Microbiota-governed microRNA-204 impairs endothelial function and blood pressure decline during inactivity in db/db mice

Sci Rep. 2020 Jun 22;10(1):10065. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-66786-0.

Abstract

An impaired decline in blood pressure at rest is typical in people with diabetes, reflects endothelial dysfunction, and increases the risk of end-organ damage. Here we report that microRNA-204 (miR-204) promotes endothelial dysfunction and impairment in blood pressure decline during inactivity. We show that db/db mice overexpress miR-204 in the aorta, and its absence rescues endothelial dysfunction and impaired blood pressure decline during inactivity despite obesity. The vascular miR-204 is sensitive to microbiota, and microbial suppression reversibly decreases aortic miR-204 and improves endothelial function, while the endothelial function of mice lacking miR-204 remained indifferent to the microbial alterations. We also show that the circulating miR-122 regulates vascular miR-204 as miR-122 inhibition decreases miR-204 in endothelial cells and aorta. This study establishes that miR-204 impairs endothelial function, promotes impairment in blood pressure decline during rest, and opens avenues for miR-204 inhibition strategies against vascular dysfunction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Pressure Determination
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiopathology*
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Microbiota
  • Obesity / genetics*
  • Obesity / physiopathology
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • MIRN204 microRNA, mouse
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mirn122 microRNA, mouse