MiRNAs and lncRNAs do not encode proteins, but they play an important role in the regulation of gene expression. They differ in length, biogenesis, and mode of action. In this work, we focus on the selected miRNAs and lncRNAs involved in the regulation of myogenesis and muscle regeneration. We present selected miRNAs and lncRNAs that have been shown to control myogenic differentiation and show that manipulation of their levels could be used to improve myogenic differentiation of various types of stem and progenitor cells. Finally, we discuss how physical activity affects miRNA and lncRNA expression and how it affects muscle well-being.

Co-infections withDirofilaria repensandBabesia canisare rarely reported in the literature and there is very limited knowledge of their impact on canine health. Central Poland is endemic for both parasites, posing a risk of co-infections in dogs. To evaluate the impact of co-infection withB. canisandD. repenson canine health, four groups of dogs were examined: healthy dogs, dogs infected withB. canis, dogs infected withD. repensand dogs co-infected with both species. Blood parameters indicative of anaemia, kidney and liver damage were analysed statistically. Additionally, expression levels of immune response genes were quantified and compared, to define the type of immune response typically encountered in single- and co-infections. In dogs infected withD. repens, no major alterations in blood parameters were observed. Dogs infected withB. canissuffered from anaemia, kidney and liver insufficiency. In contrast, dogs co-infected withD. repensandB. canisshowed milder alternation in blood biochemical parameters associated with liver (ALP activity) and kidney (serum urea and creatinine levels) dysfunction, compared to dogs infected only withB. canis. The expression of genes associated with cellular (Th1-mediated) (STAT4andINF-γ), humoral (Th2-mediated) (STAT6,GATA3,SOCS3, IL-13) and regulatory (IL-10) responses was quantified. For this analysis, dogs infected withB. caniswere divided into two groups—‘Babesia 1’ (mild babesiosis), ‘Babesia 2’ (severe babesiosis). All the tested factors, exceptINF-γ,were found to be expressed in dogs infected withD. repens. In ‘Babesia 1’ dogs, expression ofGATA3was highest, while in ‘Babesia 2’—INF-γandSOCS3dominated.IL-13expression was predominant in dogs infected withD. repens, andSTAT6andIL-10predominated in dogs with co-infections.

MikroRNA (miRNA) nie kodują białek, a jednak odgrywają ogromną rolę w wielu procesach biologicznych, w tym w rozwoju i regeneracji mięśni szkieletowych. miRNA regulują procesy zachodzące w trakcie rekonstrukcji mięśni, począwszy od utrzymywania komórek satelitowych w stanie spoczynkowym, przez ich aktywację, proliferację i różnicowanie w mioblasty, aż po fuzję tych komórek prowadzącą do powstania miotub. miRNA wpływają także na przebieg chorób degeneracyjnych mięśni szkieletowych, a ich poziom jest zmieniony w stanach chorobowych. Z tego powodu uważa się, że mogą być wykorzystane jako biomarkery chorób lub nawet cele terapeutyczne. Co ciekawe, aktywność fizyczna również wpływa na zmiany poziomu miRNA w tkance mięśniowej oraz krwiobiegu. Obserwowane różnice w profilach ekspresji tych cząsteczek są zależne od rodzaju, czasu trwania oraz intensywności treningu.

Stroke and brain cancer are severe disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) associated with high morbidity and mortality. Although each condition has been extensively studied individually, growing evidence suggests that cerebrovascular injury may influence the development of brain malignancies. This narrative review synthesizes current experimental, clinical, and epidemiological data supporting a mechanistic link between stroke and brain cancer, with a particular focus on blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. We discuss how stroke-induced hypoxia, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation disrupt BBB integrity, promote endothelial activation, and induce the expression of adhesion molecules that facilitate arrest, extravasation, and survival of circulating tumor cells within the CNS. Additionally, post-stroke regenerative signaling, angiogenesis, and immune modulation may contribute to the formation of a permissive microenvironment that supports tumor initiation and metastatic growth. Available epidemiological studies, clinical observations, and case reports are reviewed to evaluate the strength and limitations of the association between cerebrovascular events and subsequent brain cancer. Although the co-occurrence of stroke and brain cancer remains relatively uncommon, elucidating the shared molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this relationship can improve risk stratification and allow the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving BBB integrity and reducing long-term oncological complications after stroke.

Non-coding RNAs play a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression, impacting all processes occurring in a living cell. Among them are microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which interplay with each other modulating the expression of target genes. In the current study, we focused on lncRNAs described as involved in mesoderm specification or proliferation and differentiation of myogenic precursor cells and verified which of them may indeed be useful as candidate markers of mesodermal/myogenic differentiation of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). As a model, we used two mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines. We compared cells differentiating in the control medium with those induced to undergo myogenic differentiation by retinoic acid, insulin, transferrin, and selenium treatment. We showed that such induced ESC differentiation upregulated expression of few lncRNAs, i.e., yylncT , H19 , SRA , and linc-YY1 , in both lines. The expression of other analyzed lncRNAs changed in the ESC line specific manner. Next, we studied the impact of miR145 or miR181 , which we have previously documented to elevate myogenic gene expression, on lncRNA levels. We found that miR145 overexpression resulted in decrease in H19 in both ESC types. Another common change observed in both cell lines was decrease of H19 in response to miR181 . Again, the expression of most lncRNAs known as mesodermal and myogenic regulators and studied by us occurred in ESC line-dependent, and diverse manner. For the first time we verified if and which lncRNAs may serve as a potential indicators of up-and-coming myogenic differentiation. However, it should obviously be tested by extensive studies that include multiple different PSC lines.