Long non-coding RNA MALAT1 and its target microRNA-125b associate with disease risk, severity, and major adverse cardiovascular event of coronary heart disease

Long Noncoding RNA MALAT1: Salt-Sensitive Hypertension

Hypertension stands as the leading global cause of mortality, affecting one billion individuals and serving as a crucial risk indicator for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Elevated salt intake triggers inflammation and hypertension by activating antigen-presenting cells (APCs). We found that one of the primary reasons behind this pro-inflammatory response is the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), responsible for transporting sodium ions into APCs and the activation of NADPH oxidase, leading to increased oxidative stress. Oxidative stress increases lipid peroxidation and the formation of pro-inflammatory isolevuglandins (IsoLG). Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in regulating gene expression, and MALAT1, broadly expressed across cell types, including blood vessels and inflammatory cells, is also associated with inflammation regulation. In hypertension, the decreased transcriptional activity of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2 or Nfe2l2) correlates with heightened oxidative stress in APCs and impaired control of various antioxidant genes. Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), an intracellular inhibitor of Nrf2, exhibits elevated levels of hypertension. Sodium, through an increase in Sp1 transcription factor binding at its promoter, upregulates MALAT1 expression. Silencing MALAT1 inhibits sodium-induced Keap1 upregulation, facilitating the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and subsequent antioxidant gene transcription. Thus, MALAT1, acting via the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, modulates antioxidant defense in hypertension. This review explores the potential role of the lncRNA MALAT1 in controlling the Keap1-Nrf2-antioxidant defense pathway in salt-induced hypertension. The inhibition of MALAT1 holds therapeutic potential for the progression of salt-induced hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Long Noncoding RNAs in Cardiac Injury and Repair

Cardiac injury, such as myocardial infarction and heart failure, remains a significant global health burden. The limited regenerative capacity of the adult heart poses a challenge for restoring its function after injury. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as promising candidates for cardiac regeneration due to their ability to differentiate into various cell types and secrete bioactive molecules. In recent years, attention has been given to noncoding RNAs derived from MSCs, particularly long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and their potential role in cardiac injury and repair. LncRNAs are RNA molecules that do not encode proteins but play critical roles in gene regulation and cellular responses including cardiac repair and regeneration. This review focused on MSC-derived lncRNAs and their implications in cardiac regeneration, including their effects on cardiac function, myocardial remodeling, cardiomyocyte injury, and angiogenesis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of MSC-derived lncRNAs in cardiac injury and repair may contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for treating cardiovascular diseases. However, further research is needed to fully elucidate the potential of MSC-derived lncRNAs and address the challenges in this field.

Elevated Levels of Circulating lncRNAs LIPCAR and MALAT1 Predict an Unfavorable Outcome in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. In this study, we aimed to assess the potential of plasma long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) LIPCAR and MALAT1 and microRNAs (miRNAs) miR-142-3p and miR-155-5p to discriminate unstable CAD patients from stable ones. 23 stable angina (SA), 21 unstable angina (UA), and 50 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients were enrolled; their plasma was collected. ncRNA plasma levels were evaluated using RT-qPCR. All measured ncRNA levels were significantly increased in UA patients' plasma compared to SA patients' plasma and in STEMI-with major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) patients' plasma vs. STEMI-without MACE patients' plasma. ROC analysis showed that increased levels of LIPCAR and MALAT1 were associated with UA, and the prognostic model improved with the addition of miR-155-5p levels. The assessed lncRNAs discriminated between hyperglycemic (HG) and normoglycemic (NG) UA patients, and they were associated with MACE incidence in STEMI patients; this prediction was improved by the addition of miR-142-3p levels to the ROC multivariate model. We propose LIPCAR and MALAT1 as effective diagnostic markers for vulnerable CAD, their association with HG in UA patients, and as robust predictors for unfavorable evolution of STEMI patients.

Using Machine Learning Methods in Identifying Genes Associated with COVID-19 in Cardiomyocytes and Cardiac Vascular Endothelial Cells

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) not only causes respiratory system damage, but also imposes strain on the cardiovascular system. Vascular endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes play an important role in cardiac function. The aberrant expression of genes in vascular endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes can lead to cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we sought to explain the influence of respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on the gene expression levels of vascular endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes. We designed an advanced machine learning-based workflow to analyze the gene expression profile data of vascular endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes from patients with COVID-19 and healthy controls. An incremental feature selection method with a decision tree was used in building efficient classifiers and summarizing quantitative classification genes and rules. Some key genes, such as MALAT1, MT-CO1, and CD36, were extracted, which exert important effects on cardiac function, from the gene expression matrix of 104,182 cardiomyocytes, including 12,007 cells from patients with COVID-19 and 92,175 cells from healthy controls, and 22,438 vascular endothelial cells, including 10,812 cells from patients with COVID-19 and 11,626 cells from healthy controls. The findings reported in this study may provide insights into the effect of COVID-19 on cardiac cells and further explain the pathogenesis of COVID-19, and they may facilitate the identification of potential therapeutic targets.

The Common LncRNAs of Neuroinflammation-Related Diseases

Spatio-temporal specific long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important regulatory roles not only in the growth and development of the brain but also in the occurrence and development of neurologic diseases. Generally, the occurrence of neurologic diseases is accompanied by neuroinflammation. Elucidation of the regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs on neuroinflammation is helpful for the clinical treatment of neurologic diseases. This paper focuses on recent findings on the regulatory effect of lncRNAs on neuroinflammatory diseases and selects 10 lncRNAs that have been intensively studied to analyze their mechanism action. The clinical treatment status of lncRNAs as drug targets is also reviewed. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Gene therapies such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindrome repeats technology, antisense RNA technology, and RNAi technology are gradually applied in clinical treatment, and the development of technology is based on a large number of basic research investigations. This paper focuses on the mechanisms of lncRNAs regulation of neuroinflammation, elucidates the beneficial or harmful effects of lncRNAs in neurosystemic diseases, and provides theoretical bases for lncRNAs as drug targets.

Differential Expression of LOXL1-AS1 in Coronary Heart Disease and its Regulatory Mechanism in ox-LDL-Induced Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Cell Pyroptosis

OBJECTIVE

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a notable contributor to the burden of human health. Dysregulated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of CHD. This study investigated the expression pattern of lncRNA LOXL1-AS1 in CHD and its regulatory mechanism in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced human coronary artery endothelial cell (HCAEC) pyroptosis.

METHODS

Serum was collected from 62 CHD patients and 62 healthy volunteers for the detection of LOXL1-AS1 expression. The value of LOXL1-AS1 in CHD diagnosis and major cardiovascular adverse event (MACE) prediction was analyzed using the ROC curve. LOXL1-AS1, miR-16-5p, and SNX16 expressions in ox-LDL-treated HCAECs were determined using RT-qPCR. NLPR3, cleaved-caspase-1, and GSDMD-N protein levels were measured using Western blot. IL-1β and IL-18 concentrations were measured using ELISA. The binding relationships between LOXL1-AS1 and miR-16-5p and miR-16-5p and SNX16 were verified. Functional rescue experiment was performed to verify the role of miR-16-5p in HCAEC pyroptosis.

RESULTS

LOXL1-AS1 was highly expressed in CHD patients. LOXL1-AS1 had diagnostic value for CHD and predictive value for MACE occurrence. ox-LDL-treated HCAECs showed reduced viability, increased IL-1β and IL-18 concentrations, and elevated NLPR3, cleaved-caspase-1, and GSDMD-N levels. LOXL1-AS1 silencing promoted cell viability and reduced pyroptosis. LOXL1-AS1 bound to miR-16-5p and miR-16-5p targeted SNX16. Inhibition of miR-16-5p reversed the inhibitory effect of LOXL1-AS1 silencing on HCAEC pyroptosis.

CONCLUSION

LOXL1-AS1 was elevated in CHD patients with a good diagnostic value for CHD and predictive value for MACE. LOXL1-AS1 downregulated miR-16-5p expression by binding to miR-16-5p to enhance ox-LDL-induced HCAEC pyroptosis, which may be associated with upregulation of SNX16 transcription.

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.

New developments in non-exosomal and exosomal ncRNAs in coronary artery disease

Aim & methods: Non-exosomal and exosomal ncRNAs have been reported to be involved in the regulation of coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore, to explore the biological effects of non-exosomal/exosomal ncRNAs in CAD, the authors searched for studies published in the last 3 years on these ncRNAs in CAD and summarized their functions and mechanisms. Results: The authors summarized 120 non-exosomal ncRNAs capable of regulating CAD progression. In clinical studies, 47 non-exosomal and nine exosomal ncRNAs were able to serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis of CAD. Conclusion: Non-exosomal/exosomal ncRNAs are not only able to serve as biomarkers for CAD diagnosis but can also regulate CAD progression through ceRNA mechanisms and are a potential target for early clinical intervention in CAD.

Clinical Features of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease and Its Correlation with Tumour Necrosis Factor in Cardiology

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) levels are higher in patients who have experienced an acute ischemic stroke. Greater levels of TNF may not be linked to an increased risk of recurrent coronary events in the stable phase after myocardial ischemia (MI). Coronary atheroma is connected to endothelial and smooth muscle cells, as well as macrophages that emit the multifunctional cytokine tumour necrosis factor (TNF). Transplanted tumours become more vulnerable when TNF-α was first recognized to have a function in hemorrhagic necrosis. TNF-α has been demonstrated to induce heart failure, pulmonary edoema, and cardiomyopathy in people with advanced heart failure when it is elevated in the bloodstream. It has been postulated that prolonged overexpression of TNF-α after ischemia may contribute to poor cardiac outcomes by increasing TNF-α when the myocardium undergoes both temporary ischemia and reperfusion. A rise in TNF levels has been seen after a myocardial infarction, but it is unclear if these higher levels, found months after the initial event, are associated with an increased risk of subsequent heart attacks. We looked at TNF levels in the blood of 270 patients with coronary heart disease in the Chinese Hypertension League's Cholesterol and Recurrent Events (CARE) experiment to see if this notion held true. Recurrent coronary syndrome and coronary mortality were monitored prospectively in the participants. The min max imbalance normalization can be used to assess a patient's baseline characteristics, including hormone and cholesterol test results. Type 2 stimulant connection to aggregate the TNF-signaling qualities and fuzzy techniques was applied. There may now be enough preliminary evidence from the crucial bundle neural network analysis to identify the risk of coronary heart disease associated with TNF pregeneration studies. The tests were assessed using a variety of methods and performance metrics in a Matlab environment.

Research advances on circulating Long noncoding RNAs as biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, heart failure, atherosclerosis, hypertension, arrhythmia, and their complications diseases are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, it is necessary to develop new diagnostic markers for CVD. LncRNAs have become a new class of biomarkers in CVD with good development prospects. Numerous studies have confirmed lncRNAs feasibility as diagnostic, prognostic and predictive tools for different types of CVD. In this review, we summarized the available knowledge regarding the clinical application value and pathophysiological mechanism of circulating lncRNA as potential biomarkers of cardiovascular disease. We reviewed the scope of application and changes of circulating lncRNAs such as ZFAS1, CDR1AS, CHAST, UCA1, HOTAIR, MIAT, NEAT1, LIPCAR, H19, NRF, NRON, MHRT, PVT1, Heat2, CASC7, GAS5, MALAT1, APPAT, HIF1A-AS1, KCNQ1OT1, NEXN in different kinds of CVD and discussed their clinical application potential as biomarker, which can help us better understand the mechanism of CVD.

Relation of circulating lncRNA GAS5 and miR-21 with biochemical indexes, stenosis severity, and inflammatory cytokines in coronary heart disease patients

Background

Long noncoding RNA GAS5 (lnc‐GAS5) and its target microRNA‐21 (miR‐21) regulate blood lipid, macrophages, Th cells, vascular smooth muscle cells to participate in atherosclerosis, and related coronary heart disease (CHD). The study aimed to further explore the linkage of their circulating expressions with common biochemical indexes, stenosis severity and inflammatory cytokines in CHD patients.

Methods

Ninety‐eight CHD patients and 100 controls confirmed by coronary angiography were enrolled. Plasma samples were collected for lnc‐GAS5 and miR‐21 detection by reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction and inflammatory cytokines determination by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Lnc‐GAS5 was increased in CHD patients compared with controls (2.270 (interquartile range [IQR]: 1.676–3.389) vs. 0.999 ([IQR: 0.602–1.409], p < 0.001), whereas miR‐21 showed opposite tread (0.442 [IQR: 0.318–0.698] vs. 0.997 [IQR: 0.774–1.368], p < 0.001). In aspect of their intercorrelation, lnc‐GAS5 negatively linked with miR‐21 in CHD patients (p < 0.001) instead of controls (p = 0.211). Interestingly, among the common biochemical indexes, lnc‐GAS5 related to decreased high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.008) and increased C‐reactive protein (CRP) (p < 0.001), while miR‐21 correlated with lower total cholesterol (p = 0.024) and CRP (p < 0.001) in CHD patients. As stenosis degree, lnc‐GAS5 positively correlated with Gensini score (p < 0.001), but miR‐21 exhibited negative association (p = 0.003) in CHD patients. In terms of inflammatory cytokines, lnc‐GAS5 positively related to tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) and interleukin (IL)‐17A, while miR‐21 negatively linked with TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐17 in CHD patients (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Circulating lnc‐GAS5 and its target miR‐21 exhibit potency to serve as biomarkers for CHD management.

Circulating non-coding RNAs as biomarkers in coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Atherosclerosis involves an interplay of different pathological mechanisms, such as progressive inflammation, abnormal lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress, and as such represents the basic pathological phenomenon underlying CAD. Atherosclerotic plaque narrows the lumen of coronary arteries, creating an ischemic environment for the heart muscle, which finally leads to clinical complications, such as acute myocardial infarction. Currently, there are no biomarkers that could predict plaque stability or major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Numerous functional non-coding RNA (ncRNA) species influence basic cellular functions, and as such play a role in the development and progression of CAD. Of these ncRNAs, micro RNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are the most investigated. Considering that ncRNAs detected in extracellular fluids can originate from different cells, circulating ncRNAs are being intensively investigated as potential biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of CAD. In the following paper, we provide current insights into potential molecular mechanisms by which miRNAs and lncRNAs contribute to the pathology of CAD and discuss their potential role as biomarkers in diagnosis and prognosis of disease.

Long non-coding RNA MALAT1 and its target microRNA-125b associate with disease risk, severity, and major adverse cardiovascular event of coronary heart disease

Background

This study aimed to explore the correlation of long non‐coding RNA metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (lncRNA MALAT1) with microRNA (miR)‐125b and further investigated their associations with disease risk, severity, and prognosis of coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods

Totally, 230 patients who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography were recruited; meanwhile, 140 of them were diagnosed as CHD and the remaining 90 non‐CHD patients served as controls. Plasma sample was collected from each participant for lncRNA MALAT1 and miR‐125b mRNA expression detection by reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The extent of coronary stenosis was evaluated by the Gensini score, and major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) occurrence during the follow‐up was documented in CHD patients.

Results

Long non‐coding RNA metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 relative expression was increased, but miR‐125b relative expression was decreased in CHD patients compared with controls. ROC curve exhibited that lncRNA MALAT1 and miR‐125b were of good value in differentiating CHD patients from controls, and further logistic regression analysis verified their independent correlation with CHD risk. Furthermore, lncRNA MALAT1 presented a closely negative correlation with miR‐125b in CHD patients, while it presented a weakly negative association with miR‐125b in controls. In CHD patients, lncRNA MALAT1 was positively correlated with Gensini score, total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, C‐reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐17, and accumulating MACE occurrence; reversely, miR‐125b presented a opposite trend.

Conclusion

Long non‐coding RNA metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 might be associated with increased CHD risk, severity, and accumulating MACE incidence via negative interaction with miR‐125b, suggesting their possible clinical application as biomarkers in the CHD screening and surveillance.