Novel Long Noncoding RNA HEAT4 Affects Monocyte Subtypes, Reducing Inflammation and Promoting Vascular Healing.

BACKGROUND: Activation of the immune system contributes to cardiovascular diseases. The role of human-specific long noncoding RNAs in cardioimmunology is poorly understood. METHODS: Single-cell sequencing in peripheral blood mononuclear cells revealed a novel human-specific long noncoding RNA called HEAT4 (heart failure-associated transcript 4). HEAT4 expression was assessed in several in vitro and ex vivo models of immune cell activation, as well as in the blood of patients with heart failure (HF), acute myocardial infarction, or cardiogenic shock. The transcriptional regulation of HEAT4 was verified through cytokine treatment and single-cell sequencing. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies and multiple RNA-protein interaction assays uncovered a mechanistic role of HEAT4 in the monocyte anti-inflammatory gene program. HEAT4 expression and function was characterized in a vascular injury model in NOD.CB17-Prkdc scid/Rj mice. RESULTS: HEAT4 expression was increased in the blood of patients with HF, acute myocardial infarction, or cardiogenic shock. HEAT4 levels distinguished patients with HF from people without HF and predicted all-cause mortality in a cohort of patients with HF over 7 years of follow-up. Monocytes, particularly anti-inflammatory CD16+ monocytes, which are increased in patients with HF, are the primary source of HEAT4 expression in the blood. HEAT4 is transcriptionally activated by treatment with anti-inflammatory interleukin-10. HEAT4 activates anti-inflammatory and inhibits proinflammatory gene expression. Increased HEAT4 levels result in a shift toward more CD16+ monocytes. HEAT4 binds to S100A9, causing a monocyte subtype switch, thereby reducing inflammation. As a result, HEAT4 improves endothelial barrier integrity during inflammation and promotes vascular healing after injury in mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results characterize a novel endogenous anti-inflammatory pathway that involves the conversion of monocyte subtypes into anti-inflammatory CD16+ monocytes. The data identify a novel function for the class of long noncoding RNAs by preventing protein secretion and suggest long noncoding RNAs as potential targets for interventions in the field of cardioimmunology.

Concerted structural rearrangements enable RNA channeling into the cytoplasmic Ski238-Ski7-exosome assembly.

The Ski2-Ski3-Ski8 (Ski238) helicase complex directs cytoplasmic mRNAs toward the nucleolytic exosome complex for degradation. In yeast, the interaction between Ski238 and exosome requires the adaptor protein Ski7. We determined different cryo-EM structures of the Ski238 complex depicting the transition from a rigid autoinhibited closed conformation to a flexible active open conformation in which the Ski2 helicase module has detached from the rest of Ski238. The open conformation favors the interaction of the Ski3 subunit with exosome-bound Ski7, leading to the recruitment of the exosome. In the Ski238-Ski7-exosome holocomplex, the Ski2 helicase module binds the exosome cap, enabling the RNA to traverse from the helicase through the internal exosome channel to the Rrp44 exoribonuclease. Our study pinpoints how conformational changes within the Ski238 complex regulate exosome recruitment for RNA degradation. We also reveal the remarkable conservation of helicase-exosome RNA channeling mechanisms throughout eukaryotic nuclear and cytoplasmic exosome complexes.

Physical exercise as a treatment for persisting symptoms post-COVID infection: review of ongoing studies and prospective randomized controlled training study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: No evidence-based treatment is available for patients with persisting symptoms post-COVID-19 infection. We hypothesized that physical exercise may represent a safe and effective treatment option for post-COVID. METHODS: We performed a systematic search of the literature that revealed a lack of randomized training studies in patients post-COVID. Based on these findings, a prospective randomized controlled study with open-label and blinded endpoint evaluation was designed. 272 patients with symptoms of fatigue persisting over 6 weeks post-COVID infection were screened. Patients with pathological cardiovascular findings were excluded. 57 patients consented and were randomized to 4 weeks of supervised personalized strength and endurance training or usual care. The follow-up period was 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: There were no adverse events related to the training. Spiroergometry of the training group showed a significantly higher increase in VO2peak (10.0 ± 12.7% vs. 0.1 ± 8.9%, p < 0.01, respectively) and oxygen pulse (9.8 ± 10.8% vs. 0.0 ± 13.9%, p < 0.05, respectively). Parameters of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20, McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire, and Post-COVID-19 Functional Status were improved after 4 weeks in both groups. In the follow-up period, the total physical activity per week was significantly greater in the exercise group than in controls (1280 ± 1192 min vs. 644 ± 554 min, p < 0.05, respectively). The improvements in fatigue and quality of life were not statistically different between the training and usual care groups. CONCLUSION: Exercise is safe and improves maximal exercise capacity in post-COVID patients. Fatigue and quality of life improve over time in individuals that are willing to participate in a training study irrespective of their allocation. REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00026686. Date of registration: 27.09.2021.

Digital ergonomics and digital work planning in university education: experiences from Germany and Austria.

The publication presents an overview of the use of digital human models (DHM) in academic education at five exemplary universities in Germany and Austria. In addition to the presentation of different human models, the integration of them into the respective lectures is discussed. The teaching concepts of the individual courses of the universities, exercise examples and scenarios are presented. Experience shows that the active and independent use of digital ergonomics tools gives students pleasure and motivates them to deal intensively with complex tasks in terms of time and content. Feedback is consistently positive over all the involved lectures and universities. As a consequence of the recent Covid-19 pandemic, universities significantly increased online and blended learning. Based on the experience with the use of digital human models, the paper derives recommendations for future developments. Practical Relevance To sustain global value chains, companies are increasingly planning trans-regionally adapted products and production processes. Tools for digital ergonomics contribute to increasing competitiveness by using prospective working methods. Companies increasingly need experts with the corresponding know-how. Firmly anchoring the topic of digital ergonomics in relevant subjects of university teaching is therefore a prerequisite for this transfer of trained graduates.

Leptin treatment has vasculo-protective effects in lipodystrophic mice.

Lipodystrophy syndromes (LDs) are characterized by loss of adipose tissue, metabolic complications such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease, as well as accelerated atherosclerosis. As a result of adipose tissue deficiency, the systemic concentration of the adipokine leptin is reduced. A current promising therapeutic option for patients with LD is treatment with recombinant leptin (metreleptin), resulting in reduced risk of mortality. Here, we investigate the effects of leptin on endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT), which impair the functional properties of endothelial cells and promotes atherogenesis in LD. Leptin treatment reduced inflammation and TGF-ß2-induced expression of mesenchymal genes and prevented impairment of endothelial barrier function. Treatment of lipodystrophic- and atherosclerosis-prone animals (Ldlr-/-; aP2-nSrebp1c-Tg) with leptin reduced macrophage accumulation in atherosclerotic lesions, vascular plaque protrusion, and the number of endothelial cells with mesenchymal gene expression, confirming a reduction in EndMT in LD after leptin treatment. Treatment with leptin inhibited LD-mediated induction of the proatherosclerotic cytokine growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF15). Inhibition of GDF15 reduced EndMT induction triggered by plasma from patients with LD. Our study reveals that in addition to the effects on adipose tissue function, leptin treatment exerts beneficial effects protecting endothelial function and identity in LD by reducing GDF15.

Ca2+ transport via TRPV6 is regulated by rapid internalization of the channel.

Amongst the superfamily of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, TRPV5 and TRPV6 are specialized members that mediate Ca2+-selective transport across epithelial membranes. Intriguingly, fluorescent fusion proteins of TRPV5 or TRPV6 are hardly discernible within the plasma membrane of living cells. Instead, TRPV6 is mostly found in vesicular membrane compartments, indicating either a rapid degradation or cycling of channel-bearing vesicles between endomembrane compartments and the plasma membrane. In TRPV6-expressing cells, brefeldin A, a toxin that blocks the transit between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus, caused a drop in [Ca2+]i with a half time in the range of 0.5-1 h. Upon wash-out of the toxin, the [Ca2+]i rose to a steady-state level within 2-3 h. Consistently, the synchronized forward trafficking of TRPV6VL-eGFP after brefeldin A wash-out led to a visible accumulation of the protein within the plasma membrane, as shown by confocal and total internal reflection microscopy. Analysis of the internalization route and differentiation of vesicle populations provided evidence for a clathrin-dependent internalization pathway. Most TRPV6VL-bearing vesicles co-stained with Rab5a, a marker protein for early endosomes. Fewer vesicles were co-localized with Rab7a (late endosomes) or with Rab11 (recycling endosomes). From these data, we propose that the lack of plasma membrane visibility of the channel results from a rapid internalization, which in addition to transcriptional regulation, adds a layer of functional channel regulation to modulate transepithelial Ca2+ transport.

Effects of surgical and FFP2 masks on cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in patients with heart failure.

AIMS: Surgical and FFP2 masks are recommended to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The cardiopulmonary effects of facemasks in patients with chronic heart failure are unknown. This prospective, cross-over study quantified the effects of wearing no mask (nm), surgical mask (sm), and FFP2 mask (ffpm) in patients with stable heart failure. METHODS: 12 patients with clinically stable chronic heart failure (HF) (age 63.8±12 years, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 43.8±11%, NTProBNP 573±567 pg/ml) underwent spiroergometry with and without masks in a randomized sequence. Comfort/discomfort was assessed using a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: Maximum power was reduced with both types of masks (nm: 108.3 W vs. sm: 101.2 W vs. ffpm: 95.6 W, p<0.01). Maximum respiratory oxygen uptake (1499ml/min vs. 1481 ml/min vs. 1300 ml/min, p = 0.95 and <0.01), peak ventilation (62.1 l/min vs. 56.4 l/min vs. 50.3 l/min, p = 0.15 and p<0.05) and O2-pulse (11.6 ml/beat vs. 11.8 ml/beat vs. 10.6 ml/beat, p = 0.87 and p<0.01) were significantly changed with ffpm but not sm. Discomfort was moderately but significantly increased (nm: 1.6 vs. sm: 3.4 vs. ffpm: 4.4, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Both surgical and FFP masks reduce exercise capacity in heart failure patients, while FFP2 masks reduce oxygen uptake and peak ventilation. This reduction in cardiopulmonary performance should be considered in heart failure patients whose daily life activities are often just as challenging as exercise is for healthy adults.

Therapeutic miR-506-3p Replacement in Pancreatic Carcinoma Leads to Multiple Effects including Autophagy, Apoptosis, Senescence, and Mitochondrial Alterations In Vitro and In Vivo.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality. Considering its very poor prognosis, novel treatment options are urgently needed. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the regulation of various physiological and pathological processes. In tumors, aberrant downregulation of given miRNAs may result in pathological overexpression of oncogenes, rendering miRNA replacement as a promising therapeutic strategy. In different tumor entities, miRNA-506-3p (miR506-3p) has been ambivalently described as tumor suppressing or oncogenic. In PDAC, miR-506 is mainly considered as a tumor-suppressing miRNA. In this study, we extensively analyze the cellular and molecular effects of miRNA-506-3p replacement in different PDAC cell lines. Beyond profound antiproliferation and induction of cell death and autophagy, we describe new cellular miR506-3p effects, i.e., induction of senescence and reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as alterations in mitochondrial potential and structure, and identify multiple underlying molecular effects. In a preclinical therapy study, PDAC xenograft-bearing mice were treated with nanoparticle-formulated miRNA-506 mimics. Profound tumor inhibition upon systemic miRNA-506 administration was associated with multiple cellular and molecular effects. This demonstrates miRNA replacement as a potential therapeutic option for PDAC patients. Due to its broad mechanisms of action on multiple relevant target genes, miR506-3p is identified as a particularly powerful tumor-inhibitory miRNA.

Extracellular Inflammasome Particles Are Released After Marathon Running and Induce Proinflammatory Effects in Endothelial Cells.

Objectives: The intracellular NLRP3 inflammasome is an important regulator of sterile inflammation. Recent data suggest that inflammasome particles can be released into circulation. The effects of exercise on circulating extracellular apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) particles and their effects on endothelial cells are not known. Methods: We established a flow cytometric method to quantitate extracellular ASC specks in human serum. ASC specks were quantitated in 52 marathon runners 24-72 h before, immediately after, and again 24-58 h after the run. For mechanistic characterization, NLRP3 inflammasome particles were isolated from a stable mutant NLRP3 (p.D303N)-YFP HEK cell line and used to treat primary human coronary artery endothelial cells. Results: Athletes showed a significant increase in serum concentration of circulating ASC specks immediately after the marathon (+52% compared with the baseline, p < 0.05) and a decrease during the follow-up after 24-58 h (12% reduction compared with immediately after the run, p < 0.01). Confocal microscopy revealed that human endothelial cells can internalize extracellular NLRP3 inflammasome particles. After internalization, endothelial cells showed an inflammatory response with a higher expression of the cell adhesion molecule ICAM1 (6.9-fold, p < 0.05) and increased adhesion of monocytes (1.5-fold, p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings identify extracellular inflammasome particles as novel systemic mediators of cell-cell communication that are transiently increased after acute extensive exercise with a high mechanical muscular load.

The human SKI complex regulates channeling of ribosome-bound RNA to the exosome via an intrinsic gatekeeping mechanism.

The superkiller (SKI) complex is the cytoplasmic co-factor and regulator of the RNA-degrading exosome. In human cells, the SKI complex functions mainly in co-translational surveillance-decay pathways, and its malfunction is linked to a severe congenital disorder, the trichohepatoenteric syndrome. To obtain insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating the human SKI (hSKI) complex, we structurally characterized several of its functional states in the context of 80S ribosomes and substrate RNA. In a prehydrolytic ATP form, the hSKI complex exhibits a closed conformation with an inherent gating system that effectively traps the 80S-bound RNA into the hSKI2 helicase subunit. When active, hSKI switches to an open conformation in which the gating is released and the RNA 3' end exits the helicase. The emerging picture is that the gatekeeping mechanism and architectural remodeling of hSKI underpin a regulated RNA channeling system that is mechanistically conserved among the cytoplasmic and nuclear helicase-exosome complexes.

Glucose-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations in ß cells are composed of trains of spikes within a subplasmalemmal microdomain.

Electrical activity and oscillations of cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) that trigger insulin release in response to glucose are key functions of pancreatic ß cells. Although oscillatory Ca2+ signals have been intensively studied in ß cells, their lower frequency did not match that of electrical activity. In addition, the measured peak [Ca2+]i did not reach levels that are typically required by synaptotagmins to elicit the release of insulin-containing vesicles in live-cell experiments. We therefore sought to resolve the Ca2+ dynamics in the subplasmalemmal microdomain that is critical for triggering fast exocytosis. Applying total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy in insulin-producing INS-1E and primary mouse ß cells, we resolved extraordinary fast trains of Ca2+ spiking (frequency > 3 s-1) in response to glucose exposure. Using a low-affinity [Ca2+]i indicator dye, we provide experimental evidence that Ca2+ spikes reach low micromolar apparent concentrations in the vicinity of the plasma membrane. Analysis of Ca2+ spikes evoked by repeated depolarization for 10 ms closely matched the Ca2+ dynamics observed upon glucose application. To our knowledge, this is the first study that experimentally demonstrates Ca2+ spikes in ß cells with velocities that resemble those of bursting or continuously appearing trains of action potentials (APs) in non-patched cells.

Extracellular NLRP3 inflammasome particles are internalized by human coronary artery smooth muscle cells and induce pro-atherogenic effects.

Inflammation driven by intracellular activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases including vascular pathologies. Inflammasome specks are released into the extracellular compartment from disrupting pyroptotic cells. The potential uptake and function of extracellular NLRP3 inflammasomes in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMC) are unknown. Fluorescently labeled NLRP3 inflammasome particles were isolated from a mutant NLRP3-YFP cell line and used to treat primary HCASMC for 4 and 24 h. Fluorescent and expressional analyses showed that extracellular NLRP3-YFP particles are internalized into HCASMC, where they remain active and stimulate intracellular caspase-1 (1.9-fold) and IL-1ß (1.5-fold) activation without inducing pyroptotic cell death. Transcriptomic analysis revealed increased expression level of pro-inflammatory adhesion molecules (ICAM1, CADM1), NLRP3 and genes involved in cytoskleleton organization. The NLRP3-YFP particle-induced gene expression was not dependent on NLRP3 and caspase-1 activation. Instead, the effects were partly abrogated by blocking NFκB activation. Genes, upregulated by extracellular NLRP3 were validated in human carotid artery atheromatous plaques. Extracellular NLRP3-YFP inflammasome particles promoted the secretion of pro-atherogenic and inflammatory cytokines such as CCL2/MCP1, CXCL1 and IL-17E, and increased HCASMC migration (1.8-fold) and extracellular matrix production, such as fibronectin (5.8-fold) which was dependent on NFκB and NLRP3 activation. Extracellular NLRP3 inflammasome particles are internalized into human coronary artery smooth muscle cells where they induce pro-inflammatory and pro-atherogenic effects representing a novel mechanism of cell-cell communication and perpetuation of inflammation in atherosclerosis. Therefore, extracellular NLRP3 inflammasomes may be useful to improve the diagnosis of inflammatory diseases and the development of novel anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies.

Artifact-free objective-type multicolor total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy with light-emitting diode light sources-Part I.

Total internal reflection fluorescence excitation (TIRF) microscopy allows the selective observation of fluorescent molecules in immediate proximity to an interface between different refractive indices. Objective-type or prism-less TIRF excitation is typically achieved with laser light sources. We here propose a simple, yet optically advantageous light-emitting diode (LED)-based implementation of objective-type TIRF (LED-TIRF). The proposed LED-TIRF condenser is affordable and easy to set up at any epifluorescence microscope to perform multicolor TIRF and/or combined TIRF-epifluorescence imaging with even illumination of the entire field of view. Electrical control of LED light sources replaces mechanical shutters or optical modulators. LED-TIRF microscopy eliminates safety burdens that are associated with laser sources, offers favorable instrument lifetime and stability without active cooling. The non-coherent light source and the type of projection eliminate interference fringing and local scattering artifacts that are associated with conventional laser-TIRF. Unlike azimuthal spinning laser-TIRF, LED-TIRF does not require synchronization between beam rotation and the camera and can be monitored with either global or rolling shutter cameras. Typical implementations, such as live cell multicolor imaging in TIRF and epifluorescence of imaging of short-lived, localized translocation events of a Ca2+ -sensitive protein kinase C α fusion protein are demonstrated.

Mpp6 Incorporation in the Nuclear Exosome Contributes to RNA Channeling through the Mtr4 Helicase.

The RNA-degrading exosome mediates the processing and decay of many cellular transcripts. In the yeast nucleus, the ubiquitous 10-subunit exosome core complex (Exo-9-Rrp44) functions with four conserved cofactors (Rrp6, Rrp47, Mtr4, and Mpp6). Biochemical and structural studies to date have shed insights into the mechanisms of the exosome core and its nuclear cofactors, with the exception of Mpp6. We report the 3.2-Å resolution crystal structure of a S. cerevisiae Exo-9-Mpp6 complex, revealing how linear motifs in the Mpp6 middle domain bind Rrp40 via evolutionary conserved residues. In particular, Mpp6 binds near a tryptophan residue of Rrp40 that is mutated in human patients suffering from pontocerebellar hypoplasia. Using biochemical assays, we show that Mpp6 is required for the ability of Mtr4 to extend the trajectory of an RNA entering the exosome core, suggesting that it promotes the channeling of substrates from the nuclear helicase to the processive RNase.

Reconstitution of Targeted Deadenylation by the Ccr4-Not Complex and the YTH Domain Protein Mmi1.

Ccr4-Not is a conserved protein complex that shortens the 3' poly(A) tails of eukaryotic mRNAs to regulate transcript stability and translation into proteins. RNA-binding proteins are thought to facilitate recruitment of Ccr4-Not to certain mRNAs, but lack of an in-vitro-reconstituted system has slowed progress in understanding the mechanistic details of this specificity. Here, we generate a fully recombinant Ccr4-Not complex that removes poly(A) tails from RNA substrates. The intact complex is more active than the exonucleases alone and has an intrinsic preference for certain RNAs. The RNA-binding protein Mmi1 is highly abundant in preparations of native Ccr4-Not. We demonstrate a high-affinity interaction between recombinant Ccr4-Not and Mmi1. Using in vitro assays, we show that Mmi1 accelerates deadenylation of target RNAs. Together, our results support a model whereby both RNA-binding proteins and the sequence context of mRNAs influence deadenylation rate to regulate gene expression.

Structure of a Cytoplasmic 11-Subunit RNA Exosome Complex.

The RNA exosome complex associates with nuclear and cytoplasmic cofactors to mediate the decay, surveillance, or processing of a wide variety of transcripts. In the cytoplasm, the conserved core of the exosome (Exo10) functions together with the conserved Ski complex. The interaction of S. cerevisiae Exo10 and Ski is not direct but requires a bridging cofactor, Ski7. Here, we report the 2.65 Å resolution structure of S. cerevisiae Exo10 bound to the interacting domain of Ski7. Extensive hydrophobic interactions rationalize the high affinity and stability of this complex, pointing to Ski7 as a constitutive component of the cytosolic exosome. Despite the absence of sequence homology, cytoplasmic Ski7 and nuclear Rrp6 bind Exo10 using similar surfaces and recognition motifs. Knowledge of the interacting residues in the yeast complexes allowed us to identify a splice variant of human HBS1-Like as a Ski7-like exosome-binding protein, revealing the evolutionary conservation of this cytoplasmic cofactor.