Heart diseases including ischemic myocardial infarction (MI) continue to be the leading cause of mortality in the U.S. While reperfusion therapy such as percutaneous coronary intervention remains the most effective strategy to limit infarct size and preserve cardiac function, reperfusion itself can cause lethal injury to myocardium. In response to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), myocardium releases various danger molecules that are proven to be harmful to the heart. We have recently identified that cellular RNAs including many microRNAs (miRNAs) are released from the heart during I/R and that extracellular RNA contributes to myocardial inflammation and injury. Our preliminary investigations demonstrate that RNA isolated from the heart or single-stranded miRNA mimics (miR-34, -122, -133a, -142, 146a, -208a) induce a robust cytokine response in cardiomyocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages. Using genetic deletion models and pharmacological inhibitors, we demonstrate, in cell-based assays, that cardiac RNAs or microRNA mimics induce cytokine production specifically through the innate immune Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) signaling. The over goals of this proposal are to determine the role of extracellular miRNAs in myocardial I/R injury and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. The proposal is based on the following three hypotheses: 1) that miRNAs are released from injured myocardium during I/R and play a role in myocardial inflammation and injury, 2) that miRNAs act through TLR7 signaling in cardiomyocytes and neutrophils, 3) that pharmacological inhibition of miRNAs and TLR7 signaling after ischemic insult will offer cardio-protection against I/R injury.
In Specific Aim 1, we will determine the contribution of extracellular miRNAs to myocardial inflammation and injury during I/R.
In Specific Aim 2, we will test the role of TLR7 signaling in miRNA-mediated myocardial inflammation and injury in I/R.
In Specific Aim 3, we will explore the miRNA-TLR7 signaling as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of myocardial I/R injury. The proposed studies address a unique and novel function of extracellular miRNAs in myocardial inflammation and injury, with significant implications in pathogenesis and treatment of ischemic myocardial infarction.

Public Health Relevance

Ischemic myocardial infarction is the leading cause of mortality in the US. The goal of this research is to address a unique and novel function of extracellular microRNA in myocardial inflammation and injury, with significant implications in pathogenesis and treatment of ischemic myocardial infarction.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM117233-03
Application #
9483322
Study Section
Surgery, Anesthesiology and Trauma Study Section (SAT)
Program Officer
Somers, Scott D
Project Start
2016-08-01
Project End
2020-05-31
Budget Start
2018-06-01
Budget End
2019-05-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Maryland Baltimore
Department
Anesthesiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
188435911
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21201
Feng, Yan; Zou, Lin; Yan, Dan et al. (2017) Extracellular MicroRNAs Induce Potent Innate Immune Responses via TLR7/MyD88-Dependent Mechanisms. J Immunol 199:2106-2117