miR-195-5p Regulates the Phenotype Switch of CCSM Cells by Targeting Smad7

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Phenotype switch refers to the process in which smooth muscle cells change from contractile type to synthetic type and acquire the ability of proliferation. Phenotypic transformation involves many changes of cell function, such as collagen deposition and fibrosis, which affect the normal erectile function of penis. Aim: To investigate the role of miR-195-5p in regulating the Phenotype switch of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM) cells. Methods: A small mother against decapentaplegic 7(Smad7) virus vector and a miR-195-5p mimics or an si-Smad7 viral vector and a miR-195-5p inhibitor were transfected into CCSM cells. The cells were obtained by primary culture of rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tissue. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments, Western blotting, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, transwell experiments, MTT assays, and flow cytometry were used to detect miR-195-5p, Smad7, phenotype switch markers of CCSM cells and related protein expression, as well as changes in cell morphology, migration, proliferation and apoptosis. Main Outcome Measure: To study the regulation of miR-195-5p in CCSM cells by overexpression and silencing strategies. Results: Overexpressed miR-195-5p promoted the transformation of CCSM cells from a contractile type to a synthetic type. Meanwhile, the migration ability and proliferation ability of CCSM cells increased, and the apoptosis rate decreased. The expression-silencing of miR-195-5p gave rise to the opposite effect. The results of the rescue experiment demonstrated that overexpressed Smad7 rescued the inhibitory of the switch of the CCSM cell phenotype from the contractile type to the synthesis type caused by overexpression of miR-195-5p alone. Moreover, the enhancement effect of the migration ability and proliferation ability of CCSM cells was also eliminated, and the apoptosis rate was increased. Silencing miR-195-5p and Smad7 at the same time resulted in the opposite effect. Conclusion: miR-195-5p may regulate the phenotype switch of CCSM cells by targeting Smad7.Zhang J, Zhang X, Zhang J, et al. miR-195-5p Regulates the Phenotype Switch of CCSM Cells by Targeting Smad7. Sex Med 2021;9:100349

miR-137 Affects Vaginal Lubrication in Female Sexual Dysfunction by Targeting Aquaporin-2

Introduction: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a common disease with serious potential hazards, but it has not received much attention. The pathogenesis of FSD is urgently needed for the diagnosis and treatment of FSD. Aim: To investigate the role of microribonucleic acid (mRNA, miR)-137 in FSD. Methods: Vaginal epithelium tissues from 15 women with lubrication disorder and 15 women with normal function were collected for this study. The expression level of miR-137 in lubrication disorder and normal function women were measured by microarray analysis and Real-time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR, qPCR). miR-137 was overexpressed in vaginal epithelial cells VK2/E6E7 by lentivirus infection. The cell water permeability was measured using the calcein-quenching method. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The potential target of miR-137 was predicted by bioinformatic analysis, then verified by luciferase reporter assays. Main Outcome Measure: The expression level of miR-137 and aquaporin-2 (AQP2), cell water permeability, cell apoptosis, and luciferase reporter assays were examined. Results: miR-137 was found to be highly expressed in vaginal epithelial tissues of women with lubrication disorder. Additionally, functional in vitro studies suggested that overexpression of miR-137 leads to a decrease in cell permeability. By combining target prediction and examination, we identified AQP2 as the direct mechanistic target of miR-137 that affected the water permeability of vaginal epithelial cells. Conclusion: Our results point to a novel role for miR-137 and its downstream effector AQP2 in vaginal lubrication, which can be manipulated as therapeutic targets against lubrication disorder and its related disorders.Zhang H, Liu T, Zhou Z. miR-137 affects vaginal lubrication in female sexual dysfunction by targeting Aquaporin-2. Sex Med 2018;6:339–347. Key Words: Female Sexual Dysfunction, miR-137, Vaginal Lubrication, Aquaporin-