Long non‑coding RNA AL355711 promotes smooth muscle cell migration through the ABCG1/MMP3 pathway

Gualou-Xiebai herb pair and its active ingredients act against atherosclerosis by suppressing VSMC-derived foam cell formation via regulating P2RY12-mediated lipophagy

BACKGROUND

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic disease characterized by lipid accumulation in the aortic wall and the formation of foam cells overloaded with large lipids inclusions. Currently, Western medicine is primarily used to improve lipid metabolism disorders and reduce inflammatory reactions to delay AS progression, but these medicines come with serious side effects and drug resistance. Gualou-Xiebai (GLXB) is a renowned herb pair that has been proven effective against AS. However, the potential molecular mechanism through which GLXB exerts the anti-atherosclerotic effects of increasing lipophagy in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) remains unknown.

PURPOSE

This study aims to explore the role of lipophagy and the therapeutic mechanism of GLXB in AS.

METHODS

UPLC-Q-TOF-MS for the determination of the main components of GLXB-containing serum. An AS mouse model was established by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) to ApoE-/- mice for 12 weeks. Ultrasonography monitoring was used to confirm the successful establishment of the AS model. Plaque areas and lipid deposition were evaluated using HE staining and aorta imagingafter GLXB treatment. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting were utilized to observe the P2RY12 and lipophagy levels in AS mice. VSMCs were stimulated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) to induce foam cell formation. The degree of lipophagy and the related molecular mechanisms were assessed after treating the VSMCs with GLXB-containing serum or si-P2RY12 transfection. The active components of GLXB-containing serum that act on P2RY12 were screened and verified by molecular docking and dual-luciferase reporter assays.

RESULTS

Seventeen components of GLXB were identified in rat serum by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. GLXB significantly reduced lipid deposition in HFD-fed ApoE-/- mice and ox-LDL-induced VSMCs. GLXB strikingly increased lipophagy levels by downregulating P2RY12, p62, and plin2, upregulating LC3Ⅱ protein expression, and increasing the number of autophagosomes. Notably, the lipophagy inhibitor CQ and the P2RY12 receptor agonist ADPβ abolished the GLXB-induced increase in lipophagy. Last, we confirmed that albiflorin, apigenin, luteolin, kaempferol, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, and hesperetin from GLXB significantly inhibited P2RY12.

CONCLUSION

GLXB activates lipophagy and inhibits lipid accumulation-associated VSMC-derived foam cell formation through suppressing P2RY12 activation, resulting in anti-atherosclerotic effects. The GLXB components albiflorin, apigenin, luteolin, kaempferol, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, and hesperetin are the potential active effectors against P2RY12.

Non-coding RNAs to treat vascular smooth muscle cell dysfunction

Vascular smooth muscle cell (vSMC) dysfunction is a critical contributor to cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, restenosis and vein graft failure. Recent advances have unveiled a fascinating range of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that play a pivotal role in regulating vSMC function. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms underlying vSMC dysfunction and the therapeutic potential of various ncRNAs in mitigating this dysfunction, either preventing or reversing it. We explore the intricate interplay of microRNAs, long-non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs, shedding light on their roles in regulating key signalling pathways associated with vSMC dysfunction. We also discuss the prospects and challenges associated with developing ncRNA-based therapies for this prevalent type of cardiovascular pathology.

LncRNAs as Regulators of Atherosclerotic Plaque Stability

Current clinical data show that, despite constant efforts to develop novel therapies and clinical approaches, atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) are still one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Advanced and unstable atherosclerotic plaques most often trigger acute coronary events that can lead to fatal outcomes. However, despite the fact that different plaque phenotypes may require different treatments, current approaches to prognosis, diagnosis, and classification of acute coronary syndrome do not consider the diversity of plaque phenotypes. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent an important class of molecules that are implicated in epigenetic control of numerous cellular processes. Here we review the latest knowledge about lncRNAs' influence on plaque development and stability through regulation of immune response, lipid metabolism, extracellular matrix remodelling, endothelial cell function, and vascular smooth muscle function, with special emphasis on pro-atherogenic and anti-atherogenic lncRNA functions. In addition, we present current challenges in the research of lncRNAs' role in atherosclerosis and translation of the findings from animal models to humans. Finally, we present the directions for future lncRNA-oriented research, which may ultimately result in patient-oriented therapeutic strategies for ASCVD.

Long noncoding RNA XIST modulates microRNA-135/CREB1 axis to influence osteogenic differentiation of osteoblast-like cells in mice with tibial fracture healing

Fracture healing is a complex event with the involvement of many cell systems, cytokines, as well as mRNAs. Herein, we report the interactions among long noncoding RNA X-inactive specific transcript (XIST)/microRNA-135 (miR-135)/cAMP response element-binding protein 1 (CREB1) axis during fracture healing. We observed increased expression of XIST in patients with long-term unhealed fracture by microarray analysis. Subsequently, a mouse model with tibial fracture and a cell model using osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells were generated. The XIST overexpression during fracture healing decreased proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, while silencing of XIST facilitated MC3T3-E1 cell growth. Furthermore, miR-135 targeted CREB1 and negatively regulated its expression. XIST acted as a sponge for miR-135, thereby upregulating CREB1 and promoting the activity of the TNF-α/RANKL pathway. Transfection of miR-135 inhibitor or CREB1 overexpression blocked the stimulating effects of XIST knockdown on MC3T3-E1 cell growth. Besides, specific inhibitors of the TNF-α/RANKL pathway reversed the repressive role of XIST in cell osteogenic differentiation. All in all, these findings suggest that XIST knockdown induces the differentiation of osteoblast-like cells via regulation of the miR-135/CREB1/TNF-α/RANKL axis. XIST, as a consequence, represents an attractive therapeutic strategy to accelerate fracture healing.