Lymphomas are heterogenous class of diseases characterized by proliferation of a malignant lymphocyte clone. MicroRNA miR-155 was found to be a key molecule in immune response, namely in inflammation and germinal reaction of B cells. On the other hand, miR-155 can drive lymphoproliferation in mouse and its levels were found to be elevated in certain lymphoma types in human. MiR-155 down-regulates expression of its target gene PU.1, a hematopoietic transcription factor important for B cell differentiation. Expression of the gene encoding miR-155, known as MIR155HG, is controled by several transcription factors, among them MYB, a member of an oncogenic E-box protein family. Levels of MYB itself are controled by microRNA miR-150. In this study, we measured levels of miR-155, PU.1, MYB and miR-150 in lymph nodes of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (B-CLL/SLL, N=20), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL, N=24), follicular lymphoma (FL, N=29), Hodgkin lymphoma (HL, N=25), marginal zone lymphoma (MZL, N=13), and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL, N=10). We also measured levels of these molecules in lymph nodes with the finding of strong inflammation (N=4). We found that patients of all the diagnoses except of MCL display heterogeneously elevated levels of miR-155 and correspondingly...

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate mRNA translation by binding to complementary sequences usually within the 3’ un-translated region (UTR). By inserting four perfectly complementary binding sites for the hepatic specific microRNA mir122 into the 3’ UTR of adenovirus wild type 5 (Ad5 WT) E1A mRNA I show that the acute liver toxicity caused by Ad5 WT in mice can be significantly reduced. This virus, termed Ad5-mir122, is a promising virotherapy candidate and causes no obvious liver pathology whilst maintaining Ad5 WT replication in mir122 negative cells. Data shows that repeat intravenous administration of Ad5-mir122 (2x1010vp) to HepG2 tumour bearing mice mediated significant anti-cancer efficacy. RT-QPCR for E1A mRNA demonstrated a 29-fold reduction when compared to Ad5 WT in murine liver whilst western blot confirmed that all E1A protein variants were knocked down. Viral genomic replication was also reduced in mouse liver by 25-fold compared to Ad5 WT. This control of virus activity reduced alanine and aspartate transaminase release by >15-fold and histological analysis showed little to no pathology in Ad5-mir122 infected livers. Measurement of mature mir122 levels in Ad5-mir122 infected livers by RT-QPCR showed that the quantity of mir122 remained unaffected at therapeutic doses. Complete genome mRNA array profiling of infected livers showed that the transcript levels of >3900 different mRNAs were changed more than 2-fold following Ad5 WT infection whilst less than 600 were changed by Ad5-mir122. A non-replicating control adenovirus vector altered >550 mRNAs. No known mir122 target mRNAs were affected following infection with Ad5-mir122. Western blot analysis of a known mir122 regulated target (Aldolase A) confirmed these results, demonstrating no change in protein level despite infection with Ad5-mir122. These data combined demonstrate that the exploitation of microRNA mir122 regulation to control adenovirus replication is a safe method of control and does not alter the endogenous level or activity of the microRNA or its endogenous mRNA targets. Ad5-mir122 is a potent anti-cancer agent that replicates to wild-type levels in microRNA mir122 negative cells but is specifically and safely attenuated in hepatocytes.

Sepsis, a life-threatening condition which results from a dysregulation of host response to infection and leads to multiple organ dysfunction, is a cause for great concern. The current gold standard of detection – Blood culturing – is a highly time-consuming process and so, research has proposed the use of biomarkers. Current biomarkers, C-reactive protein and Procalcitonin, though good indicators, individually show certain limitations with respect to the specificity and sensitivity. Hence, as a step forward from singleplex biomarkers, the development of a multi-marker panel was suggested. For this purpose, the use of microRNAs (miRNAs) were employed to serve as potential biomarkers for the detection of sepsis. The aim of this study was to determine whether a higher concentration of miRNA would be obtained from a larger volume of plasma as well as to see if the miRNA present in blood can be used for the diagnosis of sepsis. Extractions were carried out using the QIAGEN exoRNeasy Plasma: Midi & Maxi Kits from plasma and Norgen’s Total RNA Purification Kit from blood. The samples were analysed and quantified using the Qubit® microRNA assay kit & Qubit® 3.0 Fluorometer and the NanoDrop™ 2000 Spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis of the results revealed that there was a significant difference between miRNA concentrations in the two volumes of plasma analysed. Based on the accurate Qubit measurements and readings, it was concluded that a larger volume of plasma, does yield a higher concentration of miRNA. In addition, it was also established that the miRNA detected in blood, could be used as probable biomarkers for the diagnosis of sepsis.

RNA Sequencing has recently emerged as a breakthrough technology for microRNA (miRNA) discovery. This technology has allowed the discovery of thousands of miRNAs in a large number of species. However, despite the benefits of this technology, it also carries its own limitations, including the need for sequencing read libraries and of the genome. Differently, ab initio computational methods need only the genome as input to search for genonic locus likely to give rise to novel miRNAs. In the core of most of these methods, there are predictive models induced by using data mining techniques able to distinguish between real (positive) and pseudo (negative) miRNA precursors (pre-miRNA). Nevertheless, the applicability of current literature ab initio methods have been compromised by high false detection rates and/or by other computational difficulties. In this work, we investigated how the main aspects involved in the induction of predictive models for pre-miRNA affect the predictive performance. Particularly, we evaluate the discriminant power of feature sets proposed in the literature, whose computational costs and composition vary widely. The computational experiments were carried out using sequence data from 45 species, which covered species from eight phyla. The predictive performance of the classification models induced using large training set sizes (≥ 1; 608) composed of instances extracted from real and pseudo human pre-miRNA sequences did not differ significantly among the feature sets that lead to the maximal accuracies. Moreover, the differences in the predictive performances obtained by these models, due to the learning algorithms, were neglectable. Inspired by these results, we obtained a feature set which can be computed 34 times faster than the less costly among those feature sets, producing the maximal accuracies, albeit the proposed feature set has achieved accuracy within 0.1% of the maximal accuracies. When classification models using the elements previously discussed were induced using small training sets (120) from 45 species, we showed that the feature sets that produced the highest accuracies in the classification of human sequences were also more likely to produce higher accuracies for other species. Nevertheless, we showed that the learning complexity of pre-miRNAs vary strongly among species, even among those from the same phylum. These results showed that the existence of specie specific features indicated in previous studies may be correlated with the learning complexity. As a consequence, the predictive accuracies of models induced with different species and same features and instances spaces vary largely. In our results, we show that the use of training examples from species phylogenetically more complex may increase the predictive performances for less complex species. Finally, by using ensembles of computationally less costly feature sets, we showed alternative ways to increase the predictive performance for many species while keeping the computational costs of the analysis lower than those using the feature sets from the literature. Since in miRNA discovery the number of putative miRNA loci is in the order of millions, the analysis of putative miRNAs using a computationally expensive feature set and or inaccurate models would be wasteful or even unfeasible for large genomes. In this work, we explore most of the learning aspects implemented in current ab initio pre-miRNA prediction tools, which may lead to the development of new efficient ab initio pre-miRNA discovery tools / O sequenciamento de pequenos RNAs surgiu recentemente como uma tecnologia inovadora na descoberta de microRNAs (miRNA). Essa tecnologia tem facilitado a descoberta de milhares de miRNAs em um grande número de espécies. No entanto, apesar dos benefícios dessa tecnologia, ela apresenta desafios, como a necessidade de construir uma biblioteca de pequenos RNAs, além do genoma. Diferentemente, métodos computacionais ab initio buscam diretamente no genoma regiões prováveis de conter miRNAs. A maioria desses métodos usam modelos preditivos capazes de distinguir entre os verdadeiros (positivos) e pseudo precursores de miRNA - pre-miRNA - (negativos), os quais são induzidos utilizando técnicas de mineração de dados. No entanto, a aplicabilidade de métodos ab initio da literatura atual é limitada pelas altas taxas de falsos positivos e/ou por outras dificuldades computacionais, como o elevado tempo necessário para calcular um conjunto de atributos. Neste trabalho, investigamos como os principais aspectos envolvidos na indução de modelos preditivos de pre-miRNA afetam o desempenho preditivo. Particularmente, avaliamos a capacidade discriminatória de conjuntos de atributos propostos na literatura, cujos custos computacionais e a composição variam amplamente. Os experimentos computacionais foram realizados utilizando dados de sequências positivas e negativas de 45 espécies, cobrindo espécies de oito filos. Os resultados mostraram que o desempenho preditivo de classificadores induzidos utilizando conjuntos de treinamento com 1608 ou mais vetores de atributos calculados de sequências humanas não diferiram significativamente, entre os conjuntos de atributos que produziram as maiores acurácias. Além disso, as diferenças entre os desempenhos preditivos de classificadores induzidos por diferentes algoritmos de aprendizado, utilizando um mesmo conjunto de atributos, foram pequenas ou não significantes. Esses resultados inspiraram a obtenção de um conjunto de atributos menor e que pode ser calculado até 34 vezes mais rapidamente do que o conjunto de atributos menos custoso produzindo máxima acurácia, embora a acurácia produzida pelo conjunto proposto não difere em mais de 0.1% das acurácias máximas. Quando esses experimentos foram executados utilizando vetores de atributos calculados de sequências de outras 44 espécies, os resultados mostraram que os conjuntos de atributos que produziram modelos com as maiores acurácias utilizando vetores calculados de sequências humanas também produziram as maiores acurácias quando pequenos conjuntos de treinamento (120) calculados de exemplos de outras espécies foram utilizadas. No entanto, a análise destes modelos mostrou que a complexidade de aprendizado varia amplamente entre as espécies, mesmo entre aquelas pertencentes a um mesmo filo. Esses resultados mostram que a existência de características espécificas em pre-miRNAs de certas espécies sugerida em estudos anteriores pode estar correlacionada com a complexidade de aprendizado. Consequentemente, a acurácia de modelos induzidos utilizando um mesmo conjunto de atributos e um mesmo algoritmo de aprendizado varia amplamente entre as espécies. i Os resultados também mostraram que o uso de exemplos de espécies filogeneticamente mais complexas pode aumentar o desempenho preditivo de espécies menos complexas. Por último, experimentos computacionais utilizando técnicas de ensemble mostraram estratégias alternativas para o desenvolvimento de novos modelos para predição de pre-miRNA com maior probabilidade de obter maior desempenho preditivo do que estratégias atuais, embora o custo computacional dos atributos seja inferior. Uma vez que a descoberta de miRNAs envolve a análise de milhares de regiões genômicas, a aplicação prática de modelos preditivos de baixa acurácia e/ou que dependem de atributos computacionalmente custosos pode ser inviável em análises de grandes genomas. Neste trabalho, apresentamos e discutimos os resultados de experimentos computacionais investigando o potencial de diversas estratégias utilizadas na indução de modelos preditivos para predição ab initio de pre-miRNAs, que podem levar ao desenvolvimento de ferramentas ab initio de maior aplicabilidade prática

O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar os mecanismos pelo qual o ácido palmítico induz atrofia muscular ou prejudica a regeneração em células C2C12. Para avaliar o efeito do AP na formação dos miotubos, células C2C12 foram diferenciadas e tratadas com ácido palmítico (AP: 0, 100 e 150 <font face = \"symbol\">mM) por 0-5 dias. Para indução in vitro de atrofia muscular os miotubos foram diferenciados por 5 dias e tratados com AP 100 <font face = \"symbol\">mM ou veículo por 48h. Nos mioblastos em proliferação foram realizados os ensaios de MTT, LDH, TUNEL e curvas de crescimento para avaliar o efeito do AP na citotoxicidade e proliferação celular e ensaio de cicatrização para avaliar se o AP prejudica a regeneração de mioblastos. Após 1 a 5 dias de diferenciação e tratamento com AP, as concentrações de 100 e 150 <font face = \"symbol\">mM induziram nas células C2C12 redução no diâmetro e tamanho das fibras tipo 1 e tipo 2 formados sem afetar a viabilidade celular ou induzir apoptose na linhagem C2C12 em comparação ao controle. Entretanto, o tratamento com AP induziu a formação de um maior números de fibras MyHC tipo 2 e menor do tipo 1. Enquanto o AP na concentração de 100 <font face = \"symbol\">mM não afeta a proliferação celular, na concentração de 150 <font face = \"symbol\">mM o AP parece prejudicar a proliferação, e após lesão, não há cicatrização completa mesmo 16 horas da lesão. A expressão de RNAm dos marcadores miogênicos (MyoD, Mstn, Myf5, MyH7 e miomesina) e dos microRNAs específicos de músculo esquelético também foram avaliadas em miotubos diferenciados e tratados ou não com AP (1 - 5 dias). Observou-se que um padrão temporal alterado de expressão dos marcadores miogênicos e dos miR-1, miR-133a e miR-206, que, provavelmente, ocorre para manter a diferenciação celular. Após 1 dia de diferenciação e tratamento com AP 100 e 150 <font face = \"symbol\">mM, observou-se um amento na expressão de atrogin-1, possivelmente indicando uma maior degradação proteica. Já nas células diferenciadas por 5 dias e tratadas com AP por 48h, observamos redução do diâmetro dos miotubos, caracterizando o processo de atrofia, aumento no perfil de expressão dos miR-133a e 206 e não observamos alterações nas proteínas relacionadas a síntese e degradação proteica analisadas. Em conclusão, Concluímos que a atrofia muscular esteja sendo mediada pelos microRNAs alterados entretanto não é mediada pela via ubiquitina-proteassoma. / The present study aims to evaluate the mechanisms by which palmitic acid induces atrophy or affects regeneration of C2C12 cells. The effect of AP (0, 100 and 150 <font face = \"symbol\">mM) on myotube formation of C2C12 cells were evaluated 0-5 days of differentiation. In order to induce muscular atrophy in vitro, myotubes were differentiated for 5 days and treated with AP 100 <font face = \"symbol\">mM or vehicle for 48h. In proliferating myoblasts MTT, LDH and TUNEL assays and cellular growth curves were performed in AP or vehicle-treated C2C12 cells so as to evaluate cytotoxicity and cell proliferation and the healing assay to analyze myoblasts regeneration. After 1 to 5 days of differentiation and treatment with AP, 100 and 150 <font face = \"symbol\">mM concentrations induced a reduction in the size and diameter of type 1 and 2 fibers formed without affecting cell viability or induce aopotosis in C2C12 cell line in comparison to the control. However, AP induced an increase in MyHC type 2 fibers whether reduced MyHC type 1 fibers. While 100 <font face = \"symbol\">mM AP did not affect cell proliferation, 150 <font face = \"symbol\">mM AP reduces C2C12 cellular proliferation, and after injury, the healing is not complete after 16h of the injury. mRNA expression of the myogenic markers (MyoD, Mstn, Myf5, MyH7 and miomesine) and of the muscle-specific microRNAs were evaluated in differentiated myotubes treated or not with AP (0-5 days). We observed an altered time pattern of expression of myogenic markers and of miR-1, miR-133a and miR- 206, which probably occurs to maintain cell differentiation. After 1 day of differentiation and treatment with AP 100 and 150 <font face = \"symbol\">mM, it was observed an increased expression of atrogin-1, possibly indicating a greater protein degradation. After 5 days of differentiation and 48h-treatment with AP, we observed reduction of myotube diameter, characterizing the atrophy process, increased expression of miR-133a and 206, and no changes were observed in the proteins related to protein synthesis and degradation analyzed. In conclusion, AP reduces myotube differentiation inducing myotube atrophy by decreasing myogenic markers and accelerating protein degradation and promotes a change in type 1 and 2 fibers proportion. In myotubes, the mechanisms by wich AP induces myotube atrophy seems to involve an increase in miR-133a and miR-206 expression.

Les folates et la vitamine B12 sont essentiels au bon déroulement du développement cérébral. Ils agissent comme donneurs de méthyles dans le cycle des monocarbones où ils influencent les mécanismes épigénétiques. Les carences en folate et vitamine B12 sont fréquentes chez la femme enceinte et constituent un facteur de risque pour diverses pathologies neurologiques et les défauts développementaux ; ainsi de nombreux pays recommandent une supplémentation périconceptionnelle en acide folique. Une carence gestationnelle chez le rat est associée à un retard de croissance, à un défaut de sutures cérébrales, et à une atrophie de couches cérébrales qui s’accompagnent de troubles à long terme. Let-7a, miR-34a et miR-124a sont des microRNAs régulés par méthylation qui participent au développement cérébral. Leur expression est augmentée en condition de carence. L’expression de leurs cibles, respectivement Trim71, Dll1/Notch et Stat3, est réduite dans le cerveau d’embryons carencés, de même que l’expression et l’activité des récepteurs au glutamate AMPAR1/2 et NMDAR1/2, acteurs de la plasticité synaptique, à 21 jours post-natals. Une supplémentation périnatale en folate (3 mg/kg/j) normalise l’expression des microARN et de leurs cibles, et réduit les défauts structuraux et fonctionnels. Leur répression par siRNA améliore le phénotype de progéniteurs hippocampiques déplétés en B9, et stimule la croissance neuritique. Ces résultats soulignent le rôle potentiel de let-7a, miR-34a, miR-124a et de leurs voies de signalisation dans les anomalies développementales associées à une carence, et montre l’intérêt d’une supplémentation périnatale en folate chez les femmes à risque / Folate and vitamin B12 are essential for proper cerebral development. They act as methyl donors in the one-carbon metabolism and influence epigenetic mechanisms. Low dietary intakes of folate and vitamin B12 are frequent in pregnant women, and deficiency constitutes a risk factor for various neurological and developmental disorders. In several countries, public health policies recommend periconceptional supplementation with folic acid. Gestational deficiency in rats was associated with growth retardation, brain suture defects and atrophy of cerebral layers with long-term brain disabilities. The microRNA let-7a, miR-34a and miR-124a are regulated by methylation and required for brain development. Their expression was augmented in deficiency condition. Protein levels of their targets Trim 71, Dll1/Notch and Stat3, respectively, were decreased in the brains of deprived fetuses, as well as glutamate receptors AMPAR1/2 and NMDAR1/2 in 21d-old rats. Perinatal folate supplementation (3 mg/kg/d) restored the levels of microRNA and their downstream targets, with reduction of structural and functional defects. Silencing by siRNA improved the phenotype of deprived cells, and neurite outgrowth. The data outline the potential role of let-7a, miR-34a, miR-124a and their signaling pathways in developmental defects related to methyl donor deficiency, and support the likely usefulness of perinatal folate supplementation in at risk women

Récemment, plusieurs études ont permis de mettre en évidence un lien possible entre la maturation des snoARN et celle des microARN, deux familles d’ARNnc impliquées respectivement dans la maturation d’autres ARN, tels les ARNr, et dans la régulation de l’expression des gènes. En effet, ces études ont montré que certains microARN pouvaient être issus de la maturation d’un snoARN précurseur, formant alors une nouvelle classe d’ARNnc, les sdARN (ARN dérivés de snoARN). Le manque d’informations disponibles sur les mécanismes de maturation possibles des sdARN nous a conduit à réaliser un crible double-hybride chez la levure S. cerevisiae entre différentes protéines impliquées dans la biogenèse des snoARN et des microARN. Ce crible a permis d’identifier une nouvelle interaction entre les protéines TRBP, impliquée dans la maturation du pré-microARN en microARN, et RPAP3, un protéine du complexe d’assemblage hR2TP. L’observation de cette interaction soulève plusieurs questions, telles que son implication possible dans la maturation de microARN à partir de snoARN précurseurs, ou encore sur l’implication possible de TRBP et RPAP3 dans la biogenèse des snoRNP ou des microARN, respectivement. Nous avons alors entrepris de caractériser l’interaction entre TRBP et RPAP3. Par des approches de biologie moléculaire, de biochimie et de biologie structurale, nous avons d’une part confirmé l’existence du complexe in vitro et in vivo et identifié les domaines respectifs de TRBP et de RPAP3 impliqués dans l’interaction, ainsi qu’identifié plusieurs mutations intéressantes au niveau de l’interface d’interaction. L’utilisation de ces mutants devrait nous permettre d’étudier l’effet de la perte d’interaction entre TRBP et RPAP3 sur la maturation de différents ARNnc. Enfin, nos travaux ont également permis d’observer que l’interaction entre TRBP et RPAP3 n’était pas compatible avec la formation du complexe entre TRBP et la RNase Dicer. Or, il avait été montré que l’absence de TRBP au niveau de Dicer entraînait dans certains cas la génération de microARN avec des extrémités, et donc des spécificités, altérées (iso-miRs). La formation d’un complexe entre les protéines TRBP et RPAP3 pourrait donc constituer un moyen possible de réguler la disponibilité de TRBP et, indirectement, l’activité de Dicer / Recently, several studies have described a possible link between snoRNA and microRNA maturation, two ncRNA families involved in the maturation of other RNAs, such as rRNA, and in the regulation of gene expression, respectively. Indeed, these studies have shown that some microRNAs could be maturated from a snoRNA precursor, forming a new class of ncRNAs, the sdRNAs (snoRNA-derived RNAs). The mechanism of sdRNA maturation are still poorly understood. Therefore, we have performed a two-hybrid screen in the yeast S. cerevisiae between different proteins involved in microRNAs and snoRNAs biogenesis. Interestingly, we observed a novel interaction between TRBP, involved in the maturation of microRNAs, and RPAP3, a member of the hR2TP complex. The observation of this interaction raises several questions, such as its possible involvement in the maturation of microRNAs from snoARN precursors, or on the possible involvement of TRBP or RPAP3 in snoRNP or microRNA biogenesis, respectively. Using various molecular biology and biochemical approaches, we undertook the functional and structural characterization of the TRBP/RPAP3 interaction. First, we confirmed the interaction both in vitro and in vivo and we identified the TRBP and RPAP3 domains involved in the interaction, as well as several interesting mutations in the binding interface. Using these mutants should allow us to study the effects of this mutations on the maturation of differents ncRNAs. Additionally, we showed that the interaction between TRBP and RPAP3 and between TRBP and the RNase Dicer were mutually exclusive. Interestingly, it was shown that in the absence of TRBP, Dicer processig resulted, in some cases, in the generation of microRNAs with different ends, and thus, with altered specificity(iso-miRs). The interaction between TRBP and RPAP3 could therefore also constitute a possible way to regulate the availability of TRBP, and eventually the activity of Dicer

Neutrophils, contributing to approximately 40%-70% of white blood cells in mammals, are the most abundant type of leukocytes in human circulation. As critical effector cells in innate immunity, neutrophils form the first line of host defense against microbes and are the first immune cells recruited to an inflamed tissue. The pathogen phagocytosis, release of reactive chemicals and proteases, and formation of extracellular traps are the key weapons of neutrophils in host defense. However, neutrophils also contribute to collateral tissue damage when performing their antimicrobial functions. The destructive potential of neutrophils requires the tight regulation of their activation and recruitment. In this study, we found that miR-223 in epithelial cells controls neutrophil response to inflammation through regulating the activation of NF-kB. As fast moving cells, neutrophils rely on glycolysis for energy production. The function of mitochondria in neutrophil motility is unknown. We demonstrated that mitochondria play an indispensable role in neutrophil migration: the biogenesis of mitochondria, mitochondrial ROS and the interaction between mitochondria and ER are all involved in maintaining the movement of neutrophils.<br>

Background Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most commonly occurring tumour of the central nervous system (CNS). Currently GBM is considered an incurable malignancy with patients experiencing abysmal life expectancies. Lack of progress in the discovery of novel treatments has led to the repurposing of existing licenced medication as a possible alternative option. Metformin is from the biguanide family of drugs and is the most common medication used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Clinical studies have reported that, in type 2 diabetic patients, metformin might reduce cancer incidence and severity. Currently, metformin is being assessed in clinical trials as a treatment for a range of cancer types including GBM. The antineoplastic mechanisms utilized by metformin and other biguanides have not been fully elucidated. Methods The effects of metformin were evaluated, alone and in combination with other agents, on a panel of GBM cell cultures. Functional analysis of metformin mechanism of action was assessed through measurement of apoptosis, depolarisation of the mitochondria membrane, caspase pathway activation, cell cycle progression and the expression levels of micoRNAs. Results Analysis of fourteen GBM cell cultures showed a cytotoxic response to metformin that was significantly linked to the P53 status (p=0.0024). In combination drug testing, one of the four drugs showed a synergistic pairing with metformin. The kinase inhibitor sorafenib, showed synergism (CI ≤ 1) in eight GBM cell cultures. Flow cytometry of metformin treated GBM cells showed no significant increase (p > 0.005) in apoptotic cell populations. Caspase 3/7 levels showed no significant increase post metformin treatment (p > 0.005). Metformin caused depolarisation of the mitochondrial membrane in six GBM cell cultures. Four microRNAs were shown to have expression levels changes post-metformin treatment. Upregulation of expression was identified in miR-140, miR-192, let-7c. Downregulation was identified in miR-222. Conclusions Metformin was shown to have cytotoxic effect on a GBM cell cultures and has potential as GBM therapeutic agent and possible treatment synergy with sorafenib. The significance of P53 status to metformin sensitivity may suggest that its use should be directed to a sub-set of GBM patients. Mechanism for cell death by metformin was shown not to rely on apoptotic pathways but caspase 3/7 independent depolarization of mitochondrial cell membranes and cell cycle arrest. Investigations into autophagy may help to further define the pathways metformin is utilising to promote cell death. The impact of metformin on the expression profile of miR-222, miR-192 and let-7c is in line with clinical studies of other cancer types. This shows possible insight into the cancer independent actions of metformin. The interplay recorded between glucose availability and cell death indicates a possible key factor in the utilisation of metformin as a therapeutic agent. This finding may warrant the addition of dietary control regimes in clinical trials to maximise metformin efficacy. This work highlights the strong potential for biguanides in the development of new drug treatments and in expanding our knowledge of cancer metabolism.

Avaliamos os efeitos da glicose elevada (HG, 25 mM) sobre a expressão do microRNA miR-31 em fibroblastos dérmicos obtidos de ratos normoglicêmicos e hiperglicêmicos (30 dias após indução do Diabetes Mellitus com estreptozotocina) e em linhagem de fibroblastos NIH-3T3, cultivadas em baixa concentração de glicose (5 mM) ou HG durante 3 dias. O papel do estresse oxidativo foi avaliado com a adição do antioxidante N-acetil cisteína (NAC) ao meio. A expressão de miR-31 foi estudada por RT-PCR e o comportamento migratório foi avaliado por vídeos. A expressão de miR-31 aumentou 3 vezes em fibroblastos de ratos hiperglicêmicos, enquanto em NIH-3T3 a HG aumentou a expressão de miR-31 em 50 %. Nestas células, o NAC preveniu a elevação de miR-31 e alguns dos efeitos da HG sobre a migração celular. A expressão exógena de miR-31 reproduziu parcialmente o fenótipo de células expostas à HG. Conclusão: HG aumenta a expressão de miR-31 em fibroblastos, contribuindo para a migração deficiente destas células no Diabetes Mellitus. / We evaluated the effects of high glucose (HG, 25 mM) on the expression of microRNA miR-31 in dermal fibroblasts obtained from normoglycemic and hyperglycemic rats (30 days after Diabetes Mellitus induction with streptozotocin) and NIH-3T3 fibroblasts, cultured under low glucose concentration (5 mM) or HG for 3 days. The role of oxidative stress was evaluated with the addition of the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) in the medium. The expression of miR-31 was studied by RT-PCR and cell migration was assessed by videos. The expression of miR-31 increased 3-fold in fibroblasts derived from hyperglycemic rats, and in NIH-3T3 cells HG increased miR-31 expression by 50%. In these cells, NAC prevented the elevation of miR-31 and some of the deleterious effects of HG on cell migration. Exogenous expression of miR-31 partially reproduced the phenotype of cells exposed to HG. Conclusion: HG increases the expression of miR-31 in fibroblasts, contributing to the impairment of migration of these cells observed in Diabetes Mellitus.