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A Strategic Expression Method of MiR-29b and Its Anti-Fibrotic Effect Based on RNA-Sequencing Analysis

ABSTRACT: Tissue fibrosis is a significant health issue associated with organ dysfunction and failure. Increased deposition of collagen and other extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the interstitial area is a major process in the formation of tissue fibrosis. The microRNA-29 (miR-29) family has been demonstrated as anti-fibrotic microRNAs. Our recent work also showed that dysregulation of miR-29 contributes to the formation of cardiac fibrosis in animal models of uremic cardiomyopathy and replenish of miR-29 attenuated cardiac fibrosis in these animals. However, due to the multi-targeting effect, overexpression of miR-29 could result in unexpected side effect. In the current study, we constructed a novel col1a1-miR-29b vector using collagen 1a1 promoter, which can strategically express miR-29b-3p (miR-29b) in cells with high expression of collagen and thus minimize the side effect of excessive miR-29b. Because of the similarity between the col1a1 promoter in the plasmid and the endogenous col1a1 promoter in the cell, pro-fibrotic factors that stimulate endogenous collagen expression will simultaneously activate the col1a1 promoter in the plasmid vector and thus stimulate the anti-fibrotic miR-29b expression. The increased miR-29b will then contra-regulate the collagen synthesis and maintain a dynamic balance of collagen. To evaluate the anti-fibrotic effect of miR-29b overexpression, we performed RNA sequencing in MEF cells transfected with the col1a1-miR-29b vector with or without TGF-β treatment. A CMV-miR-29b vector was used as positive control. The RNA-sequencing data showed that TGF-β treatment upregulated a broad spectrum of extracellular matrix (ECM) genes. In accordance, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis using GAGE package showed that the top 5 upregulated pathways after TGF-β treatment were mostly fibrosis-related, including focal adhesion, ECM reaction, and TGF-β signaling pathways, while transfection of miR-29b expression vectors attenuated the activation of these pathways, suggesting their anti-fibrotic effect. However, despite that the expression of miR-29b in CMV-miR-29b transfected cells were about 1000 times higher compared to the col1a1-miR-29b transfected cells, there was no significant difference in the anti-fibrotic effect in these cells. In summary, our work demonstrated that the col1a1-miR-29b vector expresses much lower miR-29b compared to the CMV-miR-29b vector, but it is as effective as the CMV-miR-29b vector in blocking the fibrosis-related signaling pathways in response to TGF-β treatment. Our results also suggest that miR-29b has a moderate effect on each of its targeting genes, and its anti-fibrotic effect may result from perturbation of a broad spectrum of fibrosis-related signaling pathways.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE158823 | GEO | 2020/12/04

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Abstract from Knabel et al. PLoS One (2015): Fibrosis refers to the accumulation of excess extracellular matrix (ECM) components and represents a key feature of many chronic inflammatory diseases. Unfortunately, no currently available treatments specifically target this important pathogenic mechanism. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally repress target gene expression and the development of miRNA-based therapeutics is being actively pursued for a diverse array of diseases. Because a single miRNA can target multiple genes, often within the same pathway, variations in the level of individual miRNAs can potently influence disease phenotypes. Members of the miR-29 family, which include mir29a, miR-29b and miR-29c, are strong inhibitors of ECM synthesis and fibrosis-associated decreases in miR-29 have been reported in multiple organs. We observed downregulation of miR-29a/b/c in fibrotic livers of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) treated mice as well as in isolated human hepatocytes exposed to the pro-fibrotic cytokine TGF-β. Importantly, we demonstrate that a single systemic injection of a miR-29a expressing adeno-associated virus (AAV) can prevent and even reverse histologic and biochemical evidence of fibrosis despite continued exposure to CCl4. The observed therapeutic benefits were associated with AAV transduction of hepatocytes but not hepatic stellate cells, which are the main ECM producing cells in fibroproliferative liver diseases. Our data therefore demonstrate that delivery of mir-29 to the hepatic parenchyma using a clinically relevant gene delivery platform protects injured livers against fibrosis and, given the consistent fibrosis-associated downregulation of miR-29, suggests AAV-miR-29 based therapies may be effective in treating a variety of fibroproliferative disorders. The Taqman MicroRNA Array (Taqman Array Rodent MicroRNA A Cards v2.0, ABI) was run, using manufacturer's protocols, on 3 groups of mice with varying amounts fibrotic injury. The groups include carbon tetrachloride intraperitinially injected bi-weekly for 1, 4, and 8 weeks with n=4, 3, and 2 respectively for each group. The RNA was isolated from whole liver using the MiRvana miRNA Isolation Kit (Ambion) according to manufacturer's protocols. The fold_change.txt contains the following data columns; ID_Ref: mmu-miR being quantified not-treated (FC): Fold Change compared to not-treated group using Geometric mean normalization 1 week (FC): Fold Change compared to not-treated group using Geometric mean normalization 4 weeks (FC): Fold Change compared to not-treated group using Geometric mean normalization 8 weeks (FC): Fold Change compared to not-treated group using Geometric mean normalization

Project description:Liver fibrosis is a common pathological process of various chronic liver diseases that can develop into liver cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a king of non-coding RNA which are closely related to liver diseases. Thus, this research hope to explore the effect of miR-484 on liver fibrosis and reveal its mechanism. The miRNAs profiles were screened by microRNA sequencing and the location of miR-484 was identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in human liver fibrotic tissues. MiR-484 expression was detected by qRT-PCR in rat primary hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay were performed to determine the target gene of miR-484. Liver fibrosis specific signatures were analyzed by qRT-PCR and western blot after miR-484 mimic/inhibitor transfection. The cell apoptosis was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. The effect of miR-484 silencing on fibrosis in vivo was investigated in thioacetamide (TAA) induced mice model using the adeno-associated virus carrying miR-484 inhibitor. Enrichment of miR-484 was observed in human liver fibrosis tissues and activated rat primary HSCs. FISH showed that miR-484 was prominently located at fibrotic region and the cytoplasm of HSCs in human liver tissues. Dual-luciferase reporter assay verified that the homeodomain-interacting protein kinases 1 (HIPK1) was the direct target of miR-484. After transfecting miR-484 inhibitor into HSC-T6, HIPK1 were significantly up-regulated, and α-SMA, col1a1, Wnt-3a, Wnt-5a, β-catenin and p-β-catenin were down-regulated, suggesting the restrain effect of miR-484 knockdown on HSCs activation. Conversely, the results were opposite with miR-484 mimic transfection. In addition, the apoptosis of HSC-T6 altered significantly after miR-484 modulation. Moreover, adeno-associated virus carrying miR-484 inhibitor alleviated mice liver fibrosis induced by TAA. In conclusion, miR-484 knockdown ameliorates liver fibrosis by promoting the apoptosis and suppressing HSCs activation via blocking Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. MiR-484 and its downstream gene HIPK1 might be selected as novel therapeutic targets of liver fibrosis.

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A Strategic Expression Method of MiR-29b and Its Anti-Fibrotic Effect Based on RNA-Sequencing Analysis

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