miR-381-3p inhibits high glucose-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration by targeting HMGB1

Multiomics of Tissue Extracellular Vesicles Identifies Unique Modulators of Atherosclerosis and Calcific Aortic Valve Stenosis

BACKGROUND

Fewer than 50% of patients who develop aortic valve calcification have concomitant atherosclerosis, implying differential pathogenesis. Although circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) act as biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases, tissue-entrapped EVs are associated with early mineralization, but their cargoes, functions, and contributions to disease remain unknown.

METHODS

Disease stage-specific proteomics was performed on human carotid endarterectomy specimens (n=16) and stenotic aortic valves (n=18). Tissue EVs were isolated from human carotid arteries (normal, n=6; diseased, n=4) and aortic valves (normal, n=6; diseased, n=4) by enzymatic digestion, (ultra)centrifugation, and a 15-fraction density gradient validated by proteomics, CD63-immunogold electron microscopy, and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Vesiculomics, comprising vesicular proteomics and small RNA-sequencing, was conducted on tissue EVs. TargetScan identified microRNA targets. Pathway network analyses prioritized genes for validation in primary human carotid artery smooth muscle cells and aortic valvular interstitial cells.

RESULTS

Disease progression drove significant convergence (P<0.0001) of carotid artery plaque and calcified aortic valve proteomes (2318 proteins). Each tissue also retained a unique subset of differentially enriched proteins (381 in plaques; 226 in valves; q<0.05). Vesicular gene ontology terms increased 2.9-fold (P<0.0001) among proteins modulated by disease in both tissues. Proteomics identified 22 EV markers in tissue digest fractions. Networks of proteins and microRNA targets changed by disease progression in both artery and valve EVs revealed shared involvement in intracellular signaling and cell cycle regulation. Vesiculomics identified 773 proteins and 80 microRNAs differentially enriched by disease exclusively in artery or valve EVs (q<0.05); multiomics integration found tissue-specific EV cargoes associated with procalcific Notch and Wnt signaling in carotid arteries and aortic valves, respectively. Knockdown of tissue-specific EV-derived molecules FGFR2, PPP2CA, and ADAM17 in human carotid artery smooth muscle cells and WNT5A, APP, and APC in human aortic valvular interstitial cells significantly modulated calcification.

CONCLUSIONS

The first comparative proteomics study of human carotid artery plaques and calcified aortic valves identifies unique drivers of atherosclerosis versus aortic valve stenosis and implicates EVs in advanced cardiovascular calcification. We delineate a vesiculomics strategy to isolate, purify, and study protein and RNA cargoes from EVs entrapped in fibrocalcific tissues. Integration of vesicular proteomics and transcriptomics by network approaches revealed novel roles for tissue EVs in modulating cardiovascular disease.

MicroRNA-381 Regulates Proliferation and Differentiation of Caprine Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cells by Targeting PTEN and JAG2

In our previous study, microRNA (miR)-381 was found to be the most down-regulated miRNA in skeletal muscle of Liaoning cashmere goats with higher skeletal muscle mass, but the molecular mechanism involved remains unclear. In this study, primary caprine skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) were isolated and identified. We investigated the effect of miR-381 on the viability, proliferation and differentiation of caprine SMSCs, and the target relationships of miR-381 with jagged canonical Notch ligand 2 (JAG2) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). Cells isolated were positive for SMSC-specific marker protein Pax7. This suggests that purified SMSCs were obtained. The expression level of miR-381 achieved a peak value on day 4 after SMSC differentiation, and miR-381 also significantly increased the expression levels of myogenic differentiation marker genes: myosin heavy chain (MyHC), myogenin (MyoG) and myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) in differentiated SMSCs, the area of MyHC-positive myotubes and the myogenic index. These findings suggest that miR-381 promoted myogenic differentiation of caprine SMSCs. The CCK8 assay and EDU staining analysis showed that miR-381 mimic both inhibited the viability of SMSCs and decreased the percentage of EDU-labeled positive SMSCs. In contrast, miR-381 inhibitor had the opposite effect with miR-381 mimic. A dual luciferase reporter assay verified that miR-381 can target JAG2 and PTEN by binding to the 3′-untranslated regions (3′-UTR) of the genes. The transfection of miR-381 mimic into caprine SMSCs resulted in decreases in expression levels of JAG2 and PTEN, while miR-381 inhibitor increased the two target genes in expression. This is the first study to reveal the biological mechanisms by which miR-381 regulates caprine SMSC activities.

Hsa_circRNA_0008028 Deficiency Ameliorates High Glucose-Induced Proliferation, Calcification, and Autophagy of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via miR-182-5p/TRIB3 Axis

Background

It is well-known that dysfunctions of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) act an essential part in vascular complications of diabetes. Studies have shown that circular RNAs (circRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in regulating cell functions. However, their influence on the proliferation, calcification, and autophagy of VSMCs remains to be further explored. Therefore, this study elucidates the role and mechanism of hsa_circRNA_0008028 in high glucose- (HG-, 30 mM) treated VSMCs in vitro.

Methods

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was chosen to detect the levels of hsa_circRNA_0008028, miR-182-5p, and tribble 3 (TRIB3). Then, dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays were used to predict and verify the binding relationship between miR-182-5p and hsa_circRNA_0008028 or TRIB3. Cell counting kit-8 assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, corresponding commercial kits, and western blotting were used to measure indexes reflecting cell viability, proliferation, calcification, and autophagy of VSMCs, respectively.

Results

In HG-induced VSMCs, hsa_circRNA_0008028 and TRIB3 were highly expressed, whereas miR-182-5p decreased. Meanwhile, cell proliferation, calcification, and autophagy could be repressed by silencing of hsa_circRNA_0008028. However, these effects can be eliminated by miR-182-5p inhibition. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that hsa_circRNA_0008028 could promote the expression of TRIB3, a target of miR-182-5p, by directly sponging miR-182-5p. The expression of TRIB3 was suppressed by hsa_circRNA_0008028 knockout, which was rescued by miR-182-5p inhibition.

Conclusion

This study reveals that hsa_circRNA_0008028 can act as a sponge of miR-182-5p and promote HG-induced proliferation, calcification, and autophagy of VSMCs partly by regulating TRIB3.

CircTRHDE knockdown protects WI-38 cells against LPS-induced inflammatory injury

BACKGROUND

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to be involved in the progression of infantile pneumonia. Here, we investigated the function of circTRHDE in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cell inflammatory injury to evaluate its role in infantile pneumonia progression.

METHODS

The circTRHDE, microRNA (miR)-381-3p and TNF-receptor associated factor 3 (TRAF3) expression were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. LPS-induced WI-38 cells were used to construct an inflammatory injury model. Cell viability, inflammation and apoptosis were measured by cell counting kit assay, ELISA assay and flow cytometry. Caspase3 activity, MDA level and SOD activity were analysed to assess cell apoptosis and oxidative stress. Protein levels were determined using western blot analysis. The interaction between miR-381-3p and circTRHDE or TRAF3 was confirmed by dual-luciferase activity assay and RNA pull-down assay.

RESULTS

CircTRHDE had increased expression in infantile pneumonia patients and LPS-induced WI-38 cells. LPS treatment inhibited WI-38 cell viability while promoting inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress. However, knockdown of circTRHDE remitted LPS-triggered WI-38 cell injury. CircTRHDE could sponge miR-381-3p to positively regulate TRAF3 expression. MiR-381-3p suppressed LPS-induced WI-38 cell inflammatory injury, and this effect was revoked by TRAF3 overexpression. Also, LPS-induced WI-38 cell inflammatory injury restrained by circTRHDE knockdown also were reversed by miR-318-3p inhibitor or TRAF3 overexpression.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrated that circTRHDE might be a target for infantile pneumonia treatment, which relieved LPS-induced cell inflammatory injury by the regulation of the miR-318-3p/TRAF3 axis.

miR‑129‑5p inhibits oxidized low‑density lipoprotein‑induced A7r5 cell viability and migration by targeting HMGB1 and the PI3k/Akt signaling pathway

The mechanisms underlying gene therapy for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases remain to be elucidated. microRNAs (miRs) have been recognized as key regulators in vascular smooth muscle cells, which are involved in the formation of atherosclerosis. The present study aimed to explore the role of miR-129-5p in the regulation of high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) and the PI3k/Akt signaling pathway, and further explore the role of miR-129-5p in the viability and migration of A7r5 cells induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Cell viability, viability and migration were determined using Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, wound healing and Transwell assays. The expression levels of miR-129-5p and HMGB1 were detected using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting. A dual-luciferase assay was used to confirm the association between miR-129-5p and HMGB1. RT-qPCR results in the present study demonstrated that the expression levels of miR-129-5p in A7r5 cells induced by ox-LDL were significantly decreased, compared with the control cells. Moreover, the viability and migration of A7r5 cells induced by ox-LDL were increased compared with control group. Western blot and RT-qPCR results showed that miR-129-5p decreased the expression of HMGB1 in A7r5 cells compared with control group. The present results demonstrated that miR-129-5p inhibited the viability, viability and migration of A7r5 cells induced by ox-LDL, and directly targeted HMGB1 to regulate the PI3k/Akt signaling pathway. In conclusion, miR-129-5p inhibited the PI3k/Akt signaling pathway by directly targeting HMGB1, and reduced the viability, viability and migration of A7r5 cells induced by ox-LDL.

Differential Expression of miR-381-3p in Alzheimer's Disease Patients and Its Role in Beta-Amyloid-Induced Neurotoxicity and Inflammation

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to explore the diagnostic value and effect of miR-381-3p on Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODS

RT-qPCR was used for the measurement of miR-381-3p levels. Pearson correlation coefficient was used for the correlation analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to assess the distinct ability of miR-381-3p for AD. SH-SY5Y cells were treated with Aβ25-35 to establish an AD cell model. The role of miR-381-3p on cell proliferation and apoptosis was detected. ELISA was applied to detect the protein levels of inflammatory cytokine expression. The target relationship of miR-381-3p with PTGS2 was verified by luciferase reporter gene assay.

RESULTS

Low expression of miR-381-3p was detected in the serum of AD patients and cell models. There was a negative association of serum miR-381-3p with the serum inflammatory cytokines. The ROC curve demonstrated the distinct ability of serum miR-381-3p for AD, with the AUC value of 0.898, with a sensitivity of 87.5%, and a specificity of 77.7%. Overexpression of miR-381-3p reversed the influence of Aβ25-35 on cell proliferation and apoptosis, but miR-381-3p downregulation exacerbated the influence. miR-381-3p overexpression inhibited the release of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α induced by Aβ25-35 treatment, whereas miR-381-3p downregulation further promoted the release of inflammatory cytokines. PTGS2 was the target gene of miR-381-3p and was upregulated in AD cell models.

CONCLUSION

miR-381-3p is less expressed in the serum of AD patients and has potential diagnostic values for AD. Overexpression of miR-381-3p may attenuate Aβ25-35-induced neurotoxicity and inflammatory responses via targeting PTGS2 in SH-SY5Y cells.

Identification of a Novel Gene Correlated With Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Proliferation and Migration in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Objective: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is characterized by thrombofibrotic obstruction of the proximal pulmonary arteries, which result in vascular remodeling of the distal pulmonary artery. While the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying CTEPH pathogenesis remain incompletely understood, recent evidence implicates vascular remodeling. Here, we identify the molecular mechanisms that contribute to vascular remodeling in CTEPH.

Methods: Microarray data (GSE130391) for patients with CTEPH and healthy controls were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and screened for differentially expressed genes (DEGs). DEGs were functionally annotated using Gene Ontology (GO) functional analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to identify hub genes. Finally, pulmonary artery samples were harvested from patients with CTEPH (n = 10) and from controls (n = 10) and primary vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were cultured. Effects of the proto-oncogene FOS on VSMC proliferation and migration were assessed using expression and knockdown studies.

Results: We detected a total of 292 DEGs, including 151 upregulated and 141 downregulated genes. GO analysis revealed enrichment of DEGs in biological processes of signal transduction, response to lipopolysaccharide, signal transduction, and myeloid dendritic cell differentiation. Molecular function analysis revealed enrichment in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-activated receptor activity, transcriptional activator activity, and protein homodimerization activity. The expression of TNF-α and its receptor (sTNFR1 and sTNFR2) were significantly higher in CTEPH group, compared with control group. KEGG pathway analysis revealed enrichment in salmonella infection, pathways in cancer, osteoclast differentiation, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. Hub genes in the PPI included FOS, suggesting an important role for this gene in vascular remodeling in CTEPH. Primary VSMCs derived from patients with CTEPH showed increased FOS expression and high proliferation and migration, which was attenuated by FOS inhibition. In control VSMCs, TNF-α treatment increased proliferation and migration, which FOS inhibition likewise attenuated.

Conclusion: TNF-α drives CTEPH pathogenesis by promoting VSMC proliferation and migration via increased FOS expression. These results advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of vascular remodeling in CTEPH, and may inform the development of new therapeutic targets.

MicroRNA-381-3p signatures as a diagnostic marker in patients with sepsis and modulates sepsis-steered cardiac damage and inflammation by binding HMGB1

Immune response imbalance and cardiac dysfunction caused by sepsis are the main reasons for death in sepsis. This study aimed to confirm the expression and diagnostic possibility of microRNA-381-3p (miR-381-3p) and its mechanism in sepsis. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) were used to reveal the levels and clinical significance of miR-381-3p. Pearson correlation was conducted to provide the correlations between miR-381-3p and several indexes of sepsis. The H9c2 cell models were constructed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was applied to establish the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat models. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry were the methods to detect the cell viability and death rate of H9c2. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to evaluate the concentration of inflammatory cytokines. The target gene of miR-381-3p was validated via the luciferase report system. The low expression of miR-381-3p was found in the serum of patients with sepsis. The lessened miR-381-3p could be a marker in the discrimination of sepsis patients. Overexpression of miR-381-3p could repress the mRNA expression of HMGB1, inhibit the cell apoptosis and inflammatory response, and motivate the viability of sepsis cells. At the same time, enhanced miR-381-3p promoted the inhibition of inflammation and cardiac dysfunction in the rat model of sepsis. Collectively, reduced levels of serum miR-381-3p can be used as an index to detect sepsis patients. MiR-381-3p restored the inflammatory response and myocardial dysfunction caused by sepsis via HMGB1.

Detection of Atherosclerosis by Small RNA-Sequencing Analysis of Extracellular Vesicle Enriched Serum Samples

Atherosclerosis can occur throughout the arterial vascular system and lead to various diseases. Early diagnosis of atherosclerotic processes and of individual disease patterns would be more likely to be successful if targeted therapies were available. For this, it is important to find reliable biomarkers that are easily accessible and with little inconvenience for patients. There are many cell culture, animal model or tissue studies that found biomarkers at the microRNA (miRNA) and mRNA level describing atherosclerotic processes. However, little is known about their potential as circulating and liquid biopsy markers in patients. In this study, we examined serum-derived miRNA - profiles from 129 patients and 28 volunteers to identify potential biomarkers. The patients had four different atherosclerotic manifestations: abdominal aneurysm (n = 35), coronary heart disease (n = 34), carotid artery stenosis (n = 24) and peripheral arterial disease (n = 36). The samples were processed with an extracellular vesicle enrichment protocol, total-RNA extraction and small RNA-sequencing were performed. A differential expression analysis was performed bioinformatically to find potentially regulated miRNA biomarkers. Resulting miRNA candidates served as a starting point for an overrepresentation analysis in which relevant target mRNAs were identified. The Gene Ontology database revealed relevant biological functions in relation to atherosclerotic processes. In patients, expression of specific miRNAs changed significantly compared to healthy volunteers; 27 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified. We were able to detect a group-specific miRNA fingerprint: miR-122-5p, miR-2110 and miR-483-5p for abdominal aortic aneurysm, miR-370-3p and miR-409-3p for coronary heart disease, miR-335-3p, miR-381-3p, miR493-5p and miR654-3p for carotid artery stenosis, miR-199a-5p, miR-215-5p, miR-3168, miR-582-3p and miR-769-5p for peripheral arterial disease. The results of the study show that some of the identified miRNAs have already been associated with atherosclerosis in previous studies. Overrepresentation analysis on this data detected biological processes that are clearly relevant for atherosclerosis, its development and progression showing the potential of these miRNAs as biomarker candidates. In a next step, the relevance of these findings on the mRNA level is to be investigated and substantiated.