MicroRNA values in children with rheumatic carditis: a preliminary study

Role of miRNA in Cardiovascular Diseases in Children-Systematic Review

The number of children suffering from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is rising globally. Therefore, there is an urgent need to acquire a better understanding of the genetic factors and molecular mechanisms related to the pathogenesis of CVDs in order to develop new prevention and treatment strategies for the future. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a class of small non-coding RNA fragments that range from 17 to 25 nucleotides in length and play an essential role in regulating gene expression, controlling an abundance of biological aspects of cell life, such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, thus affecting immune response, stem cell growth, ageing and haematopoiesis. In recent years, the concept of miRNAs as diagnostic markers allowing discrimination between healthy individuals and those affected by CVDs entered the purview of academic debate. In this review, we aimed to systematise available information regarding miRNAs associated with arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, myocarditis and congenital heart diseases in children. We focused on the targeted genes and metabolic pathways influenced by those particular miRNAs, and finally, tried to determine the future of miRNAs as novel biomarkers of CVD.

miR-16-5p Regulates Ferroptosis by Targeting SLC7A11 in Adriamycin-Induced Ferroptosis in Cardiomyocytes

Introduction

Adriamycin (ADR) is commonly used in tumor chemotherapy, but its nonreversible cardiotoxicity severely hampers its clinical application. Ferroptosis is an implicated cause of ADR-induced injury. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study explored whether ferroptosis is a pivotal pathogenic pathway underlying ADR-induced cardiotoxicity and the possible molecular mechanisms involved.

Methods

In vivo and in vitro experimental models were used to study the mechanism of ADR-mediated ferroptosis. Ferroptosis levels were examined in mice and human/rat cardiomyocytes. Mechanistically, the expression levels of SLC7A11 and related miRNAs were examined. Bioinformatics prediction and luciferase reporter assays were used to verify the potential interaction between miR-16-5p and SLC7A11. The biological functions and interaction of SLC7A11 and miR-16-5p were investigated in vivo and in vitro.

Results

Our study observed that ADR treatment significantly increased ferroptosis levels in vivo and in vitro. Ferroptosis-related pharmacological interventions further confirmed these results. Our data displayed that the SLC7A11 level was significantly decreased in cardiac tissues and cells, while an increased expression level of miR-16-5p was observed. Moreover, upregulation of SLC7A1 and inhibition of miR-16-5p attenuated ADR-induced cardiomyocyte ferroptosis injury. Interactive rescue experiments showed that the protective effects of miR-16-5p inhibition on ADR-induced cardiomyocyte injury were blocked by SLC7A11 knockdown.

Discussion

Based on these findings, targeting miR-16-5p could partially reverse the ADR-induced cardiotoxicity by rescuing the SLC7A11 to attenuate ferroptosis. This study presents a pre-clinical basis to identify miR-16-5p/SLC7A11 as a potential treatment target for ADR-induced cardiotoxicity.

Common Genetic Factors and Pathways in Alzheimer's Disease and Ischemic Stroke: Evidences from GWAS

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and ischemic stroke (IS) are common neurological disorders, and the comorbidity of these two brain diseases is often seen. Although AD and IS were regarded as two distinct disease entities, in terms of different etiologies and clinical presentation, recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) revealed that there were common risk genes between AD and IS, indicating common molecular pathways and their common pathophysiology. In this review, we summarize AD and IS risk single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their representative genes from the GWAS Catalog database, and find thirteen common risk genes, but no common risk SNPs. Furthermore, the common molecular pathways associated with these risk gene products are summarized from the GeneCards database and clustered into inflammation and immunity, G protein-coupled receptor, and signal transduction. At least seven of these thirteen genes can be regulated by 23 microRNAs identified from the TargetScan database. Taken together, the imbalance of these molecular pathways may give rise to these two common brain disorders. This review sheds light on the pathogenesis of comorbidity of AD and IS, and provides molecular targets for disease prevention, manipulation, and brain health maintenance.

Identification of common molecular signatures of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its influence on acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the main cause of COVID-19, causing hundreds of millions of confirmed cases and more than 18.2 million deaths worldwide. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of COVID-19 that leads to an increase in mortality, especially in intensive care unit (ICU) settings, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a high risk factor for COVID-19 and its related mortality. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms among AKI, CKD, and COVID-19 are unclear. Therefore, transcriptome analysis was performed to examine common pathways and molecular biomarkers for AKI, CKD, and COVID-19 in an attempt to understand the association of SARS-CoV-2 infection with AKI and CKD. Three RNA-seq datasets (GSE147507, GSE1563, and GSE66494) from the GEO database were used to detect differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for COVID-19 with AKI and CKD to search for shared pathways and candidate targets. A total of 17 common DEGs were confirmed, and their biological functions and signaling pathways were characterized by enrichment analysis. MAPK signaling, the structural pathway of interleukin 1 (IL-1), and the Toll-like receptor pathway appear to be involved in the occurrence of these diseases. Hub genes identified from the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, including DUSP6, BHLHE40, RASGRP1, and TAB2, are potential therapeutic targets in COVID-19 with AKI and CKD. Common genes and pathways may play pathogenic roles in these three diseases mainly through the activation of immune inflammation. Networks of transcription factor (TF)-gene, miRNA-gene, and gene-disease interactions from the datasets were also constructed, and key gene regulators influencing the progression of these three diseases were further identified among the DEGs. Moreover, new drug targets were predicted based on these common DEGs, and molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed. Finally, a diagnostic model of COVID-19 was established based on these common DEGs. Taken together, the molecular and signaling pathways identified in this study may be related to the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 infection affects renal function. These findings are significant for the effective treatment of COVID-19 in patients with kidney diseases.

A Systematic Review of miRNA and cfDNA as Potential Biomarkers for Liquid Biopsy in Myocarditis and Inflammatory Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Myocarditis and inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy are cardiac diseases leading to heart failure. Liquid biopsy is a concept of replacing traditional biopsy with specialized blood tests. The study aim was to summarize and assess the usefulness of microRNAs and circulating free DNA as biomarkers of myocardial inflammation. For this systematic review, we searched Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed. All studies measuring microRNAs in serum/plasma/cardiac tissue or circulating free DNA during myocarditis and non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy in humans in which healthy subjects or another cardiac disease served as a comparator were included. Data were extracted and miRNAs were screened and assessed using a scale created in-house. Then, highly graded miRNAs were assessed for usability as liquid biopsy biomarkers. Of 1185 records identified, 56 were eligible and 187 miRNAs were found. We did not identify any studies measuring circulating free DNA. In total, 24 of the screened miRNAs were included in the final assessment, 3 of which were selected as the best and 3 as potential candidates. We were not able to assess the risk of bias and the final inclusion decision was made by consensus. Serum levels of three miRNAs-miR-Chr8:96, miR-155, and miR-206-are the best candidates for myocardial inflammation liquid biopsy panel. Further studies are necessary to prove their role, specificity, and sensitivity.

MicroRNA-146: Biomarker and Mediator of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the prime cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although noticeable progress has been made in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment, there is still a critical demand for new diagnostic biomarkers and novel therapeutic interventions to reduce this disease incidence. Many investigations have been conducted on the regulatory effects of microRNAs in cardiovascular diseases. miRNA circulating serum level changes are correlated with several CVDs. In addition, there is growing evidence representing the potential role of miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets for CVD. Preliminary studies identified the prominent role of miR-146 in host defense, innate immunity, and different immunological diseases by regulating cytokine production and innate immunity modification in bacterial infections. However, more recently, it was also associated with CVD development. miR-146 has received much attention, with positive results in most studies. Research demonstrated the crucial role of this molecule in the pathogenesis of cardiac disease and related mechanisms. As a result, many potential applications of miR-146 are expected. In this paper, we provide an overview of recent studies highlighting the role of miR-146 in CVD, focusing on CAD (coronary artery disease), cardiomyopathy, and MI (myocardial infarction) in particular and discussing its current scientific state, and use a prognostic biomarker as a therapeutic agent for cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular Disease-Associated MicroRNAs as Novel Biomarkers of First-Trimester Screening for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in the Absence of Other Pregnancy-Related Complications

We assessed the diagnostic potential of cardiovascular disease-associated microRNAs for the early prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in singleton pregnancies of Caucasian descent in the absence of other pregnancy-related complications. Whole peripheral venous blood samples were collected within 10 to 13 weeks of gestation. This retrospective study involved all pregnancies diagnosed with only GDM (n = 121) and 80 normal term pregnancies selected with regard to equality of sample storage time. Gene expression of 29 microRNAs was assessed using real-time RT-PCR. Upregulation of 11 microRNAs (miR-1-3p, miR-20a-5p, miR-20b-5p, miR-23a-3p, miR-100-5p, miR-125b-5p, miR-126-3p, miR-181a-5p, miR-195-5p, miR-499a-5p, and miR-574-3p) was observed in pregnancies destinated to develop GDM. Combined screening of all 11 dysregulated microRNAs showed the highest accuracy for the early identification of pregnancies destinated to develop GDM. This screening identified 47.93% of GDM pregnancies at a 10.0% false positive rate (FPR). The predictive model for GDM based on aberrant microRNA expression profile was further improved via the implementation of clinical characteristics (maternal age and BMI at early stages of gestation and an infertility treatment by assisted reproductive technology). Following this, 69.17% of GDM pregnancies were identified at a 10.0% FPR. The effective prediction model specifically for severe GDM requiring administration of therapy involved using a combination of these three clinical characteristics and three microRNA biomarkers (miR-20a-5p, miR-20b-5p, and miR-195-5p). This model identified 78.95% of cases at a 10.0% FPR. The effective prediction model for GDM managed by diet only required the involvement of these three clinical characteristics and eight microRNA biomarkers (miR-1-3p, miR-20a-5p, miR-20b-5p, miR-100-5p, miR-125b-5p, miR-195-5p, miR-499a-5p, and miR-574-3p). With this, the model identified 50.50% of GDM pregnancies managed by diet only at a 10.0% FPR. When other clinical variables such as history of miscarriage, the presence of trombophilic gene mutations, positive first-trimester screening for preeclampsia and/or fetal growth restriction by the Fetal Medicine Foundation algorithm, and family history of diabetes mellitus in first-degree relatives were included in the GDM prediction model, the predictive power was further increased at a 10.0% FPR (72.50% GDM in total, 89.47% GDM requiring therapy, and 56.44% GDM managed by diet only). Cardiovascular disease-associated microRNAs represent promising early biomarkers to be implemented into routine first-trimester screening programs with a very good predictive potential for GDM.

The lncRNA MEG3/miR-16-5p/VGLL4 regulatory axis is involved in etoposide-induced senescence of tumor cells

BACKGROUND

The senescence of tumor cells is an important tumor suppressor mechanism. The present study aimed to investigate the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) MEG3 (maternally expressed gene 3) in the senescence process of tumor cells and its potential molecular mechanism by competitively binding with microRNA miR-16-5p to regulate the expression of VGLL4 (encoding vestigial like family member 4).

METHODS

We used etoposide to construct senescence models of tumor cells. The degree of cellular senescence was detected by senescence-associated β-galactosidase, cell cycle and senescence-associated secretory phenotype. The expression of lncRNA MEG3, miR-16-5p and VGLL4 in senescent or non-senescent cells was evaluated using a quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR) or western blotting. Dual luciferase reporter assays were used to detect the binding of miR-16-5p to lncRNA MEG3 and VGLL4. The mRNA and protein expression levels of senescence-related markers (p53, p21 and p16) were detected using qRT-PCR or western blotting.

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, the expression of lncRNA MEG3 and VGLL4 was significantly up-regulated in senescent cells. Knockdown of lncRNA MEG3 and VGLL4 reduced the degree of senescence and the expression of p21 and p16. lncRNA MEG3 interfered with the expression of miR-16-5p in senescent A549 and MCF-7 cells. The expression of VGLL4 was regulated by miR-16-5p in senescent A549 and MCF-7 cells. lncRNA MEG3 participated in the senescent progress of tumor cells induced by etoposide via the miR-16-5p/VGLL4 axis.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study has confirmed the regulatory role of the lncRNA MEG3/miR-16-5p/VGLL4 axis in the low-dose etoposide-induced tumor cell senescence model, which has potential clinical application with respect to treating malignant tumors.

Overexpression of MicroRNA-16 Alleviates Atherosclerosis by Inhibition of Inflammatory Pathways

Background

Our previous study demonstrated that the expression of miR-16 was downregulated in the cell and animal models of atherosclerosis (AS), a main contributor to coronary artery disease (CAD). Overexpression of miR-16 inhibited the formation of foam cells by exerting anti-inflammatory roles. These findings indicated miR-16 may be an anti-atherogenic and CAD miRNA. The goal of this study was to further validate the expression of miR-16 in CAD patients and explore its therapeutic roles in an AS animal model.

Methods

A total of 40 CAD patients and 40 non-CAD people were prospectively registered in our study. The AS model was established in ApoE-/- mice fed a high-fat diet. The model mice were randomly treated with miR-16 agomiR (n = 10) or miR-negative control (n = 10). Hematoxylin-eosin staining was conducted for histopathological examination in thoracic aorta samples. ELISA and immunohistochemistry were performed to determine the expression levels of inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-1β, IL-10, and TGF-β). qRT-PCR and western blotting were carried out to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of PDCD4, miR-16, and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway-related genes.

Results

Compared with the normal control, miR-16 was downregulated in the plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell of CAD patients, and its expression level was negatively associated with IL-6 and the severity of CAD evaluated by the Gensini score, but positively related with IL-10. Injection of miR-16 agomiR in ApoE-/- mice reduced the formation of atherosclerotic plaque and suppressed the accumulation of proinflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1, and IL-1β) in the plasma and tissues but promoted the secretion of anti-inflammatory factors (IL-10 and TGF-β). Mechanism analysis showed overexpression of miR-16 might downregulate target mRNA PDCD4 and then activate p38 and ERK1/2, but inactivate the JNK pathway.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest miR-16 may be a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for atherosclerotic CAD.

Substantially Altered Expression Profile of Diabetes/Cardiovascular/Cerebrovascular Disease Associated microRNAs in Children Descending from Pregnancy Complicated by Gestational Diabetes Mellitus-One of Several Possible Reasons for an Increased Cardiovascular Risk

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), one of the major pregnancy-related complications, characterized as a transitory form of diabetes induced by insulin resistance accompanied by a low/absent pancreatic beta-cell compensatory adaptation to the increased insulin demand, causes the acute, long-term, and transgenerational health complications. The aim of the study was to assess if alterations in gene expression of microRNAs associated with diabetes/cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases are present in whole peripheral blood of children aged 3-11 years descending from GDM complicated pregnancies. A substantially altered microRNA expression profile was found in children descending from GDM complicated pregnancies. Almost all microRNAs with the exception of miR-92a-3p, miR-155-5p, and miR-210-3p were upregulated. The microRNA expression profile also differed between children after normal and GDM complicated pregnancies in relation to the presence of overweight/obesity, prehypertension/hypertension, and/or valve problems and heart defects. Always, screening based on the combination of microRNAs was superior over using individual microRNAs, since at 10.0% false positive rate it was able to identify a large proportion of children with an aberrant microRNA expression profile (88.14% regardless of clinical findings, 75.41% with normal clinical findings, and 96.49% with abnormal clinical findings). In addition, the higher incidence of valve problems and heart defects was found in children with a prior exposure to GDM. The extensive file of predicted targets of all microRNAs aberrantly expressed in children descending from GDM complicated pregnancies indicates that a large group of these genes is involved in ontologies of diabetes/cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases. In general, children with a prior exposure to GDM are at higher risk of later development of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases, and would benefit from dispensarisation as well as implementation of primary prevention strategies.

miR-16 exhibits protective function in LPS-treated cardiomyocytes by targeting DOCK2 to repress cell apoptosis and exert anti-inflammatory effect

This study aims to investigate the effects of microRNA (miR)-16/dedicator of cytokinesis 2 (DOCK2) on myocarditis. The differences in the expression of genes in acute myocarditis were filtered out across Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Myocarditis cell model was established by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in cardiomyocytes. The association between miR-16 and DOCK2 was predicted by bioinformatics software and confirmed by dual-luciferase assay. Polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were employed to assess the expression levels of miR-16 and DOCK2 under different conditions. Cells viability, apoptosis, and inflammatory reaction were evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. miR-16, as an upstream regulator of DOCK2, exhibited lower expression in LPS-induced myocarditis model. More importantly, we revealed that a marked augmentation of miR-16 promoted the growth of LPS-stimulated cardiomyocytes, and attenuated cell apoptosis and inflammatory response. However, an increasing expression of DOCK2 inhibited the remission of LPS-induced myocardial injury caused by miR-16 mimic. Herein, our results highlighted that upregulation of miR-16 resulted in the protective effects on LPS-induced myocardial injury by reducing DOCK2 expression, affording a pair of novel target molecules for ameliorating the symptoms of myocarditis.

Dysregulated CD4+ T Cells and microRNAs in Myocarditis

Myocarditis is a polymorphic disease complicated with indeterminate etiology and pathogenesis, and represents one of the most challenging clinical problems lacking specific diagnosis and effective therapy. It is caused by a complex interplay of environmental and genetic factors, and causal links between dysregulated microribonucleic acids (miRNAs) and myocarditis have also been supported by recent epigenetic researches. Both dysregulated CD4+ T cells and miRNAs play critical roles in the pathogenesis of myocarditis, and the classic triphasic model of its pathogenesis consists of the acute infectious, subacute immune, and recovery/chronic myopathic phase. CD4+ T cells are key pathogenic factors underlying the development and progression of myocarditis, and the effector and regulatory subsets, respectively, promote and inhibit autoimmune responses. Furthermore, the reciprocal interplay of these subsets influences the pathogenesis as well. Dysregulated miRNAs along with their mRNA and protein targets have been identified in heart biopsies (intracellular miRNAs) and body fluids (circulating miRNAs) during myocarditis. These miRNAs show phase-dependent changes, and correlate with viral infection, immune status, fibrosis, destruction of cardiomyocytes, arrhythmias, cardiac functions, and outcomes. Thus, miRNAs are promising diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in myocarditis. In this review, we review myocarditis with an emphasis on its pathogenesis, and present a summary of current knowledge of dysregulated CD4+ T cells and miRNAs in myocarditis.

MicroRNAs association with azoospermia, oligospermia, asthenozoospermia, and teratozoospermia: a systematic review

Infertility is a major health problem across the world. One of the main reasons for male infertility are defects in sperm. Semen analysis is the most common test utilized to evaluate male fertility and since it suffers from multiple drawbacks, reproduction scientists have tried to find new molecular markers for detecting sperm defects. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small molecules in cells which take part in regulating gene expression. Various studies have confirmed miRNAs to have a role in defining multiple sperm characteristics, including sperm count, motility, and morphology. In this paper, we have systematically reviewed the role of miRNAs in infertile men with sperm defects including azoospermia, oligospermia, asthenozoospermia, and teratozoospermia. Also, we have assembled various bioinformatics tools to come up with a pipeline for predicting novel miRNAs which could possibly participate in sperm count, motility, and morphology. Also, related KEGG and GO terms for predicted miRNAs have been included in order to highlight their role in sperm function. Our study emphasizes the potential role of miRNAs in male infertility and provides a general overview for future studies aiming to find robust molecular markers for this condition.