MiR-378 Inhibits Angiotensin II-Induced Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy by Targeting AKT2

Abstract

Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy plays a crucial role in heart failure development, potentially leading to sudden cardiac arrest and death. Previous studies suggest that micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) show promise for the early diagnosis and treatment of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.

To investigate the miR-378 expression in the cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence tests were conducted in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced H9c2 cells and Ang II-induced mouse model of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. The functional interaction between miR-378 and AKT2 was studied by dual-luciferase reporter, RNA pull-down, Western blot, and RT-qPCR assays.

The results of RT-qPCR analysis showed the downregulated expression of miR-378 in both the cell and animal models of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. It was observed that the introduction of the miR-378 mimic inhibited the hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes induced by Ang II. Furthermore, the co-transfection of AKT2 expression vector partially mitigated the negative impact of miR-378 overexpression on Ang II-induced cardiomyocytes. Molecular investigations provided evidence that miR-378 negatively regulated AKT2 expression by interacting with the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of AKT2 mRNA.

Decreased miR-378 expression and AKT2 activation are linked to Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Targeting miR-378/AKT2 axis offers therapeutic opportunity to alleviate cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.