MiR-29b mimics promotes cell apoptosis of smooth muscle cells via targeting on MMP-2

MiR-29b-3p Inhibits the Inflammation Injury in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells by Regulating SEC23A

This study aims to investigate the effects of miR-29b-3p on the inflammation injury of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and explore the underlying mechanisms. The effects of different concentrations of LPS (0, 1, 5 and 10 μg/mL) on inflammation injury in HUVECs are detected by ELISA, CCK-8, EdU, flow cytometry and western blot analyses to determine the optimal stimulus concentration. After stimulating HUVECs with 10 μg/mL LPS, the expression levels of miR-29b-3p are detected, and the effects of miR-29b-3p on inflammation injury are detected by ELISA, CCK-8, EdU, flow cytometry and western blot analyses. Bioinformatic analysis, luciferase reporter assay and confirmatory experiments are applied to identify the target gene bound with miR-29b-3p. Rescue experiments have verified the roles of miR-29b-3p and the target gene in inflammation injury. We found that pro-inflammatory factor was increased, apoptosis was promoted, and cell proliferation was inhibited after the treatment of LPS in HUVECs. Overexpression of miR-29b-3p inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory response and apoptosis while promoting proliferation in HUVECs. Besides, bioinformatics analysis indicated that SEC23A was the target gene of miR-29b-3p and the confirmatory experiments showed that SEC23A was negatively correlated with miR-29b-3p and positively correlated with LPS concentration. Rescue experiments revealed that overexpression of SEC23A partially enhanced the inflammation injury effects in LPS-induced HUVECs with overexpression of miR-29b-3p. Hence, miR-29b-3p repressed inflammatory response, cell apoptosis and promoted cell proliferation in LPS-induced HUVECs by targeting SEC23A, providing a potential target for treating sepsis.

miR-29 family: A potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart failure, myocardial fibrosis and myocardial infarction, etc, remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Evidence shows that miRNA plays an important role in the pathogenesis of CVD. miR-29 family is one of miRNA, and over the past decades, many studies have demonstrated that miR-29 is involved in maintaining the integrity of arteries and in the regulation of atherosclerosis, especially in the process of myocardial fibrosis. Besides, heart failure, myocardial fibrosis and myocardial infarction are inseparable from the regulatory role of miR-29. Here, we comprehensively review recent studies regarding miR-29 and CVD, illustrate the possibility of miR-29 as a potential marker for prevention, treatment and prognostic observation.

MicroRNA-29b targeting of cell division cycle 7-related protein kinase (CDC7) regulated vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration

Background

Proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are vital processes in vascular remodeling and pathology. This study aimed to explore the expression of miR-29b and cell division cycle 7-related protein kinase (CDC7) in patients with cerebral aneurysm (CA) and their effects on the proliferation and mobility of human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells (HUASMCs).

Methods

RNA levels of miR-29b and CDC7 were evaluated in the CA tissues and adjacent normal cerebral arteries from 18 patients undergoing surgery for CA rupture. The targeting of CDC7 by miR-29b was verified with luciferase reporter assay. Both CDC7 and miR-29b overexpression and silencing vectors were introduced to validate their effects on the proliferation and mobility of HUASMCs.

Results

The mRNA level of miR-29b was down-regulated (P<0.05), while the mRNA level of CDC7 was markedly elevated in CA patients (P<0.05). A Luciferase reporter assay showed CDC7 is a target gene of miR-29b, and miR-29b mimic down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of CDC7 (P<0.05). Furthermore, miR-29b mimic inhibited, while miR-29b inhibitor or CDC7 over-expression promoted the proliferation and mobility of HUASMCs (P<0.05).

Conclusions

miR-29-3p inhibits cell proliferation and mobility via directly targeting CDC7, which could be a potential therapeutic target for vascular dysfunction related diseases, including atherosclerosis and CA.

TL1A inhibits atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient mice by regulating the phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells

TNF ligand-related molecule 1A (TL1A) is a vascular endothelial growth inhibitor to reduce neovascularization. Lack of apoE a expression results in hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. In this study, we determined the precise effects of TL1A on the development of atherosclerosis and the underlying mechanisms in apoE-deficient mice. After 12 weeks of pro-atherogenic high-fat diet feeding and TL1A treatment, mouse aorta, serum, and liver samples were collected and used to assess atherosclerotic lesions, fatty liver, and expression of related molecules. We found that TL1A treatment significantly reduced lesions and enhanced plaque stability. Mechanistically, TL1A inhibited formation of foam cells derived from vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) but not macrophages by activating expression of ABC transporter A1 (ABCA1), ABCG1, and cholesterol efflux in a liver X receptor-dependent manner. TL1A reduced the transformation of VSMCs from contractile phenotype into synthetic phenotypes by activating expression of contractile marker α smooth muscle actin and inhibiting expression of synthetic marker osteopontin, or osteoblast-like phenotype by reducing calcification. In addition, TL1A ameliorated high-fat diet-induced lipid metabolic disorders in the liver. Taken together, our work shows that TL1A can inhibit the development of atherosclerosis by regulating VSMC/foam cell formation and switch of VSMC phenotypes and suggests further investigation of its potential for atherosclerosis treatment.

Gene therapy for cardiovascular diseases in China: basic research

Cardiovascular disease has become a major disease affecting health in the whole world. Gene therapy, delivering foreign normal genes into target cells to repair damages caused by defects and abnormal genes, shows broad prospects in treating different kinds of cardiovascular diseases. China has achieved great progress of basic gene therapy researches and pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases in recent years. This review will summarize the latest research about gene therapy of proteins, epigenetics, including noncoding RNAs and genome-editing technology in myocardial infarction, cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury, atherosclerosis, muscle atrophy, and so on in China. We wish to highlight some important findings about the essential roles of basic gene therapy in this field, which might be helpful for searching potential therapeutic targets for cardiovascular disease.

Exosomal miR-29b from cancer-associated fibroblasts inhibits the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often characterized by poor prognosis, high invasiveness and chemotherapeutic resistance, and its migration is strongly dependent on the specific tumor microenvironment. Fibroblasts, such as cancer-associated stromal fibroblasts (CAFs), are the main supporting cells in the tumor microenvironment. Thus, an understanding of how these cells communicate is required for HCC treatment.

METHODS

CAFs and paracancerous fibroblasts (PAFs) were isolated from patients' surgical specimens, followed by exosome isolation and miRNA sequencing. The expression levels of miR-29b in different cell groups were detected by qPCR assay. Cell transfection with exogenous miRNAs was used to study whether the stromal cells could transfer miRNAs to HCC cells. Based on the preliminary results, a miR-29b mimic, inhibitor or miR-nonspecific mimic (miR-NSM) was further transfected into HepG2 and Huh7 cells prior to scratch wound healing and cell invasion experiments. Finally, the transfected cells were stained with Hoechst 33348.

RESULTS

The direct transfer of miR-29b from CAFs to HCC cells through an exosome was observed in this study. DNA methyltransferase 3b (DNMT3b) expression was directly inhibited by miR-29b, while metastasis suppressor 1 (MTSS1) expression was upregulated in HCC cells. Such changes further induced growth arrest and inhibited HCC cell invasion.

CONCLUSIONS

Exosomal miR-29b from CAFs can play a crucial role in the development, progression and metastasis of HCC. By functioning as a tumor suppressor that targets DNMT3b, miR-29b may serve as a potential therapeutic agent.

MicroRNAs as Therapeutic Targets and Clinical Biomarkers in Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Atherosclerosis develops over several decades and is mediated by a complex interplay of cellular mechanisms that drive a chronic inflammatory milieu and cell-to-cell interactions between endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and macrophages that promote plaque development and progression. While there has been significant therapeutic advancement, there remains a gap where novel therapeutic approaches can complement current therapies to provide a holistic approach for treating atherosclerosis to orchestrate the regulation of complex signalling networks across multiple cell types and different stages of disease progression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as important post-transcriptional regulators of a suite of molecular signalling pathways and pathophysiological cellular effects. Furthermore, circulating miRNAs have emerged as a new class of disease biomarkers to better inform clinical diagnosis and provide new avenues for personalised therapies. This review focusses on recent insights into the potential role of miRNAs both as therapeutic targets in the regulation of the most influential processes that govern atherosclerosis and as clinical biomarkers that may be reflective of disease severity, highlighting the potential theranostic (therapeutic and diagnostic) properties of miRNAs in the management of cardiovascular disease.

MicroRNA-29a-3p Reduces TNFα-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction by Targeting Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1

miR-29a-3p has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular diseases; however, the effect of miR-29a-3p on endothelial dysfunction is unclear. This study aimed to reveal the effects and mechanisms of miR-29a-3p on endothelial dysfunction. The levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and E-selectin were determined by real-time PCR and immunofluorescence staining to reveal the degree of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)-induced endothelial dysfunction. A luciferase activity assay and cell transfection with a miR-29a-3p mimic or an inhibitor were used to reveal the underlying mechanisms of miR-29a-3p action. Furthermore, the effects of miR-29a-3p on endothelial dysfunction were assessed in C57BL/6 mice injected with TNFα and/or a miR-29a-3p agomir. The results showed that the expression of TNFα-induced adhesion molecules in vascular endothelial cells (EA.hy926 cells, human aortic endothelial cells [HAECs], and primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells [pHUVECs]) and smooth muscle cells (human umbilical vein smooth muscle cells [HUVSMCs]) was significantly decreased following transfection with miR-29a-3p. This effect was reversed by cotransfection with a miR-29a-3p inhibitor. As a key target of miR-29a-3p, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 mediated the effect of miR-29a-3p. Moreover, miR-29a-3p decreased the plasma levels of TNFα-induced VCAM-1 (32.62%), ICAM-1 (38.22%), and E-selectin (39.32%) in vivo. These data indicate that miR-29a-3p plays a protective role in TNFα-induced endothelial dysfunction, suggesting that miR-29a-3p is a novel target for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.

RNA Sequencing Analysis to Capture the Transcriptome Landscape during Tenderization in Sea Cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

Sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) is an economically significant species in China having great commercial value. It is challenging to maintain the textural properties during thermal processing due to the distinctive physiochemical structure of the A. japonicus body wall (AJBW). In this study, the gene expression profiles associated with tenderization in AJBW were determined at 0 h (CON), 1 h (T_1h), and 3 h (T_3h) after treatment at 37 °C using Illumina HiSeq™ 4000 platform. Seven-hundred-and-twenty-one and 806 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in comparisons of T_1h vs. CON and T_3h vs. CON, respectively. Among these DEGs, we found that two endogenous proteases-72 kDa type IV collagenase and matrix metalloproteinase 16 precursor-were significantly upregulated that could directly affect the tenderness of AJBW. In addition, 92 genes controlled four types of physiological and biochemical processes such as oxidative stress response (3), immune system process (55), apoptosis (4), and reorganization of the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix (30). Further, the RT-qPCR results confirmed the accuracy of RNA-sequencing analysis. Our results showed the dynamic changes in global gene expression during tenderization and provided a series of candidate genes that contributed to tenderization in AJBW. This can help further studies on the genetics/molecular mechanisms associated with tenderization.

A Novel Circular RNA Generated by FGFR2 Gene Promotes Myoblast Proliferation and Differentiation by Sponging miR-133a-5p and miR-29b-1-5p

It is well known that fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) interacts with its ligand of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) therefore exerting biological functions on cell proliferation and differentiation. In this study, we first reported that the FGFR2 gene could generate a circular RNA of circFGFR2, which regulates skeletal muscle development by sponging miRNA. In our previous study of circular RNA sequencing, we found that circFGFR2, generated by exon 3–6 of FGFR2 gene, differentially expressed during chicken embryo skeletal muscle development. The purpose of this study was to reveal the real mechanism of how circFGFR2 affects skeletal muscle development in chicken. In this study, cell proliferation was analyzed by both flow cytometry analysis of the cell cycle and 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays. Cell differentiation was determined by analysis of the expression of the differentiation marker gene and Myosin heavy chain (MyHC) immunofluorescence. The results of flow cytometry analysis of the cell cycle and EdU assays showed that, overexpression of circFGFR2 accelerated the proliferation of myoblast and QM-7 cells, whereas knockdown of circFGFR2 with siRNA reduced the proliferation of both cells. Meanwhile, overexpression of circFGFR2 accelerated the expression of myogenic differentiation 1 (MYOD), myogenin (MYOG) and the formation of myotubes, and knockdown of circFGFR2 showed contrary effects in myoblasts. Results of luciferase reporter assay and biotin-coupled miRNA pull down assay further showed that circFGFR2 could directly target two binding sites of miR-133a-5p and one binding site of miR-29b-1-5p, and further inhibited the expression and activity of these two miRNAs. In addition, we demonstrated that both miR-133a-5p and miR-29b-1-5p inhibited myoblast proliferation and differentiation, while circFGFR2 could eliminate the inhibition effects of the two miRNAs as indicated by rescue experiments. Altogether, our data revealed that a novel circular RNA of circFGFR2 could promote skeletal muscle proliferation and differentiation by sponging miR-133a-5p and miR-29b-1-5p.