Serum microRNA-30d is a sensitive biomarker for angiotensin II-induced cardiovascular complications in rats
Masaki Morishima1,2, Katsushige Ono3
1Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Kindai University, Nara, Japan.
Abstract:
We tested the hypothesis that angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiovascular complications are distinguished from what catecholamine-induced by their serum circulating biomarkers in rats. Infusion of Ang II (1.68 mg/kg/day) significantly increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure assessed at week one or later, accompanied by an increase of heart/body weight ratio. Noradrenaline infusion (5.40 mg/kg/day) produced a similar degree of hypertension, but did not increase heart weight. Ang II-, but not noradrenaline-induced hypertension was associated with a drastic upregulation of serum microRNA-30d (miR-30d) by hundreds of times, accompanied by an increase of miR-30d levels in the atrium but not in the ventricle. Ang II, but not noradrenaline, significantly increased mRNA of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in the atrium. Studies using rat neonatal cardiomyocytes in vitro demonstrated that BNP caused an increase of miR-30d when applied for 6 h or longer in the culture medium. In vitro application of Ang II increased the cell size, although BNP and miR-30d were unable to mimic the effect of Ang II. We conclude that serum circulating microRNA-30d is a sensitive biomarker for Ang II-induced cardiovascular complications. It is also postulated that Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy could be independent of miR-30d/BNP signaling pathways.
Insights
Serum microRNA-30d (miR-30d) is a key biomarker distinguishing angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiovascular issues from catecholamine effects in rats. This finding aids in identifying specific causes of heart complications.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Biomarker Discovery
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cardiovascular complications arise from various hormonal and neural pathways.
- Differentiating between angiotensin II (Ang II) and catecholamine effects is crucial for targeted treatment.
- Identifying specific circulating biomarkers can aid in diagnosis and understanding disease mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if serum circulating biomarkers can distinguish angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiovascular complications from those induced by catecholamines in rats.
- To identify specific molecular markers associated with Ang II-induced hypertension and cardiac changes.
Main Methods:
- Rats were infused with Ang II or noradrenaline, and physiological parameters (blood pressure, heart weight) were monitored.
- Serum levels of microRNA-30d (miR-30d) and atrial brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) mRNA were quantified.
- In vitro studies using neonatal cardiomyocytes assessed the effects of BNP and Ang II on cell size and miR-30d expression.
Main Results:
- Ang II infusion increased blood pressure and heart/body weight ratio, while noradrenaline increased blood pressure but not heart weight.
- Serum miR-30d levels increased dramatically in Ang II-treated rats but not in noradrenaline-treated rats.
- Ang II increased atrial BNP mRNA, and BNP exposure in vitro increased miR-30d, but neither mimicked Ang II's effect on cardiomyocyte size.
Conclusions:
- Serum circulating microRNA-30d is a sensitive biomarker for Ang II-induced cardiovascular complications.
- The findings suggest that Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy may occur independently of the miR-30d/BNP signaling pathway.
