Inhibition of miR-1224 suppresses hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes through targeting GPX4.

We have focused on the underlying role of miR-1224 in cardiomyocyte injury stimulated by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). In the current study, the rat cardiomyocyte cell line H9C2 was used to construct a H/R cell model to validate the cardioprotective effects of miR-1224. Data from the dual-luciferase assay revealed that the glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) was a direct target of miR-1224. Expression of miR-1224, determined using qRT-PCR, was remarkably increased while that of GPX4 protein, evaluated via western blotting, was significantly decreased in cardiomyocytes in response to H/R exposure. ROS generation, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxy aldehydes (4-HNE), and H9C2 cell apoptosis were further evaluated following overexpression of miR-1224 or silencing of GPX4 in H9C2 cells. H9C2 cells under H/R conditions displayed increased synthesis of ROS, along with overexpression of miR-1224 and downregulation of GPX4. SOD activity was significantly decreased while concentrations of MDA and 4-HNE were markedly increased under H/R injury conditions. In addition, miR-1224 mimic or GPX4 siRNA plasmids dramatically enhanced H/R-mediated apoptosis, Bax expression and caspase-3 activity, with a concomitant reduction in Bcl-2 expression. Conversely, inhibition of miR-1224 exerted suppressive effects on oxidative stress and apoptosis in H9C2 cells under H/R conditions. Interestingly, silencing of GPX4 attenuated the negative effects of miR-1224 inhibition. Our results suggested that inhibition of miR-1224 caused resistance to H/R and diminished oxidative stress in vitro through targeting of GPX4.