PHACTR1 haplotypes are associated with carotid plaque presence and affect PHACTR1 mRNA expression in carotid plaque tissue

Inhibiting phosphatase and actin regulator 1 expression is neuroprotective in the context of traumatic brain injury

Studies have found that the phosphatase actin regulatory factor 1 expression can be related to stroke, but it remains unclear whether changes in phosphatase actin regulatory factor 1 expression also play a role in traumatic brain injury. In this study we found that, in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury induced by controlled cortical impact, phosphatase actin regulatory factor 1 expression is increased in endothelial cells, neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. When we overexpressed phosphatase actin regulatory factor 1 by injection an adeno-associated virus vector into the contused area in the traumatic brain injury mice, the water content of the brain tissue increased. However, when phosphatase actin regulatory factor 1 was knocked down, the water content decreased. We also found that inhibiting phosphatase actin regulatory factor 1 expression regulated the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway, decreased blood-brain barrier permeability, reduced aquaporin 4 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 expression, inhibited neuroinflammation, and neuronal apoptosis, thereby improving neurological function. The findings from this study indicate that phosphatase actin regulatory factor 1 may be a potential therapeutic target for traumatic brain injury.

Association of PHACTR1 intronic variants with the first myocardial infarction and their effect on PHACTR1 mRNA expression in PBMCs

BACKGROUND

Myocardial infarction (MI) and underlining atherosclerosis are the main causes of death worldwide. Phosphatase and actin regulator 1 (PHACTR1) variants have been associated with early onset MI, coronary artery disease and carotid dissection. PHACTR1 mRNA expression has been detected in tissues and cells related to atherosclerosis. Nonetheless, the true effect of PHACTR1 on vascular diseases is still unknown. Our aim was to examine the association of PHACTR1 intronic variants, rs9349379, rs2026458 and rs2876300, with MI and multi-vessel disease (MVD) and to assess their effect on PHACTR1 and EDN1 mRNA expression in PBMCs of patients six months after MI.

METHODS

The study enrolled 537 patients with the first MI and 310 controls. Gene expression was assessed in 74 patients six months after MI and 37 healthy controls. Rs9349379, rs2026458, rs2876300 and relative mRNA expressions were detected by TaqMan® technology.

RESULTS

The significant association between PHACTR1 variants and MI was not found, either individually or in haplotype. A higher frequency of rs2876300G-allele in MVD was rendered not significant after Bonferroni correction. PHACTR1 mRNA was significantly increased in PBMCs of patients six months after MI compared to controls (p = 0.02). Patients that carry ACG haplotype have increased PHACTR1 mRNA expression in PBMCs (p = 0.04). There was no effect of PHACTR1 variants on EDN1 mRNA expression.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that PHACTR1 intronic variants may have a role in severity and progression of coronary atherosclerosis. Future research is needed to clarify the mechanism underlying the role of PHACTR1 in coronary atherosclerosis and MI.