MicroRNAs involved in the TGF-β signaling pathway in atherosclerosis

Profiling of differentially expressed MicroRNAs in familial hypercholesterolemia via direct hybridization

Background

Individuals with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) have a severe clinical problem in their first decade of life, which is not usually present in heterozygous FH (HeFH) individuals. For this latter group of patients, FH diagnosis is mostly severely delayed with a significant increase in the risk of angina, myocardial infarction, peripheral artery disease, stroke, and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.

Methods

This study used various bioinformatics tools to analyze microarray data and identify critical miRNAs and their target genes associated with FH and its severity. Differentially expressed serum miRNAs from direct hybridization microarray data in three groups of subjects: healthy, HeFH, and HoFH. The differential expressed miRNAs were determined according to a log of fold-change (LFC) <-0.5 or >0.5 and of p < 0.05. Then, we assessed their target genes in silico. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment was applied by Cytoscape. The protein-protein interaction and co-expression network were analyzed by the STRING and GeneMANIA plugins of Cytoscape, respectively.

Results

We identified increased expression of circulating hsa-miR-604, hsa-miR-652-5p, and hsa-miR-4451 as well as reduced expression of hsa-miR-3140-3p, hsa-miR-550a-5p, and hsa-miR-363-3p in both group of FH vs. healthy subjects. Higher levels of hsa-miR-1183, hsa-miR-1185-1-3p, hsa-miR-122-5p, hsa-miR-19a-3p, hsa-miR-345-3p, and hsa-miR-34c-5p were detected in HeFH in respect to HoFH when compared to healthy subjects. Most upregulated miRNAs mainly affected gene related to cardiac myofibrillogenesis, cholesterol synthesis, RNA editing for apolipoprotein B, and associated with LDL-cholesterol levels. In contrast, down-regulated miRNAs mainly affected gene related to plasma biomarker for coronary artery disease, lipids metabolism, cell adhesion and migration, genetic predictors of type 2 diabetes and cholesterol metabolism. The essential genes were primarily enriched in GO regarding biological regulation, intracellular nucleic acid binding, and the KEGG pathway of TGF-β signaling.

Conclusions

The case-control nature of this study precluded the possibility of assessing the predictive role of the identified differentially expressed miRNAs for cardiovascular events. Therefore, the signature of miRNAs reflecting the pathogenesis of both HeFH and HoFH.

The translational potential of miR-26 in atherosclerosis and development of agents for its target genes ACC1/2, COL1A1, CPT1A, FBP1, DGAT2, and SMAD7

Atherosclerosis is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. miR-26 is a potential biomarker of atherosclerosis. Standardized diagnostic tests for miR-26 (MIR26-DX) have been developed, but the fastest progress has been in predicting the efficacy of IFN-α therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, phase 3). MiR-26 slows atherosclerosis development by suppressing ACC1/2, ACLY, ACSL3/4, ALDH3A2, ALPL, BMP2, CD36, COL1A1, CPT1A, CTGF, DGAT2, EHHADH, FAS, FBP1, GATA4, GSK3β, G6PC, Gys2, HMGA1, HMGB1, LDLR, LIPC, IL-1β, IL-6, JAG2, KCNJ2, MALT1, β-MHC, NF-κB, PCK1, PLCβ1, PYGL, RUNX2, SCD1, SMAD1/4/5/7, SREBF1, TAB3, TAK1, TCF7L2, and TNF-α expression. Many agents targeting these genes, such as the ACC1/2 inhibitors GS-0976, PF-05221304, and MK-4074; the DGAT2 inhibitors IONIS-DGAT2Rx, PF-06427878, PF-0685571, and PF-07202954; the COL1A1 inhibitor HT-100; the stimulants 68Ga-CBP8 and RCT-01; the CPT1A inhibitors etomoxir, perhexiline, and teglicar; the FBP1 inhibitors CS-917 and MB07803; and the SMAD7 inhibitor mongersen, have been investigated in clinical trials. Interestingly, miR-26 better reduced intima-media thickness (IMT) than PCSK9 or CT-1 knockout. Many PCSK9 inhibitors, including alirocumab, evolocumab, inclisiran, AZD8233, Civi-007, MK-0616, and LIB003, have been investigated in clinical trials. Recombinant CT-1 was also investigated in clinical trials. Therefore, miR-26 is a promising target for agent development. miR-26 promotes foam cell formation by reducing ABCA1 and ARL4C expression. Multiple materials can be used to deliver miR-26, but it is unclear which material is most suitable for mass production and clinical applications. This review focuses on the potential use of miR-26 in treating atherosclerosis to support the development of agents targeting it.

Biomimetic composite hydrogel promotes new bone formation in rat bone defects through regulation of miR-19b-3p/WWP1 axis by loaded extracellular vesicles

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the mechanism by which biomimetic composite hydrogels loaded with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) derived microRNA-19b-3p/WWP1 axis through extracellular vesicles (EVs) affect the new bone formation in rat bone defects.

METHODS

First, synthesize the bionic composite hydrogel Gel-OCS/MBGN. Characterize it through field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and FTIR. Then, conduct performance tests such as rheology, dynamic mechanical analysis, in vitro mineralization, and degradation. Rat BMSCs were selected for in vitro cell experiments, and EVs derived from BMSCs were obtained by differential centrifugation. The EVs were loaded onto Gel-OCS/MBGN to obtain Gel-OCS/MBGN@EVs hydrogel. Cell viability and proliferation were detected by live/dead cell staining and CCK-8 assay, respectively. ALP and ARS staining was used to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Differential gene expression analysis of osteogenic differentiation was performed using high-throughput sequencing. TargetScan database predicted the binding site between miR-19b-3p and WWP1, and a dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the targeting binding site. A rat bone defect model was established, and new bone formation was evaluated by Micro-CT, H&E staining, and Masson's trichrome staining. Immunofluorescence staining and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression levels of osteogenic-related factors in rat BMSCs. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression levels of genes and proteins in tissues and cells.

RESULT

Gel-OCS/MBGN was successfully constructed and loaded with EVs, resulting in Gel-OCS/MBGN@EVs. The in vitro drug release experiment results show that Gel-OCS/MBGN could sustainably release EVs. Further experiments have shown that Gel-OCS/MBGN@EVs could significantly promote the differentiation of BMSCs into osteoblasts. Experiments have shown that WWP1 is a key factor in osteogenic differentiation and is regulated by miR-19b-3p. EVs promote osteogenic differentiation by suppressing WWP1 expression through the transmission of miR-19b-3p. In vivo animal experiments have demonstrated that Gel-OCS/MBGN@EVs significantly promote bone repair in rats with bone defects by regulating the miR-19b-3p/WWP1 signaling axis.

CONCLUSION

Functional Gel-OCS/MBGN@EVs were obtained by constructing Gel-OCS/MBGN and loading EVs onto it. EVs could deliver miR-19b-3p to BMSCs, inhibit the expression of WWP1, and promote the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, ultimately promoting bone regeneration in rats with bone defects.

Relevant biomarkers of kidney allograft rejection

This review focuses on the new relevant biomarkers proposed for the diagnosis of different types of allograft rejections. The immune response against the transplanted tissues can lead to rejection. Kidney allograft rejection occurs when the recipient component's immune system reacts against the donor's cells. MicroRNAs, dd-cf DNA, CD103 markers, CXCR3 chemokine receptor, IP-10, KIR genes, HLA antibodies, the perforin and granzyme B molecules - the constant assessment of all these parameters could prevent acute rejection episodes and kidney injuries. In this way, both immune response and tissue destruction biomarkers are essential for the long-term survival of kidney-transplanted patients. They also contribute to personalizing treatments, precisely personalized immunosuppressive regiments.

Loss of CD226 protects apolipoprotein E-deficient mice from diet-induced atherosclerosis

CD226 is a costimulatory molecule that regulates immune cell functions in T cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages. Because macrophage-derived foam cell formation is a crucial factor contributing to the development of atherosclerosis, we aimed to evaluate the potential roles of CD226 in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The effects of CD226 on atherosclerosis were investigated in CD226 and apolipoprotein E double-knockout (CD226^-/- ApoE^-/-) mice fed with a high-cholesterol atherogenic diet. CD226 expression in macrophages was evaluated using flow cytometry. Histopathological analysis was performed to evaluate the atherosclerotic lesions. Inflammatory cell infiltration was detected using immunofluorescence staining. Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and peritoneal macrophages (PEMs) were isolated from the mice and used to explore the mechanism in vitro. The in vivo results indicated that CD226 knockdown protected against atherosclerosis in ApoE^-/- mice, evidenced by reduced plaque accumulation in the brachiocephalic artery, aortic roots, and main aortic tree. CD226 gene-deficient macrophages showed reduced foam cell formation under ox-low density lipoprotein stimulation compared with wild-type (WT) cells. CD226 deficiency also decreased the expression of CD36 and scavenger receptor (SR)-A (responsible for lipoprotein uptake) but increased the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 and G1 (two transporters for cholesterol efflux). Therefore, loss of CD226 hinders foam cell formation and atherosclerosis progression, suggesting that CD226 is a promising new therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.

Flow-Responsive Noncoding RNAs in the Vascular System: Basic Mechanisms for the Clinician

The vascular system is largely exposed to the effect of changing flow conditions. Vascular cells can sense flow and its changes. Flow sensing is of pivotal importance for vascular remodeling. In fact, it influences the development and progression of atherosclerosis, controls its location and has a major influx on the development of local complications. Despite its importance, the research community has traditionally paid scarce attention to studying the association between different flow conditions and vascular biology. More recently, a growing body of evidence has been accumulating, revealing that ncRNAs play a key role in the modulation of several biological processes linking flow-sensing to vascular pathophysiology. This review summarizes the most relevant evidence on ncRNAs that are directly or indirectly responsive to flow conditions to the benefit of the clinician, with a focus on the underpinning mechanisms and their potential application as disease biomarkers.