HIX003209 promotes vascular smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation through modulating miR-6089.

Accumulating references have showed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) act important roles in the development of human diseases. The role and expression of HIX003209 remains unclear in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We showed that HIX003209 expression was upregulated in atherosclerotic coronary tissues compared to normal coronary artery samples. HIX003209 was overexpressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induced by inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), ox-LDL and latelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). Ectopic expression of HIX003209 enhanced cell growth and migration and induced inflammatory mediators secretion such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), TNF-α and IL-1β in VSMCs. Furthermore, we showed that miR-6089 was downregulated in atherosclerotic coronary tissues compared to normal coronary artery samples. There was a negative association between expression of HIX003209 and miR-6089 in atherosclerotic coronary tissues. MiR-6089 expression was decreased in VSMCs induced by inflammatory mediators including TNF-α, ox-LDL and PDGF-BB. Dual luciferase analysis showed that miR-6089 overexpression decreased luciferase activity of HIX003209 WT-type 3'-UTR but not the mut-type 3'-UTR. Overexpression of HIX003209 suppressed the expression of miR-6089 in VSMCs. Ectopic expression of HIX003209 induced cell growth, migration and the secretion of inflammatory mediators via regulating miR-6089 expression. These data suggested that HIX003209 promoted VSMCs proliferation, migration and the secretion of inflammatory mediators partly via regulating miR-6089.

INTRODUCTION

Atherosclerosis is one main cause of cerebral infarction, peripheral vascular disease and coronary heart disease [1-4]. Its etiology and pathogenesis are complex and not well clear. A lot of risk factors such as macrophages accumulation, pro-inflammatory cytokines production vascular smooth muscle (VSMCs) or endothelial cells dysfunction are involved in the development of atherosclerosis [5-9]. Increasing evidences have indicated that abnormal migration, extracellular matrix synthesis and proliferation of VSMC can cause atherosclerotic plaque formation [8, 10–12]. However, the underlying mechanism of abnormal migration and proliferation of VSMC remains undetermined.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are one cluster of transcripts greater than 2 hundred nucleotides with limited or no protein-coding capacity. However, they can modulate gene expression at the epigenetic, translation and transcription level [13-17]. Growing studies demonstrated that lncRNAs played roles in several cellular functions such as cell apoptosis, differentiation and proliferation [18-22]. LncRNAs were also deregulated in multiple diseases including tumors, coronary heart disease, scoliosis and intervertebral disc degeneration [23-26]. Recently, a new lncRNA HIX003209 has been identified and found to be invovled in the development of rheumatoid arthritis [27]. Yan et al [27]. showed that HIX003209 expression was increased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan increased HIX003209 expression and HIX003209 exaggerated inflammation through regulating miR-6089 expression via Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) / toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway in macrophages. Until now, the function and expression of HIX003209 remains unclear in the development of atherosclerosis.

In our study, we tried to investigate the role of HIX003209 in VSMCs in the development of atherosclerosis. Our results illustrated that HIX003209 played as a critical regulator in atherosclerosis.

RESULTS

HIX003209 expression was overexpressed in coronary artery disease

We firstly detected the expression of HIX003209 in atherosclerotic coronary tissues and normal coronary artery samples. As indicated in Figure 1, the expression of HIX003209 was higher in atherosclerotic coronary tissues compared to normal coronary artery samples (p<0.01).

Figure 1

HIX003209 expression was overexpressed in CAD. The expression of HIX003209 was higher in atherosclerotic coronary tissues compared to normal coronary artery samples (p<0.01). The data were shown as HIX003209/GADPH.

HIX003209 was upregulated in VSMCs induced by inflammatory mediators

TNF-α significantly promoted VSMC proliferations compared to the control group (Figure 2A). Then, we showed that HIX003209 expression was upregulated in VSMCs induced by TNF-α (Figure 2B). We also confirmed that ox-LDL induced VSMC growth (Figure 2C). The expression of HIX003209 was higher in VSMCs induced by ox-LDL compared to the control group (Figure 2D). As indicated in Figure 2E, PDGF-BB enhanced VSMCs proliferation when compared to the control group (Figure 2E). The expression of HIX003209 was overexpressed in VSMCs induced by PDGF-BB compared to the control group (Figure 2F).

Figure 2

HIX003209 was upregulated in VSMCs induced by inflammatory mediators. (A) TNF-α promoted VSMC proliferation using CCK-8 method when compare to control group. (B) HIX003209 expression was upregulated in VSMCs induced by TNF-α when compare to control group. (C) ox-LDL induced VSMC growth using CCK-8 kit when compare to control group. (D) The expression of HIX003209 was determined with qRT-PCR analysis. (E) PDGF-BB enhanced VSMCs proliferation using CCK-8 kit when compare to control group. (F) The expression of HIX003209 was determined with qRT-PCR analysis. *p<0.05, **p<0.01 and ***p<0.001. The data were shown as HIX003209/GADPH.

Ectopic expression of HIX003209 induced the secretion of inflammatory mediators, cell growth and migration in VSMCs

HIX003209 was significantly overexpressed in VSMCs after transfection with pcDNA-HIX003209 (Figure 3A). Ectopic expression of HIX003209 induced the secretion of inflammatory mediators including IL-6 (Figure 3B), TNF-α (Figure 3C) and IL-1β (Figure 3D). Elevated expression of HIX003209 promoted VSMCs proliferation (Figure 3E). The expression of cyclin D1 was upregulated in VSMCs after transfection with pcDNA-HIX003209 (Figure 3F). Overexpression of HIX003209 induced VSMCs migration (Figure 3G) and the relative wound breadth remain of two groups was showed in Figure 3H.

Figure 3

Ectopic expression of HIX003209 induced inflammatory mediators secretion, cell growth and migration in VSMCs. (A) The expression of HIX003209 was measured with qRT-PCR assay. (B) Ectopic expression of HIX003209 induced inflammatory mediators secretion including IL-6 compared to control group. (C) The expression of TNF-α in cell culture supernatant was measured by ELISA assay. (D) The expression of IL-1β in cell culture supernatant was measured by ELISA assay. (E) Elevated expression of HIX003209 promoted VSMCs proliferation compared to control group. (F) The expression of cyclin D1 was measured by qRT-PCR analysis. (G) Overexpression of HIX003209 induced VSMCs migration compared to control group. (H) The relative wound breadth remain of two groups was showed **p<0.01 and ***p<0.001. GAPDH was used as internal control.

miR-6089 expression was downregulated in CAD

Recent evidence have showed that HIX003209 exaggerates inflammation through sponging miR-6089 in macrophages [27]. We then detected the expression of miR-6089 in atherosclerotic coronary tissues and normal coronary artery samples. As indicated in Figure 4A, the expression of miR-6089 was decreased in atherosclerotic coronary tissues compared to normal coronary artery samples. There was a negative association between the expression of HIX003209 and miR-6089 in atherosclerotic coronary tissues (Figure 4B). Therefore, it is considered that HIX003209 may sponge miR-6089 in VSMCs.

Figure 4

miR-6089 expression was downregulated in CAD. (A) The expression of miR-6089 was decreased in atherosclerotic coronary tissues compared to normal coronary artery samples. (B) There is a negative association between expression of HIX003209 and miR-6089 in atherosclerotic coronary tissues. U6 was used as internal control.

miR-6089 was downregulated in VSMCs induced by inflammatory mediators

We demonstrated that miR-6089 expression was downregulated in VSMCs induced by TNF-α when compared to the control group (Figure 5A). Ox-LDL can inhibit miR-6089 expression in VSMCs when compared to the control group (Figure 5B). Furthermore, we proved that PDGF-BB decreased the expression of miR-6089 expression in VSMCs when compared to the control group (Figure 5C).

Figure 5

miR-6089 was downregulated in VSMCs induced by inflammatory mediators. (A) miR-6089 expression was downregulated in VSMCs induced by TNF-α compared to control group. (B) ox-LDL can inhibit miR-6089 expression in VSMCs using qRT-PCR analysis compared to control group. (C) The expression of miR-6089 expression in VSMCs was determined by qRT-PCR assay. U6 was used as internal control.

miR-6089 targeted the 3’-UTR of HIX003209

We confirmed that miR-6089 was significantly overexpressed in VSMCs after transfection with miR-6089 mimic (Figure 6A). There were binding sites between miR-6089 and HIX003209 using Starbase (https://omictools.com/starbase-tool) (Figure 6B). Dual luciferase analysis showed that miR-6089 overexpression decreased luciferase activity of HIX003209 WT-type 3’-UTR but not the mut-type 3’-UTR (Figure 6C). Overexpression of HIX003209 suppressed the expression of miR-6089 in VSMCs (Figure 6D). Ectopic expression of miR-6089 decreased HIX003209 expression in VSMCs (Figure 6E).

Figure 6

miR-6089 targets the HIX003209 3’-UTR. (A) The expression of miR-6089 was measured by qRT-PCR analysis. (B) There were binding sites between miR-6089 and HIX003209 using Starbase (https://omictools.com/starbase-tool). (C) Dual luciferase analysis showed that miR-6089 overexpression decreased luciferase activity of HIX003209 WT-type 3’-UTR but not the mut-type 3’-UTR. (D) Overexpression of HIX003209 suppressed the expression of miR-6089 in VSMCs compared to control group. (E) Ectopic expression of miR-6089 decreased the HIX003209 expression in VSMCs compared to scramble group.. **p<0.01.

HIX003209 induced the secretion of inflammatory mediators, cell growth and migration via regulating miR-6089 expression

Rescue test was carried out to study whether HIX003209 induced the secretion of inflammatory mediators, cell growth and migration via regulating miR-6089 expression. qRT-PCR assay data showed that overexpression of miR-6089 decreased inflammatory mediators secretion including IL-6 (Figure 7A), TNF-α (Figure 7B) and IL-1β (Figure 7C) in HIX003209-overexpressing VSMCs when compared to the scramble group. In addition, ectopic expression of miR-6089 inhibited cyclin D1 expression in HIX003209-overexpressing VSMCs when compared to the scramble group (Figure 7D). Elevated expression of miR-6089 suppressed cell proliferation in HIX003209-overexpressing VSMCs when compared to the scramble group (Figure 7E). Furthermore, we indicated that miR-6089 overexpression inhibited HIX003209-overexpressing VSMCs migration (Figure 7F) and the relative wound breadth remain was showed in Figure 7G.

Figure 7

HIX003209 induced inflammatory mediators secretion, cell growth and migration via regulating miR-6089 expression. (A) The expression of IL-6 was detected by ELISA assay. (B) The expression of TNF-α was detected by ELISA assay. (C) The expression of IL-1β was detected by ELISA assay. (D) The expression of cyclin D1 was measured by qRT-PCR analysis. (E) Cell proliferation was measured by CCK-8 analysis. (F) miR-6089 overexpression inhibited HIX003209-overexpressing VSMCs migration compared to scramble group. (G) The relative wound breadth remain of two groups was showed.**p<0.01 and ***p<0.001.

DISCUSSION

Growing evidences have illustrated that hyper-migration and proliferation of VSMCs was associated with the development of atherosclerosis [28-30]. Therefore, new targets that suppress migration and proliferation of VSMCs may emerge as one effective method for atherosclerosis. This research firstly demonstrated that HIX003209 expression was higher in atherosclerotic coronary tissues compared to the normal coronary artery samples. HIX003209 was upregulated in VSMCs induced by inflammatory mediators including TNF-α, ox-LDL and PDGF-BB. Ectopic expression of HIX003209 promoted cell growth and migration and induced the secretion of inflammatory mediators such as IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β in VSMCs. Collectively, these results suggested potential role of HIX003209 in modulating VSMCs proliferation, migration and the secretion of inflammatory mediators.

A novel lncRNA HIX003209 has been recently identified to be involved in the development of rheumatoid arthritis [27]. Yan et al [27]. showed that HIX003209 exaggerated inflammation through regulating miR-6089 via NF-kB/TLR4 pathway in macrophages. Increasing evidence have proved that lncRNAs participate in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. For instance, Wang et al [31]. indicated that ox-LDL and PDGF-BB enhanced LIPCAR expression in VSMCs and LIPCAR overexpression increased VSMCs migration and proliferation and promoted p21, CDK2, PCNA, MMP9, MMP2, Ang-2 and VEGF-A expression. MEG3 modulated apoptosis and proliferation in the ox-LDL-induced VSMCs and acted as one ceRNA for miR-361-5p to regulate ABCA1 expression [32]. However, the function and expression of HIX003209 remains unclear. This research demonstrated that HIX003209 induced VSMCs proliferation, migration and the secretion of inflammatory mediators.

Growing studies have suggested that lncRNA exert its cell biological functions through negative modulation of target miRNAs [33-35]. For example, Liu et al [36]. indicated that GAS5 inhibiting PDGF-bb-treated VSMCs migration and proliferation via regulating miR-21. Tan et al [37]. showed that ANRIL suppressed VSMCs cell senescence through modulating miR-181a expression. LncRNA C2dat1 promoted VSMCs migration and growth via regulating miR-34a-5p expression [38]. Recent research has demonstrated that HIX003209 exaggerates inflammation through sponging miR-6089 in macrophages [27]. We used Starbase to predict that there were binding sites between miR-6089 and HIX003209. MiR-6089 overexpression decreased luciferase activity of HIX003209 WT-type 3’-UTR but not the mut-type 3’-UTR. Furthermore, we showed that miR-6089 was decreased in atherosclerotic coronary tissues compared to the normal coronary artery samples. There is a negative association between expression of HIX003209 and miR-6089 in atherosclerotic coronary tissues. However, the correlation index R2 was only 0.3638 since HIX003209 was only one of the many factors that regulated miR-6089 expression. MiR-6089 expression was downregulated in VSMCs induced by inflammatory mediators including TNF-α, ox-LDL and PDGF-BB. Ectopic expression of HIX003209 induced the secretion of inflammatory mediators, cell growth and migration via regulating miR-6089 expression.

In short, we indicated that HIX003209 expression was higher in atherosclerotic coronary tissues compared to the normal coronary artery samples. Ectopic expression of HIX003209 induced the secretion of inflammatory mediators, cell growth and migration via regulating miR-6089 expression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Tissues and cell culture and transfection

Atherosclerotic coronary specimens were collected from patients undergoing aortic aneurysm repair surgery and normal coronary arteries were obtained from organ donors from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University. This research protocol was approved by Ethics Committee of Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University. Patients were offered written consent. VSMCs were obtained from ATCC company and were cultured in Dulbecco Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM). PcDNA-HIX003209 and control vectors; miR-6089 mimic or scramble were composed from GenePharma (Shanghai, China) and cell transfection was conducted using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen, USA). Cells were treated with TNF-α (10 ng/ml) or ox-LDL (50mg/L) or PDGF-BB (20 ng/ml) for 24 hours and HIX003209 and miR-6089 were measured.

Wound healing and cell proliferation assay

For cell migration assay, wound healing analysis was conducted. Cells were plated in DMEM medium and cell wound was scratched with sterile micropipette tip. Wound migration rate was determined with migration/original distance. Image of the cell wound was captured. For cell proliferation analysis, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) analysis kit (Dojindo, Kumamoto, Japan) was used. Cells were cultured in 96 well dishes and continued to plate for 72 hours. The absorbance optical density at 450 nm was recorded.

ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)

Protein level of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β in the cell culture supernatant was detected by using ELISA based on standard process of ELISA (R&D Systems, USA).

Quantitative real-time PCR

Total RNA was separated from clinical specimens and treated cells using TRIzol kit (Invitrogen). The miRNA, lncRNA and mRNA expression was quantified by using Quantitative PCR assay with SYBR Green mix on the Bio-Rad IQ5 PCR system (Hercules, USA) following to standard protocol. Relative gene expression was calculated by 2-ΔΔCq method. GAPDH and U6 gene expression was performed as the internal control for HIX003209, Cyclin D1 and miR6089 respectively. The primer sequences were listed as following: HIX003209, 5’-ACTGCTCGCCAGAACACTAC-3’, and 5’-GGTGAGGTTGATCGGGGTTT-3’; GAPDH, 5’-CTGACTTCAACAGCGACACC-3’ and 5’-GTGGTCCAGGGGTCTTACTC-3’; miR6089, 5'-GGAGGCCGGGGTGGGGCG-3'; Cyclin D1, 5'-AACTACCTGGACCGCTTCCT-3' and 5'-CCACTTGAGCTTGTTCACCA-3'.

Luciferase gene reporter analysis

The miR-6089 (mutant type and wild type) sequences of HIX003209 3’ untranslated region (3’-UTR) were amplified with PCR and cloned into pGL3 reporter vector (Promega, USA). For luciferase reporter analysis, cells were cultured on the 24 well dishes. Cells were cotransfected by miR-6089 and scramble and pGL3 reporter constructs by Lipofectamine 2000 kit following to manufacturer's information. The relative luciferase ability normalized to the Renilla luciferase value.

Statistical analysis

Results were indicated as mean ±standard Deviation and statistical analysis was evaluated by SPSS (version 16.0, SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). Student’s t test was utilized to evaluate group significant difference. Statistically significant was set as P < 0.05.