Angiotensin receptor type 1 polymorphism A1166C is associated with altered AT1R and miR-155 expression in carotid plaque tissue and development of hypoechoic carotid plaques

MicroRNA-155 and exosomal microRNA-155: Small pieces in the cardiovascular diseases puzzle

MicroRNAs (miRs, miRNAs) are known to have a part in various human illnesses, such as those related to the heart. One particular miRNA, miR-155, has been extensively studied and has been found to be involved in hematopoietic lineage differentiation, immunity, viral infections, inflammation, as well as vascular remodeling. These processes have all been connected to cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, diabetic heart disease, coronary artery disease, and abdominal aortic aneurysm. The impacts of miR-155 depend on the type of cell it is acting on and the specific target genes involved, resulting in different mechanisms of disease. Although, the exact part of miR-155 in cardiovascular illnesses is yet not fully comprehended, as some studies have shown it to promote the development of atherosclerosis while others have shown it to prevent it. As a result, to comprehend the underlying processes of miR-155 in cardiovascular disorders, further thorough study is required. It has been discovered that exosomes that could be absorbed by adjacent or distant cells, control post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression by focusing on mRNA. Exosomal miRNAs have been found to have a range of functions, including participating in inflammatory reactions, cell movement, growth, death, autophagy, as well as epithelial-mesenchymal transition. An increasing amount of research indicates that exosomal miRNAs are important for cardiovascular health and have a major role in the development of a number of cardiovascular disorders, including pulmonary hypertension, atherosclerosis, acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Herein the role of miR-155 and its exosomal form in heart diseases are summarized.

Effects of AGT and AGTR1 Genetic Polymorphisms and Changes in Blood Pressure Over a Five-Year Follow-Up

Purpose

The renin-angiotensin system plays an important role in the central regulation of blood pressure (BP). Genetic variations of angiotensinogen (AGT) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGTR1) may increase susceptibility to elevated BP and hypertension. This study investigated the effects of AGT rs699 and AGTR1 rs5186 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on BP at baseline and at a 5-year follow-up.

Paticipants and Methods

The study population consisted of participants from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand cohort study (n=354); data were collected at baseline (2013) and 5 years later (2018). Genotyping of the two SNPs was performed using TaqMan® assay and statistical analyses were performed with SNPStats software.

Results

The frequencies of the two SNPs were within the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p=0.22 for AGT rs699 and p=0.06 for AGTR1 rs5186). For each SNP, mutant genotypes were significantly associated with increased systolic BP and/or diastolic BP in the codominant and recessive models. Risk alleles of AGT rs699 and AGTR1 rs5186 were associated with increased odds of hypertension and hypertension with metabolic syndrome at follow-up.

Conclusion

Overall, our results suggest that polymorphisms of genes in the renin-angiotensin system increase susceptibility to the development and progression of hypertension and the development of the metabolic syndrome.

The function of miRNAs in the process of kidney development

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that typically consist of 19-25 nucleotides in length. These molecules function as essential regulators of gene expression by selectively binding to complementary target sequences within messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, consequently exerting a negative impact on gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. By modulating the stability and translation efficiency of target mRNAs, miRNAs play pivotal roles in diverse biological processes, including the intricate orchestration of organ development. Among these processes, the development of the kidney has emerged as a key area of interest regarding miRNA function. Intriguingly, recent investigations have uncovered a subset of miRNAs that exhibit remarkably high expression levels in the kidney, signifying their close association with kidney development and diseases affecting this vital organ. This growing body of evidence strongly suggests that miRNAs serve as crucial regulators, actively shaping both the physiological processes governing kidney function and the pathological events leading to renal disorders. This comprehensive review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the latest research progress regarding miRNAs and their involvement in kidney development. By examining the intricate interplay between miRNAs and the molecular pathways driving kidney development, this review seeks to elucidate the underlying mechanisms through which miRNAs exert their regulatory functions. Furthermore, an in-depth exploration of the role played by miRNAs in the occurrence and progression of renal dysplasia will be presented. Renal dysplasia represents a significant developmental anomaly characterized by abnormal kidney tissue formation, and miRNAs have emerged as key players in this pathological process. By shedding light on the intricate network of miRNA-mediated regulatory mechanisms involved in kidney dysplasia, this review aims to provide valuable insights for the diagnosis and research of diseases associated with aberrant kidney development.

A cellular regulator of the niche: telocyte

Interstitial cells are present in the environment of stem cells in order to increase stem cell proliferation and differentiation and they are important to increase the efficiency of their transplantation. Telocytes (TCs) play an important role both in the preservation of tissue organ integrity and in the pathophysiology of many diseases, especially cancer. They make homo- or heterocellular contacts to form the structure of 3D network through their telopodes and deliver signaling molecules via a juxtacrine and/or paracrine association by budding shed vesicles into the vascular, nervous and endocrine systems. During this interaction, along with organelles, mRNA, microRNA, long non-coding RNA, and genomic DNA are transferred. This review article not only specifies the properties of TCs and their roles in the tissue organ microenvironment but also gives information about the factors that play a role in the transport of epigenetic information by TCs.

MiR-199a-5p-containing macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles inhibit SMARCA4 and alleviate atherosclerosis by reducing endothelial cell pyroptosis

BACKGROUND

Endothelial cell disturbance underpins a role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Notably, accumulating studies indicate the substantial role of microRNAs (miRs) in atherosclerosis, and miR-199a-5p dysregulation has been associated with atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular disorders. However, the effect of miR-199a-5p on the phenotypes of endothelial cells and atherosclerosis remains largely unknown.

METHODS

ApoE-/- male mice were fed with high-fat diet for detection of inflammation and aorta plaque area. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were separated from THP-1-derived macrophage (THP-1-DM) that was treated by oxidized low-density lipoprotein, followed by co-culture with human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Ectopic expression and downregulation of miR-199a-5p were done in THP-1-DM-derived EVs to assess pyroptosis and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of HAECs. Binding relationship between miR-199a-5p and SMARCA4 was evaluated by luciferase activity assay.

RESULTS

EVs derived from ox-LDL-induced THP-1-DM expedited inflammation and aorta plaque area in atherosclerotic mice. Besides, miR-199a-5p expression was reduced in EVs from ox-LDL-induced THP-1-DM, and miR-199a-5p inhibition facilitated HAEC pyroptosis and LDH activity. Moreover, miR-199a-5p targeted and restricted SMARCA4, and then SMARCA4 activated the NF-κB pathway by increasing PODXL expression in HAECs.

CONCLUSION

EV-packaged inhibited miR-199a-5p from macrophages expedites endothelial cell pyroptosis and further accelerates atherosclerosis through the SMARCA4/PODXL/NF-κB axis, providing promising targets and strategies for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.

Beauty and the beast: host microRNA-155 versus SARS-CoV-2

Severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in the young and healthy usually results in an asymptomatic or mild viral syndrome, possibly through an erythropoietin (EPO)-dependent, protective evolutionary landscape. In the old and in the presence of co-morbidities, however, a potentially lethal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cytokine storm, through unrestrained renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) hyperactivity, has been described. Multifunctional microRNA-155 (miR-155) elevation in malaria, dengue virus (DENV), the thalassemias, and SARS-CoV-1/2, plays critical antiviral and cardiovascular roles through its targeted translational repression of over 140 genes. In the present review, we propose a plausible miR-155-dependent mechanism whereby the translational repression of AGRT1, Arginase-2 and Ets-1, reshapes RAAS towards Angiotensin II (Ang II) type 2 (AT2R)-mediated balanced, tolerable, and SARS-CoV-2-protective cardiovascular phenotypes. In addition, it enhances EPO secretion and endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation and substrate availability, and negates proinflammatory Ang II effects. Disrupted miR-155 repression of AT1R + 1166C-allele, significantly associated with adverse cardiovascular and COVID-19 outcomes, manifests its decisive role in RAAS modulation. BACH1 and SOCS1 repression creates an anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective milieu, robustly inducing antiviral interferons. MiR-155 dysregulation in the elderly, and in comorbidities, allows unimpeded RAAS hyperactivity to progress towards a particularly aggressive COVID-19 course. Elevated miR-155 in thalassemia plausibly engenders a favorable cardiovascular profile and protection against malaria, DENV, and SARS-CoV-2. MiR-155 modulating pharmaceutical approaches could offer novel therapeutic options in COVID-19.

Allele С (rs5186) of at1r is associated with the severity of COVID-19 in the Ukrainian population

INTRODUCTION

The severity of SARS-CoV-2 induced coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) depends on the presence of risk factors and the hosts' gene variability. There are preliminary results that gene polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system can influence the susceptibility to and mortality from COVID-19. Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) might be a gene candidate that exerts such influence. The aim of this study was to elaborate on the association between A1166C at1r polymorphic variants and the susceptibility to and severity of COVID-19 in the Ukrainian population.

METHODS

The study population consisted of the Ukrainian population (Poltava region) with COVID-19, divided into three clinical groups in accordance with oxygen requirement: patients without oxygen therapy (n = 110), with non-invasive (n = 136) and invasive (n = 36) oxygen therapy. The A1166C polymorphism of the at1r was determined by polymerase chain reaction with subsequent restrictase analysis. In an attempt to better explain the role of the A1166C at1r polymorphism we compared its association with COVID-19, essential hypertension (n = 79), renoparenchimal hypertension (n = 30) and dyscirculatory encephalopathy (n = 112). The data for this comparison were obtained by meta-analysis.

RESULTS

We observed significant differences in the frequency of AA, AC and CC genotypes in the groups of COVID-19 patients with non-invasive and invasive oxygen therapy in comparison with control subjects as well as in the frequency of combined AC + CC genotype between the groups of COVID-19 patients with any types of oxygen therapy and patients without oxygen therapy. The frequency of the 1166C allele was higher in COVID-19 patients with invasive oxygen therapy (OR = 2.06; CI (1.20-3.53); p = 0.013). We obtained important results indicating that there were no differences between the frequency of at1r polymorphisms in patients with cardiovascular disease and severe COVID-19 with invasive oxygen therapy as well as those who died due to COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

Our study indicated the presence of an association between the A1166C at1r polymorphisms and the severity of COVID-19 in the Ukrainian population. It seems that in carriers of 1166C at1r, the severity of COVID-19 and oxygen dependency is higher as compared to the A allele carriers, possibly, due to cardiovascular disorders.

Dissecting miRNA–Gene Networks to Map Clinical Utility Roads of Pharmacogenomics-Guided Therapeutic Decisions in Cardiovascular Precision Medicine

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) create systems networks and gene-expression circuits through molecular signaling and cell interactions that contribute to health imbalance and the emergence of cardiovascular disorders (CVDs). Because the clinical phenotypes of CVD patients present a diversity in their pathophysiology and heterogeneity at the molecular level, it is essential to establish genomic signatures to delineate multifactorial correlations, and to unveil the variability seen in therapeutic intervention outcomes. The clinically validated miRNA biomarkers, along with the relevant SNPs identified, have to be suitably implemented in the clinical setting in order to enhance patient stratification capacity, to contribute to a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, to guide the selection of innovative therapeutic schemes, and to identify innovative drugs and delivery systems. In this article, the miRNA–gene networks and the genomic signatures resulting from the SNPs will be analyzed as a method of highlighting specific gene-signaling circuits as sources of molecular knowledge which is relevant to CVDs. In concordance with this concept, and as a case study, the design of the clinical trial GESS (NCT03150680) is referenced. The latter is presented in a manner to provide a direction for the improvement of the implementation of pharmacogenomics and precision cardiovascular medicine trials.

Role of MicroRNAs and their corresponding ACE2/Apelin signaling pathways in hypertension

Hypertension is controlled via the alteration of microRNAs (miRNAs), their therapeutic targets angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R) and cross talk of signaling pathways. The stimulation of the Ang II/AT1R pathway by deregulation of miRNAs, has also been linked to cardiac remodeling as well as the pathophysiology of high blood pressure. As miRNAs have been associated to ACE2/Apelin and Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling, it has revealed an utmost protective impact over hypertension and cardiovascular system. The ACE2-coupled intermodulation between RAAS, Apelin system, MAPK signaling pathways, and miRNAs reveal the practicalities of high blood pressure. The research of miRNAs may ultimately lead to the expansion of an innovative treatment strategy for hypertension, which indicates the need to explore them further at the molecular level. Therefore, here we have focused on the mechanistic importance of miRNAs in hypertension, ACE2/Apelin signaling as well as their biological functions, with a focus on interplay and crosstalk between ACE2/Apelin signaling, miRNAs, and hypertension, and the progress in miRNA-based diagnostic techniques with the goal of facilitating the development of new hypertension-controlling therapeutics.

Association Between M235T-AGT and I/D-ACE Polymorphisms and Carotid Atheromatosis in Hypertensive Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND/AIM

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) may be implicated in carotid atheromatosis (CA) development. We aimed to assess the relationship of M235T-angiotensinogen (AGT) and insertion/deletion of angiotensin conversion enzyme (I/D-ACE) genotypes with CA in patients with essential hypertension (EHT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We determined the M235T-AGT and I/D-ACE genotypes, using PCR-RFLP methods, in 162 hypertensive subjects from three tertiary regional medical centers. The relationship between the studied RAAS gene polymorphisms and CA was assessed by multiple logistic regressions.

RESULTS

Hypertensive patients carrying the MT/TT235-AGT and MT235-AGT genotypes had a 2.17-fold (p=0.033) and 2.24-fold (p=0.036) increased risk to develop CA, respectively. These genotypes, MT/TT 235-AGT (OR=2.17, p=0.033) and MT235-AGT (OR=2.24, p=0.036), remain independent risk factors for CA in hypertensive patients according to the multivariate model.

CONCLUSION

There is a statistically significant association between M235T-AGT and CA, when adjusting for several confounders and controlling for hypertension.

MALAT1 overexpression attenuates AS by inhibiting ox-LDL-stimulated dendritic cell maturation via miR-155-5p/NFIA axis

MALAT1 is associated with dendritic cells (DCs) maturation in Atherosclerosis (AS). This article aims to demystify the role of MALAT1 in AS. We separated immature DCs (iDCs) from healthy volunteers or ApoE-/- mice. And iDCs were treated with oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) to induce DCs maturation. We found that ox-LDL promoted the levels of DCs maturation markers including CD83, CD86, IL-12 and IL-6. MALAT1 and NFIA were down-regulated, whereas miR-155-5p was up-regulated in the ox-LDL-treated iDCs. Furthermore, DCs maturation was notably suppressed by MALAT1 overexpression, NFIA overexpression or miR-155-5p knockdown. Moreover, MALAT1 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA to repress miR-155-5p, which controlled its down-stream target, NFIA. In addition, MALAT1 overexpression inhibited ox-LDL-stimulated DCs maturation by regulating miR-155-5p/NFIA axis. In AS mice, MALAT1 overexpression attenuated ox-LDL-stimulated DCs maturation and reduced atherosclerotic plaque area. In summary, our study demonstrates that MALAT1 overexpression attenuates AS by inhibiting ox-LDL-stimulated DCs maturation via miR-155-5p/NFIA axis. Thus, MALAT1/miR-155-5p/NFIA axis can potentially be used in the treatment of AS.

The HACD4 haplotype as a risk factor for atherosclerosis in males

The 9p21.3 region is rich in regulatory elements and the variants in this region had been robustly associated with carotid plaque (CP) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Recently, the HACD4 was detected as one of the six 9p21.3 differentially expressed genes associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and greater mean lesion area in the Athsq1 congenic mice. We aimed to investigate association of two potentially regulatory HACD4 variants (rs36212560 I/D, rs2275888 T/C) and their haplotypes with CP occurrence and the level of HACD4 and FOCAD mRNA in human CP tissue. Association study was replicated in CAD patients who suffered the first myocardial infarction. Study included 477 CP patients, 303 healthy controls and replication sample of 224 CAD males from the population of Serbia. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR using TaqMan® technology. The gene expression was detected with TaqMan® technology. We have found significant and independent association of DT haplotype with CP presence in men (adjusted OR=1.64 CI=1.12-2.42, p=0.011). The result was replicated in CAD males (adjusted OR=1.84 CI=1.21-2.80, p=0.004). We have found significant effect of the HACD4 rs2275888 on FOCAD mRNA level in human CP tissue. Correction for multiple testing was performed. Independent association of HACD4 haplotypes with atherosclerotic phenotypes connotes a further validation and replication in larger cohorts as well as functional studies to enlighten the potential mechanism of its action in pathophysiology of atherosclerosis.