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction,cell counting kit-8 assay,wound healing assay,calcein-acetoxymethyl/propidium iodide staining,and hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to determine the role and mechanism of EXOs on BMECs.Results:EXOs promoted BMEC proliferation and migration and reduced cell death under hypoxic conditions.The overexpression of miR-9 promoted BMEC prolifera-tion and migration and reduced cell death under hypoxic conditions.Moreover,miR-9 downregulation inhibited BMEC proliferation and migration and also promoted cell death.Hes1 silencing ameliorated the effect of amtagomiR-9 on BMEC proliferation and migration and cell death.Hyperemic structures were observed in the regions of the hippocampus and cortex in hypoxia-induced mice.Meanwhile,EXO treatment improved cerebrovascular alterations.Conclusion:NSC-derived EXOs can promote BMEC proliferation and migra-tion and reduce cell death via the miR-9/Hes1 axis under hypoxic conditions.Therefore,EXO therapeutic strategies could be considered for hypoxia-induced vascular injury.

A novel dual serotonin transporter and M-channel inhibitor D01 for antidepression and cognitive improvement

Cognitive dysfunction is a core symptom common in psychiatric disorders including depression that is primarily managed by antidepressants lacking efficacy in improving cognition.In this study,we report a novel dual serotonin transporter and voltage-gated potassium Kv7/KCNQ/M-channel inhibitor D01(a 2-methyl-3-aryloxy-3-heteroarylpropylamines derivative)that exhibits both anti-depression effects and improvements in cognition.D01 inhibits serotonin transporters(K_(i)=30.1±6.9 nmol/L)and M channels(IC_(50)=10.1±2.4μmol/L).D01 also reduces the immobility duration in the mouse FST and TST assays in a dose-dependent manner without a stimulatory effect on locomotion.Intragastric administrations of D01(20 and 40 mg/kg)can significantly shorten the immobility time in a mouse model of chronic restraint stress(CRS)-induced depression-like behavior.Additionally,D01 dose-dependently improves the cognitive deficit induced by CRS in Morris water maze test and increases the exploration time with novel objects in normal or scopolamine-induced cognitive deficits in mice,but not fluoxetine.Furthermore,D01 reverses the long-term potentiation(LTP)inhibition induced by scopolamine.Taken together,our findings demonstrate that D01,a dual-target serotonin reuptake and M channel inhibitor,is highly effective in the treatment-resistant depression and cognitive deficits,thus holding potential for development as therapy of depression with cognitive deficits.

Correlation between KCNQ1 gene polymorphism and type 2 diabetes mellitus in Huaihai region of China

Objective:This article aims to discuss the distribution of KCNQ1 gene polymorphism in the Chinese Han population in the Huaihai region of China and the correlation between KCNQ1 gene polymorphism and incidence of type 2 diabetes(T2DM).Methods:From December 2010 to July 2011,200 T2DM inpatients and outpatients in the Endocrinology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College were selected as the case group and,200 healthy people identified by the health examination center in the same re-gion were selected as the control group.The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP)test was used to examine the gene polymorphism of the two groups.Results:(1)Analysis on the control group showed that at the KCNQ1 rC237892 locus,the genotype frequencies of CC,CT and TT were 36.0%(72/200),51.0%(102/200)and 13.0%(26/200)respectively,and the allelic frequencies of C and T were 61.5%(246/400)and 38.5%(154/400)respectively.Analysis on the case group showed the genotype frequencies of CC,CT and TT were 47.5%(95/200),44.0%(88/200)and 8.5%(17/200)respectively,and the allelic frequencies of C and T were 69.5%(278/400)and 30.5%(122/400)respectively.Comparison between the genotype distributions and allelic frequencies of the two tested groups at KCNQ1 rC237892 locus showed differences with statistical significance(P<0.05).(2)Comparison be-tween the genotype distributions and allelic C and A frequencies of the control group and the case group showed differences with no statistical significance(P>0.05).Conclusion:Polymorphism at KCNQ1 rs2237892 locus may be correlated to the incidence of T2DM in the Chinese Han population in Huaihai region of China;polymorphism at rsl51290 locus may be irrelevant to the incidence of T2DM in the Chinese Han population in Huaihai region of China.