Lamin A/C negatively regulated by miR-124-3p modulates apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells during cyclic stretch application in rats

An Overview of Cancer Biology, Pathophysiological Development and It's Treatment Modalities: Current Challenges of Cancer anti-Angiogenic Therapy

A number of conditions and factors can cause the transformation of normal cells in the body into malignant tissue by changing the normal functions of a wide range of regulatory, apoptotic, and signal transduction pathways. Despite the current deficiency in fully understanding the mechanism of cancer action accurately and clearly, numerous genes and proteins that are causally involved in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of cancer have been identified. But due to the lack of space and the abundance of details on this complex topic, we have emphasized here more recent advances in our understanding of the principles implied tumor cell transformation, development, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Inhibition of angiogenesis is a significant strategy for the treatment of various solid tumors, that essentially depend on cutting or at least limiting the supply of blood to micro-regions of tumors, leading to pan-hypoxia and pan-necrosis inside solid tumor tissues. Researchers have continued to enhance the efficiency of anti-angiogenic drugs over the past two decades, to identify their potential in the drug interaction, and to discover reasonable interpretations for possible resistance to treatment. In this review, we have discussed an overview of cancer history and recent methods use in cancer therapy, focusing on anti-angiogenic inhibitors targeting angiogenesis formation. Further, this review has explained the molecular mechanism of action of these anti-angiogenic inhibitors in various tumor types and their limitations use. In addition, we described the synergistic mechanisms of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic therapy and summarizes current clinical trials of these combinations. Many phase III trials found that combining immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic therapy improved survival. Therefore, targeting the source supply of cancer cells to grow and spread with new anti-angiogenic agents in combination with different conventional therapy is a novel method to reduce cancer progression. The aim of this paper is to overview the varying concepts of cancer focusing on mechanisms involved in tumor angiogenesis and provide an overview of the recent trends in anti-angiogenic strategies for cancer therapy.

Mechanical stress induced mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases: Novel mechanisms and therapeutic targets

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Others and our studies have shown that mechanical stresses (forces) including shear stress and cyclic stretch, occur in various pathological conditions, play significant roles in the development and progression of CVDs. Mitochondria regulate the physiological processes of cardiac and vascular cells mainly through adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, calcium flux and redox control while promote cell death through electron transport complex (ETC) related cellular stress response. Mounting evidence reveal that mechanical stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of many CVDs including heart failure and atherosclerosis. This review summarized mitochondrial functions in cardiovascular system under physiological mechanical stress and mitochondrial dysfunction under pathological mechanical stress in CVDs (graphical abstract). The study of mitochondrial dysfunction under mechanical stress can further our understanding of the underlying mechanisms, identify potential therapeutic targets, and aid the development of novel treatments of CVDs.

A Comprehensive Retrospective Study on the Mechanisms of Cyclic Mechanical Stretch-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Death Underlying Aortic Dissection and Potential Therapeutics for Preventing Acute Aortic Aneurysm and Associated Ruptures

Acute aortic dissection (AAD) and associated ruptures are the leading causes of death in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Hypertension is a prime risk factor for AAD. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying AAD remain poorly understood. We previously reported that cyclic mechanical stretch (CMS) leads to the death of rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs). This review focuses on the mechanisms of CMS-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) death. Moreover, we have also discussed the potential therapeutics for preventing AAD and aneurysm ruptures.

Lamin A/C mediates microglial activation by modulating cell proliferation and immune response

Lamin A/C is involved in macrophage activation and premature aging, also known as progeria. As the resident macrophage in brain, overactivation of microglia causes brain inflammation, promoting aging and brain disease. In this study, we investigated the role of Lamin A/C in microglial activation and its impact on progeria using Lmna-/- mice, primary microglia, Lmna knockout (Lmna-KO) and Lmna-knockdown (Lmna-KD) BV2 cell lines. We found that the microglial activation signatures, including cell proliferation, morphology changes, and proinflammatory cytokine secretion (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), were significantly suppressed in all Lamin A/C-deficient models when stimulated with LPS. TMT-based quantitative proteomic and bioinformatic analysis were further applied to explore the mechanism of Lamin A/C-regulated microglia activation from the proteome level. The results revealed that immune response and phagocytosis were impaired in Lmna-/- microglia. Stat1 was identified as the hub protein in the mechanism by which Lamin A/C regulates microglial activation. Additionally, DNA replication, chromatin organization, and mRNA processing were also altered by Lamin A/C, with Ki67 fulfilling the main hub function. Lamin A/C is a mechanosensitive protein and, the immune- and proliferation-related biological processes are also regulated by mechanotransduction. We speculate that Lamin A/C-mediated mechanotransduction is required for microglial activation. Our study proposes a novel mechanism for microglial activation mediated by Lamin A/C.

Overview of cellular homeostasis-associated nuclear envelope lamins and associated input signals

With the discovery of the role of the nuclear envelope protein lamin in human genetic diseases, further diverse roles of lamins have been elucidated. The roles of lamins have been addressed in cellular homeostasis including gene regulation, cell cycle, cellular senescence, adipogenesis, bone remodeling as well as modulation of cancer biology. Features of laminopathies line with oxidative stress-associated cellular senescence, differentiation, and longevity and share with downstream of aging-oxidative stress. Thus, in this review, we highlighted various roles of lamin as key molecule of nuclear maintenance, specially lamin-A/C, and mutated LMNA gene clearly reveal aging-related genetic phenotypes, such as enhanced differentiation, adipogenesis, and osteoporosis. The modulatory roles of lamin-A/C in stem cell differentiation, skin, cardiac regulation, and oncology have also been elucidated. In addition to recent advances in laminopathies, we highlighted for the first kinase-dependent nuclear lamin biology and recently developed modulatory mechanisms or effector signals of lamin regulation. Advanced knowledge of the lamin-A/C proteins as diverse signaling modulators might be biological key to unlocking the complex signaling of aging-related human diseases and homeostasis in cellular process.

Vascular mechanotransduction

This review aims to survey the current state of mechanotransduction in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs), including their sensing of mechanical stimuli and transduction of mechanical signals that result in the acute functional modulation and longer-term transcriptomic and epigenetic regulation of blood vessels. The mechanosensors discussed include ion channels, plasma membrane-associated structures and receptors, and junction proteins. The mechanosignaling pathways presented include the cytoskeleton, integrins, extracellular matrix, and intracellular signaling molecules. These are followed by discussions on mechanical regulation of transcriptome and epigenetics, relevance of mechanotransduction to health and disease, and interactions between VSMCs and ECs. Throughout this review, we offer suggestions for specific topics that require further understanding. In the closing section on conclusions and perspectives, we summarize what is known and point out the need to treat the vasculature as a system, including not only VSMCs and ECs but also the extracellular matrix and other types of cells such as resident macrophages and pericytes, so that we can fully understand the physiology and pathophysiology of the blood vessel as a whole, thus enhancing the comprehension, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of vascular diseases.

TPX2 promotes ovarian tumorigenesis by interacting with Lamin A/C and affecting its stability

OBJECTIVE

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the fatal gynecologic malignancies. However, there are no effective prognostic or therapeutic indicators for OC. Herein, we aim to reveal the potential function of targeting protein for Xklp2 (TPX2) in OC progression.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical and bioinformatic analyses were used to evaluate the level of TPX2 in OC samples. Effects of TPX2 on cell proliferation, cell apoptosis and ROS production were evaluated in vivo and in vitro. Mass spectrometry, Co-IP and immunofluorescence assays were performed to identify and verify protein-protein interactions.

RESULTS

Our data showed that pathological overexpression (OE) of the TPX2 in OC could manifest a poor prognosis. Functional studies demonstrated that TPX2 silencing led to the suppression of cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo through an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and apoptosis, while TPX2 OE exhibited the opposite effect. Furthermore, by mass spectrometric analysis, we identified a novel interacting partner, Lamin A/C, for TPX2. Mechanistically, TPX2 regulated Lamin A/C's stability by modulating the level of phospho-Lamin A/C (Ser 22).

CONCLUSION

Our findings thus suggest that TPX2 may be a promising therapeutic target for OC.

Circulating circular RNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis of essential hypertension with carotid plaque

BACKGROUND

At present, no early diagnostic markers for essential hypertension (EH)-induced subclinical target organs damage (such as carotid plaque) are available. This study aimed to identify the circular RNAs (circRNAs) in EH with carotid plaques, and assess their utility as biomarkers.

METHODS

First, circRNAs were identified through microarry analysis and database prediction. Second, a case-control study of EH patients with carotid plaque (n = 100) and healthy controls (n = 100) was performed to evaluate circRNAs expression in peripheral blood. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was established to evaluate the diagnostic value.

RESULTS

Five circRNAs (hsa_circ_0105130, hsa_circ_0109569, hsa_circ_0072659, hsa_circ_0079586 and hsa_circ_0064684) were identified as the candidate circRNAs. We found that circRNAs were increased in case group compared with controls (P < .05). The results of ROC shown that these five circRNAs, especially hsa_circ_0109569 (AUC = 0.741), all had the moderate predictive value.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed circulating circRNAs may act as promising noninvasive biomarkers for early detection and population screening of EH-induced subclinical target organ injury.

Ubiquitin-modified proteome analysis of Eriocheir sinensis hemocytes during Spiroplasma eriocheiris infection

Spiroplasma eriocheiris, the pathogen of Eriocheir sinensis tremor disease (TD), has bring a huge economic loss to China aquaculture. The hemocytes of crab as the first target cells of S. eriocheiris, but the interactive relationship between the E. sinensis and this pathogen not particularly clear. The present study is the first time to analysis the role of protein ubiquitination in the process of E. sinensis hemocytes response S. eriocheiris infection. By applying label-free quantitative liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry proteomics, 950 lysine ubiquitination sites and 803 ubiquitination peptides on 458 proteins were identified, of which 48 ubiquitination sites on 40 proteins were quantified as significantly changed after the S. eriocheiris infection. Bioinformatics analysis of ubiquitination different proteins suggested many biological process and pathways were participated in the interaction between S. eriocheiris and host cell, such as ubiquitin system, endocytosis, prophenoloxidase system (proPO system), cell apoptosis, glycolysis. Our study can enhance our understanding of interaction between the crab and S. eriocheiris, and also provides basis to study the role of protein ubiquitination in other crustacean innate immune system.

The relationship of lamins with epigenetic factors during aging

The key factor of genome instability during aging is transposon dysregulation. This may be due to senile changes in the expression of lamins, which epigenetically modulate transposons. Lamins directly physically interact with transposons. Epigenetic regulators such as SIRT7, BAF, and microRNA can also serve as intermediaries for their interactions. There is also an inverse regulation, since transposons are sources of miRNAs that affect lamins. We suggest that lamins can be attributed to epigenetic factors, since they are part of the NURD, interact with histone deacetylases and regulate gene expression without changing the nucleotide sequences. The role of lamins in the etiopathogenesis of premature aging syndromes may be associated with interactions with transposons. In various human cells, LINE1 is present in the heterochromatin domains of the genome associated with lamins, while SIRT7 facilitates the interaction of this retroelement with lamins. Both retroelements and the nuclear lamina play an important role in the antiviral response of organisms. This may be due to the role of lamins in protection from both viruses and transposons, since viruses and transposons are evolutionarily related. Transposable elements and lamins are secondary messengers of environmental stressors that can serve as triggers for aging and carcinogenesis. Transposons play a role in the development of cancer, while the microRNAs derived from them, participating in the etiopathogenesis of tumors, are important in human aging. Lamins have similar properties, since lamins are dysregulated in cancer, and microRNAs affecting them are involved in carcinogenesis. Changes in the expression of specif ic microRNAs were also revealed in laminopathies. Identif ication of the epigenetic mechanisms of interaction of lamins with transposons during aging can become the basis for the development of methods of life extension and targeted therapy of age-associated cancer

Cells respond to space microgravity through cytoskeleton reorganization

Decades of spaceflight studies have provided abundant evidence that individual cells in vitro are capable of sensing space microgravity and responding with cellular changes both structurally and functionally. However, how microgravity is perceived, transmitted, and converted to biochemical signals by single cells remains unrevealed. Here in this review, over 40 cellular biology studies of real space fights were summarized. Studies on cells of the musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular system, and immune system were covered. Among all the reported cellular changes in response to space microgravity, cytoskeleton (CSK) reorganization emerges as a key indicator. Based on the evidence of CSK reorganization from space flight research, a possible mechanism from the standpoint of "cellular mechanical equilibrium" is proposed for the explanation of cellular response to space microgravity. Cytoskeletal equilibrium is broken by the gravitational change from ground to space and is followed by cellular morphological changes, cell mechanical properties changes, extracellular matrix reorganization, as well as signaling pathway activation/inactivation, all of which ultimately lead to the cell functional changes in space microgravity.

MiR-22-3p Suppresses Vascular Remodeling and Oxidative Stress by Targeting CHD9 during the Development of Hypertension

Hypertension is considered a risk factor for a series of systematic diseases. Known factors including genetic predisposition, age, and diet habits are strongly associated with the initiation of hypertension. The current study aimed to investigate the role of miR-22-3p in hypertension. In this study, we discovered that the miR-22-3p level was significantly decreased in the thoracic aortic vascular tissues and aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Functionally, the overexpression of miR-22-3p facilitated the switch of ASMCs from the synthetic to contractile phenotype. To investigate the underlying mechanism, we predicted 11 potential target mRNAs for miR-22-3p. After screening, chromodomain helicase DNA-binding 9 (CHD9) was validated to bind with miR-22-3p. Rescue assays showed that the co-overexpression of miR-22-3p and CHD9 reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-22-3p mimics on cell proliferation, migration, and oxidative stress in ASMCs. Finally, miR-22-3p suppressed vascular remodeling and oxidative stress in vivo. Overall, miR-22-3p regulated ASMC phenotype switch by targeting CHD9. This new discovery provides a potential insight into hypertension treatment.

Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 7 Promotes Vascular Adventitial Fibroblasts Phenotypic Transformation and Inflammatory Reaction Induced by Mechanical Stretching Stress via p38 MAPK/JNK Pathway

Remodeling of the arteries is one of the pathological bases of hypertension. We have previously shown that transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) aggravates the vascular adventitial remodeling caused by pressure overload in the transverse aortic constriction (TAC) model. In this study, we sought to explore the functional expression and downstream signaling of TRPM7 in vascular adventitial fibroblasts (AFs) stimulated by mechanical stretching stress (MSS). The expression of TRPM7 was upregulated with a concomitant translocation to the cytoplasm in the AFs stimulated with 20% MSS. Meanwhile, the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a marker of transformation from AFs to myofibroblasts (MFs) was also increased. Moreover, AF-conditioned medium caused a significant migration of macrophages after treatment with MSS and contained high levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Pharmacological and RNA interference approaches using the TRPM7 inhibitor 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) and specific anti-TRPM7 small interfering RNA (si-RNA-TRPM7) abrogated these changes significantly. Further exploration uncloaked that inhibition of TRPM7 reduced the phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase (p38MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the AFs stimulated with MSS. Furthermore, inhibition of the phosphorylation of p38MAPK or JNK could also alleviate the MSS-induced expression of α-SMA and secretion of inflammatory factors. These observations indicate that activated TRPM7 participates in the phenotypic transformation and inflammatory action of AFs in response to MSS through the p38MAPK/JNK pathway and suggest that TRPM7 may be a potential therapeutic target for vascular remodeling caused by hemodynamic changes in hypertension.

Mechanical Stretch Induces Smooth Muscle Cell Dysfunction by Regulating ACE2 via P38/ATF3 and Post-transcriptional Regulation by miR-421

Mechanical stretch promotes deregulation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) functions during hypertension-induced vascular remodeling. ACE2 has a wide range of cardiovascular and renal protective effects. Loss of ACE2 is associated with cardiovascular disease, but little is known about the regulation of its expression, especially by abnormal mechanical stretch during hypertension. The present study was designed to investigate the contribution of ACE2 to vascular remodeling under mechanical stretch and to assess the possible underlying mechanisms. The abdominal aortic constriction model was established to mimic the environment in vivo. FX-5000T Strain Unit provided mechanical stretch in vitro. Overexpression was used to analyze the role of ACE2 played in the proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and collagen metabolism of the VSMCs. RT-qPCR, Western blot, luciferase assay, and ChIP assay were used to elucidate the molecular mechanism of ACE2 expression regulated by stretch. We found that mechanical stretch modulated the expression of the ACE2/Ang-(1–7) and ACE/AngII axis. ACE2 was mechanically sensitive and was involved in the stretch-induced dysfunction of VSMCs. The p38 MAPK/ATF3 pathway and miR-421 participated in the regulation of ACE2. Thus, ACE2 may contribute to the development of vascular remodeling under conditions of mechanical stretch.

Suppressed nuclear envelope proteins activate autophagy of vascular smooth muscle cells during cyclic stretch application

Dysfunctions of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play crucial roles in vascular remodeling in hypertension, which correlates with pathologically elevated cyclic stretch due to increased arterial pressure. Recent researches reported that autophagy, a life-sustaining process, was increased in hypertension. However, the mechanobiological mechanism of VSMC autophagy and its potential roles in vascular remodeling are still unclear. Using renal hypertensive rats in vivo and FX5000 stretch application Unit in vitro, the autophagy of VSMCs was detected. The results showed that LC3II remarkably enhanced in hypertensive rats and 15% cyclic stretch (mimic the pathologically increased mechanical stretch in hypertension), and the activity of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) was suppressed in 15% cyclic stretch. Administration of autophagy inhibitors, bafilomycin A1 and chloroquine, repressed VSMC proliferation efficiently, but did not affect the degradation of two important nuclear envelope (NE) proteins, lamin A/C and emerin. Using RNA interference to decline the expression of lamin A/C and emerin, respectively, we discovered that autophagy was upregulated under both static and 5% cyclic stretch conditions, accompanying with the decreased mTOR activity. During 15% cyclic stretch application, mTOR inhibition was responsible for autophagy elevation. Chloroquine administration in vivo inhibited the expression of PCNA (marker of proliferation) of abdominal aorta in hypertensive rats. Altogether, these results demonstrated that pathological cyclic stretch suppresses the expression of lamin A/C and emerin which subsequently represses mTOR pathway so as to induce autophagy activation. Blocking autophagic flux may be a practicable way to relieve the pathological vascular remodeling in hypertensive.

Molecular and Mechanobiological Pathways Related to the Physiopathology of FPLD2

Laminopathies are rare and heterogeneous diseases affecting one to almost all tissues, as in Progeria, and sharing certain features such as metabolic disorders and a predisposition to atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. These two features are the main characteristics of the adipose tissue-specific laminopathy called familial partial lipodystrophy type 2 (FPLD2). The only gene that is involved in FPLD2 physiopathology is the LMNA gene, with at least 20 mutations that are considered pathogenic. LMNA encodes the type V intermediate filament lamin A/C, which is incorporated into the lamina meshwork lining the inner membrane of the nuclear envelope. Lamin A/C is involved in the regulation of cellular mechanical properties through the control of nuclear rigidity and deformability, gene modulation and chromatin organization. While recent studies have described new potential signaling pathways dependent on lamin A/C and associated with FPLD2 physiopathology, the whole picture of how the syndrome develops remains unknown. In this review, we summarize the signaling pathways involving lamin A/C that are associated with the progression of FPLD2. We also explore the links between alterations of the cellular mechanical properties and FPLD2 physiopathology. Finally, we introduce potential tools based on the exploration of cellular mechanical properties that could be redirected for FPLD2 diagnosis.

Reconstruction of a lncRNA-Associated ceRNA Network in Endothelial Cells under Circumferential Stress

Background

Numerous studies have highlighted that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) can indirectly regulate the expression of mRNAs by binding to microRNA (miRNA). LncRNA-associated ceRNA networks play a vital role in the initiation and progression of several pathological mechanisms. However, the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network in endothelial cells under cyclic stretch is seldom studied.

Methods

The miRNA, mRNA, and lncRNA expression profiles of 6 human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under circumferential stress were obtained by next-generation sequencing (NGS). We identified the differential expression of miRNAs, mRNAs, and lncRNAs using the R software package GDCRNATools. Cytoscape was adopted to construct a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network. In addition, through GO and KEGG pathway annotations, we analyzed gene functions and their related pathways. We also adopted ELISA and TUNEL to investigate the effect of si-NEAT1 on endothelial inflammation and apoptosis.

Results

We recognized a total of 32978 lncRNAs, 1046 miRNAs, and 31958 mRNAs in 6 samples; among them, 155 different expressed lncRNAs, 74 different expressed miRNAs, and 960 different mRNAs were adopted. Based on the established theory, the ceRNA network was composed of 13 lncRNAs, 44 miRNAs, and 115 mRNAs. We constructed and visualized a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network, and the top 20 nodes are identified after calculating their degrees. The nodes with most degrees in three kinds of RNAs are hsa-miR-4739, NEAT1, and MAP3K2. Functional analysis showed that different biological processes enriched in biological regulation, response to stimulus and cell communication. Pathway analysis was mainly enriched in longevity regulating, cell cycle, mTOR, and FoxO signaling pathway. Circumferential stress can significantly downregulate NEAT1, and after transducing si-NEAT1 for 24 h, inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and MCP-1 were significantly increased; furthermore, fewer TUNEL-positive cells were found in the si-NEAT1 treated group.

Conclusions

The establishing of a ceRNA network can help further understand the mechanism of vein graft failure. Our data demonstrated that NEAT1 may be a core factor among the mechanical stress factors and that cyclic stress can significantly reduce expression of NEAT1, give rise to inflammation in the early stage of endothelial dysfunction, and promote EC apoptosis, which may play an essential role in vein graft failure.