LncRNA RNCR3 promotes endothelial cell proliferation and inflammatory cytokine secretion via regulating miR-185-5p/cyclin D2 axis

Transcriptomic analysis reveals molecular characterization and immune landscape of PANoptosis-related genes in atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by abnormal lipid deposition in the arteries. Programmed cell death is involved in the inflammatory response of atherosclerosis, but PANoptosis, as a new form of programmed cell death, is still unclear in atherosclerosis. This study explored the key PANoptosis-related genes involved in atherosclerosis and their potential mechanisms through bioinformatics analysis.

METHODS

We evaluated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and immune infiltration landscape in atherosclerosis using microarray datasets and bioinformatics analysis. By intersecting PANoptosis-related genes from the GeneCards database with DEGs, we obtained a set of PANoptosis-related genes in atherosclerosis (PANoDEGs). Functional enrichment analysis of PANoDEGs was performed and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of PANoDEGs was established. The machine learning algorithms were used to identify the key PANoDEGs closely linked to atherosclerosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to assess the diagnostic potency of key PANoDEGs. CIBERSORT was used to analyze the immune infiltration patterns in atherosclerosis, and the Spearman method was used to study the relationship between key PANoDEGs and immune infiltration abundance. The single gene enrichment analysis of key PANoDEGs was investigated by GSEA. The transcription factors and target miRNAs of key PANoDEGs were predicted by Cytoscape and online database, respectively. The expression of key PANoDEGs was validated through animal and cell experiments.

RESULTS

PANoDEGs in atherosclerosis were significantly enriched in apoptotic process, pyroptosis, necroptosis, cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, lipid and atherosclerosis. Four key PANoDEGs (ZBP1, SNHG6, DNM1L, and AIM2) were found to be closely related to atherosclerosis. The ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the key PANoDEGs had a strong diagnostic potential in distinguishing atherosclerotic samples from control samples. Immune cell infiltration analysis revealed that the proportion of initial B cells, plasma cells, CD4 memory resting T cells, and M1 macrophages was significantly higher in atherosclerotic tissues compared to normal tissues. Spearman analysis showed that key PANoDEGs showed strong correlations with immune cells such as T cells, macrophages, plasma cells, and mast cells. The regulatory networks of the four key PANoDEGs were established. The expression of key PANoDEGs was verified in further cell and animal experiments.

CONCLUSIONS

This study evaluated the expression changes of PANoptosis-related genes in atherosclerosis, providing a reference direction for the study of PANoptosis in atherosclerosis and offering potential new avenues for further understanding the pathogenesis and treatment strategies of atherosclerosis.

Noncoding RNAs in atherosclerosis: regulation and therapeutic potential

Atherosclerosis, a chronic disease of arteries, results in high mortality worldwide as the leading cause of cardiovascular disease. The development of clinically relevant atherosclerosis involves the dysfunction of endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. A large amount of evidence indicates that noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are involved in various physiological and pathological processes. Recently, noncoding RNAs were identified as key regulators in the development of atherosclerosis, including the dysfunction of endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells and it is pertinent to understand the potential function of noncoding RNAs in atherosclerosis development. In this review, the latest available research relates to the regulatory role of noncoding RNAs in the progression of atherosclerosis and the therapeutic potential for atherosclerosis is summarized. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the regulatory and interventional roles of ncRNAs in atherosclerosis and to inspire new insights for the prevention and treatment of this disease.

Chitosan inhibits vascular intimal hyperplasia via LINC01615/MIR-185-5p/PIK3R2 signaling pathway

The abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the main pathological processes which are involved in the formation of new intima. In our previous study, we found that chitosan can inhibit the formation of new intima in the arteriovenous fistulas of uremic patients, and the expression of LINC01615 was significantly increased in patients after treatment with chitosan. Therefore, this study aims to further explore the effect of chitosan on the intimal hyperplasia and elucidate the potential molecular mechanism. In vitro, we found that in chitosan-treated VSMC, the levels of Il-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α decreased, and the intimal hyperplasia was inhibited along with significantly downregulated PIK3R2 and upregualted PI3K, AKT and p-AKT. Meanwhile, we observed the phenotypic transformation of hVSMCs after LINC01615 was upregulated. In addition, inflammatory factors showed the same changes in the process of up-regulating LINC01615. Moreover, only in the LINC01615 overexpression and miR-185-5p mimic experimental group, the inhibition of intimal hyperplasia was the most obvious. The interaction between LINC01615 and miR-185-5p, miR-185-5p and PIK3R2 was further confirmed by the dual luciferase assay. These results suggest that chitosan has a potential preventive effect on neointimal hyperplasia and related vascular remodeling.

Oncostatin M/Oncostatin M Receptor Signal Induces Radiation-Induced Heart Fibrosis by Regulating SMAD4 in Fibroblast

PURPOSE

Radiation-induced heart fibrosis (RIHF) is a severe consequence of radiation-induced heart damage (RIHD) leading to impaired cardiac function. The involvement of oncostatin M (OSM) and its receptor (OSMR) in RIHD remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the specific mechanism of OSM/OSMR in RIHF/RIHD.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

RNA sequencing was performed on heart tissues from a RIHD mouse model. OSM levels were assessed in serum samples obtained from patients receiving thoracic radiation therapy (RT), as well as in RIHF mouse heart tissues and serum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Fiber activation was evaluated through costimulation of primary cardiac fibroblasts and NIH3T3 cells with RT and OSM, using Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). Adeno-associated virus serotype 9-mediated overexpression or silencing of OSM specifically in the heart was performed in vivo to assess cardiac fibrosis levels by transthoracic echocardiography and pathologic examination. The regulatory mechanism of OSM on the transcription level of SMAD4 was further explored in vitro using mass spectrometric analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation-qPCR, and DNA pull-down.

RESULTS

OSM levels were elevated in the serum of patients after thoracic RT as well as in RIHF mouse cardiac endothelial cells and mouse serum. The OSM rate (post-RT/pre-RT) and the heart exposure dose in RT patients showed a positive correlation. Silencing OSMR in RIHF mice reduced fibrosis, while OSMR overexpression increased fibrotic responses. Furthermore, increased OSM promoted histone acetylation (H3K27ac) in the SMAD4 promoter region, influencing SMAD4 transcription and subsequently enhancing fibrotic response.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings demonstrated that OSM/OSMR signaling promotes SMAD4 transcription in cardiac fibroblasts through H3K27 hyperacetylation, thereby promoting radiation-induced cardiac fibrosis and manifestations of RIHD.

Umbilical cord blood-derived exosomes from healthy term pregnancies protect against hyperoxia-induced lung injury in mice

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic, devastating disease primarily occurring in premature infants. To date, intervention strategies to prevent or treat BPD are limited. We aimed to determine the effects of umbilical cord blood-derived exosomes (UCB-EXOs) from healthy term pregnancies on hyperoxia-induced lung injury and to identify potential targets for BPD intervention. A mouse model of hyperoxia-induced lung injury was created by exposing neonatal mice to hyperoxia after birth until the 14th day post birth. Age-matched neonatal mice were exposed to normoxia as the control. Hyperoxia-induced lung injury mice were intraperitoneally injected with UCB-EXO or vehicle daily for 3 days, starting on day 4 post birth. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were insulted with hyperoxia to establish an in vitro model of BPD to investigate angiogenesis dysfunction. Our results showed that UCB-EXO alleviated lung injuries in hyperoxia-insulted mice by reducing histopathological grade and collagen contents in the lung tissues. UCB-EXO also promoted vascular growth and increased miR-185-5p levels in the lungs of hyperoxia-insulted mice. Additionally, we found that UCB-EXO elevated miR-185-5p levels in HUVECs. MiR-185-5p overexpression inhibited cell apoptosis, whereas promoted cell migration in HUVECs exposed to hyperoxia. The luciferase reporter assay results revealed that miR-185-5p directly targeted cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6), which was downregulated in the lungs of hyperoxia-insulted mice. Together, these data suggest that UCB-EXO from healthy term pregnancies protect against hyperoxia-induced lung injuries via promoting neonatal pulmonary angiogenesis partially by elevating miR-185-5p.

Potential roles of endothelial cells-related non-coding RNAs in cardiovascular diseases

Endothelial dysfunction is identified by a conversion of the endothelium toward decreased vasodilation and prothrombic features and is known as a primary pathogenic incident in cardiovascular diseases. An insight based on particular and promising biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction may possess vital clinical significances. Currently, non-coding RNAs due to their participation in critical cardiovascular processes like initiation and progression have gained much attention as possible diagnostic as well as prognostic biomarkers in cardiovascular diseases. Emerging line of proof has demonstrated that abnormal expression of non-coding RNAs is nearly correlated with the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. In the present review, we focus on the expression and functional effects of various kinds of non-coding RNAs in cardiovascular diseases and negotiate their possible clinical implications as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers and curative targets.

LncRNAs has been identified as regulators of Myeloid-derived suppressor cells in lung cancer

Lung tumours are widespread pathological conditions that attract much attention due to their high incidence of death. The immune system contributes to the progression of these diseases, especially non-small cell lung cancer, resulting in the fast evolution of immune-targeted therapy. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have been suggested to promote the progression of cancer in the lungs by suppressing the immune response through various mechanisms. Herein, we summarized the clinical studies on lung cancer related to MDSCs. However, it is noteworthy to mention the discovery of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that had different phenotypes and could regulate MDSCs in lung cancer. Therefore, by reviewing the different phenotypes of lncRNAs and their regulation on MDSCs, we summarized the lncRNAs' impact on the progression of lung tumours. Data highlight LncRNAs as anti-cancer agents. Hence, we aim to discuss their possibilities to inhibit tumour growth and trigger the development of immunosuppressive factors such as MDSCs in lung cancer through the regulation of lncRNAs. The ultimate purpose is to propose novel and efficient therapy methods for curing patients with lung tumours.

LINC00599 influences smoke-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and regulates CSE-induced epithelial cell apoptosis and inflammation by targeting miR-212-5p/BASP1 axis

LINC00599 has been reported to be upregulated in response to cigarette smoking. However, the effect and underlying mechanism of LINC00599 in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are still under exploration. In this study, LINC00599 was upregulated in the COPD patients and was of clinical value to distinguish COPD patients. COPD cell models were established using 16HBE cells under cigarette smoke extract (CSE) treatment. LINC00599 levels were elevated in a dose and time-dependent way in response to CSE stimulation. The effect of LINC00599 on CSE-induced 16HBE cells was explored. The results showed that LINC00599 deficiency reversed the CSE-induced inhibition on cell viability and proliferation, and rescued the CSE-induced enhancement on cell 16HBE cell apoptosis and inflammation response. Moreover, LINC00599 bound with miR-212-5p to upregulate the BASP1 (brain abundant membrane attached signal protein 1) expression. MiR-212-5p was expressed at a low level in the tissue samples of COPD patients, and its levels were upregulated in LINC00599 silenced cells. BASP1 was targeted by miR-212-5p and its upregulation was identified in the tissue samples of COPD patients and cell models. BASP1 levels were downregulated after miR-212-5p overexpression or LINC00599 silencing. Moreover, the rescue assays demonstrated that BASP1 overexpression reversed the effect of silenced LINC00599 on 16HBE cells after CSE treatment, which indicated that LINC00599 promoted the COPD development by regulating BASP1 expression. In conclusion, LINC00599 facilitated CSE-induced cell apoptosis and inflammation response, while inhibiting the cell viability and proliferation in COPD progression via modulating miR-212-5p/BASP1 axis.