LncRNA OIP5-AS1 accelerates ox-LDL-treated HUVECs injury by NF-κB pathway via miR-30c-5p

NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in atherosclerosis: Focusing on the therapeutic potential of non-coding RNAs

NLRP3 (NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3) inflammasome pathway has a critical role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Activation of this pathway is implicated in the subendothelial inflammation and atherosclerosis progression. The NLRP3 inflammasome are cytoplasmic sensors with the distinct capacity to identify a wide range of inflammation-related signals, which enhance NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and allow it to trigger inflammation. This pathway is triggered by a variety of intrinsic signals which exist in atherosclerotic plaques, like cholesterol crystals and oxidized LDL. Further pharmacological findings indicated that NLRP3 inflammasome enhanced caspase-1-mediated secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators like interleukin (IL)- 1β/18. Newly published cutting-edge studies suggested that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) including microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) are major modulators of NLRP3 inflammasome in atherosclerosis. Therefore, in this review, we aimed to discuss the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, biogenesis of ncRNAs as well as the modulatory role of ncRNAs in regulating the various mediators of NLRP3 inflammasome pathway including TLR4, NF-kB, NLRP3, and caspase 1. We also discussed the importance of NLRP3 inflammasome pathway-related ncRNAs as a diagnostic biomarker in atherosclerosis and current therapeutics in the modulation of NLRP3 inflammasome in atherosclerosis. Finally, we speak about the limitations and future prospects of ncRNAs in regulating inflammatory atherosclerosis via the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.

Emerging Role of MicroRNA-30c in Neurological Disorders

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate the expression of target genes by interacting with 3' untranslated regions of target mRNAs to induce mRNA degradation and translational repression. The miR-30 family members are involved in the development of many tissues and organs and participate in the pathogenesis of human diseases. As a key member of the miR-30 family, miR-30c has been implicated in neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. Mechanistically, miR-30c may act as a multi-functional regulator of different pathogenic processes such as autophagy, apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, oxidative stress, thrombosis, and neurovascular function, thereby contributing to different disease states. Here, we review and discuss the biogenesis, gene regulation, and the role and mechanisms of action of miR-30c in several neurological disorders and therapeutic potential in clinics.

Circ_0091822 aggravates ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell injury through targeting the miR-661/RAB22A axis

BACKGROUND

Endothelial dysfunction is considered to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been confirmed to participate in the development of atherosclerosis. Nevertheless, the role and mechanism of circ_0091822 in atherosclerosis have not been studied yet.

METHODS

The expression of circ_0091822, miR-661 and RAB22A were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell viability was analyzed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, cell proliferation was evaluated by EdU assay, and cell apoptosis was gauged by flow cytometry. Western blot was performed to assess the protein levels of Bax, Cleaved-caspase-3 and RAB22A. The interaction among miR-661 and circ_0091822 or RAB22A was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assayRESULTS:Ox-LDL enhanced the expression of circ_0091822 in HUVECs. It also constrained proliferation, promotes apoptosis and inflammation in HUVECs, and down-regulation of circ_0091822 attenuated these effects. Mechanically, circ_0091822 could serve as a sponge of miR-661, miR-661 interference rescued circ_0091822 inhibition-mediated effect on the biological functions in ox-LDL-induced HUVECs. Additionally, RAB22A was a target of miR-661, and its overexpression could partially overturn the negative regulation of miR-661 on ox-LDL-treated HUVECs injury. Importantly, circ_0091822 sponged miR-661 to positively regulate RAB22A expression.

CONCLUSION

Circ_0091822 contributed to cell injury by targeting miR-661/RAB22A axis in ox-LDL-stimulated HUVECs.

Circ_0093887 regulated ox-LDL induced human aortic endothelial cells viability, apoptosis, and inflammation through modulating miR-758-3p/BAMBI axis in atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND: Compelling evidence demonstrated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) were involved in the progression of atherosclerosis (AS). However, the role of circ_0093887 in the progression of AS is unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the role and mechanism of circ_0093887 in oxidized-low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). METHODS: HAECs were stimulated by ox-LDL to simulate AS-like injury in vitro. Circ_0093887, microRNA-758-3p (miR-758-3p), and BMP And Activin Membrane-Bound Inhibitor (BAMBI) levels were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). PCNA, Bax, Bcl-2, and BAMBI protein levels were detected by western blot. Cell viability and apoptosis were examined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry. Tube formation assay was used to assess tube formation. The levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β were detected by corresponding ELISA kits. The relationship between miR-758-3p and circ_0093887 or BAMBI was tested via dual-luciferase reporter analysis and RNA immunoprecipitation. Oxidative stress related indexes (ROS and MDA) were detected by corresponding kits. RESULTS: The expression levels of circ_0093887 and BAMBI were prominently downregulated in ox-LDL-induced HAECs compared with control, whereas the expression of miR-758-3p was upregulated. Overexpression of circ_0093887 promoted HAECs viability and tube formation, and restrained cell apoptosis in ox-LDL-induced HAECs compared with untreated HAECs. Mechanistically, circ_0093887 regulated the expression of BAMBI through miR-758-3p. Further experiments showed that upregulation of miR-758-3p reversed changes in cell function induced by circ_0093887. In addition, reduced BAMBI salvaged miR-758-3p knockdown mediated effects on cell function. CONCLUSION: Circ_0093887 demonstrated its diagnostic and therapeutic value in AS by promoting the role of the miR-758-3p/BAMBI axis in the ox-LDL-induced endothelial injury of HAECs.

The lncRNA DANCR promotes development of atherosclerosis by regulating the miR-214-5p/COX20 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Although long non-coding RNA differentiation antagonizing non-protein coding RNA (DANCR) has been reported to be involved in atherosclerosis (AS) development, its specific mechanism remains unclear.

METHODS

DANCR expression levels in blood samples of AS patients and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) treated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The small interfering RNA targeting DANCR (si-DANCR) was used to silence DANCR expression. Cell viability was assessed by CCK-8 assay. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Levels of inflammatory cytokines, anti-oxidative enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and malonaldehyde (MDA) were detected by specific commercial kits. An animal AS model was established to confirm the role of DANCR/microR-214-5p/COX20 (the chaperone of cytochrome c oxidase subunit II COX2) in AS development.

RESULTS

DANCR was significantly increased in the blood samples of AS patients and ox-LDL treated VSMCs and HUVECs. DANCR downregulation obviously increased viability and reduced apoptosis of ox-LDL-treated VSMCs and HUVECs. Meanwhile, DANCR downregulation reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6 (IL-6), IL-1beta (IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (TNF-α) and MDA while increasing the SOD level in ox-LDL-treated VSMCs and HUVECs. DANCR regulated COX20 expression by acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miR-214-5p. Rescue experiments demonstrated that miR-214-5p downregulation obviously attenuated si-DANCR-induced protective effects on ox-LDL-caused endothelial injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results revealed that DANCR promoted AS progression by targeting the miR-214-5p/COX20 axis, suggesting that DANCR might be a potential therapeutic target for AS.

Sevoflurane protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury via microrna-30c-5p modulating homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 1

Sevoflurane (SEV) has been reported to be an effective neuroprotective agent for cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI). However, the precise molecular mechanisms of Sev preconditioning in CIRI remain largely unknown. Therefore, CIRI model was established via middle cerebral artery occlusion method. SEV was applied before modeling. after successful modeling, lentivirus was injected into the lateral ventricle of the brain. Neurological impairment score was performed in each group, and histopathologic condition, infarct volume, apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, microRNA (miR)-30 c-5p and homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 1 (HIPK1) were detected. Mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line HT22 cells were pretreated with SEV, and the in vitro model was stimulated via oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation. The corresponding plasmids were transfected, and the cell growth was detected, including inflammation and oxidative stress, etc. The targeting of miR-30 c-5p with HIPK1 was examined. The results clarified that reduced miR-30 c-5p and elevated HIPK1 were manifested in CIRI. SEV could improve CIRI and modulate the miR-30 c-5p-HIPK1 axis in vitro and in vivo, and miR-30 c-5p could target HIPK1. Depressed miR-30 c-5p could eliminate the protection of SEV in vitro and in vivo. Repression of HIPK1 reversed the effect of reduced miR-30 c-5p on CIRI. Therefore, it is concluded that SEV is available to depress CIRI via targeting HIPK1 through upregulated miR-30 c-5p.

The Impact of lncRNAs and miRNAs in Regulation of Function of Cancer Stem Cells and Progression of Cancer

Stem cells have two important features, namely the ability for self-renewal and the capacity to differentiate into some cell kinds with specialized functions. These two features are also present in cancer stem cells (CSCs). These cells have been detected in almost all kinds of cancers facilitating their tumorigenicity. Molecular cascades that control self-renewal of stem cells, namely the Wnt, Notch, and Hedgehog pathways have been suggested to influence CSCs functions as well. Moreover, non-coding RNAs can regulate function of CSCs. Function of miRNAs in the regulation of CSCs has been mostly assessed in breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. miR-130a-3p, miR-600, miR-590-5p, miR-142-3p, miR-221, miR-222, miR-638, miR-375, miR-31, and miR-210 are among those regulating this feature in breast cancer. Moreover, miR-206, miR-192-5p, miR-500a-3p, miR-125, miR-125b, miR-613, miR-217, miR-194, and miR-494 regulate function of CSCs in hepatocellular carcinoma. DILC, lncTCF7, MUF, HAND2-AS1, MALAT1, DLX6-AS1, HOTAIR, and XIST are among lncRNAs that regulate function of CSCs. In the present paper, we explain the effects of these two classes of non-coding RNAs in the regulation of activity of CSCs.