Fibro-adipose substitution has a double detrimental effect on the myocardium in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), worsening arrhythmogenesis by creating a non-conductive substrate, and causing ventricular dysfunction leading to heart failure. Notably, to-date no etiological therapy is available. This work introduces, for the first time, the stromal cardiac compartment as a key player in ACM ventricular adipose substitution: we demonstrated that cardiac human mesenchymal stromal cells undergo adipogenic differentiation both in ACM explanted hearts and in culture through a PKP2-dependent mechanism. Cardiac mesenchymal stromal cells constitute a suitable cellular platform for future mechanistic studies and a potential target for future therapies.

Rationale: microRNAs (miRNAs) modulate gene expression by repressing translation of targeted genes. Previous work has established a role for miRNAs in regulating vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) activity. Whether circular RNAs are involved in the modulation of miRNA activity in VSMCs is unknown. Objective: We aimed to identify circular RNAs interacting with miRNAs enriched in VSMCs and modulating the cells’ activity. Methods and Results: RNA sequencing and bioinformatics identified several circular RNAs enriched in VSMCs; however, only one, possessing multiple putative binding sites for miR-145, was highly conserved between mouse and man. This circular RNA gemmed from alternative splicing of Lrp6 (lipoprotein receptor 6), a gene highly expressed in vessels and implicated in vascular pathologies and was thus named circ_Lrp6. Its role as a miR-145 sponge was confirmed by determining reciprocal interaction through RNA immunoprecipitation, stimulated emission depletion microscopy, and competitive luciferase assays; functional inhibition of miR-145 was assessed by measuring expression of the target genes ITGβ8 (integrin-β8), FASCIN (fascin actin-bundling protein 1), KLF4 (Kruppel-like factor 4), Yes1 (YES proto-oncogene 1), and Lox (lysyl oxidase). The interaction was preferentially localized to P-bodies, sites of mRNA degradation. Using loss- and gain-of-function approaches, we found that circ_Lrp6 hindered miR-145-mediated regulation of VSMC migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Differential expression of miR-145 and circ_Lrp6 in murine and human vascular diseases suggests that the ratio of circ_Lrp6 bound to miR-145 versus unbound could play a role in vascular pathogenesis. Viral delivery of circ_Lrp6 shRNA prevented intimal hyperplasia in mouse carotids. Conclusions: circ_Lrp6 is an intracellular modulator and a natural sponge for miR-145, counterbalancing the functions of the miRNA in VSMCs.

Rationale: MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) are small noncoding RNAs that modulate gene expression by negatively regulating translation of target genes. Although the role of several miRNAs in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) has been extensively characterized, the function of miRNA-128-3p (miR-128) is still unknown. Objective: To determine if miR-128 modulates VSMC phenotype and to define the underlying mechanisms. Methods and Results: We screened for miRNAs whose expression is modulated by an altered DNA methylation status in VSMCs, and among the hits, we selected miR-128. We found that miR-128 was expressed in various tissues, primary murine cells, and pathological murine and human vascular specimens. Through gain- and loss-of-function approaches, we determined that miR-128 affects VSMC proliferation, migration, differentiation, and contractility. The alterations of those properties were dependent upon epigenetic regulation of key VSMC differentiation genes; notably, Kruppel-like factor 4 was found to be a direct target of miR-128 and able to modulate the methylation status of the pivotal VSMC gene myosin heavy chain 11 ( Myh11 ). Finally, in vivo lentiviral delivery of miR-128 prevented intimal hyperplasia in a mouse model of carotid restenosis without modifying vital cardiovascular parameters. Conclusion: miR-128 is a critical modulator of VSMCs and is regulated by epigenetic modifications upon stress. Its modulation in the context of disease could be exploited for therapeutic purposes.

No abstract

Adult vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) dedifferentiate in response to extracellular cues such as vascular damage and inflammation. Dedifferentiated VSMCs are proliferative, migratory, less contractile, and can contribute to vascular repair as well as to cardiovascular pathologies such as intimal hyperplasia/restenosis in coronary artery and arterial aneurysm. We here demonstrate the role of ubiquitin-like containing PHD and RING finger domains 1 (UHRF1) as an epigenetic master regulator of VSMC plasticity. UHRF1 expression correlated with the development of vascular pathologies associated with modulation of noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs. miR-145 - pivotal in regulating VSMC plasticity, which is reduced in vascular diseases - was found to control Uhrf1 mRNA translation. In turn, UHRF1 triggered VSMC proliferation, directly repressing promoters of cell-cycle inhibitor genes (including p21 and p27) and key prodifferentiation genes via the methylation of DNA and histones. Local vascular viral delivery of Uhrf1 shRNAs or Uhrf1 VSMC-specific deletion prevented intimal hyperplasia in mouse carotid artery and decreased vessel damage in a mouse model of aortic aneurysm. Our study demonstrates the fundamental role of Uhrf1 in regulating VSMC phenotype by promoting proliferation and dedifferentiation. UHRF1 targeting may hold therapeutic potential in vascular pathologies.

Diagnosis of Arrhythmogenic CardioMyopathy (ACM) is challenging and often late after disease onset. No circulating biomarkers are available to date. Given their involvement in several cardiovascular diseases, plasma microRNAs warranted investigation as potential non-invasive diagnostic tools in ACM. We sought to identify circulating microRNAs differentially expressed in ACM with respect to Healthy Controls (HC) and Idiopathic Ventricular Tachycardia patients (IVT), often in differential diagnosis. ACM and HC subjects were screened for plasmatic expression of 377 microRNAs and validation was performed in 36 ACM, 53 HC, 21 IVT. Variable importance in data partition was estimated through Random Forest analysis and accuracy by Receiver Operating Curves. Plasmatic miR-320a showed 0.53 ± 0.04 fold expression difference in ACM vs. HC (p < 0.01). A similar trend was observed when comparing ACM (n = 13) and HC (n = 17) with athletic lifestyle, a ACM precipitating factor. Importantly, ACM patients miR-320a showed 0.78 ± 0.05 fold expression change vs. IVT (p = 0.03). When compared to non-invasive ACM diagnostic parameters, miR-320a ranked highly in discriminating ACM vs. IVT and it increased their accuracy. Finally, miR-320a expression did not correlate with ACM severity. Our data suggest that miR-320a may be considered a novel potential biomarker of ACM, specifically useful in ACM vs. IVT differentiation.

The Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology publishes work advancing knowledge of the mechanisms responsible for both normal and diseased cardiovascular function. To this end papers are published in all relevant areas. These include (but are not limited to): structural biology; genetics; proteomics; morphology; stem cells; molecular biology; metabolism; biophysics; bioengineering; computational modeling and systems analysis; electrophysiology; pharmacology and physiology. Papers are encouraged with both basic and translational approaches. The journal is directed not only to basic scientists but also to clinical cardiologists who wish to follow the rapidly advancing frontiers of basic knowledge of the heart and circulation.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most frequent type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Despite a favorable therapeutic response to first-line chemo-immunotherapy, still 30–40% of patients is refractory, or relapse after this treatment. Thus, alternative strategies must be sought. Previous studies have indicated that cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5), a serine/threonine protein kinase, is involved in tumor development and progression, and it may represent a potential therapeutic target. However, its role in modulating DLBCL growth and progression remains largely unexplored. In this study, we show that CDK5 and its activator, cyclin-dependent kinase 5 activator 1 (CDK5R1 or p35), are overexpressed in DLBCL cell lines and that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation and activity is dependent on CDK5 expression in DLBCL. Using public data sets, we also demonstrate that patients with DLBCL show a higher expression of CDK5 compared with healthy individuals. By using loss-of-function approaches, we demonstrate that CDK5’s activity regulates proliferation and survival of DLBCL cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are small noncoding RNAs that negatively regulating gene expression and are involved in cancer initiation and progression. We identify miR-26a as direct regulator of p35 expression and CDK5 activity. We show that miR-26a expression is lower in DLBCL cell lines compared to B lymphocytes and that its ectopic expression leads to a drastic reduction of DLBCL tumor growth in vivo and decreased proliferation, cell-cycle progression, and survival in vitro. Remarkably, concomitant overexpression of a 3′-UTR-truncated form of p35 promoted tumor growth in vivo and cell proliferation, cell-cycle progression, and cell survival in vitro. In conclusion, these results demonstrate an important role for miR-26a and CDK5 together in the survival and growth of DLBCL cells, suggesting the existence of potential novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of DLBCL.