Circulating miR-221-3p as a novel marker for early prediction of acute myocardial infarction

At the heart of programming: the role of micro-RNAs

Epidemiological and experimental observations tend to prove that environment, lifestyle or nutritional challenges influence heart functions together with genetic factors. Furthermore, when occurring during sensitive windows of heart development, these environmental challenges can induce an 'altered programming' of heart development and shape the future heart disease risk. In the etiology of heart diseases driven by environmental challenges, epigenetics has been highlighted as an underlying mechanism, constituting a bridge between environment and heart health. In particular, micro-RNAs which are involved in each step of heart development and functions seem to play a crucial role in the unfavorable programming of heart diseases. This review describes the latest advances in micro-RNA research in heart diseases driven by early exposure to challenges and discusses the use of micro-RNAs as potential targets in the reversal of the pathophysiology.

Overexpression of miR-221 in sudden death with cardiac hypertrophy patients

Background

Cardiac hypertrophy is a well-known risk factor for heart failure and sudden cardiac death (SCD). On the other hand, physiological cardiac hypertrophy is often observed in young healthy men, and it is difficult to predict SCD in cardiac hypertrophy subjects who do not show symptoms of heart failure. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) widely regulate biological activity and play pivotal roles in heart failure progression. In this study, we investigated whether miRNA expression is altered in SCD with cardiac hypertrophy (SCH).

Methods

Cardiac tissues were sampled at autopsy from SCH patients, compensated cardiac hypertrophy (CCH) subjects who died of causes other than heart failure, and control cases without cardiac hypertrophy or heart failure. After histopathological examination, we performed deep sequencing and quantitative PCR of cardiac miRNAs.

Results and discussion

Although SCH and CCH showed indistinguishable histological features, their miRNA expression signatures were distinct. Among the 240 miRNAs stably detected in the heart, 8 were differentially expressed between SCH and CCH. Specifically, miR-221 increased in SCH compared to CCH and control cases. The significant elevation of cardiac miR-221 in SCH patients is correlated with lethal outcomes. Thus, our results indicate that an elevated miR-221 level is potentially associated with an increased risk of SCD in subjects with cardiac hypertrophy.

MicroRNA‑221‑3p contributes to cardiomyocyte injury in H2O2‑treated H9c2 cells and a rat model of myocardial ischemia‑reperfusion by targeting p57

Myocardial ischemia‑reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major cause of cardiovascular disease worldwide, and microRNAs have been implicated in the regulation of pathological and physiological processes in myocardial I/R injury. The present study aimed to investigate the role of microRNA (miR)‑221‑3p in myocardial I/R injury. Cell death and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were increased in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)‑treated H9c2 cells, as measured by flow cytometry and an LDH detection kit. The expression of miR‑221‑3p was elevated in H2O2‑incubated cells and in remote areas of the rat I/R model, examined using reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. The overexpression of miR‑221‑3p enhanced the number of propidium iodide (PI)+ cells and the activity of LDH in H2O2‑treated cells. In I/R‑induced rats, the overexpression of miR‑221‑3p promoted the number of myosin+ cells and inhibited the fractional shortening of left ventricular diameter (FSLVD%). The results showed that the expression of p57 at the gene and protein levels was decreased in H9c2 cells incubated with H2O2 and in rats subjected to I/R surgery; the expression of p57 decreased following the overexpression of miR‑221‑3p. Subsequently, the hypothesis that p57 was the direct target of miR‑221‑3p was confirmed by performing a dual‑luciferase reporter assay. Finally, to examine the function of p57 in myocardial impairment, p57 was transfected into H9c2 cells and administered to the rats prior to undergoing H2O2 treatment and I/R surgery, respectively. The results indicated that p57 attenuated the number of PI+ cells and the activity of LDH in H2O2‑treated cells, whereas p57 downregulated the number of myosin+ cells and upregulated FSLVD% in the I/R‑treated rats. Therefore, these findings suggested that miR‑221‑3p exacerbated the H2O2‑induced myocardial damage in H9c2 cells and myocardial I/R injury in the rat model by modulating p57.

Plasma microRNAs levels are different between pulmonary and extrapulmonary ARDS patients: a clinical observational study

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) obviously alleviate the damage of the structure and function of pulmonary vascular endothelial cells (VEC). The therapeutic effects of MSC are significantly different between pulmonary ARDS (ARDSp) and extrapulmonary ARDS (ARDSexp). MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as important media of MSC regulating VEC, are not studied between ARDSp and ARDSexp. We aimed to explore the plasma levels difference of miRNAs that regulate VEC function and are associated with MSC (MSC-VEC-miRNAs) between ARDSp and ARDSexp patients.

METHODS

MSC-VEC-miRNAs were obtained through reviewing relevant literatures screened in PubMed database. We enrolled 57 ARDS patients within 24 h of admission to the ICU and then collected blood samples, extracted plasma supernatant. Patients' clinical data were collected. Then, plasma expression of MSC-VEC-miRNAs was measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Simultaneously, plasma endothelial injury markers VCAM-1, vWF and inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-10 were detected by ELISA method.

RESULTS

Fourteen miRNAs were picked out after screening. A total of 57 ARDS patients were included in this study, among which 43 cases pertained to ARDSp group and 14 cases pertained to ARDSexp group. Plasma miR-221 and miR-27b levels in ARDSexp group exhibited significantly lower than that in ARDSp group (miR-221, 0.22 [0.12-0.49] vs. 0.57 [0.22-1.57], P = 0.008, miR-27b, 0.34 [0.10-0.46] vs. 0.60 [0.20-1.46], P = 0.025). Plasma vWF concentration in ARDSexp group exhibited significantly lower than that in ARDSp group (0.77 [0.29-1.54] vs. 1.80 [0.95-3.51], P = 0.048). Significant positive correlation was found between miR-221 and vWF in plasma levels (r = 0.688, P = 0.022). Plasma miR-26a and miR-27a levels in non-survival group exhibited significantly lower than that in survival group (miR-26a, 0.17 [0.08-0.20] vs. 0.69 [0.24-2.33] P = 0.018, miR-27a, 0.23 [0.16-0.58] vs. 1.45 [0.38-3.63], P = 0.021) in ARDSp patients.

CONCLUSION

Plasma miR-221, miR-27b and vWF levels in ARDSexp group are significantly lower than that in ARDSp group. Plasma miR-26a and miR-27a levels in non-survival group are significantly lower than that in survival group in ARDSp patients.

Elevated plasma miRNA-122, -140-3p, -720, -2861, and -3149 during early period of acute coronary syndrome are derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells

OBJECTIVE

Our previous study has found that circulating microRNA (miRNA, or miR) -122, -140-3p, -720, -2861, and -3149 are significantly elevated during early stage of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This study was conducted to determine the origin of these elevated plasma miRNAs in ACS.

METHODS

qRT-PCR was performed to detect the expression profiles of these 5 miRNAs in liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain, skeletal muscles, and heart. To determine their origins, these miRNAs were detected in myocardium of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and as well in platelets and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs, including monocytes, circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and lymphocytes) of the AMI pigs and ACS patients.

RESULTS

MiR-122 was specifically expressed in liver, and miR-140-3p, -720, -2861, and -3149 were highly expressed in heart. Compared with the sham pigs, miR-122 was highly expressed in the border zone of the ischemic myocardium in the AMI pigs without ventricular fibrillation (P < 0.01), miR-122 and -720 were decreased in platelets of the AMI pigs, and miR-122, -140-3p, -720, -2861, and -3149 were increased in PBMCs of the AMI pigs (all P < 0.05). Compared with the non-ACS patients, platelets miR-720 was decreased and PBMCs miR-122, -140-3p, -720, -2861, and -3149 were increased in the ACS patients (all P < 0.01). Furthermore, PBMCs miR-122, -720, and -3149 were increased in the AMI patients compared with the unstable angina (UA) patients (all P < 0.05). Further origin identification revealed that the expression levels of miR-122 in CECs and lymphocytes, miR-140-3p and -2861 in monocytes and CECs, miR-720 in monocytes, and miR-3149 in CECs were greatly up-regulated in the ACS patients compared with the non-ACS patients, and were higher as well in the AMI patients than that in the UA patients except for the miR-122 in CECs (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The elevated plasma miR-122, -140-3p, -720, -2861, and -3149 in the ACS patients were mainly originated from CECs and monocytes.

miRNAs as potential therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers for cardiovascular disease with a particular focus on WO2010091204

INTRODUCTION

A number of miRNAs have been reported to be critically involved in the regulation of cardiovascular disease (CVDs). Therefore, the development of potent analogues/inhibitors for miRNAs have thus become a key focus in the present drug discovery. In this review, we discuss the basic research and clinical use of miRNAs as the early diagnosis and therapeutic targets for CVD. We have also focused on the efficiency of therapeutically targeting miR-499, which is considered as one of the most promising molecules for treating CVDs. Areas covered: In this review, we have discussed the patents and patent applications related to miRNAs detected in CVD patients published in recent years. This review also covers the expression pattern of miR-499, as well as it highlights functions of its inhibitors in CVD. We used Google and Pubmed search engines to find relevant patents. Expert opinion: Although a massive number of miRNAs are patented as CVD biomarkers, further work is absolutely required to evaluate the reliable diagnostic values and therapeutic potential of these candidates. Overall, targeting miRNAs is definitely a promising strategy to be investigated for diagnosis and treatment of CVDs in future, however, the delivery system and off-targets effects are still a difficult challenge need to be elucidated.

The Impact of Environmental Factors in Influencing Epigenetics Related to Oxidative States in the Cardiovascular System

Oxidative states exert a significant influence on a wide range of biological and molecular processes and functions. When their balance is shifted towards enhanced amounts of free radicals, pathological phenomena can occur, as the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in tissue microenvironment or in the systemic circulation can be detrimental. Epidemic chronic diseases of western societies, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes correlate with the imbalance of redox homeostasis. Current advances in our understanding of epigenetics have revealed a parallel scenario showing the influence of oxidative stress as a major regulator of epigenetic gene regulation via modification of DNA methylation, histones, and microRNAs. This has provided both the biological link and a potential molecular explanation between oxidative stress and cardiovascular/metabolic phenomena. Accordingly, in this review, we will provide current insights on the physiological and pathological impact of changes in oxidative states on cardiovascular disorders, by specifically focusing on the influence of epigenetic regulation. A special emphasis will highlight the effect on epigenetic regulation of human's current life habits, external and environmental factors, including food intake, tobacco, air pollution, and antioxidant-based approaches. Additionally, the strategy to quantify oxidative states in humans in order to determine which biological marker could best match a subject's profile will be discussed.

MicroRNA-221-3p is up-regulated and serves as a potential biomarker in pancreatic cancer

It has been demonstrated that circulating MicroRNAs (miRNAs) could be potential biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. For pancreatic cancer (PCa), little is known about miR-221-3p biological function or its prognostic value. In the current study, we profiled miR-221-3p expression in PCa cell lines. Compared with normal pancreases ductal epithelial cells, miR-221-3p is up-regulated in all PCa cell lines analysed. In SW1990 cells, overexpression of miR-221-3p increased cell proliferation and inhibited apoptosis, while inhibition of miR-221-3p decreased cell growth rate and promoted apoptosis. Compared with adjacent non-tumour tissues, miR-221-3p was up-regulated in all 21 PCa tissues. Expression level of miR-221-3p was investigated in plasma and statistical analyses showed that circulating miR-221-3p expression level was correlated with distant metastasis and TNM stages. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) suggested that the diagnostic efficacy for distant metastasis of miR-221-3p is better than CA19-9 (AUC: 0.689 vs. 0.587). To summary, we found miR-221-3p could promote cell proliferation and inhibit apoptosis in PCa cells and circulating miR-221-3p could serve as a biomarker for PCa.

The Role of MicroRNAs in Myocardial Infarction: From Molecular Mechanism to Clinical Application

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small single-stranded and highly conserved non-coding RNAs, which are closely linked to cardiac disorders such as myocardial infarction (MI), cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and heart failure. A growing number of studies have demonstrated that miRNAs determine the fate of the heart by regulating cardiac cell death and regeneration after MI. A deep understanding of the pathophysiology of miRNA dependent regulatory pathways in these processes is required. The role of miRNAs as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets also needs to be explored in order to utilize them in clinical settings. This review summarizes the role of miRNAs in myocardial infarction and focuses mainly on their influence on cardiomyocyte regeneration and cell death including apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy. In addition, the targets of pro- and anti-MI miRNAs are comparatively described. In particular, the possibilities of miRNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for myocardial infarction are discussed in this review.

Identification of Thyroid-Associated Serum microRNA Profiles and Their Potential Use in Thyroid Cancer Follow-Up

Context:

Trends toward more conservative management of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) diminish the primacy of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) assays as a posttreatment surveillance tool.

Objective:

To identify thyroid tumor-associated microRNAs (miRNAs) in the serum with potential for development as unique biomarkers of PTC recurrence.

Methods:

We measured expression of 754 miRNAs in serum samples collected from 11 patients with PTC before and 30 days after thyroidectomy. Major candidates were then re-evaluated by absolute quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis in an independent cohort of patients with PTC (n = 44) or benign nodules and 20 healthy controls (HCs). The 2 miRNAs most significantly associated with thyroid tumors were then assessed in matched serum samples (before and 30 days and 1 to 2 years after surgery) from the 20 PTC patients with complete follow-up datasets and results correlated with American Thyroid Association (ATA) responses to therapy.

Results:

Eight miRNAs (miR-221-3p, miR-222-3p, miR-146a-5p, miR-24-3p, miR-146b-5p, miR-191-5p, miR-103a-3p, and miR-28-3p) displayed levels in prethyroidectomy serum samples from patients with PTC that significantly exceeded those measured after thyroidectomy and those found in samples from HCs. The 2 most promising candidates—miR-146a-5p and miR-221-3p —were further analyzed in the 20 PTC patients mentioned earlier. Serum levels of both miRNAs after 1 to 2 years of follow-up were consistent with ATA responses to therapy in all patients, including 2 with structural evidence of disease whose Tg assays remained negative (<1 ng/mL).

Conclusion:

miR-146a-5p and miR-221-3p hold remarkable promise as serum biomarkers for post-treatment monitoring of PTC patients, especially when Tg assay results are uninformative.

The association of heart failure-related microRNAs with neurohormonal signaling

Heart failure (HF) is a widely prevalent syndrome imposing a significant burden of morbidity and mortality world-wide. Differential circulating microRNA profiles observed in HF cohorts suggest the diagnostic utility of microRNAs as biomarkers. Given their function in fine tuning gene expression, alternations in microRNA landscape could reflecting the underlying mechanisms of disease and present potential therapeutic targets. Using multiple computational target predicting algorithms together with the luciferase-based reporting platform, the interactions between HF-related microRNAs and the 3' untranslated regions (3'UTRs) of neurohormone associated genes were examined and compared. Our results indicate that although in silico prediction provides an overview of possible microRNA-mRNA target pairs, less than half of the predicted interactions were experimentally confirmed by reporter assays in HeLa cells. Thus, the establishment of microRNA/3'UTR reporters is essential to systemically evaluate the roles of microRNAs for signaling cascades of interest, including cardiovascular neurohormonal signaling. The physiological relevance of HF-related microRNAs on the expression of putative gene targets was further established by using gain-of-function assays in two human cardiac-derived cells. Our findings, for the first time, provide direct evidence of the regulatory effects of HF-related microRNAs on the neurohormonal signaling in cardiac cells. More importantly, our study presents a rational approach to further exploring microRNA profiling data in deciphering the role of microRNA in complex syndromes such as HF. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Genetic and epigenetic control of heart failure - edited by Jun Ren & Megan Yingmei Zhang.