microRNAs involved in psoriasis and cardiovascular diseases

Mesoporous silica-based nanocarriers with dual response to pH and ROS for enhanced anti-inflammation therapy of 5-demethylnobiletin against psoriasis-like lesions

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease accompanied with chronic papulosquamous lesions and multiple comorbidities that considerably affect patients' quality of life. In order to develop an enhanced therapeutic strategy for psoriasis, 5-demethylnobiletin (5-DN), a kind of polymethoxyflavones (PMFs) with high anti-inflammatory activity, was delivered in vitro and in vivo by the nanocarrier of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) both in the human keratinocytes HaCaT cell line and the mouse model with psoriasis-like lesions. The drug-loaded nanocarrier system (MSNs@5-DN) significantly improved the biocompatibility and bioavailability of 5-DN. Investigations at cell biological, histopathological, and molecular levels revealed the pharmacological mechanism of the drug delivery system, including the inhibition of inflammatory responses by downregulating the proinflammatory cytokine levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The upregulation of anti‑inflammatory cytokine of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and microRNA-17-5p, a critical regulator of the PTEN/AKT pathway, was also observed. The psoriasis-like lesions were markedly ameliorated in the mouse models treated with MSNs@5-DN. The designed drug-loading system shows an enhanced therapeutic outcome for psoriasis-like lesion compared with free 5-DN. This study revealed the synergistic effect of functionalized MSNs loaded with PMFs on the clinical treatment of human psoriasis.

The genesis of cardiovascular risk in inflammatory arthritis: insights into glycocalyx shedding, endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerosis initiation

This narrative review provides a comprehensive examination of the complex interplay between inflammatory arthritis (IA) and cardiovascular pathology. It particularly illuminates the roles of atherosclerosis initiation, endothelial dysfunction, and glycocalyx shedding. IA not only provokes tissue-specific inflammatory responses, but also engenders a considerable degree of non-specific systemic inflammation. This review underscores the accelerating influence of the chronic inflammatory milieu of IA on cardiovascular disease (CVD) progression. A focal point of our exploration is the critical function of the endothelial glycocalyx (EG) in this acceleration process, which possibly characterizes the earliest phases of atherosclerosis. We delve into the influence of inflammatory mediators on microtubule dynamics, EG modulation, immune cell migration and activation, and lipid dysregulation. We also illuminate the impact of microparticles and microRNA on endothelial function. Further, we elucidate the role of systemic inflammation and sheddases in EG degradation, the repercussions of complement activation, and the essential role of syndecans in preserving EG integrity. Our review provides insight into the complex and dynamic interface between systemic circulation and the endothelium.

Selected miRNA and Psoriasis-Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)-Overweight/Obesity Network-A Pilot Study

Psoriasis is nowadays recognized as a multifactorial systemic disease with complex and not fully understood pathogenesis. In psoriatic patients, the increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and frequent comorbidities like obesity are observed. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in miRNA (miR-22-3p, miR-133a-3p, miR-146a-5p, miR-369-3p, and Let-7b-5p) involved in CVD risk among psoriatic patients with overweight/obesity and with normal weight. The study comprised 28 male psoriatic patients and 16 male healthy controls. miRNA isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells was reverse-transcribed and RT-qPCR was performed. We have found decreased levels of miR-22, miR-133a, miR-146a, and miR-369 among the psoriatic patients. There was a statistically significant difference in miR-22 and miR-146a levels between psoriatic patients with overweight/obesity and with normal weight. There were positive correlations between miR-22 and miR-146a levels and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in psoriatic patients with normal weight and between the miR-133a level and PsA in the overweight/obese patients. The decreased levels of selected miRNA are consistent with the levels observed in CVD indicating their impact on the CVD risk in psoriatic patients. miR-22 and miR-146 may be recognized as one of the contributing factors in the obesity-CVD-psoriasis network.

Transcription factor AP-2 gamma/Krüppel-like factor 10 axis is involved in miR-3656-related dysfunction of endothelial cells in hypertension

BACKGROUND

Dysfunction of endothelial cells links to microvascular rarefaction, reflecting the pathogenesis of hypertension. Our previous studies found that miR-3656 reduces nitric oxide generation and von Willebrand factor (vWF) cleavage, thereby retarding blood flow and potentially increasing blood pressure. In this paper, we investigated mechanism of transcription regulation contributing to miR-3656-damaged endothelial cells in hypertension.

METHODS

The effects of miR-3656 on function of endothelial cells were analyzed on the basis of proliferation, migration, tube formation, and apoptosis. The mRNA level and protein level of genes were examined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the binding between miR-3656 and 3' untranslated region (UTR) of transcription factor AP-2 gamma ( TFAP2C ). The binding between TFAP2C and the promoter region of Krüppel-like factor 10 ( KLF10 ) was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation-qPCR assay.

RESULTS

miR-3656 impaired the cell proliferation, migration, tube formation, and apoptosis of endothelial cells. miR-3656 inhibited the expression of TFAP2C by directly targeting 3'UTR of TFAP2C ; moreover, miR-3656-induced injury of endothelial cells was rescued by TFAP2C overexpression. Furthermore, downregulated TFAP2C decreased KLF10 expression by binding to KLF10 promoter region, and upregulated KLF10 reversed the effects of silencing TFAP2C on endothelial cells. These inhibitory processes led to interference of miR-3656 to KLF10-promoted function of endothelial cells.

CONCLUSION

TFAP2C/KLF10 axis is involved in miR-3656-related dysfunction of endothelial cells in hypertension. The 3'UTR of TFAP2C and KLF10 promoter region are the hubs of the TFAP2C/KLF10 axis.

The Impact of Diet and Physical Activity on Psoriasis: A Narrative Review of the Current Evidence

Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease with strong genetic links and numerous features of autoimmunity that are also influenced by environment and lifestyle, including nutritional factors and physical activity (PA), with regards to the condition of patients. Recent reports in the field of nutrigenomics indicate a significant impact of nutrients in modulating microRNAs. However, few studies have evaluated the effect of nutritional systems and PA on treating psoriasis. This narrative review updates information regarding the current dietary recommendations for individuals with psoriasis and discusses the role of diet and PA in psoriasis prevention and treatment. Application of nutrigenetics in psoriasis therapy is also discussed. The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched using the MeSH terms for "nutrigenomics", "dietetics", "diet therapy", "diet", "physical activity", and "exercise" in conjunction with the MeSH terms for "psoriasis" and "dermatology". Evidence has shown that patients with psoriasis should have a personalized anti-inflammatory diet. Psoriasis patients are less physically active; most performed exercises of low-to-moderate intensity and were less likely to undertake regular exercise. Identifying nutrigenomic discoveries and the current lifestyle interventions associated with psoriasis can help physicians and physical therapists develop educational programs to manage and protect against the disease.

Sensitive miRNA Detection for Early Diagnosis of Psoriasis Based on Dual Signal Recycles

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a pivotal role in regulating a variety of biological processes and can be used as biomarkers for the early diagnosis of various diseases, such as psoriasis. Herein, we depict a simple and sensitive miRNA detection method based on dual signal recycles, which is developed on the basis of strand displacement amplification (SDA). The sensor is successfully applied to the detection of miRNA-21 with a wide linear range from 100 fM to 10 nM and a lower limit of detection (LOD) of 67 fM. Because of the simple operation yet improved detection capability, we thereby believe that the developed fluorescent biosensor can be potentially applied for early clinical diagnosis as well as biological researches.

ITGA9 Inhibits Proliferation and Migration of Dermal Microvascular Endothelial Cells in Psoriasis

Background

Cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis are aberrant in psoriatic human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs), resulting in abnormal endothelial function and microvascular dilation in psoriasis.

Objective

To explore the role of Integrin subunit alpha 9 (ITGA9) in proliferation and migration of dermal microvascular endothelial cells.

Methods

HDMECs were isolated from the skin of 6 psoriatic patients and 6 healthy controls. Expression levels of ITGA9 mRNA and protein were assessed with qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively, while miqRT-PCR was used to determine expression levels of miR-146a-3p. Cell proliferation and migration were assessed in human microvascular endothelial cell line (HMEC-1), following overexpression of either ITGA9 or miR-146a-3p, or co-transfection with miR-146a-3p-mimic and pLVX - ITGA9. Cell viability was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) cell proliferation assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed, using annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit, while cell migration was detected by wound healing and transwell assay.

Results

Expression levels of ITGA9 were significantly decreased in psoriatic HDMECs compared to normal controls. Moreover, expression levels of miR-146a-3p were higher in psoriatic HDMECs than in normal controls. Overexpression of miR-146a-3p lowered expression levels of ITGA9, accompanied by increased proliferation and migration of HMEC-1 in vitro. In contrast, overexpression of ITGA9 inhibited proliferation and migration of HMEC-1, while increasing expression levels of cdc42, ki67, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), c-Src tyrosine kinase (Src), RAC1 and RhoA.

Conclusion

ITGA9 can repress the proliferation and migration of HMEC-1, suggesting utility of ITGA9 as a potential therapeutic intervention for psoriasis.

Prevention and risk assessment of cardiovascular events in a population of patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, often relapsing disease that is frequently associated with other diseases of similar pathogenesis. The multi-morbidity in the psoriasis population significantly impedes both diagnosis and implementation of appropriate preventive measures. However, the common denominator for this group of diseases is the inflammatory process that initiates the appearance of subsequent symptoms and health consequences, most of which can be avoided or alleviated by modifying the patient’s lifestyle and incorporating appropriate treatment. Health consequences associated with systemic inflammation include cardiovascular incidents and other cardiometabolic diseases.

This article was based on available publications on the onset, incidence, and prevention of cardiovascular disease in the psoriasis patient population.

Extracellular Nucleophosmin Is Increased in Psoriasis and Correlates With the Determinants of Cardiovascular Diseases

We previously showed that genotoxic stress induced an active extracellular release of nucleophosmin (NPM) in human cardiac mesenchymal progenitor cells, and that serum deprivation provokes NPM secretion from human endothelial cells, eliciting inflammation via nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) transcriptional activation. In this study, we wanted to determine whether NPM was similarly modulated in the skin and plasma of psoriatic patients (Pso). We found that NPM was induced in 6 skin biopsies compared to 6 normal skin biopsies and was markedly increased in lesional (LS) vs. non-lesional skin (NLS) biopsies. Moreover, NPM was also increased at the transcriptional levels in LS vs. NLS. Both the innate stimuli, such as lipopolysaccharides and Poly inositol–cytosine and adaptive stimuli, that is, cytokine mix, were able to induce the extracellular release of NPM in immortalized keratinocytes and human skin fibroblasts in the absence of cytotoxicity. Interestingly, NPM interacts with Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 in these cells and activates an NF-kB-dependent inflammatory pathway upregulating interleukin IL-6 and COX-2 gene expression. Finally, circulating NPM was increased in the plasma of 29 Pso compared to 29 healthy controls, and positively correlates with psoriasis area severity index (PASI) and with determinants of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), such as pulse wave velocity, systolic pressure, and left ventricular mass. Furthermore, NPM positively correlates with miR-200c circulating levels, which we previously showed to increase in Pso and correlate with CVD progression. Our data show that circulating miR-200c is physically associated with extracellular NPM, which most probably is responsible for its extracellular release and protection upon cytokine mix via a TLR4-mechanism. In conclusion, NPM is increased in psoriasis both in the skin and plasma and might be considered a novel biologic target to counteract chronic inflammation associated with CVD risk.

MicroRNA-17-3p is upregulated in psoriasis and regulates keratinocyte hyperproliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion by targeting <em>CTR9</em>

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Although miRNAs are reported to be associated with the pathogenesis of psoriasis, the contribution of individual microRNAs toward psoriasis remains unclear. The miR-17-92 cluster regulates cell growth and immune functions that are associated with psoriasis. miR-17-3p is a member of miR-17-92 cluster; however, its role in dermatological diseases remains unclear. Our study aims at investigating the effects of miR-17-3p and its potential target gene on keratinocytes proliferation and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokine and their involvement in psoriasis. Initially, we found that miR-17-3p was upregulated in psoriatic skin lesions, and bioinformatic analyses suggested that CTR9 is likely to be a target gene of miR-17-3p. Quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR and immunohistochemical analysis revealed that CTR9 expression was downregulated in psoriatic lesions. Using dual-luciferase reporter assays, we identified CTR9 as a direct target of miR-17-3p. Further functional experiments demonstrated that miR-17-3p promoted the proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion of keratinocytes, whereas CTR9 exerted the opposite effects. Gain-of-function studies confirmed that CTR9 suppression partially accounted for the effects of miR- 17-3p in keratinocytes. Furthermore, Western blot revealed that miR-17-3p activates the downstream STAT3 signaling pathway while CTR9 inactivates the STAT3 signaling pathway. Together, these findings indicate that miR-17-3p regulates keratinocyte proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion partially by targeting the CTR9, which inactivates the downstream STAT3 protein, implying that miR-17-3p might be a novel therapeutic target for psoriasis.