Direct Delivery of MicroRNA96 to the Lungs Reduces Progression of Sugen/Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension in the Rat.

The 5HT1B receptor (5HT1BR) contributes to the pathogenic effects of serotonin in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Here, we determine the effect of a microRNA96 (miR96) mimic delivered directly to the lungs on development of severe pulmonary hypertension in rats. Female rats were dosed with sugen (30 mg/kg) and subjected to 3 weeks of hypobaric hypoxia. In normoxia, rats were dosed with either a 5HT1BR antagonist SB216641 (7.5 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks), miR96, or scramble sequence (50 µg per rat), delivered by intratracheal (i.t) administration, once a week for 3 weeks. Cardiac hemodynamics were determined, pulmonary vascular remodeling was assessed, and gene expression was assessed by qRT-PCR, and in situ hybridization and protein expression were assessed by western blot and ELISA. miR96 expression was increased in pulmonary arteries and associated with a downregulation of the 5HT1BR protein in the lung. miR96 reduced progression of right ventricular systolic pressure, pulmonary arterial remodeling, right ventricular hypertrophy, and the occurrence of occlusive pulmonary lesions. Importantly, miR96 had no off-target effects and did not affect fibrotic markers of liver and kidney function. In conclusion, direct delivery of miR96 to the lungs was effective, reducing progression of sugen/hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension with no measured off-target effects. miR96 may be a novel therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension, acting through downregulation of 5HT1BR.

Sex-Dependent Changes in Right Ventricular Gene Expression in Response to Pressure Overload in a Rat Model of Pulmonary Trunk Banding.

Right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) and subsequent failure are consequences of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). While females are four times more likely to develop PAH, male patients have poorer survival even with treatment, suggesting a sex-dependent dimorphism in right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy/compensation. This may result from differential gene expression in the RV in male vs. female. To date, the sex dependent effect of pressure overload on RV function and changes in gene expression is still unclear. We hypothesize that pressure overload promotes gene expression changes in the RV that may contribute to a poorer outcome in males vs. females. To test this hypothesis, male and female Wistar rats underwent either a sham procedure (sham controls) or moderate pulmonary trunk banding (PTB) (a model of pressure overload induced compensated RV hypertrophy) surgery. Seven weeks post-surgery, RV function was assessed in vivo, and tissue samples were collected for gene expression using qPCR. Compared to sham controls, PTB induced significant increases in the right ventricular systolic pressure, the filling pressure and contractility, which were similar between male and female rats. PTB resulted in an increase in RVH indexes (RV weight, RV weight/tibia length and Fulton index) in both male and female groups. However, RVH indexes were significantly higher in male-PTB when compared to female-PTB rats. Whilst end of procedure body weight was greater in male rats, end of procedure pulmonary artery (PA) diameters were the same in both males and females. RV gene expression analysis revealed that the following genes were increased in PTB-male rats compared with the sham-operated controls: natriuretic peptide A (ANP) and B (BNP), as well as the markers of fibrosis; collagen type I and III. In females, only BNP was significantly increased in the RV when compared to the sham-operated female rats. Furthermore, ANP, BNP and collagen III were significantly higher in the RV from PTB-males when compared to RV from PTB-female rats. Our data suggest that pressure overload-mediated changes in gene expression in the RV from male rats may worsen RVH and increase the susceptibility of males to a poorer outcome when compared to females.

Obesity alters oestrogen metabolism and contributes to pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Obesity is a common comorbidity for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Additionally, oestrogen and its metabolites are risk factors for the development of PAH. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is a major site of oestrogen production; however, the influence of obesity-induced changes in oestrogen synthesis and metabolism on the development of PAH is unclear. To address this we investigated the effects of inhibiting oestrogen synthesis and metabolism on the development of pulmonary hypertension in male and female obese mice.We depleted endogenous oestrogen in leptin-deficient (ob/ob) mice with the oestrogen inhibitor anastrozole (ANA) and determined the effects on the development of pulmonary hypertension, plasma oestradiol and urinary 16α-hydroxyestrone (16αOHE1). Oestrogen metabolism through cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) was inhibited with 2,2',4,6'-tetramethoxystilbene (TMS).ob/ob mice spontaneously develop pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary vascular remodelling and increased reactive oxygen species production in the lung; these effects were attenuated by ANA. Oestradiol levels were decreased in obese male mice; however, VAT CYP1B1 and 16αOHE1 levels were increased. TMS also attenuated pulmonary hypertension in male ob/ob mice. Intra-thoracic fat from ob/ob mice and VAT conditioned media produce 16αOHE1 and can contribute to oxidative stress, effects that are attenuated by both ANA and TMS.Obesity can induce pulmonary hypertension and changes in oestrogen metabolism, resulting in increased production of 16αOHE1 from VAT that contributes to oxidative stress. Oestrogen inhibitors are now in clinical trials for PAH. This study has translational consequences as it suggests that oestrogen inhibitors may be especially beneficial in treating obese individuals with PAH.

Fibroblast growth factor 23 predicts left ventricular mass and induces cell adhesion molecule formation.

Elevated FGF-23 is a predictor of mortality and is associated with LVH in CKD. It may be a biomarker or a direct toxin. We assessed the relationship between FGF-23 and LVH in CKD using CMRI. In vitro we studied the effect of phosphate, FGF-23, and Klotho on E-selectin and VCAM production in HUVECs. FGF-23 concentration correlates negatively with eGFR and positively with LVMI. FGF-23 was an independent predictor of LVH in CKD. E-selectin and VCAM production was elevated in HUVECs cultured in high phosphate with FGF-23 or Klotho. This effect was attenuated in cells exposed to both FGF-23 and Klotho. FGF-23 is an independent predictor of LVH as measured by CMRI. We show preliminary data which supports that FGF-23 is toxic resulting in activation of the vascular endothelium. We do not prove causality with elevated FGF-23 and LVH. Further research should ascertain if lowering levels of FGF-23 translates to improved clinical outcomes.

miR-21 and miR-214 are consistently modulated during renal injury in rodent models.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß is one of the main fibrogenic cytokines that drives the pathophysiology of progressive renal scarring. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression. We examined the role of TGF-ß-induced expression of miR-21, miRNAs in cell culture models and miRNA expression in relevant models of renal disease. In vitro, TGF-ß changed expression of miR-21, miR-214, and miR-145 in rat mesangial cells (CRL-2753) and miR-214, miR-21, miR-30c, miR-200b, and miR-200c during induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in rat tubular epithelial cells (NRK52E). miR-214 expression was robustly modulated in both cell types, whereas in tubular epithelial cells miR-21 was increased and miR-200b and miR-200c were decreased by 58% and 48%, respectively, in response to TGF-ß. TGF-ß receptor-1 was found to be a target of miR-200b/c and was down-regulated after overexpression of miR-200c. To assess the differential expression of these miRNAs in vivo, we used the anti-Thy1.1 mesangial glomerulonephritis model and the unilateral ureteral obstruction model in which TGF-ß plays a role and also a genetic model of hypertension, the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat with and without salt loading. The expressions of miR-214 and miR-21 were significantly increased in all in vivo models, showing a possible miRNA signature of renal damage despite differing causes.

Statins inhibit NK cell cytotoxicity by membrane raft depletion rather than inhibition of isoprenylation.

To investigate the potential determinants of the pleiotropic effects of statins, we measured NK cell cytotoxicity in samples from normal subjects and patients, including patients receiving statin therapy. In a multivariate analysis, NK cell cytotoxicity was related to total plasma cholesterol concentration rather than statin use. In vitro, we investigated the role of lipid modification, specifically the effects on membrane rafts and raft-dependent signal transduction. We demonstrate that statins reduce NK cell cytotoxicity and that membrane cholesterol depletion by cyclodextrins has a similar effect. In contrast, isoprenyl transferase inhibitors had little or no effect on NK cell function. We hypothesise that the pleiotropic effects of statins reflect changes in membrane cholesterol and, specifically, the density of membrane rafts. Moreover, there is likely to be a relationship between membrane cholesterol, membrane rafts and cell function that may be involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Simvastatin inhibits lymphocyte function in normal subjects and patients with cardiovascular disease.

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) block the mevalonate pathway, preventing biosynthesis of cholesterol and isoprenoids. We investigated the effect of simvastatin on lymphocytes from normal human subjects and cardiovascular disease patients in order to provide a model for the in vivo actions of statins. Thirteen healthy volunteers were treated with 40 mg per day of simvastatin following which mean total cholesterol was reduced by 23% (S.D.+/- 11.7%) and mean LDL-cholesterol by 36% (S.D.+/- 16.3%). Lymphocyte lipid raft levels, represented by Lyn and Fyn, were also reduced by simvastatin. Treatment with simvastatin did not alter ex vivo T-lymphocyte proliferation. However, the in vitro addition of 1 microM simvastatin reduced T-lymphocyte proliferation by 39% (S.D.+/- 18.1%) and a combination of prenyl transferase inhibitors reduced proliferation by 19% (S.D.+/- 22.7%). We also assessed the cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells-a T-lymphocyte subset. NK cell cytotoxicity ex vivo was reduced by 30% (S.D.+/- 33.6%) following oral simvastatin treatment and by 56% (S.D.+/- 24.68%) after the in vitro addition of 1 microM simvastatin. Significant ex vivo reductions in T-cell proliferation and NK cell cytotoxicity were observed in patients with cardiovascular disease on treatment with statins. NK cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, so the effect of statin therapy on NK cell cytotoxicity may contribute to the benefits of statins in cardiovascular disease.

Fluvastatin inhibits raft dependent Fcgamma receptor signalling in human monocytes.

Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase and thus block cholesterol and isoprenoid biosynthesis. Since statins also have anti-inflammatory effects, we investigated the effect of fluvastatin on monocyte Fcgamma receptor function. Fluvastatin (0.5-20 microM) inhibited Fcgamma receptor signal transduction at the level of tyrosine kinase activation, in a time and dose dependent manner. Initiation of tyrosine phosphorylation is not thought to involve prenylated proteins; thus, we hypothesised that fluvastatin might disrupt cholesterol and sphingolipid membrane rafts to impair signalling. Consistent with this hypothesis, fluvastatin decreased (and mevalonate rescued) signalling molecules within membrane rafts in parallel with effects on tyrosine phosphorylation events. Raft integrity was unaffected by prenyl transferase inhibitors. In addition, Fcgamma receptor mediated immune complex trafficking, activation of MAP kinases (ERK and p38), and downstream inflammatory mediator release (MMP-1 and IL-6) were blocked by fluvastatin. Thus, HMG-CoA reductase inhibition alters immune receptor signalling by disrupting membrane rafts essential for the initiation of signal transduction. Inhibition of Fcgamma receptor function may limit development and progression of atherosclerosis by decreasing monocyte/macrophage inflammatory mediator release. Since many receptors utilise cholesterol rich rafts this mechanism may have broader significance given the pleiotropic effects of statins.

Inhibition of proliferation and signalling mechanisms in human lymphocytes by fluvastatin.

1. Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase (statins) reduce serum cholesterol and have proven benefits in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. However, recent work suggests that statins may exert immunosuppressive effects in isolated lymphocytes and in solid organ transplant recipients. Fluvastatin does not interfere with the metabolism of commonly used immunosuppressive agents and, therefore, may have benefits in transplant recipients. 2. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential immunomodulatory effects of fluvastatin in vitro in human lymphocytes and the underlying effects on signal transduction. 3. In vitro, fluvastatin (10 micromol/L) caused a time-dependent inhibition of T cell proliferation in response to cross-linking of CD3. 4. Thymidine incorporation was reduced by 22, 81 and 92% at days 1, 3 and 5, respectively. 5. Mevalonate (1 micromol/L) treatment for 4 or 24 h significantly reduced the inhibitory effects of fluvastatin; the reversal was abrogated by simultaneous exposure to mevalonate and a farnesyl transferase inhibitor. 6. At a subcellular level, fluvastatin treatment was associated with reduced functional activity of Ras-dependent extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathways and of Rho-dependent p38 activation. 7. These data suggest that the potential immunosuppressive actions of statins involve inhibition of subcellular pathways dependent on isoprenylation of signal peptides, including Ras, Rho and related G-proteins.