Zeng Peng, Zheng XianBo, Zhang Hui, Zhou MingHan, Chen Zhen, Song HanLin, Xu WuJi
Department of Orthopedics II, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, No.233, Cai E North Road, Kaifu District, Changsha City, 410005, Hunan, China.
Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2024 Nov;196(11):8134-8155. doi: 10.1007/s12010-024-04962-y. Epub 2024 May 1.
A growing body of research has confirmed the involvement of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the regulation of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) progression. However, the underlying molecular networks remain largely elusive. This study aimed to explore whether a novel circRNA, named circKIAA0564, affects nucleus pulposus (NP) cell injury and to elucidate its molecular mechanism. Both in vivo and in vitro IDD models were established, and the expression patterns of circKIAA0564/miR-424-5p/lysine demethylase 4a (KDM4A) were evaluated through quantitative reverse transcription PCR and Western blot analysis. Actinomycin D, RNase R, and Northern blotting were utilized to assess the circular structure of circKIAA0564. The Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, commercial assay kits, Western blotting, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) probes were employed to assess the inflammatory and oxidative stress status in NP cells and tissues. Hematoxylin and eosin and TUNEL staining were used to evaluate pathological damage in mouse NP tissues. RNA immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase reporter assays were conducted to assess the direct targeting relationships among circKIAA0564, miR-424-5p, and KDM4A. CircKIAA0564 was found to be abnormally overexpressed in IDD, functioning as a novel circRNA. Knockdown of circKIAA0564 ameliorated interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in NP cells. The therapeutic effect of circKIAA0564 knockdown on NP cells was reversed by the silencing of miR-424-5p. Overexpression of circKIAA0564 exacerbated IL-1β-induced NP cell injury, a process that was reversed by knockdown of KDM4A. CircKIAA0564 activated the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB)/NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway by regulating the miR-424-5p/KDM4A axis. CircKIAA0564 exacerbates IL-1β-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in NP cells by competitively binding miR-424-5p, thereby mediating KDM4A and activating the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. These findings provide robust data support for targeted therapy of IDD and the development of future pharmaceuticals.
越来越多的研究证实了环状RNA(circRNAs)参与椎间盘退变(IDD)进程的调控。然而,其潜在的分子网络在很大程度上仍不清楚。本研究旨在探讨一种名为circKIAA0564的新型circRNA是否影响髓核(NP)细胞损伤,并阐明其分子机制。建立了体内和体外IDD模型,并通过定量逆转录PCR和蛋白质免疫印迹分析评估circKIAA0564/miR-424-5p/赖氨酸去甲基化酶4a(KDM4A)的表达模式。利用放线菌素D、核糖核酸酶R和Northern印迹法评估circKIAA0564的环状结构。采用细胞计数试剂盒-8、流式细胞术、酶联免疫吸附测定、商业检测试剂盒、蛋白质免疫印迹法和活性氧(ROS)探针评估NP细胞和组织中的炎症和氧化应激状态。苏木精-伊红染色和TUNEL染色用于评估小鼠NP组织中的病理损伤。进行RNA免疫沉淀和双荧光素酶报告基因检测,以评估circKIAA0564、miR-424-5p和KDM4A之间的直接靶向关系。发现circKIAA0564在IDD中异常过表达,作为一种新型circRNA发挥作用。敲低circKIAA0564可改善白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)诱导的NP细胞炎症和氧化应激。沉默miR-424-5p可逆转circKIAA0564敲低对NP细胞的治疗作用。circKIAA0564的过表达加剧了IL-1β诱导的NP细胞损伤,敲低KDM4A可逆转这一过程。circKIAA0564通过调节miR-424-5p/KDM4A轴激活Toll样受体4(TLR4)/核因子κB(NF-κB)/含核苷酸结合寡聚化结构域样受体蛋白3(NLRP3)信号通路。circKIAA0564通过竞争性结合miR-424-5p加剧IL-1β诱导的NP细胞炎症和氧化应激,从而介导KDM4A并激活TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3信号通路。这些发现为IDD的靶向治疗和未来药物的开发提供了有力的数据支持。