Endothelial cell activation is attenuated by everolimus via transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms after drug-eluting coronary stenting

PLoS One. 2018 Jun 11;13(6):e0197890. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197890. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

We previously found higher level of endothelial cell (EC) activation in patients who suffered from in-stent restenosis after bare-metal stenting compared to subjects who underwent drug-eluting stenting (DES) showing no complications. Here we investigated the potential transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms by which everolimus attenuated EC activation after DES. We studied the effect of everolimus on E-selectin (SELE) and VCAM1 mRNA levels when human coronary artery (HCAECs) and human umbilical vein ECs were challenged with recombinant TNF-α (100 ng/mL) for 1-24 hours in the presence or absence of everolimus using 0.5 μM concentration locally maintained by DES. EC activation was evaluated via the levels of IL-1β and IL-6 mRNAs with miR-155 expression by RT-qPCR as well as the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) detected by fluorescence microscopy. To investigate the transcriptional regulation of E-selectin and VCAM-1, TNF-α-induced enhancer RNA (eRNA) expression at p65-bound enhancers in the neighboring genomic regions of SELE and VCAM1 genes, including SELE_-11Kb and VCAM1_-10Kb, were measured in HCAECs. Mature and precursor levels of E-selectin and VCAM-1 repressor miR-181b were quantified to analyze the post-transcriptional regulation of these genes in HCAECs. Circulating miR-181b was analyzed in plasma samples of stented subjects by stem-loop RT-qPCR. TNF-α highly elevated E-selectin and VCAM-1 expression at transcriptional level in ECs. Levels of mature, pre- and pri-miR-181b were repressed in ECs by TNF-α, while everolimus acted as a negative regulator of EC activation via inhibited translocation of NF-κB p65 subunit into cell nuclei, lowered eRNA expression at SELE and VCAM1 genes-associated enhancers and modulated expression of their post-transcriptional repressor miR-181b. Significant negative correlation was observed between plasma miR-181b and soluble E-selectin and VCAM-1 in patients. In conclusion, everolimus attenuates EC activation via reduced NF-κB p65 translocation causing decreased E-selectin and VCAM-1 expression at transcriptional and post-transcriptional level after DES.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Coronary Vessels / cytology*
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Drug-Eluting Stents*
  • E-Selectin / blood
  • E-Selectin / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology*
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Everolimus / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology
  • Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / blood
  • Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / genetics

Substances

  • E-Selectin
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Interleukin-6
  • MIrn181 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Everolimus

Grants and funding

This publication is supported by the GINOP-2.3.2-15-2016-00043 project to GB. The project is cofinanced by the European Union and the European Reginal Development Fund. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.