Long Noncoding RNA-Enriched Vesicles Secreted by Hypoxic Cardiomyocytes Drive Cardiac Fibrosis

Franziska Kenneweg, Claudia Bang, Ke Xiao, Chantal M. Boulanger, Xavier Loyer, Stephane Mazlan, Blanche Schroen, Steffie Hermans-Beijnsberger, Ariana Foinquinos, Marc N. Hirt, Thomas Eschenhagen, Sandra Funcke, Stevan Stojanovic, Celina Genschel, Katharina Schimmel, Annette Just, Angelika Pfanne, Kristian Scherf, Susann Dehmel, Stella M. Raemon-BuettnerJan Fiedler, Thomas Thum*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have potential as novel therapeutic targets in cardiovascular diseases, but detailed information about the intercellular lncRNA shuttling mechanisms in the heart is lacking. Here, we report an important novel crosstalk between cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts mediated by the transfer of lncRNA-enriched extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the context of cardiac ischemia. lncRNA profiling identified two hypoxia-sensitive lncRNAs: ENSMUST00000122745 was predominantly found in small EVs, whereas lncRNA Neat1 was enriched in large EVs in vitro and in vivo. Vesicles were taken up by fibroblasts, triggering expression of profibrotic genes. In addition, lncRNA Neat1 was transcriptionally regulated by P53 under basal conditions and by HIF2A during hypoxia. The function of Neat1 was further elucidated in vitro and in vivo. Silencing of Neat1 in vitro revealed that Neat1 was indispensable for fibroblast and cardiomyocyte survival and affected fibroblast functions (reduced migration capacity, stalled cell cycle, and decreased expression of fibrotic genes). Of translational importance, genetic loss of Neat1 in vivo resulted in an impaired heart function after myocardial infarction highlighting its translational relevance.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)363-374
Number of pages12
JournalMolecular Therapy - Nucleic Acids
Volume18
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Dec 2019

Keywords

  • MESENCHYMAL TRANSITION
  • CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE
  • EXTRACELLULAR-MATRIX
  • NEAT1
  • LNCRNA
  • PROLIFERATION
  • PARASPECKLES
  • PROGRESSION
  • BIOMARKER
  • EXOSOMES

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