Long non‑coding RNA SENCR alleviates the inhibitory effects of rapamycin on human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Identification of cuproptosis-associated IncRNAs signature and establishment of a novel nomogram for prognosis of stomach adenocarcinoma

Purpose: Stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) is one of the common cancers globally. Cuproptosis is a newly identified cell death pattern. The role of cuproptosis-associated lncRNAs in STAD is unknown.

Methods: STAD patient data from TCGA were used to identify prognostic lncRNAs by Cox regression and LASSO. A nomogram was constructed to predict patient survival. The biological profiles were evaluated through GO and KEGG.

Results: We identified 298 cuproptosis-related lncRNAs and 13 survival-related lncRNAs. Patients could be categorized into either high risk group or low risk group with 9-lncRNA risk model with significantly different survival time (p < 0.001). ROC curve and nomogram confirmed the 9-lncRNA risk mode had good prediction capability. Patients in the lower risk score had high gene mutation burden. We also found that patients in the two groups might respond differently to immune checkpoint inhibitors and some anti-tumor compounds.

Conclusion: The nomogram with 9-lncRNA may help guide treatment of STAD. Future clinical studies are necessary to verify the nomogram.

Long Non-Coding RNAs Might Regulate Phenotypic Switch of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Acting as ceRNA: Implications for In-Stent Restenosis

Coronary in-stent restenosis is a late complication of angioplasty. It is a multifactorial process that involves vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), endothelial cells, and inflammatory and genetic factors. In this study, the transcriptomic landscape of VSMCs’ phenotypic switch process was assessed under stimuli resembling stent injury. Co-cultured contractile VSMCs and endothelial cells were exposed to a bare metal stent and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) 20 ng/mL. Migratory capacity (wound healing assay), proliferative capacity, and cell cycle analysis of the VSMCs were performed. RNAseq analysis of contractile vs. proliferative VSMCs was performed. Gene differential expression (DE), identification of new long non-coding RNA candidates (lncRNAs), gene ontology (GO), and pathway enrichment (KEGG) were analyzed. A competing endogenous RNA network was constructed, and significant lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA axes were selected. VSMCs exposed to “stent injury” conditions showed morphologic changes, with proliferative and migratory capacities progressing from G0-G1 cell cycle phase to S and G2-M. RNAseq analysis showed DE of 1099, 509 and 64 differentially expressed mRNAs, lncRNAs, and miRNAs, respectively. GO analysis of DE genes showed significant enrichment in collagen and extracellular matrix organization, regulation of smooth muscle cell proliferation, and collagen biosynthetic process. The main upregulated nodes in the lncRNA-mediated ceRNA network were PVT1 and HIF1-AS2, with downregulation of ACTA2-AS1 and MIR663AHG. The PVT1 ceRNA axis appears to be an attractive target for in-stent restenosis diagnosis and treatment.

The efficacy and safety of domestic and imported rapamycin drug-eluting stents and paclitaxel drug-coated balloons in the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions

OBJECTIVE

The study was designed to analyze the efficacy and safety of domestic and imported rapamycin drug-eluting stents (DES) and paclitaxel drug-coated balloons (DCB) in the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions.

METHODS

A total of 98 patients with coronary bifurcation lesions treated in our hospital from January 2019 to December 2019 were recruited as the study cohort and divided into four groups according to the different treatment method each patient underwent, including group A (n=25, treated with domestic rapamycin DES), group B (n=21, treated with imported rapamycin DES), group C (n=29, treated with domestic paclitaxel DCB), and group D (n=23, treated with imported paclitaxel DCB). The minimum lumen diameters (MLD), the diameter stenosis rates, the late lumen losses (LLLs), and the incidence of adverse events in each group were compared.

RESULTS

The MLD in the four groups were increased immediately after the surgeries and at nine months after the surgeries (P<0.05), and the diameter stenosis rates were decreased (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the MLD or the diameter stenosis rates among the four groups before the surgeries, immediately after the surgeries, or at nine months after the surgeries (P>0.05). The LLLs of groups A and B were significantly higher than the LLLs of groups C and D (P<0.05). Compared with the incidences of major adverse cardiovascular events (16.00% vs. 14.29% vs. 13.79% vs. 17.39%) and the incidences of restenosis (8.00% vs. 4.76% vs. 6.90% vs. 4.35%) in groups A, B, C, and D, there were no significant differences (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Domestic and imported rapamycin DES and paclitaxel DCB can effectively improve MLD, reduce the diameter stenosis rate, and have fewer adverse events in the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions, and domestic and imported paclitaxel DCB have lower LLLs.

LncRNA SENCR promotes cell proliferation and progression in non-small-cell lung cancer cells via sponging miR-1-3p

ABBREVIATION

NSCLC: Non-small cell lung cancer.

LncRNA SENCR suppresses abdominal aortic aneurysm formation by inhibiting smooth muscle cells apoptosis and extracellular matrix degradation

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a progressive chronic dilatation of the abdominal aorta without effective medical treatment. This study aims to clarify the potential of long non-coding RNA SENCR as a treatment target in AAA. Angiotensin II (Ang-II) was used to establish AAA model in vitro and in vivo. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR and western blot were performed to measure the expression of SENCR and proteins, respectively. Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining was carried out to detect the apoptotic rate in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and cell apoptosis in aortic tissues was determined by TUNEL staining. Besides, hematoxylin and eosin and Elastica van Gieson staining were performed for histological analysis of aortic tissues. SENCR was downregulated in AAA tissues and Ang-II-stimulated VSMCs. Overexpression of SENCR could inhibit Ang-II-induced VSMC apoptosis, while inhibition of SENCR facilitated Ang-II-induced VSMC apoptosis. Moreover, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in Ang-II-induced VSMCs was reduced following SENCR overexpression, while tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1) expression was increased. In vivo, overexpression of SENCR improved the pathological change in aortic tissues and the damage in arterial wall elastic fibers induced by Ang-II, as well as suppressed Ang-II-induced cell apoptosis and extracellular matrix degradation. Overall, SENCR was decreased in AAA. Overexpression of SENCR inhibited AAA formation via inhibition of VSMC apoptosis and extracellular matrix degradation. We provided a reliable evidence for SENCR acting as a potential target for AAA treatment.

Downregulation of lncRNA MIR181A2HG by high glucose impairs vascular endothelial cell proliferation and migration through the dysregulation of the miRNAs/AKT2 axis

Endothelial dysfunction and diabetic vascular disease induced by chronic hyperglycemia involve complex interactions among high glucose, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) and the Ser/Thr kinase AKT. However, the molecular mechanisms under-lying the regulatory crosstalk between these have not yet been completely elucidated. Thus, the present study aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms whereby high glucose (HG)-induced lncRNA MIR181A2HG modulates human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation and migration by regulating AKT2 expression. The persistent exposure of HUVECs to HG resulted in MIR181A2HG down-regulation and thus reduced its ability to sponge miR-6832-5p, miR-6842-5p and miR-8056, subsequently leading to an increase in miR-6832-5p, miR-6842-5p and miR-8056 levels. Mechanistically, miR-6832-5p, miR-6842-5p and miR-8056 were found to target the 3′UTR of AKT2 mRNA in HUVECs, and the increase in their levels led to a decreased expression of AKT2. Thus, this also led to the suppression of HUVEC proliferation and migration, and the formation of capillary-like structures. Moreover, the suppression of HUVEC proliferation and migration induced by MIR181A2HG downregulation was accompanied by changes in glucose metabolism. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that the downregulation of lncRNA MIR181A2HG by HG impairs HUVEC proliferation and migration by dysregulating the miRNA/AKT2 axis. The MIR181A2HG/miRNA/AKT2 regulatory axis may thus be a potential therapeutic target for HG-induced endothelial dysfunction.

Regulatory Roles of Related Long Non-coding RNAs in the Process of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis (AS) is the main cause of coronary heart disease, cerebral infarction, and peripheral vascular disease, which comprise serious hazards to human health. Atherosclerosis is characterized by the deposition of lipids on the interior walls of blood vessels, causing an inflammatory response of immune cells, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells, and a proliferation cascade reaction. Despite years of research, the underlying pathogenesis of AS is not fully defined. Recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which non-coding RNA influences the initiation and progression of AS have shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate important stages in the atherosclerotic process. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of lncRNAs, which influence the development of AS. We review the regulatory processes of lncRNAs on core stages of atherosclerotic progression, including lipid metabolism, inflammation, vascular cell proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion and migration, and angiogenesis. A growing body of evidence suggests that lncRNAs have great potential as new therapeutic targets for the treatment of vascular diseases.

Surface-Degradable Drug-Eluting Stent with Anticoagulation, Antiproliferation, and Endothelialization Functions

Drug-eluting stents (DES) have been widely applied for saving the life of patients with coronary artery diseases (CADs). However, conventional polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA) and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), which are widely applied for drug-eluting stents studies, have serious bulk erosion problems, like high local acidity and poor mechanical properties. Instead, we chose surface erosion polymer poly (1, 3-trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) as a drug carrier in this study. Here, we fabricated and characterized a novel durable-polymer drug-eluting 316 L stainless steel (SS) stent, in which the inner surface was coated with a Ti–O film using the magnetron sputtering method to promote the growth of endothelial cells (ECs). On the outer layer of the stent, first, a Ti–O film was deposited and, then, on top of it a rapamycin-loaded PTMC coat was deposited using the ultrasonic atomization spray method. This dual coating inhibited the migration and expansion of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The drug coating also inhibited the adhesion/activation of platelets. In tests on dogs, it was found the novel stent promoted re-endothelialization and reduced restenosis, in contrast to the plain SS stent. Thus, the novel stent may have promise for use in treating patients with CAD.