Background: Localized scleroderma (LSc) exhibits fibrosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. LSc shows an excessive deposition of type 1 collagen.
Objectives: To elucidate the mechanism of type 1 collagen overexpression in LSc, we investigated the epigenetics, focusing on microRNA (miRNA).
Materials & Methods: miRNA expression profile was determined by PCR array analysis. The expression of microRNA-196a (miR-196a) in the skin tissue was examined by in situ hybridization or real-time PCR. The serum levels of miR-196a were measured by real-time PCR.
Results: PCR array analysis demonstrated that the miR-196a level was markedly decreased in LSc skin tissue in vivo. The transfection of specific inhibitor for miR-196a into normal cultured human dermal fibroblasts led to the up-regulation of type 1 collagen protein in vitro. Furthermore, the serum levels of miR-196a were significantly decreased in LSc patients.
Conclusion: Down-regulation of miR-196a and subsequent overexpression of type 1 collagen in dermal fibroblasts may play a key role in the pathogenesis of LSc. The serum levels of miR-196a may be useful as a diagnostic marker of LSc.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2014.2384 | DOI Listing |
Metastasis continues to pose a significant challenge in tumor treatment. Evidence indicates that choline dehydrogenase (CHDH) is crucial in tumorigenesis. However, the functional role of CHDH in colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis remains unreported.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Pharmacol
December 2024
Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics Laboratory, The Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy.
Inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of various diseases by promoting the acquisition of new functional traits by different cell types. Shared risk factors between cardiovascular disease and cancer, including smoking, obesity, diabetes, high-fat diet, low physical activity, and alcohol consumption, contribute to inflammation linked to platelet activation. Platelets contribute to an inflammatory state by activating various normal cells, such as fibroblasts, immune cells, and vascular cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlthough current treatments for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) have proven to be effective in delaying myopathy, there remains a strong need to identify novel targets to develop additional therapies. Mitochondrial dysfunction is an early pathological feature of DMD. A fine balance of mitochondrial dynamics (fission and fusion) is crucial to maintain mitochondrial function and skeletal muscle health.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Sports Med
January 2025
Department of Orthopaedics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
Background: Meniscal injuries that fail to heal instigate catabolic changes in the knee's microenvironment, posing a high risk for developing posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). Previous research has suggested that human cartilage-derived progenitor cells (hCPCs) can stimulate meniscal repair in a manner that depends on stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) pathway activity.
Hypothesis: Overexpressing the SDF-1 receptor CXCR4 in hCPCs will increase cell trafficking and further improve the repair efficacy of meniscal injuries.
Biomacromolecules
January 2025
Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea.
Mussel byssi form a robust underwater adhesive system, anchoring to various surfaces in harsh marine environments. Central to byssus is foot protein type 4 (fp-4), a junction protein connecting collagenous threads to proteinaceous plaque. This study investigated an anionic plaque-binding domain of fp-4 (fp-4a) and its interactions with cationic foot proteins (fp-1, fp-5, and fp-151 as model substitutes for fp-2) and metal ions (Ca, Fe, and V).
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