Intravenous miR-144 reduces left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction

MicroRNA-144 is a cytoprotective miRNA. Our previous study showed that miR-144 provides potent acute cardioprotection in an ischemia/reperfusion injury model. This study was performed to further assess whether miR-144 improves post-MI remodeling in a non-reperfused myocardial infarction (MI) model. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to MI by permanent left anterior descending artery (LAD) ligation. miR-144 was delivered by intravenous injections of 8 mg/kg, 16 mg/kg, or 32 mg/kg at day 0, day 1, day 3, and then a similar dose given once every 3 days, until day 28 after MI. Cardiac function was evaluated using echocardiography. At the end of the study, heart function was also evaluated using a pressure volume catheter. The percentage of the length of the infarct scar on the left ventricle (LV) circumferential length was calculated for heart each section. The miR-144 KO mice showed a worse heart failure phenotype with ventricular dilation and impaired contractility after LAD ligation. Ischemia decreased miR-144 levels, and the miR-144 level was restored to baseline by administration of intravenous miR-144. Cy3-labeled miR-144 was localized to the infarct and border zone, and was taken up by cardiomyocytes and macrophages. In miR-144-treated groups, at 28 days MI size was significantly reduced, and cardiac function was improved [LV fractional shortening, end-systolic volume (µL), end-diastolic volume (µL), ejection fraction (%), dP/dt max (mmHg/s), dP/dt min (mmHg/s), Tau (ms)], compared with controls (p < 0.01). This beneficial effect was associated with reduced border zone fibrosis, inflammation and apoptosis, these effects were associated with significant changes in autophagy signaling. Intravenous miR-144 has potent effects on post-MI remodeling. These findings suggest that miR-144 has potential as a therapeutic agent after MI.