Silencing miR-370-3p rescues funny current and sinus node function in heart failure

Sci Rep. 2020 Jul 9;10(1):11279. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-67790-0.

Abstract

Bradyarrhythmias are an important cause of mortality in heart failure and previous studies indicate a mechanistic role for electrical remodelling of the key pacemaking ion channel HCN4 in this process. Here we show that, in a mouse model of heart failure in which there is sinus bradycardia, there is upregulation of a microRNA (miR-370-3p), downregulation of the pacemaker ion channel, HCN4, and downregulation of the corresponding ionic current, If, in the sinus node. In vitro, exogenous miR-370-3p inhibits HCN4 mRNA and causes downregulation of HCN4 protein, downregulation of If, and bradycardia in the isolated sinus node. In vivo, intraperitoneal injection of an antimiR to miR-370-3p into heart failure mice silences miR-370-3p and restores HCN4 mRNA and protein and If in the sinus node and blunts the sinus bradycardia. In addition, it partially restores ventricular function and reduces mortality. This represents a novel approach to heart failure treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Body Weight
  • Cardiomegaly
  • Computational Biology
  • Down-Regulation
  • Fibrosis
  • Gene Silencing*
  • Heart Failure / genetics*
  • Heart Failure / metabolism
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology*
  • Heart Rate
  • Humans
  • Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels / genetics
  • Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Sinoatrial Node / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Hcn4 protein, mouse
  • Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels
  • MIRN370 microRNA, human
  • MIRN370 microRNA, mouse
  • MIRN370 microRNA, rat
  • MicroRNAs