The multifaceted actions of the lncRNA H19 in cardiovascular biology and diseases

Long non-coding RNAs H19 and NKILA are associated with the risk of death and lacunar stroke in the elderly population

INTRODUCTION

Differential expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is a hallmark of cardiovascular aging, cerebrovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. This research article investigates the association between a panel of lncRNAs and the risk of death and ischemic stroke in a cohort of non-institutionalized elderly subjects.

METHOD

A total of 361 healthy individuals aged 75 years old, prospectively recruited in the Vienna Transdanube Aging (VITA) cohort, were included. Expression of lncRNAs at baseline was assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction PCR with pre-amplification reaction, using 18S for normalization. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality; the secondary endpoint was the incidence of new ischemic brain lesions. Death was assessed over a 14-year follow-up, and ischemic brain lesions were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) over a 90-month follow-up. Ischemic brain lesions were divided into large brain infarcts (Ø≥ 1.5 cm) or lacunes (Ø< 1.5 cm) RESULTS: The primary endpoint occurred in 53.5 % of the study population. The incidence of the secondary endpoint was 16 %, with a 3.3 % being large brain infarcts, and a 12.7 % lacunes. After adjustment for potential confounders, the lncRNA H19 predicted the incidence of the primary endpoint (HR 1.194, 95 % C.I. 1.012-1.409, p = 0.036), whereas the lncRNA NKILA was associated with lacunar stroke (HR 0.571, 95 % C.I. 0.375-0.868, p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

In a prospective cohort of non-institutionalized elderly subjects, high levels of lncRNA H19 are associated with a higher risk of death, while low levels of lncRNA NKILA predict an increased risk of lacunar stroke.

Transcriptomics analysis of long non-coding RNAs in smooth muscle cells from patients with peripheral artery disease and diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a significant risk factor for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and PAD is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disorders (CVDs). Growing evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) significantly contribute to disease development and underlying complications, particularly affecting smooth muscle cells (SMCs). So far, no study has focused on transcriptome analysis of lncRNAs in PAD patients with and without DM. Tissue samples were obtained from our Vascular Biobank. Due to the sample's heterogeneity, expression analysis of lncRNAs in whole tissue detected only ACTA2-AS1 with a 4.9-fold increase in PAD patients with DM. In contrast, transcriptomics of SMCs revealed 28 lncRNAs significantly differentially expressed between PAD with and without DM (FDR < 0.1). Sixteen lncRNAs were of unknown function, six were described in cancer, one connected with macrophages polarisation, and four were associated with CVDs, mainly with SMC function and phenotypic switch (NEAT1, MIR100HG, HIF1A-AS3, and MRI29B2CHG). The enrichment analysis detected additional lncRNAs H19, CARMN, FTX, and MEG3 linked with DM. Our study revealed several lncRNAs in diabetic PAD patients associated with the physiological function of SMCs. These lncRNAs might serve as potential therapeutic targets to improve the function of SMCs within the diseased tissue and, thus, the clinical outcome.

Non-coding RNAs as therapeutic targets and biomarkers in ischaemic heart disease

The adult heart is a complex, multicellular organ that is subjected to a series of regulatory stimuli and circuits and has poor reparative potential. Despite progress in our understanding of disease mechanisms and in the quality of health care, ischaemic heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally, owing to adverse cardiac remodelling, leading to ischaemic cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Therapeutic targets are urgently required for the protection and repair of the ischaemic heart. Moreover, personalized clinical biomarkers are necessary for clinical diagnosis, medical management and to inform the individual response to treatment. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) deeply influence cardiovascular functions and contribute to communication between cells in the cardiac microenvironment and between the heart and other organs. As such, ncRNAs are candidates for translation into clinical practice. However, ncRNA biology has not yet been completely deciphered, given that classes and modes of action have emerged only in the past 5 years. In this Review, we discuss the latest discoveries from basic research on ncRNAs and highlight both the clinical value and the challenges underscoring the translation of these molecules as biomarkers and therapeutic regulators of the processes contributing to the initiation, progression and potentially the prevention or resolution of ischaemic heart disease and heart failure.

Emerging roles of HOTAIR lncRNA in the pathogenesis and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases

Highlights HOTAIR, a long noncoding RNA, plays a role in the regulation of proteins involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, it has been identified as a biomarker of this type of disease. Several factors and cells contribute to atherosclerosis, a progressive disease. However, the prognosis of HOTAIR in this disease varies depending on the path in which it plays a role. For this condition, there is no single prognosis to consider.

Expanding the Frontiers of Guardian Antioxidant Selenoproteins in Cardiovascular Pathophysiology

Significance: Physiological levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) function as fundamental messengers for many cellular and developmental processes in the cardiovascular system. ROS/RNS involved in cardiac redox-signaling originate from diverse sources, and their levels are tightly controlled by key endogenous antioxidant systems that counteract their accumulation. However, dysregulated redox-stress resulting from inefficient removal of ROS/RNS leads to inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death, contributing to the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent Advances: Basic and clinical studies demonstrate the critical role of selenium (Se) and selenoproteins (unique proteins that incorporate Se into their active site in the form of the 21st proteinogenic amino acid selenocysteine [Sec]), including glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase, in cardiovascular redox homeostasis, representing a first-line enzymatic antioxidant defense of the heart. Increasing attention has been paid to emerging selenoproteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) (i.e., a multifunctional intracellular organelle whose disruption triggers cardiac inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to multiple CVD), which are crucially involved in redox balance, antioxidant activity, and calcium and ER homeostasis. Critical Issues: This review focuses on endogenous antioxidant strategies with therapeutic potential, particularly selenoproteins, which are very promising but deserve more detailed and clinical studies. Future Directions: The importance of selective selenoproteins in embryonic development and the consequences of their mutations and inborn errors highlight the need to improve knowledge of their biological function in myocardial redox signaling. This could facilitate the development of personalized approaches for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of CVD. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 40, 369-432.

Non-coding RNAs in the pathophysiology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is the largest unmet clinical need in cardiovascular medicine. Despite decades of research, the treatment option for HFpEF is still limited, indicating our ongoing incomplete understanding on the underlying molecular mechanisms. Non-coding RNAs, comprising of microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are non-protein coding RNA transcripts, which are implicated in various cardiovascular diseases. However, their role in the pathogenesis of HFpEF is unknown. Here, we discuss the role of miRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs that are involved in the pathophysiology of HFpEF, namely microvascular dysfunction, inflammation, diastolic dysfunction and cardiac fibrosis. We interrogated clinical evidence and dissected the molecular mechanisms of the ncRNAs by looking at the relevant in vivo and in vitro models that mimic the co-morbidities in patients with HFpEF. Finally, we discuss the potential of ncRNAs as biomarkers and potential novel therapeutic targets for future HFpEF treatment.

The Role of Long Noncoding RNAs in Intestinal Health and Diseases: A Focus on the Intestinal Barrier

The gut is the body's largest immune organ, and the intestinal barrier prevents harmful substances such as bacteria and toxins from passing through the gastrointestinal mucosa. Intestinal barrier dysfunction is closely associated with various diseases. However, there are currently no FDA-approved therapies targeting the intestinal epithelial barriers. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), a class of RNA transcripts with a length of more than 200 nucleotides and no coding capacity, are essential for the development and regulation of a variety of biological processes and diseases. lncRNAs are involved in the intestinal barrier function and homeostasis maintenance. This article reviews the emerging role of lncRNAs in the intestinal barrier and highlights the potential applications of lncRNAs in the treatment of various intestinal diseases by reviewing the literature on cells, animal models, and clinical patients. The aim is to explore potential lncRNAs involved in the intestinal barrier and provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal barrier damage-associated diseases in the clinical setting.

Phloretin alleviates palmitic acid-induced oxidative stress in HUVEC cells by suppressing the expression of LncBAG6-AS

Oxidative stress (OS) is an important trigger of vascular endothelial injury (VEI), which then leads to cardiovascular disease (CVDs). Phloretin was previously investigated to alleviate OS in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by activating the AMPK/Nrf2 pathway; however, whether phloretin exerts cardiovascular health benefits by targeting non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) remains unclear. Herein, the whole transcriptome sequencing and lncRNA library building were performed on HUVECs, a commonly used cell line for CVDs study, from different groups in control (CK), palmitic acid (PA, 100 μM), and PA + phloretin (50 μM, G50). KEGG analysis demonstrated that DE-lncRNAs regulated the pathway related to OS and metabolism in HUVECs. LncBAG6-AS was highly expressed under OS stimulation, which was reversed by phloretin co-treatment. Moreover, the MMP, activities of SOD, GSH-Px, T-AOC and GR were significantly ameliorated after interference of LncBAG6-AS, which were consistent with phloretin recover group. Furthermore, the expression of DE-genes from previously reported mRNA sequencing, including MAPK10, PIK3R1, ATP2B4, AKT2, and ADCY9, were significantly changed with LncBAG6-AS interference, indicating that LncBAG6-AS may participate in the process of OS attenuation by phloretin through regulating gene expression. So, the transcriptome sequencing of HUVECs with LncBAG6-AS knockdown was subsequently performed and DE-genes for "NC vs. si-ASO-LncBAG6-AS" were significantly enriched with GO terms, such as apoptosis, response to OS, ferroptosis, and others, which were similar to those observed from KEGG analysis. Overall, this study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms by which bioactive substances alleviate OS and potential targets for the early prevention and treatment of VEI.

Structural Modifications and Novel Protein-Binding Sites in Pre-miR-675-Explaining Its Regulatory Mechanism in Carcinogenesis

Pre-miR-675 is a microRNA expressed from the exon 1 of H19 long noncoding RNA, and the atypical expression of pre-miR-675 has been linked with several diseases and disorders including cancer. To execute its function inside the cell, pre-miR-675 is folded into a particular conformation, which aids in its interaction with several other biological molecules. However, the exact folding dynamics of pre-miR-675 and its protein-binding motifs are currently unknown. Moreover, how H19 lncRNA and pre-miR-675 crosstalk and modulate each other's activities is also unclear. The detailed structural analysis of pre-miR-675 in this study determines its earlier unknown conformation and identifies novel protein-binding sites on pre-miR-675, thus making it an excellent therapeutic target against cancer. Co-folding analysis between H19 lncRNA and pre-miR-675 determine structural transformations in pre-miR-675, thus describing the earlier unknown mechanism of interaction between these two molecules. Comprehensively, this study details the conformation of pre-miR-675 and its protein-binding sites and explains its relationship with H19 lncRNA, which can be interpreted to understand the role of pre-miR-675 in the development and progression of tumorigenesis and designing new therapeutics against cancers.

Swiss Vascular Biobank: Evaluation of Optimal Extraction Method and Admission Solution for Preserving RNA from Human Vascular Tissue

Proper biobanking is essential for obtaining reliable data, particularly for next-generation sequencing approaches. Diseased vascular tissues, having extended atherosclerotic pathologies, represent a particular challenge due to low RNA quality. In order to address this issue, we isolated RNA from vascular samples collected in our Swiss Vascular Biobank (SVB); these included abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), peripheral arterial disease (PAD), healthy aorta (HA), and muscle samples. We used different methods, investigated various admission solutions, determined RNA integrity numbers (RINs), and performed expression analyses of housekeeping genes (ACTB, GAPDH), ribosomal genes (18S, 28S), and long non-coding RNAs (MALAT1, H19). Our results show that RINs from diseased vascular tissue are low (2-4). If the isolation of primary cells is intended, as in our SVB, a cryoprotective solution is a better option for tissue preservation than RNAlater. Because RNA degradation proceeds randomly, controls with similar RINs are recommended. Otherwise, the data might convey differences in RNA degradation rather than the expressions of the corresponding genes. Moreover, since the 18S and 28S genes in the diseased vascular samples were degraded and corresponded with the low RINs, we believe that DV200, which represents the total RNA's disintegration state, is a better decision-making aid in choosing samples for omics analyses.

Endothelial microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs in cardiovascular ageing

Atherosclerosis and numerous other cardiovascular diseases develop in an age-dependent manner. The endothelial cells that line the vessel walls play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. Non-coding RNA like microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs are known to play an important role in endothelial function and are implicated in the disease progression. Here, we summarize several microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs that are known to have an altered expression with endothelial aging and discuss their role in endothelial cell function and senescence. These processes contribute to aging-induced atherosclerosis development and by targeting the non-coding RNAs controlling endothelial cell function and senescence, atherosclerosis can potentially be attenuated.

Impact of Vitamin D Supplementation on the Clinical Outcomes and Epigenetic Markers in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Vitamin D has recently been found to influence the renin-angiotensin system (RAS); it can reduce the effects of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASI) by decreasing plasma renin. This study examines the effect of vitamin D supplements on cardiac fibrosis markers, echocardiographic parameters, and epigenetic markers in patients with established acute coronary syndrome (ACS). It also looks at the incidence of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms Apa I (rs7975232), Bsm I (rs1544410), Taq I (rs731236), and Fok I (rs2228570) and its association with the development of secondary major acute cardiovascular events (MACE) and heart failure (HF). A randomized controlled trial in which patients were divided into two groups was performed. Group 1 comprised of 125 ACS patients who received ACS standard therapy alone, while Group 2 consisted of 125 ACS patients who received ACS standard therapy plus vitamin D according to their vitamin D levels. Patients were monitored for 24 months to find subsequent MACE and HF. Vitamin D therapy for ACS patients resulted in a substantial decline in end systolic and end diastolic volumes (p = 0.0075 and 0.002, respectively), procollagen type III N-terminal peptide (PIIINP) and soluble ST2 levels (p = 0.007 and 0.001, respectively), as well as in ejection fraction and vitamin D level (p = 0.0001 and 0.008, respectively). In addition, vitamin D treatment was linked to a significant decline in the levels of noncoding RNA, such as mir361, lncRNA MEG3, and lncRNA Chaer (p = 2.9 × 10-4, 2.2 × 10-6, and 1.2 × 10-5, respectively). Furthermore, patients who suffered MACE had significantly higher levels of the Bsm I CC and Fok I GG genotypes (p = 4.8 × 10-4 and 0.003, respectively), while patients with HF had significantly higher levels of the Taq I AA genotype (p = 4.2 × 10-7). Supplementing ACS patients with vitamin D has been demonstrated to limit cardiac fibrosis and echocardiographic parameters, as well as epigenetic markers. Additionally, MACE and HF among ACS patients may be related to genetic variations among VDR gene polymorphisms.

Innate Immunity in Cardiovascular Diseases-Identification of Novel Molecular Players and Targets

During the past few years, unexpected developments have driven studies in the field of clinical immunology. One driver of immense impact was the outbreak of a pandemic caused by the novel virus SARS-CoV-2. Excellent recent reviews address diverse aspects of immunological re-search into cardiovascular diseases. Here, we specifically focus on selected studies taking advantage of advanced state-of-the-art molecular genetic methods ranging from genome-wide epi/transcriptome mapping and variant scanning to optogenetics and chemogenetics. First, we discuss the emerging clinical relevance of advanced diagnostics for cardiovascular diseases, including those associated with COVID-19-with a focus on the role of inflammation in cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias. Second, we consider newly identified immunological interactions at organ and system levels which affect cardiovascular pathogenesis. Thus, studies into immune influences arising from the intestinal system are moving towards therapeutic exploitation. Further, powerful new research tools have enabled novel insight into brain-immune system interactions at unprecedented resolution. This latter line of investigation emphasizes the strength of influence of emotional stress-acting through defined brain regions-upon viral and cardiovascular disorders. Several challenges need to be overcome before the full impact of these far-reaching new findings will hit the clinical arena.

Prognostic Analysis of LncRNA MCM3AP-AS1 in Colorectal Cancer and the Mechanism of Its Effect on Tumor Cell Activity

To determine the clinical prognostic significance of lncRNA MCM3AP-AS1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its preliminary mechanism, 43 CRC patients and 48 healthy individuals were analyzed. Peripheral blood MCM3AP-AS1 was quantified via qRT–PCR in CRC patients at admission and 2 h after surgery and in healthy individuals. Human colon cancer cells (HCT116 and SW480) were transfected with shRNAs targeting upregulation of MCM3AP-AS1 expression (named as sh-MCM3AP-AS1 group) and corresponding negative RNAs (named as sh-MCM3AP-AS1 group). Additionally, the cells were then treated either with 50 mM of the VEGF-specific inhibitor PTK787 (Selleck, USA) (named as inhibition group) or normal saline as a control (named as control group). Before therapy, CRC patients presented a higher MCM3AP-AS1 level than healthy individuals (P < 0.05), and the sensitivity and specificity of MCM3AP-AS1 in predicting the occurrence of CRC were 65.12% and 83.33%, respectively (P < 0.001). After therapy, CRC patients presented a decrease in MCM3AP-AS1 levels, and recurrence was higher in patients who died (P < 0.05). Additionally, the high MCM3AP-AS1 expression group presented a higher mortality than the low MCM3AP-AS1 expression group (P < 0.05). In an in vitro assay, CRC cells showed a higher MCM3AP-AS1 level than CCD-18Co cells, and the sh-MCM3AP-AS1 group presented decreased cell proliferation and invasiveness, whereas the levels apoptosis-associated proteins were increased (P < 0.05). Moreover, the VEGF and VEGFR2 mRNA levels were increased in CRC cells, and VEGF/VEGFR2 pathway-associated proteins were inhibited in the sh-MCM3AP-AS1 group (P < 0.05). Moreover, treatment with PTK787 decreased cell proliferation and invasivness but increased the levels of apoptosis-associated proteins (P < 0.05).