The expression profile of platelet-derived miRNA in coronary artery disease patients with clopidogrel resistance

Plant bioactive compounds driven microRNAs (miRNAs): A potential source and novel strategy targeting gene and cancer therapeutics

Irrespective of medical technology improvements, cancer ranks among the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Although numerous cures and treatments exist, creating alternative cancer therapies with fewer adverse side effects is vital. Since ancient times, plant bioactive compounds have already been used as a remedy to heal cancer. These plant bioactive compounds and their anticancer activity can also deregulate the microRNAs (miRNAs) in the cancerous cells. Therefore, the deregulation of miRNAs in cancer cells by plant bioactive compounds and the usage of the related miRNA could be a promising approach for cancer cure, mainly to prevent cancer and overcome chemotherapeutic side effect problems. Hence, this review highlights the function of plant bioactive compounds as an anticancer agent through the underlying mechanism that alters the miRNA expression in cancer cells, ultimately leading to apoptosis. Moreover, this review provides insight into using plant bioactive compounds -driven miRNAs as an anticancer agent to develop miRNA-based cancer gene therapy. They can be the potential resource for gene therapy and novel strategies targeting cancer therapeutics.

MiR-7-5p attenuates vascular smooth muscle cell migration and intimal hyperplasia after vascular injury by NF-kB signaling

Background

Atherosclerosis (AS) is the primary cause of coronary artery disease, which is featured by aberrant proliferation, differentiation, and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). MicroRNAs play crucial roles in AS, but the function of miR-7-5p in AS remains unclear. Here, we aimed to explore the effect of miR-7-5p on AS and VSMCs in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

The in vivo rat AS model and apoE-/- mouse model were established. The carotid artery injury was checked by immunohistochemistry staining. The RNA levels of miR-7-5p and p65 were measured by qPCR assay. Protein levels were checked by western blotting. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Cell migration was checked by Transwell assay and wound healing assay. The potential interaction between miR-7-5p with p65 was checked by luciferase reporter gene assay.

Results

MiR-7-5p was downregulated and NF-κB p65 was upregulated in injured carotid arteries in rat model. The carotid artery injury in the AS rats and the treatment of miR-7-5p attenuated the phenotype in the model. Immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot analysis revealed that PCNA levels were increased in injured carotid arteries of the model rats and miR-7-5p could reverse the levels. The cell viability of VSMCs was induced by PDGF-BB but miR-7-5p blocked the phenotype. PDGF-BB decreased apoptosis of VSMCs, while miR-7-5p was able to restore the cell apoptosis in the model. PDGF-BB-induced migration of VSMCs was attenuated by miR-7-5p. miR-7-5p mimic remarkably repressed the luciferase activity of p65 in VSMCs. The levels of p65 were inhibited by miR-7-5p in the cells. The PDGF-BB-promoted cell viability and migration of VSMCs was repressed by miR-7-5p and p65 overexpression reversed the phenotype.

Conclusion

We concluded that miR-7-5p attenuates vascular smooth muscle cell migration and intimal hyperplasia after vascular injury by NF-kB signaling.

Insights Into Platelet-Derived MicroRNAs in Cardiovascular and Oncologic Diseases: Potential Predictor and Therapeutic Target

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), represented by cardiovascular diseases and cancer, have been the leading cause of death globally. Improvements in mortality from cardiovascular (CV) diseases (decrease of 14%/100,000, United States) or cancers (increase 7.5%/100,000, United States) seem unsatisfactory during the past two decades, and so the search for innovative and accurate biomarkers of early diagnosis and prevention, and novel treatment strategies is a valuable clinical and economic endeavor. Both tumors and cardiovascular system are rich in angiological systems that maintain material exchange, signal transduction and distant regulation. This pattern determines that they are strongly influenced by circulating substances, such as glycolipid metabolism, inflammatory homeostasis and cyclic non-coding RNA and so forth. Platelets, a group of small anucleated cells, inherit many mature proteins, mRNAs, and non-coding RNAs from their parent megakaryocytes during gradual formation and manifest important roles in inflammation, angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, stroke, myocardial infarction, diabetes, cancer, and many other diseases apart from its classical function in hemostasis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs containing ∼22 nucleotides that participate in many key cellular processes by pairing with mRNAs at partially complementary binding sites for post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Platelets contain fully functional miRNA processors in their microvesicles and are able to transport their miRNAs to neighboring cells and regulate their gene expression. Therefore, the importance of platelet-derived miRNAs for the human health is of increasing interest. Here, we will elaborate systematically the roles of platelet-derived miRNAs in cardiovascular disease and cancer in the hope of providing clinicians with new ideas for early diagnosis and therapeutic strategies.

Circulating and Platelet MicroRNAs in Cardiovascular Risk Assessment and Antiplatelet Therapy Monitoring

Micro-ribonucleic acids (microRNAs) are small molecules that take part in the regulation of gene expression. Their function has been extensively investigated in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Most recently, miRNA expression levels have been suggested as potential biomarkers of platelet reactivity or response to antiplatelet therapy and tools for risk stratification for recurrence of ischemic evens. Among these, miR-126 and miR-223 have been found to be of particular interest. Despite numerous studies aimed at understanding the prognostic value of miRNA levels, no final conclusions have been drawn thus far regarding their utility in clinical practice. The aim of this review is to critically appraise the evidence on the association between miRNA expression, cardiovascular risk and on-treatment platelet reactivity as well as provide insights on future developments in the field.