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An Overview of miRNAs Involved in PASMC Phenotypic Switching in Pulmonary Hypertension
Weifang Zhang1,2, Zeying Tao1,3, Fei Xu1,3
1Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 330006 Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
Abstract:
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is occult, with no distinctive clinical manifestations and a poor prognosis. Pulmonary vascular remodelling is an important pathological feature in which pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) phenotypic switching plays a crucial role. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of evolutionarily highly conserved single-stranded small noncoding RNAs. An increasing number of studies have shown that miRNAs play an important role in the occurrence and development of PH by regulating PASMCs phenotypic switching, which is expected to be a potential target for the prevention and treatment of PH. miRNAs such as miR-221, miR-15b, miR-96, miR-24, miR-23a, miR-9, miR-214, and miR-20a can promote PASMCs phenotypic switching, while such as miR-21, miR-132, miR-449, miR-206, miR-124, miR-30c, miR-140, and the miR-17~92 cluster can inhibit it. The article reviews the research progress on growth factor-related miRNAs and hypoxia-related miRNAs that mediate PASMCs phenotypic switching in PH.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) changes in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Specific miRNAs promote or inhibit PASMC switching, offering potential therapeutic targets for PH treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe condition with subtle symptoms and poor outcomes.
- Pulmonary vascular remodeling, driven by pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) phenotypic switching, is key to PH pathology.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression and are implicated in various diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of miRNAs in mediating PASMC phenotypic switching in the context of PH.
- To highlight specific miRNAs that either promote or inhibit PASMC switching.
- To discuss the potential of miRNAs as therapeutic targets for PH.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating miRNAs and PASMC phenotypic switching in PH.
- Analysis of research on growth factor-related and hypoxia-related miRNAs.
- Synthesis of findings on the dual role of miRNAs in promoting or inhibiting PASMC switching.
Main Results:
- Numerous miRNAs have been identified that influence PASMC phenotypic switching in PH.
- Specific miRNAs, including miR-221, miR-15b, miR-96, miR-24, miR-23a, miR-9, miR-214, and miR-20a, promote PASMC switching.
- Conversely, miRNAs such as miR-21, miR-132, miR-449, miR-206, miR-124, miR-30c, miR-140, and the miR-17~92 cluster inhibit this process.
Conclusions:
- miRNAs play a critical role in regulating PASMC phenotypic switching, a key mechanism in PH development.
- The opposing actions of different miRNAs on PASMC switching offer insights into PH pathogenesis.
- Targeting specific miRNAs presents a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing and treating PH.
