scholarly journals MicroRNAs and obesity-induced endothelial dysfunction: key paradigms in molecular therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karima Ait-Aissa ◽  
Quynh My Nguyen ◽  
Mohanad Gabani ◽  
Adam Kassan ◽  
Santosh Kumar ◽  
...  

Abstract The endothelium plays a pivotal role in maintaining vascular health. Obesity is a global epidemic that has seen dramatic increases in both adult and pediatric populations. Obesity perturbs the integrity of normal endothelium, leading to endothelial dysfunction which predisposes the patient to cardiovascular diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, single-stranded, non-coding RNA molecules that play important roles in a variety of cellular processes such as differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and stress response; their alteration contributes to the development of many pathologies including obesity. Mediators of obesity-induced endothelial dysfunction include altered endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), oxidative stress, autophagy machinery and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. All of these factors have been shown to be either directly or indirectly caused by gene regulatory mechanisms of miRNAs. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive description of the therapeutic potential of miRNAs to treat obesity-induced endothelial dysfunction. This may lead to the identification of new targets for interventions that may prevent or delay the development of obesity-related cardiovascular disease.

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 377
Author(s):  
Yunna Lee ◽  
Eunok Im

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The potential benefits of natural antioxidants derived from supplemental nutrients against CVDs are well known. Remarkably, natural antioxidants exert cardioprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress, increasing vasodilation, and normalizing endothelial dysfunction. Recently, considerable evidence has highlighted an important role played by the synergistic interaction between endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) in the maintenance of endothelial function. To provide a new perspective on the role of natural antioxidants against CVDs, we focused on microRNAs (miRNAs), which are important posttranscriptional modulators in human diseases. Several miRNAs are regulated via the consumption of natural antioxidants and are related to the regulation of oxidative stress by targeting eNOS and/or SIRT1. In this review, we have discussed the specific molecular regulation of eNOS/SIRT1-related endothelial dysfunction and its contribution to CVD pathologies; furthermore, we selected nine different miRNAs that target the expression of eNOS and SIRT1 in CVDs. Additionally, we have summarized the alteration of miRNA expression and regulation of activities of miRNA through natural antioxidant consumption.


2016 ◽  
Vol 310 (1) ◽  
pp. H39-H48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masashi Mukohda ◽  
Madeliene Stump ◽  
Pimonrat Ketsawatsomkron ◽  
Chunyan Hu ◽  
Frederick W. Quelle ◽  
...  

Loss of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ function in the vascular endothelium enhances atherosclerosis and NF-κB target gene expression in high-fat diet-fed apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. The mechanisms by which endothelial PPAR-γ regulates inflammatory responses and protects against atherosclerosis remain unclear. To assess functional interactions between PPAR-γ and inflammation, we used a model of IL-1β-induced aortic dysfunction in transgenic mice with endothelium-specific overexpression of either wild-type (E-WT) or dominant negative PPAR-γ (E-V290M). IL-1β dose dependently decreased IκB-α, increased phospho-p65, and increased luciferase activity in the aorta of NF-κB-LUC transgenic mice. IL-1β also dose dependently reduced endothelial-dependent relaxation by ACh. The loss of ACh responsiveness was partially improved by pretreatment of the vessels with the PPAR-γ agonist rosiglitazone or in E-WT. Conversely, IL-1β-induced endothelial dysfunction was worsened in the aorta from E-V290M mice. Although IL-1β increased the expression of NF-κB target genes, NF-κB p65 inhibitor did not alleviate endothelial dysfunction induced by IL-1β. Tempol, a SOD mimetic, partially restored ACh responsiveness in the IL-1β-treated aorta. Notably, tempol only modestly improved protection in the E-WT aorta but had an increased protective effect in the E-V290M aorta compared with the aorta from nontransgenic mice, suggesting that PPAR-γ-mediated protection involves antioxidant effects. IL-1β increased ROS and decreased the phospho-endothelial nitric oxide synthase (Ser1177)-to-endothelial nitric oxide synthase ratio in the nontransgenic aorta. These effects were completely abolished in the aorta with endothelial overexpression of WT PPAR-γ but were worsened in the aorta with E-V290M even in the absence of IL-1β. We conclude that PPAR-γ protects against IL-1β-mediated endothelial dysfunction through a reduction of oxidative stress responses but not by blunting IL-1β-mediated NF-κB activity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 316 (1) ◽  
pp. H80-H88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fumin Chang ◽  
Sheila Flavahan ◽  
Nicholas A. Flavahan

Homodimer formation is essential for the normal activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Structural uncoupling of eNOS, with generation of enzyme monomers, is thought to contribute to endothelial dysfunction in several vascular disorders, including aging. However, low-temperature SDS-PAGE of healthy arteries has revealed considerable variation between studies in the relative expression of eNOS dimers and monomers. While assessing structural uncoupling of eNOS in aging arteries, we identified methodological pitfalls that might contribute to such variation. Therefore, using human cultured aortic endothelial cells and aortas from young and aged Fischer-344 rats, we investigated optimal approaches for analyzing the expression of eNOS monomers and dimers. The results demonstrated that published differences in treatment of cell lysates can significantly impact the relative expression of several eNOS species, including denatured monomers, partially folded monomers, dimers, and higher-order oligomers. In aortas, experiments initially confirmed a large increase in eNOS monomers in aging arteries, consistent with structural uncoupling. However, these monomers were actually endogenous IgG, which, under these conditions, has mobility similar to eNOS monomers. Increased IgG levels in aged aortas likely reflect the aging-induced disruption of endothelial junctions and increased arterial penetration of IgG. After removal of the IgG signal, there were low levels of eNOS monomers in young arteries, which were not significantly different in aged arteries. Therefore, structural uncoupling of eNOS is not a prominent feature in young healthy arteries, and the process is not increased by aging. The study also identifies optimal approaches to analyze eNOS dimers and monomers. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Structural uncoupling of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is considered central to endothelial dysfunction. However, reported levels of eNOS dimers and monomers vary widely, even in healthy arteries. We demonstrate that sample processing can alter relative levels of eNOS species. Moreover, endothelial dysfunction in aging aortas results in IgG accumulation, which, because of similar mobility to eNOS monomers, could be misinterpreted as structural uncoupling. Indeed, enzyme monomerization is not prominent in young or aging arteries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (19) ◽  
pp. 10287
Author(s):  
Chih-Hsien Wu ◽  
Yi-Lin Chiu ◽  
Chung-Yueh Hsieh ◽  
Guo-Shiang Tsung ◽  
Lian-Shan Wu ◽  
...  

Cilostazol was suggested to be beneficial to retard in-stent atherosclerosis and prevent stent thrombosis. However, the mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effects of cilostazol are not fully understood. In this study, we attempted to verify the mechanism of the antithrombotic effect of cilostazol. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured with various concentrations of cilostazol to verify its impact on endothelial cells. KLF2, silent information regulator transcript-1 (SIRT1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and endothelial thrombomodulin (TM) expression levels were examined. We found cilostazol significantly activated KLF2 expression and KLF2-related endothelial function, including eNOS activation, Nitric oxide (NO) production, and TM secretion. The activation was regulated by SIRT1, which was also stimulated by cilostazol. These findings suggest that cilostazol may be capable of an antithrombotic and vasculoprotective effect in endothelial cells.


2012 ◽  
Vol 302 (5) ◽  
pp. E481-E495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rinrada Kietadisorn ◽  
Rio P. Juni ◽  
An L. Moens

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) serves as a critical enzyme in maintaining vascular pressure by producing nitric oxide (NO); hence, it has a crucial role in the regulation of endothelial function. The bioavailability of eNOS-derived NO is crucial for this function and might be affected at multiple levels. Uncoupling of eNOS, with subsequently less NO and more superoxide generation, is one of the major underlying causes of endothelial dysfunction found in atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension, cigarette smoking, hyperhomocysteinemia, and ischemia/reperfusion injury. Therefore, modulating eNOS uncoupling by stabilizing eNOS activity, enhancing its substrate, cofactors, and transcription, and reversing uncoupled eNOS are attractive therapeutic approaches to improve endothelial function. This review provides an extensive overview of the important role of eNOS uncoupling in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction and the potential therapeutic interventions to modulate eNOS for tackling endothelial dysfunction.


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