Understand how dynamic changes in lung microRNA profiles affect the development of pulmonary hypertension

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that have the capacity to control protein production through binding “seed” sequences within a target mRNA. Each miRNA is capable of potentially controlling hundreds of genes. The regulation of miRNAs in the lung during the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is unknown.

Researchers at the British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre screened lung miRNA profiles in a longitudinal and crossover design during the development of PAH caused by chronic hypoxia or monocrotaline in rats via microRNA Microarray service. The researchers identified reduced expression of Dicer, involved in miRNA processing, during the onset of PAH after hypoxia. MiR-22, miR-30, and let-7f were downregulated, whereas miR-322 and miR-451 were upregulated significantly during the development of PAH in both models. Differences were observed between monocrotaline and chronic hypoxia. For example, miR-21 and let-7a were significantly reduced only in monocrotaline-treated rats. MiRNAs that were significantly regulated were validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. By using in vitro studies, they demonstrated that hypoxia and growth factors implicated in PAH induced similar changes in miRNA expression. Furthermore, they confirmed miR-21 downregulation in human lung tissue and serum from patients with idiopathic PAH.

Defined miRNAs are regulated during the development of PAH in rats. Therefore, miRNAs may contribute to the pathogenesis of PAH and represent a novel opportunity for therapeutic intervention.