Dendritic cell-derived lncRNAs in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and dendritic cells (DC) play crucial roles in the development of acute coronary syndrome (ACS); however, the mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate this, we analysed the differentially expressed lncRNAs in monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs) from patients with ACS. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were transformed into moDCs. Cellular morphology and expression levels of moDC-specific markers (CD80, CD86, CD11c, CD14 and HLA-DR) were analysed using electron microscopy (EM) and flow cytometry (FCM), respectively. Differentially expressed lncRNAs and their functions were predicted using gene sequencing, gene ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. The expression levels of markers, signalling pathway molecules (p-PI3K and p-AKT), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-12p70) and target gene (C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 15 and CCL14) were analysed by overexpression or silencing of candidate lncRNAs. EM revealed the cells to be suspended in dendritic pseudopodia. CD11c and HLA-DR were upregulated, while CD80 and CD86 were downregulated. Comparison between the UA versus ST group showed the highest number of differentially expressed lncRNAs (n = 113), followed by UA versus NST (n = 115), CON versus NST (n = 49) and CON versus ST (n = 35); however, the number was low for CON versus UA and ST versus NST groups. moDC-specific marker expression, signalling pathway molecules, inflammatory cytokines and CCL14 were upregulated following lentiviral overexpression of smart silencer-CCL15-CCL14; however, expression levels decreased following transfection with siRNA. The morphology, function and lncRNA expression of moDCs differ depending on the type of ACS. The differentially expressed lncRNAs, particularly CCL15-CCL14, regulate the function of moDCs. Thus, our study provides new insights regarding the role of lncRNAs in ACS and indicates the potential use of CCL15-CCL14 as a novel diagnostic marker and therapeutic target.

Ventricular septal defect complicating myocardial infarction: A case of delayed percutaneous transcatheter closure.

A 57-year-old man suffered chest pain during the COVID-19 pandemic, but he delayed medical treatment due to fear of infection. After 4 months, symptoms of chest tightness and shortness of breath appeared. Electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed old myocardial infarction; color sonography and myocardial computed tomography revealed apical myocardial defect. He refused surgery and percutaneous transcatheter closure, and follow-up observation. After 22 months, the symptoms of chest tightness and shortness of breath aggravated. He recovered after percutaneous transcatheter closure, and was discharged. This case shows delayed closure is one of the possible options for patients without severe organ dysfunction or hemodynamic disturbance.

SIRT1 gene polymorphisms are associated with nondiabetic type 1 cardiorenal syndrome.

Type 1 cardiorenal syndrome (CRS1) is characterized by acute cardiac disease (e.g., acute heart failure [AHF]), leading to acute kidney injury. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), an NAD+ -dependent deacylase, has been found to be associated with CRS1. To confirm whether a correlation exists between SIRT1 variants and the risk of CRS1, the association between the prevalence of CRS1 and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the SIRT1 gene was investigated in AHF patients. A total of 316 Chinese AHF participants (158 patients with CRS1 and 158 age- and sex-matched controls) were recruited for the present observational study to investigate the association between nine common SIRT1 SNPs (i.e., rs7895833 G > A, rs10509291 T > A, rs3740051 A > G, rs932658 A > C, rs33957861 C > T, rs7069102 C > G, rs2273773 T > C, rs3818292 A > G, and rs1467568 A > G) and the susceptibility to CRS1. Significant differences in genotype distribution between the control and CRS1 groups were found for rs7895833 and rs1467568. After applying a Bonferroni adjustment, the A allele of rs7895833 was still found to be protective (p = 0.001; odds ratio [OR] = 0.77) against CRS1 in this study population. The AA genotype of rs7895833 and the GA genotype of rs1467568 were associated with a significantly reduced risk of CRS1 (OR = 0.23 and 0.49, respectively). rs7895833 and rs1467568 were further analyzed as a haplotype, and the GA haplotype (rs7895833-rs1467568) exhibited a significant association with CRS1 (p = 0.008), while the AA haplotype showed a significant protective effect (p = 0.022). Our study showed that SIRT1 rs7895833 and rs1467568 polymorphisms had a significant effect on the risk of developing CRS1 in a population in China.

Neutrophil extracellular traps and cardiovascular disease: Associations and potential therapeutic approaches.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant global health concern, ranking among the top five causes of disability-adjusted life-years (DALY) in 190 countries and territories. Neutrophils, key players in the innate immune system, combat infections by releasing neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) composed of DNA, histones, elastase, myeloperoxidase, and antimicrobial peptides. This paper explores the relationship between NETs and cardiovascular diseases, focusing on conditions such as heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Particularly, it delves into the impact of NETs on atrial fibrillation and pulmonary hypertension, as well as the role of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and neutrophil elastase (NE) in these diseases. Furthermore, the potential of targeting NETs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases is discussed.

Case Report: Transcatheter treatment of aortic coarctation in a 58-year-old patient with LACHT syndrome and left lung agenesis.

LACHT (Lung Agenesis, Congenital Heart, and Thumb anomalies) syndrome is an extremely rare congenital anomaly and presents significant challenges in adults due to its poor survival rates. Herein, we report a case of late diagnosis and successful transcatheter treatment of aortic coarctation in a 58-year-old male patient with LACHT syndrome, medically resistant arterial hypertension, and left lung agenesis. Baseline CT angiography showed isthmic aortic coarctation and left lung agenesis, with compensatory right pulmonary artery and vein thickenings. The patient underwent balloon dilation and subsequent implantation of a covered NuMED 45 mm 8-ZIG CP stent with satisfactory outcomes. The pressure gradient decreased from 43 to 23 mmHg. The arterial pressures normalized during the follow-up with fewer medications. Genetic testing identified a heterozygous mutation (c.6583C > T) in the FBN2, supporting the diagnosis of variant Marfan syndrome.

Butyrate alleviates renal fibrosis in CKD by regulating NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis via the STING/NF-κB/p65 pathway.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious and irreversible disease primarily characterized by chronic inflammation and renal fibrosis. Recent studies have suggested that gut microbiota-related metabolites, particularly short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are significantly associated with kidney diseases. Notably, butyrate, a type of SCFAs, plays a crucial role in this correlation. However, the effect of butyrate on renal fibrosis in patients with CKD and its potential mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that butyrate levels are reduced as CKD progresses using a CKD C57BL/6 mouse model established by a 0.2% adenine diet. Exogenous supplementation of butyrate effectively alleviated renal fibrosis and repressed the levels of proteins associated with NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis (NLRP3, IL-1ß, caspase-1, and GSDMD). Additionally, we conducted an in vitro experiment using HK-2 cells, which also confirmed that the elevated levels of NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis proteins in TGF-ß1-stimulated HK-2 cells are reversed by butyrate intervention. Further, butyrate mitigated the activity of the STING/NF-κB/p65 pathway, and STING overexpression impaired the protective function of butyrate in CKD. Hence, we suggest that butyrate may have a renoprotective role in CKD, alleviating renal fibrosis possibly by regulating NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis via the STING/NF-κB/p65 pathway.

EGCG decreases myocardial infarction in both I/R and MIRI rats through reducing intracellular Ca2+ and increasing TnT levels in cardiomyocytes.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI) usually induces serious health problems. OBJECTIVES: This study attempted to explore protective effects of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on MIRI and the associated mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ischemia/reperfusion of an isolated rat heart (I/R model) and the MIRI model were used in this study. Myocardial infarction was measured with staining with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC). Ca2+ and troponin T (TnT) concentrations in coronary perfusion fluid were evaluated using the chromatometry method. Ca2+ concentration in cardiomyocytes was determined with detecting Ca2+ fluorescence intensity. The ultrastructure of cardiomyocytes was observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). ß-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) of cardiomyocytes was also determined. RESULTS: The EGCG (I/R+EGCG) significantly reduced myocardial infarction size of isolated rat heart compared to I/R rats (p < 0.05), remarkably increased Ca2+ and decreased TnT concentrations in coronary perfusion fluid of I/R rats compared to the I/R model (p < 0.05), as well as markedly decreased intracellular Ca2+ concentration and promoted NAD+ concentration in cardiomyocytes compared to I/R rats (p < 0.05). It also obviously maintained the mitochondrial structure in cardiomyocytes of I/R rats and improved the ultrastructure of cardiomyocytes of MIRI rats. Lonidamine (LND) treatment (I/R+EGCG+LND group) significantly blocked the effects of EGCG on I/R injury compared to the I/R+EGCG group (p < 0.05). The EGCG (MIRI+EGCG) significantly decreased myocardial infarction size compared to MIRI rats (p < 0.05) and remarkably enhanced Ca2+ and reduced TnT concentrations in the pulmonary artery compared to that of MIRI rats (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The EGCG decreased myocardial infarction size in both I/R models and MIRI models by reducing intracellular Ca2+ concentration, increasing TnT concentration, promoting NAD+ concentration, and improving the ultrastructure of cardiomyocytes.