How does miRNA regulation affect rho kinase activity in the context of stroke?10 answersMicroRNA (miRNA) regulation plays a significant role in modulating Rho kinase activity, particularly in the context of ischemic stroke, which is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The study by Chuan Jiang et al. specifically highlights the protective role of miR-190 against brain ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) damage by targeting the Rho/Rho-kinase signaling pathway. Overexpression of miR-190 was found to significantly reduce neurological scores, brain water contents, infarct volumes, and neuronal apoptosis in rats suffering from I/R, primarily through the downregulation of RhoA and Rho kinase expression, which are known targets of miR-190. This indicates a direct regulatory effect of miRNA on Rho kinase activity within the stroke context.
Further supporting this, other studies have identified various miRNAs with potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic utility in neurovascular diseases, suggesting their involvement in key signaling pathways and biological processes related to stroke. For instance, differential expression profiles of miRNAs in ischemic stroke patients have revealed regulatory targets that include critical genes and pathways, potentially implicating the Rho kinase pathway among others. Moreover, miRNAs have been explored for their roles in numerous cellular changes following ischemic stroke, including those affecting the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and inflammatory responses, which are processes where Rho kinase activity is known to be a critical mediator.
The regulatory role of miRNAs in experimental stroke models and their potential as biomarkers further underscore their importance in stroke pathophysiology. Additionally, miRNAs have been correlated with the innate immune response and neuroinflammation in ischemic stroke, suggesting their regulatory role could extend to modulating Rho kinase activity indirectly through inflammation pathways. The involvement of miRNAs in the MAPK signaling pathway, which is closely related to Rho kinase signaling in the context of ischemic stroke, highlights the interconnectedness of these pathways and the potential of miRNAs to modulate them.
Emerging research also points to the differential regulation and correlations between miRNAs and their target genes in stroke, further implicating the potential role of miRNAs in regulating Rho kinase activity through their gene targets. The modulation of specific miRNAs, such as miR-29 and miR-21, following stroke in animal models, suggests that miRNAs can influence the expression of genes involved in stroke pathogenesis, possibly including those related to Rho kinase activity. Lastly, a meta-analysis of studies on miRNA expressions in ischemic stroke has confirmed the diagnostic potential of altered miRNA expressions, which could include those regulating Rho kinase activity.
In summary, miRNA regulation affects Rho kinase activity in the context of stroke by directly targeting genes involved in the Rho/Rho-kinase signaling pathway, as well as through indirect modulation of related signaling pathways and biological processes. This regulatory mechanism offers potential therapeutic targets for minimizing post-stroke neurological damage and improving stroke outcomes.
Role of mirna in emt?5 answersMicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in regulating the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in cancer. They target transcription factors like Snail, Twist, and ZEB, controlling tumor cell EMT in various cancers. MiRNAs can either promote or inhibit EMT progression, impacting cancer development. Additionally, miRNAs are involved in the generation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) through EMT, contributing to chemoresistance, a key feature of CSCs. Regulating EMT- or CSCs-associated miRNAs presents a promising approach to overcoming drug resistance and inhibiting EMT and CSCs phenotypes in cancer therapy. The intricate interplay between miRNAs, EMT, and CSCs underscores the potential for targeted therapies to combat cancer progression and drug resistance.
How can biomarkers be used to improve the diagnosis and management of preeclampsia?4 answersBiomarkers can be used to improve the diagnosis and management of preeclampsia by providing early prediction and risk assessment. Elevated levels of biomarkers such as methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), homocysteine, and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) are associated with preeclampsia and its complications, including hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Other biomarkers such as VEGF, sFlt1, sENG, PAPP-A, inhibin A, and activin A have also been helpful in predicting and diagnosing preeclampsia. The use of a multiple biomarker approach, including MTHFR SNPs, homocysteine, and ADMA, can enhance the prediction of preeclampsia and its complications. Additionally, biomarkers such as soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) can be used to rule out preeclampsia and assist in clinical management. Oxidative stress biomarkers, including ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), uric acid (UA), and malondialdehyde (MDA), show promise in diagnosing preeclampsia. Overall, biomarkers play a crucial role in identifying women at risk for preeclampsia, enabling early intervention and improved management of the condition.
What are the effects of miRNAs on gene expression?4 answersMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. They can bind to complementary sequences on cellular mRNAs, leading to mRNA degradation or inhibition of translation. Plant-derived miRNAs have been shown to regulate gene expression in mammals through cross-kingdom regulation. In addition, miRNAs play a role in stabilizing the transcriptional regulatory network by attenuating the degradation of target genes and maintaining transcriptional homeostasis. They can reduce cell-to-cell variability in protein expression and induce correlations between target expression levels. Furthermore, miRNAs can act as "competing RNAs" and influence the expression of other targets. Overall, miRNAs have a significant impact on gene expression by regulating mRNA stability, translation, and transcriptional dynamics.
What is the role of miRNAs in the development of breast cancer?5 answersMicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in the development of breast cancer. Dysregulation of miRNA expression has been associated with most human cancers, including breast cancer. MiRNAs are involved in various stages of breast cancer progression, such as breast cancer stem cell formation, initiation, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. They can regulate the expression of downstream target genes through different molecular mechanisms, either positively or negatively. Exosomes, a subpopulation of extracellular vesicles, released by tumor cells, have a significant impact on breast cancer development and progression. Exosomal miRNAs derived from tumor cells can regulate multiple events in breast cancer, including tumor microenvironment remodeling, immune cell suppression, angiogenesis, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Furthermore, miRNAs have been identified as potential biomarkers for early cancer detection and can help analyze drug resistance and sensitivity in breast cancer treatment. Overall, miRNAs have emerged as important players in breast cancer development and progression, offering potential therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers.
Is there an association between pre-eclampsia and immune function?5 answersPre-eclampsia is associated with immune dysfunction, including activation of the humoral immune system and changes in immune cell populations. Studies have shown that markers of humoral immunity, such as immunoglobulins and complement proteins, are altered in women with pre-eclampsia. Additionally, there is evidence of an imbalance between Th17 and Treg cells, with a predominance of Th17 immunity in pre-eclampsia. Dysfunction of natural killer (NK) cells and T lymphocyte populations has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Furthermore, the immune response in pre-eclampsia is characterized by activation of both the innate and adaptive immune systems, leading to inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. These findings suggest that immune dysregulation plays a role in the development of pre-eclampsia.