Inhibition of tiRNA-Gly-GCC ameliorates neointimal formation via CBX3-mediated VSMCs phenotypic switching

• Published in: Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine Vol. 10; p. 1030635
• Main Authors: Rong, Zhihua, Li, Fengshi, Zhang, Rui, Niu, Shuai, Di, Xiao, Ni, Leng, Liu, Changwei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 03.02.2023
• Subjects: Cardiovascular Medicine; neointimal formation; phenotypic switching; tiRNA; tRFs; VSMC; phenotypic switching; neointimal formation; tiRNA; VSMC; tRFs
• ISSN: 2297-055X; 2297-055X
• DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1030635

tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) are a new class of non-coding RNAs involved in a variety of pathological processes, but their biological functions and mechanisms in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) phenotype transition and vascular intimal hyperplasia are unclear. tiRNA-Gly-GCC is upregulated in synthetic HASMCs, atherosclerotic arteries, plasma, and the balloon injured carotid artery of rats. Functionally, the inhibition of tiRNA-Gly-GCC represses HASMCs proliferation, migration, and reversed dedifferentiation, whereas the overexpression of tiRNA- Gly-GCC have contrary effects. Mechanistically, tiRNA-Gly-GCC performs these functions on HASMCs downregulating chromobox protein homolog 3 (CBX3). Finally, the inhibition of tiRNA-Gly-GCC could ameliorate neointimal formation after vascular injury . tiRNA-Gly-GCC is a mediator of HASMCs phenotypic switching by targeting CBX3 and inhibition of tiRNA-Gly-GCC suppresses neointimal formation.