miR‑127 aggravates myocardial failure by promoting the TGF‑β1/Smad3 signaling

Hainian Xu1, Fengmei Li2

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Internal Medicine, Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, Shandong 261041, P.R. China.

Insights

MicroRNA-127 (miR-127) is upregulated in myocardial failure, promoting fat accumulation and cardiac dysfunction by activating the TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Myocardial failure significantly impairs quality of life.
  • Abnormal microRNA (miR) expression is implicated in myocardial failure pathogenesis.
  • Investigating the role of specific miRs, like miR-127, is crucial for understanding and treating this condition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of miR-127 in the development of myocardial failure.
  • To examine miR-127 expression levels in patients with myocardial failure.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying miR-127's role in cardiac pathology.

Main Methods:

  • Serum miR-127 levels were analyzed in patients.
  • Oil red O staining and immunohistochemistry assessed myocardial characteristics and protein expression (FASN, SCD1, UCP1).
  • A doxorubicin-induced mouse model evaluated cardiac function (echocardiography) and molecular changes (miR-127, TGF-β1, Smad3 expression via RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence).

Main Results:

  • Myocardial failure was associated with upregulated miR-127 and significant fat accumulation in the myocardium.
  • Key proteins involved in lipid metabolism (FASN, SCD1) and thermogenesis (UCP1) were highly expressed.
  • Doxorubicin-induced mice exhibited reduced cardiac function, including decreased ejection fraction and altered ventricular pressures, alongside cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.
  • miR-127 was confirmed to regulate the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (Smad3).

Conclusions:

  • Upregulated miR-127 contributes to myocardial failure by promoting cardiac fat accumulation and dysfunction.
  • The pathological mechanism involves the upregulation of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway mediated by miR-127.
  • Targeting miR-127 may offer a therapeutic strategy for myocardial failure.

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