Combined Biomarkers Composed of Environment and Genetic Factors in Stroke

Comprehensive analysis of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network in ischemic stroke

Objective

Competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks have uncovered a novel mode of RNA interaction, and are implicated in various biological processes and the pathogenesis of IS. This study aimed to explore the potential mechanisms underlying the ceRNA network in IS.

Methods

Four public datasets containing lncRNA and mRNA (GSE22255 and GSE16561) and miRNA (GSE55937 and GSE43618) expression profiles from the GEO database were systematically analyzed to explore the role of RNAs in ischemic stroke (IS). Differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs), lncRNAs (DElncRNAs), and miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) between IS and normal control samples were identified. LncRNA-miRNA and miRNA-mRNA interactions were predicted, and the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network was constructed using the Cytoscape software. The correlation between the RNAs in the ceRNA network and the clinical features of the samples was evaluated. Finally, principal component analysis was performed on the RNAs that constitute the ceRNA regulatory network, and their differential expression and principal component relationships among different types of samples were observed.

Results

A total of 224 DEmRNAs, 7 DEmiRNAs, and four DElncRNAs related to IS in four datasets were identified. Then, through target gene prediction, a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network that contained 3 DElncRNAs, 2 DEmiRNAs, and 24 DEmRNAs was constructed. Correlations of the clinical characteristics showed that PART1 and SERPINH1 were related to clinical diseases, WNK1 was related to lifestyle, and seven RNAs were related to age. PCA results indicate that three principal components of PC1, PC2, and PC3 can clearly distinguish between control and IS samples.

Conclusion

Overall, we constructed a ceRNA network in IS, which could offer insights into the molecular mechanism and potential prognostic biomarkers for further research.

Levels of Small Extracellular Vesicles Containing hERG-1 and Hsp47 as Potential Biomarkers for Cardiovascular Diseases

The diagnosis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still limited. Therefore, this study demonstrates the presence of human ether-a-go-go-related gene 1 (hERG1) and heat shock protein 47 (Hsp47) on the surface of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) in human peripheral blood and their association with CVD. In this research, 20 individuals with heart failure and 26 participants subjected to cardiac stress tests were enrolled. The associations between hERG1 and/or Hsp47 in sEVs and CVD were established using Western blot, flow cytometry, electron microscopy, ELISA, and nanoparticle tracking analysis. The results show that hERG1 and Hsp47 were present in sEV membranes, extravesicularly exposing the sequences 430AFLLKETEEGPPATE445 for hERG1 and 169ALQSINEWAAQTT- DGKLPEVTKDVERTD196 for Hsp47. In addition, upon exposure to hypoxia, rat primary cardiomyocytes released sEVs into the media, and human cardiomyocytes in culture also released sEVs containing hERG1 (EV-hERG1) and/or Hsp47 (EV-Hsp47). Moreover, the levels of sEVs increased in the blood when cardiac ischemia was induced during the stress test, as well as the concentrations of EV-hERG1 and EV-Hsp47. Additionally, the plasma levels of EV-hERG1 and EV-Hsp47 decreased in patients with decompensated heart failure (DHF). Our data provide the first evidence that hERG1 and Hsp47 are present in the membranes of sEVs derived from the human cardiomyocyte cell line, and also in those isolated from human peripheral blood. Total sEVs, EV-hERG1, and EV-Hsp47 may be explored as biomarkers for heart diseases such as heart failure and cardiac ischemia.

Polymorphism in genes encoding two fatty acid binding proteins increases risk of ischemic stroke in a Chinese Han population

Background: Dyslipidemia is an independent predictor of ischemic stroke (IS). Genetic variations in lipid-metabolism related genes may increase the risk of IS. Fatty acid-binding protein 1 (FABP1) and fatty acid-binding protein 2 (FABP2) are lipid chaperones responsible for lipid transport and metabolism. The present study aimed to determine the association between FABP1 or FABP2 and ischemic stroke.

Methods: A total of 251 participants were recruited composed of 138 patients with ischemic stroke and 113 healthy subjects. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples. The rs2241883 polymorphism in FABP1 and rs1799883 polymorphism in FABP2 were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) was used to find out the interaction combinations between two SNPs and environmental factors.

Results: The GA genotype of FABP2 rs1799883 increased susceptibility to ischemic stroke under overdominant inheritance model (p = 0.042). After adjusting for the risk factors of IS, it was associated with a significantly higher risk of IS in the codominant inheritance model (adjust OR = 3.431, 95%CI = 1.060–11.103, p = 0.04). The interactions of FABP1 rs2241883 and FABP2 rs1799883 were not associated with IS risk (p = 0.172). Moreover, interaction analysis of two genes (rs1799883 and rs2241883) and two environmental factors (smoking and alcohol consumption) was associated with an increased risk of IS (p = 0.011).

Conclusion: The GA genotype of FABP2 rs1799883, interactions between rs1799883, rs2241883 and smoking and alcohol consumption were associated with IS risk in Chinese Han populations.

A systematic review of the research progress of non-coding RNA in neuroinflammation and immune regulation in cerebral infarction/ischemia-reperfusion injury

Cerebral infarction/ischemia-reperfusion injury is currently the disease with the highest mortality and disability rate of cardiovascular disease. Current studies have shown that nerve cells die of ischemia several hours after ischemic stroke, which activates the innate immune response in the brain, promotes the production of neurotoxic substances such as inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, reactive oxygen species and − nitrogen oxide, and mediates the destruction of blood-brain barrier and the occurrence of a series of inflammatory cascade reactions. Meanwhile, the expression of adhesion molecules in cerebral vascular endothelial cells increased, and immune inflammatory cells such as polymorphonuclear neutrophils, lymphocytes and mononuclear macrophages passed through vascular endothelial cells and entered the brain tissue. These cells recognize antigens exposed by the central nervous system in the brain, activate adaptive immune responses, and further mediate secondary neuronal damage, aggravating neurological deficits. In order to reduce the above-mentioned damage, the body induces peripheral immunosuppressive responses through negative feedback, which increases the incidence of post-stroke infection. This process is accompanied by changes in the immune status of the ischemic brain tissue in local and systemic systems. A growing number of studies implicate noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) as novel epigenetic regulatory elements in the dysfunction of various cell subsets in the neurovascular unit after cerebral infarction/ischemia-reperfusion injury. In particular, recent studies have revealed advances in ncRNA biology that greatly expand the understanding of epigenetic regulation of immune responses and inflammation after cerebral infarction/ischemia-reperfusion injury. Identification of aberrant expression patterns and associated biological effects of ncRNAs in patients revealed their potential as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cerebral infarction/ischemia-reperfusion injury. Therefore, this review systematically presents recent studies on the involvement of ncRNAs in cerebral infarction/ischemia-reperfusion injury and neuroimmune inflammatory cascades, and elucidates the functions and mechanisms of cerebral infarction/ischemia-reperfusion-related ncRNAs, providing new opportunities for the discovery of disease biomarkers and targeted therapy. Furthermore, this review introduces clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Display as a possible transformative tool for studying lncRNAs. In the future, ncRNA is expected to be used as a target for diagnosing cerebral infarction/ischemia-reperfusion injury, judging its prognosis and treatment, thereby significantly improving the prognosis of patients.

LncRNA SERPINB9P1 expression and polymorphisms are associated with ischemic stroke in a Chinese Han population

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were reported to play important roles in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke (IS). Our study aimed to investigate the role of lncRNA SERPINB9P1 expression in ischemic stroke and the association between SERPINB9P1 polymorphisms and IS risk, as well as examine the correlation of SERPINB9P1 expression and variants with clinical parameters of IS. The SERPINB9P1 levels in human participants and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-treated human A172 cells were measured by qRT-PCR. The SERPINB9P1 polymorphisms (rs375556 and rs318429) were genotyped by the MassARRAY platform. We found that the SERPINB9P1 expression was significantly downregulated in patients with IS compared with that in healthy controls. On the 14th day in the hospital, the SERPINB9P1 level in patients with moderate and severe stroke was significantly downregulated compared with the normal group. After stratification by gender, the rs375556 polymorphism was significantly associated with susceptibility to female IS in the recessive model, and the significant association remained after adjusting for age. After adjusting for gender and age, rs318429 was significantly associated with FPG and D-D levels, and rs375556 was significantly associated with INR and PTA levels in IS cases. Besides, the lncRNA SERPINB9P1 expressed downregulated in OGD/reoxygenation-treated human A172 cells. In conclusion, the lncRNA SERPINB9P1 may protect against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and neurological impairment after IS. The SERPINB9P1 rs375556 polymorphism was associated with susceptibility to female IS, and SERPINB9P1 polymorphisms may influence the metabolism of blood glucose and regulation of coagulation function in patients with IS.

miRNA dysregulation in ischaemic stroke: Focus on diagnosis, prognosis, therapeutic and protective biomarkers

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in both developing and developed countries. Biomarkers for stroke and its outcome can greatly facilitate early detection and management of the disease. miRNAs have been explored for their potential as biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and brain injury in ischaemic stroke. A substantial body of evidence suggests that miRNAs play key roles in numerous cellular changes following ischaemic stroke including mitochondrial dysfunction, energy failure, cytokine-mediated cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, activation of glial cells, increased intracellular calcium levels inflammatory responses and disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In addition, targeting specific miRNAs, therapeutic modulation of brain injury and apoptosis can also be achieved. Therefore, the current review has been compiled within an aim to give an overview of the developments exploiting miRNAs at different stages of stroke as prognostic, diagnostic, protective and therapeutic biomarkers.