LncRNA PVT1 regulates atrial fibrosis via miR-128-3p-SP1-TGF-β1-Smad axis in atrial fibrillation

• Published in: Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) Mass.), 2019-03, Vol.25 (1), p.7-7, Article 7
• Main Authors: Cao, Feng, Li, Zhe, Ding, Wen-Mao, Yan, Ling, Zhao, Qing-Yan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Angiotensin II - pharmacology; Animals; Antibodies; Atrial fibrillation; Atrial Fibrillation - metabolism; Atrial Fibrillation - pathology; Atrial Fibrillation - physiopathology; Atrial fibrosis; Binding sites; Blood pressure; Cardiac arrhythmia; Cardiac function; Cardiovascular disease; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Collagen; Collagen Type I - metabolism; Collagen Type II - metabolism; Ejection fraction; Female; Fibroblasts; Fibroblasts - metabolism; Fibrosis; Heart; Heart Atria - metabolism; Heart Atria - pathology; Heart Atria - physiopathology; Humans; Male; Membranes; Mice, Inbred C57BL; MicroRNAs - metabolism; Middle Aged; miR-128-3p; Proteins; PVT1; RNA, Long Noncoding - metabolism; Smad Proteins - metabolism; Sp1; Sp1 Transcription Factor - metabolism; TGF-β1/Smad signaling; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 - metabolism
• ISSN: 1076-1551; 1528-3658
• DOI: 10.1186/s10020-019-0074-5

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) has been shown to be associated with liver fibrosis. Nevertheless, the role of PVT1 in atrial fibrosis remains undefined. This study aims to elucidate the pathophysiological role of lncRNA PVT1 in the regulation of atrial fibrosis and to explore the underlying mechanism. Expression of PVT1, miR-128-sp, and Sp1 were examined in human atrial muscle tissues and angiotensin-II (Ang-II)-induced human atrial fibroblasts. Furthermore, the role of PVT1 in regulating atrial fibrosis in Ang-II-treated human atrial fibroblasts and Ang-II-induced atrial fibrosis in mice was investigated. Moreover, the interaction among PVT1, miR-128-3p, and Sp1 were examined using bioinformatics, expression correlation analysis, gain- or loss-of-function assays, RIP assays, and luciferase reporter assays. The involvement of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1)/Smad pathway in this process was also explored. PVT1 was increased in atrial muscle tissues from AF patients and positively with collagen I and collagen III. In vitro assay revealed that PVT1 overexpression facilitated the Ang-II-induced atrial fibroblasts proliferation, collagen production, and TGF-β1/Smad signaling activation, whereas PVT1 knockdown caused the opposite effect. In vivo assay further confirmed that PVT1 knockdown attenuated the Ang-II-induced mouse atrial fibrosis. Mechanically, PVT1 acted as a sponge for miR-128-3p to facilitate Sp1 expression, thereby activating the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. LncRNA PVT1 promotes atrial fibrosis via miR-128-3p-SP1-TGF-β1-Smad axis in atrial fibrillation.