miR‑320‑3p is involved in morphine pre‑conditioning to protect rat cardiomyocytes from ischemia/reperfusion injury through targeting Akt3

Circular RNA-circPan3 attenuates cardiac hypertrophy via miR-320-3p/HSP20 axis

BACKGROUND

Circular RNAs are enriched in cardiac tissue and play important roles in the pathogenesis of heart diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanism of a conserved heart-enriched circRNA, circPan3, in cardiac hypertrophy.

METHODS

Cardiac hypertrophy was induced by isoproterenol. The progression of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was assessed by sarcomere organization staining, cell surface area measurement, and expression levels of cardiac hypertrophy markers. RNA interactions were detected by RNA pull-down assays, and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation was used to detect m6A level.

RESULTS

The expression of circPan3 was downregulated in an isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy model. Forced expression of circPan3 attenuated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, while inhibition of circPan3 aggravated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Mechanistically, circPan3 was an endogenous sponge of miR-320-3p without affecting miR-320-3p levels. It elevated the expression of HSP20 by endogenously interacting with miR-320-3p. In addition, circPan3 was N6-methylated. Stimulation by isoproterenol downregulated the m6A eraser ALKBH5, resulting in N6-methylation and destabilization of circPan3.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research is the first to report that circPan3 has an antihypertrophic effect in cardiomyocytes and revealed a novel circPan3-modulated signalling pathway involved in cardiac hypertrophy. CircPan3 inhibits cardiac hypertrophy by targeting the miR-320-3p/HSP20 axis and is regulated by ALKBH5-mediated N6-methylation. This pathway could provide potential therapeutic targets for cardiac hypertrophy.

Vaccine Formulation Strategies and Challenges Involved in RNA Delivery for Modulating Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Race from Laboratory to Market

It has been demonstrated that noncoding RNAs have significant physiological and pathological roles. Modulation of noncoding RNAs may offer therapeutic approaches as per recent findings. Small RNAs, mostly long noncoding RNAs, siRNA, and microRNAs make up noncoding RNAs. Inhibiting or promoting protein breakdown by binding to 3' untranslated regions of target mRNA, microRNAs post-transcriptionally control the pattern of gene expression. Contrarily, long non-coding RNAs perform a wider range of tasks, including serving as molecular scaffolding, decoys, and epigenetic regulators. This article provides instances of long noncoding RNAs and microRNAs that may be a biomarker of CVD (cardiovascular disease). In this paper we highlight various RNA-based vaccine formulation strategies designed to target these biomarkers-that are either currently in the research pipeline or are in the global pharmaceutical market-along with the physiological hurdles that need to be overcome.

Angiotensin II prompts heart cell apoptosis via AT1 receptor-augmented phosphatase and tensin homolog and miR-320-3p functions to enhance suppression of the IGF1R-PI3K-AKT survival pathway

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a severe public health risk factor worldwide. Elevated angiotensin II (Ang II) produced by the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system can lead to hypertension and its complications.

METHOD

In this study, we addressed the cardiac-injury effects of Ang II and investigated the signaling mechanism induced by Ang II. Both H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were exposed to Ang II to observe hypertension-related cardiac apoptosis.

RESULTS

The results of western blotting revealed that Ang II significantly attenuated the IGF1R-PI3K-AKT pathway via the Ang II-AT1 receptor axis and phosphatase and tensin homolog expression. Furthermore, real-time PCR showed that Ang II also activated miR-320-3p transcription to repress the PI3K-Akt pathway. In the heart tissue of spontaneously hypertensive rats, activation of the IGF1R survival pathway was also reduced compared with that in Wistar-Kyoto rats, especially in aged spontaneously hypertensive rats.

CONCLUSION

Hence, we speculate that the Ang II-AT1 receptor axis induces both phosphatase and tensin homolog and miR-320-3p expression to downregulate the IGF1R-PI3K-AKT survival pathway and cause cell apoptosis in the heart.

MicroRNA-320-3p promotes the progression of acute pancreatitis by blocking DNMT3a-mediated MMP8 methylation in a targeted manner

In this research, we screened out two genes upregulated in mice with acute pancreatitis (AP) by gene sequencing: microRNA (miR)-320-3p and matrix metalloprotease 8 (MMP8). This study was designed to determine whether miR-320-3p and MMP8 participate in AP development and explore the mechanisms, with a new idea for clinical diagnosis and treatment of AP. Expression of miR-320-3p, DNA methyltransferase 3a (DNMT3a), and MMP8 in mouse pancreatic tissues and AR42J cells was tested by RT-qPCR and western blot assays. Pancreatic pathological changes, serum amylase and lipase, and inflammatory factors in mouse serum and cell supernatant were measured by hematoxylin-eosin staining, automation analyzer, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. The interaction between miR-320-3p, DNMT3a, and MMP8 was verified by luciferase activity assay, ChIP-qPCR, and MSP assay. High expression of miR-320-3p and MMP8, and low expression of DNMT3a were observed in pancreatic tissues of AP mice and caerulein-induced AP cellular model. Downregulation of miR-320-3p alleviated injury of mouse pancreas, reduced the levels of serum amylase and lipase, and blocked inflammatory factor levels in AP mice. In caerulein-induced AP cellular models, inhibiting miR-320-3p facilitated proliferation and inhibited apoptosis. Upregulation of MMP8 resulted in the opposite results, which could be reversed by simultaneous inhibition of miR-320-3p. miR-320-3p targeted DNMT3a, and downregulating miR-320-3p promoted DNMT3a expression. Moreover, DNMT3a promoted DNA methylation in MMP8 promoter region, thereby inhibiting MMP8 expression in AP mouse and cellular models. This research suggests that miR-320-3p inhibits DNMT3a to reduce MMP8 methylation and increase MMP8 expression, thereby promoting AP progression.

Therapeutic knockdown of miR-320 improves deteriorated cardiac function in a pre-clinical model of non-ischemic diabetic heart disease

Non-ischemic diabetic heart disease (NiDHD) is characterized by diastolic dysfunction and decreased or preserved systolic function, eventually resulting in heart failure. Accelerated apoptotic cell death because of alteration of molecular signaling pathways due to dysregulation in microRNAs (miRNAs) plays a significant role in the development of NiDHD. Here, we aimed to determine the pathological role of cardiomyocyte-enriched pro-apoptotic miR-320 in the development of NiDHD. We identified a marked upregulation of miR-320 that was associated with downregulation of its target protein insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in human right atrial appendage tissue in the late stages of cardiomyopathy in type 2 diabetic db/db mice and high-glucose-cultured human ventricular cardiomyocytes (AC-16 cells). In vitro knockdown of miR-320 in high-glucose-exposed AC-16 cells using locked nucleic acid (LNA) anti-miR-320 markedly reduced high-glucose-induced apoptosis by restoring IGF-1 and Bcl-2. Finally, in vivo knockdown of miR-320 in 24-week-old type 2 diabetic db/db mice reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and interstitial fibrosis while restoring vascular density. This resulted in partial recovery of the impaired diastolic and systolic function. Our study provides evidence that miR-320 is a late-responding miRNA that aggravates apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction in the diabetic heart, and that therapeutic knockdown of miR-320 is beneficial in partially restoring the deteriorated cardiac function.

Insight into the Role of the PI3K/Akt Pathway in Ischemic Injury and Post-Infarct Left Ventricular Remodeling in Normal and Diabetic Heart

Despite the significant decline in mortality, cardiovascular diseases are still the leading cause of death worldwide. Among them, myocardial infarction (MI) seems to be the most important. A further decline in the death rate may be achieved by the introduction of molecularly targeted drugs. It seems that the components of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway are good candidates for this. The PI3K/Akt pathway plays a key role in the regulation of the growth and survival of cells, such as cardiomyocytes. In addition, it has been shown that the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway results in the alleviation of the negative post-infarct changes in the myocardium and is impaired in the state of diabetes. In this article, the role of this pathway was described in each step of ischemia and subsequent left ventricular remodeling. In addition, we point out the most promising substances which need more investigation before introduction into clinical practice. Moreover, we present the impact of diabetes and widely used cardiac and antidiabetic drugs on the PI3K/Akt pathway and discuss the molecular mechanism of its effects on myocardial ischemia and left ventricular remodeling.

Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2020

This paper is the forty-third consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2020 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (1), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (2) and humans (3), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (4), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (5), stress and social status (6), learning and memory (7), eating and drinking (8), drug abuse and alcohol (9), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (10), mental illness and mood (11), seizures and neurologic disorders (12), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (13), general activity and locomotion (14), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (15), cardiovascular responses (16), respiration and thermoregulation (17), and immunological responses (18).

Clinical value of serum miR-320-3p expression in predicting the prognosis of sepsis-induced acute kidney injury

BACKGROUND

For investigating the expression of miR-320-3p in children with sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) and its prognostic value.

METHODS

A total of 142 patients were grouped into a survival group (n = 95) and death group (n = 47), which was based on their 28-day survival. Serum degrees of miR-320-3p, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipid carrier protein (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) were detected. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health scoring system Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) marks were recorded. Target gene forecast and functional enrichment discussion of miR-320-3p were performed, and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network diagram was plotted by applying bioinformatics methods. Multivariate logistic regression, ROC curve and Pearson correlation analysis were applied.

RESULTS

The death group showed greatly higher serum levels of miR-320-3p, KIM-1 and APACHE Ⅱ scores than the survival group (p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that levels of miR-320-3p, NGAL, KIM-1 and APACHE Ⅱ scores were independent risk elements for death in sepsis children with AKI (p < 0.01). According to ROC curve analysis, the region under the curve (0.963, 95% CI: 0.908-0.996) of miR-320-3p, NGAL, KIM-1 levels and APACHE Ⅱ scores combined to forecast the death of kids suffering from sepsis and AKI were the biggest. According to correlation analysis, the expression degree of serum miR-320-3p in the death group was positively correlated with NGAL, KIM-1 and APACHE Ⅱ scores (all p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The expression level of serum miR-320-3p in children with sepsis-induced AKI was significantly increased, and the combination of NGAL, KIM-1 and APACHE Ⅱ scores has good value for prognosis prediction in children.

Analysis of miRNAs Involved in Mouse Heart Injury Upon Coxsackievirus A2 Infection

Coxsackievirus A2 (CVA2) has recently been constantly detected, and is associated with viral myocarditis in children. Our previous study demonstrated that CVA2 led to heart damage in a neonatal murine model. However, the molecular mechanism of heart injury caused by CVA2 remains largely unknown. Emerging evidence suggests the significant functions of miRNAs in Coxsackievirus infection. To investigate potential miRNAs involved in heart injury caused by CVA2, our study, for the first time, conducted a RNA-seq in vivo employing infected mice hearts. In total, 87, 101 and 76 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified at 3 days post infection (dpi), 7 dpi and 7 dpi vs 3 dpi. Importantly, above 3 comparison strategies shared 34 differentially expressed miRNAs. These results were confirmed by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Next, we did GO, KEGG, and miRNA-mRNA integrated analysis of differential miRNAs. The dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed the miRNA-mRNA pairs. To further confirm the above enriched pathways and processes, we did Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Our results suggest that inflammatory responses, T cell activation, apoptosis, autophagy, antiviral immunity, NK cell infiltration, and the disruption of tight junctions are involved in the pathogenesis of heart injury caused by CVA2. The dysregulated miRNAs and pathways recognized in the current study can improve the understanding of the intricate interactions between CVA2 and the heart injury, opening a novel avenue for the future study of CVA2 pathogenesis.

Impact of the Main Cardiovascular Risk Factors on Plasma Extracellular Vesicles and Their Influence on the Heart's Vulnerability to Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

The majority of cardiovascular deaths are associated with acute coronary syndrome, especially ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Therapeutic reperfusion alone can contribute up to 40 percent of total infarct size following coronary artery occlusion, which is called ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Its size depends on many factors, including the main risk factors of cardiovascular mortality, such as age, sex, systolic blood pressure, smoking, and total cholesterol level as well as obesity, diabetes, and physical effort. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-coated particles released by every type of cell, which can carry content that affects the functioning of other tissues. Their role is essential in the communication between healthy and dysfunctional cells. In this article, data on the variability of the content of EVs in patients with the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors is presented, and their influence on IRI is discussed.

Micro-RNA gene expressions during cardiopulmonary bypass

INTRODUCTION

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP) is the most widely used method in cardiac surgery. During the CPB procedure, studies are conducted to maintain myocardial perfusion adequacy, reduce oxidative stress caused by immune reactions, and understand the longevity of the procedure. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have come to the fore to understand the changes in the CPB. In vivo studies have shown that many different miRNAs regulate critical signaling molecules including cytokines, growth factors, transcription factors, proapoptotic, and antiapoptotic proteins. Our study aims to investigate the changes of miR-34a, miR-15a, and miR-320a gene expression in extracorporeal circulation.

METHODS

Fifteen patients who underwent elective open-heart surgery were included in the study. Serum plasma samples were taken from the patients preoperatively, at the time of CPB, and at 24 h postoperatively. Gene expression of miR-34a, miR-15a, and miR-320a in plasma samples was studied. Differences in gene expression were compared.

RESULTS

miR-15a gene expression increased during CPB compared with preoperative levels (p < .001). This increase was decreased after the operation (p < .05). miR-34a gene expression increased significantly during CPB (p < .01). Similar to the other two gene expressions, miR-320a gene expression was significantly increased during CPB (p < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

miRNAs may play a key role in the initiation and maintenance of pathophysiological cascades during CPB. Our study showed the gene expression of miR-34a, miR-15a, and miR-320a in the CPB process. Our study will be a pioneer among future studies to investigate the molecular pathophysiology of the CPB process.