Importance of microRNAs by mRNA-microRNA integration analysis in acute ischemic stroke patients

Shared genetic features inference among hypoxia-ischemia diseases in the presence of heterogenous omics data based on a novel risk assessment method

The hypoxia-ischemia (H-I) diseases share some common mechanisms which may help to delay the diseases' processing. However, the shared features are still unclear due to the lack of large scale high-quality multi - omics data that specifically target the same disease, population, and tissues/cells. In this study, we developed a novel risk assessment method to analyze four H-I diseases including eclampsia/preeclampsia (PE), pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), high-altitude polycythemia (HAPC), and ischemic stroke (IS). A combined new evaluation score was designed to integrate evaluation information from genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics in previous researches. Genes were then divided into different groups according to their risk assessment score. The most significant group (direct biomarkers) contained genes with direct evidence of association to H-I disease: PIEZO2 and HPGD (shared), TSIX and SAA1 (PAH - specific), GSTM1, DNTT, and IGKC (HAPC - specific), LEP, SERPINA3, and ARHGEF4 (PE - specific), CD3D, ITK, and RPL18A (IS - specific). The groups 'Intermediate crucial biomarkers' contained genes played important roles in H-I disease related biological processes: CXCL8 (shared), HBG2, GRIN2A, and FGFBP1 (PAH - specific), FAM111B (HAPC - specific), C12orf39 and SLAMF1 (PE - specific). The genes lacking disease-association evidence but with similar characteristics with the above two groups were considered as 'potential minor-effect biomarkers': are SRRM2 - AS1 (shared), ATP8A1 (PAH - specific), RXFP1 and HJURP (HAPC - specific), HIST1H1T (PE - specific). With the development of biological experiments, these intermediate crucial and potential minor-effect biomarkers may be proved to be direct biomarkers in the future. Therefore, these biomarkers may serve as an entry point for subsequent research and are of great significance.

Deciphering the Role of microRNAs: Unveiling Clinical Biomarkers and Therapeutic Avenues in Atrial Fibrillation and Associated Stroke-A Systematic Review

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by binding to target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). miRNAs have been implicated in a variety of cardiovascular and neurological diseases, such as myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathies of various geneses, rhythmological diseases, neurodegenerative illnesses and strokes. Numerous studies have focused on the expression of miRNA patterns with respect to atrial fibrillation (AF) or acute ischemic stroke (AIS) However, only a few studies have addressed the expression pattern of miRNAs in patients with AF and AIS in order to provide not only preventive information but also to identify therapeutic potentials. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize 18 existing manuscripts that have dealt with this combined topic of AF and associated AIS in detail and to shed light on the most frequently mentioned miRNAs-1, -19, -21, -145 and -146 with regard to their molecular mechanisms and targets on both the heart and the brain. From this, possible diagnostic and therapeutic consequences for the future could be derived.

MiR-122 overexpression alleviates oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced neuronal injury by targeting sPLA2-IIA

Background

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a neurological disease with significant disability and mortality. MicroRNAs were proven to be associated with cerebral ischemia. Previous studies have demonstrated miR-122 downregulation in both animal models of IS and the blood of IS patients. Nonetheless, the role and mechanism of miR-122-5p in IS remain unclear.

Methods

We established primary human and mouse astrocytes, along with HT22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells, through oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) treatment. To assess the impact of miR-122, we employed CCK8 assays, flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, western blotting, and ELISA to evaluate cell viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and cytokine expression. A dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was employed to investigate the interaction between miR-122 and sPLA2-IIA.

Results

Overexpression of miR-122 resulted in decreased apoptosis, reduced cleaved caspase-3 expression, and increased cell viability in astrocytes and HT22 cells subjected to OGD/R. RT-qPCR and ELISA analyses demonstrated a decrease in mRNA and cytokine levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in both astrocytes and HT22 cells following miR-122 overexpression. Moreover, miR-122 overexpression reversed OGD/R-induced ROS levels and 8-OHdG formation in astrocytes. Additionally, miR-122 overexpression decreased the mRNA and protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Furthermore, we found that miR-122 attaches to the 3'-UTR of sPLA2-IIA, thereby downregulate its expression.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that miR-122-mediated inhibition of sPLA2-IIA attenuates OGD/R-induced neuronal injury by suppressing apoptosis, alleviating post-ischemic inflammation, and reducing ROS production. Thus, the miR-122/sPLA2-IIA axis may represent a promising target for IS treatment.

Unveiling the role of HIST2H2AC in stroke through single-cell and transcriptome analysis

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, and genetic risk factors play a significant role in its development. Unfortunately, effective therapies for stroke are currently limited. Early detection and diagnosis are critical for improving outcomes and developing new treatment strategies. In this study, we aimed to identify potential biomarkers and effective prevention and treatment strategies for stroke by conducting transcriptome and single-cell analyses. Our analysis included screening for biomarkers, functional enrichment analysis, immune infiltration, cell-cell communication, and single-cell metabolism. Through differential expression analysis, enrichment analysis, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction, we identified HIST2H2AC as a potential biomarker for stroke. Our study also highlighted the diagnostic role of HIST2H2AC in stroke, its relationship with immune cells in the stroke environment, and our improved understanding of metabolic pathways after stroke. Overall, our research provided important insights into the pathogenesis of stroke, including potential biomarkers and treatment strategies that can be explored further to improve outcomes for stroke patients.