Inhibition of Long Noncoding RNA SNHG15 Ameliorates Hypoxia/Ischemia-Induced Neuronal Damage by Regulating miR-302a-3p/STAT1/NF-κB Axis

PurposeIschemic brain injury results in high mortality and serious neurologic morbidity. Here, we explored the role of SNHG15 in modulating neuronal damage and microglial inflammation after ischemia stroke.Materials and MethodsThe hypoxia/ischemia models were induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) in vitro. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were conducted to determine the levels of SNHG15, miR-302a-3p, and STAT1/NF-κB. Moreover, gain- or loss-of functional assays of SNHG15 and miR-302a-3p were conducted. MTT assay was used to evaluate the viability of HT22 cells, and the apoptotic level was determined by flow cytometry. Furthermore, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators in the ischemia cortex and OGD/R-treated BV2 microglia.ResultsThe SNHG15 and STAT1/NF-κB pathways were both distinctly up-regulated, while miR-302a-3p was notably down-regulated in the ischemia cortex. Additionally, overexpressing SNHG15 dramatically enhanced OGD/R-mediated neuronal apoptosis as well as the expression of oxidative stress and inflammation factors from microglia. In contrast, knocking down SNHG15 or overexpressing miR-302a-3p relieved OGD/R-mediated neuronal apoptosis and microglial activation. Moreover, the rescue experiment testified that overexpressing miR-302a-3p also attenuated SNHG15 up-regulation-induced effects. In terms of the mechanisms, SNHG15 sponged miR-302a-3p and activated STAT1/NF-κB as a competitive endogenous RNA, while miR-302a-3p targeted STAT1 and negatively regulated the STAT1/NF-κB pathway.ConclusionSNHG15 was up-regulated in the hypoxia/ischemia mouse or cell model. The inhibition of SNHG15 ameliorates ischemia/hypoxia-induced neuronal damage and microglial inflammation by regulating the miR-302a-3p/STAT1/NF-κB pathway.     

A novel Danshensu/tetramethylpyrazine protects against Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in rats

A new Danshensu/tetramethylpyrazine derivative (ADTM) with cardio-protection effects such as antioxidant, arterial relaxation, pro-angiogenesis and antiplatelet activities. Platelet activating factor receptor (PAFR) plays a key role in myocardial ischemia reperfusion (MIR) injury. This study aims to investigate the protective role of ADTM in MIR injury and clarify the potential role of PAFR. We measured the effects of ADTM on MIR injury in rats in vivo and hypoxia re-oxygenation (HR) injury in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) in vitro. The results show that ADTM can significantly improve the IR-induced decline in heart function as increasing EF and FS, and restore the decreased cardiac hemodynamic parameters (LVSP, ± dp/dt max) and increased the level of LVEDP, decrease the infarct size of damaged myocardium and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in serum. Additionally, ADTM inhibits cardiomyocytes apoptosis, caspase-3 activity, and inflammatory response as well as down-regulates the MIR-induced IL-1β and TNFα production. Next, PAFR expression was significantly down-regulated in cardiomyocytes of MIR model in vivo and in vitro after treated with ADTM compare to IR group. At the same time, ADTM and PAFR small interfering RNA (siRNA) could inhibit cardiomyocytes apoptosis and inflammation during HR, while PAF presents the opposite effect. Furthermore, the above effects of PAF in HR induced cardiomyocytes were reversed by co-treatment of ADTM. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that ADTM protects against MIR injury through inhibition of PAFR signaling, which provides a new treatment for MIR.     

Ginsenoside Rg1 suppressed inflammation and neuron apoptosis by activating PPARγ/HO-1 in hippocampus in rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

Generally accepted, inflammation and neuron apoptosis are two characterized pathological features of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Ginsenoside Rg1 was reported showing distinct neuroprotective effect in cerebral IR injury but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. PPARγ/Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling was proved effective in suppressing both apoptosis and inflammation. This study was aimed to investigate whether PPARγ/HO-1 signaling was involved in cerebral IR injury and ginsenoside Rg1’s neuroprotective effect in cerebral IR injury. Cerebral IR injury was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. The PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone (ROZ) and the HO-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin-IX (ZnPP) and ginsenoside Rg1 at various concentrations were used to treat the modeled rats. Neurological deficits, apoptosis and inflammation in hippocampus were evaluated. Furthermore, HO-1 enzymatic activity, expression levels of apoptosis-related and inflammation-related proteins, concentrations of inflammatory cytokines were also determined. The results showed that PPARγ activation by ROZ significantly attenuated neurological deficits, apoptosis and inflammation in hippocampus in cerebral IR rats. However, the neuroprotective effect of ROZ was then impaired by HO-1 inhibitor ZnPP. This effect was evidenced by changes of expression levels of PPARγ, bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, IL-1β, TNF-α, HMGB1, and RAGE in hippocampus of modeled animals. Ginsenoside Rg1 showed similar effect to ROZ in activating PPARγ/HO-1 in protecting against apoptosis and inflammation but also impaired by ZnPP administration. In conclusion, PPARγ/HO-1 signaling was critical in mediating apoptosis and inflammation, which was also the therapeutic target of ginsenoside Rg1 in cerebral IR injury.     

Resveratrol pretreatment protects rat hearts from ischemia/reperfusion injury partly via a NALP3 inflammasome pathway

Inflammatory responses are key players in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Our previous studies showed that resveratrol alleviated I/R injury in myocardial I/R animal models, but whether the NALP3 inflammasome pathway contributes to the mechanisms remains to be elucidated. In this study, we explored the modulation effect of resveratrol on myocardial I/R-induced inflammatory responses in rats. Myocardial I/R rat animal models were induced by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary arteries (LADs) for 30 min, followed by 2 h of reperfusion. Resveratrol was administered in different doses (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) at the same time as the onset of reperfusion. The serum concentrations of the trinitrotoluene (TnT) and MB isoenzyme creatine kinase (CK-MB) were detected using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Myocardial ultrastructure and morphology were observed with an electron microscope and a light microscope. Myocardial ischemia and infarct sizes were evaluated using Evans blue and tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. The NALP3, Caspase1, interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 18 (IL-18) mRNA levels were evaluated using RT-PCR. The NALP3 and Caspase1 protein expression levels were detected by western blotting. The IL-1β and IL-18 content in peripheral blood was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The myocardial structure in myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MI/RI) rats was extensively damaged. After preconditioning with different concentrations of resveratrol (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg), the pathology and morphology were significantly improved in a dose-dependent manner. Our results showed that resveratrol treatment significantly reduced the infarct volume and myocardial fibrosis, resulting in myocardial cells that lined up in a more orderly fashion and dose-dependent decreases in TnT and CK-MB levels in the serum of the I/R rats. Resveratrol also significantly modulated mRNA and protein levels by down-regulating NALP3 and Caspase1 expression and IL-1β and IL-18 activation. These results suggest that the NALP3 inflammasome is activated during the myocardial I/R injury process and that the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 mediates the cascade inflammatory response. Resveratrol may play an important role in protecting the myocardium against I/R injury in rats by inhibiting the expression and activation of the NALP3 inflammatory body. Therefore, the attenuation of the inflammatory response may be involved in the cardioprotective mechanisms of resveratrol in response to myocardial I/R injury.     

NOX2 Antisense Attenuates Hypoxia-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Cardiomyocyte

Heart ischemia is a hypoxia related disease. NOX2 and HIF-1α proteins were increased in cardiomyocytes after acute myocardial infarction. However, the relationship of the hypoxia-induced HIF-1α. NOX2-derived oxidative stress and apoptosis in cardiomyocyte remains unclear. In the current study, we use NOX2 antisense strategy to investigate the role of NOX2 in hypoxia-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in rat cardiomyocytes. Here, we show that transduction of ADV-NOX2-AS induces potent silencing of NOX2 in cardiomyocytes, and resulting in attenuation of hypoxia-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. This study indicates the potential of antisense-based therapies and validates NOX2 as a potent therapeutic candidate for heart ischemia.     

Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B-Induced MicroRNA-155 Targets SOCS1 To Promote Acute Inflammatory Lung Injury

Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) causes food poisoning in humans. It is considered a biological weapon, and inhalation can trigger lung injury and sometimes respiratory failure. Being a superantigen, SEB initiates an exaggerated inflammatory response. While the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in immune cell activation is getting increasing recognition, their role in the regulation of inflammatory disease induced by SEB has not been studied. In this investigation, we demonstrate that exposure to SEB by inhalation results in acute inflammatory lung injury accompanied by an altered miRNA expression profile in lung-infiltrating cells. Among the miRNAs that were significantly elevated, miR-155 was the most overexpressed. Interestingly, miR-155^−/− mice were protected from SEB-mediated inflammation and lung injury. Further studies revealed a functional link between SEB-induced miR-155 and proinflammatory cytokine gamma interferon (IFN-γ). Through the use of bioinformatics tools, suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1), a negative regulator of IFN-γ, was identified as a potential target of miR-155. While miR-155^−/− mice displayed increased expression of Socs1, the overexpression of miR-155 led to its suppression, thereby enhancing IFN-γ levels. Additionally, the inhibition of miR-155 resulted in restored Socs1expression. Together, our data demonstrate an important role for miR-155 in promoting SEB-mediated inflammation in the lungs through Socs1 suppression and suggest that miR-155 may be an important target in preventing SEB-mediated inflammation and tissue injury.     

Circ-RHOJ.1 regulated myocardial cell proliferation and apoptosis via targeting the miR-124-3p/NRG-1 axis in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

IntroductionMyocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a leading cause of cardiac dysfunction. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis of myocardial I/R injury. However, the functions and underlying mechanisms are unclear. The present study determined the role of circ-RHOJ.1 in regulating myocardial cell proliferation and apoptosis after I/R injury.Material and methodsMyocardial cells isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats were identified with an immunofluorescence assay using cardiac troponin T antibody. Expression of circ-RHOJ.1, miR-124-3p and neuregulin-1 (NRG1) mRNA was assessed with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. NRG1 protein expression was evaluated with western blot and immunofluorescence assays. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm interaction between miR-124-3p and circ-RHOJ.1, and miR-124-3p and NRG1. Effects of circ-RHOJ.1 overexpression or miR-124-3p inhibition on cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated using cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay and flow cytometry. Cytokines levels were analyzed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsMyocardial cells were successfully isolated and had down-regulated expression of circ-RHOJ.1 and NRG1, and up-regulated expression of miR-124-3p after I/R injury. circ-RHOJ.1 acted as a sponge for miR-124-3p, and NRG1 served as a target gene of miR-124-3p. circ-RHOJ.1 overexpression or miR-124-3p inhibition increased interleukin (IL)-10 levels and reduced IL-2, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in myocardial cells after I/R injury. Functional assay results illustrated that circ-RHOJ.1 overexpression or miR-124-3p inhibition enhanced proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of myocardial cells after I/R injury.ConclusionsCirc-RHOJ.1 served as a molecular marker of myocardial I/R injury via regulation of miR-124-3p and NRG1 expression.     

MicroRNA-24对心肌梗死后心肌细胞凋亡的调控作用

 目的：研究microRNA-24（miR-24）在心肌梗死小鼠心肌组织中的表达变化,并研究miR-24对心肌细胞凋亡及心肌梗死后心功能的调控作用。方法：建立小鼠心梗模型及心肌细胞缺血缺氧模型,qRT-PCR检测心梗后心肌组织中miR-24表达情况;构建携带miR-24的慢病毒及脂质体,心梗组织局部注射慢病毒转染miR-24及心肌原代细胞转染miR-24;caspase-3/7检测心肌细胞凋亡情况;超声心动图及Masson染色检测心功能及心梗面积;TUNEL染色检测细胞凋亡;表达谱芯片检测及生物信息学分析预测靶位点。结果：miR-24在心梗部位及心梗周边区表达显著降低（P<0.01）,心梗模型转染miR-24能够改善心梗后2周心功能（P<0.05）,并减少心梗面积,抑制心梗局部细胞凋亡水平;原代心肌细胞转染miR-24能减少缺血缺氧引起的细胞凋亡（P<0.01）,芯片检测发现miR-24可能通过BCL2L11、ANK3及SGPL1等基因起作用。结论：miR-24在心梗后心肌组织中低表达。miR-24能抑制心肌细胞缺血缺氧条件下的凋亡水平,进而改善心梗后心功能。     

MiR-199a inhibits the angiogenic potential of endometrial stromal cells under hypoxia by targeting HIF-1α/VEGF pathway

We previously reported that miR-199a suppressed the invasiveness of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) by targeting IkappaB kinase beta (IKKβ). This study was to investigate the role of miR-199a in the angiogenic potential of ESCs under hypoxia. Forced overexpression of miR-199a in ESCs significantly attenuated its angiogenic potential under hypoxia. Moreover, miR-199a down-regulated the expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) in ESCs under hypoxic conditions. To delineate the mechanism by which miR-199a reduced VEGF-A production, further analysis of the target genes of miR-199a showed that miR-199a targeted both VEGF-A and Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α in ESCs. Our findings indicate that miR-199a may attenuate the angiogenic potential of ESCs under hypoxia partly through HIF-1α/VEGF-A pathway suppression. Therefore, miR-199a may play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and may become a potential therapeutic target of this disease.     

Galpha12 Protects Vascular Endothelial Cells from Serum Withdrawal-Induced Apoptosis through Regulation of miR-155

Purpose

Apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells is a type of endothelial damage that is associated with the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. Heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G proteins), including the alpha 12 subunit of G protein (Gα12), have been found to modulate cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of numerous cell types. However, the role of Gα12 in the regulation of apoptosis of vascular cells has not been elucidated. We investigated the role of Gα12 in serum withdrawal-induced apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and its underlying mechanisms.

Materials and Methods

HUVECs were transfected with Gα12 small-interfering RNA (siRNA) to knockdown the endogenous Gα12 expression and were serum-deprived for 6 h to induce apoptosis. The apoptosis of HUVECs were assessed by Western blotting and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The expressions of microRNAs were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR.

Results

Knockdown of Gα12 with siRNA augmented the serum withdrawal-induced apoptosis of HUVECs and markedly repressed the expression of microRNA-155 (miR-155). Serum withdrawal-induced apoptosis of HUVECs was inhibited by the overexpression of miR-155 and increased significantly due to the inhibition of miR-155. Notably, the elevation of miR-155 expression prevented increased apoptosis of Gα12-deficient HUVECs.

Conclusion

From these results, we conclude that Gα12 protects HUVECs from serum withdrawal-induced apoptosis by retaining miR-155 expression. This suggests that Gα12 might play a protective role in vascular endothelial cells by regulating the expression of microRNAs.     

MiR-21 suppresses endothelial progenitor cell proliferation by activating the TGFβ signaling pathway via downregulation of WWP1

Endothelial damage is strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in the maintenance of endothelial homeostasis and contribute to re-endothelialization of injured vessels as well as revascularization of ischemic tissues. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to regulate EPC biological functions. In this study, we found that EPCs of atherosclerosis patients and EPCs exposed to hypoxia have increased expression of miRNA-21 (miR-21) as well as diminished ability to proliferate. MiR-21 knockdown rescued hypoxia-induced growth arrest in EPCs. Next, we used a luciferase reporter assay to demonstrate that miR-21 downregulates the expression of WW domain-containing protein 1 (WWP1), a negative regulator of TGFβ signaling, by directly targeting the 3’-UTR of WWP1. Finally, miR-21 overexpression or WWP1 knockdown in EPCs significantly activates the TGFβ signaling pathway and inhibits cell proliferation. Taken together, our results indicate that miR-21 suppresses EPC proliferation by activating the TGFβ signaling pathway via downregulation of WWP1. These findings may help the development of strategies to enhance the vitality of EPCs for therapeutic applications.     

MicroRNA-146a inhibition promotes total neurite outgrowth and suppresses cell apoptosis,inflammation, and STAT1/MYC pathway in PC12 and cortical neuron cellular Alzheimer's disease models

This study aimed to explore the effect of microRNA (miR)-146a inhibition on regulating cell apoptosis, total neurite outgrowth, inflammation, and STAT1/MYC pathway in Alzheimer''s disease (AD). PC12 and cortical neuron cellular AD models were constructed by Aβ1-42 insult. For the former model, nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulation was previously conducted. miR-146a inhibitor and negative-control (NC) inhibitor were transfected into the two cellular AD models, and then cells were named miR-inhibitor group and NC-inhibitor group, respectively. After transfection, cell apoptosis, total neurite outgrowth, supernatant inflammation cytokines, and STAT1/MYC pathway were detected. miR-146a expression was similar between PC12 cellular AD model and control cells (NGF-stimulated PC12 cells), while miR-146a expression was increased in cortical neuron cellular AD model compared with control cells (rat embryo primary cortical neurons). In both PC12 and cortical neuron cellular AD models, miR-146a expression was reduced in miR-inhibitor group compared with NC-inhibitor group after transfection. Furthermore, cell apoptosis was attenuated, while total neurite outgrowth was elevated in miR-inhibitor group compared with NC-inhibitor group. As for supernatant inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-17 levels were lower in miR-inhibitor group than in NC-inhibitor group. Additionally, STAT1 and c-Myc mRNA and protein expressions were attenuated in miR-inhibitor group compared with NC-inhibitor group. In conclusion, miR-146a potentially represented a viable therapeutic target for AD.     

microRNA-130b downregulation potentiates chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by targeting SOX9

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic health condition. MicroRNAs (miRs) are critical in chondrocyte apoptosis in OA. We aimed to investigate the mechanism of miR-130b in OA progression. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and chondrocytes were first extracted. Chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs was carried out and verified. Chondrocytes were stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1β to imitate OA condition in vitro. The effect of miR-130b on the viability, inflammation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix of OA chondrocytes was studied. The target gene of miR-130b was predicted and verified. Rescue experiments were performed to further study the underlying downstream mechanism of miR-130b in OA. miR-130b first increased and drastically reduced during chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs and in OA chondrocytes, respectively, while IL-1β stimulation resulted in increased miR-130b expression in chondrocytes. miR-130b inhibitor promoted chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs and chondrocyte growth and inhibited the levels of inflammatory factors. miR-130b targeted SOX9. Overexpression of SOX9 facilitated BMSC chondrogenic differentiation and chondrocyte growth, while siRNA-SOX9 contributed to the opposite trends. Silencing of SOX9 significantly attenuated the pro-chondrogenic effects of miR-130b inhibitor on BMSCs. Overall, miR-130b inhibitor induced chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs and chondrocyte growth by targeting SOX9.     

miR-133b has protective effect on rats with acute lung injury caused by severe acute pancreatitis through targeting sp1 gene

Objective: We aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanism of miR-133b and Sp1 in rats with severe acute pancreatitis complicated by acute lung injury. Methods: The rats were divided into normal, NC, model, si-Sp1, miR-133b mimic, miR-133b inhibitor, and miR-133b inhibitor + si-Sp1 group and received different treatments. Results: Compared with normal mice, model mice had a lower miR-133b expression, but higher levels of Sp1 expression, W/D of lung tissue, myeloperoxidase activities, and higher levels of interleukin(IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-1β, cell apoptosis rate and Notch-1, and Hes-1, nuclear factor (NF)-κB P65 expressions in lung tissue. Compared with model mice, mice in the si-Sp1 group and the miR-133b mimic group had significantly lower W/D of lung tissue, myeloperoxidase activities, lower levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β, cell apoptosis rate and Notch-1, Hes-1, and NF-κB P65 expressions in lung tissue. Mice treated by miR-133b inhibitor showed opposite results in all above parameters, which were similar with those in the model group. The negative effects of miR-133b inhibitor could be reversed by the combination use of si-Sp1. Conclusion: Overexpression of miR-133b could inhibit Sp1 expression, thereby improving severe acute pancreatitis in rats and playing a protective role in acute lung injury.     

Involvement of miR-455 in the protective effect of H2S against chemical hypoxia-induced injury in BEAS-2B cells

The protective effect of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) against hypoxia-induced injury via anti-apoptosis is well established, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate whether miR-455 participated in the H₂S protection of lung epithelial cells against CoCl₂-induced apoptosis by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related genes. Human lung epithelial cells BEAS-2B were subjected to hypoxia injury with or without H₂S preconditioning. It was found that hypoxia injury increased apoptosis of BEAS-2B cells, down-regulated the expression of miR-455, and upregulated the expression of calreticulin (Calr). H₂S preconditioning attenuated lung epithelial cells apoptosis, enhanced cell viability, up-regulated the expression of miR-455, as well as down-regulated the expression of Calr following hypoxia injury. In addition, Calr, GRP78, C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and Caspase-12 protein was down-regulated by the miR-455 mimic and up-regulated by the miR-455 inhibitor. These results implicate miR-455 regulated H₂S protection of lung epithelial cells against hypoxia-induced apoptosis by stimulating Calr.     

Down-regulation of microRNA-184 contributes to the development of cyanotic congenital heart diseases

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the roles of miR-184 in adaptation of hypoxic cardiomyocytes, as well as to elucidate the possible mechanisms of miR-184 in the development of cyanotic congenital heart diseases (CHD). Materials and methods: We conducted quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to determine the expression of miR-184 in patients with cyanotic cardiac defects. The embryonic rat ventricular myocardial H9c2 cells were transfected with miR-184 inhibitor and negative scramble RNA. Mock group was untreated by anything. We then used MTT assay and in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labelling (TUNEL) to determine whether inhibition of miR-184 in vitro affect cell proliferation and apoptosis under hypoxic conditions. Besides, the expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in hypoxic H9c2 cells were determined by western blot. Results: MiR-184 was significantly down-regulated in CHD patients with cyanotic cardiac defects. In addition, miR-184 was successfully inhibited in hypoxic H9c2 cells. Moreover, inhibition of miR-184 markedly decreased cell viability and obviously induced apoptosis under hypoxic conditions in vitro. Besides, the expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in hypoxic H9c2 were significantly increased after miR-184 inhibition. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that inhibition of microRNA-184 may contribute to the development of cyanotic CHD via decreasing proliferation and inducing apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. Moreover, miR-184 inhibition may promote hypoxia-induced apoptosis via activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9. Congenital down-regulation of miR-184 may be a mechanism leading to CHD development.     

Effects of rhBNP on myocardial fibrosis after myocardial infarction in rats

Purpose: We aimed to observe the effects and mechanism of rhBNP treatment on myocardial fibrosis (MF) after myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: SPF rats were separated into 3 groups: normal, MI (ligation of left coronary artery), and MI + rhBNP (recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide). Rats in MI + rhBNP group were given 30 μg/kg for 2 days before modeling and for 4 weeks after modeling. mRNA levels and the expression levels of TGF-β1 (transforming growth factor) and CTGF (connective tissue growth factor) in 3 groups were analyzed using the RT-qPCR and western blotting analysis, respectively. Furthermore, myocardial volume fraction (CVF) was analyzed using the Sirius Red F3B (SR) while the percentage of type I and III collagen in 3 groups were analyzed using the immunohistochemical staining. Results: Compared with the normal group, the levels of TGF-β1, CTGF, CVF, type I and III collagen were higher in MI group. However, mRNA levels of TGF-β1 and CTGF were significantly decreased in MI + rhBNP compared to MI groups. Expression of TGF-β1 was lower while that of CTGF was higher in MI + rhBNP group than that in MI group. Besides, CVF, and type I and III collagen were lower in MI + rhBNP group compared with MI group. Conclusion: rhBNP could significantly decrease the TGF-β1 and CTGF levels in post-MI so as to inhibit the type I and III collagen deposition in MF of post-MI. rhBNP will be benefit for the improvement of MF.