Identification of candidate long noncoding RNAs associated with left ventricular hypertrophy

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) constitute an emerging group of noncoding RNAs, which regulate gene expression. Their role in cardiac disease is poorly known. Here, we investigated the association between lncRNAs and left ventricular hypertrophy.

Wild-type and adenosine A2A receptor overexpressing mice (A2A-Tg) were subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC) and expression of lncRNAs in the heart was investigated using genome-wide microarrays and an analytical pipeline specifically developed for lncRNAs.

Microarray analysis identified two lncRNAs up-regulated and three down-regulated in the hearts of A2A-Tg mice subjected to TAC. Quantitative PCR showed that lncRNAs 2900055J20Rik and Gm14005 were decreased in A2A-Tg mice (3.5- and 1.8-fold, p < 0.01). We found from public microarray dataset that 2900055J20Rik and Gm14005 were increased in TAC mice compared to sham-operated animals (1.8- and 1.4-fold, after 28 days, p < 0.01). Interestingly, in this public dataset, cardioprotective drug JQ1 decreased 2900055J20Rik and Gm14005 expression by 2.2- and 1.6-fold (p < 0.01).

First, we have shown that data on lncRNAs can be obtained from gene expression microarrays. Second, expression of lncRNAs 2900055J20Rik and Gm14005 is regulated after TAC and can be modulated by cardioprotective molecules. These observations motivate further investigation of the therapeutic value of lncRNAs in the heart.