Tanshinone ⅡA inhibits homocysteine-induced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells via miR-145/CD40 signaling

Co-stimulators CD40-CD40L, a potential immune-therapy target for atherosclerosis: A review

The interaction between CD40 and CD40 ligand (CD40L) a crucial co-stimulatory signal for activating adaptive immune cells, has a noteworthy role in atherosclerosis. It is well-known that atherosclerosis is linked to immune inflammation in blood vessels. In atherosclerotic lesions, there is a multitude of proinflammatory cytokines, adhesion molecules, and collagen, as well as smooth muscle cells, macrophages, and T lymphocytes, particularly the binding of CD40 and CD40L. Therefore, research on inhibiting the CD40-CD40L system to prevent atherosclerosis has been ongoing for more than 30 years. However, it's essential to note that long-term direct suppression of CD40 or CD40L could potentially result in immunosuppression, emphasizing the critical role of the CD40-CD40L system in atherosclerosis. Thus, specifically targeting the CD40-CD40L interaction on particular cell types or their downstream signaling pathways may be a robust strategy for mitigating atherosclerosis, reducing potential side effects. This review aims to summarize the potential utility of the CD40-CD40L system as a viable therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.

Tanshinone IIA: a Chinese herbal ingredient for the treatment of atherosclerosis

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) is a fat-soluble compound extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza, which has a protective effect against atherosclerosis (AS). Tan IIA can inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory damage of vascular endothelial cells (VECs) and improve endothelial cell dysfunction. Tan IIA also has a good protective effect on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). It can reduce vascular stenosis by inhibiting the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and improve the stability of the fibrous cap of atherosclerotic plaque by inhibiting apoptosis and inflammation of VSMCs. In addition, Tan IIA inhibits the inflammatory response of macrophages and the formation of foam cells in atherosclerotic plaques. In summary, Tan IIA improves AS through a complex pathway. We propose to further study the specific molecular targets of Tan IIA using systems biology methods, so as to fundamentally elucidate the mechanism of Tan IIA. It is worth mentioning that there is a lack of high-quality evidence-based medical data on Tan IIA treatment of AS. We recommend that a randomized controlled clinical trial be conducted to evaluate the exact efficacy of Tan IIA in improving AS. Finally, sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) can cause adverse drug reactions in some patients, which needs our attention.

Advances in the role of epigenetics in homocysteine-related diseases

Homocysteine has a wide range of biological effects. However, the specific molecular mechanism of its pathogenicity is still unclear. The diseases induced by hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) are called homocysteine-related diseases. Clinical treatment of HHcy is mainly through folic acid and B-complex vitamins, which are not effective in reducing the associated end point events. Epigenetics is the alteration of heritable genes caused by DNA methylation, histone modification, noncoding RNAs and chromatin remodeling without altering the DNA sequence. In recent years the role of epigenetics in homocysteine-associated diseases has been gradually discovered. This article summarizes the latest evidence on the role of epigenetics in HHcy, providing new directions for its prevention and treatment.

Tan IIA mitigates vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration induced by ox-LDL through the miR-137/TRPC3 axis

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) has an important role in treatment of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. The vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are a major part of the atherosclerotic plaque. However, the biological functions of Tan IIA in regulating VSMCs function remain mostly unclear. This research aimed at identifying the explicit molecular mechanism that Tan IIA regulates oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-mediated VSMC proliferation and migration. VSMCs challenged by ox-LDL were adopted as cellular model of atherosclerosis, and suffered from Tan IIA treatment. After that, cells proliferation, apoptosis or migration were measured. The expression levels of microRNA (miR)-137, transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily C member 3 (TRPC3) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were measured. The targeting relationship between miR-137 and TRPC3 was determined. It was found that Tan IIA blunted VSMC proliferation, PCNA expression and migration mediated by ox-LDL. Tan IIA promoted miR-137 level, and miR-137 knockdown reversed the influences of Tan IIA on VSMC proliferation, PCNA expression and migration in the presence of ox-LDL. TRPC3 was verified to be targeted by miR-137. Moreover, TRPC3 silencing exacerbated the influences of Tan IIA on VSMC proliferation, apoptosis and migration, and it mitigated the inhibitive effects of miR-137 knockdown on function of Tan IIA. We confirmed for the first time that Tan IIA constrained ox-LDL-stimulated VSMC proliferation and migration via regulating the miR-137/TRPC3 axis, which provided a theoretical basis for the research and promotion of Tan IIA as a therapeutic drug.

miRNA‑92a inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation and may help prevent in‑stent restenosis

The modulation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotype during cellular proliferation and migration may represent a potential therapeutic approach for vascular intimal hyperplasia prevention. However, the precise role of this process in VSMC biology and remodeling remains unclear. In the present study, western blotting, PCR, MTT and Transwell assays were used to analyze related protein and mRNA expression, cell viability and cell migration, respectively. It was demonstrated that miR‑92a modulated VSMCs into a synthetic phenotype via the Kruppel‑like factor 4 (KLF4) pathway. Targeting microRNA (miRNA/miR)‑92a in VSMCs using a KLF4 inhibitor suppressed the synthetic phenotype and inhibited VSMC proliferation and migration. To further confirm this finding, the expression levels of miR‑92a were measured in patients undergoing coronary artery intervention. The serum miR‑92a expression levels were significantly higher in patients with in‑stent restenosis (ISR) compared with those in patients without ISR, whereas KLF4 expression was significantly reduced in the non‑ISR group. Bioinformatic analysis and promoter‑luciferase reporter assays were used to examine the regulatory mechanisms underlying KLF4 expression. KLF4 was demonstrated to be transcriptionally upregulated by miR‑92a in VSMCs. miRNA transfection was also performed to regulate the level of miR‑92a expression. miR‑92a overexpression inhibited VSMC proliferation and migration, and also increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of certain differentiated VSMC‑related genes. Finally, miR‑92a inhibition promoted the proliferation and migration of VSMCs, which could be reversed using a KLF4 inhibitor. Collectively, these results indicated that the local delivery of a KLF4 inhibitor may act as a novel therapeutic option for the prevention of ISR.

Recent Research Progress (2015-2021) and Perspectives on the Pharmacological Effects and Mechanisms of Tanshinone IIA

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) is an important characteristic component and active ingredient in Salvia miltiorrhiza, and its various aspects of research are constantly being updated to explore its potential application. In this paper, we review the recent progress on pharmacological activities and the therapeutic mechanisms of Tan IIA according to literature during the years 2015-2021. Tan IIA shows multiple pharmacological effects, including anticarcinogenic, cardiovascular, nervous, respiratory, urinary, digestive, and motor systems activities. Tan IIA modulates multi-targets referring to Nrf2, AMPK, GSK-3β, EGFR, CD36, HO-1, NOX4, Beclin-1, TLR4, TNF-α, STAT3, Caspase-3, and bcl-2 proteins and multi-pathways including NF-κB, SIRT1/PGC1α, MAPK, SREBP-2/Pcsk9, Wnt, PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways, TGF-β/Smad and Hippo/YAP pathways, etc., which directly or indirectly influence disease course. Further, with the reported targets, the potential effects and possible mechanisms of Tan IIA against diseases were predicted by bioinformatic analysis. This paper provides new insights into the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Tan IIA against diseases.

Impact of Nutritional Epigenetics in Essential Hypertension: Targeting microRNAs in the Gut-Liver Axis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the current knowledge on interactions between dietary factors and microRNAs (miRNAs) in essential hypertension (EH) pathogenesis.

RECENT FINDINGS

There exists an integration of maintenance signals generated by genetic, epigenetic, immune, and environmental (e.g., dietary) factors that work to sustain balance in the gut-liver axis. It is well established that an imbalance in this complex, intertwined system substantially increases the risk for EH. As such, pertinent research has been taken to decipher how each signal operates in isolation and together in EH progression. Recent literature indicates that both macro- and micronutrients interrupt regulatory miRNA expressions and thus, alter multiple cellular processes that contribute to EH and its comorbidities. We highlight how carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, salt, and potassium modify miRNA signatures during EH. The disruption in miRNA expression can negatively impact communication systems such as over activating the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, modulating the vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype, and promoting angiogenesis to favor EH. We also delineate the prognostic value of miRNAs in EH and discuss the pros and cons of surgical vs dietary prophylactic approaches in EH prevention. We propose that dietary-dependent perturbation of the miRNA profile is one mechanism within the gut-liver axis that dictates EH development.

Tanshinone Inhibits NSCLC by Downregulating AURKA Through Let-7a-5p

Lung cancer is the most deadly malignancy in the last decade, accounting for about 1.6 million deaths every year globally. Tanshinone is the constituent of Salvia miltiorrhiza; it has been found that they influence tumorigenesis. However, the role of tanshinones on lung cancer is still not clear. Let-7a-5p, a short non-coding RNA, is regarded as a suppressor gene in tumorigenesis. Herein, we verified that let-7a-5p is significantly downregulated in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and cell lines. Tanshinone suppressed the expression of aurora kinase A (AURKA), inhibited cell proliferation, and arrested cell cycle progression. Our results showed that tanshinones suppressed NSCLC by upregulating the expressions of let-7a-5p via directly targeting AURKA. Besides, the data reveal that the knockdown of AURKA can also inhibit cell proliferation, arrest cell cycle, and promote cell apoptosis. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that AURKA was negatively correlated with let-7a-5p in NSCLC patient tissues. Taken together, our findings suggest that tanshinone inhibits NSCLC by downregulating AURKA through let-7a-5p. Tanshinones and let-7a-5p have the potential to be candidates for drug development of NSCLC. In conclusion, this study revealed that tanshinones with miRNA linking lead to partial mechanism in NSCLC.

Pharmacological basis of tanshinone and new insights into tanshinone as a multitarget natural product for multifaceted diseases

Drug development has long included the systematic exploration of various resources. Among these, natural products are one of the most important resources from which novel agents are developed due to the multiple pharmacologic effects of these natural products on diseases. Tanshinone, a representative natural product, is the main compound extracted from the dried root and rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. Research on tanshinone began in the early 1930s. With the in-depth investigation of an increasing number of identified analogs, tanshinone has demonstrated a wide variety of bioactivities and contradicted the saying, 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks'. This review is focused on the pharmacological action of tanshinone and status of research on tanshinone in recent years. The mechanism of tanshinone has also drawn much attention, with the findings of representative targets and pathways of tanshinone. The most recent studies have comprehensively shown that tanshinone can be used to treat leukemia and solid carcinoma, protect against cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and alleviate liver- and kidney-related diseases, among its other effects. Multiple signaling pathways, including antiproliferative, antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative stress pathways, are involved in its actions.