Long noncoding RNA TCONS_00024652 regulates vascular endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis via microRNA‑21

Abstract

Acute coronary syndrome caused by the rupture of atherosclerotic plaques is one of the primary causes of major cardiovascular events, and neovascularization within the plaque is closely associated with its stability. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNAs) is a type of noncoding RNA that serves a crucial role in regulating vascular endothelial cells (VECs). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of lncRNA TCONS_00024652 on the proliferation and angiogenesis of VECs following stimulation with TNF-α. The expression of lncRNA and miRNA was measured in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cell proliferation was measured using a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Wound healing and tube formation assays were performed to determine cell migration and angiogenesis. Interactions between TCONS_00024652 and miR-21 were determined using bioinformatics and a dual-luciferase reporter assay. The results demonstrated that TCONS_00024652 is highly expressed in TNF-α-induced HUVECs. Functional assays demonstrated that the dysregulated expression of TCONS_00024652 promotes endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis, whereas TCONS_00024652 knockdown induces the opposite effects. Bioinformatics analysis using starBase predicted putative binding at the 3′-untranslated region of TCONS_00024652 and miR-21 and luciferase reporter assays further verified this interaction. The results of the present study suggest that the targeting of TCONS_00024652 by miR-21 may be a potential method of improving vascular endothelial dysfunction, neovascularization maturation and plaque stabilization.

MicroRNA-21/PDCD4 Proapoptotic Signaling From Circulating CD34+ Cells to Vascular Endothelial Cells: A Potential Contributor to Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Critical Limb Ischemia

“…Long ncRNAs can act as miR sponges, thereby interfering with regulation of miR targets. We investigated the expression of several long ncRNAs reportedly implicated miR-21 modulation (24)(25)(26)(27)(28). As shown in Fig.…”

Circulating miRNA-21 as a diagnostic biomarker in elderly patients with type 2 cardiorenal syndrome

“…Located on chromosome 17, miRNA-21 is a member of the mitochondrial family subtype, with its own specific promoter 40 . miR-21 participates in the pathological and physiological processes of many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, in which it prevents post-infarction cardiac insufficiency through targeted regulation 16 and participates in the process of atherosclerosis by mediating signalling 41 . One study reported that high expression of miRNA-21 can promote fibroblast activation and accelerate the progression of renal fibrosis.…”

MicroRNA-21/PDCD4 proapoptotic signaling from circulating CD34+ cells to vascular endothelial cells: a potential contributor to adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with critical limb ischemia

“…We investigated the expression of several long ncRNAs reportedly implicated miR-21 modulation [24][25][26][27][28] . As shown in Figure 2Ci, TALNEC2 was upregulated in T2D-CLI BM-CD34 + cells and respective CCM; TUG1 was decreased in cells and increased in the CCM; MEG3 was not altered; and TCONS was downregulated in CCM.…”

“…TCONS is an endothelium-associated long ncRNA involved in plaque progression. Binding of miR-21 to TCONS reduces its expression and, for this reason, was proposed as potential treatment to improve endothelial dysfunction and plaque stabilization28 .…”