Long non ‐coding RNAs influence the transcriptome in pulmonary arterial hypertension: the role of PAXIP1‐AS1

AbstractIn idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), global transcriptional changes induce a smooth muscle cell phenotype characterized by excessive proliferation, migration and apoptosis resistance. Long non ‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators of cellular function. Using a compartment‐specific transcriptional profiling approach, we sought to investigate the link between transcriptional reprogramming by lncRNAs and the maladaptive smooth muscle cell phenotype in IPAH. Transcriptional profiling of small remodelled arteries from 18 IPAH patients and 17 controls revealed global perturbations in metabolic, neuronal, proliferative and immunological processes. We demonstrated an IPAH‐specific lncRNA expression profile and identified the lncRNAPAXIP1 ‐AS1 as highly abundant. Comparative transcriptomic analysis and functional assays revealed an intrinsic role forPAXIP1 ‐AS1 in orchestrating the hyperproliferative and migratory actions of IPAH smooth muscle cells. Further, we showed thatPAXIP1 ‐AS1 mechanistically interferes with the focal adhesion axis via regulation of expression and phosphorylation of its downstream target paxillin. Overall, we show that changes in the lncRNA transcriptome contribute to the disease ‐specific transcriptional landscape in IPAH. Our results suggest that lncRNAs, such as PAXIP1‐AS1, can modulate smooth muscle cell function by affecting multiple IPAH‐specific transcriptional programs.
Source: The Journal of Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Original Paper Source Type: research