Circular RNA CircFndc3b modulates cardiac repair after myocardial infarction via FUS/VEGF-A axis

Nat Commun. 2019 Sep 20;10(1):4317. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-11777-7.

Abstract

Circular RNAs are generated from many protein-coding genes, but their role in cardiovascular health and disease states remains unknown. Here we report identification of circRNA transcripts that are differentially expressed in post myocardial infarction (MI) mouse hearts including circFndc3b which is significantly down-regulated in the post-MI hearts. Notably, the human circFndc3b ortholog is also significantly down-regulated in cardiac tissues of ischemic cardiomyopathy patients. Overexpression of circFndc3b in cardiac endothelial cells increases vascular endothelial growth factor-A expression and enhances their angiogenic activity and reduces cardiomyocytes and endothelial cell apoptosis. Adeno-associated virus 9 -mediated cardiac overexpression of circFndc3b in post-MI hearts reduces cardiomyocyte apoptosis, enhances neovascularization and improves left ventricular functions. Mechanistically, circFndc3b interacts with the RNA binding protein Fused in Sarcoma to regulate VEGF expression and signaling. These findings highlight a physiological role for circRNAs in cardiac repair and indicate that modulation of circFndc3b expression may represent a potential strategy to promote cardiac function and remodeling after MI.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / pathology
  • Fibronectins / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Myocardial Infarction / genetics
  • Myocardial Infarction / metabolism*
  • Myocardial Infarction / pathology
  • Myocardial Ischemia / genetics
  • Myocardial Ischemia / metabolism*
  • Myocardial Ischemia / pathology
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / pathology
  • RNA, Circular / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Circular / genetics
  • RNA, Circular / metabolism*
  • RNA-Binding Protein FUS / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Protein FUS / metabolism*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism*

Substances

  • FNDC3A protein, mouse
  • FNDC3B protein, human
  • FUS protein, human
  • FUS protein, mouse
  • Fibronectins
  • RNA, Circular
  • RNA-Binding Protein FUS
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A