Inhibition of mir-155-5p alleviates cardiomyocyte pyroptosis induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation via targeting SIRT1-mediated activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Abstract

Objective: The hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced pyroptosis of cardiomyocytes plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction (MI). miR-155-5p represents a promising target for MI therapy. However, its involvement in H/R-induced pyroptosis remains unclear.

Methods: The H/R exposed rat cardiomyocyte H9c2 was utilized as in vitro model, and the expression levels of miR-155-5p and SIRT1 in cells were modulated through cell transfection experiments. Cell proliferative activity was assessed using the Cell counting kit-8 assay. Supernatant lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was determined through colorimetry. The levels of living and dead cell were observed via Calcin-AM/PI staining. Levels of supernatant interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 were measured using ELISA assay. The expression levels of miR-155-5p and silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) mRNA were detected by qRT-PCR. The protein expression levels of SIRT1, NLRP3, N-terminal gasdermin D (GSDMD-N), and Cleaved caspase-1 were evaluated using Western blot analysis. The targeted regulatory relationship between miR-155-5p and SIRT1 was verified using dual luciferase reporter gene assay.

Results: The proliferation activity of H9c2 cells induced by H/R was attenuated, accompanied by severe injury, increased cell death, and the release of a substantial amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. In addition, H/R stimulation resulted in the upregulation of miR-155-5p expression and downregulation of SIRT1 expression in H9c2 cells. Suppression of miR-155-5p or overexpression of SIRT1 exhibited ameliorative effects on H/R-induced cellular injury in H9c2 cells and inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis. The dual-luciferase assay confirmed the direct targeting of SIRT1 by miR-155-5p in H9c2 cells. Furthermore, partial reversal of the inhibitory effect of miR-155-5p inhibitor on H/R-induced NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in H9c2 cells was observed upon interference with SIRT1 expression.

Conclusion: Inhibition of miR-155-5p alleviates cardiomyocyte pyroptosis induced by H/R via targeting SIRT1-mediated activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.