The Expression Profile of MicroRNAs in Small and Large Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms have reduced levels of microRNA 122-5p in circulating exosomes

OBJECTIVE

There are currently no specific biomarkers to identify patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Circulating exosomes contain microRNAs (miRNA) that are potential biomarkers for the presence of disease. This study aimed to characterize the exosomal miRNA expression profile of patients with AAAs in order to identify novel biomarkers of disease.

METHODS

Patients undergoing duplex ultrasound (US) or computed tomography (CT) for screening or surveillance of an AAA were screened to participate in the study. Cases with AAA were defined as having a max aortic diameter >3 cm. Circulating plasma exosomes were isolated using Cushioned-Density Gradient Ultracentrifugation and total RNA was extracted. Next Generation Sequencing was performed on the Illumina HiSeq4000 SE50. Differential miRNA expression analysis was performed using DESeq2 software with a Benjamini-Hochberg correction. MicroRNA expression profiles were validated by Quantitative Real-Time PCR.

RESULTS

A total of 109 patients were screened to participate in the study. Eleven patients with AAA and 15 non-aneurysmal controls met study criteria and were enrolled. Ultrasound measured aortic diameter was significantly larger in the AAA group (mean maximum diameter 4.3 vs 2.0 cm, P = 6.45x10-6). More AAA patients had coronary artery disease (5/11 vs 1/15, P = 0.05) as compared to controls, but the groups did not differ significantly in the rates of peripheral arterial disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A total of 40 miRNAs were differentially expressed (P<0.05). Of these, 18 miRNAs were downregulated and 22 were upregulated in the AAA group compared to controls. After false discovery rate (FDR) adjustment, only miR-122-5p was expressed at significantly different levels in the AAA group compared to controls (fold change = 5.03 controls vs AAA; raw P = 1.8x10-5; FDR P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Plasma exosomes from AAA patients have significantly reduced levels of miRNA-122-5p compared to controls. This is a novel exosome-associated miRNA that warrants further investigation to determine its use as a diagnostic biomarker and potential implications in AAA pathogenesis.

MiR-4291 stabilized the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques by degrading the MAPK1/ERK2 in ApoE-/- mice

Background

This study sought to explore the mechanism of action of the micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-4291 in stabilizing atherosclerotic (AS) plaques.

Methods

An AS model of apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE^-/-) mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) was established. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) was used to induce an inflammatory response of RAW264.7 macrophages. The mice were divided into the normal diet (ND) + miR-4291 negative control (NC) group, the ND + miR-4291 mimic group, the HFD + miR-4291 NC group, and the HFD + miR-4291 mimic group. They were also classified into the miR-4291 NC group, the miR-4291 mimic group, the ox-LDL + miR-4291 NC group, and the ox-LDL + miR-4291 mimic group. The arterial plaque burden of the mice was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry, and the expression of phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (p-ERK2) and related proteins in the arterial plaques and RAW264.7 macrophages of the mice were detected by Western blotting.

Results

Obvious plaques with massive macrophage infiltration were found in the aortic roots of the mice fed a HFD, and smooth muscle cells were found at the margin of the plaques. In the HFD + miR-4291 mimic group, the number of plaques and macrophages was significantly declined, but there were no significant changes in the smooth muscle cells compared to those in the HFD + miR-4291 NC group. The Western blot results showed that miR-4291 reduced the protein expression of p-ERK1-2, t-ERK1-2, TNF-α, MCP-1, MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9 in the AS plaques and the ox-LDL-induced RAW264.7 macrophages of the mice fed a HFD.

Conclusions

MiR-4291 reduced the expression of MMP-2/9 by inhibiting the activity of ERK2, which in turn increased the fibrous cap thickness and stabilized the vulnerable plaques in AS.

Cardiovascular Disease-Associated MicroRNAs as Novel Biomarkers of First-Trimester Screening for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in the Absence of Other Pregnancy-Related Complications

We assessed the diagnostic potential of cardiovascular disease-associated microRNAs for the early prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in singleton pregnancies of Caucasian descent in the absence of other pregnancy-related complications. Whole peripheral venous blood samples were collected within 10 to 13 weeks of gestation. This retrospective study involved all pregnancies diagnosed with only GDM (n = 121) and 80 normal term pregnancies selected with regard to equality of sample storage time. Gene expression of 29 microRNAs was assessed using real-time RT-PCR. Upregulation of 11 microRNAs (miR-1-3p, miR-20a-5p, miR-20b-5p, miR-23a-3p, miR-100-5p, miR-125b-5p, miR-126-3p, miR-181a-5p, miR-195-5p, miR-499a-5p, and miR-574-3p) was observed in pregnancies destinated to develop GDM. Combined screening of all 11 dysregulated microRNAs showed the highest accuracy for the early identification of pregnancies destinated to develop GDM. This screening identified 47.93% of GDM pregnancies at a 10.0% false positive rate (FPR). The predictive model for GDM based on aberrant microRNA expression profile was further improved via the implementation of clinical characteristics (maternal age and BMI at early stages of gestation and an infertility treatment by assisted reproductive technology). Following this, 69.17% of GDM pregnancies were identified at a 10.0% FPR. The effective prediction model specifically for severe GDM requiring administration of therapy involved using a combination of these three clinical characteristics and three microRNA biomarkers (miR-20a-5p, miR-20b-5p, and miR-195-5p). This model identified 78.95% of cases at a 10.0% FPR. The effective prediction model for GDM managed by diet only required the involvement of these three clinical characteristics and eight microRNA biomarkers (miR-1-3p, miR-20a-5p, miR-20b-5p, miR-100-5p, miR-125b-5p, miR-195-5p, miR-499a-5p, and miR-574-3p). With this, the model identified 50.50% of GDM pregnancies managed by diet only at a 10.0% FPR. When other clinical variables such as history of miscarriage, the presence of trombophilic gene mutations, positive first-trimester screening for preeclampsia and/or fetal growth restriction by the Fetal Medicine Foundation algorithm, and family history of diabetes mellitus in first-degree relatives were included in the GDM prediction model, the predictive power was further increased at a 10.0% FPR (72.50% GDM in total, 89.47% GDM requiring therapy, and 56.44% GDM managed by diet only). Cardiovascular disease-associated microRNAs represent promising early biomarkers to be implemented into routine first-trimester screening programs with a very good predictive potential for GDM.

Extracellular Vesicles and Their Associated miRNAs as Potential Biomarkers in Intracranial Aneurysm

Intracranial aneurysms (IA) are abnormal expansions of the intracranial arteries. Once it ruptures, the mortality and disability rate are high. The cost of imaging examinations is high, and rupture risk cannot be predicted, making it difficult for high-risk groups to be screened and prevented. Thus, clinically effective biomarkers are required to screen high-risk groups, estimate the risk of rupture, and determine the appropriate early intervention step. This article introduces the current research and application of exosome-derived microRNA (miRNA) as biomarkers of intracranial aneurysms and their limitations, which can give researchers a general overview of the research in this field. It can also serve as a reference point for selecting related research directions.

Circulating microRNAs in patients with aneurysmal dilatation of coronary arteries

To understand the mechanism underlying coronary artery abnormal dilatation (CAAD), the present study identified and compared the expression of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in three groups of patients. Group 1 included 20 patients with CAAD, Group 2 included 20 patients with angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease (CAD), and Group 3 included 20 patients with normal coronary arteries (control). miRNAs were isolated from plasma samples and were profiled using PCR arrays and miRCURY LNA Serum/Plasma Focus PCR Panels. The present study demonstrated that the plasma miRNA levels were significantly different in Group 1 compared with in Group 2 and Group 3 (fold change >2 and P<0.05). The comparison of Group 1 with Group 3 identified 21 significantly upregulated and two downregulated miRNAs in patients with CAAD compared with in the control group. Moreover, six upregulated and two downregulated miRNAs were identified in patients with CAD compared with in the controls. The third comparison revealed four upregulated and three downregulated miRNAs in Group 1, when compared with patients with CAD. In conclusion, the present study identified a specific signature of plasma miRNAs, which were upregulated and downregulated in patients with CAAD compared with in patients with CAD and control individuals.

Low Levels of MicroRNA-10a in Cardiovascular Endothelium and Blood Serum Are Related to Human Atherosclerotic Disease

Background

MicroRNA-10a (miR-10a) inhibits transcriptional factor GATA6 to repress inflammatory GATA6/VCAM-1 signaling, which is regulated by blood flow to affect endothelial function/dysfunction. This study aimed to identify the expression patterns of miR-10a/GATA6/VCAM-1 in vivo and study their implications in the pathophysiology of human coronary artery disease (CAD), i.e., atherosclerosis.

Methods

Human atherosclerotic coronary arteries and nondiseased arteries were used to detect the expressions of miR-10a/GATA6/VCAM-1 in pathogenic vs. normal conditions. In addition, sera from CAD patients and healthy subjects were collected to detect the level of circulating miR-10a.

Results

The comparison of human atherosclerotic coronary arteries with nondiseased arteries demonstrated that lower levels of endothelial miR-10a are related to human atherogenesis. Moreover, GATA6/VCAM-1 (a downstream target of miR-10a) was highly expressed in the endothelium, accompanied by the reduced levels of miR-10a during the development of human atherosclerosis. In addition, CAD patients had a significantly lower concentration of miR-10a in their serum compared to healthy subjects.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that low miR-10a and high GATA6/VCAM-1 in the cardiovascular endothelium correlates to the development of human atherosclerotic lesions, suggesting that miR-10a signaling has the potential to be developed as a biomarker for human atherosclerosis.

CircRNA FUT10 regulates the regenerative potential of aged skeletal muscle stem cells by targeting HOXA9

Skeletal muscle is capable of repairing itself after injury to maintain the stability of its own tissue, but this ability declines with aging. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in cell aging. However, there is little research into their role and underlying mechanisms, especially in skeletal muscle stem cells (SkMSCs). In this study, we assessed circRNA FUT10 expression in aged and adult SkMSCs. We observed that circRNA FUT10 was upregulated in aged SkMSCs compared with that in adult SkMSCs. Furthermore, we identified putative miR-365-3p binding sites on circRNA FUT10, suggesting that this circRNA sponges miR-365a-3p. We also found that HOXA9 is a downstream target of miR-365a-3p and confirmed that miR-365a-3p can bind to circRNA FUT10 and the 3′-untranslated region of HOXA9 mRNA. This finding indicated that miR-365a-3p might serve as a “bridge” between circRNA FUT10 and HOXA9. Finally, we found that the circRNA FUT10/miR365a-3p/HOXA9 axis is involved in SkMSC aging. Collectively, our results show that the circRNA FUT10/miR365a-3p/HOXA9 axis is a promising therapeutic target and are expected to facilitate the development of therapeutic strategies to improve the prognosis of degenerative muscle disease.

MiR-3663-3p participates in the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation activity of baicalein by targeting SH3GL1 and negatively regulating EGFR/ERK/NF-κB signaling

Baicalein is a purified flavonoid that exhibits anticancer effects in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unclear. In this study, we found that baicalein inhibited HCC cell growth, induced apoptosis, and blocked cell cycle arrest at the S phase in vitro, as well as reduced HCC tumor volume and weight in vivo. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR) results suggested that miR-3663-3p was downregulated in HCC tissues. After baicalein treatment, miR-3663-3p expression was upregulated in HCC cells. Transfection of miR-3663-3p suppressed HCC cell proliferation and colony formation, increased the proportion of apoptotic cells in vitro, and reduced the volume and weight of tumors in vivo. The results of dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-3663-3p could directly bind to the 3'-UTR of SH3GL1. SH3GL1 overexpression partly reduced the growth-inhibiting effect of miR-3663-3p. Both baicalein treatment and miR-3663-3p overexpression downregulated the expression of SH3GL1 and inactivated the Erk1/2, p-NF-κB/p65, and EGFR signaling pathways. Overall, our data suggest that baicalein may act as a novel HCC suppressor, and that the miR-3663-3p/SH3GL1/EGFR/ERK/NF-κB pathway plays a vital role in HCC progression. Thus, baicalein treatment or miR-3663-3p induction may be a promising strategy for HCC therapy.

Acidic extracellular pH induces autophagy to promote anoikis resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via downregulation of miR-3663-3p

Metastasis is the major reason for poor prognosis and high fatality in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Due to the “Warburg effect”, an acidic tumor microenvironment (TME) exists in solid tumors and plays a critical role in cancer metastasis. Thus, clarifying the mechanism underlying the acidic TME in tumor metastasis could facilitate the development of new therapeutic strategies for HCC. Anoikis resistance is one of the most important events in the early stage of cancer metastasis. Here, we report that acidic extracellular pH (pH_e) promotes autophagy of HCC cells via the AMPK/mTOR pathway. We found that autophagy induced by acidity enhances anoikis resistance of HCC cells, which could be reversed by autophagy inhibitors. Furthermore, miR-3663-3p was downregulated by acidity, and overexpression of miR-3663-3p abolished acidic pH_e-induced autophagy and anoikis resistance. In summary, acidic pH_e enhances anoikis resistance of HCC cells by inducing autophagy, which is regulated by miR-3663-3p. Our findings provide new insight into how the acidic TME is involved in HCC progression.

Integrated Transcriptional Profiling Analysis and Immune-Related Risk Model Construction for Intracranial Aneurysm Rupture

Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) may cause lethal subarachnoid hemorrhage upon rupture, but the molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. The aims of this study were to analyze the transcriptional profiles to explore the functions and regulatory networks of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in IA rupture by bioinformatics methods and to identify the underlying mechanisms. In this study, 1,471 DEGs were obtained, of which 619 were upregulated and 852 were downregulated. Gene enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in the inflammatory response, immune response, neutrophil chemotaxis, and macrophage differentiation. Related pathways include the regulation of actin cytoskeleton, leukocyte transendothelial migration, nuclear factor κB signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, and chemokine signaling pathway. The enrichment analysis of 20 hub genes, subnetworks, and significant enrichment modules of weighted gene coexpression network analysis showed that the inflammatory response and immune response had a causal relationship with the rupture of unruptured IAs (UIAs). Next, the CIBERSORT method was used to analyze immune cell infiltration into ruptured IAs (RIAs) and UIAs. Macrophage infiltration into RIAs increased significantly compared with that into UIAs. The result of principal component analysis revealed that there was a difference between RIAs and UIAs in immune cell infiltration. A 4-gene immune-related risk model for IA rupture (IRMIR), containing CXCR4, CXCL3, CX3CL1, and CXCL16, was established using the glmnet package in R software. The receiver operating characteristic value revealed that the model represented an excellent clinical situation for potential application. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed and showed that the concentrations of CXCR4 and CXCL3 in serum from RIA patients were significantly higher than those in serum from UIA patients. Finally, a competing endogenous RNA network was constructed to provide a potential explanation for the mechanism of immune cell infiltration into IAs. Our findings highlighted the importance of immune cell infiltration into RIAs, providing a direction for further research.

Identification of Novel microRNA Profiles Dysregulated in Plasma and Tissue of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Patients

microRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that regulate different biological processes. Our objective was to identify miRNAs dysregulated in plasma and tissue of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and explore new potential targets involved in AAA. Fifty-seven subjects were recruited for a plasma study (30 AAA patients, 16 healthy volunteers and 11 patients with atherosclerosis). The expression level of 179 miRNAs was screened in plasma from a subset of samples, and dysregulated miRNAs were validated in the entire study population. Dysregulated miRNAs were also quantified in aortic tissue of 21 AAA patients and 8 organ donors. Applying a gene set enrichment analysis, an interaction map of dysregulated miRNAs and their targets was built, and selected targets were quantified in tissue samples. miR-27b-3p and miR-221-3p were overexpressed in plasma of AAA patients compared with healthy controls, 1.6 times and 1.9 times, respectively. In AAA tissue, six miRNAs (miR-1, miR-27b-3p, miR-29b-3p, miR-133a-3p, miR-133b, and miR-195-5p) were underexpressed from 1.6 to 4.8 times and four miRNAs (miR-146a-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-144-3p, and miR-103a-3p) were overexpressed from 1.3 to 7.2 times. Thrombospondin-2, a target of miR-195-5p, was increased in AAA tissue and negatively correlated with the expression of miR-195-5p, suggesting their involvement in a common regulatory mechanism.

Substantially Altered Expression Profile of Diabetes/Cardiovascular/Cerebrovascular Disease Associated microRNAs in Children Descending from Pregnancy Complicated by Gestational Diabetes Mellitus-One of Several Possible Reasons for an Increased Cardiovascular Risk

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), one of the major pregnancy-related complications, characterized as a transitory form of diabetes induced by insulin resistance accompanied by a low/absent pancreatic beta-cell compensatory adaptation to the increased insulin demand, causes the acute, long-term, and transgenerational health complications. The aim of the study was to assess if alterations in gene expression of microRNAs associated with diabetes/cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases are present in whole peripheral blood of children aged 3-11 years descending from GDM complicated pregnancies. A substantially altered microRNA expression profile was found in children descending from GDM complicated pregnancies. Almost all microRNAs with the exception of miR-92a-3p, miR-155-5p, and miR-210-3p were upregulated. The microRNA expression profile also differed between children after normal and GDM complicated pregnancies in relation to the presence of overweight/obesity, prehypertension/hypertension, and/or valve problems and heart defects. Always, screening based on the combination of microRNAs was superior over using individual microRNAs, since at 10.0% false positive rate it was able to identify a large proportion of children with an aberrant microRNA expression profile (88.14% regardless of clinical findings, 75.41% with normal clinical findings, and 96.49% with abnormal clinical findings). In addition, the higher incidence of valve problems and heart defects was found in children with a prior exposure to GDM. The extensive file of predicted targets of all microRNAs aberrantly expressed in children descending from GDM complicated pregnancies indicates that a large group of these genes is involved in ontologies of diabetes/cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases. In general, children with a prior exposure to GDM are at higher risk of later development of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases, and would benefit from dispensarisation as well as implementation of primary prevention strategies.

Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Mothers with a History of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Based on Postpartal Expression Profile of MicroRNAs Associated with Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases

Mothers with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have an increased risk of developing diabetes in the future and a lifelong cardiovascular risk. Postpartal expression profile of cardiovascular/cerebrovascular disease associated microRNAs was assessed 3–11 years after the delivery in whole peripheral blood of young and middle-aged mothers with a prior exposure to GDM with the aim to identify a high-risk group of mothers at risk of later development of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases who would benefit from implementation of early primary prevention strategies and long-term follow-up. The hypothesis of the assessment of cardiovascular risk in women was based on the knowledge that a series of microRNAs play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases. Abnormal expression profile of multiple microRNAs was found in women with a prior exposure to GDM (miR-1-3p, miR-16-5p, miR-17-5p, miR-20a-5p, miR-20b-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-23a-3p, miR-24-3p, miR-26a-5p, miR-29a-3p, miR-100-5p, miR-103a-3p, miR-125b-5p, miR-126-3p, miR-130b-3p, miR-133a-3p, miR-143-3p, miR-145-5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-181a-5p, miR-195-5p, miR-199a-5p, miR-221-3p, miR-342-3p, miR-499a-5p, and-miR-574-3p). Postpartal combined screening of miR-1-3p, miR-16-5p, miR-17-5p, miR-20b-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-23a-3p, miR-26a-5p, miR-29a-3p, miR-103a-3p, miR-133a-3p, miR-146a-5p, miR-181a-5p, miR-195-5p, miR-199a-5p, miR-221-3p, and miR-499a-5p showed the highest accuracy for the identification of mothers with a prior exposure to GDM at a higher risk of later development of cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases (AUC 0.900, p < 0.001, sensitivity 77.48%, specificity 93.26%, cut off >0.611270413). It was able to identify 77.48% mothers with an increased cardiovascular risk at 10.0% FPR. Any of changes in epigenome (upregulation of miR-16-5p, miR-17-5p, miR-29a-3p, and miR-195-5p) that were induced by GDM-complicated pregnancy are long-acting and may predispose mothers affected with GDM to later development of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases. In addition, novel epigenetic changes (upregulation of serious of microRNAs) appeared in a proportion of women that were exposed to GDM throughout the postpartal life. Likewise, a previous occurrence of either GH, PE, and/or FGR, as well as a previous occurrence of GDM, is associated with the upregulation of miR-1-3p, miR-17-5p, miR-20a-5p, miR-20b-5p, miR-29a-3p, miR-100-5p, miR-125b-5p, miR-126-3p, miR-130b-3p, miR-133a-3p, miR-143-3p, miR-145-5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-181a-5p, miR-199a-5p, miR-221-3p, and miR-499a-5p. On the other hand, upregulation of miR-16-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-23a-3p, miR-24-3p, miR-26a-5p, miR-103a-3p, miR-195-5p, miR-342-3p, and miR-574-3p represents a unique feature of aberrant expression profile of women with a prior exposure to GDM. Screening of particular microRNAs may stratify a high-risk group of mothers with a history of GDM who might benefit from implementation of early primary prevention strategies.