Associations between miR-661, miR-1202, lncRNA-HOTAIR, lncRNA-GAS5 and MMP9 in differentiated M2-macrophages of patients with varicose veins

Natural History of Varicose Veins of the Legs

Objective To assess the natural history of saphenous and non-saphenous varicose veins using the results of the Bonn Vein Studies and data published in literature.

Methods We used the data of the Bonn Vein Studies (BVS) 1 and 2 to assess if preexisting non-saphenous varicose veins (NSVV) in persons who had no saphenous varicose veins (SVV) at baseline have an impact on the incidence of SVV during the follow-up of 6.6 years and vice versa. SVV where defined as tortuous or not-tortuous refluxing saphenous veins. The statistical evaluation was performed using SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, North Carolina). In addition, we performed a review of publications concerning the natural history of varicose veins (VV) using PubMed.

Results In the BVS the overall incidence of SVV within the follow-up time of 6.6 years was 8.0 % (n = 133 of 1661; 95 % CI: 6.8–9.4). 7.2 % (n = 107 of 1492) without VV in BVS 1 and 19.8 % (n = 26) of patients with preexisting NSVV developed SVV. The relative risk for the development of SVV in patients with preexisting NSVV was 2.44 (95% CI: 1.64–3.64) adjusted for age and sex. The overall incidence of NSVV was markedly higher with 13.3 % (n = 226 of 1661; 95 % CI: 11.8–15.1). During follow-up 148 patients (9.9 %) without VV in BVS 1 developed NSVV. 48.5 % (n = 78) of patients with preexisting SVV developed NSVV during follow-up. The relative risk for the development of NSVV in patients with preexisting SVV was 4.10 (95% CI: 3.26–5.16), adjusted for age and sex.

In published studies the development of VV is preceded by venous reflux. Initial VV may develop at any segment and the results from literature suggest that the location of VV and reflux at the time of the investigation depends on age. In younger individuals more distal location are reported with an ascending progression in the majority but also descending progression is possible.

Conclusions Based on the results of the Bonn Vein Studies 1 and 2 we could demonstrate, that preexisting SVV increase the risk of developing NSVV and preexisting NSVV increase the risk of developing SVV in a similar way. Venous reflux may initially occur in any segment of the venous system and may progress in antegrade and/or retrograde fashion. In younger adults initial VV seem to be localized more often in distal parts of the legs with an antegrade progression over time.

lncRNAs dysregulation in monocytes from primary antiphospholipid syndrome patients: a bioinformatic and an experimental proof-of-concept approach

BACKGROUND

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is the main cause of acquired thrombophilia where peripheral circulating cells such as monocytes have a key role. Currently, several studies have linked long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in different inflammatory and autoimmune processes, including lupus. However, the role of lncRNAs in antiphospholipid syndrome is unknown, therefore, we aimed to select and measure expression levels of three lncRNAs based on its abundance in monocytes from APS patients.

METHODS

Selection of lncRNAs candidates were carried out based on its abundance in monocytes and their relationship with Perez-Sanchez miRNA signature by using miRNet 2.0 bioinformatic tool, then lncRNAs expression levels was measured in monocytes by RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

This is the first study to report that lncRNAs: FGD5-AS1, OIP5-AS1 and GAS5 are promising candidates for play a role on APS monocytes and they are expressed differently between patients and controls.

CONCLUSIONS

OIP5-AS1, FGD5-AS1 and GAS5 are downregulated on monocytes from APS patients.

MicroRNA expression biomarkers of chronic venous disease

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a common disease caused by hemodynamic disorders of the venous circulation in the lower extremities. The clinical image of this disease is complex and includes such signs as telangiectases, varicose veins, leg edema and skin changes, usually accompanied with ache, pain, tightness, heaviness, swelling and muscle cramps of legs. Venous ulcers develop in the advanced stages of the disease and lead to significant impairment of patient abilities and reduction of the quality of life. CVD is diagnosed based on physical and image examinations, and main treatment options include compression therapy, invasive treatments like endovenous ablation and foam sclerotherapy, as well as pharmacotherapy. Currently, there is no biochemical and molecular biomarkers utilized in diagnosis or treatment of CVD. With regard to this situation, one of the most investigated fields for identification of disease biomarkers is microRNA (miRNA). These constitute a pool of small, non-coding RNAs that play crucial roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis through posttranscriptional regulation of genes expression. Dysregulations of miRNA expression profiles have been found in patients with various diseases, and this situation provides information about potential miRNA signatures involved in pathophysiology. In this review, the studies focused on investigations of miRNA expression patterns in patients with CVD were collected. The performed literature analysis provides contemporary knowledge in the field of miRNA-dependent mechanisms involved in the etiopathogenesis of CVD and shows gaps that need to be filled in further studies.

Understanding Chronic Venous Disease: A Critical Overview of Its Pathophysiology and Medical Management

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a multifactorial condition affecting an important percentage of the global population. It ranges from mild clinical signs, such as telangiectasias or reticular veins, to severe manifestations, such as venous ulcerations. However, varicose veins (VVs) are the most common manifestation of CVD. The explicit mechanisms of the disease are not well-understood. It seems that genetics and a plethora of environmental agents play an important role in the development and progression of CVD. The exposure to these factors leads to altered hemodynamics of the venous system, described as ambulatory venous hypertension, therefore promoting microcirculatory changes, inflammatory responses, hypoxia, venous wall remodeling, and epigenetic variations, even with important systemic implications. Thus, a proper clinical management of patients with CVD is essential to prevent potential harms of the disease, which also entails a significant loss of the quality of life in these individuals. Hence, the aim of the present review is to collect the current knowledge of CVD, including its epidemiology, etiology, and risk factors, but emphasizing the pathophysiology and medical care of these patients, including clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatments. Furthermore, future directions will also be covered in this work in order to provide potential fields to explore in the context of CVD.

Hemodynamics mediated epigenetic regulators in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases

Endothelium of blood vessels is continuously exposed to various hemodynamic forces. Flow-mediated epigenetic plasticity regulates vascular endothelial function. Recent studies have highlighted the significant role of mechanosensing-related epigenetics in localized endothelial dysfunction and the regional susceptibility for lesions in vascular diseases. In this article, we review the epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA de/methylation, histone modifications, as well as non-coding RNAs in promoting endothelial dysfunction in major arterial and venous diseases, consequent to hemodynamic alterations. We also discuss the current challenges and future prospects for the use of mechanoepigenetic mediators as biomarkers of early stages of vascular diseases and dysregulated mechanosensing-related epigenetic regulators as therapeutic targets in various vascular diseases.

Long noncoding RNA growth arrest-specific transcript 5 alleviates renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy by downregulating matrix metalloproteinase 9 through recruitment of enhancer of zeste homolog 2

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a frequently occurred microvascular complication associated with type I and type II diabetes mellitus. The participation of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in diabetes-related microvascular complications has been reported extensively. We attempted to unveil the possible regulatory mechanism of lncRNA growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), an important inflammatory protein, in the progression of DN. A rat DN model was induced by streptozocin (STZ). The low expression of GAS5 and high expression of MMP9 in DN rats with DN was then determined by RT-qPCR and western blot analysis, and lentivirus-mediated GAS5 overexpression was shown to ameliorate STZ-induced renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) and inflammatory reaction in the kidney of DN rats. Moreover, MMP9 was found to be upregulated in STZ-induced DN, while MMP9 silencing induced by lentivirus expressing shRNA against MMP9 reduced RIF and suppressed inflammation in the kidney of DN rats. RIP, RNA pull-down, and ChIP assays demonstrated that GAS5 downregulated MMP9 via recruiting enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) in the promoter region of MMP9. Overall, our study reveals that GAS5 downregulates MMP9 expression through recruiting EZH2 to MMP9 promoter region and alleviates the progression of renal fibrosis in DN rats, which sheds new light on the therapeutic potential of GAS5-targeted therapies in combating that disease.