miR-146a-5p Mediates Intermittent Hypoxia-Induced Injury in H9c2 Cells by Targeting XIAP

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Biology
• Molecular Medicine
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis.
• The role of miRNAs in cardiac injury linked to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role and mechanism of miR-146a-5p in intermittent hypoxia (IH)-induced myocardial damage.
• To identify potential molecular targets of miR-146a-5p in this context.

Main Methods:

• H9c2 cells were subjected to IH conditions.
• miR-146a-5p expression was quantified using RT-qPCR.
• Cell viability, apoptosis, and protein expression were assessed (CCK-8, flow cytometry, Western blotting).
• Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed target genes.

Main Results:

• IH significantly reduced cell viability and increased apoptosis in H9c2 cells.
• miR-146a-5p expression was upregulated under IH.
• Inhibition of miR-146a-5p mitigated IH-induced cell injury.
• X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) was identified as a direct target of miR-146a-5p.
• Downregulating XIAP reversed the protective effects of miR-146a-5p inhibition.

Conclusions:

• miR-146a-5p exacerbates IH-induced myocardial damage by targeting XIAP, leading to reduced cell viability and increased apoptosis.
• This finding elucidates a key mechanism underlying cardiac injury in OSA.