Propofol protects cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury via regulating MALAT1/miR-206/ATG3 axis

LncRNA RNA ROR Aggravates Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-Induced Cardiomyocyte Ferroptosis by Targeting miR-769-5p/CBX7 Axis

Ferroptosis is a new way of cell death which is reported to participate in the pathology of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury, but it's mechanism remains unclear. The present investigation is to study the emerging role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) regulator of reprogramming (ROR) in cardiomyocyte ferroptosis after hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) administration. RT-qPCR and/or Western blot methods were performed to examine the gene/or protein levels, and CCK-8, ELISA, and DCFH-DA staining determined the cellular viability and ferroptosis. Dual-luciferase and RNA immunoprecipitation were applied to verify molecular interaction. LncRNA ROR and miR-769-5p were overexpressed and reduced in blood samples from MI patients and H/R-treated AC16 cells, respectively. Mechanistically, lncROR sponged to miR-769-5p, thus upregulating CBX7 expression. Functional experiments presented that lncRNA ROR silence mitigated H/R-stimulated inflammatory damage, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis in AC16 cells, whereas these roles could be reversed by co-downregulation of miR-769-5p or co-overexpression of CBX7. These data uncovered that lncRNA ROR prevented against H/R-induced cardiomyocyte ferroptosis by modulating miR-769-5p/CBX7 signaling, emphasizing the therapeutic value of lncRNA ROR in MI/R injury.

Unveiling the role of long non-coding RNA MALAT1: a comprehensive review on myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) stands at top global causes of death in developed countries, owing mostly to atherosclerotic plaque growth and endothelial injury-induced reduction in coronary blood flow. While early reperfusion techniques have improved outcomes, long-term treatment continues to be difficult. The function of lncRNAs extends to regulating gene expression in various conditions, both physiological and pathological, such as cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this research is to extensively evaluate the significance of the lncRNA called Metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) in the development and management of MI. According to research, MALAT1 is implicated in processes such as autophagy, apoptosis, cell proliferation, and inflammation in the cardiovascular system. This investigation examines recent research examining the effects of MALAT1 on heart function and its potential as a mean of diagnosis and treatment for post- MI complications and ischemic reperfusion injury.

Exosomal MALAT1 promotes the proliferation of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through glyoxalase 1-dependent methylglyoxal removal

In previous study we characterized the oncogenic role of long non-coding RNA MALAT1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but the detailed mechanism remains obscure. Here we identified glyoxalase 1 (GLO1) as the most possible executor of MALAT1 by microarray screening. GLO1 is responsible for degradation of cytotoxic methylglyoxal (MGO), which is by-product of tumor glycolysis. Accumulated MGO may lead to glycation of DNA and protein, resulting in elevated advanced glycation end products (AGEs), while glyoxalase 1 detoxify MGO to alleviate its cytotoxic effect to tumor cells. GLO1 interfering led to accumulation of AGEs and following activation of DNA injury biomarkers, which lead to cell cycle arrest and growth inhibition. In silico analysis based on online database revealed abundant enrichment of histone acetylation marker H3K27ac in GLO1 promotor, and acetyltransferase inhibitor C646 declined GLO1 expression. Acetyltransferase KAT2B, which was also identified as a target of MALAT, mediated histone lysine acetylation of GLO1 promotor, which was confirmed by ChIP-qPCR experiment. Shared binding sites of miR-206 were found on MALAT1 and KAT2B mRNA. Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed interaction within MALAT1-miR-206-GLO1. Finally, we identified MALAT1 encapsuled by exosome from donor cells, and transferred malignant behaviors to recipient cells. The secreted exosomes may enter circulation, and serum MALAT1 level combined with traditional tumor markers showed potential power for ESCC diagnosis.

miRNA-206-3p alleviates LPS-induced acute lung injury via inhibiting inflammation and pyroptosis through modulating TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway

Acute lung injury (ALI) is life-threatening. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are often abnormally expressed in inflammatory diseases and are closely associated with ALI. This study investigates whether miRNA-206-3p attenuates pyroptosis in ALI and elucidates the underlying molecular mechanisms. ALI mouse and cell models were established through lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment for 24 h. Subsequently, the models were evaluated based on ultrasonography, the lung tissue wet/dry (W/D) ratio, pathological section assessment, electron microscopy, and western blotting. Pyroptosis in RAW264.7 cells was then assessed via electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, and western blotting. Additionally, the regulatory relationship between miRNA-206-3p and the Toll-like receptor (TLR)4/nuclear factor (NF)-κB/Nod-like receptor protein-3 (NLRP3) pathway was verified. Finally, luciferase reporter gene and RNA pull-down assays were used to verify the targeting relationship between miRNA-206-3p and TLR4. miRNA206-3p levels are significantly decreased in the LPS-induced ALI model. Overexpression of miRNA-206-3p improves ALI, manifested as improved lung ultrasound, improved pathological changes of lung tissue, reduced W/D ratio of lung tissue, release of inflammatory factors in lung tissue, and reduced pyroptosis. Furthermore, overexpression of miRNA-206-3p contributed to reversing the ALI-promoting effect of LPS by hindering TLR4, myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88), NF-κB, and NLRP3 expression. In fact, miRNA-206-3p binds directly to TLR4. In conclusion, miRNA-206-3p alleviates LPS-induced ALI by inhibiting inflammation and pyroptosis via TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway modulation.

Construction of preclinical evidence for propofol in the treatment of reperfusion injury after acute myocardial infarction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Propofol, a commonly used intravenous anesthetic, has demonstrated potential in protecting against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI) based on preclinical animal studies. However, the clinical benefits of propofol in this context are subject to debate. We conducted a systematic search across eight databases to identify all relevant animal studies investigating the preventive effects of propofol on MIRI until October 30, 2023. We assessed the methodological quality of the included studies using SYRCLE's bias risk tool. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 15.1. The primary outcome measures analyzed in this study were myocardial infarct size (IS) and myocardial injury biomarkers. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of 48 relevant animal studies investigating propofol's preventive effects on MIRI. Propofol administration demonstrated a reduction in myocardial IS and decreased levels of myocardial injury biomarkers (CK-MB, LDH, cTnI). Moreover, propofol improved myocardial function parameters (+dp/dtmax, -dP/dtmax, LVEF, LVFS), exhibited favorable effects on inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α) and oxidative stress markers (SOD, MDA), and reduced myocardial cell apoptotic index (AI). These findings suggest propofol exerts cardioprotective effects by reducing myocardial injury, decreasing infarct size, and improving heart function. However, the absence of animal models that accurately represent comorbidities such as aging and hypertension, as well as inconsistent administration methods that align with clinical practice, may hinder its clinical translation. Further robust investigations are required to validate these findings, elucidate the underlying mechanisms of propofol, and facilitate its potential translation into clinical practice.

USF2 activates RhoB/ROCK pathway by transcriptional inhibition of miR-206 to promote pyroptosis in septic cardiomyocytes

Septic cardiomyopathy (SCM) is one of the most serious complications of sepsis. The present study investigated the role and mechanism of upstream stimulatory factor 2 (USF2) in SCM. Serum samples were extracted from SCM patients and healthy individuals. A murine model of sepsis was induced by caecal ligation and puncture (CLP) surgery. Myocardial injury was examined by echocardiography and HE staining. ELISA assay evaluated myocardial markers (CK-MB, cTnI) and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18). Primary mouse cardiomyocytes were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to simulate sepsis in vitro. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used for analyzing gene and protein levels. CCK-8 assay assessed cell viability. NLRP3 was detected by immunofluorescence. ChIP, RIP and dual luciferase reporter assays were conducted to validate the molecular associations. USF2 was increased in serum from SCM patients, septic mice and primary cardiomyocytes. USF2 silencing improved the survival of septic mice and attenuated sepsis-induced myocardial pyroptosis and inflammation in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, USF2 could directly bind to the promoter of miR-206 to transcriptionally inhibit its expression. Moreover, RhoB was confirmed as a target of miR-206 and could promote ROCK activation and NLRP3 inflammasome formation. Moreover, overexpression of RhoB remarkably reversed the protection against LPS-induced inflammation and pyroptosis mediated by USF2 deletion or miR-206 overexpression in cardiomyocytes. The above findings elucidated that USF2 knockdown exerted a cardioprotective effect on sepsis by decreasing pyroptosis and inflammation via miR-206/RhoB/ROCK pathway, suggesting that USF2 may be a novel drug target in SCM.

MiR-206 may regulate mitochondrial ROS contribute to the progression of Myocardial infarction via TREM1

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of mortality. To better understand its molecular and cellular mechanisms, we used bioinformatic tools and molecular experiments to explore the pathogenesis and prognostic markers. Differential gene expression analysis was conducted using GSE60993 and GSE66360 datasets. Hub genes were identified through pathway enrichment analysis and PPI network construction, and four hub genes (AQP9, MMP9, FPR1, and TREM1) were evaluated for their predictive performance using AUC and qRT-PCR. miR-206 was identified as a potential regulator of TREM1. Finally, miR-206 was found to induce EC senescence and ER stress through upregulating mitochondrial ROS levels via TREM1. These findings may contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of MI and identifying potential prognostic markers.

HJ11 decoction restrains development of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by suppressing ACSL4-mediated ferroptosis

HJ11 is a novel traditional Chinese medicine developed from the appropriate addition and reduction of Si-Miao-Yong-An decoction, which has been commonly used to treat ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in the clinical setting. However, the mechanism of action of HJ11 components remains unclear. Ferroptosis is a critical factor that promotes myocardial I/R injury, and the pathophysiological ferroptosis-mediated lipid peroxidation causes I/R injury. Therefore, this study explored whether HJ11 decoction ameliorates myocardial I/R injury by attenuating ACSL4-mediated ferroptosis. This study also explored the effect of ACSL4 expression on iron-dependent programmed cell death by preparing a rat model of myocardial I/R injury and oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R)-induced H9c2 cells. The results showed that HJ11 decoction improved cardiac function; attenuated I/R injury, apoptosis, oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, and iron accumulation; and reduced infarct size in the myocardial I/R injury rat model. Additionally, HJ11 decoction suppressed the expression of ferroptosis-promoting proteins [Acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2)] but promoted the expression of ferroptosis-inhibiting proteins [ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) and glutathione-dependent lipid hydroperoxidase glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4)] in the myocardial tissues of the I/R injury rat model. Similar results were found with the OGD/R-induced H9c2 cells. Interestingly, ACSL4 knockdown attenuated iron accumulation, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis in the OGD/R-treated H9c2 cells. However, ACSL4 overexpression counteracted the inhibitory effect of the HJ11 decoction on OGD/R-triggered oxidative stress and ferroptosis in H9c2 cells. These findings suggest that HJ11 decoction restrained the development of myocardial I/R injury by regulating ACSL4-mediated ferroptosis. Thus, HJ11 decoction may be an effective medication to treat myocardial I/R injury.

A novel circulating biomarker lnc-MALAT1 for acute myocardial infarction: Its relationship with disease risk, features, cytokines, and major adverse cardiovascular events

OBJECTIVE

Long noncoding RNA MALAT1 (lnc-MALAT1) modulates atherosclerotic progression, myocardial ischemia injury, and systematic inflammation, which may be closely involved in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) pathogenesis. Thus, the current study intended to explore the relationship of lnc-MALAT1 to disease risk, features, cytokines, and prognostication in AMI patients.

METHODS

This multicenter study consecutively enrolled 160 newly diagnosed AMI patients and 50 controls (angina pectoris patients). Their peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained to measure lnc-MALAT1 by RT-qPCR. Serum cytokines in AMI patients were detected by ELISA. In addition, AMI patients were followed up for major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) risk evaluation.

RESULTS

Lnc-MALAT1 was higher in AMI patients than in controls (median: 2.245 vs. 0.996, p = 0.004), and it also presented a good capacity for differentiating AMI patients from controls with an area under the curve of 0.823. Lnc-MALAT1 was positively related to C-reactive protein (p = 0.005), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.022), cardiac troponin I (p = 0.021), and infarct size (p = 0.007), but not other biochemical indexes in AMI patients. Meanwhile, lnc-MALAT1 was positively associated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (p = 0.001), interleukin (IL)-6 (p = 0.031), IL-17A (p = 0.042), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (p = 0.004), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (p = 0.021) among AMI patients. Importantly, after categorization, lnc-MALAT1 high (vs. low) was related to an elevated MACE accumulation rate (p = 0.035); furthermore, a higher lnc-MALAT1 quartile showed a trend to be linked with an increased MACE accumulation rate (p = 0.092).

CONCLUSION

Lnc-MALAT1 may serve as a biomarker for AMI risk, infarct size, inflammation and prognosis, but further validation by large-scale studies is needed.

The effect of narcotics on ferroptosis-related molecular mechanisms and signalling pathways

Ferroptosis is a novel programmed cell death form characterized by iron-mediated reactive oxygen species-induced lipid peroxidation and subsequent cell damage that is distinct from apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and autophagy. Most studies on ferroptosis are based on its function and mechanism, but there have been relatively few studies on the effects of drugs, especially anaesthetics, on ferroptosis. Therefore, we summarized the recent literature on the effects of anaesthetics on ferroptosis to understand the underlying mechanism. In particular, we focused on the targets of various anaesthetics in different mechanisms of ferroptosis and the effects of ferroptosis induction or inhibition by narcotics on various diseases. The aims of this review are to provide a relatively reasonable drug regimen for clinicians, to explore potential ferroptosis protection drugs and targets, to reduce perioperative complications and to improve the postoperative performance of patients, especially those who are critically ill.

LncRNA MALAT1 Regulates USP22 Expression Through EZH2-Mediated H3K27me3 Modification to Accentuate Sepsis-Induced Myocardial Dysfunction

Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), has been confirmed to recruit enhancer of zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex 2 subunit (EZH2) to regulate cardiomyocyte apoptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy. However, whether the similar regulatory axis exists in sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SIMD) has not been clearly established. The current study sought to define the mechanism governing MALAT1-mediated EZH2 in SIMD. MALAT1 was significantly upregulated in lipopolysaccharide-induced cardiomyocytes. Depletion of MALAT1 by caudal vein injection of small interfering RNA targeting MALAT1 alleviated myocardial injury in SIMD rats, restored cardiac function, reduced oxidative stress production and fibrosis, and inhibited inflammatory factors and apoptosis in myocardial tissues. Moreover, MALAT1 bound to EZH2 and promoted EZH2 activity in the nucleus of cardiomyocytes. EZH2 repressed ubiquitin-specific peptidase 22 (USP22) expression through H3K27me3 modification. EZH2 elevation aggravated the cardiac injury in SIMD rats, while USP22 upregulation inhibited the effect of EZH2, which reduced the cardiac injury in SIMD rats. Taken together, MALAT1 decreased USP22 expression by interacting with EZH2, thereby worsening SIMD, highlighting an attractive therapeutic strategy for SIMD.

Does propofol definitely improve postoperative cognitive dysfunction?-a review of propofol-related cognitive impairment

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common brain function-related complication after surgery. In addition to old age being an independent risk factor, anesthetics are also important predisposing factors. Among them, propofol is the most commonly used intravenous anesthetic in clinical practice. It has a rapid onset, short half-life, and high recovery quality. Many studies report that propofol can attenuate surgery-induced cognitive impairment, however, some other studies reveal that propofol also induces cognitive dysfunction. Therefore, this review summarizes the effects of propofol on the cognition, and discusses possible related mechanisms, which aims to provide some evidence for the follow-up studies.

Propofol suppresses adipose-derived stem cell progression via PI3K/AKT-Wnt signaling pathway

Adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) transplantation has become a prospective way to treat cardiovascular diseases and skin traumas. Propofol, a short-acting intravenous anesthetic agent, plays an important role in the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. In this study, we investigated the effects of propofol on ADSCs. The flow cytometry results showed that ADSCs were positive for CD29, CD44, and CD90 and negative for CD31, CD34, and CD45. The results of MTT and BrdU assays demonstrated that propofol impeded the proliferation of ADSCs. The cell scratch test showed that propofol had an inhibitory effect on the migration of ADSCs. Transwell assay showed that invasive ASDC counts decreased significantly after propofol treatment. Propofol also promoted ADSC apoptosis and arrested ADSCs in the G0/G1 phase. All these effects showed in a dose-dependent manner that the higher the concentration, the stronger the effect. Western blot analysis revealed decreased levels of FAK, PI3K, AKT, and GSK3β phosphorylation, while the phosphorylation of β-catenin increased after 48 h of treatment with propofol. The findings above indicated that the PI3K/AKT-Wnt pathways mediated propofol-inhibited ADSC proliferation, providing new insights into the propofol application in ADSCs.