A long noncoding RNA CHAIR protects the heart from pathological stress

Long non-coding RNAs in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure: functions, mechanisms and clinical prospects

The surge in reports describing non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) has focused attention on their possible biological roles and effects on development and disease. ncRNAs have been touted as previously uncharacterized regulators of gene expression and cellular processes, possibly working to fine-tune these functions. The sheer number of ncRNAs identified has outpaced the capacity to characterize each molecule thoroughly and to reliably establish its clinical relevance; it has, nonetheless, created excitement about their potential as molecular targets for novel therapeutic approaches to treat human disease. In this Review, we focus on one category of ncRNAs - long non-coding RNAs - and their expression, functions and molecular mechanisms in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. We further discuss the prospects for this specific class of ncRNAs as novel targets for the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.

The Current Therapeutic Role of Chromatin Remodeling for the Prognosis and Treatment of Heart Failure

Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of death globally, with no cure to date. Many interventions have been studied and suggested, of which epigenetics and chromatin remodeling have been the most promising. Over the last decade, major advancements have been made in the field of chromatin remodeling, particularly for the treatment of heart failure, because of innovations in bioinformatics and gene therapy. Specifically, understanding changes to the chromatin architecture have been shown to alter cardiac disease progression via variations in genomic sequencing, targeting cardiac genes, using RNA molecules, and utilizing chromatin remodeler complexes. By understanding these chromatin remodeling mechanisms in an injured heart, treatments for heart failure have been suggested through individualized pharmaceutical interventions as well as biomarkers for major disease states. By understanding the current roles of chromatin remodeling in heart failure, a potential therapeutic approach may be discovered in the future.

Effect and Mechanism of LncRNA HOTAIR on Migration, Apoptosis and Proliferation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

<sec> <title>Objective:</title> This study was designed to probe the influence and mechanism of lncRNA HOTAIR on migration, apoptosis and proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. </sec> <sec> <title>Methods:</title> We evaluated LncRNA HOTAIR expression in HCC tissues and adjacent tissues, and serum of HCC patients and healthy controls. Later, we knocked down lncRNA HOTAIR, and utilized CCK-8 to determine Hep3B cell proliferation, flow cytometry for prospecting Hep3B cell apoptosis, and cell scratch assay for observing Hep3B cell migration.We anticipated the direct target of lncRNA HOTAIR, and adopted luciferase reporter assay to verify. Moreover, we inhibitedmiR-126-5p expression, and rescue experiment for evaluating the influence of si-HOTAIR+miR-126-5p inhibitors on Hep3B cell migration, apoptosis as well as proliferation. </sec> <sec> <title>Results:</title> Our results showed that lncRNA HOTAIR expression in tumor tissues and serum was significantly increased. Moreover, lncRNA HOTAIR inhibition significantly decreased the Hep3B cell proliferation rate, elevated Hep3B cell apoptosis rate, and inhibited Hep3B cell migration. Luciferase reporter assay suggested that miR-126-5p was the direct target of lncRNA HOTAIR. Furthermore, co-transfection of si-HOTAIR+miR-126-5p inhibitor could diminishthe effects of HOTAIR silencing on apoptosis, proliferation and migration. </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusion:</title> Silencing of lncRNA-HOTAIR can inhibit the HCC cell migration and proliferation, and increase the apoptosis by up-regulating miR-126-5p expression. </sec>

LncRNA APOA1-AS facilitates proliferation and migration and represses apoptosis of VSMCs through TAF15-mediated SMAD3 mRNA stabilization

Coronary atherosclerosis (CAS) is a major cause of cardiovascular disease. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated as novel biomarkers in coronary artery disease (CAD). APOA1 antisense RNA (APOA1-AS) was proven to show high expression during atherosclerotic development, but no report has uncovered the detailed mechanism of APOA1-AS in CAS. Thus, this paper aims to explore the role of APOA1-AS in CAS. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) to mimic atherosclerosis-like injury. Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blot analysis analyzed gene expression. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), wound healing assay, and flow cytometry were implemented to assess the function of APOA1-AS in modulating pathological phenotype of VSMCs. Results demonstrated that APOA1-AS was notably up-regulated in ox-LDL treated VSMCs (ox-LDL-VSMCs). The deficiency of APOA1-AS hindered proliferation and migration and stimulated apoptosis in ox-LDL-VSMCs. Mechanistically, APOA1-AS recruited TATA-box binding protein associated factor 15 (TAF15) protein to stabilized SMAD family member 3 (SMAD3) mRNA and activate the TGF-β/SMAD3 signaling pathway. In conclusion, APOA1-AS contributed to proliferation and migration and repressed apoptosis of VSMCs through TAF15-mediated SMAD3 mRNA stabilization, indicating that APOA1-AS could be a promising target for CAS.