let-7e downregulation characterizes early phase colonic adenoma in APCMin/+ mice and human FAP subjects

Abstract

The crypt-villus axis represents the essential unit of the small intestine, which integrity and functions are fundamental to assure tissue and whole-body homeostasis. Disruption of pathways regulating the fine balance between proliferation and differentiation results in diseases development. Nowadays, it is well established that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in the homeostasis maintenance and perturbation of their levels may promote tumor development. Here, by using microarray technology, we analysed the miRNAs differentially expressed between the crypt and the villus in mice ileum. The emerged miRNAs were further validated by Real Time qPCR in mouse model (ApcMin/+), human cell lines and human tissue samples (FAP) of colorectal cancer (CRC). Our results indicated that miRNAs more expressed in the villi compartment are negatively regulated in tumor specimens, thus suggesting a close association between these microRNAs and the differentiation process. Particularly, from our analysis let-7e appeared to be a promising target for possible future therapies and a valuable marker for tumor staging, being upregulated in differentiated cells and downregulated in early-stage colonic adenoma samples.

Effects of Rosa roxburghii & edible fungus fermentation broth on immune response and gut microbiota in immunosuppressed mice

“…The intestinal mucosa is the body's first line of defense against pathogens [23]. The basic functional unit of the intestinal mucosa is the villi-crypt axis, which integrity and functions are fundamental to assure tissue and whole-body homeostasis, the ratio of villus length/crypt depth (V/C) is also considered to be one of the indicators of intestinal morphology [24]. To detect the effect of REFB on intestinal morphology, jejunum tissues were collected for histopathological analysis (Fig.…”