Dysregulation of autophagy-related lncRNAs in peripheral blood of coronary artery disease patients

LncRNA PVT1 inhibits endothelial cells apoptosis in coronary heart disease through regulating MAPK1 expression via miR-532-3p

Background: Coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAD) is an inflammatory vascular disease caused by atherosclerosis. Long non-coding RNAs are involved in the pathophysiological process of coronary heart disease. Here we investigated the regulatory effects of lncRNA PVT1 (PVT1) in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs).Methods: qRT-PCR and western blot were performed to detect gene and protein expressions. CCK-8, flow cytometry and wound healing assays were used to determine cell viability, apoptosis and migration of HCAECs. The binding relationship among miR-532-3p, PVT1 and MAPK1 was verified by dual luciferase reporter assay.Results: Overexpression of PVT1 markedly reduced cell apoptosis and increased cell proliferation and migration. However, miR-532-3p upregulation suppressed cell proliferation and migration and promoted apoptosis of HCAECs. PVT1 suppressed the expression of miR-532-3p via directly targeting miR-532-3p. And miR-532-3p overexpression abolished the effect of PVT1 upregulation on proliferation and apoptosis in HCAECs. Furthermore, MAPK1 acted as a target gene of miR-532-3p and miR-532-3p inhibited MAPK1 expression.Conclusion: PVT1 promoted MAPK1 expression by targeting miR-532-3p, thus inhibiting HCAECs apoptosis and promoting cell proliferation, suggesting PVT1 might have great potential as a therapeutic target for CAD.

Modifiable and Non-Modifiable Risk Factors for Premature Coronary Heart Disease (PCHD): Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

AIM

We aimed to compare the prevalence of modifiable and non-modifiable coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors among those with premature CHD and healthy individuals.

METHODS

PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched (review protocol is registered in PROSPERO CRD42020173216). The quality of studies was assessed using the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute tool for cross-sectional, cohort and case-control studies. Meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.3. Effect sizes for categorical and continuous variables, odds ratio (OR) and mean differences (MD)/standardised mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported.

RESULTS

A total of n=208 primary studies were included in this review. Individuals presenting with premature CHD (PCHD, age ≤65 years) had higher mean body mass index (MD 0.54 kg/m2, 95% CI 0.24, 0.83), total cholesterol (SMD 0.27, 95% CI 0.17, 0.38), triglycerides (SMD 0.50, 95% CI 0.41, 0.60) and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (SMD 0.79, 95% CI: -0.91, -0.68) compared with healthy individuals. Individuals presenting with PCHD were more likely to be smokers (OR 2.88, 95% CI 2.51, 3.31), consumed excessive alcohol (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.05, 1.86), had higher mean lipoprotein (a) levels (SMD 0.41, 95% CI 0.28, 0.54), and had a positive family history of CHD (OR 3.65, 95% CI 2.87, 4.66) compared with healthy individuals. Also, they were more likely to be obese (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.32, 1.91), and to have had dyslipidaemia (OR 2.74, 95% CI 2.18, 3.45), hypertension (OR 2.80, 95% CI 2.28, 3.45), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (OR 2.93, 95% CI 2.50, 3.45) compared with healthy individuals.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis confirms current knowledge of risk factors for PCHD, and identifying these early may reduce CHD in young adults.

Unravelling the complexity of lncRNAs in autophagy to improve potential cancer therapy

Autophagy is well-known as an internal catabolic process that is evolutionarily conserved and performs the key biological function in maintaining cellular homeostasis. It is tightly controlled by several autophagy-related (ATG) proteins, which are closely associated with many types of human cancers. However, what has remained controversial is the janus roles of autophagy in cancer progression. Interestingly, the biological function of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in autophagy has been gradually understood in different types of human cancers. More recently, numerous studies have demonstrated that several lncRNAs may regulate some ATG proteins and autophagy-related signaling pathways to either activate or inhibit the autophagic process in cancer. Thus, in this review, we summarize the latest advance in the knowledge of the complicated relationships between lncRNAs and autophagy in cancer. Also, the in-depth dissection of the lncRNAs-autophagy-cancers axis involved in this review would shed new light on discovery of more potential cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the future.

Potential roles of microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs as diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers in coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD), which is mainly caused by atherosclerotic processes in coronary arteries, became a significant health issue. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), have been shown to be stable in plasma and could thereby be adopted as biomarkers for CAD diagnosis and treatment. MiRNAs can regulate CAD development through different pathways and mechanisms, including modulation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) activity, inflammatory responses, myocardial injury, angiogenesis, and leukocyte adhesion. Similarly, previously studies have indicated that the causal effects of lncRNAs in CAD pathogenesis and their utility in CAD diagnosis and treatment, has been found to lead to cell cycle transition, proliferation dysregulation, and migration in favour of CAD development. Differential expression of miRNAs and lncRNAs in CAD patients has been identified and served as diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers for the assessment of CAD patients. Thus, in the current review, we summarize the functions of miRNAs and lncRNAs, which aimed to identify novel targets for the CAD diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

Expression analysis of inflammatory response-associated genes in coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is among prominent causes of death throughout the world. Inflammatory processes participate in the pathogenesis of this disorder.

METHODS

In the current case-control study, we compared expression levels of three inflammation-associated genes namely Antisense noncoding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL), NKILA and IL-1B between CAD patients and matched healthy subjects.

RESULTS

ANRIL, IL-1B and NKILA were significantly down-regulated in CAD patients compared with controls (p values of <.0001, .023 and <.0001, respectively). When evaluating study participants based on their gender, the differences in expression levels of ANRIL and NKILA were significant in both male and female patients compared with the matched controls. However, IL-1B was only down-regulated in female patients compared with female controls.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, our study revealed dysregulation of inflammation-associated genes in the peripheral blood of CAD patients and supported the previously suggested role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of CAD.

The interplay of long noncoding RNA HULC with microRNA-128-3p and their correlations with lipid level, stenosis degree, inflammatory cytokines, and cell adhesion molecules in coronary heart disease patients

BACKGROUND

Long noncoding RNA HULC (lnc-HULC) and its target microRNA-128-3p (miR-128-3p) regulate endothelial cell function, blood lipid level, and inflammatory cytokine production, which are involved in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease (CHD). Based on the above information, this study intended to further investigate the correlation between lnc-HULC and miR-128-3p, as well as their clinical values for CHD management.

METHODS

Totally, 141 CHD patients and 70 controls were enrolled. Lnc-HULC and miR-128-3p in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Serum inflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules were further determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in CHD patients.

RESULTS

Lnc-HULC was upregulated, while miR-128-3p was downregulated in CHD patients than in controls (both P < 0.001). The ROC curve further displayed that lnc-HULC (AUC: 0.906, 95% CI: 0.867-0.945) and miR-128-3p (AUC: 0.814, 95% CI: 0.756-0.873) had the potential of discriminating CHD patients from controls. Regarding the correlation between lnc-HULC and miR-128-3p, lnc-HULC was negatively associated with miR-128-3p in CHD patients (r_s =  - 0.307, P < 0.001), but this association was not observed in controls (r_s =  - 0.155, P = 0.199). Furthermore, it was discovered that upregulated lnc-HULC was associated with elevated blood lipid levels (TG, LDL-C), inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-17A), cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1), and Gensini score (all P < 0.05) in CHD patients. Meanwhile, miR-128-3p was negatively associated with blood lipid level (LDL-C), inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1, ICAM-1), and Gensini score (all P < 0.05) in CHD patients.

CONCLUSION

Lnc-HULC and its target miR-128-3p relate to lipid level, stenosis degree, inflammatory cytokines, and cell adhesion molecules in CHD patients.

Dysregulated Circulating Apoptosis- and Autophagy-Related lncRNAs as Diagnostic Markers in Coronary Artery Disease

Objective

Increasing evidence emphasizes the implications of dysregulated apoptosis and autophagy cellular processes in coronary artery disease (CAD). Herein, we aimed to explore apoptosis- and autophagy-related long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in peripheral blood of CAD patients.

Methods

The mRNA and lncRNA expression profiles were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. With ∣fold change | >1.5 and adjusted p value < 0.05, differentially expressed apoptosis- and autophagy-related mRNAs were screened between CAD and healthy blood samples. Also, differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified for CAD. Using the psych package, apoptosis- and autophagy-related lncRNAs were defined with Spearson's correlation analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were conducted for the assessment of the diagnosed efficacy of these apoptosis- and autophagy-related lncRNAs.

Results

Our results showed that 24 apoptosis- and autophagy-related mRNAs were abnormally expressed in CAD than normal controls. 12 circulating upregulated and 1 downregulated apoptosis- and autophagy-related lncRNAs were identified for CAD. The ROCs confirmed that AC004485.3 (AUC = 0.899), AC004920.3 (AUC = 0.93), AJ006998.2 (AUC = 0.776), H19 (AUC = 0.943), RP5-902P8.10 (AUC = 0.956), RP5-1114G22.2 (AUC = 0.883), RP11-247A12.1 (AUC = 0.885), RP11-288L9.4 (AUC = 0.928), RP11-344B5.2 (AUC = 0.858), RP11-452C8.1 (AUC = 0.929), RP11-565A3.1 (AUC = 0.893), and XXbac-B33L19.4 (AUC = 0.932) exhibited good performance in differentiating CAD from healthy controls.

Conclusion

Collectively, our findings proposed that circulating apoptosis- and autophagy-related lncRNAs could become underlying diagnostic markers for CAD in clinical practice.

Long non-coding RNA DICER1-AS1-low expression in arsenic-treated A549 cells inhibits cell proliferation by regulating the cell cycle pathway

Arsenic, an environmental pollution with diverse toxicities, incurs public health problems. Arsenic trioxide could inhibit cell proliferation in vitro experiments, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully known. LncRNAs are also involved in the arsenic-induced toxicological responses. In our study, we found that the expression of lncRNA DICER1-AS1 was significantly inhibited by sodium arsenite in a dose-dependent manner. DICER1-AS1 silencing decreased the A549 cell proliferation and inhibited cell cycle progression. Importantly, DICER1-AS1 silencing induced upregulation of p21 and downregulation of Cyclin A2, Cyclin E2, CDK1 and PCNA. In conclusion, our study provided a new lncRNA-dictated regulatory mechanism participating in arsenic-induced inhibition of cell proliferation.

The Emerging Role of Long Non-coding RNAs and Circular RNAs in Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common disorder caused by atherosclerotic processes in the coronary arteries. This condition results from abnormal interactions between numerous cell types in the artery walls. The main participating factors in this process are accumulation of lipid deposits, endothelial cell dysfunction, macrophage induction, and changes in smooth muscle cells. Several lines of evidence underscore participation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the pathogenesis of CAD. Several lncRNAs such as H19, ANRIL, MIAT, lnc-DC, IFNG-AS1, and LEF1-AS1 have been shown to be up-regulated in the biological materials obtained from CAD patients. On the other hand, Gas5, Chast, HULC, DICER1-AS1, and MEG3 have been down-regulated in CAD patients. Meanwhile, a number of circRNAs have been demonstrated to influence function of endothelial cells or vascular smooth muscle cells, thus contributing to the pathogenesis of CAD. In the current review, we summarize the function of lncRNAs and circRNAs in the development and progression of CAD.

Autophagy in cardiovascular diseases: role of noncoding RNAs

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the world's leading cause of death. Cardiomyocyte autophagy helps maintain normal metabolism and functioning of the heart. Importantly, mounting evidence has revealed that autophagy plays a dual role in CVD pathology. Under physiological conditions, moderate autophagy maintains cell metabolic balance by degrading and recycling damaged organelles and proteins, and it promotes myocardial survival, but excessive or insufficient autophagy is equally deleterious and contributes to disease progression. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a class of RNAs transcribed from the genome, but most ncRNAs do not code for functional proteins. In recent years, increasingly, various ncRNAs have been identified, and they play important regulatory roles in the physiological and pathological processes of organisms, as well as in autophagy. Thus, determining whether ncRNA-regulated autophagy plays a protective role in CVDs or promotes their progression can help us to develop ncRNAs as therapeutic targets in autophagy-related CVDs. In this review, we briefly summarize the regulatory roles of several important ncRNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), in the autophagy of various CVDs to provide a theoretical basis for the etiology and pathogenesis of CVDs and develop novel therapies to treat CVDs.

Expression of NF-κB associated lncRNAs in schizophrenia

NF-κB signaling pathway has important roles in the regulation of growth and development of nervous system. This pathway has also been shown to participate in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Meanwhile, activity of NF-κB signaling pathway is regulated by several factors including non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). In the current study, we evaluated expression of nine NF-κB-related lncRNAs namely DILC, ANRIL, PACER, CHAST, ADINR, DICER1-AS1, HNF1A-AS1, H19 and NKILA as well as two mRNA coding genes namely ATG5 and CEBPA in the peripheral blood of patients with schizophrenia compared with matched healthy subjects. Expressions of these genes were assessed by real time PCR technique. Expression of PACER was lower in patients with schizophrenia compared with controls (Posterior beta = − 0.684, P value = 0.049). On the other hand, expressions of CHAST, CEBPA, H19, HNF1A-AS1 and DICER1-AS1 were higher in patients compared with controls (Posterior beta = 0.39, P value = 0.005; Posterior beta = 0.844, P value < 0.0001; Posterior beta = 0.467, P value < 0.0001; Posterior beta = 1.107, P value = 0.005; Posterior beta = 0.176, P value = 0.044, respectively). We also appraised the diagnostic power of transcript quantities of CHAST, CEBPA, DICER1-AS1, H19 and HNF1A-AS1 in distinguishing between patients with schizophrenia and controls through depicting ROC curves. Based on the area under curve (AUC) values, CEBPA had the best diagnostic power (AUC = 0.948, P < 0.0001), followed by H19 (AUC = 0.815, P < 0.0001). Taken together, our study demonstrated dysregulation of NF-κB-related lncRNAs and genes in the peripheral blood of patients with schizophrenia and their potential as peripheral markers for this psychiatric condition.