Genetic variants in Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (CADM1): a validation study of a novel endothelial cell venous thrombosis risk factor

Identification of genes, pathways and transcription factor-miRNA-target gene networks and experimental verification in venous thromboembolism

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a complex, multifactorial life-threatening disease that involves vascular endothelial cell (VEC) dysfunction. However, the exact pathogenesis and underlying mechanisms of VTE are not completely clear. The aim of this study was to identify the core genes and pathways in VECs that are involved in the development and progression of unprovoked VTE (uVTE). The microarray dataset GSE118259 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and 341 up-regulated and 8 down-regulated genes were identified in the VTE patients relative to the healthy controls, including CREB1, HIF1α, CBL, ILK, ESM1 and the ribosomal protein family genes. The protein–protein interaction (PPI) network and the transcription factor (TF)-miRNA-target gene network were constructed with these differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and visualized using Cytoscape software 3.6.1. Eighty-nine miRNAs were predicted as the targeting miRNAs of the DEGs, and 197 TFs were predicted as regulators of these miRNAs. In addition, 237 node genes and 4 modules were identified in the PPI network. The significantly enriched pathways included metabolic, cell adhesion, cell proliferation and cellular response to growth factor stimulus pathways. CREB1 was a differentially expressed TF in the TF-miRNA-target gene network, which regulated six miRNA-target gene pairs. The up-regulation of ESM1, HIF1α and CREB1 was confirmed at the mRNA and protein level in the plasma of uVTE patients. Taken together, ESM1, HIF1α and the CREB1-miRNA-target genes axis play potential mechanistic roles in uVTE development.

miR-486 Promotes the Invasion and Cell Cycle Progression of Ovarian Cancer Cells by Targeting CADM1

Objective

To explore the role and possible underlying mechanism of miR-486 in ovarian cancer (OC) cells.

Methods

The expression of miR-486 and CADM1 was detected by qRT-PCR in OC tissues and adjacent nontumor tissues and OC cell lines. The dual-luciferase reporter gene system was used to determine the targeting relationship between miR-486 and CADM1. CCK-8, colony formation assay, Transwell, and flow cytometry were performed to detect cell proliferation, cell invasion, cell cycle progression, and the apoptotic cell death, respectively. Western blot was carried out to detect the expression of CADM1 protein and the proteins associated with cell cycle progression.

Results

miR-486 was significantly upregulated in OC tissues and cells, while CADM1 expression was significantly downregulated. Dual-luciferase reporter assays further confirmed that CADM1 was a target gene of miR-486. Interference with miR-486 could inhibit the proliferation and invasion and promoted the apoptosis of SKOV3 cells. Knocking down both miR-486 and CADM1 significantly increased the SKOV3 cell proliferation, invasion, and the number of cells transitioning from the G0/G1 phase into the S phase of cell cycle and reduced the cellular apoptosis. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of cell cycle progression-related proteins (CyclinD1, CyclinE, and CDK6) was significantly reduced, and the p21 expression was increased when interfering with both miR-486 and CADM1 expression.

Conclusion

Our results suggested that miR-486 could act as a tumor promoter by targeting CADM1 and be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of OC.

Expression profiles of the internal jugular and saphenous veins: Focus on hemostasis genes

INTRODUCTION

Venous bed specificity could contribute to differential vulnerability to thrombus formation, and is potentially reflected in mRNA profiles.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Microarray-based transcriptome analysis in wall and valve specimens from internal jugular (IJV) and saphenous (SV) veins collected during IJV surgical reconstruction in patients with impaired brain outflow. Multiplex antigenic assay in paired jugular and peripheral plasma samples.

RESULTS

Most of the top differentially expressed transcripts have been previously associated with both vascular and neurological disorders. Large expression differences of HOX genes, organ patterning regulators, pinpointed the vein positional identity. The "complement and coagulation cascade" emerged among enriched pathways. In IJV, upregulation of genes for coagulation inhibitors (TFPI, PROS1), activated protein C pathway receptors (THBD, PROCR), fibrinolysis activators (PLAT, PLAUR), and downregulation of the fibrinolysis inhibitor (SERPINE1) and of contact/amplification pathway genes (F11, F12), would be compatible with a thromboprotective profile in respect to SV. Further, in SV valve the prothrombinase complex genes (F5, F2) were up-regulated and the VWF showed the highest expression. Differential expression of several VWF regulators (ABO, ST3GAL4, SCARA5, CLEC4M) was also observed. Among other differentially expressed hemostasis-related genes, heparanase (HPSE)/heparanase inhibitor (HPSE2) were up-/down-regulated in IJV, which might support procoagulant features and disease conditions. The jugular plasma levels of several proteins, encoded by differentially expressed genes, were lower and highly correlated with peripheral levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The IJV and SV rely on differential expression of many hemostasis and hemostasis-related genes to balance local hemostasis, potentially related to differences in vulnerability to thrombosis.