Alison J. Kriegel

The miR-29 family: genomics, cell biology, and relevance to renal and cardiovascular injury

The human miR-29 family of microRNAs has three mature members, miR-29a, miR-29b, and miR-29c. miR-29s are encoded by two gene clusters. Binding sites for several transcriptional factors have been identified in the promoter regions of miR-29 genes. The miR-29 family members share a common seed region sequence and are predicted to target largely overlapping sets of genes. However, the miR-29 family members exhibit differential regulation in several cases and different subcellular distribution, suggesting their functional relevance may not be identical. miR-29s directly target at least 16 extracellular matrix genes, providing a dramatic example of a single microRNA targeting a large group of functionally related genes. Strong antifibrotic effects of miR-29s have been demonstrated in heart, kidney, and other organs. miR-29s have also been shown to be proapoptotic and involved in the regulation of cell differentiation. It remains to be explored how various cellular effects of miR-29s determine functional relevance of miR-29s to specific diseases and how the miR-29 family members may function cooperatively or separately.

Delayed ischemic preconditioning contributes to renal protection by upregulation of miR-21.

Delayed ischemic preconditioning effectively protects kidneys from ischemia-reperfusion injury but the mechanism underlying renal protection remains poorly understood. Here we examined the in vivo role of microRNA miR-21 in the renal protection conferred by delayed ischemic preconditioning in mice. A 15 minute renal ischemic preconditioning significantly increased the expression of miR-21 by 4 hours and substantially attenuated ischemia-reperfusion injury induced 4 days later. A locked nucleic acid-modified anti-miR-21 given at the time of ischemic preconditioning knocked down miR-21 and significantly exacerbated subsequent ischemia-reperfusion injury in the mouse kidney. Knockdown of miR-21 resulted in significant upregulation of programmed cell death protein 4, a pro-apoptotic target gene of miR-21, and substantially increased tubular cell apoptosis. Hypoxia inducible factor-1α in the kidney was activated after ischemic preconditioning and blockade of its activity with a decoy abolished the up-regulation of miR-21 in cultured human renal epithelial cells treated with the inducer cobalt chloride. In the absence of ischemic preconditioning, knockdown of miR-21 alone did not significantly affect ischemia-reperfusion injury in the mouse kidney. Thus, upregulation of miR-21 contributes to the protective effect of delayed ischemic preconditioning against subsequent renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

MicroRNA-target pairs in human renal epithelial cells treated with transforming growth factor β1: a novel role of miR-382

We reported previously an approach for identifying microRNA (miRNA)-target pairs by combining miRNA and proteomic analyses. The approach was applied in the present study to examine human renal epithelial cells treated with transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), a model of epithelial–mesenchymal transition important for the development of renal interstitial fibrosis. Treatment of human renal epithelial cells with TGFβ1 resulted in upregulation of 16 miRNAs and 18 proteins and downregulation of 17 miRNAs and 16 proteins. Of the miRNAs and proteins that exhibited reciprocal changes in expression, 77 pairs met the sequence criteria for miRNA–target interactions. Knockdown of miR-382, which was up-regulated by TGFβ1, attenuated TGFβ1-induced loss of the epithelial marker E-cadherin. miR-382 was confirmed by 3′-untranslated region reporter assay to target five genes that were downregulated at the protein level by TGFβ1, including superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2). Knockdown of miR-382 attenuated TGFβ1-induced downregulation of SOD2. Overexpression of SOD2 ameliorated TGFβ1-induced loss of the epithelial marker. The study provided experimental evidence in the form of reciprocal expression at the protein level for a large number of predicted miRNA-target pairs and discovered a novel role of miR-382 and SOD2 in the loss of epithelial characteristics induced by TGFβ1.

miR-29c is downregulated in renal interstitial fibrosis in humans and rats and restored by HIF-α activation.

Treatment with L-mimosine, which activates hypoxia-inducible factor-α (HIF-α), attenuates renal tubulointerstitial injury and improves renal function in a rat remnant kidney model. The miR-29 family of microRNAs directly targets a large number of extracellular matrix genes and reduces renal interstitial fibrosis. We analyzed microRNA expression profiles in rat remnant kidneys with or without treatment with L-mimosine. The expression of miR-29c was downregulated in rat remnant kidneys compared with sham control and significantly restored by the L-mimosine treatment. In cultured human kidney epithelial HK2 cells, cobalt chloride activated HIF-α and upregulated miR-29c expression. The upregulation of miR-29c expression was significantly attenuated by knockdown of HIF-1α or HIF-2α. Downregulation of miR-29c was associated with significant increases in interstitial fibrosis, collagen type II α1 (COL2A1) protein, and tropomyosin 1α (TPM1) protein in rat remnant kidneys and in kidneys from IgA nephropathy patients. The increases in rat remnant kidneys were attenuated by the L-mimosine treatment. COL2A1 and TPM1 were confirmed to be new, direct targets of miR-29c. In conclusion, miR-29c, an antifibrotic microRNA, is upregulated by HIF-α activation. MiR-29c is downregulated in renal interstitial fibrosis in humans and rats and restored by activation of HIF-α that attenuates fibrosis.

Hypoxic Preconditioning with Cobalt of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Cell Migration and Enhances Therapy for Treatment of Ischemic Acute Kidney Injury

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) administration is known to enhance the recovery of the kidney following injury. Here we tested the potential of hypoxic-preconditioned-MSC transplantation to enhance the efficacy of cell therapy on acute kidney injury (AKI) by improving MSC migration to the injured kidney. Cobalt was used as hypoxia mimetic preconditioning (HMP). MSC were subjected to HMP through 24 h culture in 200 µmol/L cobalt. Compared to normoxia cultured MSC (NP-MSC), HMP significantly increased the expression of HIF-1α and CXCR4 in MSC and enhanced the migration of MSC in vitro. This effect was lost when MSC were treated with siRNA targeting HIF-1α or CXCR4 antagonist. SPIO labeled MSC were administered to rats with I/R injury followed immediately by magnetic resonance imaging. Imaging clearly showed that HMP-MSC exhibited greater migration and a longer retention time in the ischemic kidney than NP-MSC. Histological evaluation showed more HMP-MSC in the glomerular capillaries of ischemic kidneys than in the kidneys receiving NP-MSC. Occasional tubules showed iron labeling in the HMP group, while no tubules had iron labeling in NP group, indicating the possibility of tubular transdifferentiation after HMP. These results were also confirmed by fluorescence microscopy study using CM-DiI labeling. The increased recruitment of HMP-MSC was associated with reduced kidney injury and enhanced functional recovery. This effect was also related to the increased paracrine action by HMP-MSC. Thus we suggest that by enhancing MSC migration and prolonging kidney retention, hypoxic preconditioning of MSC may be a useful approach for developing AKI cell therapy.

miR-21 in ischemia/reperfusion injury: a double-edged sword?

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are endogenous, small RNA molecules that suppress expression of targeted mRNA. miR-21, one of the most extensively studied miRNAs, is importantly involved in divergent pathophysiological processes relating to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, such as inflammation and angiogenesis. The role of miR-21 in renal I/R is complex, with both protective and pathological pathways being regulated by miR-21. Preconditioning-induced upregulation of miR-21 contributes to the protection against subsequent renal I/R injury through the targeting of genes such as the proapoptotic gene programmed cell death 4 and interactions between miR-21 and hypoxia-inducible factor. Conversely, long-term elevation of miR-21 may be detrimental to the organ by promoting the development of renal interstitial fibrosis following I/R injury. miR-21 is importantly involved in several pathophysiological processes related to I/R injury including inflammation and angiogenesis as well as the biology of stem cells that could be used to treat I/R injury; however, the effect of miR-21 on these processes in renal I/R injury remains to be studied.

Endogenous MicroRNAs in Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells Regulate mRNAs Encoded by Hypertension-Related Genes

The goal of this study was to systematically identify endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs) in endothelial cells that regulate mRNAs encoded by genes relevant to hypertension. Small RNA deep sequencing was performed in cultured human microvascular endothelial cells. Of the 50 most abundant miRNAs identified, 30 had predicted target mRNAs encoded by genes with known involvement in hypertension or blood pressure regulation. The cells were transfected with anti-miR oligonucleotides to inhibit each of the 30 miRNAs and the mRNA abundance of predicted targets was examined. Of 95 miRNA-target pairs examined, the target mRNAs were significantly upregulated in 35 pairs and paradoxically downregulated in 8 pairs. The result indicated significant suppression of the abundance of mRNA encoded by ADM by endogenous miR-181a-5p, ATP2B1 by the miR-27 family, FURIN by miR-125a-5p, FGF5 by the let-7 family, GOSR2 by miR-27a-3p, JAG1 by miR-21-5p, SH2B3 by miR-30a-5p, miR-98, miR-181a-5p, and the miR-125 family, TBX3 by the miR-92 family, ADRA1B by miR-22-3p, ADRA2A by miR-30a-5p and miR-30e-5p, ADRA2B by miR-30e-5p, ADRB1 by the let-7 family and miR-98, EDNRB by the miR-92 family, and NOX4 by the miR-92 family, miR-100-5p, and miR-99b-5p (n=3–9; P<0.05 versus scrambled anti-miR). Treatment with anti–miR-21 decreased blood pressure in mice fed a 4% NaCl diet. Inhibition of the miRNAs targeting NOX4 mRNA increased H2O2 release from endothelial cells. The findings indicate widespread, tonic control of mRNAs encoded by genes relevant to blood pressure regulation by endothelial miRNAs and provide a novel and uniquely informative basis for studying the role of miRNAs in hypertension.

Combined effects of low-dose spironolactone and captopril therapy in a rat model of genetic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

For several years, the severe side effects associated with the use of high doses of the aldosterone antagonist, spironolactone, limited its clinical use. Studies have recently shown efficacy and minimal side effects of low-dose spironolactone combined with standard therapy in the treatment of heart failure and hypertensive patients. The authors evaluated the effects of low-dose spironolactone alone or in combination with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors on the progression of left ventricular dysfunction and remodeling in a congenic rat model of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The congenic SS-16BN/Mcwi rats developed severe cardiac hypertrophy despite being normotensive even on high-salt diet. SS-16BN/Mcwi and SS/Mcwi rats were fed a low-salt (0.4% NaCl) diet and were treated with vehicle (CON), spironolactone (20 mg/kg/d subcutaneously), captopril (100 mg/kg/d drinking water), or both spironolactone and captopril for 4 weeks. Blood pressure, plasma peptides, cardiac fibrosis, and echocardiography measurements were evaluated. Spironolactone at a low dose had no effect on blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, and fibrosis in either strain. However, in combination with captopril, spironolactone decreased the cardiac hypertrophy more than captopril treatment alone. In the SS-16BN/Mcwi rats, the combined therapy significantly preserved the cardiac index when compared with control. These data indicate that the addition of low-dose spironolactone to captopril treatment was more effective in preventing the progression of heart hypertrophy and ventricular dysfunction in the SS-16BN/Mcwi than captopril alone. This study suggests that combined spironolactone and captopril therapy may be useful in the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Intermittent Exposure to Xenon Protects against Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity

Aminoglycoside antibiotics, especially gentamicin, are widely used to treat Gram-negative infections due to their efficacy and low cost. Nevertheless the use of gentamicin is limited by its major side effect, nephrotoxicity. Xenon (Xe) provided substantial organoprotective effects in acute injury of the brain and the heart and protected against renal ischemic-reperfusion injury. In this study, we investigated whether xenon could protect against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. Male Wistar rats were intermittently exposed to either 70% xenon or 70% nitrogen (N2) balanced with 30% oxygen before and during gentamicin administration at a dose of 100 mg/kg for 7 days to model gentamicin-induced kidney injury. We observed that intermittent exposure to Xe provided morphological and functional renoprotection, which was characterized by attenuation of renal tubular damage, apoptosis, and oxidative stress, but not a reduction in inflammation. We also found that Xe pretreatment upregulated hypoxia-inducible factor 2α (HIF-2α) and its downstream effector vascular endothelial growth factor, but not HIF-1α. With regard to the three HIF prolyl hydroxylases, Xe pretreatment upregulated prolyl hydroxylase domain-containing protein-2 (PHD2), suppressed PHD1, and had no influence on PHD3 in the rat kidneys. Pretreatment with Xe also increased the expression of miR-21, a microRNA known to have anti-apoptotic effects. These results support Xe renoprotection against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity.

Characteristics of microRNAs enriched in specific cell types and primary tissue types in solid organs

Knowledge of miRNA expression and function in specific cell types in solid organs is limited because of difficulty in obtaining appropriate specimens. We used laser capture microdissection to obtain nine tissue regions from rats, including the nucleus of the solitary tract, hypoglossal motor nucleus, ventral respiratory column/pre-Bötzinger complex, and midline raphe nucleus from the brain stem, myocardium and coronary artery from the heart, and glomerulus, proximal convoluted tubule, and medullary thick ascending limb from the kidney. Each tissue region consists of or is enriched for a specific cell type. Differential patterns of miRNA expression obtained by deep sequencing of minute amounts of laser-captured cells were highly consistent with data obtained from real-time PCR analysis. miRNA expression patterns correctly clustered the specimens by tissue regions and then by primary tissue types (neural, muscular, or epithelial). The aggregate difference in miRNA profiles between tissue regions that contained the same primary tissue type was as large as one-half of the aggregate difference between primary tissue types. miRNAs differentially expressed between primary tissue types are more likely to be abundant miRNAs, while miRNAs differentially expressed between tissue regions containing the same primary tissue type were distributed evenly across the abundance spectrum. The tissue type-enriched miRNAs were more likely to target genes enriched for specific functional categories compared with either cell type-enriched miRNAs or randomly selected miRNAs. These data indicate that the role of miRNAs in determining characteristics of primary tissue types may be different than their role in regulating cell type-specific functions in solid organs.