Interfering microRNA-410 attenuates atherosclerosis via the HDAC1/KLF5/IKBα/NF-κB axis

A Systematic Review of MicroRNAs in Hemorrhagic Neurovascular Disease: Cerebral Cavernous Malformations as a Paradigm

Hemorrhagic neurovascular diseases, with high mortality and poor outcomes, urge novel biomarker discovery and therapeutic targets. Micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are potent post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. They have been studied in association with disease states and implicated in mechanistic gene interactions in various pathologies. Their presence and stability in circulating fluids also suggest a role as biomarkers. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge about miRNAs in the context of cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs), a disease involving cerebrovascular dysmorphism and hemorrhage, with known genetic underpinnings. We also review common and distinct miRNAs of CCM compared to other diseases with brain vascular dysmorphism and hemorrhage. A systematic search, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline, queried all peer-reviewed articles published in English as of January 2025 and reported miRNAs associated with four hemorrhagic neurovascular diseases: CCM, arteriovenous malformations, moyamoya disease, and intracerebral hemorrhage. The PubMed systematic search retrieved 154 articles that met the inclusion criteria, reporting a total of 267 unique miRNAs identified in the literature on these four hemorrhagic neurovascular diseases. Of these 267 miRNAs, 164 were identified in preclinical studies, while 159 were identified in human subjects. Seventeen miRNAs were common to CCM and other hemorrhagic diseases. Common and unique disease-associated miRNAs in this systematic review motivate novel mechanistic hypotheses and have potential applications in diagnostic, predictive, prognostic, and therapeutic contexts of use. Much of current research can be considered hypothesis-generating, reflecting association rather than causation. Future areas of mechanistic investigation are proposed alongside approaches to analytic and clinical validations of contexts of use for biomarkers.

Pharmacological inhibition of histone deacetylase alleviates chronic unpredictable stress induced atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction via upregulation of BDNF

Long-term stress is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. Moreover, prolonged stress has shown to negatively regulate central BDNF expression. The role of central BDNF in CNS disorders is well studied until recently the peripheral BDNF was also found to be involved in endothelial function regulation and atherosclerosis. The peripheral BDNF and its role in chronic stress-induced atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the role of BDNF and its modulation by the HDAC inhibitor valproic acid (VA) in chronic unpredictable stress (CUS)-induced atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. We demonstrated that a 10-week CUS mouse model substantially decreases central and peripheral BDNF expression, resulting in enhanced serum lipid indices, plaque deposition, fibrosis, and CD68 expression in thoracic aortas. Further, parameters associated with endothelial dysfunction such as increased levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1), adhesion molecules like VCAM-1, M1 macrophage markers, and decreased M2 macrophage markers, eNOS expression, and nitrite levels in aortas, were also observed. VA (50 mg/kg, 14 days, i. p.) was administered to mice following 8 weeks of CUS exposure until the end of the experimental procedure. VA significantly prevented the decrease in BDNF, eNOS and nitrite levels, reduced lesion formation and fibrosis in thoracic aortas and increased ET-1, and VCAM-1 followed by M2 polarization in VA-treated mice. The study highlights the potential of epigenetic modulation of BDNF as a therapeutic target, in stress-induced cardiovascular pathologies and suggests that VA could be a promising agent for mitigating CUS-induced endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis by BDNF modulation.

Cardiovascular Disease and miRNAs: Possible Oxidative Stress-Regulating Roles of miRNAs

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been highlighted as key players in numerous diseases, and accumulating evidence indicates that pathological expressions of miRNAs contribute to both the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), as well. Another important factor affecting the development and progression of CVD is reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as the oxidative stress they may impose on the cells. Considering miRNAs are involved in virtually every biological process, it is not unreasonable to assume that miRNAs also play critical roles in the regulation of oxidative stress. This narrative review aims to provide mechanistic insights on possible oxidative stress-regulating roles of miRNAs in cardiovascular diseases based on differentially expressed miRNAs reported in various cardiovascular diseases and their empirically validated targets that have been implicated in the regulation of oxidative stress.

Antiferroptosis therapy alleviated the development of atherosclerosis

Ferroptosis has been confirmed to be associated with various diseases, but the relationship between ferroptosis and atherosclerosis (AS) remains unclear. Our research detailly clarified the roles of ferroptosis in three continuous and main pathological stages of AS respectively (injury of endothelial cells [ECs], adhesion of monocytes, and formation of foam cells). We confirmed that oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), the key factor in the pathogenesis of AS, strongly induced ferroptosis in ECs. Inhibition of ferroptosis repressed the adhesion of monocytes to ECs by inhibiting inflammation of ECs. Ferroptosis also participated in the formation of foam cells and lipids by regulating the cholesterol efflux of macrophages. Further research confirmed that ox-LDL repressedthe activity of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), the classic lipid peroxide scavenger. Treatment of a high-fat diet significantly induced ferroptosis in murine aortas and aortic sinuses, which was accompanied by AS lesions and hyperlipidemia. Treatment with ferroptosis inhibitors significantly reduced ferroptosis, hyperlipidemia, and AS lesion development. In conclusion, our research determined that ox-LDL induced ferroptosis by repressing the activity of GPX4. Antiferroptosis treatment showed promising treatment effects in vivo. Ferroptosis-associated indexes also showed promising diagnostic potential in AS patients.

PCSK9i promoting the transformation of AS plaques into a stable plaque by targeting the miR-186-5p/Wipf2 and miR-375-3p/Pdk1/Yap1 in ApoE-/- mice

Background

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a multifaceted disease characterized by disruptions in lipid metabolism, vascular inflammation, and the involvement of diverse cellular constituents. Recent investigations have progressively underscored the role of microRNA (miR) dysregulation in cardiovascular diseases, notably AS. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) can effectively reduce circulating levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)], potentially fostering a more enduring phenotype for AS plaques. However, the underlying mechanisms by which PCSK9i enhances plaque stability remain unclear. In this study, we used microarray and bioinformatics techniques to analyze the regulatory impacts on gene expression pertinent to AS, thereby unveiling potential mechanisms underlying the plaque-stabilizing attributes of PCSK9i.

Methods

ApoE-/- mice were randomly allocated into control, AS, PCSK9i, and Atorvastatin groups. The AS model was induced through a high-fat diet (HFD), succeeded by interventions: the PCSK9i group was subjected to subcutaneous SBC-115076 injections (8 mg/kg, twice weekly), and the Atorvastatin group received daily oral Atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) while on the HFD. Subsequent to the intervention phase, serum analysis, histological assessment using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Oil Red O staining, microarray-centered miRNA analysis utilizing predictions from TargetScan and miRTarBase, and analyses using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were executed to illuminate potential pathways. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was employed to quantify the expression levels of target genes.

Results

In comparison to the control group, the AS group displayed a significant elevation in blood lipid levels. Both PCSK9i and Atorvastatin effectively attenuated blood lipid levels, with PCSK9i exhibiting a more pronounced lipid-lowering impact, particularly concerning TG and LDL-C levels. Over the course of AS progression, the expression levels of mmu-miR-134, mmu-miR-141-5p, mmu-miR-17-3p, mmu-miR-195-3p, mmu-miR-210, mmu-miR-33-5p, mmu-miR-410, mmu-miR-411-5p, mmu-miR-499, mmu-miR-672-5p, mmu-miR-675-3p, and mmu-miR-301b underwent dynamic fluctuations. PCSK9i significantly down-regulated the expression of mmu-miR-186-5p, mmu-miR-222, mmu-miR-375-3p, and mmu-miR-494-3p. Further enrichment analysis disclosed that mmu-miR-186-5p, mmu-miR-222, mmu-miR-375-3p, and mmu-miR-494-3p were functionally enriched for cardiovascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration, and regulation. RT-qPCR results manifested that, in comparison to the AS group, PCSK9i significantly upregulated the expression of Wipf2, Pdk1, and Yap1 (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Aberrant miRNA expression may play a pivotal role in AS progression in murine models of AS. The subcutaneous administration of PCSK9i exerted anti-atherosclerotic effects by targeting the miR-186-5p/Wipf2 and miR-375-3p/Pdk1/Yap1 axes, thereby promoting the transition of AS plaques into a more stable form.

ZNF787 and HDAC1 Mediate Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability in an In Vitro Model of Alzheimer's Disease Microenvironment

The permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is increased in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This plays a key role in the instigation and maintenance of chronic inflammation during AD. Experiments using AD models showed that the increased permeability of the BBB was mainly caused by the decreased expression of tight junction-related proteins occludin and claudin-5. In this study, we found that ZNF787 and HDAC1 were upregulated in β-amyloid (Aβ)1-42-incubated endothelial cells, resulting in increased BBB permeability. Conversely, the silencing of ZNF787 and HDAC1 by RNAi led to reduced BBB permeability. The silencing of ZNF787 and HDAC1 enhanced the expression of occludin and claudin-5. Mechanistically, ZNF787 binds to promoter regions for occludin and claudin-5 and functions as a transcriptional regulator. Furthermore, we demonstrate that ZNF787 interacts with HDAC1, and this resulted in the downregulation of the expression of genes encoding tight junction-related proteins to increase in BBB permeability. Taken together, our study identifies critical roles for the interaction between ZNF787 and HDAC1 in regulating BBB permeability and the pathogenesis of AD.

DNA methylation-mediated repression of microRNA-410 promotes the growth of human glioma cells and triggers cell apoptosis through its interaction with STAT3

This study's purpose was to confirm the observed underexpression of miRNA-410 in glioma tissues and several glioma cells by Quantitative RT-PCR. Our findings suggest that epigenetic alterations occurring at the promoter region of miR-410 may be responsible for the reduced expression of miR-410 in glioma. The occurrence of DNA methylation in the miR-410 promoter was verified to be more prevalent through glioma tissues contrasted to adjacent non-tumor brain tissues through the utilization of methylation-specific PCR and CpG bisulfite sequencing sites in the miR-410 promoter region. Accordantly, miR-410 expression in glioma cell lines was observed to be significantly lesser in comparison to that of the human fetal glial cell line. In addition, it was demonstrated through gain- and loss-of-function investigations that miR-410 exerts significant regulation over cell growth, cell cycle development, and glioma cell apoptosis. The findings of the Luciferase reporter assay and western blot analysis indicate that miR-410 has a direct effect on the 3'-UTR of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), thereby inhibiting its expression within glioma cells. Besides, our clinical investigation indicates a negative association between miR-410 expression and STAT3 within the glioma tissues of humans. In aggregate, the data provided in this investigation indicates that miR-410 is subjected to underexpression via DNA methylation. Furthermore, it has been observed to perform its function as a tumor suppressor in glioma cells through direct targeting of STAT3. The previously mentioned results could potentially have significant implications for the advancement of a new therapeutic approach for treating glioma.

Effect of lead exposure on histone modifications: A review

Lead at any levels can result in detrimental health effects affecting various organ systems. These systematic manifestations under Pb exposure and the underlying probable pathophysiological mechanisms have not been elucidated completely. With advancements in molecular research under Pb exposure, epigenetics is one of the emerging field that has opened many possibilities for appreciating the role of Pb exposure in modulating gene expression profiles. In terms of epigenetic alterations reported in Pb toxicity, DNA methylation, and microRNA alterations are extensively explored in both experimental and epidemiological studies, however, the understanding of histone modifications under Pb exposure is still in its infant stage limited to experimental models. In this review, we aim to present a synoptic view of histone modifications explored in relation to Pb exposure attempting to bring out this potential lacunae in research. The scarcity of studies associating histone modifications with Pb toxicity, and the paucity of their validation in human cohort further emphasizes the strong research potential of this field. We summarize the review by presenting our hypotheses regarding the involvement of these histone modification in various diseases modalities associated with Pb toxicity.

Study on the mechanism of action of colchicine in the treatment of coronary artery disease based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology

Objective: This is the first study to explore the mechanism of colchicine in treating coronary artery disease using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology, aiming to predict the key targets and main approaches of colchicine in treating coronary artery disease. It is expected to provide new ideas for research on disease mechanism and drug development. Methods: Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), Swiss Target Prediction and PharmMapper databases were used to obtain drug targets. GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), DrugBank and DisGeNET databases were utilized to gain disease targets. The intersection of the two was taken to access the intersection targets of colchicine for the treatment of coronary artery disease. The Sting database was employed to analyze the protein-protein interaction network. Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis was performed using Webgestalt database. Reactom database was applied for Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Molecular docking was simulated using AutoDock 4.2.6 and PyMOL2.4 software. Results: A total of 70 intersecting targets of colchicine for the treatment of coronary artery disease were obtained, and there were interactions among 50 targets. GO functional enrichment analysis yielded 13 biological processes, 18 cellular components and 16 molecular functions. 549 signaling pathways were obtained by KEGG enrichment analysis. The molecular docking results of key targets were generally good. Conclusion: Colchicine may treat coronary artery disease through targets such as Cytochrome c (CYCS), Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and Histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1). The mechanism of action may be related to the cellular response to chemical stimulus and p75NTR-mediated negative regulation of cell cycle by SC1, which is valuable for further research exploration. However, this research still needs to be verified by experiments. Future research will explore new drugs for treating coronary artery disease from these targets.

The Involvement of Krüppel-like Factors in Cardiovascular Diseases

Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are a set of DNA-binding proteins belonging to a family of zinc-finger transcription factors, which have been associated with many biological processes related to the activation or repression of genes, inducing cell growth, differentiation, and death, and the development and maintenance of tissues. In response to metabolic alterations caused by disease and stress, the heart will undergo cardiac remodeling, leading to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). KLFs are among the transcriptional factors that take control of many physiological and, in this case, pathophysiological processes of CVD. KLFs seem to be associated with congenital heart disease-linked syndromes, malformations because of autosomal diseases, mutations that relate to protein instability, and/or loss of functions such as atheroprotective activities. Ischemic damage also relates to KLF dysregulation because of the differentiation of cardiac myofibroblasts or a modified fatty acid oxidation related to the formation of a dilated cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarctions, left ventricular hypertrophy, and diabetic cardiomyopathies. In this review, we describe the importance of KLFs in cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, left ventricle hypertrophy, stroke, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and congenital heart diseases. We further discuss microRNAs that have been involved in certain regulatory loops of KLFs as they may act as critical in CVDs.

MicroRNA-375 repression of Kruppel-like factor 5 improves angiogenesis in diabetic critical limb ischemia

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an occlusive disease of limb arteries. Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is an advanced form of PAD that is prognostically worse in subjects with diabetes and can result in limb loss, gangrene, and death, although the underlying signaling mechanisms that contribute to its development remain poorly understood. By comparing plasma samples from diabetic humans with PAD and mouse models of PAD, we identified miR-375 to be significantly downregulated in humans and mice during progression to CLI. Overexpression of miR-375 was pro-angiogenic in endothelial cells in vitro and induced endothelial migration, proliferation, sprouting, and vascular network formation, whereas miR-375 inhibition conferred anti-angiogenic effects. Intramuscular delivery of miR-375 improved blood flow recovery to diabetic mouse hindlimbs following femoral artery ligation (FAL) and improved neovessel growth and arteriogenesis in muscle tissues. Using RNA-sequencing and prediction algorithms, Kruppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) was identified as a direct target of miR-375 and siRNA knockdown of KLF5 phenocopied the effects of miR-375 overexpression in vitro and in vivo through regulatory changes in NF-kB signaling. Together, a miR-375-KLF5-NF-kB signaling axis figures prominently as a potential therapeutic pathway in the development CLI in diabetes.

RNA sequencing-based identification of the regulatory mechanism of microRNAs, transcription factors, and corresponding target genes involved in vascular dementia

Vascular dementia (VaD) is the second most common form of dementia with uncertain mechanisms and no effective treatments. microRNAs (miRNAs) and transcription factors (TFs) are considered regulatory factors of genes involved in many diseases. Therefore, this work investigated the aberrantly expressed miRNAs, TFs, corresponding target genes, and their co-regulatory networks in the cortex of rats with bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2VO) to uncover the potential mechanism and biomarkers of VaD. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs), miRNAs (DEMs), and TFs (DETFs) were identified using RNA sequencing, and their interaction networks were constructed using Cytoscape. The results showed that rats with 2VO had declined cognitive abilities and neuronal loss in the cortex than sham rats. DEGs, DEMs, and DETFs were discriminated between rats with 2VO and sham rats in the cortex, as shown by the 13 aberrantly expressed miRNAs, 805 mRNAs, and 63 TFs. The miRNA-TF-target gene network was constructed, showing 523 nodes and 7237 edges. Five miRNAs (miR-5132-5p, miR-764-3p, miR-223-3p, miR-145-5p, and miR-122-5p), ten TFs (Mxi1, Nfatc4, Rxrg, Zfp523, Foxj2, Nkx6-1, Klf4, Klf5, Csrnp1, and Prdm6), and seven target genes (Serpine1, Nedd4l, Pxn, Col1a1, Plec, Trip12, and Tpm1) were chosen as the significant nodes to construct feed-forward loops (FFLs). Gene Ontology and pathway enrichment analysis revealed that these miRNA and TF-associated genes are mostly involved in the PI3K/Akt, neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction, calcium signaling, and Wnt signaling pathways, along with central locations around the cell membrane. They exert functions such as growth factor binding, integrin binding, and extracellular matrix structural constituent, with representative biological processes like vasculature development, cell–substrate adhesion, cellular response to growth factor stimulus, and synaptic transmission. Furthermore, the expression of three miRNAs (miR-145-5p, miR-122-5p, and miR-5132-5p), six TFs (Csrnp1, Klf4, Nfatc4, Rxrg, Foxj2, and Klf5), and five mRNAs (Serpine1, Plec, Nedd4l, Trip12, and Tpm1) were significantly changed in rats with VaD, in line with the outcome of RNA sequencing. In the potential FFL, miR-145-5p directly bound Csrnp1 and decreased its mRNA expression. These results might help the understanding of the underlying regulatory mechanisms of miRNA-TF-genes, providing potential therapeutic targets in VaD.

Neuroprotection of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicle-Enclosed miR-410 Correlates with HDAC4 Knockdown in Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Damage

Evidence exists reporting that miR-410 may rescue neurological deficits, neuronal injury, and neuronal apoptosis after experimental hypoxic ischemia. This study aimed to explore the mechanism by which miR-410 transferred by bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (BMSC-EVs) may alleviate hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in newborn mice. BMSCs were isolated from total bone marrow cells of femur and tibia of newborn mice, and primary neurons were extracted from the cerebral cortex of newborn mice within 24 h of birth. EVs were extracted from BMSCs transfected with the mimic or inhibitor of miR-410. Primary neurons were subjected to hypoxia and treated with overexpression (oe)-HDAC4, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-β-catenin, or Wnt pathway inhibitor and/or EV (miR-410 mimic) or EV (miR-410 inhibitor). A neonatal mouse HIBD model was established and treated with EVs. When BMSC-EVs were endocytosed by primary neurons, miR-410 was upregulated, neuronal viability was elevated, and apoptosis was inhibited. miR-410 in BMSC-EVs targeted HDAC4, thus increasing neuronal viability and reducing apoptosis. Conversely, overexpression of HDAC4 activated the Wnt pathway and enhanced the nuclear translocation of β-catenin. Treatment with miR-410-containing BMSC-EVs improved learning and memory abilities of HIBD mice while attenuating apoptosis by inactivating the Wnt pathway via targeting HDAC4. Taken together, the findings suggest that miR-410 delivered by BMSC-EVs alleviates HIBD by inhibiting HDAC4-dependent Wnt pathway activation.

NEAT1 variant 1 weakens the genome-wide effect of miR-3122 on blocking H3K79me3 in bladder cancer

Nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) is one of the most well-studied long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in multiple human carcinoma. Two distinct variants of NEAT1, however, are never illuminated their specific functions and mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis. In this study, biotin-labelled NEAT1 variants were generated to incubate with cell lysate of bladder cancer cell T24 cells, and fished a batch of RNA substances. Here, we observed that NEAT1.1 (the short transcript) could capture 122 microRNAs (miRNAs), 36 small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), 55 lncRNAs and 38 mRNAs while NEAT1.2 (the long transcript) could obtain 142 miRNAs, 51 snoRNAs, 72 lncRNAs and 41 mRNAs. Furthermore, we also found that the distinctions of RNA binding substances between these two variants were mainly expressed in nucleus rather than cytoplasm. GO analysis indicated that these non-coding RNAs governed histone modification, nucleosome assembly and chromosome organization. We picked up miRNA miR-3122, which substantially interacted with NEAT1.1, and found that histone H3K79me3 was reduced in bladder cancer T24, BIU-87 and EJ-1 cells after miR-3122 overexpression, and rescued by NEAT1.1 additional compensation. Nonetheless, we failed to find that miR-3122 could interfere with expression of H3K79 methyltransferase disruptor of telomeric silencing-1 like (DOT1L). Interestingly, we harvested histone 3 fished by biotin-labelled miR-3122, and validated this intercrossing using RNA immunoprecipitation. Taken together, we demonstrated that NEAT1.1 weakened the effect of miR-3122 on H3K79me3 suppression in bladder cancer.

Role of Histone Post-Translational Modifications in Inflammatory Diseases

Inflammation is a defensive reaction for external stimuli to the human body and generally accompanied by immune responses, which is associated with multiple diseases such as atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, psoriasis, asthma, chronic lung diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, and multiple virus-associated diseases. Epigenetic mechanisms have been demonstrated to play a key role in the regulation of inflammation. Common epigenetic regulations are DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA expression; among these, histone modifications embrace various post-modifications including acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and ADP ribosylation. This review focuses on the significant role of histone modifications in the progression of inflammatory diseases, providing the potential target for clinical therapy of inflammation-associated diseases.

Interfering TUG1 Attenuates Cerebrovascular Endothelial Apoptosis and Inflammatory injury After Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion via TUG1/miR-410/FOXO3 ceRNA Axis

Background Emerging studies illustrate that long non-coding RNA TUG1 (TUG1) participates in neuron death after ischemia. However, the role of TUG1 in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (CI/R) injury through cerebrovascular pathology was undetermined yet. Methods Expression of TUG1, miRNA-410-3p (miR-410), and forkhead box O3 (FOXO3) was detected by RT-qPCR and western blot. Neural function, apoptosis, and inflammatory damage were assessed by triphenyltetrazolium chloride straining, modified neurological severity score, fluorescence-activated cell sorting method, and western blot. The relationship among TUG1, miR-410, and FOXO3 was identified by dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA pull-down, and RNA immunoprecipitation. Results TUG1 was upregulated in middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) mice and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-induced mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) in a certain of time-dependent manner. Blockage of TUG1 decreased infarct volume and increased neurological score in MCAO/R mice, accompanied with elevated Bcl-2 expression and declined expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, Bax, and cleaved caspase 3. Abovementioned proteins were similarly expressed in OGD/R-induced BMECs with TUG1 knockdown, paralleled with diminished apoptosis rate. Either, miR-410 overexpression and FOXO3 interference could suppress OGD/R-induced inflammatory and apoptotic responses. Of note, TUG1 and FOXO3 are competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) for miR-410 via target binding. Depleting miR-410 counteracted the role of TUG1 exhaustion, and reinforcing FOXO3 abated the effect of miR-410 overexpression. Conclusion Exhausting TUG1 could alleviate CI/R-induced inflammatory injury and apoptosis in brain tissues and BMECs via targeting miR-410/FOXO3 axis, suggesting an innovative perspective from cerebrovascular endothelial cells in the pathogenesis and treatment of CI/R.

LncRNA SNHG12 regulates ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell injury by the miR-218-5p/IGF2 axis in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a cardiovascular disorder accompanied by endothelial dysfunction. Extensive evidence demonstrates the regulatory functions of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cardiovascular disease, including AS. Here, the function of lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 12 (SNHG12) in AS progression was investigated. A cell model of AS was established in human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) using oxidative low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). CCK-8, flow cytometry, TUNEL, ELISA, and western blotting analyses were performed. Apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/-) mice fed a Western diet were used as in vivo models of AS. RT-qPCR determined the levels of SNHG12, microRNA-218-5p (miR-218-5p) and insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF2). The molecular mechanisms were investigated using luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays. We found that SNHG12 and IGF2 expression levels were high and miR-218-5p expression levels were low in AS patients and ox-LDL-treated HUVECs. SNHG12 depletion attenuated ox-LDL-induced injury in HUVECs, whereas miR-218-5p suppression partially abated this effect. Moreover, IGF2 overexpression prevented the alleviative role of miR-218-5p in ox-LDL-treated HUVECs. SNHG12 upregulated IGF2 expression by sponging miR-218-5p. More importantly, SNHG12 increased proinflammatory cytokine production and augmented atherosclerotic lesions in vivo. Overall, SNHG12 promotes the development of AS by the miR-218-5p/IGF2 axis.