A Feedback Loop Involving MicroRNA-150 and MYB Regulates VEGF Expression in Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells After Oxygen Glucose Deprivation

Exploration on the effect of anserine on the alleviation of DVT and its molecular mechanism

Background

This study aimed to explore the regulatory effect of anserine on HUVEC cell injury and thrombosis in deep venous thrombosis (DVT) rats, and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Methods

Non-targeted metabolomics data analyses were conducted using an ultra-performance liquid chromatography system Vanquish UHPLC and mass spectrometer to detect plasma metabolism profiles. The transcriptome sequencing and gene intervention experiments were performed to verify the regulatory effect. Further in vivo and in vitro experiments were performed. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of P-selectin, E-selectin, and vWF, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe thrombotic and inflammatory cell infiltration, flow cytometry and TUNEL assays were performed to detect apoptosis, and qPCR and WB assays were conducted to determine the gene and protein expression.

Results

Anserine alleviated HUVECs injury, reduced adhesion molecule expression, and inflammation. It decreased P-selectin, E-selectin, vWF, THBD, TFPI levels, and apoptosis while promoting NOS3, ET-1, and NO release in HUVECs. In DVT rats, anserine reduced P-selectin, E-selectin, vWF, thrombosis, cell infiltration, apoptosis, and promoted NO release. Transcriptome sequencing and gene intervention confirmed anserine's regulation of the PI3K-Akt pathway and coagulation via MYB. CARNMT1, a regulatory enzyme for anserine metabolism, increased anserine content, inhibiting coagulation, thrombosis, cell infiltration, and promoting NO release in rats.

Conclusion

This study confirmed anserine could alleviate DVT by improving the inflammatory response, inhibiting blood agglutination, and promoting vasodilation, providing new potential therapeutic targets, important scientific evidence for the development of DVT management, and new clues for an in-depth understanding of its molecular mechanisms.

Molecular subtype identification of cerebral ischemic stroke based on ferroptosis-related genes

Cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS) has the characteristics of a high incidence, disability, and mortality rate. Here, we aimed to explore the potential pathogenic mechanisms of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) in CIS. Three microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were utilized to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CIS and normal controls. FRGs were obtained from a literature report and the FerrDb database. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were used to screen hub genes. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was adopted to evaluate the diagnostic value of key genes in CIS, followed by analysis of immune microenvironment, transcription factor (TF) regulatory network, drug prediction, and molecular docking. In total, 128 CIS samples were divided into 2 subgroups after clustering analysis. Compared with cluster A, 1560 DEGs were identified in cluster B. After the construction of the WGCNA and PPI network, 5 hub genes, including MAPK3, WAS, DNAJC5, PRKCD, and GRB2, were identified for CIS. Interestingly, MAPK3 was a FRG that differentially expressed between cluster A and cluster B. The expression levels of 5 hub genes were all specifically highly in cluster A subtype. It is noted that neutrophils were the most positively correlated with all 5 real hub genes. PRKCD was one of the target genes of FASUDIL. In conclusion, five real hub genes were identified as potential diagnostic markers, which can distinguish the two subtypes well.

Non-coding RNAs and angiogenesis in cardiovascular diseases: a comprehensive review

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have key roles in the etiology of many illnesses, including heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, and in physiological processes like angiogenesis. In transcriptional regulatory circuits that control heart growth, signaling, and stress response, as well as remodeling in cardiac disease, ncRNAs have become important players. Studies on ncRNAs and cardiovascular disease have made great progress recently. Here, we go through the functions of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) like circular RNAs (circRNAs), and microRNAs (miRNAs) as well as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in modulating cardiovascular disorders.

miRNA Involvement in Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury is a debilitating medical condition, currently with only a limited amount of therapies aimed at protecting the cerebral parenchyma. Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules that via the RNA-induced silencing complex either degrade or prevent target messenger RNAs from being translated and thus, can modulate the synthesis of target proteins. In the neurological field, miRNAs have been evaluated as potential regulators in brain development processes and pathological events. Following ischemic hypoxic stress, the cellular and molecular events initiated dysregulate different miRNAs, responsible for long-terming progression and extension of neuronal damage. Because of their ability to regulate the synthesis of target proteins, miRNAs emerge as a possible therapeutic strategy in limiting the neuronal damage following a cerebral ischemic event. This review aims to summarize the recent literature evidence of the miRNAs involved in signaling and modulating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injuries, thus pointing their potential in limiting neuronal damage and repair mechanisms. An in-depth overview of the molecular pathways involved in ischemia reperfusion injury and the involvement of specific miRNAs, could provide future perspectives in the development of neuroprotective agents targeting these specific miRNAs.

URB597 and Andrographolide Improve Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cell Permeability and Apoptosis by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Associated with Activation of Nrf2 Signaling in Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation

Ischemic stroke, a cerebrovascular disease worldwide, triggers a cascade of pathophysiological events, including blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown. Brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) play a vital role in maintaining BBB function. The injury of BMECs may worsen neurovascular dysfunction and patients' prognosis. Therefore, uncover the principal molecular mechanisms involved in BBB disruption in stroke becomes pressing. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been implicated in increasingly physiological functions, both in neurometabolism and cerebrovascular regulation. Modulating its activities by the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) shows anti-inflammatory characteristics. Andrographolide (AG), one Chinese herbal ingredient, has also attracted attention for its role in immunomodulatory and as a therapeutic target in BBB disorders. Recently, the FAAH inhibitor URB597 and AG have important regulatory effects on neuronal and vascular cells in ischemia. However, the effects of URB597 and AG on BMEC permeability and apoptosis in oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To address these issues, cultured BMECs (bEnd.3 cells) were exposed to OGD. The cell viability, permeability, tube formation, and apoptosis were assessed following treatment with URB597, AG, and cotreatment. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), proinflammatory factors, tight junction (TJ) proteins, and oxidative stress-mediated Nrf2 signaling were also investigated. Results revealed that OGD broke the endothelial barrier, cell viability, MMP, and tube formation, which was reversed by URB597 and AG. OGD-induced enhancement of ROS, MDA, and apoptosis was reduced after drug interventions. URB597 and AG exhibited antioxidant/anti-inflammatory and mitochondrial protective effects by activating Nrf2 signaling. These findings indicated that URB597 and AG protect BMECs against OGD-induced endothelial permeability impairment and apoptosis by reducing mitochondrial oxidative stress and inflammation associated with activation of Nrf2 signaling. URB597 and AG showing the vascular protection may have therapeutic potential for the BBB damage in ischemic cerebrovascular diseases.