Regulation of fibrinogen production by microRNAs

Blood. 2010 Oct 7;116(14):2608-15. doi: 10.1182/blood-2010-02-268011. Epub 2010 Jun 22.

Abstract

Elevated levels of fibrinogen are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, whereas low fibrinogen can lead to a bleeding disorder. We investigated whether microRNAs (miRNAs), known to act as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, regulate fibrinogen production. Using transfection of a library of 470 annotated human miRNA precursor molecules in HuH7 hepatoma cells and quantitative measurements of fibrinogen production, we identified 23 miRNAs with down-regulating (up to 64% decrease) and 4 with up-regulating effects (up to 129% increase) on fibrinogen production. Among the down-regulating miRNAs, we investigated the mechanism of action of 3 hsa-miR-29 family members and hsa-miR-409-3p. Overexpression of hsa-miR-29 members led to decreased steady-state levels of all fibrinogen gene (FGA, FGB, and FGG) transcripts in HuH7 cells. Luciferase reporter gene assays demonstrated that this was independent of miRNA-fibrinogen 3'-untranslated region interactions. In contrast, overexpression of hsa-miR-409-3p specifically lowered fibrinogen Bβ mRNA levels, and this effect was dependent on a target site in the fibrinogen Bβ mRNA 3'-untranslated region. This study adds to the known mechanisms that control fibrinogen production, points toward a potential cause of variable circulating fibrinogen levels, and demonstrates that a screening approach can identify miRNAs that regulate clinically important proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Fibrinogen / genetics*
  • Fibrinogen / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • MicroRNAs
  • Fibrinogen