AUTHOR=Li Na , Liu Shi-feng , Dong Kai , Zhang Gui-chun , Huang Jing , Wang Zhi-heng , Wang Tong-jian 

TITLE=Exosome-Transmitted miR-25 Induced by H. pylori Promotes Vascular Endothelial Cell Injury by Targeting KLF2

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2019

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2019.00366

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2019.00366

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=Background: Increasing evidence has shown that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is involved in coronary heart disease (CHD), but the underlying mechanism remains unclear.
Methods: The expression of miR-25 and mRNAs was measured using qRT-PCR. Protein levels were detected using western blotting. Exosome was estimated using electron microscope. The target gene of miR-25 was identified using luciferase report system.
Results: H. pylori infection increases the expression of miR-25 in gastric epithelial cells and is associated with increased levels of exosome-transmitted miR-25 in human peripheral blood. Mechanistic investigation shows Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) as a direct target of exosome-transmitted miR-25 in vascular endothelial cells, and miR-25/KLF2 axis regulates the NF-κB signaling pathway, resulting in increased expression of IL6, MCP-1, VACM-1 and ICAM-1. 
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that miR-25/KLF2 axis may be a potential therapeutic target for H. pylori-associated CHD and high level of exosome-transmitted miR-25 in peripheral blood may be a potential risk of CHD.