Review
Cell Biology
Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard, Arian Askari, Bashdar Mahmud Hussen, Mohammad Taheri, Arda Kiani
Summary: Sarcopenia is a disease characterized by muscle atrophy and frailty in older adults, with the underlying molecular mechanisms still unclear. Noncoding RNAs, particularly microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs, have been identified as playing a role in the development and progression of sarcopenia. This manuscript reviews the current understanding of their involvement and discusses their potential as therapeutic targets.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Marta Murgia, Lorenza Brocca, Elena Monti, Martino V. V. Franchi, Maximilian Zwiebel, Sophia Steigerwald, Emiliana Giacomello, Roberta Sartori, Sandra Zampieri, Giovanni Capovilla, Mladen Gasparini, Gianni Biolo, Marco Sandri, Matthias Mann, Marco V. V. Narici
Summary: This study used mass spectrometry-based proteomics to analyze the changes in plasma protein abundance after 10 days of bed rest. The results showed that inactivity affected the concentration of complement cascade proteins, lipid carriers, and proteins derived from tissue leakage. Additionally, the study identified several proteins that could potentially serve as biomarkers to distinguish individuals prone to muscle atrophy from those resistant to it.
JOURNAL OF CACHEXIA SARCOPENIA AND MUSCLE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Junjie Sun, Hua Yang, Xiaoming Yang, Xin Chen, Hua Xu, Yuntian Shen, Fei Ding, Xiaosong Gu, Jianwei Zhu, Hualin Sun
Summary: This study revealed alternative splicing alterations related to disuse-induced muscle atrophy for the first time, highlighting that alternative splicing is a new focus of attention in the occurrence of muscle atrophy.
ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biology
Jing Yu, Kim Loh, He-qin Yang, Meng-ran Du, Yong-xin Wu, Zhi-yin Liao, Ai Guo, Yun-fei Yang, Bo Chen, Yu-xing Zhao, Jin-liang Chen, Jing Zhou, Yue Sun, Qian Xiao
Summary: This study investigates the role of lncRNA Gm20743 in the development of diabetic sarcopenia using a mouse model. Through RNA sequencing and informatics analysis, the study reveals the potential regulatory function of lncRNA Gm20743 in mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, cell proliferation, and myotube differentiation in skeletal muscle cells.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jen-Hao Yang, Ming-Wen Chang, Dimitrios Tsitsipatis, Xiaoling Yang, Jennifer L. Martindale, Rachel Munk, Aiwu Cheng, Elizabeth Izydore, Poonam R. Pandey, Yulan Piao, Krystyna Mazan-Mamczarz, Supriyo De, Kotb Abdelmohsen, Myriam Gorospe
Summary: In this study, the researchers discovered a noncoding RNA regulatory network that promotes myoblast fusion into multinucleated myotubes by modulating the degradation of miR-7.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Yajuan Li, Yaohua Zhang, Qingsong Hu, Sergey D. Egranov, Zhen Xing, Zhao Zhang, Ke Liang, Youqiong Ye, Yinghong Pan, Sujash S. Chatterjee, Brandon Mistretta, Tina K. Nguyen, David H. Hawke, Preethi H. Gunaratne, Mien-Chie Hung, Leng Han, Liuqing Yang, Chunru Lin
Summary: This study identified the interaction between H19 and DMD, demonstrated the effects of H19 gain-of-function on muscle cell differentiation and fusion, and showed the improvements in muscle performance and anti-obesity effects with the administration of AGR-H19-Rgof.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Chen-Yan Zhang, Chang-Qing Yang, Qiang Chen, Jie Liu, Ge Zhang, Chen Dong, Xin-Li Liu, Hafiz Muhammad Umer Farooq, Shi-Qi Zhao, Li-Heng Luo, Shan-Feng Jiang, Yin-Bo Niu, Da-Chuan Yin
Summary: miR-194 has been identified as a potential nucleic acid drug for treating muscle atrophy by promoting muscle differentiation and inhibiting ubiquitin ligase activity. The use of gelatin nanospheres for delivering exogenous miRNA has shown promising results in increasing muscle fiber size and function in a muscle atrophy model. The developed miRNA delivery system holds potential for precise treatment of muscle atrophy-related diseases due to its tunable composition and high drug loading capacity.
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Keisuke Hitachi, Masashi Nakatani, Yuri Kiyofuji, Hidehito Inagaki, Hiroki Kurahashi, Kunihiro Tsuchida
Summary: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in muscle atrophy, and the study results provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of muscle atrophy, which may help identify potential therapeutic targets.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lorenzo Sanesi, Giuseppina Storlino, Manuela Dicarlo, Angela Oranger, Roberta Zerlotin, Patrizia Pignataro, Clelia Suriano, Gabriella Guida, Maria Grano, Graziana Colaianni, Silvia Concetta Colucci
Summary: This study analyzed the modulation of key proteins and irisin in hind limb unloaded mice. The up-regulation of Atrogin-1 and Murf-1, as well as the changes in myosin heavy chain isoforms, were observed during unloading. The treatment with recombinant irisin prevented the decline of myosin heavy chain isoforms and anti-apoptotic factor Bcl2, and inhibited the increase of p53 and Bax. These results suggest that irisin could be a potential therapy for musculoskeletal impairment caused by unloading.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Zachary R. Hettinger, Kyoko Hamagata, Amy L. Confides, Marcus M. Lawrence, Benjamin F. Miller, Timothy A. Butterfield, Esther E. Dupont-Versteegden
Summary: The study suggests that older adults have difficulty recovering lost muscle mass following disuse atrophy, with mechanotherapy showing potential for enhancing recovery but with reduced effectiveness in older adults compared to adults. Age-related transverse muscle stiffness may hinder the growth response to mechanotherapy, indicating the importance of considering age-related factors in designing rehabilitation strategies for muscle disuse atrophy.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Takeshi Sugimoto, Shoma Imai, Maki Yoshikawa, Toshia Fujisato, Takeshi Hashimoto, Tomohiro Nakamura
Summary: This study investigates the effects of mechanical unloading on molecular muscle protein synthesis and muscle protein breakdown in 3D-engineered muscle, and finds that mechanical unloading leads to muscle atrophy by suppressing muscle protein synthesis. This novel model may improve in vitro testing to reduce mechanical unloading-induced atrophy.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dumitru Constantin-Teodosiu, Despina Constantin
Summary: Muscle fatigue can decrease the capacity of muscles to complete tasks over time, with short-lasting fatigue often caused by overtraining, undertraining, or physical injury, while persistent and severe fatigue may be associated with pathological states or chronic exposure to certain substances.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jacqueline A. Larouche, Paula M. Fraczek, Sarah J. Kurpiers, Benjamin A. Yang, Carol Davis, Jesus A. Castor-Macias, Kaitlyn Sabin, Shannon Anderson, Julia Harrer, Matthew Hall, Susan V. Brooks, Young C. Jang, Nick Willett, Lonnie D. Shea, Carlos A. Aguilar
Summary: This study compares the cellular and molecular mechanisms of fibrotic degeneration or regeneration of skeletal muscle (SkM) following volumetric muscle loss (VML) injuries. The researchers found that degenerative VML injuries led to increased infiltration of natural killer (NK) cells and persistent presence of neutrophils. The persistent infiltration of neutrophils impaired the regenerative function of muscle stem cells, which can be alleviated by blocking TGF beta signaling.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Takafumi Kawashima, Rui-Cheng Ji, Yuta Itoh, Nobuhide Agata, Nobuaki Sasai, Taro Murakami, Masahiro Sokabe, Fumihiko Hamada, Keisuke Kawakami
Summary: The study showed that after 4 weeks of hindlimb unloading, there was a significant decrease in the number of lymphatic and blood capillaries in the soleus muscle of mice, along with a significant decrease in the mRNA levels of VEGF-C and VEGF-D. The decrease in lymphatic vessels may play a crucial role in the process of muscle atrophy.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Wei Wang, Ming Li, Zehao Chen, Lai Xu, Mengyuan Chang, Kexin Wang, Chunyan Deng, Yun Gu, Songlin Zhou, Yuntian Shen, Feng Tao, Hualin Sun
Summary: Pathophysiological changes of skeletal muscle can cause muscle atrophy and dysfunction, greatly affecting quality of life. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are involved in the pathophysiological processes of skeletal muscle. EVs play a role in skeletal muscle growth, regeneration, and atrophy by delivering bioactive molecules. EVs have potential as biomarkers and therapeutic carriers for skeletal muscle diseases.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Qian Guan, Huiran Lin, Lei Miao, Huiqin Guo, Yongping Chen, Zhenjian Zhuo, Jing He
Summary: RNA modification, especially the m(6)A modification, plays a crucial role in cancer progression. METTL14, as the central component of the m(6)A methylated transferase complex, acts as both an oncogene and tumor suppressor gene, regulating tumorigenesis and development in various cancers. Abnormal m(6)A levels induced by METTL14 are associated with tumorigenesis, proliferation, metastasis, and invasion.
JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY & ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Yujie Liu, Qinwen Liu, Chuanhui Yin, Yi Li, Jie Wu, Quanlin Chen, Hailang Yu, Aiping Lu, Daogang Guan
Summary: Osteoporosis is a systemic disease characterized by low bone mineral density and increased bone fragility. Current treatments have limitations and Chinese herbal medicine offers alternative options. However, the functional interpretation of different treatments using herbal medicine lacks quantitative research. This study analyzes the components and targets to identify functional response motifs (FRMs) of different prescriptions. It provides insights into the optimization and mechanisms of Chinese medicine prescriptions.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yongping Chen, Lei Miao, Huiran Lin, Zhenjian Zhuo, Jing He
Summary: With the development of RNA modification research, the significance of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in tumors cannot be overlooked. m6A plays a role in promoting tumor stem cell self-renewal and tumor cell proliferation, affecting post-transcriptional gene expression and altering biological function. This study focuses on the involvement of m6A modification in pediatric cancers and summarizes the relationships between m6A factors and various types of pediatric cancers.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-REVIEWS ON CANCER
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Junzhen Fan, Zhenjian Zhuo, Guoqing Chen, Huizhong Niu, Zhonghua Yang, Jiao Zhang, Yong Li, Suhong Li, Jiwen Cheng, Li Li, Jing He, Xianqiang Wang
Summary: This study found a significant association between certain SNPs of the FTO gene and the risk of hepatoblastoma, particularly rs9939609 T > A, which was associated with a decreased risk. These findings provide clues for further research on the role of the FTO gene in hepatoblastoma.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Anqi Xu, Zhuo-Hua Wen, Shi-Xing Su, Yu-Peng Chen, Wen-Chao Liu, Shen-Quan Guo, Xi-Feng Li, Xin Zhang, Ran Li, Ning-Bo Xu, Ke-Xin Wang, Wen-Xing Li, Dao-Gang Guan, Chuan-Zhi Duan
Summary: By integrating pharmacological and chemoinformatic approaches, this study revealed the synergistic effects of multiple traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions in the treatment of stroke and identified the active compounds.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Yu-peng Chen, Ke-xin Wang, Jie-qi Cai, Yi Li, Hai-lang Yu, Qi Wu, Wei Meng, Han-duo Wang, Chuan-hui Yin, Jie Wu, Mian-bo Huang, Rong Li, Dao-gang Guan
Summary: This study constructs a functional response space by combining the pathogenetic genes of stroke and the targets of Xiao-Xu-Ming decoction (XXMD), and selects key functional components group (KFCG) using a novel node importance calculation method and dynamic programming strategy. The results improve the understanding of the action mechanism of XXMD.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dao-Qiang Lu, Dahai Liu, Justin Liu, Wen-Xing Li, Yilong Ai, Jun Wang, Daogang Guan
Summary: This study presents a simple method for generating chitosan-based nanogels through photo-crosslinking without the need for any emulsifying agent, catalyst, or external crosslinker. The nanogels showed uniform diameter and excellent stability, indicating their potential as drug carriers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Correction
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Liping Chen, Weiqian Mai, Minfeng Chen, Jianyang Hu, Zhenjian Zhuo, Xueping Lei, Lijuan Deng, Junshan Liu, Nan Yao, Maohua Huang, Yinghui Peng, Wencai Ye, Dongmei Zhang
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jiaying Ge, Jiangping Zeng, Huihui Ma, Siqi Sun, Zheng Zhao, Yujie Jing, Chunhua Qian, Zhaoliang Fei, Ran Cui, Shen Qu, Ge Zhang, Hui Sheng
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness of serum sarcopenia index and creatinine/cystatin C ratio in diagnosing sarcopenia and predicting future falls and fractures. The results showed that serum sarcopenia index had a better predictive ability than creatinine/cystatin C ratio for sarcopenia. The study also found that lower serum sarcopenia index and creatinine/cystatin C ratio were independent risk factors for sarcopenia, new falls, and fractures in the low-BMD population.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jue Tang, Jing He, Huiqin Guo, Huiran Lin, Meng Li, Tianyou Yang, Hai-Yun Wang, Di Li, Jiabin Liu, Le Li, Huimin Xia, Zhenjian Zhuo, Lei Miao
Summary: This study revealed the potential predictive role of PTBP2 in thoracic neuroblastoma (NB) patients. It showed that PTBP2 induced chemotactic activity in tumor-associated monocytes and macrophages, inhibiting NB growth and dissemination. This work highlighted the pathological and biological role of PTBP2 in NB development and predicted a favorable prognosis in thoracic NB.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Teng Tu, Maonan Pang, Dike Jiang, You Zhou, Xulong Wu, Xueping Yao, Yan Luo, Zexiao Yang, Meishen Ren, Aiping Lu, Ge Zhang, Yuanyuan Yu, Yin Wang
Summary: It is important for scientists to be able to communicate their work in a simple and concise manner, especially in an open-access online journal. The simple summary should contain a clear statement of the problem addressed, the aims and objectives, pertinent results, conclusions from the study, and their societal value. It should be written for a general audience, without technical terms or abbreviations. Submissions without a simple summary will be rejected.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Hau-Yee Kong, Aston Jiaxi Wu, Olivia Ka-Yi Ho, Maggie Ming-Ki Leung, Alexis Shiying Huang, Yuanyuan Yu, Ge Zhang, Aiping Lyu, Min Li, King-Ho Cheung
Summary: Neuroinflammation is a precursor to neurodegenerative diseases, and targeting it with aptamers offers potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications. This review summarizes the use of aptamers for diagnosing and treating inflammatory biomolecules and cells associated with neurodegenerative diseases. It also discusses the potential of short nucleotides for targeted brain delivery and the challenges of using aptamers as therapeutic agents. Overall, this review assesses the potential of aptamers as a pioneering approach for CNS target delivery and the treatment of neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Weijing Wang, Yongshu Li, Kaida Lin, Xiaokang Wang, Yanyang Tu, Zhenjian Zhuo
Summary: Patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDX) models, including patient-derived orthotopic xenografts (PDOX) models, humanized mouse models, and zebrafish PDX models, have played crucial roles in translational research, precision medicine, and drug discovery. These models enable the replication of tumor characteristics, enhanced drug sensitivity, and quick modeling for studying cancer and metastasis. However, challenges such as surgical techniques and resource-intensive imaging technologies limit their application. This review provides insights into the functional characteristics and prospective developments of each phase of PDX, highlighting their importance in the field.
ANIMAL MODELS AND EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Luyao Wang, Yuanyuan Yu, Shuaijian Ni, Dijie Li, Jin Liu, Duoli Xie, Hang Yin Chu, Qing Ren, Chuanxin Zhong, Ning Zhang, Nanxi Li, Meiheng Sun, Zong-Kang Zhang, Zhenjian Zhuo, Huarui Zhang, Shu Zhang, Mei Li, Weibo Xia, Zhenlin Zhang, Lin Chen, Peng Shang, Xiaohua Pan, Aiping Lu, Bao-Ting Zhang, Ge Zhang
Summary: The sclerostin loop3-specific aptamer Apc001PE has been shown to promote bone formation without increasing cardiovascular risk in osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) mice, as granted orphan drug designation by US-FDA in 2019.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xin Yin, Huiran Lin, Lei Lin, Lei Miao, Jing He, Zhenjian Zhuo
Summary: It is well known that noncoding RNAs play important regulatory roles in tumors. Among them, long noncoding RNAs and circular RNAs are particularly significant and have huge potential in cancer therapy. This review focuses on the important roles of lncRNAs and circRNAs in neuroblastoma and provides rationale and relevant references for novel biomarkers in neuroblastoma diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.