Analysis of microRNA expression miR-let7a, miR-125a, miR-155 and the genes of interleukin 6 and its receptor-alpha in patients with gastric diseases and in cell culture: a possible association with H. pylori

• Grant number: 18/02008-2
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): November 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): October 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Human and Medical Genetics
• Cooperation agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Lucas Trevizani Rasmussen
• Grantee: Monica Pezenatto dos Santos
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Marília (FAMEMA). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). Marília , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The infection of the gastric mucosa by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) promotes a chronic inflammation, providing a microenvironment favorable for the appearance of atrophic gastritis with progression to gastric cancer. The increase in IL-6 synthesis, as well as the presence of the polymorphisms -174 (G/C) (rs1800795), -572 (C/G) (rs1800796) and -597 (G/A) (rs1800797), appear to be associated with chronic inflammation and pathological epithelial changes. These changes in expression may be influenced by microRNAs at the post-transcriptional level, and the importance of these small RNAs in tissue homeostasis has been evidenced, as well as their dysregulation due to H. pylori infection. Considering the importance of the IL-6 gene and its Receptor-Alpha in inflammation of the gastric mucosa, as well as the miRNAs involved in this process, we intend to evaluate the gene and protein expression of microRNAs miR-let7a in patients with peptic and gastric cancer, miR-125a, miR-155 and the Interleukin 6 gene, as well as the participation of H. pylori virulence factors that may contribute to the carcinogenic process. The results may show interaction networks between the miRNAs and the selected gene/proteins, which will be validated by in vitro functional study, aiding in the knowledge of this complex process. The development of this approach may open new perspectives for the characterization of the factors involved in peptic diseases and gene regulation. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DOS SANTOS, MONICA PEZENATTO; PEREIRA, JESSICA NUNES; DE LABIO, ROGER WILLIAN; CARNEIRO, LILIAN CARLA; PONTES, JAQUELINE CORREIA; BARBOSA, MONICA SANTIAGO; CARDOSO SMITH, MARILIA DE ARRUDA; MARQUES PAYAO, SPENCER LUIZ; RASMUSSEN, LUCAS TREVIZANI. Decrease of miR-125a-5p in Gastritis and Gastric Cancer and Its Possible Association with H. pylori. JOURNAL OF GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER, JUN 2020. Web of Science Citations: 0.