Let-7i-5p regulation of cell morphology and migration through distinct signaling pathways in normal and pathogenic fibroblasts from urethra

Pelvic fracture urethral distraction defects (PFUDD) is a common disease that could severely affect patients life quality, yet little is known about the molecular mechanism associated with pathogenic fibrosis in PFUDD. In this study, we found that let-7i-5p could regulate different cellular events in normal and pathogenic fibroblasts through three distinct signaling pathways. Interestingly, those regulations are compromised during the translation from mRNA to protein, and partially based on pathogenic status of the fibroblasts. By analyzing the molecular mechanism associated with its function, we conclude that let-7i-5p plays an essential role in regulating cell shape and tissue elasticity, cell migration, cell morphology and cytoskeleton, and could serve as a potential target for clinical treatment of urethral stricture patients.