Role of MicroRNA-103a Targeting ADAM10 in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Tong Jiao1, Ye Yao1, Bo Zhang1

  • 1Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China.

Insights

MicroRNA-103 (miR-103) inhibits abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) growth by targeting ADAM10. This discovery offers a potential new therapeutic strategy for treating AAA disease.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Biology
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Genetics

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in vascular diseases like abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
  • The role of miR-103 in AAA pathogenesis and its interaction with ADAM10, a key aneurysm factor, is unknown.
  • ADAM10 protein expression increases in AAA, suggesting posttranscriptional regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of miR-103 in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
  • To determine if microRNAs modulate ADAM10 activity during AAA formation.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting the miR-103/ADAM10 axis in AAA.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of ADAM10 protein and mRNA expression in angiotensin II-induced murine AAA models.
  • Assessment of macrophage infiltration using an ADAM10 inhibitor (GI254023X).
  • Bioinformatic prediction of miR-103a/107 targeting of ADAM10.
  • In vitro experiments using miR-103a mimics and inhibitors to assess effects on ADAM10 protein levels.

Main Results:

  • ADAM10 protein expression was significantly elevated in AAA tissues, while mRNA levels remained unchanged, indicating posttranscriptional control.
  • Inhibition of ADAM10 reduced macrophage infiltration in murine abdominal aortas.
  • miR-103a suppressed ADAM10 protein expression, whereas its inhibition led to increased ADAM10 levels.
  • AAA progression correlated with decreased miR-103a/107 mRNA and increased ADAM10 protein expression.

Conclusions:

  • miR-103a plays an inhibitory role in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) development by targeting ADAM10.
  • The miR-103a/ADAM10 pathway represents a potential therapeutic target for mitigating AAA progression.
  • These findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying AAA pathogenesis.

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