Long non-coding RNA SNHG16 promotes human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cell proliferation capacity through the PI3K/AKT pathway under hypoxia

Abstract

BACKGROUND The effect of hypoxia on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is an emerging topic in MSC biology. Although long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are reported to play a critical role in regulating the biological characteristics of MSCs, their specific expression and co-expression profiles in human placenta-derived MSCs (hP-MSCs) under hypoxia and the underlying mech anisms of lncRNAs in hP-MSC biology are unknown. AIM To reveal the specific expression profiles of lncRNAs in hP-MSCs under hypoxia and initially explored the possible mechanism of lncRNAs on hP-MSC biology. METHODS Here, we used a multigas incubator (92.5% N 2 , 5% CO 2 , and 2.5% O 2 ) to mimic the hypoxia condition and observed that hypoxic culture significantly promoted the proliferation potential of hP-MSCs. RNA sequencing technology was applied to identify the exact expression profiles of lncRNAs and mRNAs under hypoxia. RESULTS We identified 289 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 240 differentially expressed mRNAs between the hypoxia and normoxia groups. Among them, the lncRNA SNHG16 was upregulated under hypoxia, which was also validated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. SNHG16 was confirmed to affect hP-MSC proliferation rates using a SNHG16 knockdown model. SNHG16 overexpression could significantly enhance the proliferation capacity of hP-MSCs, activate the PI3K/AKT pathway, and upregulate the expression of cell cycle-related proteins. CONCLUSION Our results revealed the specific expression characteristics of lncRNAs and mRNAs in hypoxia-cultured hP-MSCs and that lncRNA SNHG16 can promote hP-MSC proliferation through the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Mesenchymal stem cells shift the pro-inflammatory phenotype of neutrophils to ameliorate acute lung injury

“…The protein concentrations were detected using BCA kit (Beyotime Biotechnology, Shanghai, China). The western blot was conducted as previously described [ 31 ]. NOX2 (SC-130543; Santa Cruz) and GAPDH (D16H11, Cell Signaling Technology) were used for primary antibody, and goat anti-rabbit IgG H&L (HRP) (ab6721; Abcam) and rabbit anti-mouse IgG H&L (HRP) (ab6728; Abcam) were used for secondary antibody.…”