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Live Cell Imaging during Mechanical Stretch
Published on: August 19, 2015
MicroRNA modulate alveolar epithelial response to cyclic stretch
Nadir Yehya1, Adi Yerrapureddy, John Tobias
1Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 240 Skirkanich Hall, 210 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6321, USA.
BMC Genomics
|April 28, 2012
Summary
Cyclic stretch in mechanical ventilation alters microRNA (miRNA) expression in rat alveolar epithelial cells. These miRNA changes impact gene expression and may offer therapeutic targets for ventilator-induced lung injury.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key gene expression regulators.
- Mechanical ventilation involves cyclic alveolar stretch, a factor in ventilator-induced lung injury.
- miRNAs may play a role in cellular responses to mechanical stretch.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differential microRNA expression in response to cyclic stretch in rat alveolar epithelial cells (RAECs).
- To identify potential miRNA targets involved in the cellular response to mechanical stretch.
Main Methods:
- RAECs were subjected to equibiaxial stretch (25% surface area change) for 1 or 6 hours.
- miRNA expression profiling was performed using microarrays.
- Real-time PCR validated specific miRNA changes.
- mRNA arrays and databases identified target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs.
- miRNA inhibition was used to assess effects on epithelial permeability.
Main Results:
- Cyclic stretch significantly altered the expression of 42 miRNAs (34 upregulated, 8 downregulated).
- Many predicted target genes of these miRNAs showed corresponding changes in expression.
- Specific miRNA inhibition reduced stretch-induced epithelial permeability.
Conclusions:
- miRNA expression is significantly altered by cyclic stretch in alveolar epithelial cells.
- These findings suggest miRNAs are involved in the cellular response to mechanical ventilation.
- miRNAs represent potential therapeutic targets for mitigating ventilator-induced lung injury.
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