Rifaximin Inhibits Small Bowel Angiodysplasia-Associated Angiogenesis by Attenuating LncRNA-HIF1A-AS2/miR-153-3p/HIF-1 α/Ang-2 Axis

Abstract

Backgrounds and Objective

Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) is a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for gastrointestinal angiodysplasia (GIAD). We hypothesized that the lncRNA-HIF1A-AS2/miR-153-3p/HIF-1α/Ang-2 axis plays a critical role in small bowel angiodysplasia (SBAD)-associated angiogenesis, which can be blocked by rifaximin. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression and pro-angiogenic effects of the lncRNA-HIF1A-AS2/miR-153-3p/HIF-1α/Ang-2 in SBAD and to evaluate the therapeutic potential of rifaximin on SBAD by targeting this axis.

Methods

The expression and pro-angiogenic effects of lncRNA-HIF1A-AS2/miR-153-3p/HIF-1α/Ang-2 were analysed in SBAD tissues and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The anti-angiogenic effect of rifaximin and its impact on the lncRNA-HIF1A-AS2/miR-153-3p/HIF-1α/Ang-2 axis were evaluated in HUVECs.

Results

Increased expression of lncRNA-HIF1A-AS2 and decreased expression of miR-153-3p were detected in SBAD tissues. LncRNA-HIF1A-AS2/miR-153-3p /HIF-1α were upstream regulators of Ang-2, and this axis was involved in angiogenesis in HUVECs. Rifaximin exerted antiangiogenic effects on HUVECs by blocking this axis.

Conclusions

The lncRNA-HIF1A-AS2/miR-153-3p/HIF-1α/Ang-2 axis is critically involved in SBAD-associated angiogenesis. Rifaximin is a potential therapeutic option for SBAD via blockade of this axis.

Keywords

Rifaximin / Small bowel / Gastrointestinal angiodysplasia / LncRNA-HIF1A-AS2

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Funding

Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province(2022CFC010)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Huazhong University of Science and Technology