microRNA-612 is downregulated by platelet-derived growth factor-BB treatment and has inhibitory effects on vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration via directly targeting AKT2

Association Analysis Between the Functional Single Nucleotide Variants in miR-146a, miR-196a-2, miR-499a, and miR-612 With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Background

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is characterized by an abnormal proliferation of immature lymphocytes, in whose development involves both environmental and genetic factors. It is well known that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in coding and noncoding genes contribute to the susceptibility to ALL. This study aims to determine whether SNPs in miR-146a, miR-196a-2, miR-499a, and miR-612 genes are associated with the risk to ALL in pediatric Mexican population.

Methods

A multicenter case-control study was carried out including patients with de novo diagnosis of ALL and healthy subjects as control group. The DNA samples were obtained from saliva and peripheral blood, and the genotyping of rs2910164, rs12803915, rs11614913, and rs3746444 was performed using the 5′exonuclease technique. Gene-gene interaction was evaluated by the multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) software.

Results

miR-499a rs3746444 showed significant differences among cases and controls. The rs3746444G allele was found as a risk factor to ALL (OR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.05–2.5]; p = 0.028). The homozygous GG genotype of rs3746444 confers higher risk to ALL than the AA genotype (OR, 5.3 [95% CI, 1.23–23.4]; p = 0.01). Moreover, GG genotype highly increases the risk to ALL in male group (OR, 17.6 [95% CI, 1.04–298.9]; p = 0.00393). In addition, an association in a gender-dependent manner among SNPs located in miR-146a and miR-196a-2 genes and ALL susceptibility was found.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that SNP located in miR-499a, miR-146a, and miR-196a-2 genes confer risk to ALL in Mexican children. Experimental analysis to decipher the role of these SNPs in human hematopoiesis could improve our understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the development of ALL.

MicroRNA-212-5p and its target PAFAH1B2 suppress vascular proliferation and contraction via the downregulation of RhoA

Vascular remodeling and contraction contribute to the development of hypertension. We investigated the role of miR-212-5p and its downstream target in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, migration, and contraction. MicroRNA microarray and PCR analyses showed that miR-212-5p expression was increased with angiotensin II treatment in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, miR-212-5p mimic treatment attenuated and miR-212-5p inhibitor treatment increased VSMC proliferation and migration. Additionally, miR-212-5p mimic treatment suppressed VSMC contraction and related gene expression [Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) and Rho-associated protein kinase 2], while miR-212-5p inhibitor treatment exerted opposite effects. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase 1B2 (PAFAH1B2) is a target of miR-212-5p. miR-212-5p mimic treatment significantly reduced and miR-212-5p inhibitor treatment increased PAFAH1B2 expression. Furthermore, PAFAH1B2 expression was decreased in angiotensin II-treated aortic tissues and VSMCs. PAFAH1B2 was ubiquitously expressed in most adult rat tissues. In the vasculature, PAFAH1B2 was only distributed in the cytoplasm. PAFAH1B2 overexpression decreased A10 cell proliferation, while PAFAH1B2 knockdown increased A10 cell proliferation and cyclin D1 mRNA levels. PAFAH1B2 knockdown stimulated VSMC contraction and RhoA expression. These results suggest that miR-212-5p and PAFAH1B2 are novel negative regulators of VSMC proliferation, migration, and contraction in hypertension.

Role of platelet-derived growth factor in type II diabetes mellitus and its complications

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a type of metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia with multiple serious complications, such as diabetic neuropathies, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic foot. Platelet-derived growth factors are growth factors that regulate cell growth and division, playing a critical role in diabetes and its harmful complications. This review focused on the cellular mechanism of platelet-derived growth factors and their receptors on diabetes development. Furthermore, we raise some proper therapeutic molecular targets for the treatment of diabetes and its complications.

MiR-638 Repressed Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Glycolysis by Targeting LDHA

Background

Abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) accelerated vascular diseases progression, like atherosclerosis and restenosis. MicroRNAs were reported to participate in modulating diverse cellular processes. Here, we focused on exploring the role of miR-638 in VSMCs glycolysis and underlying mechanism.

Methods

Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to measure cell viability. Western blot assay was conducted to determine the expression of cell proliferation markers proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67, as well as Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA). VSMCs migration and invasion were evaluated by Transwell assay. Luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA immunoprecipitation were performed to validate the target relationship between miR-638 and LDHA. LDHA and miR-638 expression were also determined. Glycolysis of VSMCs was tested by corresponding Kits.

Results

Platelet-derived growth factor-bb (PDGF-bb) promoted the VSMCs viability and down-regulated miR-638. Overexpression of miR-638 inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion of VSMCs. LDHA was identified as a target of miR-638, and counter-regulated by miR-638. Loss of miR-638 attenuated the suppressor effects on the proliferation, migration and invasion of VSMCs induced by LDHA down-regulation. MiR-638 inhibited the glycolysis of VSMCs by targeting LDHA.

Conclusion

MiR-638 is down-regulated by PDGF-bb treatment and suppressed the glycolysis of VSMCs via targeting LDHA.

The microRNAs Regulating Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation: A Minireview

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation plays a critical role in atherosclerosis. At the beginning of the pathologic process of atherosclerosis, irregular VSMC proliferation promotes plaque formation, but in advanced plaques VSMCs are beneficial, promoting the stability and preventing rupture of the fibrous cap. Recent studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) expressed in the vascular system are involved in the control of VSMC proliferation. This review summarizes recent findings on the miRNAs in the regulation of VSMC proliferation, including miRNAs that exhibit the inhibition or promotion of VSMC proliferation, and their targets mediating the regulation of VSMC proliferation. Up to now, most of the studies were performed only in cultured VSMC. While the modulation of miRNAs is emerging as a promising strategy for the regulation of VSMC proliferation, most of the effects of miRNAs and their targets in vivo require further investigation.

miR-365b-3p inhibits the cell proliferation and migration of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells by directly targeting ADAMTS1 in coronary atherosclerosis

Abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells serves a crucial role in the development of atherosclerosis. Previous studies have suggested that some microRNAs (miRs) are involved in this process; however, the associated underlying molecular mechanism is unclear. In present study, human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMCs) were used to explore the function of miR-365b-3p in the coronary atherosclerosis. It was indicated that platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) treatment inhibited miR-365b-3p expression and upregulated the expression of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 1 (ADAMTS1) in HCASMCs. Subsequently, miR-365b-3p mimic was transfected in HCASMCs to explore the function of this miR. The results of reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis indicated that overexpression of miR-365b-3p significantly downregulated ADAMTS1 expression. Functional assay results revealed that overexpression of miR-365b-3p significantly attenuated PDGF-BB-induced proliferation and migration of HCASMCs. Furthermore, the dual-luciferase reporter assay results confirmed that ADAMTS1 is a direct target gene of miR-365b-3p. This discovery proposed a novel channel of communication between ADAMTS1 and HCASMCs, and suggests a potential therapeutic approach for coronary atherosclerosis.

Interfering histone deacetylase 4 inhibits the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells via regulating MEG3/miR-125a-5p/IRF1

In this study, we investigated the role ofhistone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) and MEG3/miR-125a-5p/interferonregulatoryfactor 1 (IRF1) on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMCs)proliferation. Platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB was used toinduce the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. The expressionsof MEG3, miR-125a-5p, HDAC4 and IRF1in VSMCs were detectedby qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. ChIP assay was usedto determine the relationship between MEG3 and HDAC4. Doubleluciferase reporter assay was used to test the regulation betweenmiR-125-5p and IRF1. Results showed that PDGF-BB decreasedthe expression of MEG3 and IRF1, while increased the expressionof miR-125a-5p and HDAC4. In addition, HDAC4 knockdowninhibited the proliferation and migration of VSMCs via upregulatingMEG3 and downregulating miR-125a-5p. MiR-125a-5p inhibitorcould repress the proliferation and migration of VSMCs andalleviate intimal hyperplasia (IH) by directly upregulating IRF1expression. These results suggested that HDAC4 interferenceinhibited PDGF-BB-induced VSMCs proliferation via regulatingMEG3/miR-125a-5p/IRF1 axis, and then alleviated IH.