scholarly journals Krüppel-like factor 2- induced microRNAs: implications for treatment of pulmonary hypertension

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hebah Sindi ◽  
Giusy Russomanno ◽  
Kyeong Beom Jo ◽  
Vahitha B. Abdul-Salam ◽  
Basma Qazi Chaudhry ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTFlow-activated transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) signaling is compromised in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We aimed to identify KLF2-induced endothelium-protective exosomal microRNAs of potential therapeutic significance.Eight exosomal microRNAs elevated by KLF2 but reduced in PAH were transfected into human pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Of these, only miR-181a-5p and miR-324-5p had anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effect on endothelial cells and reduced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro. RNA sequencing of miRNA-transfected HPAECs revealed reduced expression of multiple genes implicated in vascular remodelling, including ETS-1, NOTCH4, ACTA2, TNF-α, IL-1, MMP10, MAPK and NFATC2. KLF2, miR-181a-5p and miR-324-5p were reduced, while their target genes were elevated in blood-derived endothelial colony forming cells and lung tissues from idiopathic and heritable PAH patients with disabling KLF2 mutation and Sugen/hypoxia mice. Supplementation of miR-181a-5p and miR-324-5p or silencing of their target genes attenuated proliferative and angiogenic responses in endothelial cells from idiopathic PAH and prevented development of pulmonary hypertension in Sugen/hypoxia mice.This study highlights potential therapeutic role of KLF2-induced exosomal microRNAs in PAH.

2020 ◽  
pp. 1902061
Author(s):  
David Macias ◽  
Stephen Moore ◽  
Alexi Crosby ◽  
Mark Southwood ◽  
Xinlin Du ◽  
...  

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a destructive disease of the pulmonary vasculature often leading to right heart failure and death. Current therapeutic intervention strategies only slow disease progression. The role of aberrant HIF2α stability and function in the initiation and development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) has been an area of intense interest for nearly two decades.Here we determine the effect of a novel HIF2α inhibitor (PT2567) on PH disease initiation and progression, using two pre-clinical models of PH. Haemodynamic measurements were performed followed by collection of heart, lung and blood for pathological, gene expression and biochemical analysis. Blood outgrowth endothelial cells from IPAH patients were used to determine the impact of HIF2α-inhibition on endothelial function.Global inhibition of HIF2a reduced pulmonary vascular haemodynamics and pulmonary vascular remodelling in both su5416/hypoxia prevention and intervention models. PT2567 intervention reduced the expression of PH associated target genes in both lung and cardiac tissues and restored plasma nitrite concentration. Treatment of monocrotaline exposed rodents with PT2567 reduced the impact on cardiovascular haemodynamics and promoted a survival advantage. In vitro, loss of HIF2α signalling in human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells suppresses target genes associated with inflammation, and PT2567 reduced the hyper-proliferative phenotype and over-active arginase activity in blood outgrowth endothelial cells from IPAH patients. These data suggest that targeting HIF2α hetero-dimerisation with an orally bioavailable compound could offer a new therapeutic approach for PAH. Future studies are required to determine the role of HIF in the heterogeneous PAH population.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Camille Chaumais ◽  
Mohamed Reda Amar Djessas ◽  
Raphaël Thuillet ◽  
Amélie Cumont ◽  
Ly Tu ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Although right ventricular (RV) function is an important determinant of morbidity and mortality in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), there is no treatment targeting directly the RV. We evaluate the efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan (LCZ 696) as add-on therapy to bosentan in rats with severe pulmonary hypertension (PH). Methods and results Combination therapy of LCZ 696 and bosentan has additive vascular protective effects against the pulmonary vascular remodelling and PH in two preclinical models of severe PH. Compared with monotherapy, co-treatment of LCZ 696 (30 or 68 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks, per os) and bosentan (100 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks, per os) started 7 days after monocrotaline (MCT) injection substantially reduces pulmonary pressures, vascular remodelling, and RV hypertrophy and fibrosis in rats. Consistent with these observations, co-treatment of rats with established PH induced by sugen/hypoxia (SuHx) with LCZ 696 (30 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks, per os) and bosentan (100 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks, per os) started 5 weeks after Sugen injection partially attenuate total pulmonary vascular resistance and cardiovascular structures. We also obtained evidence showing that LCZ 696 has anti-proliferative effect on cultured human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells derived from patients with idiopathic PAH, an effect that is more pronounced in presence of bosentan. Finally, we found that the plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) are higher in rats co-treated with LCZ 696 (30 mg/kg/day) and bosentan (100 mg/kg/day) than in MCT and SuHx rats treated with vehicle. Conclusion Dual therapy with LCZ 696 plus bosentan proved significantly superior beneficial effect to LCZ 696 or bosentan alone on vascular remodelling and severity of experimental PH.


2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Yuan ◽  
Minghao Chen ◽  
Qingyun Xu ◽  
Jianxin Liang ◽  
Ruixue Chen ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: This study aimed to screen microRNAs and their corresponding target genes that are associated with vascular injury in type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM), investigate the effects of differentially expressed miRNAs and their target genes on high glucose-induced vascular injury and establish the mechanism underlying these effects. Methods: A high-throughput digital gene expression (DGE) sequencing was performed to sequence microRNAs (miRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and determine their differential expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) incubated with serum samples from patients with T2DM and healthy volunteers. The HUVECs were transfected with si-TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor α) and a miR-149-5p inhibitor or mimic in vitro and then treated with normal or high glucose. The relative content of nitric oxide (NO) in the cells was detected using the Griess Reagent System. The mRNA and protein expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were determined by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. The content of endothelin-1 (ET-1), von Willebrand factor (vWF), and intercellular adhesion molecular-1 (ICAM-1) were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry using the Annexin V/PI apoptosis detection kit. The mRNA and protein expression levels of ER stress (ERS) markers were determined by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Results: Based on the high-energy sequencing and in vitro pre-experiment studies, we determined that miR-149-5p and TNF-α were a differentially expressed mRNA/miRNA pair in T2DM with vascular injury. The luciferase reporter assay results demonstrated that miR-149-5p could directly target TNF-α. The upregulation of miR-149-5p reduced the high glucose-induced dysfunction in the HUVECs by significantly decreasing the levels of ET-1, vWF, and ICAM-1 and increasing the level of NO and the expression of eNOS. Additionally, we found that miR-149-5p can improve cell injury and reduce apoptosis by restoring the ameliorated high glucose-induced expression of ERS markers. Conclusion: TNF-α and miR-149-5p were differentially expressed in T2DM vascular endothelial injury. The over-expression of miR-149-5p ameliorates the high glucose-induced injury in the HUVECs by regulating the expression of TNF-α and ERS markers.


Cardiology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 137 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Zhao ◽  
Hui Luo ◽  
Xiaohui Li ◽  
Tangzhiming Li ◽  
Jingni He ◽  
...  

Background: The overproliferation of pulmonary vascular cells is noted in pulmonary hypertension. The role of exosomes from pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC) in the proliferation and apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) remains unclear. Methods: Exosomes were isolated and purified from the culture medium of PAEC using a commercial kit. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), hypoxia, and hydrogen peroxide were utilized to induce PAEC injury. Coculture of PAEC and PASMC was conducted using Transwell plates, and GW4869 was applied to inhibit exosome release. The proliferation and apoptosis level of PASMC was assayed by MTT assay, apoptosis staining, and cleaved caspase-3 immunoblotting. Plasma exosomes were isolated by differential ultracentrifugation. Results: LPS or hypoxia enhance exosome release from PAEC. Release of PAEC-derived exosomes positively correlates with LPS concentration. The coculture of LPS-disposed PAEC with PASMC leads to overproliferation and apoptosis resistance in PASMC, and the exosome inhibitor GW4869 can partly cancel out this effect. Exosomes derived from PAEC could be internalized into PASMC, and thus promote proliferation and induce apoptosis resistance in PASMC. Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension patients exhibit a higher circulation level of endothelium-derived exosomes. Conclusions: Inflammation and hypoxia could induce PAEC to release exosomes. PAEC- derived exosomes are involved in overproliferation and apoptosis resistance in PASMC, by which they may contribute to the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Oliver ◽  
S.F Rocha ◽  
M Spaczynska ◽  
D.V Lalama ◽  
M Gomez ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Endothelial dysfunction is one of the most important hallmarks of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This leads to anomalous production of vasoactive mediators that are responsible for a higher vascular tone and a subsequent increase in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), and to an increased vascular permeability that favors perivascular inflammation and remodeling, thus worsening the disease. Therefore, preservation of the endothelial barrier could become a relevant therapeutic strategy. Purpose In previous studies, others and we have suggested the pharmacological activation of the β3-adrenergic receptor (AR) as a potential therapeutic strategy for pulmonary hypertension (PH) due to left heart disease. However, its potential use in other forms of PH remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether the β3-AR agonist mirabegron could preserve pulmonary endothelium function and be a potential new therapy in PAH. Methods For this purpose, we have evaluated the effect of mirabegron (2 and 10 mg/kg·day) in different animal models, including the monocrotaline and the hypoxia-induced PAH models in rats and mice, respectively. Additionally, we have used a transgenic mouse model with endothelial overexpression of human β3-AR in a knockout background, and performed in vitro experiments with human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAECs) for mechanistic experiments. Results Our results show a dose dependent effect of mirabegron in reducing mean PAP and Right Ventricular Systolic Pressure in both mice and rats. In addition, the use of transgenic mice has allowed us to determine that pulmonary endothelial cells are key mediators of the beneficial role of β3-AR pathway in ameliorating PAH. Mechanistically, we have shown in vitro that activation of β3-AR with mirabegron protects HPAECs from hypoxia-induced ROS production and mitochondrial fragmentation by restoring mitochondrial fission/fusion dynamics. Conclusions This protective effect of mirabegron would lead to endothelium integrity and preserved pulmonary endothelial function, which are necessary for a correct vasodilation, avoiding increased permeability and remodeling. Altogether, the current study demonstrates a beneficial effect of the β3-AR agonist mirabegron that could open new therapeutic avenues in PAH. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Programa de Atracciόn de Talento, Comunidad de Madrid


2013 ◽  
Vol 304 (12) ◽  
pp. L894-L901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassidy Delaney ◽  
Jason Gien ◽  
Gates Roe ◽  
Nicole Isenberg ◽  
Jenai Kailey ◽  
...  

Although past studies demonstrate that altered serotonin (5-HT) signaling is present in adults with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, whether serotonin contributes to the pathogenesis of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is unknown. We hypothesized that 5-HT contributes to increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in a sheep model of PPHN and that selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment increases PVR in this model. We studied the hemodynamic effects of 5-HT, ketanserin (5-HT2A receptor antagonist), and sertraline, an SSRI, on pulmonary hemodynamics of the late gestation fetal sheep with PPHN caused by prolonged constriction of the ductus arteriosis. Brief intrapulmonary infusions of 5-HT increased PVR from 1.0 ± 0.07 (baseline) to 1.4 ± 0.22 mmHg/ml per minute of treatment ( P < 0.05). Ketanserin decreased PVR from 1.1 ± 0.15 (baseline) to 0.82 ± 0.09 mmHg/ml per minute of treatment ( P < 0.05). Sertraline increased PVR from 1.1 ± 0.17 (baseline) to 1.4 ± 0.17 mmHg/ml per minute of treatment ( P = 0.01). In addition, we studied 5-HT production and activity in vitro in experimental PPHN. Compared with controls, pulmonary artery endothelial cells from fetal sheep with PPHN exhibited increased expression of tryptophan hydroxylase 1 and 5-HT production by twofold and 56%, respectively. Compared with controls, 5-HT2A R expression was increased in lung homogenates and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell lysates by 35% and 32%, respectively. We concluded that increased 5-HT contributes to high PVR in experimental PPHN through activation of the 5-HT2A receptor and that SSRI infusion further increases PVR in this model.


Blood ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 89 (9) ◽  
pp. 3228-3235 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Zakrzewicz ◽  
M. Gräfe ◽  
D. Terbeek ◽  
M. Bongrazio ◽  
W. Auch-Schwelk ◽  
...  

Abstract To characterize L-selectin–dependent cell adhesion to human vascular endothelium, human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (HCMEC) and human coronary endothelial cells (HCEC) were isolated from explanted human hearts. The adhesion behavior of human (NALM-6) and mouse (300.19) pre-B cells transfected with cDNA encoding for human L-selectin was compared with that of the respective nontransfected cells in a flow chamber in vitro. More than 80% of the adhesion to tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)–stimulated HCMEC at shear stresses <2 dyne/cm2 was L-selectin dependent and could be equally well blocked by an anti–L-selectin antibody or a L-selectin-IgG-chimera. No L-selectin dependent adhesion to HCEC could be shown. The L-selectin dependent adhesion to HCMEC was insensitive to neuraminidase, but greatly inhibited by addition of NaClO3 , which inhibits posttranslational sulfation and remained elevated for at least 24 hours of stimulation. E-selectin dependent adhesion of HL60 cells to HCMEC was blocked by neuraminidase, but not by NaClO3 and returned to control levels within 18 hours of HCMEC stimulation. It is concluded that microvascular, but not macrovascular endothelial cells express TNF-α–inducible sulfated ligand(s) for L-selectin, which differ from known L-selectin ligands, because sialylation is not required. The prolonged time course of L-selectin dependent adhesion suggests a role in sustained leukocyte recruitment into inflammatory sites in vivo.


2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Sun ◽  
Dongcao Lv ◽  
Qiulian Zhou ◽  
Yihua Bei ◽  
Junjie Xiao

MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miRs), endogenous small non-coding RNA, have been shown to act as essential regulators in angiogenesis which plays important roles in improving blood flow and cardiac function following myocardial infarction. The current study investigated the potential of miR-4260 in endothelial cell function and angiogenesis using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Our data demonstrated that overexpression of miR-4260 was associated with increased proliferation and migration of HUVEC using EdU incorporation assay (17.25%±1.31 vs 25.78%±1.24 in nc-mimics vs miR-4260 mimics, respectively) and wound healing assay, respectively. While downregulation of miR-4260 inhibited the proliferation (17.90%±1.37 vs 10.66%±1.41 in nc-inhibitor vs miR-4260 inhibitor, respectively) and migration of HUVEC. Furthermore, we found that miR-4260 mimics increased (129.75±3.68 vs 147±3.13 in nc-mimics vs miR-4260 mimics, respectively), while miR-4260 inhibitor decreased the tube formation of HUVECs in vitro (123.25±2.17 vs 92±4.45 in nc-inhibitor vs miR-4260 inhibitor expression, respectively). Our data indicate that miR-4260 contributes to the proliferation, migration and tube formation of endothelial cells, and might be essential regulators for angiogenesis. Further study is needed to investigate the underlying mechanism that mediates the role of miR-4260 in angiogenesis by identifying its putative downstream target genes.


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