MiR-140-3p is Involved in In-Stent Restenosis by Targeting C-Myb and BCL-2 in Peripheral Artery Disease

Decreased plasma miR-140-3p is associated with coronary artery disease

Background

Although many circulating miRNAs (c-miRNAs) are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), they are far from being the biomarker for CAD diagnosis or risk prediction. Therefore, novel c-miRNAs discovery and validation are still required, especially evaluating their prediction capacity.

Objectives

Identify novel CAD-related c-miRNAs and evaluate its risk prediction capacity for CAD. Methods: miRNAs associated with CAD were preliminarily investigated in three paired samples representing pre-CAD stage and CAD stage of three female individuals using the Applied Biosystems miRNA TaqMan® Low-Density Array (TLDA). Then, the candidate miRNAs were further verified in an independent case-control study including 129 CAD patients and 76 controls, and their potential practical value in prediction for CAD was evaluated using a machine learning (ML) algorithm. The accuracy of classification and prediction was assessed with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Results

TLDA analysis shows that miR-140-3p decreased significantly in CAD-stage (FC = -3.01, P = 0.007). Further study shows that miR-140-3p was significantly lower in CAD group [1.26 (0.68, 2.01)] than in control group [2.07 (1.19, 3.21)] (P < 0.001) and independently associated with CAD (P < 0.001). The addition of miR-140-3p to the variables including smoking history, HDL-c, and APOA1 improved the accuracy of classification by logistic regression and of prediction for CAD by ML models. The ML models built with miR-140-3p and HDL-c, respectively, had a similar prediction accuracy. The feature importance of miR-140-3p and HDL-c in the ML models was also similar. Decision curve analysis showed that miR-140-3p and HDL-c had almost identical net benefits.

Conclusion

Reduced levels of miR-140-3p is linked to CAD, and it is possible to use the plasma level of miR-140-3p as a means of evaluating the risk of CAD.

Bioengineering Cell Therapy for Treatment of Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease is an atherosclerotic disease associated with limb ischemia that necessitates limb amputation in severe cases. Cell therapies comprised of adult mononuclear or stromal cells have been clinically tested and show moderate benefits. Bioengineering strategies can be applied to modify cell behavior and function in a controllable fashion. Using mechanically tunable or spatially controllable biomaterials, we highlight examples in which biomaterials can increase the survival and function of the transplanted cells to improve their revascularization efficacy in preclinical models. Biomaterials can be used in conjunction with soluble factors or genetic approaches to further modulate the behavior of transplanted cells and the locally implanted tissue environment in vivo. We critically assess the advances in bioengineering strategies such as 3-dimensional bioprinting and immunomodulatory biomaterials that can be applied to the treatment of peripheral artery disease and then discuss the current challenges and future directions in the implementation of bioengineering strategies.

Receptor Tyrosine Kinase: Still an Interesting Target to Inhibit the Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation is a critical event that contributes to the pathogenesis of vascular remodeling such as hypertension, restenosis, and pulmonary hypertension. Increasing evidences have revealed that VSMCs proliferation is associated with the activation of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) by their ligands, including the insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGFR), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR). Moreover, some receptor tyrosinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been found and can prevent VSMCs proliferation to attenuate vascular remodeling. Therefore, this review will describe recent research progress on the role of RTKs and their inhibitors in controlling VSMCs proliferation, which helps to better understand the function of VSMCs proliferation in cardiovascular events and is beneficial for the prevention and treatment of vascular disease.

Noncoding RNAs in Vascular Cell Biology and Restenosis

In-stent restenosis (ISR), characterised by ≥50% re-narrowing of the target vessel, is a common complication following stent implantation and remains a significant challenge to the long-term success of angioplasty procedures. Considering the global burden of cardiovascular diseases, improving angioplasty patient outcomes remains a key priority. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) including microRNA (miRNA), long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and circular RNA (circRNA) have been extensively implicated in vascular cell biology and ISR through multiple, both distinct and overlapping, mechanisms. Vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells and macrophages constitute the main cell types involved in the multifactorial pathophysiology of ISR. The identification of critical regulators exemplified by ncRNAs in all these cell types and processes makes them an exciting therapeutic target in the field of restenosis. In this review, we will comprehensively explore the potential functions and underlying molecular mechanisms of ncRNAs in vascular cell biology in the context of restenosis, with an in-depth focus on vascular cell dysfunction during restenosis development and progression. We will also discuss the diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target potential of ncRNAs in ISR. Finally, we will discuss the current shortcomings, challenges, and perspectives toward the clinical application of ncRNAs.

MiR-140-3p Ameliorates The Inflammatory Response of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells by Targeting HMGB1 to Regulate The JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway

OBJECTIVE

The growth and migration of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) are dysregulated in asthma. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with the pathogenesis of many diseases including asthma. Instead, the function of miR-140- 3pin ASMCs' dysregulation in asthma remains inconclusive. This study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of miR-140-3p in ASMCs' dysregulation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this experimental study, ASMCs were stimulated with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)- BB to construct an asthma cell model in vitro. MiR-140-3p expression level in the plasma of 50 asthmatic patients and 50 healthy volunteers was measured with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Besides, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to detect the contents of interleukin (IL) -1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the cell culture supernatant of ASMCs. Additionally, CCK-8 and transwell assays were adopted to probe the multiplication and migration of ASMCs. In addition, the western blot was employed to examine HMGB1, JAK2, and STAT3 protein expressions in ASMCs after miR-140-3p and HMGB1 were selectively regulated.

RESULTS

miR-140-3p expression was declined in asthmatic patients' plasma and ASMCs stimulated by PDGF-BB. Upregulating miR-140-3p suppressed the viability and migration of the cells and alleviated the inflammatory response while inhibiting miR-140-3p showed opposite effects. Additionally, HMGB1 was testified as the target of miR-140-3p. HMGB1 overexpression could reverse the impact of miR-140-3p upregulation on the inflammatory response of ASMCs stimulated by PDGF-BB. MiR-140-3p could repress the activation of JAK2/STAT3 via suppressing HMGB1.

CONCLUSION

In ASMCs, miR-140-3p can inhibit the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway by targeting HMGB1, thus ameliorating airway inflammation and remodeling in the pathogenesis of asthma.

Inflammatory and Prothrombotic Biomarkers, DNA Polymorphisms, MicroRNAs and Personalized Medicine for Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

Classical risk factors play a major role in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis. However, the estimation of risk for cardiovascular events based only on risk factors is often insufficient. Efforts have been made to identify biomarkers that indicate ongoing atherosclerosis. Among important circulating biomarkers associated with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are inflammatory markers which are determined by the expression of different genes and epigenetic processes. Among these proinflammatory molecules, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, several adhesion molecules, CD40 ligand, osteoprotegerin and others are associated with the presence and progression of PAD. Additionally, several circulating prothrombotic markers have a predictive value in PAD. Genetic polymorphisms significantly, albeit moderately, affect risk factors for PAD via altered lipoprotein metabolism, diabetes, arterial hypertension, smoking, inflammation and thrombosis. However, most of the risk variants for PAD are located in noncoding regions of the genome and their influence on gene expression remains to be explored. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded, noncoding RNAs that modulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Patterns of miRNA expression, to some extent, vary in different atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. miRNAs appear to be useful in the detection of PAD and the prediction of progression and revascularization outcomes. In conclusion, taking into account one’s predisposition to PAD, i.e., DNA polymorphisms and miRNAs, together with circulating inflammatory and coagulation markers, holds promise for more accurate prediction models and personalized therapeutic options.

miR-140-5p and miR-140-3p: Key Actors in Aging-Related Diseases?

microRNAs (miRNAs) are small single strand non-coding RNAs and powerful gene expression regulators. They mainly bind to the 3′UTR sequence of targeted mRNA, leading to their degradation or translation inhibition. miR-140 gene encodes the pre-miR-140 that generates the two mature miRNAs miR-140-5p and miR-140-3p. miR-140-5p/-3p have been associated with the development and progression of cancers, but also non-neoplastic diseases. In aging-related diseases, miR-140-5p and miR-140-3p expressions are modulated. The seric levels of these two miRNAs are used as circulating biomarkers and may represent predictive tools. They are also considered key actors in the pathophysiology of aging-related diseases. miR-140-5p/-3p repress targets regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, senescence, and inflammation. This work focuses on the roles of miR-140-3p and miR-140-5p in aging-related diseases, details their regulation (i.e., by long non-coding RNA), and reviews the molecular targets of theses miRNAs involved in aging pathophysiology.

The safety and efficacy of different endovascular treatments for in-stent restenosis of the femoropopliteal artery: A network meta-analysis

Purpose: Femoropopliteal artery in-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a challenging treatment. We performed a network meta-analysis (NWM) for femoropopliteal artery ISR to explore the safety and efficacy of endovascular therapeutic strategies. Methods: The MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were used as data sources. The network meta-analysis (NWM) approach used random-effects models based on the frequentist framework. We compared technical success rate, primary patency, target lesion revascularization (TLR), and major amputation at the 12-month follow-up for femoropopliteal artery ISR. Results: In total, 14 eligible studies (10 prospective and four retrospective; 1348 patients; and eight treatment modalities - standard balloon angioplasty (SBA), drug-coated balloon (DCB), peripheral cutting balloon angioplasty (PCBA), Viabahn endoprosthesis (VBE), directional atherectomy (DA), excimer laser atherectomy (ELA), and combinations - were included. The primary patency rates (at 6 months) were significantly higher for DCB and ELA+DCB than for SBA and ELA+SBA. ELA+DCB had higher primary patency rates (at 12 months) than ELA+SBA and SBA. The technical success rates were significantly lower for DCB and SBA than for VBE. The major amputation rates were significantly lower for ELA+DCB than for DCB. Based on the surface values under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA), ELA+DCB was considered the best treatment in terms of primary patency at 6 months (SUCRA = 91.1), primary patency at 12 months (SUCRA = 82.3), and TLR (SUCRA = 83.4). Conclusion: ELA+DCB showed positive encouraging results in primary patency (6, 12 months), TLR, and major amputation in femoropopliteal ISR. The efficacy and safety of ELA+DCB are worthy of further investigation. (PROSPERO Registration No.: CRD42021246674).

Plasma miRNA profile at COVID-19 onset predicts severity status and mortality

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have a crucial role in regulating immune response against infectious diseases, showing changes early in disease onset and before the detection of the pathogen. Thus, we aimed to analyze the plasma miRNA profile at COVID-19 onset to identify miRNAs as early prognostic biomarkers of severity and survival.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Plasma miRNome of 96 COVID-19 patients that developed asymptomatic/mild, moderate and severe disease was sequenced together with a group of healthy controls. Plasma immune-related biomarkers were also assessed. COVID-19 patients showed 200 significant differentially expressed (SDE) miRNAs concerning healthy controls, with upregulated putative targets of SARS-CoV-2, and inflammatory miRNAs. Among COVID-19 patients, 75 SDE miRNAs were observed in asymptomatic/mild compared to symptomatic patients, which were involved in platelet aggregation and cytokine pathways, among others. Moreover, 137 SDE miRNAs were identified between severe and moderate patients, where miRNAs targeting the SARS CoV-2 genome were the most strongly disrupted. Finally, we constructed a mortality predictive risk score (miRNA-MRS) with ten miRNAs. Patients with higher values had a higher risk of 90-days mortality (hazard ratio=4.60; p-value<0.001). Besides, the discriminant power of miRNA-MRS was significantly higher than the observed for age and gender (AUROC=0.970 vs. 0.881; p=0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

SARS-CoV-2 infection deeply disturbs the plasma miRNome from an early stage of COVID-19, making miRNAs highly valuable as early predictors of severity and mortality.

MicroRNAs in peripheral artery disease: potential biomarkers and pathophysiological mechanisms

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a disease of atherosclerosis in the lower extremities. PAD carries a massive burden worldwide, while diagnosis and treatment options are often lacking. One of the key points of research in recent years is the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs), which are short 20-25 nucleotide single-stranded RNAs that can act as negative regulators of post-transcriptional gene expression. Many of these miRNAs have been discovered to be misregulated in PAD patients, suggesting a potential utility as biomarkers for PAD diagnosis. miRNAs have also been shown to play an important role in many different pathophysiological aspects involved in the initiation and progression of the disease including angiogenesis, hypoxia, inflammation, as well as other cellular functions like cell proliferation and migration. The research on miRNAs in PAD has the potential to lead to a whole new class of diagnostic tools and treatments.

[Effect of an antioxidant on vascular wall cell apoptosis markers after reconstructive operations]

AIM

This study was aimed at determining Bcl-2 and Bax proteins expression before and after reconstructive-repairing operations in patients with atherosclerosis obliterans of lower extremities and at assessing the effect of an antioxidant (vitamin E at a dose of 100 mg once daily for 1 month after surgery) on the dynamics of changes of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in the postoperative period.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included a total of 60 patients with stage III-IV lower limb atherosclerosis obliterans. All patients underwent reconstructive-repairing operations on the arteries of the aortofemoral segment. After surgery the patients were divided into two groups. Group A included 30 patients who during 1 month received additionally to basic therapy vitamin E at a daily dose of 100 mg. Group B was composed of 30 patients receiving basic therapy alone according to the National guidelines of managing patients with peripheral artery disease. All patients before, on POD 1, and 1 month after surgery were subjected to venous blood test aimed at determining Bcl-2 and Bax apoptosis proteins expression by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

In patients of groups A and B, the baseline level of Bcl-2 protein (4.75 and 4.2 ng/ml, respectively) was comparable with that in apparently healthy volunteers (5.3 ng/ml). The baseline levels of Bax protein in patients of the operated groups (26.9 and 26.0 ng/ml, respectively) were increased compared with the values in healthy volunteers (16.5 ng/ml). On POD 1 there was increased expression of Bax protein in Group A and B patients to 39.4 and 30.2 ng/ml, respectively. One month after surgery, Group B patients demonstrated a decrease in the Bcl-2 values below the baseline level - 1.1 ng/ml (p=0.003), with the Bax level continuing to increase - 36 ng/ml (p=0.004). In turn, Group A patients after 1 month were found to have increased levels of the Bcl-2 protein - 5.75 ng/ml, with the Bax level returning to the baseline values - 27.4 ng/ml.

CONCLUSION

In stage III and IV lower limb obliterating atherosclerosis, the level of the Bax proapoptoric protein was higher than that in healthy volunteers. On POD 1, there occurred increased expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax and activation of apoptosis markers. On the background of using vitamin E at a dose of 100 mg once daily for 1 month, there was a decrease in level of the Bax propapoptotic protein (p=0.003) and an increase in level of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein level (p=0.0007).

Roles of MicroRNAs in Peripheral Artery In-Stent Restenosis after Endovascular Treatment

Endovascular repair including percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stent implantation has become the standard approach for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease; however, restenosis is still the main limited complication for the long-term success of the endovascular repair. Endothelial denudation and regeneration, inflammatory response, and neointimal hyperplasia are major pathological processes occurring during in-stent restenosis (ISR). MicroRNAs exhibit great potential in regulating several vascular biological events in different cell types and have been identified as novel therapeutic targets as well as biomarkers for ISR prevention. This review summarized recent experimental and clinical studies on the role of miRNAs in ISR modification, with the aim of unraveling the underlying mechanism and potential therapeutic strategy of ISR.

KCNQ1OT1 Exacerbates Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Through Targeted Inhibition of miR-140-3P

Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 1 opposite strand 1 (KCNQ1OT1), a long non-coding RNA found in the KCNQ1 locus, has been evidenced to play important roles in the aggravation of inflammatory and oxidative stresses under hypoxia, but whether and how KCNQ1OT1 contributes to neuronal damages in the cerebral ischemic stroke remains unknown. In the present study, we found a dominant upregulation of KCNQ1OT1 both in the plasma of cerebral ischemia patients and in an oxygen-glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGD/R) model in PC12 cells. KCNQ1OT1 knocking-down significantly ameliorated the inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis induced by OGD/R. We further demonstrated that KCNQ1OT1 directly bound to and suppressed the expression of miR-140-3p. Overexpressing miR-140-3p significantly alleviated both the inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis in OGD/R, while all those cytoprotective effects of miR-140-3p-overexpression were hindered by the co-overexpression of KCNQ1OT1. Furthermore, we found a direct interaction between miR-140-3p and the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), which was suppressed by the upregulation of KCNQ1OT1 in OGD/R. Our results indicate that KCNQ1OT1 exacerbates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by targeted binding to miR-140-3p, thus interfering its direct interaction with HIF-1α. These data provide novel therapeutic targets in the cerebral ischemic stroke.

MiR-140-3p Impedes Gastric Cancer Progression and Metastasis by Regulating BCL2/BECN1-Mediated Autophagy

Introduction

MiRNAs have been proven to modulate the progression of gastric cancer (GC). In this field, we evaluated the role and mechanism of miR-140-3p in GC.

Methods

Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to detect the levels of miR-140-3p and BCL2. The interaction of miR-140-3p and BCL2 was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter and miRNA pull-down assays. CCK-8, EdU, wound healing, and Transwell invasion assays were performed to evaluate cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Autophagy was analyzed using Western blot analysis of the LC3-II/I ratio and immunofluorescence staining. A xenograft model was established to reveal the role of miR-140-3p in tumorigenesis.

Results

In GC cell lines and tissues, miR-140-3p was highly expressed, and BCL2 was expressed at low levels. MiR-140-3p directly inhibited BCL2 expression and indirectly promoted BECN1 expression, and BCL2 inhibited BECN1 expression. MiR-140-3p overexpression or silencing restrained or facilitated migration, invasion and EMT in GC cells. Moreover, we noticed that overexpression or downregulation of miR-140-3p promoted or suppressed BECN1-dependent autophagy in GC cells. BCL2 introduction or BECN1 silencing in GC cells partially blocked the effects of miR-140-3p. In conclusion, miR-140-3p directly downregulated the expression of BCL2, BCL2 downregulation further activated BECN1-dependent autophagy, and autophagy activation further inhibited EMT.

Conclusion

miR-140-3p may act as a tumor suppressor by targeting BCL2 and regulating downstream BECN1-induced autophagy and metastasis in GC progression.

The Role of microRNAs in the Development of Type 2 Diabetes Complications

MicroRNAs represent a class of small (19-25 nucleotides) single-strand pieces of RNA that are noncoding ones. They are synthesized by RNA polymerase II from transcripts that fold back on themselves. They mostly act as gene regulatory agents that pair with complementary sequences on mRNA and produce silencing complexes, which, in turn, suppress coding genes at a post-transcriptional level. There is now evidence that microRNAs may affect insulin secretion or insulin action, as they can alter pancreatic beta cells development, insulin production, as well as insulin signaling. Any molecular disorder that affects these pathways can deteriorate insulin resistance and lead to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) onset. Furthermore, the expression of several microRNAs is up- or down-regulated in the presence of diabetic microvascular complications (i.e., peripheral neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, foot ulcers), as well as in patients with coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. However, more evidence is needed, specifically regarding T2DM patients, to establish the use of such microRNAs as diagnostical biomarkers or therapeutic targets in daily practice.

miR-140-3p inhibits colorectal cancer progression and its liver metastasis by targeting BCL9 and BCL2

Recent studies have identified microRNAs (miRNAs) as a compelling novel class of biomarker in colorectal cancer (CRC) development and metastasis. Here, we demonstrated that the level of plasma exosomal miR‐140‐3p in CRC patients was lower than that in healthy controls. The decreased miR‐140‐3p level was also observed in CRC patients with liver metastasis. The expression of miR‐140‐3p in CRC tissues were significantly lower than that in matched normal tissues. Functionally, miR‐140‐3p overexpression suppressed proliferation, migration, invasion, and β‐catenin nuclear translocation, as well as promoted apoptosis in LoVo cells, while inhibition of miR‐140‐3p reversed these cellular processes in HCT 116 cells. Notably, BCL9 and BCL2 were recognized as direct targets of miR‐140‐3p. BCL9 knockdown abrogated miR‐140‐3p inhibitor‐induced effects on HCT 116 cells with decreased proliferation, migration, and invasion. BCL2 knockdown increased apoptosis of miR‐140‐3p inhibitor‐transfected HCT 116 cells. In vivo experiments revealed that miR‐140‐3p overexpression inhibited tumor growth in LoVo xenograft model and diminished metastatic nodules in nude mice liver. Taken together, this work supports that miR‐140‐3p exerts as a tumor suppressor in CRC progression via targeting BCL9 and BCL2, and suggests miR‐140‐3p‐BCL9/BCL2 axis may be applied in miRNA‐based therapy and prognostication of CRC.

Expression Analyses of MicroRNAs in Hamster Lung Tissues Infected by SARS-CoV-2

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is an infectious disease with multiple severe symptoms, such as fever over 37.5°C, cough, dyspnea, and pneumonia. In our research, microRNAs (miRNAs) binding to the genome sequences of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory-related coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and SARS-CoV-2 were identified by bioinformatic tools. Five miRNAs (hsa-miR-15a-5p, hsa-miR-15b-5p, hsa-miR-195-5p, hsa-miR-16-5p, and hsa-miR-196a-1-3p) were found to commonly bind to SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2. We also identified miRNAs that bind to receptor proteins, such as ACE2, ADAM17, and TMPRSS2, which are important for understanding the infection mechanism of SARS-CoV-2. The expression patterns of those miRNAs were examined in hamster lung samples infected by SARS-CoV-2. Five miRNAs (hsa-miR-15b-5p, hsa-miR-195-5p, hsa-miR-221-3p, hsa-miR-140-3p, and hsa-miR-422a) showed differential expression patterns in lung tissues before and after infection. Especially, hsa-miR-15b-5p and hsa-miR-195-5p showed a large difference in expression, indicating that they may potentially be diagnostic biomarkers for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Transcriptomic analysis reveals the role of a peptide derived from CRYAB on the CoCl2-induced hypoxic HL-1 cardiomyocytes

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a life-threatening disease that often results in heart failure. CRYAB, a small heat shock protein, has been shown to have cardioprotective effects against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in AMI. Previously, we purified a peptide derived from CRYAB (LEDQFFGEH), which we named PDFC. In this study, we determined the function of PDFC on HL-1 cardiomyocytes and explored the mechanism underlying its function. A hypoxic myocardiocyte cell line was generated by stimulation of HL-1 mouse cardiac muscle cells with different concentrations of CoCl₂. Then, the hypoxic HL-1 cells were treated with the synthetic PDFC peptide, and cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis were assessed to examine the effects of PDFC on HL-1 and hypoxic HL-1 cells. To examine the mechanism underlying the effects of PDFC on hypoxic cells, PDFC-treated hypoxic HL-1 cells were submitted for deep RNA sequencing. Finally, several differentially expressed genes in different pathways were selected for confirmation by RT-qPCR. Hypoxic myocardiocytes were generated by stimulating HL-1 cells with 800 µM CoCl₂ for 24 h, which significantly upregulated HIF-1α. PDFC at 200 µg/ml showed the most positive effects on cell viability. Although hypoxic HL-1 cells and PDFC-treated hypoxic HL-1 cells both showed lower viability and migration and higher levels of apoptosis than untreated HL-1 cells, compared to hypoxic HL-1 cells, PDFC-treated hypoxic HL-1 cells showed higher viability and migration and lower apoptosis. The deep sequencing showed that 812 genes were upregulated and 1946 genes were downregulated. Among these differentially expressed genes, 699 of the upregulated genes and 1488 of the downregulated genes were protein-coding genes. Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis showed that the downregulated genes were dominant and that the PI3K-Akt pathway was located in the center of the network. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed, and 892 nodes were determined. In PDFC-treated hypoxic HL-1 cells, Fn1, Pik3r5, and Creb5 were downregulated, while Insr, Bcl2, Mapk14, and Pten were upregulated when compared to the levels in hypoxic HL-1 cells. In conclusion, this study reveals the significant bioactive effect of the CRYAB-derived peptide, PDFC on cardiomyocytes and the underlying mechanism.

Apoptosis in vascular pathology: present and future

Apoptosis is recognized as a programmed cell death controlled by genetic mechanisms and required for normal existence of an organism. Its main task is elimination of defective or mutant cells. The particles of dead cells are engulfed by macrophages with no development of inflammatory reaction. Apoptosis actively participates in embryogenesis, cellular homeostasis, elimination of tumor cells, and may be divided to three phases: signal, effector, and degradation. Its main components are cytoplasmic proteases caspases. Caspases exist in the cytoplasm in inactive condition in the form pf procaspases. Being activated, they break down to subunits. Proteins of Bcl-2 family are active participants of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. They influence permeability of the outer membrane of mitochondria. Disorders in the mechanisms of apoptosis underlie many diseases including ischemic lesions, autoimmune disorders, malignant neoplasms. The ability to influence survival or death of cell is known to possess enormous therapeutic potential. At present, active research is under way to study signal pathways that control cell cycle and apoptosis. The article discusses the mechanisms participating in death of vascular endothelium and smooth muscle cells, potential role of apoptosis in atherosclerosis is also described.

miR-140-3p inhibits progression of non-small cell lung cancer by targeting Janus kinase 1

microRNAs (miRNAs) have gained more attention due to the biological functions in many cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the roles and the mechanism of miR-140-3p in NSCLC progression remain poorly understood. In this study, the expression levels of miR-140-3p and Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) were measured in NSCLC tissues and cells by quantitative real-time PCR. Cell viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion were detected by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl-trtrazolium bromide, flow cytometry, Western blot or trans-well assay, respectively. Murine xenograft model was conducted to analyze the anti-tumor effect of miR-140-3p in vivo. Interaction between miR-140-3p and JAK1 was probed by luciferase reporter activity and Western blot. We found that miR-140-3p expression was down-regulated and JAK1 expression was increased in NSCLC tissues and cells compared with those in corresponding controls. Moreover, overexpression of miR-140-3p inhibited cell viability, migration and invasion while promoted cell apoptosis in NSCLC cells and suppressed NSCLC xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Besides, JAK1 was proved as a target of miR-140-3p and its restoration reversed miR-140-3p-mediated regulatory effect on progression of NSCLC. We concluded that miR-140-3p inhibited NSCLC progression by targeting JAK1, providing a novel avenue for treatment of NSCLC.

Transcription Factors Targeted by miRNAs Regulating Smooth Muscle Cell Growth and Intimal Thickening after Vascular Injury

Neointima formation after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a manifestation of “phenotype switching” by vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC), a process that involves de-differentiation from a contractile quiescent phenotype to one that is richly synthetic. In response to injury, SMCs migrate, proliferate, down-regulate SMC-specific differentiation genes, and later, can revert to the contractile phenotype. The vascular response to injury is regulated by microRNAs (or miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs that control gene expression. Interactions between miRNAs and transcription factors impact gene regulatory networks. This article briefly reviews the roles of a range of miRNAs in molecular and cellular processes that control intimal thickening, focusing mainly on transcription factors, some of which are encoded by immediate-early genes. Examples include Egr-1, junB, KLF4, KLF5, Elk-1, Ets-1, HMGB1, Smad1, Smad3, FoxO4, SRF, Rb, Sp1 and c-Myb. Such mechanistic information could inform the development of strategies that block SMC growth, neointima formation, and potentially overcome limitations of lasting efficacy following PCI.

Linc-POU3F3 is overexpressed in in-stent restenosis patients and induces VSMC phenotypic transformation via POU3F3/miR-449a/KLF4 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

With the extensive application of stent implantation in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), there are chances that in-stent restenosis (ISR)-a major vascular complication caused by vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic transformation-might occur.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to evaluate the role of lincRNA-POU3F3 on VSMC phenotypic transformation and the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

VSMCs were used in our research. We first constructed a gene delivery system through an assembly of lipofectamine and a functional plasmid DNA (pDNA) encoding lincRNA-POU3F3 or MicroRNA-449a, and then, transfected it to VSMCs. Moreover, lentivirus-mediated KLF4 inhibitor (KLF4 siRNA) was also used in these cells. Expression of relevant proteins, such as smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC), alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), osteopontin (OPN), and kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), was examined by western blot or immunofluorescence (IF) assay. CCK-8 and wound healing assays were performed to assess the growth and migration of VSMCs. qRT-PCR was used to assess linc-POU3F3 and miR-449a levels. Luciferase reporter assay was also performed.

RESULTS

POU3F3 levels were significantly higher in ISR patients compared to controls. We observed that linc-POU3F3 promoted VSMC proliferation and migration, and induced VSMC phenotypic transformation via POU3F3/miR-449a/KLF4 signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Linc-POU3F3 promotes phenotypic transformation of VSMCs via POU3F3/miR-449a/KLF4 pathway. It may provide a theoretical basis to attenuate ISR via pharmacological inhibition of this biomarker or at least serve as a predictor of diagnosis or prognosis of patients with restenosis.