Grant Award Details
To explore the contribution of a class of small non-coding RNAs, the Y-RNAs, which are enriched in exosomes (exo) secreted from cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs).
Progress Reports
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Grant Application Details
- Exosomal Y-RNAs as mediators of bioactivity of cardiac-derived cell therapy
Research Objective
We propose to dissect the contribution of Y-RNAs, small non-coding RNA species enriched in CDC-exosomes, in mediating the effect of CDC-exosomes on cardioprotection and macrophage polarization.
Impact
Examining the contribution of highly represented RNA species in CDC-exo could allow a better understanding of the mechanism of action of CDC-exo and modulation of their cargo to enhance their potency.
Major Proposed Activities
- Epigenetic reprogramming.
Effect of Y-RNA on the heritable changes in gene activity and expression that occur without alteration in DNA sequence, which could explain the sustained effects of CDC-exo. - Cardioprotective role of Y-RNA is correlated with macrophage polarization.
In vitro analyses of the anti-inflammatory pathway mediated by Y-RNA (IL10, anti-inflammatory cytokine, increase by Y-RNA). - Structural analyses of Y-RNA fragment.
Generation of mutated fragments resulting in a change in the secondary structure that could affect the function. - Functional analyses of the Y-RNA/hnRNPH1 complex in crucial aspects of RNA processing (pre-mRNA splicing...) in normal and pathological conditions.
About 610,000 people, men and women, die each year from heart disease in the US (1 in every 4 deaths), motivating the development of more effective therapeutic strategies.
We propose to characterize the implication of Y-RNA, highly enriched in CDC-exosomes, in mediating cardioprotection following a heart attack. This characterization will allow a safe modulation of exosomal RNA content, opening up the possibility that exosomes may become next-generation off-the-shelf therapeutic products.
Publications
- EMBO Mol Med (2017) Y RNA fragment in extracellular vesicles confers cardioprotection via modulation of IL-10 expression and secretion. (PubMed: 28167565)