Exosomes Released from CaSR-Stimulated PMNs Reduce Ischaemia/Reperfusion Injury

Tai-Yu Zhai1, Bao-Hong Cui1, Yang Zhou1

  • 1Department of Clinical Laboratory, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin 150086, China.

Insights

Calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) activation on polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) reduces ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Exosomes from these activated PMNs protect cardiomyocytes via the AKT pathway and lncRNA ENSRNOT00000039868.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Inflammation Research
  • Cellular Signaling

Background:

  • Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) triggers significant inflammation, primarily mediated by polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs).
  • The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is known to modulate PMN pro-inflammatory activities, but its specific role in I/R injury remains unclear.
  • Understanding CaSR-regulated PMN mechanisms is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies against myocardial I/R injury.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role and mechanism of CaSR-regulated PMNs in a rat model of AMI-induced I/R injury.
  • To elucidate the protective effects of PMN-derived exosomes on cardiomyocytes during hypoxia-reoxygenation.
  • To identify specific molecular mediators, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), involved in the protective signaling.

Main Methods:

  • Establishment of a rat AMI model to assess myocardial tissue and PMN changes.
  • In vitro co-culture experiments of cardiomyocytes with CaSR-stimulated PMNs and their derived exosomes.
  • Analysis of cell apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and protein expression (Bcl-xl, Bax, AKT phosphorylation).
  • Second-generation sequencing to identify exosomal lncRNAs and subsequent functional validation.

Main Results:

  • CaSR expression on PMNs increased in AMI rats, correlating with altered myocardial tissue markers (decreased Bcl-xl/SOD, increased Bax/MDA).
  • CaSR-stimulated PMNs and their exosomes significantly reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis, ROS production, and damage from hypoxia-reoxygenation.
  • Exosomes from CaSR-stimulated PMNs contain increased lncRNA ENSRNOT00000039868, which protects cardiomyocytes by upregulating PDGFD.
  • PMN exosome-mediated protection involves the AKT signaling pathway, as evidenced by reversed AKT phosphorylation with pathway inhibitors.

Conclusions:

  • Exosomes derived from CaSR-stimulated PMNs exert protective effects against myocardial I/R injury in AMI.
  • The lncRNA ENSRNOT00000039868 within these exosomes plays a key role in cardiomyocyte protection.
  • The AKT signaling pathway is implicated in the mechanism by which these exosomes mediate their cardioprotective effects.