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Inhibition of profibrotic microRNA-21 affects platelets and their releasate.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Barwari, Temo 
Eminaga, Seda 
Mayr, Ursula 
Lu, Ruifang 
Armstrong, Paul C 

Abstract

Fibrosis is a major contributor to organ disease for which no specific therapy is available. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) has been implicated in the fibrogenetic response, and inhibitors of miR-21 are currently undergoing clinical trials. Here, we explore how miR-21 inhibition may attenuate fibrosis using a proteomics approach. Transfection of miR-21 mimic or inhibitor in murine cardiac fibroblasts revealed limited effects on extracellular matrix (ECM) protein secretion. Similarly, miR-21-null mouse hearts showed an unaltered ECM composition. Thus, we searched for additional explanations as to how miR-21 might regulate fibrosis. In plasma samples from the community-based Bruneck Study, we found a marked correlation of miR-21 levels with several platelet-derived profibrotic factors, including TGF-β1. Pharmacological miR-21 inhibition with an antagomiR reduced the platelet release of TGF-β1 in mice. Mechanistically, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein, a negative regulator of platelet TGF-β1 secretion, was identified as a direct target of miR-21. miR-21-null mice had lower platelet and leukocyte counts compared with littermate controls but higher megakaryocyte numbers in the bone marrow. Thus, to our knowledge this study reports a previously unrecognized effect of miR-21 inhibition on platelets. The effect of antagomiR-21 treatment on platelet TGF-β1 release, in particular, may contribute to the antifibrotic effects of miR-21 inhibitors.

Description

Keywords

Cardiology, Cell Biology, Fibrosis, Noncoding RNAs, Platelets, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Animals, Blood Platelets, Clinical Trials as Topic, Extracellular Matrix, Female, Fibroblasts, Fibrosis, Humans, Male, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, MicroRNAs, Middle Aged, Myocardium, Prospective Studies, Proteomics, RNA, Untranslated, Transforming Growth Factor beta1, Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein

Journal Title

JCI Insight

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2379-3708
2379-3708

Volume Title

3

Publisher

American Society for Clinical Investigation
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (MC_PC_12009)