MicroRNA(miRNA) is involved in virtually all biologic processes, including cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Thus, miRNA deregulation often results in impaired cellular function and disease development, so miRNAs have potential therapeutic relevance. The elucidation of these processes regulated by miRNAs and the identification of novel miRNA targets in the pathogenesis of hypertension is a highly valuable and exciting strategy that may eventually led to the development of novel treatment approaches for hypertension. Several mechanisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension: overactivation of therenin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), dysfunction of the vascular endothelium, damnification of vascular smooth muscle. To maintain and restore target organ expression of miRNA stable may be a new strategy for treatment of hypertension. The article reviews pathogenesis of miRNA and hypertension, researches of miRNAs as biomarker and therapeutic target, discusses advances in miRNA-based approaches that may be important in treating hypertension.
Animals ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Targeted Therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of transferring p21 gene into lung tissue with recombinant adenovirus with full-length cDNA of p21 inserted in the Wistar rat model of pulmonary hypertension (PAH) induced by left-to-right shunt, study the expression of the desired gene in vivo, find if overexpression of desired gene can inhibit pulmonary hypertension.

METHODSWith full-length cDNA of p21 transfected HEK293 cells with clonfectin, and was packed, amplified in order to obtain the high-titer recombinant adenovirus (AdCMV-p21). The infection titer was determined by TCID50 method and was diluted into 1.67 x 10(8) pfu/L. Wistar rats were randomly allocated to control group (n = 10), model group (n = 15), test group (n = 10) and test control group (n = 10). In model group and test group left-to-right shunt pulmonary hypertension was developed by using cuff technique. AdCMV-p21 was transfected into test group and test control group using tracheal inhalation. The mPAP, mRVP and RVHI were measured and compared between every two groups. The left lung was immunohistochemically stained to observe the result of transfection. The right lung was HE stained to observe morphological changes in arteria pulmonalis and calculate WT%.

RESULTSThe mRVP, mPAP and WT% in model group and test group were significantly higher than those in control (P < 0.05), which suggested that the rat model of PAH was established successfully. Brown spots in the nucleus of VSMCs of pulmonary artery were seen in test group and test control group, which indicated that AdCMV-p21 was transfected successfully. The rate of transfected cells in test group was (42.8 +/- 11.6)%, which was equal to that of test control group (P > 0.05). In test group, the mPAP was (20.06 +/- 3.40) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), mRVP was (22.53 +/- 2.53) mm Hg, WT% was (30.8 +/- 3.5)%, which were significantly lower than those in model group (P < 0.05), but higher than those in control group and test control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant adenovirus could successfully carry p21 and transfect the lung tissue of PAH rat model, and full expression of p21. p21 gene could inhibit the development of PAH.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; genetics ; therapy ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Oncogene Protein p21(ras) ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transfection

Antihypertensive Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Molecular Biology

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous noncoding RNAs, about 22 nucleotides in length, that mediate post-transcriptional gene modulation by annealing to inexactly complementary sequences in the 3'-untranslated regions of target mRNAs. miRNA alterations are involved in the initiation and progression of human diseases. miRNA-expression profiling of human diseases has identified signatures associated with diagnosis, staging, progression, prognosis and response to treatment. Recent evidence has suggested miRNAs as viable therapeutic targets for a wide range of human diseases. Several approaches were performed, the experimental examination of these techniques and the resultant findings not only indicate feasibility of interfering miRNA action in a gene-specific fashion but also may provide a new research tool for studying function of miRNAs. The new approaches also have the potential of becoming alternative gene therapy strategies.
Animals ; Drug Design ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Gene Silencing ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Heart Diseases ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Humans ; Hypertension ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare but progressive and currently incurable disease, which is characterized by vascular remodeling in association with muscularization of the arterioles, medial thickening and plexiform lesion formation. Despite our advanced understanding of the pathogenesis of PAH and the recent therapeutic advances, PAH still remains a fatal disease. In addition, the susceptibility to PAH has not yet been adequately explained. Much evidence points to the involvement of epigenetic changes in the pathogenesis of a number of human diseases including cancer, peripheral hypertension and asthma. The knowledge gained from the epigenetic study of various human diseases can also be applied to PAH. Thus, the pursuit of novel therapeutic targets via understanding the epigenetic alterations involved in the pathogenesis of PAH, such as DNA methylation, histone modification and microRNA, might be an attractive therapeutic avenue for the development of a novel and more effective treatment. This review provides a general overview of the current advances in epigenetics associated with PAH, and discusses the potential for improved treatment through understanding the role of epigenetics in the development of PAH.
Animals ; DNA Methylation/drug effects ; Drug Discovery/methods ; *Epigenesis, Genetic/drug effects ; Genetic Therapy/methods ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/*genetics/therapy ; MicroRNAs/*genetics

BACKGROUNDHepatocyte growth factor (HGF) inhibits the development of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) by reducing pulmonary artery pressure and right ventricle (RV) hypertrophy. However, whether HGF can prevent RV remodeling via inhibiting apoptosis in RV cardiomyocytes and decreasing neurohormonal activation remains unknown.

METHODSThe PAH and subsequent RV remodeling in rats were induced by subcutaneous injection of monocrotaline (MCT). The PAH rats were transfected with adenovirus carrying HGF (Ad-HGF) via intratracheal instillation. Three weeks after transfection, the hemodynamics indexes were measured, serum levels for angiotonin II (ANG II) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were determined by ELISA. Histological analysis was used to assess the RV hypertrophy and fibrosis. The cardiomyocyte apoptosis in RV was assayed by TUNEL staining. The mRNA expression of BNP, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), Bax and Bcl-2 in RV was determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the protein expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in RV was determined by Western blotting.

RESULTSHGF treatment significantly decreased the mean PAH, RV systolic pressure, serum ANG II and BNP levels. HGF treatment also significantly decreased the RV hypertrophy, collagen deposition, and the number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes. Moreover, HGF treatmemt significantly decreased the expression of BNP, ACE, Bax, TGF-β1, and TNF-α, while it significantly increased the expression of Bcl-2.

CONCLUSIONSGene transfer of HGF decreases MCT-induced PAH and improves RV remodeling. This effect is mediated not only by improving the hemodynamics but also by decreasing neurohormonal activation and inhibiting cardiomyocytes apoptosis. HGF gene treatment may be an effective strategy for improving RV remodeling in MCT-induced PAH.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; physiology ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; genetics ; physiology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; metabolism ; therapy ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ventricular Remodeling ; genetics ; physiology

Risk factors for hypertension consist of lifestyle and genetic factors. Family history and twin studies have yielded heritability estimates of BP in the range of 34-67%. The most recent paper of BP GWAS has explained about 20% of the population variation of BP. An overestimation of heritability may have occurred in twin studies due to violations of shared environment assumptions, poor phenotyping practices in control cohorts, failure to account for epistasis, gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, and other non-genetic sources of phenotype modulation that are suspected to lead to underestimations of heritability in GWAS. The recommendations of hypertension guidelines in major countries consist of the following elements: weight reduction, a healthy diet, dietary sodium reduction, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking, and moderate alcohol consumption. The hypertension guidelines are mostly the same for each country or region, beyond race and culture. In this review, we summarize gene-environmental interactions associated with hypertension by describing lifestyle modifications according to the hypertension guidelines. In the era of precision medicine, clinicians who are responsible for hypertension management should consider the gene-environment interactions along with the appropriate lifestyle components toward the prevention and treatment of hypertension. We briefly reviewed the interaction of genetic and environmental factors along the constituent elements of hypertension guidelines, but a sufficient amount of evidence has not yet accumulated, and the results of genetic factors often differed in each study.
Gene-Environment Interaction ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; genetics ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Life Style ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Precision Medicine ; standards ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: To explore the diagnosis, treatment and genetic characteristics of a neonate with severe pulmonary hypertension and respiratory failure. METHODS: Perinatal history, clinical manifestations, laboratory finding and diagnosis and treatment data of the child were collected. Whole exome sequencing was carried out for the child, and Sanger sequencing was used to verify the candidate variants. RESULTS: The female neonate has developed progressive respiratory failure and refractory pulmonary hypertension shortly after birth. Conventional treatment such as mechanical ventilation, vasoactive drugs, and inhaled nitric oxide were ineffective. She has developed sustained pulmonary hypertension after weaning from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy, and had died after the treatment had ceased. Whole exome sequencing revealed that she has harbored a heterozygous de novo variant of c.682_683insGCGGCGGC (p.G234Rfs*148) of the FOXF1 gene, which was predicted as pathogenic based on guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), with evidence items of PVS1_Strong+PM2_Supporting+PS2. Based on her clinical manifestations and result of genetic testing, the child was diagnosed with alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of the pulmonary veins (ACD/MPV). CONCLUSION Discovery of the c.682_683insGCGGCGGC (p.G234 Rfs*148) variant of the FOXF1 gene has expanded the mutational spectrum of the FOXF1 gene, which has facilitated implementation of specific treatment and provided a basis for clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling.
Female ; Humans ; Child ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Persistent Fetal Circulation Syndrome/therapy* ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Pulmonary Veins ; Forkhead Transcription Factors/genetics*

OBJECTIVETo explore the protection effects of acupuncture on glaucomatous optic nerve damage and its mechanism.

METHODSExperimental glaucoma model was induced by intracameral injection of compound Carbomer solution in rabbits. After 28 days, ocular tension returned to normal by filtration surgery. Twenty rabbits (40 eyes) were randomly divided into a model group, an acupuncture group, a neurotrophy group and a nomal control group, 5 cases in each group. The acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture at bilateral "Qiuhou" (EX-HN 7),"Fengchi" (GB 20) and "Xingjian" (LR 2), twice a day. The neurotrophy group was treated with intramuscular injection of Vitamin B1 (100 mg) and Vitamin B12 (500 microg), once a day, and the other groups with no treatment. The expressions of Bcl-xl and BDNF in rabbits retina were observed after 4 weeks.

RESULTSAt the end of the experiment, the positive expression cells of Bcl-xl and BDNF were (31.20 +/- 5.97) per mm2 and (6.3 +/- 1.89) per mm2 in the acupuncture group, being significantly higer than (26.70 +/- 4.32) per mm2 and (4.0 +/- 1.89) per mm2 in the model group (both P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can raise the expression of Bcl-xl and BDNF of retina, so as to prevent optic nerve damage caused by intraocular hypertension.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Chronic Disease ; therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Male ; Ocular Hypertension ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Retina ; metabolism ; bcl-X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore mechanism of acupuncture for renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) in hypertension rats.

METHODSTwenty-four 24-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats were randomly divided into a model group, a perindopril group and an acupuncture group, eight cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, with rats tied up, electroacupuncture was applied at bilateral "Quchi" (LI 11) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) under mild vibration of needle handle for 20 min, once a day. In the perindopril group, perindopril (0.4 mg/kg) suspension liquid was applied for intragastric administration, once a day. In the model group, rats were tied up for 20 min a day without any treatment. Eight same-age same-race Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats with normal blood pressure were taken as a control group, which was given with free diet but no treatment. The treatment was reuqired for six weeks. The systolic blood pressure of caudal artery was tested. Kidney morphological structure was observed by HE coloration. Deposition optical density of type I and III collagen in kidney was tested by immunohistochemistry. Expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) mRNA was tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the blood pressure was significantly decreased in the acupuncture group (P < 0.01), the damage of kidney morphology was minor, positive depositional area of type I and III collagen was obviously decreased (both P < 0.05), and the expression of semi-quantitative analysis of TGF-beta1 mRNA was decreased (P < 0.05), which had similar effect as western medication perindopril.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at "Quchi" (LI 11) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) probably intervenes the process of RIF by reducing synthesis of kidney type I , III collagen and restraining expression of TGF-beta1.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Hypertension ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Kidney ; anatomy & histology ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism