LINCRNA-P21 IS REGULATED BY CYCLIC MECHANICAL STRETCH AND UPREGULATED IN AORTIC ANEURYSMS

Long noncoding RNAs in key cellular processes involved in aortic aneurysms

Aortic aneurysm (AA) is a complex and dangerous vascular disease, featuring progressive and irreversible vessel dilatation. AA is typically detected either by screening, or identified incidentally through imaging studies. To date, no effective pharmacological therapies have been identified for clinical AA management, and either endovascular repair or open surgery remains the only option capable of preventing aneurysm rupture. In recent years, multiple research groups have endeavored to both identify noncoding RNAs and to clarify their function in vascular diseases, including aneurysmal pathologies. Notably, the molecular roles of noncoding RNAs in AA development appear to vary significantly between thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Some microRNAs (miRNA - a non-coding RNA subspecies) appear to contribute to AA pathophysiology, with some showing major potential for use as biomarkers or as therapeutic targets. Studies of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are more limited, and their specific contributions to disease development and progression largely remain unexplored. This review aims to summarize and discuss the most current data on lncRNAs and their mediation of AA pathophysiology.

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This current review covers studies that have identified long non-coding RNAs in aortic aneurysm development and progression.

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We separately discuss transcripts and mechanisms of importance to thoracic as well as abdominal aortic aneurysms.

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Functional data on lncRNAs being identified are highlighted.

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Some have been studied in human as well as experimental models of the disease pathology.

Upregulation of lincRNA-p21 in thoracic aortic aneurysms is involved in the regulation of proliferation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells by activating TGF-β1 signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

Long intergenic noncoding RNA-p21 (lincRNA-p21) has been proved in the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysms, while its functionality in thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) and the mechanism of function remains unclear. Therefore our study aimed to investigate the role of lincRNA-p21 in TAA.

METHODS

Aortic media specimens and blood samples were collected from both patients with TAA and healthy controls. Expression of lincRNA-p21 in those tissues was detected by reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Diagnostic values of lincRNA-p21 in aortic media and blood for TAA were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. LincRNA-p21 overexpression human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were prepared and the effects of lincRNA-p21 overexpression on cell proliferation and apoptosis were explored by cell counting kit-8 assay and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay, respectively. Expression of lincRNA-p21 and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in VSMCs with different treatment was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

Expression of lincRNA-p21 in aortic media tissues and blood was significantly upregulated in TAA patients than in healthy controls. Expression of lincRNA-p21 in aortic media and blood can be used to effectively distinguish TAA patients form healthy controls. LincRNA-p21 overexpression inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of VSMCs, while TGF-β1 inhibitor reduced those effects. LincRNA-p21 overexpression upregulated TGF-β1 expression, while TGF-β1 activator showed no significant effects on lincRNA-p21 expression in VSMC.

CONCLUSION

LincRNA-p21 participates in TAA by regulating the proliferation and apoptosis of VSMCs through the activation of TGF-β1 signaling pathway.