Genome-wide identification of microRNAs regulating cholesterol and triglyceride homeostasis

Non-Coding RNA Involved in the Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis-A Narrative Review

Atherosclerosis is a highly prevalent condition associated with lipid accumulation in the intima layer of arterial blood vessels. The development of atherosclerotic plaques is associated with the incidence of major cardiovascular events, such as acute coronary syndrome or ischemic stroke. Due to the significant prevalence of atherosclerosis and its subclinical progression, it is associated with severe and potentially lethal complications. The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is complex and not entirely known. The identification of novel non-invasive diagnostic markers and treatment methods that could suppress the progression of this condition is highly required. Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) involves several subclasses of RNA molecules. microRNA (miRNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), and circular RNA (circRNA) differently regulate gene expression. Importantly, these molecules are frequently dysregulated under pathological conditions, which is associated with enhanced or suppressed expression of their target genes. In this review, we aim to discuss the involvement of ncRNA in crucial mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We summarize current evidence on the potential use of these molecules as diagnostic and therapeutic targets.

A roadmap to the molecular human linking multiomics with population traits and diabetes subtypes

In-depth multiomic phenotyping provides molecular insights into complex physiological processes and their pathologies. Here, we report on integrating 18 diverse deep molecular phenotyping (omics-) technologies applied to urine, blood, and saliva samples from 391 participants of the multiethnic diabetes Qatar Metabolomics Study of Diabetes (QMDiab). Using 6,304 quantitative molecular traits with 1,221,345 genetic variants, methylation at 470,837 DNA CpG sites, and gene expression of 57,000 transcripts, we determine (1) within-platform partial correlations, (2) between-platform mutual best correlations, and (3) genome-, epigenome-, transcriptome-, and phenome-wide associations. Combined into a molecular network of > 34,000 statistically significant trait-trait links in biofluids, our study portrays "The Molecular Human". We describe the variances explained by each omics in the phenotypes (age, sex, BMI, and diabetes state), platform complementarity, and the inherent correlation structures of multiomics data. Further, we construct multi-molecular network of diabetes subtypes. Finally, we generated an open-access web interface to "The Molecular Human" ( http://comics.metabolomix.com ), providing interactive data exploration and hypotheses generation possibilities.

SCD2 Regulation Targeted by miR-200c-3p on Lipogenesis Alleviates Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Senescence

The senescence of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) leads to the impairment of stemness and osteogenic differentiation capacity. In a previous study, we screened out stearoyl-CoA desaturase 2 (SCD2), the most evidently changed differential gene in lipid metabolism, using combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, and verified that SCD2 could mitigate MSC senescence. However, the underlying molecular mechanism by which the rate-limiting enzyme of lipogenesis SCD2 manipulates MSC senescence has not been completely understood. In this study, we demonstrate that SCD2 over-expression alleviates MSC replicative senescence and ameliorates their osteogenic differentiation through the regulation of lipogenesis. Furthermore, SCD2 expression is reduced, whereas miR-200c-3p expression is elevated in replicative senescent MSCs. SCD2 is the direct target gene of miR-200c-3p, which can bind to the 3'-UTR of SCD2. MiR-200c-3p replenishment in young MSCs is able to diminish SCD2 expression levels due to epigenetic modulation. In addition, SCD2-rescued MSC senescence and enhanced osteogenic differentiation can be attenuated by miR-200c-3p repletion via suppressing lipogenesis. Taken together, we reveal the potential mechanism of SCD2 influencing MSC senescence from the perspective of lipid metabolism and epigenetics, which provides both an experimental basis for elucidating the mechanism of stem cell senescence and a novel target for delaying stem cell senescence.

Exploring the versatility of miRNA-128: a comprehensive review on its role as a biomarker and therapeutic target in clinical pathways

MicroRNAs (miRNAs/ miRs) are short, noncoding RNAs, usually consisting of 18 to 24 nucleotides, that control gene expression after the process of transcription and have crucial roles in several clinical processes. This article seeks to provide an in-depth review and evaluation of the many activities of miR-128, accentuating its potential as a versatile biomarker and target for therapy; The circulating miR-128 has garnered interest because of its substantial influence on gene regulation and its simplicity in extraction. Several miRNAs, such as miR-128, have been extracted from circulating blood cells, cerebrospinal fluid, and plasma/serum. The miR-128 molecule can specifically target a diverse range of genes, enabling it to have intricate physiological impacts by concurrently regulating many interrelated pathways. It has a vital function in several biological processes, such as modulating the immune system, regulating brain plasticity, organizing the cytoskeleton, and inducing neuronal death. In addition, miR-128 modulates genes associated with cell proliferation, the cell cycle, apoptosis, plasma LDL levels, and gene expression regulation in cardiac development. The dysregulation of miR-128 expression and activity is associated with the development of immunological responses, changes in neural plasticity, programmed cell death, cholesterol metabolism, and heightened vulnerability to autoimmune illnesses, neuroimmune disorders, cancer, and cardiac problems; The paper highlights the importance of studying the consequences of miR-128 dysregulation in these specific locations. By examining the implications of miRNA-128 dysregulation in these areas, the article underscores its significance in diagnosis and treatment, providing a foundation for research and clinical applications.

Specific circulating miRNAs are associated with plasma lipids in a healthy American cohort

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) is both a therapeutic target and a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). MicroRNA (miRNA) has been shown to regulate cholesterol homeostasis, and miRNA in blood circulation has been linked to hypercholesterolemia. However, few studies to date have associated miRNA with phenotypes like LDL-c in a healthy population. To this end, we analyzed circulating miRNA in relation to LDL-c in a healthy cohort of 353 participants using two separate bioinformatic approaches. The first approach found that miR-15b-5p and miR-16-5p were upregulated in individuals with at-risk levels of LDL-c. The second approach identified two miRNA clusters, one that positively and a second that negatively correlated with LDL-c. Included in the cluster that positively correlated with LDL-c were miR-15b-5p and miR-16-5p, as well as other miRNA from the miR-15/107, miR-30, and let-7 families. Cross-species analyses suggested that several miRNAs that associated with LDL-c are conserved between mice and humans. Finally, we examined the influence of diet on circulating miRNA. Our results robustly linked circulating miRNA with LDL-c, suggesting that miRNA could be used as biomarkers for hypercholesterolemia or targets for developing cholesterol-lowering drugs.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study explored the association between circulating microRNA (miRNA) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) in a healthy population of 353 participants. Two miRNAs, miR-15b-5p and miR-16-5p, were upregulated in individuals with at-risk LDL-c levels. Several miRNA clusters were positively and negatively correlated with LDL-c and are known to target mRNA involved in lipid metabolism. The study also investigated the influence of diet on circulating miRNA, suggesting potential biomarkers for hypercholesterolemia.

Biomimetic MicroRNAs-Selenium-Nanocomposites for Targeted and Combined Hyperlipidemia Therapy

Hyperlipidemia is considered as a high-risk factor for leading to coronary heart disease. MicroRNA-148a-3p (miR-148a-3p) inhibitor is a potential therapeutic target to bind low-density lipoprotein cholesterol receptors (LDLR) for decreasing the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma. However, the therapeutic effects are not ideal in the clinical translation of nucleic acids treatment, owing to the short circulation time in vivo. Therefore, a platelet membrane (PM) cloaks Se nanoparticles (SeNPs) delivery system with chitosan (CS) modifies and miR-148a-3p inhibitors encapsulated is designed (PM/CS-SeNPs/miR). The PM/CS-SeNPs/miR shows a uniform shell-core structure with a particle size of ≈90 nm. Co-delivering miR-148a-3p inhibitors and Se effectively alleviate hyperlipidemia via LDLR pathway and Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR-4)/NF-κB signaling pathway, respectively. Furthermore, coated by PM, PM/CS-SeNPs/miR successfully prolong circulation time to 48 h in vivo and quickly target to liver with no toxicity. This dual combination therapy with miRNAs and Se based on nanoparticles targeted delivery presents a high-performance strategy for precise hyperlipidemia treatment.

A novel insight into cancer therapy: Lipid metabolism in tumor-associated macrophages

The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) can limit the effectiveness and often leads to significant side effects of conventional cancer therapies. Consequently, there is a growing interest in identifying novel targets to enhance the efficacy of targeted cancer therapy. More research indicates that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), originating from peripheral blood monocytes generated from bone marrow myeloid progenitor cells, play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and are closely associated with resistance to traditional cancer therapies. Lipid metabolism alterations have been widely recognized as having a significant impact on tumors and their immune microenvironment. Lipids, lipid derivatives, and key substances in their metabolic pathways can influence the carcinogenesis and progression of cancer cells by modulating the phenotype, function, and activity of TAMs. Therefore, this review focuses on the reprogramming of lipid metabolism in cancer cells and their immune microenvironment, in which the TAMs are especially concentrated. Such changes impact TAMs activation and polarization, thereby affecting the tumor cell response to treatment. Furthermore, the article explores the potential of targeting the lipid metabolism of TAMs as a supplementary approach to conventional cancer therapies. It reviews and evaluates current strategies for enhancing efficacy through TAMs' lipid metabolism and proposes new lipid metabolism targets as potential synergistic options for chemo-radiotherapy and immunotherapy. These efforts aim to stimulate further research in this area.

Radical Oxygen Species, Oxidized Low-Density Lipoproteins, and Lectin-like Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor 1: A Vicious Circle in Atherosclerotic Process

Atherosclerosis is a complex condition that involves the accumulation of lipids and subsequent plaque formation in the arterial intima. There are various stimuli, cellular receptors, and pathways involved in this process, but oxidative modifications of low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) are particularly important in the onset and progression of atherosclerosis. Ox-LDLs promote foam-cell formation, activate proinflammatory pathways, and induce smooth-muscle-cell migration, apoptosis, and cell death. One of the major receptors for ox-LDL is LOX-1, which is upregulated in several cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. LOX-1 activation in endothelial cells promotes endothelial dysfunction and induces pro-atherogenic signaling, leading to plaque formation. The binding of ox-LDLs to LOX-1 increases the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can induce LOX-1 expression and oxidize LDLs, contributing to ox-LDL generation and further upregulating LOX-1 expression. This creates a vicious circle that is amplified in pathological conditions characterized by high plasma levels of LDLs. Although LOX-1 has harmful effects, the clinical significance of inhibiting this protein remains unclear. Further studies both in vitro and in vivo are needed to determine whether LOX-1 inhibition could be a potential therapeutic target to counteract the atherosclerotic process.

MicroRNA-126 (MiR-126): key roles in related diseases

In eukaryotes such as humans, some non-coding single-stranded RNAs (ncRNAs) help to regulate the pre- and post-transcriptional expression of certain genes, which in turn control many important physiological processes, such as cell proliferation, distinctions, invasion, angiogenesis, and embryonic development. microRNA-126 is an important member of these miRNAs that can be directly or indirectly involved in the control of angiogenesis. Recently, numerous studies have expounded that microRNA-126 can inhibit or promote angiogenesis as well as attenuate inflammatory responses through complex molecular mechanisms. As such, it serves as a biomarker or potential therapeutic target for the prediction, diagnosis, and treatment of relevant diseases. In this review, we present the advancements in research regarding microRNA-126's role in the diagnosis and treatment of related diseases, aiming to provide innovative therapeutic options for the diagnosis and treatment of clinically relevant diseases.

Exosomes derived from diabetic serum accelerate the progression of osteoarthritis

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been demonstrated to accelerate the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) by largely unknown mechanisms. Studies have shown that DM dysfunctional adipocyte-derived exosomes play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of remote organ functions. The present study aimed to clarify whether and how diabetic adipocyte-derived exosomes mediate the pathological regulation of OA. We found that intraarticular injection of DM serum exosomes in the non-diabetic mice significantly exacerbated OA injury as evidenced by a rough and fractured cartilage surface as well as increased chondrocyte apoptosis, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (△Ψ) and increased expression of cleaved caspase-3. Mechanistic investigation identified that miR-130b-3p was significantly increased in circulating exosomes derived from DM mice and exosomes derived from HG-treated normal adipocytes, and we demonstrated that transfection of miR-130b-3p mimics significantly exacerbated the mitochondrial function of chondrocytes. Our data also indicated that miR-130b-3p impaired the △Ψ, increased cleaved caspase-3 levels, and decreased the expression of 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase α1 (AMPKα1), Silent mating-type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) in chondrocytes. Pharmacologic activation of AMPKα1 using AICAR reversed the △Ψ and catabolic responses in chondrocytes transfected with miR-130b-3p mimics. Moreover, AICAR decreased the effects of miR-130b-3p mimics on chondrocytes transfected with SIRT1-siRNA or PGC-1α-siRNA. The current study demonstrated that adipocyte-derived exosomal miR-130b-3p under DM conditions suppresses mitochondrial function in chondrocytes through targeting the AMPKα1/SIRT1/PGC1-α pathway, thus exacerbating OA injury.

Decoding the secrets of longevity: unraveling nutraceutical and miRNA-Mediated aging pathways and therapeutic strategies

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short RNA molecules that are not involved in coding for proteins. They have a significant function in regulating gene expression after the process of transcription. Their participation in several biological processes has rendered them appealing subjects for investigating age-related disorders. Increasing data indicates that miRNAs can be influenced by dietary variables, such as macronutrients, micronutrients, trace minerals, and nutraceuticals. This review examines the influence of dietary factors and nutraceuticals on the regulation of miRNA in relation to the process of aging. We examine the present comprehension of miRNA disruption in age-related illnesses and emphasize the possibility of dietary manipulation as a means of prevention or treatment. Consolidating animal and human research is essential to validate the significance of dietary miRNA control in living organisms, despite the abundance of information already provided by several studies. This review elucidates the complex interaction among miRNAs, nutrition, and aging, offering valuable insights into promising areas for further research and potential therapies for age-related disorders.

MicroRNAs and Cardiovascular Disease Risk

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

MicroRNAs (miRNAs)-short, non-coding RNAs-play important roles in almost all aspects of cardiovascular biology, and changes in intracellular miRNA expression are indicative of cardiovascular disease development and progression. Extracellular miRNAs, which are easily measured in blood and can be reflective of changes in intracellular miRNA levels, have emerged as potential non-invasive biomarkers for disease. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding miRNAs as biomarkers for assessing cardiovascular disease risk and prognosis.

RECENT FINDINGS

Numerous studies over the last 10-15 years have identified associations between extracellular miRNA profiles and cardiovascular disease, supporting the potential use of extracellular miRNAs as biomarkers for risk stratification. However, clinical application of extracellular miRNA profiles has been hampered by poor reproducibility and inter-study variability that is due largely to methodological differences between studies. While recent studies indicate that circulating extracellular miRNAs are promising biomarkers for cardiovascular disease, evidence for clinical implementation is lacking. This highlights the need for larger, well-designed studies that use standardized methods for sample preparation, miRNA isolation, quantification, and normalization.

MicroRNA-mediated Regulation of LDL Receptor: Biological and Pharmacological Implications

One of the main causes of atherosclerosis is a disruption in cellular cholesterol hemostasis. The low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) is an important factor in maintaining cholesterol homeostasis by the receptor-mediated endocytosis of LDL particles. Defective hepatic LDLR activity and uptake of LDL particles lead to elevated blood levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), which is associated with a higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. LDLR expression can be affected by microRNAs (miRNAs). Some miRNAs, like miR-148a, miR-185, miR-224, miR-520, miR-128-1, miR-27a/b, miR-130b, and miR-301 seem to be important post-transcriptional regulators of LDLR related genes. These findings indicate the critical role of miRNAs in regulating LDL metabolism. The aim of this review was to provide insight into the miRNAs involved in LDLR activity and their potential roles in the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

RNA interference-based therapies for atherosclerosis: Recent advances and future prospects

Atherosclerosis represents a pathological state that affects the arterial system of the organism. This chronic, progressive condition is typified by the accumulation of atheroma within arterial walls. Modulation of RNA molecules through RNA-based therapies has expanded the range of therapeutic options available for neurodegenerative diseases, infectious diseases, cancer, and, more recently, cardiovascular disease (CVD). Presently, microRNAs and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are the most widely employed therapeutic strategies for targeting RNA molecules, and for regulating gene expression and protein production. Nevertheless, for these agents to be developed into effective medications, various obstacles must be overcome, including inadequate binding affinity, instability, challenges of delivering to the tissues, immunogenicity, and off-target toxicity. In this comprehensive review, we discuss in detail the current state of RNA interference (RNAi)-based therapies.

Visceral adipocyte size links obesity with dysmetabolism more than fibrosis, and both can be estimated by circulating miRNAs

OBJECTIVE

In obesity, adipocyte hypertrophy is detrimental to health, but its' interrelation with fibrosis in the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) depot remains unclear. Because VAT is less accessible via biopsy, biomarkers for VAT quality are needed. The authors hypothesized that VAT adipocyte size and fibrosis are interrelated and can be estimated by circulating microRNAs (circ-miRNAs), contributing to subphenotyping obesity.

METHODS

Adipocyte size and AT fibrosis were estimated in n = 43 participants (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 ). Circ-miRNAs were sequenced (Next Generation Sequencing).

RESULTS

Participants with above- versus below-median VAT adipocyte area exhibited metabolic dysfunction but lower total and pericellular fibrosis. VAT adipocyte size remained associated with metabolic dysfunction even when controlling for BMI or VAT fibrosis in the entire cohort, as in matched-pairs subanalyses. Next Generation Sequencing uncovered 22 and 6 circ-miRNAs associated with VAT adipocyte size and fibrosis, respectively, with miRNA-130b-3p common to both analyses. The combination of miRNA-130b-3p + miR-150-5p + high-density lipoprotein cholesterol discriminated among those with large versus small VAT adipocytes (receiver operating characteristic-area under the curve: 0.872 [95% CI: 0.747-0.996]), whereas miRNA-130b-3p + miRNA-15a-5p + high-density lipoprotein cholesterol discriminated among those with low and high fibrosis (receiver operating characteristic-area under the curve: 0.823 [95% CI: 0.676-0.97]).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that VAT adipocyte size and fibrosis are inversely correlated in obesity and can be estimated by distinct circ-miRNAs, providing a potential tool to subphenotype obesity via a liquid biopsy-like approach to assess VAT health in nonsurgical patients.

Role of miR-301b-3p/5p in breast cancer: A study based on the cancer GenomeAtlas program (TCGA) and bioinformatics analysis

Background

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancer type of women in the world. miR-301b-3p/5p were paired miRNAs derived from the same pre-miRNA, which may have different clinical roles in tumor and requires more exploration and research.

Methods

In order to investigate the differential expression, clinical significance, diagnostic and prognostic value of miR-301b-3p/5p and explore their function in breast cancer, we extracted information of miRNAs from TCGA data sets for clinical correlation analysis, and the potential function was explored by GO、KEGG enrichment and immunoinfiltration analysis.

Results

miR-301b-3p/5p were both highly expressed in breast cancer, there is a positive correlation between them. miR-301b-3p and miR-301b-5p have different clinical features. In breast cancer, miR-301b-3p can be used as a potential diagnostic marker while miR-301b-5p can be used as a prognostic molecule. GO, KEGG enrichment and immunoinfiltration analysis reveals that miR-301b-3p focuses on molecular functions, miR-301b-5p focuses on regulation of angiogenesis, and it is correlated with immune cells.

Conclusions

miR-301b-3p and miR-301b-5p are both tumor promoter in breast cancer, miR-301b-3p can be used as a potential diagnostic marker, while miR-301b-5p can be used as a prognostic molecule and an underlying therapy target. Although miR-301b-3p/5p is a pair of miRNAs from two arms of the same pre-miRNA, they may promote the progression of breast cancer together through different pathway.

Lipid metabolism as a target for cancer drug resistance: progress and prospects

Cancer is the world's leading cause of human death today, and the treatment process of cancer is highly complex. Chemotherapy and targeted therapy are commonly used in cancer treatment, and the emergence of drug resistance is a significant problem in cancer treatment. Therefore, the mechanism of drug resistance during cancer treatment has become a hot issue in current research. A series of studies have found that lipid metabolism is closely related to cancer drug resistance. This paper details the changes of lipid metabolism in drug resistance and how lipid metabolism affects drug resistance. More importantly, most studies have reported that combination therapy may lead to changes in lipid-related metabolic pathways, which may reverse the development of cancer drug resistance and enhance or rescue the sensitivity to therapeutic drugs. This paper summarizes the progress of drug design targeting lipid metabolism in improving drug resistance, and providing new ideas and strategies for future tumor treatment. Therefore, this paper reviews the issues of combining medications with lipid metabolism and drug resistance.

Functional significance of cholesterol metabolism in cancer: from threat to treatment

Cholesterol is an essential structural component of membranes that contributes to membrane integrity and fluidity. Cholesterol homeostasis plays a critical role in the maintenance of cellular activities. Recently, increasing evidence has indicated that cholesterol is a major determinant by modulating cell signaling events governing the hallmarks of cancer. Numerous studies have shown the functional significance of cholesterol metabolism in tumorigenesis, cancer progression and metastasis through its regulatory effects on the immune response, ferroptosis, autophagy, cell stemness, and the DNA damage response. Here, we summarize recent literature describing cholesterol metabolism in cancer cells, including the cholesterol metabolism pathways and the mutual regulatory mechanisms involved in cancer progression and cholesterol metabolism. We also discuss various drugs targeting cholesterol metabolism to suggest new strategies for cancer treatment.

miRNA-128 and miRNA-223 regulate cholesterol-mediated drug resistance in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is the second most common malignancy worldwide and 70% of all breast cancer cases are estrogen receptor-positive (ER+). Endocrine therapy, Tamoxifen (TAM), is a popular treatment for ER+ breast cancer patients; however, despite its success in reducing breast cancer mortality, cancer drug resistance remains a significant challenge. A major contributor to this resistance is the dysregulation of cholesterol homeostasis, where breast cancer cells have elevated cholesterol levels. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are master regulators of cholesterol-related and cancer drug resistance pathways, and their aberrant expression often confers resistance. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the roles of miRNA-128 and miRNA-223 in cholesterol-mediated TAM resistance.

METHODS

Three breast cancer cell lines were treated with a combination of 1 μM TAM and 10 μM of a cholesterol depleting agent (Acetyl Plumbagin: AP) following transfection with a miR-128 inhibitor or a miR-223 mimic. Cell viability and cholesterol levels were assessed using an MTT assay and fluorescence staining, respectively. In addition, expression levels of several genes and proteins involved in cancer drug resistance and cholesterol homeostasis were also assessed using RT-qPCR and western blotting.

RESULTS

The combination treatment with altered miRNA expression led to reduced cell viability due to a reduction in free cholesterol and lipid rafts in MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and long-term estrogen-deprived cells (resistant breast cancer cells). Moreover, reduced miR-128 expression was favoured in all breast cancer cell lines as this alteration lowered the expression of genes involved in cholesterol synthesis and transport, drug resistance, and cell signalling.

CONCLUSIONS

Investigating the gene expression profiles in different breast cancer cell lines was important to elucidate further the molecular mechanisms involved in miRNA-regulated cholesterol homeostasis and cancer drug resistance. Therefore, our findings demonstrated that miR-128 and miR-223 could be potential targets in reducing TAM resistance through the depletion of excess cholesterol.

Insight into the Inter-Organ Crosstalk and Prognostic Role of Liver-Derived MicroRNAs in Metabolic Disease Progression

Dysfunctional hepatic metabolism has been linked to numerous diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the most common chronic liver disorder worldwide, which can progress to hepatic fibrosis, and is closely associated with insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, the liver secretes a wide array of metabolites, biomolecules, and microRNAs (miRNAs) and many of these secreted factors exert significant effects on metabolic processes both in the liver and in peripheral tissues. In this review, we summarize the involvement of liver-derived miRNAs in biological processes with an emphasis on delineating the communication between the liver and other tissues associated with metabolic disease progression. Furthermore, the review identifies the primary molecular targets by which miRNAs act. These consolidated findings from numerous studies provide insight into the underlying mechanism of various metabolic disease progression and suggest the possibility of using circulatory miRNAs as prognostic predictors and therapeutic targets for improving clinical intervention strategies.

Lipid metabolism-related miRNAs with potential diagnostic roles in prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer (PCa), the second most prevalent solid tumor among men worldwide, has caused greatly increasing mortality in PCa patients. The effects of lipid metabolism on tumor growth have been explored, but the mechanistic details of the association of lipid metabolism disorders with PCa remain largely elusive.

METHODS

The RNA sequencing data of the GSE45604 and The Cancer Genome Atlas-Prostate Adenocarcinoma (TCGA-PRAD) datasets were extracted from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and UCSC Xena databases, respectively. The Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB) was utilized to identify lipid metabolism-related genes. The limma R package was used to identify differentially expressed lipid metabolism-related genes (DE-LMRGs) and differentially expressed microRNAs (DEMs). Moreover, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) were applied to select signature miRNAs and construct a lipid metabolism-related diagnostic model. The expression levels of selected differentially expressed lipid metabolism-related miRNAs (DE-LMRMs) in PCa and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) specimens were verified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‒PCR). Furthermore, a transcription factor (TF)-miRNA‒mRNA network was constructed. Eventually, Kaplan‒Meier (KM) curves were plotted to illustrate the associations between signature miRNA-related mRNAs and TFs and overall survival (OS) along with biochemical recurrence-free survival (BCR).

RESULTS

Forty-seven LMRMs were screened based on the correlation analysis of 29 DE-LMRGs and 56 DEMs, in which 27 LMRMs were stably expressed in the GSE45604 dataset. Subsequently, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and machine learning methods were employed to develop a lipid metabolism-related diagnostic signature, which may be of diagnostic value for PCa patients. qRT‒PCR results showed that all seven key DE-LMRMs were differentially expressed between PCa and BPH tissues. Eventually, a TF-miRNA‒mRNA network was constructed.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that 7 key diagnostic miRNAs were closely related to PCa pathological processes and provided new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of PCa. Moreover, CLIC6 and SCNN1A linked to miR-200c-3p had good prognostic potential and provided valuable insights into the pathogenesis of PCa.

The diverse roles of macrophages in metabolic inflammation and its resolution

Macrophages are one of the most functionally diverse immune cells, indispensable to maintain tissue integrity and metabolic health. Macrophages perform a myriad of functions ranging from promoting inflammation, through inflammation resolution to restoring and maintaining tissue homeostasis. Metabolic diseases encompass a growing list of diseases which develop from a mix of genetics and environmental cues leading to metabolic dysregulation and subsequent inflammation. In this review, we summarize the contributions of macrophages to four metabolic conditions-insulin resistance and adipose tissue inflammation, atherosclerosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and neurodegeneration. The role of macrophages is complex, yet they hold great promise as potential therapies to address these growing health concerns.

Interplay between microRNAs, Serum Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9), and Lipid Parameters in Patients with Very High Lipoprotein(a) Treated with PCSK9 Inhibitors

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has an important function in the regulation of lipid metabolism. PCSK9 reduces hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptors, thereby increasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. However, its regulation remains to be elucidated, including post-transcriptional regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs). We aimed to explore the interplay between miRNAs, total serum PCSK9, and lipids during treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors. A total of 64 patients with stable coronary artery disease and very high lipoprotein(a) levels and 16 sex- and age-matched control subjects were enrolled. Patients received a PCSK9 inhibitor (evolocumab or alirocumab). Total serum PCSK9 levels were measured by immunoassay. RNA was isolated from plasma using magnetic beads, and expression of selected miRNAs was analyzed by quantitative PCR. Total serum PCSK9 levels were significantly higher in control subjects compared with patients. After 6 months of treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors, total serum PCSK9 levels increased significantly. The expression of miR-191-5p was significantly lower, and the expression of miR-224-5p and miR-483-5p was significantly higher in patients compared with control subjects. Using linear regression, the expression of miR-483-5p significantly predicted the serum PCSK9 level at baseline. After the 6-month period of therapy, the expression of miR-191-5p and miR-483-5p significantly increased. Our results support a role for miR-483-5p in regulating circulating PCSK9 in vivo. The difference in expression of miR-191-5p, miR-224-5p, and miR-337-3p between patients and control subjects suggests their possible role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease.

From 'Omics to Multi-omics Technologies: the Discovery of Novel Causal Mediators

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

'Omics studies provide a comprehensive characterisation of a biological entity, such as the genome, epigenome, transcriptome, proteome, metabolome, or microbiome. This review covers the unique properties of these types of 'omics and their roles as causal mediators in cardiovascular disease. Moreover, applications and challenges of integrating multiple types of 'omics data to increase predictive power, improve causal inference, and elucidate biological mechanisms are discussed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Multi-omics approaches are growing in adoption as they provide orthogonal evidence and overcome the limitations of individual types of 'omics data. Studies with multiple types of 'omics data have improved the diagnosis and prediction of disease states and afforded a deeper understanding of underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, beyond any single type of 'omics data. For instance, disease-associated loci in the genome can be supplemented with other 'omics to prioritise causal genes and understand the function of non-coding variants. Alternatively, techniques, such as Mendelian randomisation, can leverage genetics to provide evidence supporting a causal role for disease-associated molecules, and elucidate their role in disease pathogenesis. As technologies improve, costs for 'omics studies will continue to fall and datasets will become increasingly accessible to researchers. The intrinsically unbiased nature of 'omics data is well-suited to exploratory analyses that discover causal mediators of disease, and multi-omics is an emerging discipline that leverages the strengths of each type of 'omics data to provide insights greater than the sum of its parts.

Circulating miRNAs associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are secreted from cells as either protein-bound or enclosed in extracellular vesicles. Circulating liver-derived miRNAs are modifiable by weight-loss or insulin-sensitizing treatments, indicating that they could be important biomarker candidates for diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis in nonalcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Unfortunately, the noninvasive diagnosis of NASH and fibrosis remains a key challenge, which limits case finding. Current diagnostic guidelines, therefore, recommend liver biopsies, with risks of pain and bleeding for the patient and substantial healthcare costs. Here, we summarize mechanisms of RNA secretion and review circulating RNAs associated with NAFLD and NASH for their biomarker potential. Few circulating miRNAs are consistently associated with NAFLD/NASH: miR-122, miR-21, miR-34a, miR-192, miR-193, and the miR-17-92 miRNA-cluster. The hepatocyte-enriched miRNA-122 is consistently increased in NAFLD and NASH but decreased in liver cirrhosis. Circulating miR-34a, part of an existing diagnostic algorithm for NAFLD, and miR-21 are consistently increased in NAFLD and NASH. MiR-192 appears to be prominently upregulated in NASH compared with NAFDL, whereas miR-193 was reported to distinguish NASH from fibrosis. Various members of miRNA cluster miR-17-92 are reported to be associated with NAFLD and NASH, although with less consistency. Several other circulating miRNAs have been reported to be associated with fatty liver in a few studies, indicating the existence of more circulating miRNAs with relevant as diagnostic markers for NAFLD or NASH. Thus, circulating miRNAs show potential as biomarkers of fatty liver disease, but more information about phenotype specificity and longitudinal regulation is needed.

Circulating thrifty microRNA is related to insulin sensitivity, adiposity, and energy metabolism in adults with overweight and obesity: the POUNDS Lost trial

BACKGROUND

MicroRNA 128-1 (miR-128-1) was recently linked to the evolutionary adaptation to famine and identified as a thrifty microRNA that controls energy expenditure, contributing to obesity and impaired glucose metabolism.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated whether circulating miR-128-1-5p and its temporal changes in response to weight-loss diet interventions were related to regulating insulin resistance, adiposity, and energy expenditure in adults with overweight and obesity. We also examined whether habitual physical activity (PA) and different macronutrient intakes modified associations of changes in miR-128-1-5p with improved metabolic outcomes.

METHODS

This study included 495 adults who consumed weight-loss diets with different macronutrient intakes. Circulating levels of miR-128-1-5p were assessed at baseline and 6 mo after the interventions. Outcome measurements included changes in insulin resistance HOMA-IR, adiposity, and resting energy expenditure.

RESULTS

We observed significant relations between circulating miR-128-1-5p and the positive selection signals at the 2q21.3 locus assessed by the single nucleotide polymorphisms rs1446585 and rs4988235. Higher miR-128-1-5p levels were associated with greater HOMA-IR (β per 1 SD: 0.08 [SE 0.03]; P = 0.009), waist circumference (β, 1.16 [0.55]; P = 0.036), whole-body total % fat mass (β, 0.75 [0.30]; P = 0.013), and REE (β, 23 [11]; P = 0.037). In addition, higher miR-128-1-5p level was related to lower total PA index (β, -0.23 [0.07]; P = 0.001) and interacted with PA (Pinteraction < 0.05) on changes in HOMA-IR and adiposity. We found that greater increases in miR-128-1-5p levels after the interventions were associated with lesser improvements in HOMA-IR and adiposity in participants with no change/decreases in PA. Furthermore, we found that dietary fat (Pinteraction = 0.027) and protein (Pinteraction= 0.055) intakes modified relations between changes in miR-128-1-5p and REE.

CONCLUSIONS

Circulating thrifty miRNA was linked to regulating body fat, insulin resistance, and energy metabolism. Temporal changes in circulating miR-128-1-5p were associated with better weight-loss outcomes during the interventions; habitual PA and dietary macronutrient intake may modify such relations. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00072995.

Cardiac Metabolism and MiRNA Interference

The aberrant increase in cardio-metabolic diseases over the past couple of decades has drawn researchers' attention to explore and unveil the novel mechanisms implicated in cardiometabolic diseases. Recent evidence disclosed that the derangement of cardiac energy substrate metabolism plays a predominant role in the development and progression of chronic cardiometabolic diseases. Hence, in-depth comprehension of the novel molecular mechanisms behind impaired cardiac metabolism-mediated diseases is crucial to expand treatment strategies. The complex and dynamic pathways of cardiac metabolism are systematically controlled by the novel executor, microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs regulate target gene expression by either mRNA degradation or translational repression through base pairing between miRNA and the target transcript, precisely at the 3' seed sequence and conserved heptametrical sequence in the 5' end, respectively. Multiple miRNAs are involved throughout every cardiac energy substrate metabolism and play a differential role based on the variety of target transcripts. Novel theoretical strategies have even entered the clinical phase for treating cardiometabolic diseases, but experimental evidence remains inadequate. In this review, we identify the potent miRNAs, their direct target transcripts, and discuss the remodeling of cardiac metabolism to cast light on further clinical studies and further the expansion of novel therapeutic strategies. This review is categorized into four sections which encompass (i) a review of the fundamental mechanism of cardiac metabolism, (ii) a divulgence of the regulatory role of specific miRNAs on cardiac metabolic pathways, (iii) an understanding of the association between miRNA and impaired cardiac metabolism, and (iv) summary of available miRNA targeting therapeutic approaches.

Epigenetics and Gut Microbiota Crosstalk: A potential Factor in Pathogenesis of Cardiovascular Disorders

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality, morbidity, and "sudden death" globally. Environmental and lifestyle factors play important roles in CVD susceptibility, but the link between environmental factors and genetics is not fully established. Epigenetic influence during CVDs is becoming more evident as its direct involvement has been reported. The discovery of epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone modification, suggested that external factors could alter gene expression to modulate human health. These external factors also influence our gut microbiota (GM), which participates in multiple metabolic processes in our body. Evidence suggests a high association of GM with CVDs. Although the exact mechanism remains unclear, the influence of GM over the epigenetic mechanisms could be one potential pathway in CVD etiology. Both epigenetics and GM are dynamic processes and vary with age and environment. Changes in the composition of GM have been found to underlie the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases via modulating epigenetic changes in the form of DNA methylation, histone modifications, and regulation of non-coding RNAs. Several metabolites produced by the GM, including short-chain fatty acids, folates, biotin, and trimethylamine-N-oxide, have the potential to regulate epigenetics, apart from playing a vital role in normal physiological processes. The role of GM and epigenetics in CVDs are promising areas of research, and important insights in the field of early diagnosis and therapeutic approaches might appear soon.

Association of KATP variants with CMD and RAP in CAD patients with increased serum lipoprotein(a) levels

CONTEXT

Refractory angina pectoris (RAP) is a specific subtype of coronary artery disease (CAD). Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and its induced coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) play an important role in pathogenesis of RAP, but its metabolism was mostly genetically determined. ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) is involved in lipid metabolism and microvascular homeostasis, and becomes a promising target for the management of Lp(a) and its related RAP.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate associations of KATP variants with hyperlipoprotein(a)emia, CMD and RAP in CAD patients.

DESIGN, PATIENTS, SETTINGS

A total of 1,148 newly diagnosed CAD patients were prospectively selected, and divided into control [Lp(a) < 180 mg/dL] and case [Lp(a) ≥ 180 mg/dL, hyperlipoprotein(a)emia] group.

METHODS

9 KATP variants were genotyped by MassARRAY system. The expression profile of exosome-derived microRNAs (exo-miRs) was identified by next-generation sequencing, and the expression levels of differentially expressed exo-miRs were evaluated by qRT-PCR in verification cohort.

RESULTS

Three KATP variants were associated with increased risk of hyperlipoprotein(a)emia in CAD patients as follows: rs2285676 (AA + GA genotype, adjusted OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.10-1.88, P = 0.008), rs1799858 (CC genotype, adjusted OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.03-1.73, P = 0.030), and rs141294036 (CC genotype, adjusted OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.10-1.87, P = 0.008). Only rs141294036 was associated with increased risk of CMD (CC genotype, adjusted OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.23-2.13, P = 0.001), and further with increased RAP risk (CC genotype, adjusted HR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.22-3.43, P = 0.007) after median follow-up of 50.6-months. Between the two genotypes of rs141294036, 152 exo-miRs were significantly differentially expressed, only 10 exo-miRs (miR-7110-3p, miR-548az-5p, miR-214-3p, let-7i-5p, miR-218-5p, miR-128-3p, miR-378i, miR-625-3p, miR-128-1-5p and miR-3187-3p) were further confirmed in RAP patients with hyperlipoprotein(a)emia and CMD.

CONCLUSION

KATP rs141294036 may serve a potential genetic marker for hyperlipoprotein(a)emia, CMD and RAP in CAD patients.

Systematic characterization of seed overlap microRNA cotargeting associated with lupus pathogenesis

BACKGROUND

Combinatorial gene regulation by multiple microRNAs (miRNAs) is widespread and closely spaced target sites often act cooperatively to achieve stronger repression ("neighborhood" miRNA cotargeting). While miRNA cotarget sites are suggested to be more conserved and implicated in developmental control, the pathological significance of miRNA cotargeting remains elusive.

RESULTS

Here, we report the pathogenic impacts of combinatorial miRNA regulation on inflammation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In the SLE mouse model, we identified the downregulation of two miRNAs, miR-128 and miR-148a, by TLR7 stimulation in plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Functional analyses using human cell lines demonstrated that miR-128 and miR-148a additively target KLF4 via extensively overlapping target sites ("seed overlap" miRNA cotargeting) and suppress the inflammatory responses. At the transcriptome level, "seed overlap" miRNA cotargeting increases susceptibility to downregulation by two miRNAs, consistent with additive but not cooperative recruitment of two miRNAs. Systematic characterization further revealed that extensive "seed overlap" is a prevalent feature among broadly conserved miRNAs. Highly conserved target sites of broadly conserved miRNAs are largely divided into two classes-those conserved among eutherian mammals and from human to Coelacanth, and the latter, including KLF4-cotargeting sites, has a stronger association with both "seed overlap" and "neighborhood" miRNA cotargeting. Furthermore, a deeply conserved miRNA target class has a higher probability of haplo-insufficient genes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study collectively suggests the complexity of distinct modes of miRNA cotargeting and the importance of their perturbations in human diseases.

miR-130b/301b Is a Negative Regulator of Beige Adipogenesis and Energy Metabolism In Vitro and In Vivo

Thermogenic brown or beige adipocytes dissipate energy in the form of heat and thereby counteract obesity and related metabolic complications. The miRNA cluster miR-130b/301b is highly expressed in adipose tissues and has been implicated in metabolic diseases as a posttranscriptional regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and lipid metabolism. We investigated the roles of miR-130b/301b in regulating beige adipogenesis in vivo and in vitro. miR-130b/301b declined in adipose progenitor cells during beige adipogenesis, while forced overexpression of miR-130b-3p or miR-301b-3p suppressed uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and mitochondrial respiration, suggesting that a decline in miR-130b-3p or miR-301b-3p is required for adipocyte precursors to develop the beige phenotype. Mechanistically, miR-130b/301b directly targeted AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPKα1) and suppressed peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (Pgc-1α), key regulators of brown adipogenesis and mitochondrial biogenesis. Mice lacking the miR-130b/301b miRNA cluster showed reduced visceral adiposity and less weight gain. miR-130b/301b null mice exhibited improved glucose tolerance, increased UCP1 and AMPK activation in subcutaneous fat (inguinal white adipose tissue [iWAT]), and increased response to cold-induced energy expenditure. Together, these data identify the miR-130b/301b cluster as a new regulator that suppresses beige adipogenesis involving PGC-1α and AMPK signaling in iWAT and is therefore a potential therapeutic target against obesity and related metabolic disorders.

MicroRNA-mediated regulation of lipid metabolism in virus-infected Emiliania huxleyi

The interactions between Emiliania huxleyi and E. huxleyi virus (EhV) regulate marine carbon and sulfur biogeochemical cycles and play a prominent role in global climate change. As a large DNA virus, EhV has developed a novel "virocell metabolism" model to meet its high metabolic needs. Although it has been widely demonstrated that EhV infection can profoundly rewire lipid metabolism, the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms of lipid metabolism are still obscure. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can regulate biological pathways by targeting hub genes in the metabolic processes. In this study, the transcriptome, lipidome, and miRNAome were applied to investigate the epigenetic regulation of lipid metabolism in E. huxleyi cells during a detailed time course of viral infection. Combined transcriptomic, lipidomic, and physiological experiments revealed reprogrammed lipid metabolism, along with mitochondrial dysfunction and calcium influx through the cell membrane. A total of 69 host miRNAs (including 1 known miRNA) and 7 viral miRNAs were identified, 27 of which were differentially expressed. Bioinformatic prediction revealed that miRNAs involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism and a dual-luciferase reporter assay suggested that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) gene might be a target of ehx-miR5. Further qPCR and western blot analysis showed a significant negative correlation between the expression of ehx-miR5 and its target gene PI3K, along with the lower activity of its downstream components (p-Akt, p-TOR, SREBP), indicating that lipid metabolism might be regulated by ehx-miR5 through the PI3K-Akt-TOR signaling pathway. Our findings reveal several novel mechanisms of viral strategies to manipulate host lipid metabolism and provide evidence that ehx-miR5 negatively modulates the expression of PI3K and disturbs lipid metabolism in the interactions between E. huxleyi and EhV.

Deciphering the Key Regulatory Roles of KLF6 and Bta-miR-148a on Milk Fat Metabolism in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that regulate the expression of their target genes involved in many cellular functions at the post-transcriptional level. Previously, bta-miR-148a showed significantly high expression in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) of Chinese Holstein cows producing high milk fat compared to those with low milk fat content. Here, we investigated the role of bta-miR-148a through targeting Krüppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) and further analyzed the role of KLF6 in regulating fat metabolism through targeting PPARA, AMPK/mTOR/PPARG, and other fat marker genes in BMECs of Chinese Holstein. The bioinformatics analysis showed that the 3’ UTR of KLF6 mRNA possesses the binding sites for bta-miR-148a, which was further verified through dual-luciferase reporter assay. The BMECs were transfected with bta-miR-148a-mimic, inhibitor, and shNC, and the expression of KLF6 was found to be negatively regulated by bta-miR-148a. Moreover, the contents of triglyceride (TG), and cholesterol (CHO) in BMECs transfected with bta-miR-148a-mimic were significantly lower than the contents in BMECs transfected with bta-miR-148a-shNC. Meanwhile, the TG and CHO contents were significantly increased in BMECs transfected with bta-miR-148a-inhibitor than in BMECs transfected with bta-miR-148a-shNC. In addition, the TG and CHO contents were significantly decreased in BMECs upon the down-regulation of KLF6 through transfection with pb7sk-KLF6-siRNA1 compared to the control group. Contrarily, when KLF6 was overexpressed in BMECs through transfection with pBI-CMV3-KLF6, the TG and CHO contents were significantly increased compared to the control group. Whereas, the qPCR and Western blot evaluation of PPARA, AMPK/mTOR/PPARG, and other fat marker genes revealed that all of the genes were considerably down-regulated in the KLF6-KO-BMECs compared to the normal BMECs. Taking advantage of deploying new molecular markers and regulators for increasing the production of better-quality milk with tailored fat contents would be the hallmark in dairy sector. Hence, bta-miR-148a and KLF6 are potential candidates for increased milk synthesis and the production of valuable milk components in dairy cattle through marker-assisted selection in molecular breeding. Furthermore, this study hints at the extrapolation of a myriad of functions of other KLF family members in milk fat synthesis.

Milk Exosomal microRNAs: Postnatal Promoters of β Cell Proliferation but Potential Inducers of β Cell De-Differentiation in Adult Life

Pancreatic β cell expansion and functional maturation during the birth-to-weaning period is driven by epigenetic programs primarily triggered by growth factors, hormones, and nutrients provided by human milk. As shown recently, exosomes derived from various origins interact with β cells. This review elucidates the potential role of milk-derived exosomes (MEX) and their microRNAs (miRs) on pancreatic β cell programming during the postnatal period of lactation as well as during continuous cow milk exposure of adult humans to bovine MEX. Mechanistic evidence suggests that MEX miRs stimulate mTORC1/c-MYC-dependent postnatal β cell proliferation and glycolysis, but attenuate β cell differentiation, mitochondrial function, and insulin synthesis and secretion. MEX miR content is negatively affected by maternal obesity, gestational diabetes, psychological stress, caesarean delivery, and is completely absent in infant formula. Weaning-related disappearance of MEX miRs may be the critical event switching β cells from proliferation to TGF-β/AMPK-mediated cell differentiation, whereas continued exposure of adult humans to bovine MEX miRs via intake of pasteurized cow milk may reverse β cell differentiation, promoting β cell de-differentiation. Whereas MEX miR signaling supports postnatal β cell proliferation (diabetes prevention), persistent bovine MEX exposure after the lactation period may de-differentiate β cells back to the postnatal phenotype (diabetes induction).

Antagonism of miR-148a attenuates atherosclerosis progression in APOBTGApobec-/-Ldlr+/- mice: A brief report

OBJECTIVE

miR-148a-3p (miR-148a) is a hepatic and immune-enriched microRNA (miRNA) that regulates macrophage-related lipoprotein metabolism, cholesterol homeostasis, and inflammation. The contribution of miR-148a-3p to the progression of atherosclerosis is unknown. In this study, we determined whether miR-148a silencing mitigated atherogenesis in APOBTGApobec-/-Ldlr+/- mice.

METHODS

APOBTGApobec-/-Ldlr+/- mice were fed a typical Western-style diet for 22 weeks and injected with a nontargeting locked nucleic acid (LNA; LNA control) or miR-148a LNA (LNA 148a) for the last 10 weeks. At the end of the treatment, the mice were sacrificed, and circulating lipids, hepatic gene expression, and atherosclerotic lesions were analyzed.

RESULTS

Examination of atherosclerotic lesions revealed a significant reduction in plaque size, with marked remodeling of the lesions toward a more stable phenotype. Mechanistically, miR-148a levels influenced macrophage cholesterol efflux and the inflammatory response. Suppression of miR-148a in murine primary macrophages decreased mRNA levels of proinflammatory M1-like markers (Nos2, Il6, Cox2, and Tnf) and increased the expression of anti-inflammatory genes (Arg1, Retlna, and Mrc1).

CONCLUSIONS

Therapeutic silencing of miR148a mitigated the progression of atherosclerosis and promoted plaque stability. The antiatherogenic effect of miR-148a antisense therapy is likely mediated by the anti-inflammatory effects observed in macrophages treated with miR-148 LNA and independent of significant changes in circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).

Genome-wide association study identified genes associated with ammonia nitrogen tolerance in Litopenaeus vannamei

Ammonia nitrogen tolerance is an economically important trait of the farmed penaeid shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. To identify the genes associated with ammonia nitrogen tolerance, we performed an extreme phenotype genome-wide association study method (XP-GWAS) on a population of 200 individuals. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping array method was used to construct the libraries and 36,048 SNPs were genotyped. Using the MLM, FarmCPU and Blink models, six different SNPs, located on SEQ3, SEQ4, SEQ5, SEQ7 and SEQ8, were determined to be significantly associated with ammonia nitrogen tolerance. By integrating the results of the GWAS and the biological functions of the genes, seven candidate genes (PDI, OZF, UPF2, VPS16, TMEM19, MYCBP2, and HOX7) were found to be associated with ammonia nitrogen tolerance in L. vannamei. These genes are involved in cell transcription, cell division, metabolism, and immunity, providing the basis for further study of the genetic mechanisms of ammonia nitrogen tolerance in L. vannamei. Further candidate gene association analysis in the offspring population revealed that the SNPs in the genes zinc finger protein OZF-like (OZF) and homeobox protein Hox-B7-like (HOX7) were significantly associated with ammonia nitrogen tolerance trait of L. vannamei. Our results provide fundamental genetic information that will be useful for further investigation of the molecular mechanisms of ammonia nitrogen tolerance. These associated SNPs may also be promising candidates for improving ammonia nitrogen tolerance in L. vannamei.

The Compatibility of Alisma and Atractylodes Affects the Biological Behaviours of VSMCs by Inhibiting the miR-128-5p/p21 Gene

Objective

The compatibility of Alisma and Atractylodes (AA) has been estimated to exhibit antiatherosclerotic effects, but the mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the role of AA in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) behaviours and to explore the effects of microRNAs (miRNAs).

Methods

A scratch wound-healing assay was used to detect the migration of VSMCs, and immunocytochemistry and western blotting for SM22ɑ were used to evaluate phenotypic transformation. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry were applied to detect the proliferation of VSMCs. miRNA microarray profiling was performed using Lianchuan biological small RNA sequencing analysis. VSMCs were transfected with the miR-128-5p mimic and inhibitor, and the migration, phenotypic modulation, and proliferation of VSMCs were investigated. The 3'UTR-binding sequence site of miR-128-5p on the p21 gene was predicted and assessed by luciferase assays.

Result

AA and the extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) blocker U0126 markedly inhibited migration, elevated smooth muscle 22α (SM22α) expression, repressed VSMC proliferation, elevated miR-466f-3p and miR-425-3p expression, and suppressed miR-27a-5p and miR-128-5p expression in ox-LDL-induced VSMCs. miR-128-5p targets the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), silent information regulator 2 (SIRT2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), and p21 genes, which are linked to the behaviours of VSMCs. The miR-128-5p mimic promoted the migration and proliferation of VSMCs and suppressed p21, p27, and SM22ɑ expression. The inhibitor increased p21, p27, and SM22ɑ expression and repressed the migration, phenotypic transformation, and proliferation of VSMCs. miR-128-5p directly targeted the 3'UTR-binding sequences of the p21 gene, negatively regulated p21 expression, and supported the proliferation of VSMCs.

Conclusion

Our research showed that the migration, phenotypic transformation, and proliferation of ox-LDL-induced VSMCs were repressed by AA through inhibiting miR-128-5p by targeting the p21 gene, which may provide an effective option for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Trends in insulin resistance: insights into mechanisms and therapeutic strategy

The centenary of insulin discovery represents an important opportunity to transform diabetes from a fatal diagnosis into a medically manageable chronic condition. Insulin is a key peptide hormone and mediates the systemic glucose metabolism in different tissues. Insulin resistance (IR) is a disordered biological response for insulin stimulation through the disruption of different molecular pathways in target tissues. Acquired conditions and genetic factors have been implicated in IR. Recent genetic and biochemical studies suggest that the dysregulated metabolic mediators released by adipose tissue including adipokines, cytokines, chemokines, excess lipids and toxic lipid metabolites promote IR in other tissues. IR is associated with several groups of abnormal syndromes that include obesity, diabetes, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), cardiovascular disease, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and other abnormalities. Although no medication is specifically approved to treat IR, we summarized the lifestyle changes and pharmacological medications that have been used as efficient intervention to improve insulin sensitivity. Ultimately, the systematic discussion of complex mechanism will help to identify potential new targets and treat the closely associated metabolic syndrome of IR.

miR-223 Exerts Translational Control of Proatherogenic Genes in Macrophages

A significant burden of atherosclerotic disease is driven by inflammation. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as important factors driving and protecting from atherosclerosis. miR-223 regulates cholesterol metabolism and inflammation via targeting both cholesterol biosynthesis pathway and NF_kB signaling pathways; however, its role in atherosclerosis has not been investigated. We hypothesize that miR-223 globally regulates core inflammatory pathways in macrophages in response to inflammatory and atherogenic stimuli thus limiting the progression of atherosclerosis.

Key regulatory miRNAs in lipid homeostasis: implications for cardiometabolic diseases and development of novel therapeutics

Dysregulation of lipid metabolism is associated with cardiovascular/metabolic diseases, including atherosclerosis, liver diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Several miRNAs have been reported as regulators of different stages of lipid homeostasis, including cholesterol/fatty acid biosynthesis, degradation, transport, storage, and low-density (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) formation. Indeed, various miRNAs are emerging as attractive therapeutic candidates for metabolic/cardiovascular disease (CVD). Here, we summarize the roles of miR-19b, miR-20a, miR-21, miR-27, miR-29, miR-34a, miR-144, miR-148a, and miR-199a in post-transcriptional regulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism and their therapeutic potential. We also discuss experimental strategies for further development of these miRNAs as novel cardiometabolic therapeutics. Teaser: miRNAs have emerged as crucial regulators of lipid homeostasis. Here, we highlight key miRNAs that regulate lipid metabolism and their therapeutic potential in cardiometabolic disease states.

Cellular and Molecular Aspects of Managing Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Recent and Emerging Therapeutic Approaches

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) as a high-frequency genetic disorder is diagnosed based on family and/or patient's history of coronary heart disease (CHD) or some other atherosclerotic disease, LDL-C levels and/or clinical signs such as tendonous xantomata, arcus cornealis before age 45 years as well as functional mutation in the LDLR, apoB or PCSK9 gene. Its clinical features are detectable since early childhood. Early diagnosis and timely treatment increase life expectancy in most patients with FH. Current FH therapies decrease the level of low-density lipoprotein up to ≥50% from baseline with diet, pharmacotherapeutic treatment, lipid apheresis, and liver transplantation. The cornerstone of medical therapy is the use of more potent statins in higher doses, to which often ezetimibe has to be added, but some FH patients do not achieve the target LDL-C with this therapy Therefore, besides these and the most recent but already established therapeutic approaches including PCSK9 inhibitors, inclisiran, and bempedoic acid, new therapies are on the horizon such as gene therapy, CRISPR/Cas9 strategy etc. This paper focuses on cellular and molecular potential strategies for the treatment of FH.

Pathogenic role of microRNAs in atherosclerotic ischemic stroke: Implications for diagnosis and therapy

Ischemic stroke resulting from atherosclerosis (particularly in the carotid artery) is one of the major subtypes of stroke and has a high incidence of death. Disordered lipid homeostasis, lipid deposition, local macrophage infiltration, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and plaque rupture are the main pathological processes of atherosclerotic ischemic stroke. Hepatocytes, macrophages, endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells are the main cell types participating in these processes. By inhibiting the expression of the target genes in these cells, microRNAs play a key role in regulating lipid disorders and atherosclerotic ischemic stroke. In this article, we listed the microRNAs implicated in the pathology of atherosclerotic ischemic stroke and aimed to explain their pro- or antiatherosclerotic roles. Our article provides an update on the potential diagnostic use of miRNAs for detecting growing plaques and impending clinical events. Finally, we provide a perspective on the therapeutic use of local microRNA delivery and discuss the challenges for this potential therapy.

Novel MicroRNA-Regulated Transcript Networks Are Associated with Chemotherapy Response in Ovarian Cancer

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is a highly lethal gynecologic cancer, in part due to resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy reported among 20% of patients. This study aims to generate novel hypotheses of the biological mechanisms underlying chemotherapy resistance, which remain poorly understood. Differential expression analyses of mRNA- and microRNA-sequencing data from HGSOC patients of The Cancer Genome Atlas identified 21 microRNAs associated with angiogenesis and 196 mRNAs enriched for adaptive immunity and translation. Coexpression network analysis identified three microRNA networks associated with chemotherapy response enriched for lipoprotein transport and oncogenic pathways, as well as two mRNA networks enriched for ubiquitination and lipid metabolism. These network modules were replicated in two independent ovarian cancer cohorts. Moreover, integrative analyses of the mRNA/microRNA sequencing and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) revealed potential regulation of significant mRNA transcripts by microRNAs and SNPs (expression quantitative trait loci). Thus, we report novel transcriptional networks and biological pathways associated with resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy in HGSOC patients. These results expand our understanding of the effector networks and regulators of chemotherapy response, which will help to improve the management of ovarian cancer.

The Role of Mitochondrial miRNAs in the Development of Radon-Induced Lung Cancer

MicroRNAs are short, non-coding RNA molecules regulating gene expression by inhibiting the translation of messenger RNA (mRNA) or leading to degradation. The miRNAs are encoded in the nuclear genome and exported to the cytosol. However, miRNAs have been found in mitochondria and are probably derived from mitochondrial DNA. These miRNAs are able to directly regulate mitochondrial genes and mitochondrial activity. Mitochondrial dysfunction is the cause of many diseases, including cancer. In this review, we consider the role of mitochondrial miRNAs in the pathogenesis of lung cancer with particular reference to radon exposure.

Dissecting miRNA–Gene Networks to Map Clinical Utility Roads of Pharmacogenomics-Guided Therapeutic Decisions in Cardiovascular Precision Medicine

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) create systems networks and gene-expression circuits through molecular signaling and cell interactions that contribute to health imbalance and the emergence of cardiovascular disorders (CVDs). Because the clinical phenotypes of CVD patients present a diversity in their pathophysiology and heterogeneity at the molecular level, it is essential to establish genomic signatures to delineate multifactorial correlations, and to unveil the variability seen in therapeutic intervention outcomes. The clinically validated miRNA biomarkers, along with the relevant SNPs identified, have to be suitably implemented in the clinical setting in order to enhance patient stratification capacity, to contribute to a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, to guide the selection of innovative therapeutic schemes, and to identify innovative drugs and delivery systems. In this article, the miRNA–gene networks and the genomic signatures resulting from the SNPs will be analyzed as a method of highlighting specific gene-signaling circuits as sources of molecular knowledge which is relevant to CVDs. In concordance with this concept, and as a case study, the design of the clinical trial GESS (NCT03150680) is referenced. The latter is presented in a manner to provide a direction for the improvement of the implementation of pharmacogenomics and precision cardiovascular medicine trials.

A Bayesian hierarchically structured prior for gene-based association testing with multiple traits in genome-wide association studies

Although genome-wide association studies (GWAS) often collect data on multiple correlated traits for complex diseases, conventional gene-based analysis is usually univariate, and therefore, treating traits as uncorrelated. Multivariate analysis of multiple correlated traits can potentially increase the power to detect genes that affect some or all of these traits. In this study, we propose the multivariate hierarchically structured variable selection (HSVS-M) model, a flexible Bayesian model that tests the association of a gene with multiple correlated traits. With only summary statistics, HSVS-M can account for the correlations among genetic variants and among traits simultaneously and can also estimate the various directions and magnitudes of associations between a gene and multiple traits. Simulation studies show that HSVS-M substantially outperforms competing methods in various scenarios, particularly when variants in a gene are associated with a trait in similar directions and magnitudes. We applied HSVS-M to the summary statistics of a meta-analysis GWAS on four lipid traits from the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium and identified 15 genes that have also been confirmed as risk factors in previous studies.

Contributions of microRNAs to Peripheral Insulin Sensitivity

An extensive literature base combined with advances in sequencing technologies demonstrate microRNA levels correlate with various metabolic diseases. Mechanistic studies also establish microRNAs regulate central metabolic pathways and thus play vital roles in maintaining organismal energy balance and metabolic homeostasis. This review highlights research progress on the roles and regulation of microRNAs in the peripheral tissues that confer insulin sensitivity. We discuss sequencing technologies used to comprehensively define the target spectrum of microRNAs in metabolic disease that complement studies reporting physiologic roles for microRNAs in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism in animal models. We also discuss the emerging roles of exosomal microRNAs as endocrine signals to regulate lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Is Associated with Altered Abundance of Exosomal MicroRNAs in Human Milk

PURPOSE

Human milk (HM) is a unique biological fluid that is enriched with a variety of factors, including microRNAs (miRNAs) that potentially provide both short- and long-term benefits to the infants. miRNAs are packaged within exosomes, making them bioavailable to infants. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) may affect the abundance of exosomal miRNAs in HM, providing a mechanism for growth and adiposity variation in infants of mothers with GDM in early life. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to examine the impact of GDM on select miRNAs (miRNA-148a, miRNA-30b, miRNA-let-7a, and miRNA-let-7d) involved in metabolism and to examine the association of these miRNAs with measures of infant body composition in the first 6 months of life.

METHODS

Milk samples were collected from a cohort of 94 mothers (62 mothers without GDM and 32 mothers with GDM) matched on body mass index strata at 1 month post partum. miRNA abundance was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Linear regression models were used to examine potential differences in miRNA abundance in women with and without GDM, testing associations between miRNA abundance and infant growth and body composition measures from 1 to 6 months.

FINDINGS

The abundances of miRNA-148a, miRNA-30b, miRNA-let-7a, and miRNA-let-7d were reduced in milk from mothers with GDM. Independent of GDM status, higher maternal diet quality was associated with increased abundance of each of the measured miRNAs. miRNA-148a was negatively associated with infant weight, percentage of body fat, and fat mass, whereas miRNA-30b was positively associated with infant weight and fat mass at 1 month of age. There was no association of milk miRNA-148a and miRNA-30b with infant weight at 1 month of age or with body composition measures at 3 months of age; however, miRNA-148a was negatively associated with infant weight at 6 months of age.

IMPLICATIONS

If supported by randomized dietary supplementation or other intervention trials, HM miRNAs may be a therapeutic target to mitigate risk of metabolic outcomes in offspring of women with GDM.

Selective Isolation of Liver-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Redefines Performance of miRNA Biomarkers for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease. Definitive diagnosis of the progressive form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), requires liver biopsy, which is highly invasive and unsuited to early disease or tracking changes. Inadequate performance of current minimally invasive tools is a critical barrier to managing NAFLD burden. Altered circulating miRNA profiles show potential for minimally invasive tracking of NAFLD. The selective isolation of the circulating extracellular vesicle subset that originates from hepatocytes presents an important opportunity for improving the performance of miRNA biomarkers of liver disease. The expressions of miR-122, -192, and -128-3p were quantified in total cell-free RNA, global EVs, and liver-specific EVs from control, NAFL, and NASH subjects. In ASGR1+ EVs, each miR biomarker trended positively with disease severity and expression was significantly higher in NASH subjects compared with controls. The c-statistic defining the performance of ASGR1+ EV derived miRNAs was invariably >0.78. This trend was not observed in the alternative sources. This study demonstrates the capacity for liver-specific isolation to transform the performance of EV-derived miRNA biomarkers for NAFLD, robustly distinguishing patients with NAFL and NASH.