MiRNA-339-5p promotes isoproterenol-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by targeting VCP to activate the mTOR signaling.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate multiple biological processes and participate in various cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to investigate the role of miR-339-5p in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and the involved mechanism. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) were cultured and stimulated with isoproterenol (ISO). The hypertrophic responses were monitored by measuring the cell surface area and expression of hypertrophic markers including ß-myosin heavy chain (ß-MHC) and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). Bioinformatic prediction tools and dual-luciferase reporter assay were performed to identify the target gene of miR-339-5p. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were used to determine the levels of miR-339-5p and its downstream effectors. Our data showed that miR-339-5p was upregulated during cardiomyocyte hypertrophy triggered by ISO. MiR-339-5p overexpression resulted in enlargement of cell size and increased the levels of hypertrophic markers. In contrast, inhibition of miR-339-5p significantly attenuated ISO-induced hypertrophic responses of NRCMs. Valosin-containing protein (VCP), a suppressor of cardiac hypertrophy via inhibiting mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, was validated as a target of miR-339-5p. MiR-339-5p suppressed VCP protein expression, leading to elevated phosphorylation of mTOR and ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K). VCP depletion activated the mTOR/S6K cascade and could compromise the anti-hypertrophic effects of miR-339-5p inhibitor. Additionally, the hypertrophic responses caused by miR-339-5p was alleviated in the presence of mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. In conclusion, our research revealed that miR-339-5p promoted ISO-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by targeting VCP to activate the mTOR signaling, suggesting a promising therapeutic intervention by interfering miR-339-5p.

MicroRNA-99b-3p promotes angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibrosis in mice by targeting GSK-3ß.

Cardiac fibrosis is a typical pathological change in various cardiovascular diseases. Although it has been recognized as a crucial risk factor responsible for heart failure, there is still a lack of effective treatment. Recent evidence shows that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the development of cardiac fibrosis and represent novel therapeutic targets. In this study we tried to identify the cardiac fibrosis-associated miRNA and elucidate its regulatory mechanisms in mice. Cardiac fibrosis was induced by infusion of angiotensin II (Ang II, 2 mg·kg-1·d-1) for 2 weeks via osmotic pumps. We showed that Ang II infusion induced cardiac disfunction and fibrosis accompanied by markedly increased expression level of miR-99b-3p in heart tissues. Upregulation of miR-99b-3p and fibrotic responses were also observed in cultured rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) treated with Ang II (100 nM) in vitro. Transfection with miR-99b-3p mimic resulted in the overproduction of fibronectin, collagen I, vimentin and α-SMA, and facilitated the proliferation and migration of CFs. On the contrary, transfection with specific miR-99b-3p inhibitor attenuated Ang II-induced fibrotic responses. Similarly, intravenous injection of specific miR-99b-3p antagomir could prevent Ang II-infused mice from cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis. We identified glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3ß) as a direct target of miR-99b-3p. In CFs, miR-99b-3p mimic significantly reduced the expression of GSK-3ß, leading to activation of its downstream profibrotic effector Smad3, whereas miR-99b-3p inhibitor caused anti-fibrotic effects. GSK-3ß knockdown ameliorated the anti-fibrotic role of miR-99b-3p inhibitor. These results suggest that miR-99b-3p contributes to Ang II-induced cardiac fibrosis at least partially through GSK-3ß. The modulation of miR-99b-3p may provide a new approach for tackling fibrosis-related cardiomyopathy.

Chrysophanol attenuated isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway.

Cardiac hypertrophy is a common pathological change found in various cardiovascular diseases. Although it has long been recognized as an important risk factor responsible for heart failure, there is still a lack of effective treatments in clinic. Chrysophanol is a natural compound with multiple biological activities and protective roles in the cardiovascular system. However, its potential effect on cardiac hypertrophy remains unclear. In the current study, we found that chrysophanol could protect against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy both in vitro and in vivo. Increase of cell surface and hypertrophic marker expression induced by ISO in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes was downregulated by chrysophanol. Moreover, chrysophanol ameliorated the abnormal changes of cardiac structure and function in rats subjected to ISO injection, as shown by echocardiography and morphometry measurements. Further mechanistical investigation demonstrated that chrysophanol inhibited phosphorylation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) induced by ISO. Nuclear translocation of STAT3 and transcription of downstream genes promoted by ISO treatment were also remarkably suppressed by chrysophanol. Taken together, our findings revealed that chrysophanol attenuated ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Chrysophanol may be a potential candidate compound for the prevention and treatment of hypertrophy-related cardiomyopathy.

A controlling nutritional status score is an independent predictor for patients with newly diagnosed nasal-type extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma based on asparaginase-containing regimens.

BACKGROUND: The controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score is a nutritional index that combines serum albumin, total cholesterol, and lymphocyte counts. The potential value of CONUT score for predicting clinical outcomes in patients with nasal-type extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) has not been explored. METHODS: This study included 374 ENKTL patients treated with asparaginase-containing regimens from September 2012 to September 2017. Clinical characteristics, treatment efficacy, prognostic factors, and the predictive value of CONUT score were analyzed. RESULTS: The complete response (CR) and overall response rate (ORR) were 54.8% and 74.6%, respectively. Patients with CONUT scores <2 had higher CR and ORR compared to patients with scores ≥2 (69.1% vs. 48.9% for CR, p = 0.001; 90.0% vs. 74.6% for ORR, p < 0.001). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 61.9% and 57.3%, respectively. Patients with CONUT scores <2 had better survival outcomes than those with scores ≥2 (5-year OS, 76.1% vs. 56.0%, p < 0.001; 5-year PFS, 74.4% vs. 50.1%, p < 0.001). CONUT score ≥2 was identified as an independent poor prognostic factor for both OS and PFS. A CONUT score ≥2 was also associated with poorer survival outcomes in low-risk ENKTL patients. CONCLUSION: A CONUT score ≥2 is a prognostic marker for poor survival in patients with ENKTL and could be used to stratify risk in low-risk patients.

MicroRNA-34c-5p provokes isoprenaline-induced cardiac hypertrophy by modulating autophagy via targeting ATG4B.

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy serves as a significant foundation for cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. Recently, growing evidence has revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) play multiple roles in biological processes and participate in cardiovascular diseases. In the present research, we investigate the impact of miRNA-34c-5p on cardiac hypertrophy and the mechanism involved. The expression of miR-34c-5p was proved to be elevated in heart tissues from isoprenaline (ISO)-infused mice. ISO also promoted miR-34c-5p level in primary cultures of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs). Transfection with miR-34c-5p mimic enhanced cell surface area and expression levels of foetal-type genes atrial natriuretic factor (Anf) and ß-myosin heavy chain (ß-Mhc) in NRCMs. In contrast, treatment with miR-34c-5p inhibitor attenuated ISO-induced hypertrophic responses. Enforced expression of miR-34c-5p by tail intravenous injection of its agomir led to cardiac dysfunction and hypertrophy in mice, whereas inhibiting miR-34c-5p by specific antagomir could protect the animals against ISO-triggered hypertrophic abnormalities. Mechanistically, miR-34c-5p suppressed autophagic flux in cardiomyocytes, which contributed to the development of hypertrophy. Furthermore, the autophagy-related gene 4B (ATG4B) was identified as a direct target of miR-34c-5p, and miR-34c-5p was certified to interact with 3' untranslated region of Atg4b mRNA by dual-luciferase reporter assay. miR-34c-5p reduced the expression of ATG4B, thereby resulting in decreased autophagy activity and induction of hypertrophy. Inhibition of miR-34c-5p abolished the detrimental effects of ISO by restoring ATG4B and increasing autophagy. In conclusion, our findings illuminate that miR-34c-5p participates in ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy, at least partly through suppressing ATG4B and autophagy. It suggests that regulation of miR-34c-5p may offer a new way for handling hypertrophy-related cardiac dysfunction.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis for early screening of upper limb subclinical lymphedema: A case-control study.

Breast cancer-related lymphedema is a treatment-related chronic disease that causes great distress and medical burden. Early screening and precautionary measures for lymphedema could improve well-being and decrease medical costs. Herein, we used bioelectrical impedance analysis for early screening of lymphedema. We set up a verifiable standardized subclinical standard to screen subclinical lymphedema in postoperative breast cancer patients using bioelectrical impedance. The first part determined the criteria of subclinical lymphedema. Among the 424 female participants, 127 were healthy women, whereas 297 were postoperative breast cancer survivors. Subclinical standard boundaries were determined by the 95% confidence interval of the healthy women. The screening rate of patients with subclinical lymphedema was inferred by comparing the subclinical standard boundaries and the postoperative patient values. A total of 14.81-20.87% of postoperative breast cancer survivors were identified as patients with subclinical lymphedema. The second part provided the results of the verification test of this subclinical standard. The data of the verification test from 30 healthy women and 30 screened patients met the subclinical standard, and 30 breast cancer survivors with lymphedema verified the utility and feasibility of the subclinical standard. Therefore, this standard could provide a screening tool for early the identification of subclinical breast cancer survivors. Early detection helps implement personal and precise medical precautions for patients with subclinical lymphedema.

Intercellular transfer of activated STING triggered by RAB22A-mediated non-canonical autophagy promotes antitumor immunity.

STING, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) transmembrane protein, mediates innate immune activation upon cGAMP stimulation and is degraded through autophagy. Here, we report that activated STING could be transferred between cells to promote antitumor immunity, a process triggered by RAB22A-mediated non-canonical autophagy. Mechanistically, RAB22A engages PI4K2A to generate PI4P that recruits the Atg12-Atg5-Atg16L1 complex, inducing the formation of ER-derived RAB22A-mediated non-canonical autophagosome, in which STING activated by agonists or chemoradiotherapy is packaged. This RAB22A-induced autophagosome fuses with RAB22A-positive early endosome, generating a new organelle that we name Rafeesome (RAB22A-mediated non-canonical autophagosome fused with early endosome). Meanwhile, RAB22A inactivates RAB7 to suppress the fusion of Rafeesome with lysosome, thereby enabling the secretion of the inner vesicle of the autophagosome bearing activated STING as a new type of extracellular vesicle that we define as R-EV (RAB22A-induced extracellular vesicle). Activated STING-containing R-EVs induce IFNß release from recipient cells to the tumor microenvironment, promoting antitumor immunity. Consistently, RAB22A enhances the antitumor effect of the STING agonist diABZI in mice, and a high RAB22A level predicts good survival in nasopharyngeal cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy. Our findings reveal that Rafeesome regulates the intercellular transfer of activated STING to trigger and spread antitumor immunity, and that the inner vesicle of non-canonical autophagosome originated from ER is secreted as R-EV, providing a new perspective for understanding the intercellular communication of organelle membrane proteins.