TMEM98, a novel secretory protein, promotes endothelial cell adhesion as well as vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration

Deciphering the Mechanism of Wogonin, a Natural Flavonoid, on the Proliferation of Pulmonary Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells by Integrating Network Pharmacology and In Vitro Validation

Wogonin is one of the main active components of Scutellaria baicalensis, which has anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenesis, and anti-fibrosis effects. Nevertheless, the effect of wogonin on pulmonary hypertension (PH) still lacks systematic research. This study aims to elucidate the potential mechanism of wogonin against PH through network pharmacology and further verify it through biological experiments in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). The potential targets and pathways of wogonin against PH were predicted and analyzed by network pharmacology methods and molecular docking technology. Subsequently, the proliferation of PASMCs was induced by platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). Cell viability and migration ability were examined. The method of Western blot was adopted to analyze the changes in related signaling pathways. Forty potential targets related to the effect of wogonin against PH were obtained. Based on the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, gene-ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment, and molecular docking, it was shown that the effect of wogonin against PH is closely related to the proliferation of PASMCs and the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) pathway. A variety of results from biological experiments verified that wogonin can effectively inhibit the proliferation, migration, and phenotypic transformation of PDGF-BB-mediated PASMCs. In addition, the anti-proliferation effect of wogonin may be achieved by regulating HIF-1/ NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) pathway.

miR-1290 promotes IL-8-mediated vascular endothelial cell adhesion by targeting GSK-3β

BACKGROUND

MicroRNA-1290 (miR-1290) has been reported to be involved in many diseases and play a key role during the development process. However, the role of miR-1290 in atherosclerosis (AS) is still unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The current study showed that the expressions of miR-1290 were high in serum of patients with hyperlipidemia. The functional role of miR-1290 were then investigated in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Here, we found that miR-1290 expressions were notably enhanced in HUVECs mediated by IL-8. miR-1290 inhibitor repressed monocytic THP-1 cells adhesion to HUVECs by regulating ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, inhibited proliferation through regulating cyclinD1 and PCNA, and inhibited inflammatory response by regulating IL-1β. Mechanistically, we verified that miR-1290 mimic was able to directly target the 3'-UTR of GSK-3β mRNA using luciferase reporter assay. Knockdown of GSK-3β (si-GSK-3β) promoted HUVECs adhesion and the expression of IL-1β, and partially restore the depression effect of miR-1290 inhibitor on HUVECs adhesion and inflammation. In contrast, si-GSK-3β inhibited the proliferation of HUVECs and the expression of cyclinD1 and PCNA.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, our study revealed that miR-1290 promotes IL-8-mediated the adhesion of HUVECs by targeting GSK-3β. However, GSK-3β is not the target protein for miR-1290 to regulate the proliferation of HUVECs. Our findings may provide potential target in atherosclerosis treatment.