Upregulated miR-206 Aggravates Deep Vein Thrombosis by Regulating GJA1-Mediated Autophagy of Endothelial Progenitor Cells

Perspective and Therapeutic Potential of the Noncoding RNA-Connexin Axis

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a class of nucleotide sequences that cannot be translated into peptides. ncRNAs can function post-transcriptionally by splicing complementary sequences of mRNAs or other ncRNAs or by directly engaging in protein interactions. Over the past few decades, the pervasiveness of ncRNAs in cell physiology and their pivotal roles in various diseases have been identified. One target regulated by ncRNAs is connexin (Cx), a protein that forms gap junctions and hemichannels and facilitates intercellular molecule exchange. The aberrant expression and misdistribution of connexins have been implicated in central nervous system diseases, cardiovascular diseases, bone diseases, and cancer. Current databases and technologies have enabled researchers to identify the direct or indirect relationships between ncRNAs and connexins, thereby elucidating their correlation with diseases. In this review, we selected the literature published in the past five years concerning disorders regulated by ncRNAs via corresponding connexins. Among it, microRNAs that regulate the expression of Cx43 play a crucial role in disease development and are predominantly reviewed. The distinctive perspective of the ncRNA-Cx axis interprets pathology in an epigenetic manner and is expected to motivate research for the development of biomarkers and therapeutics.

Non-coding RNAs regulating endothelial progenitor cells for venous thrombosis: promising therapy and innovation

Venous thromboembolism, which includes deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism, is the third most common vascular disease in the world and seriously threatens the lives of patients. Currently, the effect of conventional treatments on DVT is limited. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in the resolution and recanalization of DVT, but an unfavorable microenvironment reduces EPC function. Non-coding RNAs, especially long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs, play a crucial role in improving the biological function of EPCs. Non-coding RNAs have become clinical biomarkers of diseases and are expected to serve as new targets for disease intervention. A theoretical and experimental basis for the development of new methods for preventing and treating DVT in the clinic will be provided by studies on the role and molecular mechanism of non-coding RNAs regulating EPC function in the occurrence and development of DVT. To summarize, the characteristics of venous thrombosis, the regulatory role of EPCs in venous thrombosis, and the effect of non-coding RNAs regulating EPCs on venous thrombosis are reviewed. This summary serves as a useful reference and theoretical basis for research into the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and prognosis of venous thrombosis.

MiRNAs and Their Role in Venous Thromboembolic Complications

Venous thromboembolic complications (VTCs), which include deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), have remained a pressing problem in modern clinical medicine for a long time. Despite the already wide arsenal of modern methods for diagnosing and treating this disease, VTCs rank third in the structure of causes of death among all cardiovascular diseases, behind myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic stroke (IS). Numerous studies have confirmed the importance of understanding the molecular processes of VTCs for effective therapy and diagnosis. Significant progress has been made in VTC research in recent years, where the relative contribution of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the mechanism of thrombus formation and their consideration as therapeutic targets have been well studied. In this case, accurate, timely, and as early as possible diagnosis of VTCs is of particular importance, which will help improve both short-term and long-term prognoses of patients. This case accounts for the already well-studied circulating miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers. This study presents currently available literature data on the role of miRNAs in VTCs, revealing their potential as therapeutic targets and diagnostic and prognostic tools for this terrible disease.

MiR-128-3p promotes the progression of deep venous thrombosis through binding SIRT1

OBJECTIVES

This research aimed to study the effect of microRNA-128-3p (miR-128-3p) on deep venous thrombosis (DVT).

METHOD

The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, Transwell chamber method, and flow cytometry technique were used in the cell experiments. Potential interconnection between miR-128-3p and silent information regulator sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) was revealed by luciferase activity. The concentration of miR-128-3p and mRNA SIRT1 was assessed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to test the predictive effect of miR-128-3p in DVT.

RESULTS

Decreased miR-128-3p expression was beneficial to cell proliferation and migration and inhibited inflammation, apoptosis, and adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The impacts of miR-128-3p on HUVECs were achieved by targeting SIRT1. MiR-128-3p was upregulated in patients with DVT, and it was of great significance in differentiating patients with DVT.

CONCLUSION

Overexpression of miR-128-3p might become a biomarker for patients with DVT.

MiR-130a-3p regulates FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy by targeting GJA1 in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Understanding the complex pathogenesis in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury (IRI) is an urgent problem in clinical trials. Increasing pieces of evidence have suggested that miRNAs are involved in the occurrence and development of heart diseases by regulating mitochondria-related gene expression. Mitochondria have been acknowledged as the key triggers of cardiac I/R injury. However, the potential impact of miR-130a on mitochondria remains unclear in myocardial IRI. Exploring the regulatory mechanism of miR-130a on mitochondria may provide a new target for IRI therapy. In the present study, we found that miR-130a significantly increased in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients and myocardial I/R rats. MiR-130a could downregulate the viability of cardiomyocytes and the knockdown of miR-130a could protect the viability of cardiomyocytes under hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR). Over-expression of miR-130a resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction. It was evidenced by decreases in mitochondrial ATP production, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. However, suppression of miR-130a could protect against mitochondrial damage, show elevation of mitochondrial ATP production rate and MMP, and reduce ROS production. We further explored the effect of miR-130a on the mitochondrial quality control (QMC) system by determining mitochondrial-protein-specific proteases and analyzed mitochondrial morphology by fluorescence imaging and electron microscopy, respectively. It was noted that miR-130a could suppress mitochondrial fusion and FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy to accelerate myocardial IRI. Moreover, we investigated the potential miR-130a targeted mitochondria-related genes to understand the regulatory mechanism of miR-130a in the setting of myocardial IRI. It was revealed that miR-130a targeted GJA1, and GJA1 rescued IRI by enhancing ATP production rate and oxidative phosphorylation, meanwhile protecting cell viability, MMP, and activating mitophagy. In addition, the knockdown of miR-130a significantly activated FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy, while the knockdown of GJA1 reversed the relevant response. Collectively, our findings suggest that miR-130a regulates FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy by targeting GJA1 in myocardial IRI.

The Potential Role of Connexins in the Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis

Connexins (Cx) are members of a protein family which enable extracellular and intercellular communication through hemichannels and gap junctions (GJ), respectively. Cx take part in transporting important cell-cell messengers such as 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), among others. Therefore, they play a significant role in regulating cell homeostasis, proliferation, and differentiation. Alterations in Cx distribution, degradation, and post-translational modifications have been correlated with cancers, as well as cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Depending on the isoform, Cx have been shown either to promote or suppress the development of atherosclerosis, a progressive inflammatory disease affecting large and medium-sized arteries. Cx might contribute to the progression of the disease by enhancing endothelial dysfunction, monocyte recruitment, vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) activation, or by inhibiting VSMC autophagy. Inhibition or modulation of the expression of specific isoforms could suppress atherosclerotic plaque formation and diminish pro-inflammatory conditions. A better understanding of the complexity of atherosclerosis pathophysiology linked with Cx could result in developing novel therapeutic strategies. This review aims to present the role of Cx in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and discusses whether they can become novel therapeutic targets.

By modulating miR-525-5p/Bax axis, LINC00659 promotes vascular endothelial cell apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a vascular disease that has no effective treatment at present. Endothelial cells play a crucial role in the processes vasoconstriction, platelet activation, and blood coagulation and are an integral part of the vascular response to injury resulting in thrombus formation.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the roles and mechanisms of long noncoding RNA LINC00659 (LINC00659) in endothelial cells.

METHODS

The functions of LINC00659 and miR-525-5p on endothelial cells were explored by cell transfection assays, and the expression levels of LINC00659, miR-525-5p, and Bax in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were assessed with reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Binding sites of LINC00659 and miR-525-5p were subsequently analyzed with bioinformatics software, and validated with dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Effects of LINC00659 and miR-525-5p on proliferation and apoptosis of HUVECs were detected with MTT (3-(45)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-35-di-phenytetrazoliumromide) assay and flow cytometry. RT-qPCR and western blot analysis were used to evaluate the mRNA and protein levels of apoptosis-related markers Bcl-2 and Bax in HUVECs.

RESULTS

LINC00659 directly targeted and negatively regulated miR-525-5p, and Bax was a target of miR-525-5p. Upregulation of LINC00659 could inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis of HUVECs, while the silencing of LINC00659 could increase the viability of HUVECs and inhibit apoptosis via upregulating miR-525-5p. Further mechanistic studies revealed miR-525-5p could negatively regulate Bax in HUVECs, and increased the viability of HUVECs and inhibited apoptosis by downregulating Bax expression.

CONCLUSION

LINC00659 played an important role in DVT by regulating the apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells through regulating miR-525-5p/Bax axis.

LncRNA NEAT1 Promotes Vascular Endothelial Cell Dysfunction via miR-218-5p/GAB2 and Serves as a Diagnostic Biomarker for Deep Vein Thrombosis

OBJECTIVE

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common peripheral disease. This study aimed to elucidate the diagnostic biomarker of lncRNA nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) in the DVT, and explore possible mechanisms in Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

METHODS

101 patients with lower extremity DVT and 82 healthy controls were enrolled. RT-qPCR was designed to resolve the mRNA levels of NEAT1, miR-218-5p, and GAB2. ROC was applied for the diagnosis of DVT. Systemic inflammation (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and adhesion factor (SELP, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1) were examined by the ELISA. And cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis were conducted by the CCK-8, Transwell, flow cytometry assay. The targeting relationship was validated by Dual luciferase reporter and RIP analysis.

RESULTS

NEAT1 and GAB2 were upregulated in patients with DVT, while miR-218-5p was decreased (P < .01). Serum NEAT1 can identify DVT patients from healthy individuals. NEAT1 was positively correalted with fibrinolysis factors, coagulation factors, and vasoconstrictors. NEAT1 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and promoted apoptosis as well as inflammation and adhesion factors secretion of HUVECs (P < .05), but all were impaired by overexpression of miR-218-5p (P < .05). NEAT1 promoted GAB2 expression in DVT by acting as a sponge for miR-218-5p.

CONCLUSION

Elevated NEAT1 is a possible DVT diagnostic biomarker, and is implicated in vascular endothelial cell dysfunction via miR-218-5p/GAB2 axis.