Multipoint targeting of TGF-β/Wnt transactivation circuit with microRNA 384-5p for cardiac fibrosis

Cell Death Differ. 2019 Jun;26(6):1107-1123. doi: 10.1038/s41418-018-0187-3. Epub 2018 Sep 11.

Abstract

Cardiac fibrosis is a common precursor to ventricular dysfunction and eventual heart failure, and cardiac fibrosis begins with cardiac fibroblast activation. Here we have demonstrated that the TGF-β signaling pathway and Wnt signaling pathway formed a transactivation circuit during cardiac fibroblast activation and that miR-384-5p is a key regulator of the transactivation circuit. The results of in vitro study indicated that TGF-β activated an auto-positive feedback loop by increasing Wnt production in cardiac fibroblasts, and Wnt neutralizing antibodies disrupted the feedback loop. Also, we demonstrated that miR-384-5p simultaneously targeted the key receptors of the TGF-β/Wnt transactivation circuit and significantly attenuated both TGF-β-induced cardiac fibroblast activation and ischemia-reperfusion-induced cardiac fibrosis. In addition, small molecule that prevented pro-fibrogenic stimulus-induced downregulation of endogenous miR-384-5p significantly suppressed cardiac fibroblast activation and cardiac fibrosis. In conclusion, modulating a key endogenous miRNA targeting multiple components of the TGF-β/Wnt transactivation circuit can be an effective means to control cardiac fibrosis and has great therapeutic potential.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Fibrosis / metabolism*
  • Fibrosis / pathology
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Transfection
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway*

Substances

  • MIRN384 microRNA, rat
  • MicroRNAs
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta