Zhi-Teng Chen1, Hai-Feng Zhang1, Meng Wang2, Shao-Hua Wang1, Zhu-Zhi Wen1, Qing-Yuan Gao1, Mao-Xiong Wu1, Wen-Hao Liu1, Yong Xie1, Jing-Ting Mai1, Ying Yang1, Jing-Feng Wang3, Yang-Xin Chen4. 1. Department of Cardiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, PR China; Laboratory of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia in Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, PR China. 2. Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, PR China. 3. Department of Cardiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, PR China; Laboratory of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia in Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, PR China. Electronic address: dr_wjf@vip.163.com. 4. Department of Cardiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, PR China; Laboratory of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia in Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, PR China. Electronic address: tjcyx1995@163.com.
Abstract
AIMS: Cardiac fibroblast (CF) activation is the key event for cardiac fibrosis. The role of glycolysis and the glycolysis-related lncRNAs in CF activation are unknown. Thus, we aimed to investigate the role of glycolysis in CF activation and to identify the glycolysis-related lncRNAs involved. MAIN METHODS: Glycolysis-related lncRNAs were searched and their expression profiles were validated in activated human CF (HCF) and human failing heart tissues. Expression of the target lncRNA was manipulated to determine its effects on HCF activation and glycolysis. The underlying mechanisms of lncRNA-dependent glycolysis regulation were also addressed. KEY FINDINGS: HCF activation induced by transforming growth factor-β1 was accompanied by an enhanced glycolysis, and 2-Deoxy-d-glucose, a specific glycolysis inhibitor, dramatically attenuated HCF activation. Twenty-eight glycolysis-related lncRNAs were identified and Linc00092 expression was changed mostly upon HCF activation. In human heart tissue, Linc00092 is primarily expressed in cardiac fibroblasts. Linc00092 knockdown activated HCFs with enhanced glycolysis, while its overexpression rescued the activated phenotype of HCFs and down-regulated glycolysis. Restoration of glycolysis abolished the anti-fibrotic effects conferred by Linc00092. Linc00092 inhibited ERK activation in activated HCFs, and ERK inhibition counteracted the fibrotic phenotype in Linc00092 knockdown HCFs. SIGNIFICANCE: These results revealed that Linc00092 could attenuate HCF activation by suppressing glycolysis. The inhibition of ERK by Linc00092 may play an important role in this process. Together, this provides a better understanding of the mechanism of CF activation and may serve as a novel target for cardiac fibrosis treatment.
AIMS: Cardiac fibroblast (CF) activation is the key event for cardiac fibrosis. The role of glycolysis and the glycolysis-related lncRNAs in CF activation are unknown. Thus, we aimed to investigate the role of glycolysis in CF activation and to identify the glycolysis-related lncRNAs involved. MAIN METHODS: Glycolysis-related lncRNAs were searched and their expression profiles were validated in activated human CF (HCF) and human failing heart tissues. Expression of the target lncRNA was manipulated to determine its effects on HCF activation and glycolysis. The underlying mechanisms of lncRNA-dependent glycolysis regulation were also addressed. KEY FINDINGS: HCF activation induced by transforming growth factor-β1 was accompanied by an enhanced glycolysis, and 2-Deoxy-d-glucose, a specific glycolysis inhibitor, dramatically attenuated HCF activation. Twenty-eight glycolysis-related lncRNAs were identified and Linc00092 expression was changed mostly upon HCF activation. In human heart tissue, Linc00092 is primarily expressed in cardiac fibroblasts. Linc00092 knockdown activated HCFs with enhanced glycolysis, while its overexpression rescued the activated phenotype of HCFs and down-regulated glycolysis. Restoration of glycolysis abolished the anti-fibrotic effects conferred by Linc00092. Linc00092 inhibited ERK activation in activated HCFs, and ERK inhibition counteracted the fibrotic phenotype in Linc00092 knockdown HCFs. SIGNIFICANCE: These results revealed that Linc00092 could attenuate HCF activation by suppressing glycolysis. The inhibition of ERK by Linc00092 may play an important role in this process. Together, this provides a better understanding of the mechanism of CF activation and may serve as a novel target for cardiac fibrosis treatment.