Publications by authors named "Eftychia Kontidou"
Red blood cells as potential materials for microRNA biomarker study: overcoming heparin-related challenges.
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol
November 2024
microRNAs (miRNAs) have been intensively studied as valuable biomarkers in cardiometabolic disease. Typically, miRNAs are detected in plasma or serum, but the use of samples collected in heparinized tubes is problematic for miRNA studies using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Heparin and its derivatives interfere with qPCR-based analysis, leading to a substantial reduction or even complete loss of detectable miRNA levels.
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- This study investigates the role of microRNA (miR)-210 in endothelial cells and its potential therapeutic effects on diabetes-related endothelial dysfunction.* -
- Using various mouse models and human endothelial cells, researchers discovered that lower levels of miR-210 in diabetic conditions impair endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR), but restoring its levels helps improve vascular function.* -
- The findings suggest miR-210 could be a new target for treatment in type 2 diabetes by mitigating oxidative stress and enhancing nitric oxide production in endothelial cells.*
Article Synopsis
- Endothelial dysfunction is linked to early vascular inflammation and is a key factor in coronary artery disease, potentially leading to heart attacks.
- The study explored whether red blood cells (RBCs) from patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) could induce endothelial dysfunction and how systemic inflammation influenced this effect.
- Findings showed that RBCs from STEMI patients with elevated C-reactive protein levels (a marker of inflammation) impaired endothelial function by increasing arginase and oxidative stress, suggesting that inflammation plays a significant role in this dysfunction.
The mechanisms underlying endothelial dysfunction in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes (T1DM and T2DM) are unresolved. The red blood cells (RBCs) with increased arginase activity induce endothelial dysfunction in T2DM, but the implications of RBCs and the role of arginase inhibition in T1DM are unexplored. We aimed to investigate the differences in endothelial function in patients with T1DM and T2DM, with focus on RBCs and arginase.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFErythrocyte-Derived microRNAs: Emerging Players in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease.
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol
May 2023
Recent studies have demonstrated a novel function of red blood cells (RBCs) beyond their classical role as gas transporters, that is, RBCs undergo functional alterations in cardiovascular and metabolic disease, and RBC dysfunction is associated with hypertension and the development of cardiovascular injury in type 2 diabetes, heart failure, preeclampsia, familial hypercholesterolemia/dyslipidemia, and COVID-19. The underlying mechanisms include decreased nitric oxide bioavailability, increased arginase activity, and reactive oxygen species formation. Of interest, RBCs contain diverse and abundant micro (mi)RNAs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExtracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, microvesicles and apoptotic bodies, have recently received attention as essential mechanisms for cell-to-cell communication in cardiovascular disease. EVs can be released from different types of cells, including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, cardiac cells, fibroblasts, platelets, adipocytes, immune cells and stem cells. Non-coding (nc)RNAs as EV cargos have recently been investigated in the cardiovascular system.
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