RNA Binding Protein Quaking Promotes Hypoxia-induced Smooth Muscle Reprogramming in Pulmonary Hypertension

Value of Bioinformatics Models for Predicting Translational Control of Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is a fundamental biological process with implications for both physiological functions and pathological conditions. While the transcriptional regulation of angiogenesis, mediated by factors such as HIF-1α (hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha) and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), is well-characterized, the translational regulation of this process remains underexplored. Bioinformatics has emerged as an indispensable tool for advancing our understanding of translational regulation, offering predictive models that leverage large data sets to guide research and optimize experimental approaches. However, a significant gap persists between bioinformatics experts and other researchers, limiting the accessibility and utility of these tools in the broader scientific community. To address this divide, user-friendly bioinformatics platforms are being developed to democratize access to predictive analytics and empower researchers across disciplines. Translational control, compared with transcriptional control, offers a more energy-efficient mechanism that facilitates rapid cellular responses to environmental changes. Furthermore, transcriptional regulators themselves are often subject to translational control, emphasizing the interconnected nature of these regulatory layers. Investigating translational regulation requires advanced, accessible bioinformatics tools to analyze RNA structures, interacting micro-RNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and RBPs (RNA-binding proteins). Predictive platforms such as RNA structure, human internal ribosome entry site Atlas, and RBPSuite enable the study of RNA motifs and RNA-protein interactions, shedding light on these critical regulatory mechanisms. This review highlights the transformative role of bioinformatics using widely accessible user-friendly tools with a Web-browser interface to elucidate translational regulation in angiogenesis. The bioinformatics tools discussed extend beyond angiogenesis, with applications in diverse fields, including clinical care. By integrating predictive models and experimental insights, researchers can streamline hypothesis generation, reduce experimental costs, and find novel translational regulators. By bridging the bioinformatics knowledge gap, this review aims to empower researchers worldwide to adopt bioinformatics tools in their work, fostering innovation and accelerating scientific discovery.

Parthenolide attenuates hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension through inhibiting STAT3 signaling

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a chronic lung disease characterized by the progressive pulmonary vascular remodeling with increased pulmonary arterial pressure and right ventricular failure. Pulmonary vascular remodeling involves the proliferation, migration, and resistance to apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth cells (PASMCs). Parthenolide (PTN) is a bioactive compound derived from a traditional medical plant feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), and it has been studied for treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, and other related ailments. However, the function of PTN in the treatment of PH has not been studied.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-proliferation and pro-apoptosis effects of PTN on PH and investigate its potential mechanisms.

METHODS

An in vivo hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH) model was established by maintaining male rats in a hypoxia chamber (10% O2) for 3 weeks, and PTN was intraperitoneally administered at the dose of 10 or 30 mg/kg. We assessed the impact of PTN on mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), pulmonary vascular remodeling, and right ventricular hypertrophy. In vitro, we evaluated hypoxia-induced cellular proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of rat PASMCs. Proteins related to the STAT3 signaling axis were analyzed by western blotting and immunofluorescence assays. Recovery experiments were performed using the STAT3 activator, colivelin TFA.

RESULTS

PTN significantly alleviated the symptoms of HPH rats by attenuating pulmonary arterial remodeling. It also prevented the proliferation and migration of PASMCs. PTN also induced the apoptosis of PASMCs. PTN could directly interact with STAT3 and markedly inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. In vitro, and in vivo experiments demonstrated that overexpression of STAT3 partially suppressed the effect of PTN.

CONCLUSION

Our study indicated that PTN alleviated hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats by suppressing STAT3 activity.

LncRNA MIR210HG promotes phenotype switching of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells through autophagy-dependent ferroptosis pathway

Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) is a pathophysiological syndrome in which pulmonary vascular pressure increases under hypoxic stimulation and there is an urgent need to develop emerging therapies for the treatment of HPH. LncRNA MIR210HG is a long non-coding RNA closely related to hypoxia and has been widely reported in a variety of tumor diseases. But its mechanism in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension is not clear. In this study, we identified for the first time the potential effect of MIR210HG on disease progression in HPH. Furthermore, we investigated the underlying mechanism through which elevated levels of MIR210HG promotes the transition from a contractile phenotype to a synthetic phenotype in PASMCs under hypoxia via activation of autophagy-dependent ferroptosis pathway. While overexpression of HIF-2α in PASMCs under hypoxia significantly reversed the phenotypic changes induced by MIR210HG knockdown. We further investigated the potential positive regulatory relationship between STAT3 and the transcription of MIR210HG in PASMCs under hypoxic conditions. In addition, we established both in vivo and in vitro models of HPH to validate the differential expression of specific markers associated with hypoxia. Our findings suggest a potential mechanism of LncRNA MIR210HG in the progression of HPH and offer potential targets for disease intervention and treatment.

Presenilin 1 Is a Therapeutic Target in Pulmonary Hypertension and Promotes Vascular Remodeling

Small muscular pulmonary artery remodeling is a dominant feature of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PSEN1 affects angiogenesis, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. We aimed to determine the role of PSEN1 in the pathogenesis of vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Hemodynamics and vascular remodeling in the Psen1-knockin and smooth muscle-specific Psen1-knockout mice were assessed. The functional partners of PSEN1 were predicted by bioinformatics analysis and biochemical experiments. The therapeutic effect of PH was evaluated by administration of the PSEN1-specific inhibitor ELN318463. We discovered that both the mRNA and protein levels of PSEN1 were increased over time in hypoxic rats, monocrotaline rats, and Su5416/hypoxia mice. Psen1 transgenic mice were highly susceptible to PH, whereas smooth muscle-specific Psen1-knockout mice were resistant to hypoxic PH. STRING analysis showed that Notch1/2/3, β-catenin, Cadherin-1, DNER (delta/notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor), TMP10, and ERBB4 appeared to be highly correlated with PSEN1. Immunoprecipitation confirmed that PSEN1 interacts with β-catenin and DNER, and these interactions were suppressed by the catalytic PSEN1 mutations D257A, D385A, and C410Y. PSEN1 was found to mediate the nuclear translocation of the Notch1 intracellular domains and activated RBP-Jκ. Octaarginine-coated liposome-mediated pharmacological inhibition of PSEN1 significantly prevented and reversed the pathological process in hypoxic and monocrotaline-induced PH. PSEN1 essentially drives the pathogenesis of PAH and interacted with the noncanonical Notch ligand DNER. PSEN1 can be used as a promising molecular target for treating PAH. PSEN1 inhibitor ELN318463 can prevent and reverse the progression of PH and can be developed as a potential anti-PAH drug.