Expression of Chr9p21 genes CDKN2B (p15(INK4b)), CDKN2A (p16(INK4a), p14(ARF)) and MTAP in human atherosclerotic plaque

Identification of key genes for cuproptosis in carotid atherosclerosis

Background

Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease worldwide, while carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) is more likely to cause ischemic cerebrovascular events. Emerging evidence suggests that cuproptosis may be associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This study aims to explore the potential mechanisms linking cuproptosis and CAS.

Methods

The GSE100927 and GSE43292 datasets were merged to screen for CAS differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and intersected with cuproptosis-related genes to obtain CAS cuproptosis-related genes (CASCRGs). Unsupervised cluster analysis was performed on CAS samples to identify cuproptosis molecular clusters. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed on all samples and cuproptosis molecule clusters to identify common module genes. CAS-specific DEGs were identified in the GSE100927 dataset and intersected with common module genes to obtain candidate hub genes. Finally, 83 machine learning models were constructed to screen hub genes and construct a nomogram to predict the incidence of CAS.

Results

Four ASCRGs (NLRP3, SLC31A2, CDKN2A, and GLS) were identified as regulators of the immune infiltration microenvironment in CAS. CAS samples were identified with two cuproptosis-related molecular clusters with significant biological function differences based on ASCRGs. 220 common module hub genes and 1,518 CAS-specific DEGs were intersected to obtain 58 candidate hub genes, and the machine learning model showed that the Lasso + XGBoost model exhibited the best discriminative performance. Further external validation of single gene differential analysis and nomogram identified SGCE, PCDH7, RAB23, and RIMKLB as hub genes; SGCE and PCDH7 were also used as biomarkers to characterize CAS plaque stability. Finally, a nomogram was developed to assess the incidence of CAS and exhibited satisfactory predictive performance.

Conclusions

Cuproptosis alters the CAS immune infiltration microenvironment and may regulate actin cytoskeleton formation.

The Implications of Aging on Vascular Health

Vascular aging encompasses structural and functional changes in the vasculature, significantly contributing to cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of death globally. The incidence and prevalence of these diseases increase with age, with most morbidity and mortality attributed to myocardial infarction and stroke. Diagnosing and intervening in vascular aging while understanding the mechanisms behind age-induced vascular phenotypic and pathophysiological alterations offers the potential for delaying and preventing cardiovascular mortality in an aging population. This review delves into various aspects of vascular aging by examining age-related changes in arterial health at the cellular level, including endothelial dysfunction, cellular senescence, and vascular smooth muscle cell transdifferentiation, as well as at the structural level, including arterial stiffness and changes in wall thickness and diameter. We also explore aging-related changes in perivascular adipose tissue deposition, arterial collateralization, and calcification, providing insights into the physiological and pathological implications. Overall, aging induces phenotypic changes that augment the vascular system's susceptibility to disease, even in the absence of traditional risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and smoking. Overall, age-related modifications in cellular phenotype and molecular homeostasis increase the vulnerability of the arterial vasculature to structural and functional alterations, thereby accelerating cardiovascular risk. Increasing our understanding of these modifications is crucial for success in delaying or preventing cardiovascular diseases. Non-invasive techniques, such as measuring carotid intima-media thickness, pulse wave velocity, and flow-mediated dilation, as well as detecting vascular calcifications, can be used for the early detection of vascular aging. Targeting specific pathological mechanisms, such as cellular senescence and enhancing angiogenesis, holds promise for innovative therapeutic approaches.

Senolytics and Senomorphics Targeting p38MAPK/NF-κB Pathway Protect Endothelial Cells from Oxidative Stress-Mediated Premature Senescence

Oxidative stress is a prominent causal factor in the premature senescence of microvascular endothelial cells and the ensuing blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. Through the exposure of an in vitro model of human BBB, composed of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), astrocytes, and pericytes to H2O2, this study examined whether a specific targeting of the p38MAPK/NF-κB pathway and/or senescent cells could delay oxidative stress-mediated EC senescence and protect the BBB. Enlarged BMECs, displaying higher β-galactosidase activity, γH2AX staining, p16 expression, and impaired tubulogenic capacity, were regarded as senescent. The BBB established with senescent BMECs had reduced transendothelial electrical resistance and increased paracellular flux, which are markers of BBB integrity and function, respectively. Premature senescence disrupted plasma-membrane localization of the tight junction protein, zonula occludens-1, and elevated basement membrane-degrading matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity and pro-inflammatory cytokine release. Inhibition of p38MAPK by BIRB796 and NF-κB by QNZ and the elimination of senescent cells by a combination of dasatinib and quercetin attenuated the effects of H2O2 on senescence markers; suppressed release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1; restored tight junctional unity; and improved BBB function. In conclusion, therapeutic approaches that mitigate p38MAPK/NF-κB activity and senescent cell accumulation in the cerebrovasculature may successfully protect BBB from oxidative stress-induced BBB dysfunction.

The 9p21.3 coronary artery disease risk locus drives vascular smooth muscle cells to an osteochondrogenic state

Genome-wide association studies have identified common genetic variants at ~400 human genomic loci linked to coronary artery disease (CAD) susceptibility. Among these genomic regions, the most impactful is the 9p21.3 CAD risk locus, which spans a 60 kb gene desert and encompasses ~80 SNPs in high linkage disequilibrium. Despite nearly two decades since its discovery, the functional mechanism of this genomic region remains incompletely resolved. To investigate the transcriptional gene programs mediated by 9p21.3 risk locus, we applied a model of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from risk and non-risk donors at 9p21.3, as well as isogenic lines with a full haplotype deletion. Upon differentiation to vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), single-cell transcriptomic profiling demonstrated iPSC-VSMC phenotypes resembling those from native human coronary arteries, confirming the robustness of this model. Remarkably, our analyses revealed that VSMCs harboring the 9p21.3 risk haplotype preferentially adopt an osteochondrogenic state. Importantly, we identified LIMCH1 and CRABP1 as signature genes critical for defining this transcriptional program. Our study provides new insights into the mechanism at the 9p21.3 risk locus and defines its role in driving a disease-prone transcriptional state in VSMCs.

Application potential of senolytics in clinical treatment

Of the factors studied in individual ageing, the accumulation of senescent cells has been considered as an essential cause of organ degeneration to eventually initiate age-related diseases. Cellular senescence is attributed to the accumulation of damage for an inducement in the activation of cell cycle inhibitory pathways, resulting the cell permanently withdraw from the cell proliferation cycle. Further, senescent cells will activate the inflammatory factor secretion pathway to promote the development of various age-related diseases. Senolytics, a small molecule compound, can delay disease development and extend mammalian lifespan. The evidence from multiple trials shows that the targeted killing of senescent cells has a significant clinical application for the treatment of age-related diseases. In addition, senolytics are also significant for the development of ageing research in solid organ transplantation, which can fully develop the potential of elderly organs and reduce the age gap between demand and supply. We conclude that the main characteristics of cellular senescence, the anti-ageing drug senolytics in the treatment of chronic diseases and organ transplantation, and the latest clinical progress of related researches in order to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of ageing and related diseases.

SIRT6-mediated vascular smooth muscle cells senescence participates in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

In this study, we carried out a clinical sample study, and in vivo and in vitro studies to evaluate the effect of SIRT6 and SIRT6-mediated vascular smooth muscle senescence on the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

METHOD AND RESULTS

AAA specimen showed an increased P16, P21 level and a decreased SIRT6 level compared with control aorta. Time curve study of Ang II infusion AAA model showed similar P16, P21 and SIRT6 changes at the early phase of AAA induction. The in vivo overexpression of SIRT6 significantly prevented AAA formation in Ang II infusion model. The expression of P16 and P21 was significantly reduced after SIRT6 overexpression. SIRT6 overexpression also attenuated chronic inflammation and neo-angiogenesis in Ang II infusion model. The overexpression of SIRT6 could attenuate premature senescence, inflammatory response and neo-angiogenesis in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) under Ang II stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS

SIRT6 overexpression could limit AAA formation via attenuation of vascular smooth muscle senescence, chronic inflammation and neovascularity.

Adaptive immunity and atherosclerosis: aging at its crossroads

Adaptive immunity plays a profound role in atherosclerosis pathogenesis by regulating antigen-specific responses, inflammatory signaling and antibody production. However, as we age, our immune system undergoes a gradual functional decline, a phenomenon termed "immunosenescence". This decline is characterized by a reduction in proliferative naïve B- and T cells, decreased B- and T cell receptor repertoire and a pro-inflammatory senescence associated secretory profile. Furthermore, aging affects germinal center responses and deteriorates secondary lymphoid organ function and structure, leading to impaired T-B cell dynamics and increased autoantibody production. In this review, we will dissect the impact of aging on adaptive immunity and the role played by age-associated B- and T cells in atherosclerosis pathogenesis, emphasizing the need for interventions that target age-related immune dysfunction to reduce cardiovascular disease risk.

Severity of coronary artery disease is associated with diminished circANRIL expression: A possible blood based transcriptional biomarker in East Africa

Antisense Noncoding RNA in the INK4 Locus (ANRIL) is the prime candidate gene at Chr9p21, the well-defined genetic risk locus associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). ANRIL and its transcript variants were investigated for the susceptibility to CAD in adipose tissues (AT) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of the study group and the impact of 9p21.3 locus mutations was further analysed. Expressions of ANRIL, circANRIL (hsa_circ_0008574), NR003529, EU741058 and DQ485454 were detected in epicardial AT (EAT) mediastinal AT (MAT), subcutaneous AT (SAT) and PBMCs of CAD patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and non-CAD patients undergoing heart valve surgery. ANRIL expression was significantly upregulated, while the expression of circANRIL was significantly downregulated in CAD patients. Decreased circANRIL levels were significantly associated with the severity of CAD and correlated with aggressive clinical characteristics. rs10757278 and rs10811656 were significantly associated with ANRIL and circANRIL expressions in AT and PBMCs. The ROC-curve analysis suggested that circANRIL has high diagnostic accuracy (AUC: 0.9808, cut-off: 0.33, sensitivity: 1.0, specificity: 0.88). circANRIL has high diagnostic accuracy (AUC: 0.9808, cut-off: 0.33, sensitivity: 1.0, specificity: 0.88). We report the first data demonstrating the presence of ANRIL and its transcript variants expressions in the AT and PBMCs of CAD patients. circANRIL having a synergetic effect with ANRIL plays a protective role in CAD pathogenesis. Therefore, altered circANRIL expression may become a potential diagnostic transcriptional biomarker for early CAD diagnosis.

Cellular senescence and neurodegeneration

Advancing age is a major risk factor of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The worldwide prevalence of AD is approximately 50 million people, and this number is projected to increase substantially. The molecular mechanisms underlying the aging-associated susceptibility to cognitive impairment in AD are largely unknown. As a hallmark of aging, cellular senescence is a significant contributor to aging and age-related diseases including AD. Senescent neurons and glial cells have been detected to accumulate in the brains of AD patients and mouse models. Importantly, selective elimination of senescent cells ameliorates amyloid beta and tau pathologies and improves cognition in AD mouse models, indicating a critical role of cellular senescence in AD pathogenesis. Nonetheless, the mechanisms underlying when and how cellular senescence contributes to AD pathogenesis remain unclear. This review provides an overview of cellular senescence and discusses recent advances in the understanding of the impact of cellular senescence on AD pathogenesis, with brief discussions of the possible role of cellular senescence in other neurodegenerative diseases including Down syndrome, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Long Non-Coding RNAs in Venous Thromboembolism: Where Do We Stand?

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), a common condition in Western countries, is a cardiovascular disorder that arises due to haemostatic irregularities, which lead to thrombus generation inside veins. Even with successful treatment, the resulting disease spectrum of complications considerably affects the patient's quality of life, potentially leading to death. Cumulative data indicate that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may have a role in VTE pathogenesis. However, the clinical usefulness of these RNAs as biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for VTE management is yet unclear. Thus, this article reviewed the emerging evidence on lncRNAs associated with VTE and with the activity of the coagulation system, which has a central role in disease pathogenesis. Until now, ten lncRNAs have been implicated in VTE pathogenesis, among which MALAT1 is the one with more evidence. Meanwhile, five lncRNAs have been reported to affect the expression of TFPI2, an important anticoagulant protein, but none with a described role in VTE development. More investigation in this field is needed as lncRNAs may help dissect VTE pathways, aiding in disease prediction, prevention and treatment.

Vascular Ageing: Mechanisms, Risk Factors, and Treatment Strategies

Ageing constitutes the biggest risk factor for poor health and adversely affects the integrity and function of all the cells, tissues, and organs in the human body. Vascular ageing, characterised by vascular stiffness, endothelial dysfunction, increased oxidative stress, chronic low-grade inflammation, and early-stage atherosclerosis, may trigger or exacerbate the development of age-related vascular diseases, which each year contribute to more than 3.8 million deaths in Europe alone and necessitate a better understanding of the mechanisms involved. To this end, a large number of recent preclinical and clinical studies have focused on the exponential accumulation of senescent cells in the vascular system and paid particular attention to the specific roles of senescence-associated secretory phenotype, proteostasis dysfunction, age-mediated modulation of certain microRNA (miRNAs), and the contribution of other major vascular risk factors, notably diabetes, hypertension, or smoking, to vascular ageing in the elderly. The data generated paved the way for the development of various senotherapeutic interventions, ranging from the application of synthetic or natural senolytics and senomorphics to attempt to modify lifestyle, control diet, and restrict calorie intake. However, specific guidelines, considering the severity and characteristics of vascular ageing, need to be established before widespread use of these agents. This review briefly discusses the molecular and cellular mechanisms of vascular ageing and summarises the efficacy of widely studied senotherapeutics in the context of vascular ageing.

CDKN2B-AS1 as a novel therapeutic target in cancer: Mechanism and clinical perspective

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) have been identified as essential components having considerable modulatory impactson biological activities through altering gene transcription, epigenetic changes, and protein translation. Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2B antisense RNA 1 (CDKN2B-AS1), a recently discovered lncRNA, was shown to be substantially elevated in various cancers.Furthermore, via modulation ofvarious signalingaxes, it is effectively connected to the control of critical cancer-associatedbiological pathways likecell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT), invasion, and migration. Considering the crucial functions ofCDKN2B-AS1in cancer onset and development, this lncRNA offers immense therapeutic implications for usage as a new diagnostic or treatment approach. In this article, we evaluate the most recent discoveries made into the functions of the lncRNA CDKN2B-AS1 in cancer, in addition to its prospect asbeneficial properties,prognostic anddiagnostic biomarkersin the cancer-related treatment, emphasizingits participation in a broad network of signalingaxes whichcould affectvariouscancers and investigating its promising therapeutic possibility.

Hypertension and cellular senescence

Essential or primary hypertension is a wordwide health problem. Elevated blood pressure (BP) is closely associated not only with increased chronological aging but also with biological aging. There are various common pathways that play a role in cellular aging and BP regulation. These include but not limited to inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, air pollution, decreased klotho activity increased renin angiotensin system activation, gut dysbiosis etc. It has already been shown that some anti-hypertensive drugs have anti-senescent actions and some senolytic drugs have BP lowering effects. In this review, we have summarized the common mechanisms underlying cellular senescence and HT and their relationships. We further reviewed the effect of various antihypertensive medications on cellular senescence and suggest further issues to be studied.

The landscape of expression and alternative splicing variation across human traits

Understanding the consequences of individual transcriptome variation is fundamental to deciphering human biology and disease. We implement a statistical framework to quantify the contributions of 21 individual traits as drivers of gene expression and alternative splicing variation across 46 human tissues and 781 individuals from the Genotype-Tissue Expression project. We demonstrate that ancestry, sex, age, and BMI make additive and tissue-specific contributions to expression variability, whereas interactions are rare. Variation in splicing is dominated by ancestry and is under genetic control in most tissues, with ribosomal proteins showing a strong enrichment of tissue-shared splicing events. Our analyses reveal a systemic contribution of types 1 and 2 diabetes to tissue transcriptome variation with the strongest signal in the nerve, where histopathology image analysis identifies novel genes related to diabetic neuropathy. Our multi-tissue and multi-trait approach provides an extensive characterization of the main drivers of human transcriptome variation in health and disease.

Cellular Senescence and Ageing

Cellular senescence has become a subject of great interest within the ageing research field over the last 60 years, from the first observation in vitro by Leonard Hayflick and Paul Moorhead in 1961, to novel findings of phenotypic sub-types and senescence-like phenotype in post-mitotic cells. It has essential roles in wound healing, tumour suppression and the very first stages of human development, while causing widespread damage and dysfunction with age leading to a raft of age-related diseases. This chapter discusses these roles and their interlinking pathways, and how the observed accumulation of senescent cells with age has initiated a whole new field of ageing research, covering pathologies in the heart, liver, kidneys, muscles, brain and bone. This chapter will also examine how senescent cell accumulation presents in these different tissues, along with their roles in disease development. Finally, there is much focus on developing treatments for senescent cell accumulation in advanced age as a method of alleviating age-related disease. We will discuss here the various senolytic and senostatic treatment approaches and their successes and limitations, and the innovative new strategies being developed to address the differing effects of cellular senescence in ageing and disease.

Heart Disease and Ageing: The Roles of Senescence, Mitochondria, and Telomerase in Cardiovascular Disease

During ageing molecular damage leads to the accumulation of several hallmarks of ageing including mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, genetic instability and chronic inflammation, which contribute to the development and progression of ageing-associated diseases including cardiovascular disease. Consequently, understanding how these hallmarks of biological ageing interact with the cardiovascular system and each other is fundamental to the pursuit of improving cardiovascular health globally. This review provides an overview of our current understanding of how candidate hallmarks contribute to cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease and subsequent myocardial infarction, and age-related heart failure. Further, we consider the evidence that, even in the absence of chronological age, acute cellular stress leading to accelerated biological ageing expedites cardiovascular dysfunction and impacts on cardiovascular health. Finally, we consider the opportunities that modulating hallmarks of ageing offer for the development of novel cardiovascular therapeutics.

Targeting Immune Senescence in Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is one of the main underlying causes of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). It is associated with chronic inflammation and intimal thickening as well as the involvement of multiple cell types including immune cells. The engagement of innate or adaptive immune response has either athero-protective or atherogenic properties in exacerbating or alleviating atherosclerosis. In atherosclerosis, the mechanism of action of immune cells, particularly monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and B- and T-lymphocytes have been discussed. Immuno-senescence is associated with aging, viral infections, genetic predispositions, and hyperlipidemia, which contribute to atherosclerosis. Immune senescent cells secrete SASP that delays or accelerates atherosclerosis plaque growth and associated pathologies such as aneurysms and coronary artery disease. Senescent cells undergo cell cycle arrest, morphological changes, and phenotypic changes in terms of their abundances and secretome profile including cytokines, chemokines, matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) expressions. The senescence markers are used in therapeutics and currently, senolytics represent one of the emerging treatments where specific targets and clearance of senescent cells are being considered as therapy targets for the prevention or treatment of atherosclerosis.

Delivery of miR-654-5p via SonoVue Microbubble Ultrasound Inhibits Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Arterial Thrombosis and Stenosis through Targeting TCF21

Background

Abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is an important cause of vascular stenosis. The study explored the mechanism of inhibition of vascular stenosis through the molecular mechanism of smooth muscle cell phenotype transformation.

Methods

Coronary heart disease-related genes were screened by bioinformatics, and the target genes of miR-654-5p were predicted by dual-luciferase method and immunofluorescence method. miR-654-5p mimic stimulation and transfection of TCF21 and MTAP into cells. SonoVue microbubble sonication was used to deliver miR-654-5p into cells. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were detected by CCK-8, wound scratch, and Transwell. HE and IHC staining were performed to study the effect of miR-654-5p delivery via SonoVue microbubble ultrasound on vessel stenosis in a model of arterial injury. Gene expression was determined by qRT-PCR and WB.

Results

TCF21 and MTAP were predicted as the target genes of miR-654-5p. Cytokines induced smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and promoted miR-654-5p downregulation; noticeably, downregulated miR-654-5p was positively associated with the cell proliferation and migration. Overexpression of TCF21 promoted proliferation, invasion, and migration, and mimic reversed such effects. miR-654-5p overexpression delivered by SonoVue microbubble ultrasound inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of cells. Moreover, in arterial injury model, we found that SonoVue microbubble ultrasound transmitted miR-654-5p into the arterial wall to inhibit arterial thrombosis and stenosis, while TCF21 was inhibited.

Conclusion

Ultrasound delivery of miR-654-5p via SonoVue microbubbles was able to inhibit arterial thrombosis and stenosis by targeting TCF21.

Efficacy and limitations of senolysis in atherosclerosis

AIMS

Traditional markers of cell senescence including p16, Lamin B1, and senescence-associated beta galactosidase (SAβG) suggest very high frequencies of senescent cells in atherosclerosis, while their removal via 'senolysis' has been reported to reduce atherogenesis. However, selective killing of a variety of different cell types can exacerbate atherosclerosis. We therefore examined the specificity of senescence markers in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and the effects of genetic or pharmacological senolysis in atherosclerosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We examined traditional senescence markers in human and mouse VSMCs in vitro, and in mouse atherosclerosis. p16 and SAβG increased and Lamin B1 decreased in replicative senescence and stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) of cultured human VSMCs. In contrast, mouse VSMCs undergoing SIPS showed only modest p16 up-regulation, and proliferating mouse monocyte/macrophages also expressed p16 and SAβG. Single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) of lineage-traced mice showed increased p16 expression in VSMC-derived cells in plaques vs. normal arteries, but p16 localized to Stem cell antigen-1 (Sca1)+ or macrophage-like populations. Activation of a p16-driven suicide gene to remove p16+ vessel wall- and/or bone marrow-derived cells increased apoptotic cells, but also induced inflammation and did not change plaque size or composition. In contrast, the senolytic ABT-263 selectively reduced senescent VSMCs in culture, and markedly reduced atherogenesis. However, ABT-263 did not reduce senescence markers in vivo, and significantly reduced monocyte and platelet counts and interleukin 6 as a marker of systemic inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

We show that genetic and pharmacological senolysis have variable effects on atherosclerosis, and may promote inflammation and non-specific effects respectively. In addition, traditional markers of cell senescence such as p16 have significant limitations to identify and remove senescent cells in atherosclerosis, suggesting that senescence studies in atherosclerosis and new senolytic drugs require more specific and lineage-restricted markers before ascribing their effects entirely to senolysis.

Post-GWAS functional analysis identifies CUX1 as a regulator of p16INK4a and cellular senescence

Accumulation of senescent cells with age is an important driver of aging and age-related diseases. However, the mechanisms and signaling pathways that regulate senescence remain elusive. In this report, we performed post-genome-wide association studies (GWAS) functional studies on the CDKN2A/B locus, a locus known to be associated with multiple age-related diseases and overall human lifespan. We demonstrate that transcription factor CUX1 (Cut-Like Homeobox 1) specifically binds to an atherosclerosis-associated functional single-nucleotide polymorphism (fSNP) (rs1537371) within the locus and regulates the CDKN2A/B-encoded proteins p14ARF, p15INK4b and p16INK4a and the antisense noncoding RNA in the CDK4 (INK4) locus (ANRIL) in endothelial cells (ECs). Endothelial CUX1 expression correlates with telomeric length and is induced by both DNA-damaging agents and oxidative stress. Moreover, induction of CUX1 expression triggers both replicative and stress-induced senescence via activation of p16INK4a expression. Thus, our studies identify CUX1 as a regulator of p16INK4a-dependent endothelial senescence and a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis and other age-related diseases.

Coronary Heart Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Genetic Factors and Their Mechanisms, Gene-Gene, and Gene-Environment Interactions in the Asian Populations

Asians are more susceptible to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and its coronary heart disease (CHD) complications than the Western populations, possibly due to genetic factors, higher degrees of obesity, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction that could occur even in healthy individuals. The genetic factors and their mechanisms, along with gene-gene and gene-environment interactions associated with CHD in T2D Asians, are yet to be explored. Therefore, the objectives of this paper were to review the current evidence of genetic factors for CHD, summarize the proposed mechanisms of these genes and how they may associate with CHD risk, and review the gene-gene and gene-environment interactions in T2D Asians with CHD. The genetic factors can be grouped according to their involvement in the energy and lipoprotein metabolism, vascular and endothelial pathology, antioxidation, cell cycle regulation, DNA damage repair, hormonal regulation of glucose metabolism, as well as cytoskeletal function and intracellular transport. Meanwhile, interactions between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from different genes, SNPs within a single gene, and genetic interaction with environmental factors including obesity, smoking habit, and hyperlipidemia could modify the gene's effect on the disease risk. Collectively, these factors illustrate the complexities of CHD in T2D, specifically among Asians.

Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Senescence in Atherosclerosis: Thioredoxine-1 as an Emerging Therapeutic Target

Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) worldwide and intimately linked to aging. This pathology is characterized by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, gradual accumulation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) particles and fibrous elements in focal areas of large and medium arteries. These fibrofatty lesions in the artery wall become progressively unstable and thrombogenic leading to heart attack, stroke or other severe heart ischemic syndromes. Elevated blood levels of LDL are major triggering events for atherosclerosis. A cascade of molecular and cellular events results in the atherosclerotic plaque formation, evolution, and rupture. Moreover, the senescence of multiple cell types present in the vasculature were reported to contribute to atherosclerotic plaque progression and destabilization. Classical therapeutic interventions consist of lipid-lowering drugs, anti-inflammatory and life style dispositions. Moreover, targeting oxidative stress by developing innovative antioxidant agents or boosting antioxidant systems is also a well-established strategy. Accumulation of senescent cells (SC) is also another important feature of atherosclerosis and was detected in various models. Hence, targeting SCs appears as an emerging therapeutic option, since senolytic agents favorably disturb atherosclerotic plaques. In this review, we propose a survey of the impact of inflammation, oxidative stress, and senescence in atherosclerosis; and the emerging therapeutic options, including thioredoxin-based approaches such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-atherogenic strategy with promising potential of senomodulation.

Genetic variants of PON1, GSTM1, GSTT1, and locus 9p21.3, and the risk for premature coronary artery disease in Yucatan, Mexico

OBJECTIVE

Genetic variants of PON1, rs70587, rs662, rs854560, GSTM1, and GSTT1 and two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) at 9p21.3 locus, rs1333049, and rs2383207; were evaluated in association with the risk for premature coronary artery disease (CAD) in a population of Yucatan, Mexico. These genes are involved in the inactivation of pro-oxidants and pro-inflammatory mediators, lipid and xenobiotic metabolism, detoxification of reactive oxygen species, and regulation of cellular proliferation playing key roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

METHODS

We conducted a matched case-control study with 98 CAD cases and 101 healthy controls. Genotyping of PON1 and 9p21.2 SNP was performed by real time-PCR and for GSTM1 and GSTT1 with multiplex-PCR. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated to estimate association and generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) algorithm to identify gene-gene and gene-environment interactions.

RESULTS

The distribution of all allele/genotype frequencies in controls was within Hardy-Weinberg expectations (p > .05) except for GSTM1. The allele/genotype frequencies of the GSTT1 null were significantly higher in CAD cases than in controls, suggesting association with higher risk for developing CAD. The other SNPs did not show any significant independent association with premature CAD. GMDR revealed a significant interaction between GSTT1 and LL55 genotype. Likewise, the body mass index (BMI) and smoking also showed an interaction with GSTT1.

CONCLUSION

The GSTT1 null allele/genotype is associated with an increased risk of developing premature CAD, the effect of which is not modified by cardiovascular risk factors in the population of Yucatan.

Radiation-Induced Macrophage Senescence Impairs Resolution Programs and Drives Cardiovascular Inflammation

Radiation is associated with tissue damage and increased risk of atherosclerosis, but there are currently no treatments and a very limited mechanistic understanding of how radiation impacts tissue repair mechanisms. We uncovered that radiation significantly delayed temporal resolution programs that were associated with decreased efferocytosis in vivo. Resolvin D1 (RvD1), a known proresolving ligand, promoted swift resolution and restored efferocytosis in sublethally irradiated mice. Irradiated macrophages exhibited several features of senescence, including increased expression of p16^INK4A and p21, heightened levels of SA-β-gal, COX-2, several proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines, and oxidative stress (OS) in vitro, and when transferred to mice, they exacerbated inflammation in vivo. Mechanistically, heightened OS in senescent macrophages led to impairment in their ability to carry out efficient efferocytosis, and treatment with RvD1 reduced OS and improved efferocytosis. Sublethally irradiated Ldlr ^-/- mice exhibited increased plaque necrosis, p16^INK4A cells, and decreased lesional collagen compared with nonirradiated controls, and treatment with RvD1 significantly reduced necrosis and increased lesional collagen. Removal of p16^INK4A hematopoietic cells during advanced atherosclerosis with p16-3MR mice reduced plaque necrosis and increased production of key intraplaque-resolving mediators. Our results demonstrate that sublethal radiation drives macrophage senescence and efferocytosis defects and suggest that RvD1 may be a new therapeutic strategy to limit radiation-induced tissue damage.

SNCs meet SMCs in the atherosclerotic plaque

Cellular senescence and smooth muscle cells are key features of the atherosclerotic plaque; however, how senescent cells regulate smooth muscle cells is largely unknown. Herein, a new study in Nature Aging illuminates this interplay, providing insights into plaque dynamics and stability with potentially profound implications for heart attack and stroke.

Senescence-induced inflammation: an important player and key therapeutic target in atherosclerosis

Inflammation is a hallmark and potent driver of pathological vascular remodelling in atherosclerosis. However, current anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies have shown mixed results. As an alternative perspective on the conundrum of chronic inflammation emerging evidence points towards a small subset of senescent cells as a critical player and central node driving atherosclerosis. Senescent cells belonging to various cell types are a dominant and chronic source of a large array of pro-inflammatory cytokines and various additional plaque destabilizing factors, being involved with various aspects of atherosclerosis pathogenesis. Antagonizing these key agitators of local chronic inflammation and plaque instability may provide a causative and multi-purpose therapeutic strategy to treat atherosclerosis. Anti-senescence treatment options with translational potential are currently in development. However, several questions and challenges remain to be addressed before these novel treatment approaches may enter the clinical setting.

Virtual Transcriptomics: Noninvasive Phenotyping of Atherosclerosis by Decoding Plaque Biology From Computed Tomography Angiography Imaging

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Biological Responses to Hydrogen Molecule and its Preventive Effects on Inflammatory Diseases

Because multicellular organisms do not have hydrogenase, H₂ has been considered to be biologically inactive in these species, and enterobacteria to be largely responsible for the oxidation of H₂ taken into the body. However, we showed previously that inhalation of H₂ markedly suppresses brain injury induced by focal ischemia-reperfusion by buffering oxidative stress. Although the reaction constant of H₂ with hydroxyl radical in aqueous solution is two to three orders of magnitude lower than that of conventional antioxidants, we showed that hydroxyl radical generated by the Fenton reaction reacts with H₂ at room temperature without a catalyst. Suppression of hydroxyl radical by H₂ has been applied in ophthalmic surgery. However, many of the anti- inflammatory and other therapeutic effects of H₂ cannot be completely explained by its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species. H₂ administration is protective in several disease models, and preculture in the presence of H₂ suppresses oxidative stress-induced cell death. Specifically, H₂ administration induces mitochondrial oxidative stress and activates Nrf2; this phenomenon, in which mild mitochondrial stress leaves the cell less susceptible to subsequent perturbations, is called mitohormesis. Based on these findings, we conclude that crosstalk between antioxidative stress pathways and the anti-inflammatory response is the most important molecular mechanism involved in the protective function of H₂, and that regulation of the immune system underlies H₂ efficacy. For further medical applications of H₂, it will be necessary to identify the biomolecule on which H₂ first acts.

Long Noncoding RNAs MALAT1 and ANRIL Gene Variants and the Risk of Cerebral Ischemic Stroke: An Association Study

Cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS) is one of the primary causes of death worldwide and a major cause of long-term disability. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as crucial mediators in the pathology of CIS; however, their potential importance is yet to be discovered. Herein, we examined the association of four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the risk of CIS, their correlation with the lncRNAs, MALAT1 and ANRIL, expression, and the potential of serum MALAT1 and ANRIL as biomarkers for CIS. A total of 100 CIS patients and 100 healthy controls were recruited in the study. Genotyping and expression analysis of MALAT1 and ANRIL SNPs were carried out by qPCR. The present results showed that serum MALAT1 was downregulated, while serum ANRIL was overexpressed in CIS patients, relative to controls. MALAT1 downregulation discriminated CIS patients from controls by receiver-operating-characteristic analysis. Moreover, serum ANRIL denoted good diagnostic accuracy. MALAT1 rs619586 AA and rs3200401 CT, TT were associated with increased CIS risk, whereas ANRIL rs10965215 GG was found to be protective. The studied ANRIL rs10738605 polymorphism was not associated with CIS susceptibility. Notably, the G variant of MALAT1 rs619586 demonstrated a higher serum MALAT1 expression level. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed serum MALAT1 as well as MALAT1 rs3200401 CT + TT as independent predictors of CIS. Additionally, a negative association was found between the serum MALAT1 level and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. In conclusion, MALAT1 rs619586 and rs3200401 and ANRIL rs10965215 are novel prospective noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers for CIS predisposition.

Cellular senescence in ageing: from mechanisms to therapeutic opportunities

Cellular senescence, first described in vitro in 1961, has become a focus for biotech companies that target it to ameliorate a variety of human conditions. Eminently characterized by a permanent proliferation arrest, cellular senescence occurs in response to endogenous and exogenous stresses, including telomere dysfunction, oncogene activation and persistent DNA damage. Cellular senescence can also be a controlled programme occurring in diverse biological processes, including embryonic development. Senescent cell extrinsic activities, broadly related to the activation of a senescence-associated secretory phenotype, amplify the impact of cell-intrinsic proliferative arrest and contribute to impaired tissue regeneration, chronic age-associated diseases and organismal ageing. This Review discusses the mechanisms and modulators of cellular senescence establishment and induction of a senescence-associated secretory phenotype, and provides an overview of cellular senescence as an emerging opportunity to intervene through senolytic and senomorphic therapies in ageing and ageing-associated diseases.

Hypertension and the roles of the 9p21.3 risk locus: Classic findings and new association data

BACKGROUND

The band 9p21.3 contains an established genomic risk zone for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Since the initial 2007 Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium study (WTCCC), the increased CVD risk associated with 9p21.3 has been confirmed by multiple studies in different continents. However, many years later there was still no confirmed report of a corresponding association of 9p21.3 with hypertension, a major CV risk factor, nor with blood pressure (BP).

THEORY

In this contribution, we review the bipartite haplotype structure of the 9p21.3 risk locus: one block is devoid of protein-coding genes but contains the lead CVD risk SNPs, while the other block contains the first exon and regulatory DNA of the gene for the cell cycle inhibitor p15. We consider how findings from molecular biology offer possibilities of an involvement of p15 in hypertension etiology, with expression of the p15 gene modulated by genetic variation from within the 9p21.3 risk locus.

RESULTS

We present original results from a Colombian study revealing moderate but persistent association signals for BP and hypertension within the classic 9p21.3 CVD risk locus. These SNPs are mostly confined to a 'hypertension island' that spans less than 60 kb and coincides with the p15 haplotype block. We find confirmation in data originating from much larger, recent European BP studies, albeit with opposite effect directions.

CONCLUSION

Although more work will be needed to elucidate possible mechanisms, previous findings and new data prompt reconsidering the question of how variation in 9p21.3 might influence hypertension components of cardiovascular risk.

Long non-coding RNA MALAT1 suppresses the proliferation and migration of endothelial progenitor cells in deep vein thrombosis by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is one of the most common circulating vascular diseases with an incidence of ~0.1% worldwide. Although anticoagulant medication remains to be the main therapeutic approach for patients with DVT, existing thrombus and pulmonary embolisms still pose as a threat to patient life. Therefore, effective targeted therapies need to be developed and studies are required to improve understanding of this condition. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) originate from the bone marrow, are located in the peripheral blood and are involved in thrombus resolution. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that are >200 nucleotides in length. LncRNAs are associated with the development of numerous vascular diseases. Among these lncRNAs, metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) is downregulated in human atherosclerotic plaques. Furthermore, MALAT1 polymorphism resulted in vascular disease in Chinese populations. In the present study, the expression profile and potential functions of MALAT1 in DVT were investigated. The results revealed that MALAT1 was upregulated in DVT tissues. Furthermore, MALAT1 was able to regulate the biological behaviors of EPCs, including proliferation, migration, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In addition, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is a promising downstream target of MALAT1 in DVT. The changes in biological behaviors in EPCs caused by silenced MALAT1 were reversed by inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In summary, the data indicated the roles of MALAT1 in the pathogenesis of DVT, and the MALAT1/Wnt/β-catenin axis could be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of DVT.

Cell-Cell Communication Breakdown and Endothelial Dysfunction

Guided by organ-specific signals in both development and disease response, the heterogeneous endothelial cell population is a dynamic member of the vasculature. Functioning as the gatekeeper to fluid, inflammatory cells, oxygen, and nutrients, endothelial cell communication with its local environment is critical. Impairment of endothelial cell-cell communication not only disrupts this signaling process, but also contributes to pathologic disease progression. Expanding our understanding of those processes that mediate endothelial cell-cell communication is an important step in the approach to treatment of disease processes.

Long non-coding RNA H19 regulates endothelial cell aging via inhibition of STAT3 signalling

Aims

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to regulate numerous processes in the human genome, but the function of these transcripts in vascular aging is largely unknown. We aim to characterize the expression of lncRNAs in endothelial aging and analyse the function of the highly conserved lncRNA H19.

Methods and results

H19 was downregulated in endothelium of aged mice. In human, atherosclerotic plaques H19 was mainly expressed by endothelial cells and H19 was significantly reduced in comparison to healthy carotid artery biopsies. Loss of H19 led to an upregulation of p16 and p21, reduced proliferation and increased senescence in vitro. Depletion of H19 in aortic rings of young mice inhibited sprouting capacity. We generated endothelial-specific inducible H19 deficient mice (H19iEC-KO), resulting in increased systolic blood pressure compared with control littermates (Ctrl). These H19iEC-KO and Ctrl mice were subjected to hindlimb ischaemia, which showed reduced capillary density in H19iEC-KO mice. Mechanistically, exon array analysis revealed an involvement of H19 in IL-6 signalling. Accordingly, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 were upregulated upon H19 depletion. A luciferase reporter screen for differential transcription factor activity revealed STAT3 as being induced upon H19 depletion and repressed after H19 overexpression. Furthermore, depletion of H19 increased the phosphorylation of STAT3 at TYR705 and pharmacological inhibition of STAT3 activation abolished the effects of H19 silencing on p21 and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 expression as well as proliferation.

Conclusion

These data reveal a pivotal role for the lncRNA H19 in controlling endothelial cell aging.

Rs10757274 gene polymorphisms in coronary artery disease: A systematic review and a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

It has been reported the rs10757274 SNP (present on locus 9p21 in the gene for CDKN2BAS1) might be associated with susceptibility to coronary artery disease (CAD). Owing to mixed and inconclusive results, we conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the association between rs10757274 polymorphism and the risk of CAD.

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between rs10757274 polymorphism and the risk of CAD.

METHODS

All studies of the rs10757274 SNP with CAD that were published between 2007 and 2018 were retrieved from the PubMed database. Meta-analysis was performed with Stata 14.0 software. The effect size of the rs10757274 SNP with CAD risk was assessed based on the odds ratios (ORs) with calculation of 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Eleven studies including 52,209 subjects (cases: 7990, controls: 44,219) were included in the final data combination. Pooled overall analyses showed that rs10757274 (allele model: P < .001; dominant model: P < .001; recessive model: P < .001; Heterozygote codominant: P = .002; Homozygote codominant: P < .001) polymorphisms were significantly associated with the likelihood of CAD. Significant heterogeneity between individual studies appears in all 5 models. Further subgroup analyses revealed that rs10757274 polymorphisms were all significantly correlated with the likelihood of CAD and no heterogeneity were observed in West Asians.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicated that rs10757274 polymorphisms may serve as genetic biomarkers of CAD, especially in West Asians.

Long Non-Coding RNA MEG3 Promotes Apoptosis of Vascular Cells and is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Ischemic Stroke

Aim: This study focused on the expression pattern of long non-coding RNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) and its value in ischemic stroke (IS).

Methods: The expression pattern and the roles of MEG3 in the development of IS were explored in mice IS model and human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMECs). A case-control study, including 215 IS patients and 153 controls, was also conducted to investigate its prognostic value.

Results:In vivo study showed that MEG3 increased significantly in the IS group (P = 0.004), and its level remained stable within 3 to 48h after the onset of IS. Besides, the survival time of the mouse in the high MEG3 group was significantly lower than that in the low MEG3 group (P = 0.042). In vitro study showed that oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) treatment significantly up-regulated expressions of MEG3, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3, and further promoted apoptosis of hBMECs, while si-MEG3 blocked these effects. A human study showed that MEG3 increased markedly within 48h of IS onset and was positively associated with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (r = 0.347, P < 0.001), modified Rankin Scale (r = 0.385, P < 0.001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (r = 0.221, P = 0.002) level, and infarct volume (r = 0.201, P = 0.006). Overall survival analysis showed that patients with higher MEG3 expression within 48h had a relatively poor prognosis (P < 0.001). Meanwhile, multivariate analysis revealed that MEG3 was an independent prognostic marker for unfavorable functional outcome and death in IS patients.

Conclusions: This study suggested that MEG3 might be considered as an intervention point and potential prognostic indicator for IS.

Effects of CDKN2B-AS1 polymorphisms on the susceptibility to coronary heart disease

Background

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the most severe cardiovascular diseases. Cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 2B antisense RNA 1 (CDKN2B‐AS1) is a significant susceptibility locus for cardiovascular disease by regulating inflammation response and cell cycle. The aim of this study was to assess whether CDKN2B‐AS1 polymorphisms are associated with CHD risk in the Chinese Han population.

Methods

A total of 501 CHD patients and 496 healthy controls were recruited from Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital, five CDKN2B‐AS1 polymorphisms (rs10115049, rs75227345, rs2383205, rs10738606, and rs1333049) were analyzed by the Agena MassARRAY platform. The association of CDKN2B‐AS1 polymorphisms and CHD risk was determined by odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using logistic regression.

Results

CDKN2B‐AS1 rs10738606 was significantly associated with CHD under codominant (p = .03), dominant (p = .019), recessive (p = .010), additive (p = .003), and allele (p = .003) models. Gender‐based subgroup tests showed that four polymorphisms (rs75227345, rs2383205, rs10738606 and rs1333049) were associated with CHD in males (p < .05). And age‐based subgroup tests indicated that rs2383205 and rs10738606 were associated with CHD among individuals, respectively (p < .05). For CHD patients, rs1333049 decreased the risk of diabetes under heterozygote (p = .014) and dominant (p = .024) models.

Conclusions

In conclusion, CDKN2B‐AS1 polymorphisms were associated with CHD risk in the combined or subgroup tests, suggesting an important role of CDKN2B‐AS1 in CHD susceptibility.

Diagnostic value of circulating lncRNA ANRIL and its correlation with coronary artery disease parameters

This study aimed to detect the expression of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) antisense non-coding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) and evaluate its correlation with disease risk, stenosis degree, inflammation, as well as overall survival (OS) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. A total of 230 patients who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography were consecutively recruited and assigned to CAD group (n=125) or control group (n=105) according to presence or absence of CAD. Gensini score was calculated to assess the severity of coronary artery damage. Plasma samples were collected and the expression ANRIL was detected in all participants. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-17 in CAD patients were measured and OS was calculated. The relative expression of ANRIL was higher in CAD patients compared to controls (P<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic disclosed that ANRIL could distinguish CAD patients from controls with an area under the curve of 0.789 (95%CI: 0.731–0.847). Spearman's rank correlation test revealed that expression of ANRIL was positively correlated with Gensini score (P=0.001), levels of hs-CRP (P=0.001), ESR (P=0.038), TNF-α (P=0.004), and IL-6 (P<0.001), while negatively correlated with IL-10 level (P=0.008) in CAD patients. Kaplan-Meier curve revealed that high expression of ANRIL was associated with shorter OS (P=0.013). In conclusion, circulating ANRIL presented a good diagnostic value for CAD, and its high expression was associated with increased stenosis degree, raised inflammation, and poor OS in CAD patients.

CDKN2B gene expression is affected by 9p21.3 rs10757278 in CAD patients, six months after the MI

BACKGROUND

Chromosomal region 9p21.3 is most robustly associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) in western European populations. However, heterogeneity in CAD phenotypes leads to uncertainty whether 9p21.3 is associated with stable and/or acute clinical presentations of CAD. 9p21.3 is rich in regulatory elements, but the underlying mechanisms of its actions in CAD remain unclear. We investigate the association of 9p21.3 two haplotype blocks lead variants (rs10757278 and rs518394) with first-ever non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) in CAD patients and their association with CDKN2B mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells 6 months after the event.

METHODS

We included CAD patients with sustained first MI (n = 523) and controls (n = 583). Gene expression was assessed in 72 patients 6 months after MI and 43 healthy controls. TaqMan® technology was used for the gene expression and genotyping analysis.

RESULTS

CDKN2B mRNA was significantly lower in MI patients compared with the controls (p = 0.002) and in patients carrying the rs10757278 G risk allele versus AA homozygotes (p = 0.012) 6 months after the event. While we confirmed the association of rs10757278 with CDKN2B expression in MI patients, we failed to find an association between the investigated variants and MI or disease burden.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest a dysregulation of gene expression in the 9p21.3 region six months after acute MI, which is affected by a genetic variant in patients. The rs10757278 rare allele is one factor that might lead to prolonged risk for proatherogenic complications.

Sarcopenia: Aging-Related Loss of Muscle Mass and Function

Sarcopenia is a loss of muscle mass and function in the elderly that reduces mobility, diminishes quality of life, and can lead to fall-related injuries, which require costly hospitalization and extended rehabilitation. This review focuses on the aging-related structural changes and mechanisms at cellular and subcellular levels underlying changes in the individual motor unit: specifically, the perikaryon of the α-motoneuron, its neuromuscular junction(s), and the muscle fibers that it innervates. Loss of muscle mass with aging, which is largely due to the progressive loss of motoneurons, is associated with reduced muscle fiber number and size. Muscle function progressively declines because motoneuron loss is not adequately compensated by reinnervation of muscle fibers by the remaining motoneurons. At the intracellular level, key factors are qualitative changes in posttranslational modifications of muscle proteins and the loss of coordinated control between contractile, mitochondrial, and sarcoplasmic reticulum protein expression. Quantitative and qualitative changes in skeletal muscle during the process of aging also have been implicated in the pathogenesis of acquired and hereditary neuromuscular disorders. In experimental models, specific intervention strategies have shown encouraging results on limiting deterioration of motor unit structure and function under conditions of impaired innervation. Translated to the clinic, if these or similar interventions, by saving muscle and improving mobility, could help alleviate sarcopenia in the elderly, there would be both great humanitarian benefits and large cost savings for health care systems.

Long noncoding RNA ANRIL regulates endothelial cell activities associated with coronary artery disease by up-regulating CLIP1, EZR, and LYVE1 genes

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of noncoding transcripts of > 200 nucleotides and are increasingly recognized as playing functional roles in physiology and disease. ANRIL is an lncRNA gene mapped to the chromosome 9p21 genetic locus for CAD identified by the first series of genome-wide association studies (GWAS). However, ANRIL's role in CAD and the underlying molecular mechanism are unknown. Here, we show that the major ANRIL transcript in endothelial cells (ECs) is DQ485454 with a much higher expression level in ECs than in THP-1 monocytes. Of note, DQ485454 expression was down-regulated in CAD coronary arteries compared with non-CAD arteries. DQ485454 overexpression significantly reduced monocyte adhesion to ECs, transendothelial monocyte migration (TEM), and EC migration, which are critical cellular processes involved in CAD initiation, whereas siRNA-mediated ANRIL knockdown (KD) had the opposite effect. Microarray and follow-up quantitative RT-PCR analyses revealed that the ANRIL KD down-regulated expression of AHNAK2, CLIP1, CXCL11, ENC1, EZR, LYVE1, WASL, and TNFSF10 genes and up-regulated TMEM100 and TMEM106B genes. Mechanistic studies disclosed that overexpression of CLIP1, EZR, and LYVE1 reversed the effects of ANRIL KD on monocyte adhesion to ECs, TEM, and EC migration. These findings indicate that ANRIL regulates EC functions directly related to CAD, supporting the hypothesis that ANRIL is involved in CAD pathogenesis at the 9p21 genetic locus and identifying a molecular mechanism underlying lncRNA-mediated regulation of EC function and CAD development.

Unveiling the Role of the Most Impactful Cardiovascular Risk Locus through Haplotype Editing

The 9p21.3 cardiovascular disease locus is the most influential common genetic risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), accounting for ∼10%-15% of disease in non-African populations. The ∼60 kb risk haplotype is human-specific and lacks coding genes, hindering efforts to decipher its function. Here, we produce induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from risk and non-risk individuals, delete each haplotype using genome editing, and generate vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Risk VSMCs exhibit globally altered transcriptional networks that intersect with previously identified CAD risk genes and pathways, concomitant with aberrant adhesion, contraction, and proliferation. Unexpectedly, deleting the risk haplotype rescues VSMC stability, while expressing the 9p21.3-associated long non-coding RNA ANRIL induces risk phenotypes in non-risk VSMCs. This study shows that the risk haplotype selectively predisposes VSMCs to adopt a cell state associated with CAD phenotypes, defines new VSMC-based networks of CAD risk genes, and establishes haplotype-edited iPSCs as powerful tools for functionally annotating the human genome.

Administration of hydrogen-rich water prevents vascular aging of the aorta in LDL receptor-deficient mice

The main cause of arteriosclerosis is atherosclerosis in the aorta. Atherosclerosis is recognized as a chronic inflammatory condition that begins with the dysfunction or activation of arterial endothelium. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and especially its oxidized form play a key role in endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis. Recent studies showed that senescent cells are involved in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, and eliminating senescent cells suppresses the senescence-associated secretory phenotype. We previously reported that molecular hydrogen-rich water (HW) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in numerous diseases. Here, we used LDL receptor-deficient mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 13 weeks as a model for atherosclerosis and evaluated the effects of continuous administration of HW. The numbers of endothelial cells in the atheroma expressing the senescence factors p16^INK4a and p21 decreased in HFD-fed mice given HW compared with HFD-fed mice given control water. Furthermore, macrophage infiltration and Tnfα expression in the atheroma were also suppressed. These results suggest that vascular aging can be suppressed by HW.

Long Noncoding RNA ANRIL: Lnc-ing Genetic Variation at the Chromosome 9p21 Locus to Molecular Mechanisms of Atherosclerosis

Ever since the first genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on coronary artery disease (CAD), the Chr9p21 risk locus has emerged as a top signal in GWAS of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, including stroke and peripheral artery disease. The CAD risk SNPs on Chr9p21 lie within a stretch of 58 kilobases of non-protein-coding DNA, containing the gene body of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) antisense non coding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL). How risk is affected by the Chr9p21 locus in molecular detail is a matter of ongoing research. Here we will review recent advances in the understanding that ANRIL serves as a key risk effector molecule of atherogenesis at the locus. One focus of this review is the shift in understanding that genetic variation at Chr9p21 not only affects the abundance of ANRIL, and in some cases expression of the adjacent CDKN2A/B tumor suppressors, but also impacts ANRIL splicing, such that 3′-5′-linked circular noncoding ANRIL RNA species are produced. We describe how the balance of linear and circular ANRIL RNA, determined by the Chr9p21 genotype, regulates molecular pathways and cellular functions involved in atherogenesis. We end with an outlook on how manipulating circular ANRIL abundance may be exploited for therapeutic purposes.

Effects of ANRIL polymorphisms on the likelihood of coronary artery disease: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Whether antisense noncoding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) polymorphisms are associated with the likelihood of coronary artery disease (CAD) remains controversial. Therefore, we performed this study to explore correlation between ANRIL polymorphisms and CAD.

METHODS

Literature retrieve was conducted in PubMed, Medline and Embase. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

RESULTS

Nineteen studies were enrolled for analyses. Pooled overall analyses showed that rs1333040 (dominant model: P < 0.0001; recessive model: P < 0.0001; allele model: P < 0.0001), rs1333049 (dominant model: P = 0.02; allele model: P = 0.02) and rs2383207 (additive model: P = 0.004; allele model: P = 0.03) polymorphisms were significantly associated with the likelihood of CAD. Further subgroup analyses revealed that rs1333040, rs1333049, rs2383206, rs2383207, rs10757274, and rs10757278 polymorphisms were all significantly correlated with the likelihood of CAD in East Asians. Additionally, rs2383206, rs10757274, and rs10757278 polymorphisms were also significantly correlated with the likelihood of CAD in Caucasians and West Asians.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicated that rs1333040, rs1333049, rs2383206, rs2383207, rs10757274, and rs10757278 polymorphisms may serve as genetic biomarkers of CAD in East Asians. Moreover, rs2383206, rs10757274, and rs10757278 polymorphisms may also serve as genetic biomarkers of CAD in Caucasians and West Asians.

Current status and strategies of long noncoding RNA research for diabetic cardiomyopathy

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are endogenous RNA transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides which regulate epigenetically the expression of genes but do not have protein-coding potential. They are emerging as potential key regulators of diabetes mellitus and a variety of cardiovascular diseases. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) refers to diabetes mellitus-elicited structural and functional abnormalities of the myocardium, beyond that caused by ischemia or hypertension. The purpose of this review was to summarize current status of lncRNA research for DCM and discuss the challenges and possible strategies of lncRNA research for DCM. A systemic search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Major conference proceedings of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease occurring between January, 2014 to August, 2018 were also searched to identify unpublished studies that may be potentially eligible. The pathogenesis of DCM involves elevated oxidative stress, myocardial inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy due to metabolic disturbances. Thousands of lncRNAs are aberrantly regulated in DCM. Manipulating the expression of specific lncRNAs, such as H19, metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1, and myocardial infarction-associated transcript, with genetic approaches regulates potently oxidative stress, myocardial inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy and ameliorates DCM in experimental animals. The detail data regarding the regulation and function of individual lncRNAs in DCM are limited. However, lncRNAs have been considered as potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for DCM. Overexpression of protective lncRNAs and knockdown of detrimental lncRNAs in the heart are crucial for defining the role and function of lncRNAs of interest in DCM, however, they are technically challenging due to the length, short life, and location of lncRNAs. Gene delivery vectors can provide exogenous sources of cardioprotective lncRNAs to ameliorate DCM, and CRISPR–Cas9 genome editing technology may be used to knockdown specific lncRNAs in DCM. In summary, current data indicate that LncRNAs are a vital regulator of DCM and act as the promising diagnostic and therapeutic targets for DCM.

Angiogenic lncRNAs: A potential therapeutic target for ischaemic heart disease

Long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) are involved in biological processes and the pathology of diseases and represent an important biomarker or therapeutic target for disease. Emerging evidence has suggested that lncRNAs modulate angiogenesis by regulating the angiogenic cell process-including vascular endothelial cells (VECs); stem cells, particularly bone marrow-derived stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs); and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs)-and participating in ischaemic heart disease (IHD). Therapeutic angiogenesis as an alternative therapy to promote coronary collateral circulation has been demonstrated to significantly improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients with IHD in past decades. Therefore, lncRNAs are likely to represent a novel therapeutic target for IHD through regulation of the angiogenesis process. This review summarizes the classification and functions of lncRNAs and their roles in regulating angiogenesis and in IHD, in the context of an overview of therapeutic angiogenesis in clinical trials.