Vascular microRNA-204 is remotely governed by the microbiome and impairs endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation by downregulating Sirtuin1

Citations Over TimeTop 10% of 2016 papers

Abstract

Gut microbiota promotes atherosclerosis, and vascular endothelial dysfunction, signalled by impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, is an early marker of atherosclerosis. Here we show that vascular microRNA-204 (miR-204) expression is remotely regulated by the microbiome, and impairs endothelial function by targeting the Sirtuin1 lysine deacetylase (Sirt1). MiR-204 is downregulated, while Sirt1 is upregulated, in aortas of germ-free mice. Suppression of gut microbiome with broad-spectrum antibiotics decreases miR-204, increases Sirt1 and bioavailable vascular nitric oxide, and improves endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in mouse aortas. Antibiotics curtail aortic miR-204 upregulation, and rescue decline of aortic Sirt1 and endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, triggered by high-fat diet feeding. Improvement of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation by antibiotics is lost in mice lacking endothelial Sirt1. Systemic antagonism of miR-204 rescues impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and vascular Sirt1, and decreases vascular inflammation induced by high-fat diet. These findings reveal a gut microbe-vascular microRNA-Sirtuin1 nexus that leads to endothelial dysfunction.

Related Papers

• → Endothelial Dysfunction and Hypertension(2016)579 cited
• → Endothelial Dysfunction in Hypercholesterolemia: Mechanisms, Pathophysiological Importance, and Therapeutic Interventions(2000)132 cited
• → Inhibition of P53/miR‐34a improves diabetic endothelial dysfunction via activation of SIRT1(2019)36 cited
• → Role of Endothelium in Regulation of the Brain Microcirculation(2003)2 cited