VCAM1 expression in the myocardium is associated with the risk of heart failure and immune cell infiltration in myocardium

A treadmill exercise reduced cardiac fibrosis, inflammation and vulnerability to ischemia-reperfusion in rat pristane-induced arthritis

AIMS

To explore cardiac structural and functional parameters and myocardial sensitivity to ischemia in a rat model of chronic arthritis, pristane-induced arthritis (PIA), and to investigate the effects of a running exercise protocol on cardiac disorders related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

MAIN METHODS

3 groups of male Dark Agouti rats were formed: Controls, PIA and PIA-Exercise. The PIA-Exercise group was subjected to an individualized treadmill running protocol during the remission phase. At acute and chronic phases of PIA, cardiac structure was analyzed by histology. Cardiac function was explored in isolated hearts to measure left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), cardiac compliance and infarct size before and after ischemia/reperfusion. Cardiac inflammation was evaluated through VCAM-1 mRNA expression by RT-qPCR. Plasma irisin levels were measured by ELISA.

KEY FINDINGS

PIA rats exhibited myocardial hypertrophy fibrosis and inflammation at the 2 inflammatory phases of the model. At chronic phase only, LVDP and cardiac compliance were lower in PIA compared to controls. As compared to sedentary PIA, exercise did not change cardiac function but reduced fibrosis, inflammation, infarct size, and arthritis severity and increased irisin levels. Cardiac inflammation positively correlated with fibrosis, while irisin levels negatively correlated with cardiac inflammation and fibrosis.

SIGNIFICANCE

In the PIA model that recapitulated most cardiac disorders of RA, a daily program of treadmill running alleviated cardiac fibrosis and inflammation and improved resistance to ischemia. These data provide arguments to promote the practice of exercise in RA patients for cardiac diseases prevention.

Predictive biomarkers for the early detection and management of heart failure

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a serious public health concern whose incidence has been on a rise and is projected by the World Health Organization to be the leading global cause of mortality by 2030. Heart failure (HF) is a complicated syndrome resulting from various CVDs of heterogeneous etiologies and exhibits varying pathophysiology, including activation of inflammatory signaling cascade, apoptosis, fibrotic pathway, and neuro-humoral system, thereby leading to compromised cardiac function. During this process, several biomolecules involved in the onset and progression of HF are released into circulation. These circulating biomolecules could serve as unique biomarkers for the detection of subclinical changes and can be utilized for monitoring disease severity. Hence, it is imperative to identify these biomarkers to devise an early predictive strategy to stop the deterioration of cardiac function caused by these complex cellular events. Furthermore, measurement of multiple biomarkers allows clinicians to divide HF patients into sub-groups for treatment and management based on early health outcomes. The present article provides a comprehensive overview of current omics platform available for discovering biomarkers for HF management. Some of the existing and novel biomarkers for the early detection of HF with special reference to endothelial biology are also discussed.

Identifying OGN as a Biomarker Covering Multiple Pathogenic Pathways for Diagnosing Heart Failure: From Machine Learning to Mechanism Interpretation

BACKGROUND

The pathophysiologic heterogeneity of heart failure (HF) necessitates a more detailed identification of diagnostic biomarkers that can reflect its diverse pathogenic pathways.

METHODS

We conducted weighted gene and multiscale embedded gene co-expression network analysis on differentially expressed genes obtained from HF and non-HF specimens. We employed a machine learning integration framework and protein-protein interaction network to identify diagnostic biomarkers. Additionally, we integrated gene set variation analysis, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and transcription factor (TF)-target analysis to unravel the biomarker-dominant pathways. Leveraging single-sample GSEA and molecular docking, we predicted immune cells and therapeutic drugs related to biomarkers. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction validated the expressions of biomarkers in the plasma of HF patients. A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was implemented to investigate the causal impact of biomarkers on HF.

RESULTS

We first identified COL14A1, OGN, MFAP4, and SFRP4 as candidate biomarkers with robust diagnostic performance. We revealed that regulating biomarkers in HF pathogenesis involves TFs (BNC2, MEOX2) and pathways (cell adhesion molecules, chemokine signaling pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, oxidative phosphorylation). Moreover, we observed the elevated infiltration of effector memory CD4+ T cells in HF, which was highly related to biomarkers and could impact immune pathways. Captopril, aldosterone antagonist, cyclopenthiazide, estradiol, tolazoline, and genistein were predicted as therapeutic drugs alleviating HF via interactions with biomarkers. In vitro study confirmed the up-regulation of OGN as a plasma biomarker of HF. Mendelian randomization analysis suggested that genetic predisposition toward higher plasma OGN promoted the risk of HF.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose OGN as a diagnostic biomarker for HF, which may advance our understanding of the diagnosis and pathogenesis of HF.

CD11b mediates hypertensive cardiac remodeling by regulating macrophage infiltration and polarization

INTRODUCTION

Leukocyte infiltration is an early event during cardiac remodeling frequently leading to heart failure (HF). Integrins mediate leukocyte infiltration during inflammation. However, the importance of specific integrins in hypertensive cardiac remodeling is still unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To elucidate the significance of CD11b in hypertensive cardiac remodeling.

METHODS

Angiotensin (Ang II) or deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt was used to induce cardiac remodeling in mice of gene knockout (KO), bone marrow (BM) chimera, and the CD11b neutralizing antibody or agonist leukadherin-1 (LA1) treatment.

RESULTS

Our microarray data showed that integrin subunits Itgam (CD11b) and Itgb2 (CD18) were the most highly upregulated in Ang II-infused hearts. CD11b expression and CD11b/CD18+ myelomonocytes were also time-dependently increased. KO or pharmacological blockade of CD11b greatly attenuated cardiac remodeling and macrophage infiltration and M1 polarization induced by Ang II or DOCA-salt. This protection was verified in wild-type mice transplanted with CD11b-deficient BM cells. Conversely, administration of CD11b agonist LA1 showed the opposite effects. Further, CD11b KO reduced Ang II-induced macrophage adhesion and M1 polarization, leading to reduction of cardiomyocyte enlargement and fibroblast differentiation in vitro. The numbers of CD14+CD11b+CD18+ monocytes and CD15+CD11b+CD18+ granulocytes were obviously higher in HF patients than in normal controls.

CONCLUSION

Our data demonstrate an important role of CD11b+ myeloid cells in hypertensive cardiac remodeling, and suggest that HF may benefit from targeting CD11b.

Acute effects of cigarette smoke on Endothelial Nitric Oxide synthase, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and aortic intima media thickness

Background. Cigarette smoking could induce endothelial dysfunction and the increase of circulating markers of inflammation by activation of monocytes. This can lead to increased intima media thickness (IMT) of entire blood vessels and result in acceleration of the atherosclerosis process. However, to our knowledge, little is known about the role of cigarette smoking in this atherosclerotic inflammatory process. The aim of this study is to explore the link between cigarette smoking and its effect on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (e-NOS) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1). Methods. An experimental study with a post-test only controlled group design was used. We used 18 Wistar rats ( Rattus norvegicus) randomly subdivided into two groups: group K (-) were not exposed to tobacco smoke, whereas group K (+) were exposed to smoke equivalent of more than 40 cigarettes for 28 days daily. After 28 days, samples were analyzed for e-NOS, VCAM-1 and aortic IMT. Results . Our results indicate that tobacco smoke can enhance the expression of VCAM-1 on rat cardiac vascular endothelial cells, resulting in a decreased expression of e-NOS level and increase of aortic IMT. Linear regression model found that eNOS level negatively correlated wiith aortic IMT ( r 2 = 0.584, β = -0.764, p < 0.001), whereas VCAM-1 expression did not correlate with aortic IMT ( r 2 = 0.197, p = 0.065). Conclusion. Low e-NOS level and high VCAM-1 level observed after cigarette smoke exposure which may increase aortic IMT.

Advancing Precision Medicine in Myocarditis: Current Status and Future Perspectives in Endomyocardial Biopsy-Based Diagnostics and Therapeutic Approaches

The diagnosis and specific and causal treatment of myocarditis and inflammatory cardiomyopathy remain a major clinical challenge. Despite the rapid development of new imaging techniques, endomyocardial biopsies remain the gold standard for accurate diagnosis of inflammatory myocardial disease. With the introduction and continued development of immunohistochemical inflammation diagnostics in combination with viral nucleic acid testing, myocarditis diagnostics have improved significantly since their introduction. Together with new technologies such as miRNA and gene expression profiling, quantification of specific immune cell markers, and determination of viral activity, diagnostic accuracy and patient prognosis will continue to improve in the future. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the pathogenesis and diagnosis of myocarditis and inflammatory cardiomyopathies and highlight future perspectives for more in-depth and specialized biopsy diagnostics and precision, personalized medicine approaches.

Mechanism of ligusticum cycloprolactam against neuroinflammation based on network pharmacology and experimental verification

Ligustilide, a natural phthalide mainly derived from chuanxiong rhizomes and Angelica Sinensis roots, possesses anti-inflammatory activity, particularly in the context of the nervous system. However, its application is limited because of its unstable chemical properties. To overcome this limitation, ligusticum cycloprolactam (LIGc) was synthesized through structural modification of ligustilide. In this study, we combined network pharmacological methods with experimental verification to investigate the anti-neuroinflammatory effects and mechanisms of ligustilide and LIGc. Based on our network pharmacology analysis, we identified four key targets of ligustilide involved in exerting an anti-inflammatory effect, with the nuclear factor (NF)-κB signal pathway suggested as the main signalling pathway. To verify these results, we examined the expression of inflammatory cytokines and inflammation-related proteins, analysed the phosphorylation level of NF-κB, inhibitor of κBα (IκBα) and inhibitor of κB kinase α and β (IKKα+β), and evaluated the effect of BV2 cell-conditioned medium on HT22 cells in vitro. Our results, demonstrate for the first time that LIGc can downregulate the activation of the NF-κB signal pathway in BV2 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide, suppress the production of inflammatory cytokines and reduce nerve injury in HT22 cells mediated by BV2 cells. These findings suggest that LIGc inhibits the neuroinflammatory response mediated by BV2 cells, providing strong scientific support for the development of anti-inflammatory drugs based on natural ligustilide or its derivatives. However, there are some limitations to our current study. In the future, further experiments using in vivo models may provide additional evidence to support our findings.

Risk prediction model construction for post myocardial infarction heart failure by blood immune B cells

Background

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a common cardiac condition with a high incidence of morbidity and mortality. Despite extensive medical treatment for MI, the development and outcomes of post-MI heart failure (HF) continue to be major factors contributing to poor post-MI prognosis. Currently, there are few predictors of post-MI heart failure.

Methods

In this study, we re-examined single-cell RNA sequencing and bulk RNA sequencing datasets derived from the peripheral blood samples of patients with myocardial infarction, including patients who developed heart failure and those who did not develop heart failure after myocardial infarction. Using marker genes of the relevant cell subtypes, a signature was generated and validated using relevant bulk datasets and human blood samples.

Results

We identified a subtype of immune-activated B cells that distinguished post-MI HF patients from non-HF patients. Polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm these findings in independent cohorts. By combining the specific marker genes of B cell subtypes, we developed a prediction model of 13 markers that can predict the risk of HF in patients after myocardial infarction, providing new ideas and tools for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusion

Sub-cluster B cells may play a significant role in post-MI HF. We found that the STING1, HSPB1, CCL5, ACTN1, and ITGB2 genes in patients with post-MI HF showed the same trend of increase as those without post-MI HF.

Bibliometric and visual analysis of RAN methylation in cardiovascular disease

Background

RNA methylation is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) occurrence and development. The purpose of this study is to visually analyze the results and research trends of global RNA methylation in CVD.

Methods

Articles and reviews on RNA methylation in CVD published before 6 November 2022 were searched in the Web of Science Core Collection. Visual and statistical analysis was performed using CiteSpace 1.6.R4 advanced and VOSviewer 1.6.18.

Results

There were 847 papers from 1,188 institutions and 63 countries/regions. Over approximately 30 years, there was a gradual increase in publications and citations on RNA methylation in CVD. America and China had the highest output (284 and 259 papers, respectively). Nine of the top 20 institutions that published articles were from China, among which Fudan University represented the most. The International Journal of Molecular Sciences was the journal with the most studies. Nature was the most co-cited journal. The most influential writers were Zhang and Wang from China and Mathiyalagan from the United States. After 2015, the primary keywords were cardiac development, heart, promoter methylation, RNA methylation, and N6-methyladenosine. Nuclear RNA, m6A methylation, inhibition, and myocardial infarction were the most common burst keywords from 2020 to the present.

Conclusions

A bibliometric analysis reveals research hotspots and trends of RNA methylation in CVD. The regulatory mechanisms of RNA methylation related to CVD and the clinical application of their results, especially m6A methylation, are likely to be the focus of future research.

The systemic deletion of interleukin-1α reduces myocardial inflammation and attenuates ventricular remodeling in murine myocardial infarction

Myocardial inflammation following myocardial infarction (MI) is crucial for proper myocardial healing, yet, dysregulated inflammation may promote adverse ventricular remodeling and heart failure. IL-1 signaling contributes to these processes, as shown by dampened inflammation by inhibition of IL-1β or the IL-1 receptor. In contrast, the potential role of IL-1α in these mechanisms has received much less attention. Previously described as a myocardial-derived alarmin, IL-1α may also act as a systemically released inflammatory cytokine. We therefore investigated the effect of IL-1α deficiency on post-MI inflammation and ventricular remodeling in a murine model of permanent coronary occlusion. In the first week post-MI, global IL-1α deficiency (IL-1α KO mice) led to decreased myocardial expression of IL-6, MCP-1, VCAM-1, hypertrophic and pro-fibrotic genes, and reduced infiltration with inflammatory monocytes. These early changes were associated with an attenuation of delayed left ventricle (LV) remodeling and systolic dysfunction after extensive MI. In contrast to systemic Il1a-KO, conditional cardiomyocyte deletion of Il1a (CmIl1a-KO) did not reduce delayed LV remodeling and systolic dysfunction. In conclusion, systemic Il1a-KO, but not Cml1a-KO, protects against adverse cardiac remodeling after MI due to permanent coronary occlusion. Hence, anti-IL-1α therapies could be useful to attenuate the detrimental consequences of post-MI myocardial inflammation.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification in the pathophysiology of heart failure: a narrative review

Background and Objective

Heart failure is the end-stage of various cardiovascular diseases. Recent progress in molecular biology has facilitated the understanding of the mechanisms of heart failure development at the molecular level. N6-adenosine methylation (m6A) is a post-transcriptional modification of RNA. Recent research work reported that m6A regulates gene expression and subsequently affects the activation of cell signaling pathways related to heart failure. Moreover, m6A regulators like methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) were reported to participate in myocardium hypertrophy. However, the current research work related to the role of m6A participating in the occurrence of heart failure is rare in some aspects like immune cell infiltration and diabetic heart diseases. Thus, it is reasonable to review the current achievements and provide further study orientation.

Methods

We searched related literature using the keywords: m6A AND heart failure in PubMed, Web of Science and Medline. The language was confined to English. The published year of searched literature ranged from 2012 to 2022. The searched results were put into Endnote software for management. Two authors investigated the searching terms and reviewed the full text of selected terms.

Key Content and Findings

m6A and its regulators are involved in the metabolism of various types of RNAs. m6A modification can regulate various types of cell signaling pathways related to the heart failure via interaction with m6A regulators. m6A and its regulators broadly participate in the myocardium fibrosis, myocardium hypertrophy, myocardial cell apoptosis, and ischemic reperfusion injury. Specifically, m6A participates in the cell apoptosis via regulation of autophagy flux. However, the current research work does not have enough evidence to prove that m6A regulator played its specific effect on the target transcript via regulating the m6A level.

Conclusions

m6A and its regulators participates in the progression of heart failure via modifying the RNA level. Future investigation of m6A should focus on the interaction between the m6A regulators and targeted transcript. Besides, the regulation role of m6A in immune cell infiltration and diabetic heart diseases should also be focused.

Identification and Validation of Immune Markers in Coronary Heart Disease

Background

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is an ischemic heart disease involving a variety of immune factors. This study was aimed at investigating unique immune and m6A patterns in patients with CHD by gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and at identifying novel immune biomarkers.

Methods

The CIBERSORT algorithm and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) were applied to assess the population of specific infiltrating immunocytes. Weighted Gene Coexpression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was utilized on immune genes matching CHD. A prediction model based on core immune genes was constructed and verified by a machine learning model. Unsupervised cluster analysis identified various immune patterns in the CHD group according to the abundance of immune cells. Methylation of N6 adenosine- (m6A-) related gene was identified from the literature, and t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) analysis was used to determine the rationality of the m6A classification. The association between m6A-related genes and various immune cells was estimated using heat maps.

Results

22/28 immune-associated cells differed between the CHD and normal groups, and a significant difference was detected in the expression of 21 m6A-related genes. The proportion of immune-related cells (activated CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells) in the peripheral blood of the CHD group was lower than that of the normal group. The immune genes were divided into four modules, of which the turquoise modules showed a significant association with coronary heart disease. Eight hub immune genes (PDGFRA, GNLY, OSMR, NUDT6, FGFR2, IL2RB, TPM2, and S100A1) can well distinguish the CHD group from the normal group. Two different immune patterns were identified in the CHD group. Interestingly, a significant association was detected between the m6A-related genes and immune cell abundance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we identified different immune and m6A patterns in CHD. Thus, it could be speculated that the immune system plays a crucial role in CHD, and m6A is correlated with immune genes.

Detection of Anticancer Drug-Induced Cardiotoxicity Using VCAM1-Targeted Nanoprobes

Chemotherapy-induced cardiac toxicity is an undesirable yet very common effect that increases the risk of death and reduce the quality of life of individuals undergoing chemotherapy. However, no feasible methods and techniques are available to monitor and detect the degree of cardiotoxicity at an early stage. Therefore, in this project, we aim to develop a fluorescent nanoprobe to image the toxicity within the cardiac tissue induced by an anticancer drug. We have observed that vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) protein alone with collagen was overly expressed within the heart, when an animal was treated with doxorubicin (DOX), because of inflammation in the epithelial cells. We hypothesize that developing a VCAM1-targeted peptide-based (VHPKQHRGGSKGC) fluorescent nanoprobe can detect and visualize the affected heart. In this regard, we prepared a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticle linked with VCAM1 peptide and rhodamine B (PLGA-VCAM1-RhB). Selective binding and higher accumulation of the PLGA-VCAM1-RhB nanoprobes were detected in DOX-treated human cardiomyocyte cells (HCMs) compared to the untreated cells. For in vivo studies, DOX (5 mg/kg) was injected via the tail vein once in two weeks for 6 weeks (3 injection total). PLGA-VCAM1-RhB and PLGA-RhB were injected via the tail vein after 1 week of the last dose of DOX, and images were taken 4 h after administration. A higher fluorescent signal of PLGA-RhB-VCAM-1 (48.62% ± 12.79%) was observed in DOX-treated animals compared to the untreated control PLGA-RhB (10.61% ± 4.90) within the heart, indicating the specificity and targeting ability of PLGA-VCAM1-RhB to the inflamed tissues. The quantified fluorescence intensity of the homogenized cardiac tissue of PLGA-RhB-VCAM1 showed 156% higher intensity than the healthy control group. We conclude that PLGA-VCAM1-RhB has the potential to bind inflamed cardiac cells, thereby detecting DOX-induced cardiotoxicity and damaged heart at an early stage.

Molecular Changes In Cardiac Tissue As A New Marker To Predict Cardiac Dysfunction Induced By Radiotherapy

The contribution of radiotherapy, per se, to late cardiotoxicity remains controversial. To clarify its impact on the development of early cardiac dysfunction, we developed an experimental model in which the hearts of rats were exposed, in a fractionated plan, to clinically relevant doses of ionizing radiation for oncological patients that undergo thoracic radiotherapy. Rat hearts were exposed to daily doses of 0.04, 0.3, and 1.2 Gy for 23 days, achieving cumulative doses of 0.92, 6.9, and 27.6 Gy, respectively. We demonstrate that myocardial deformation, assessed by global longitudinal strain, was impaired (a relative percentage reduction of >15% from baseline) in a dose-dependent manner at 18 months. Moreover, by scanning electron microscopy, the microvascular density in the cardiac apex was significantly decreased exclusively at 27.6 Gy dosage. Before GLS impairment detection, several tools (qRT-PCR, mass spectrometry, and western blot) were used to assess molecular changes in the cardiac tissue. The number/expression of several genes, proteins, and KEGG pathways, related to inflammation, fibrosis, and cardiac muscle contraction, were differently expressed in the cardiac tissue according to the cumulative dose. Subclinical cardiac dysfunction occurs in a dose-dependent manner as detected by molecular changes in cardiac tissue, a predictor of the severity of global longitudinal strain impairment. Moreover, there was no dose threshold below which no myocardial deformation impairment was detected. Our findings i) contribute to developing new markers and exploring non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging to assess cardiac tissue changes as an early predictor of cardiac dysfunction; ii) should raise red flags, since there is no dose threshold below which no myocardial deformation impairment was detected and should be considered in radiation-based imaging and -guided therapeutic cardiac procedures; and iii) highlights the need for personalized clinical approaches.

Role of m6A Methylation in the Occurrence and Development of Heart Failure

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation is one of the most common epigenetic modifications in RNA nucleotides. It is known that m6A methylation is involved in regulation, including gene expression, homeostasis, mRNA stability and other biological processes, affecting metabolism and a variety of biochemical regulation processes, and affecting the occurrence and development of a variety of diseases. Cardiovascular disease has high morbidity, disability rate and mortality in the world, of which heart failure is the final stage. Deeper understanding of the potential molecular mechanism of heart failure and exploring more effective treatment strategies will bring good news to the sick population. At present, m6A methylation is the latest research direction, which reveals some potential links between epigenetics and pathogenesis of heart failure. And m6A methylation will bring new directions and ideas for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart failure. The purpose of this paper is to review the physiological and pathological mechanisms of m6A methylation that may be involved in cardiac remodeling in heart failure, so as to explain the possible role of m6A methylation in the occurrence and development of heart failure. And we hope to help m6A methylation obtain more in-depth research in the occurrence and development of heart failure.

Senolytics Cocktail Dasatinib and Quercetin Alleviate Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell Senescence via the TRAF6-MAPK-NF-κB Axis in a YTHDF2-Dependent Manner

INTRODUCTION

Senescent cells play a key role in the initiation and development of various age-related diseases. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) senescence is closely associated with age-related cardiovascular diseases. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that senolytics, the combination of dasatinib and quercetin (D+Q), could selectively eliminate senescent cells. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant internal transcript modification, greatly influences RNA metabolism and modulates gene expression. We aimed to investigate whether RNA m6A functions in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced HUVECs senescence and D+Q suppress HUVECs senescence by regulating RNA m6A.

METHODS

Senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, western blot, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed to demonstrate that D+Q suppress HUVECs senescence. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP)-qPCR assay and RIP-qPCR confirmed that RNA m6A plays a key role in the suppression of HUVECs senescence by D+Q. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and mRNA stability assay were carried out to prove that D+Q alleviate HUVECs senescence in a YTHDF2-dependent manner.

RESULTS

Here, we demonstrate that D+Q alleviate LPS-induced senescence in HUVECs via inhibiting autocrine and paracrine of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). We further confirm that D+Q alleviate HUVECs senescence via the TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6)-MAPK pathway. Mechanically, this study validates that D+Q suppress SASP by upregulating m6A reader YTHDF2. Besides, YTHDF2 regulates the stability of MAP2K4 and MAP4K4 mRNAs.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, we first identified that D+Q alleviate LPS-induced senescence in HUVECs via the TRAF6-MAPK-NF-κB axis in a YTHDF2-dependent manner, providing novel ideas for clinical treatment of age-related cardiovascular diseases.

Long Non-Coding RNA-Mediated Competing Endogenous RNA Networks in Ischemic Stroke: Molecular Mechanisms, Therapeutic Implications, and Challenges

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a disease that is characterized by high mortality and disability. Recent studies have shown that LncRNA-mediated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks play roles in the occurrence and development of cerebral I/R injury by regulating different signaling pathways. However, no systematic analysis of ceRNA mechanisms in IS has been reported. In this review, we discuss molecular mechanisms of LncRNA-mediated ceRNA networks under I/R injury. The expression levels of LncRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs), and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and their effects in four major cell types of the neurovascular unit (NVU) are also involved. We further summarize studies of LncRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Finally, we analyze the advantages and limitations of using LncRNAs as therapeutics for IS.