A Long Noncoding RNA Plentiful In Cardiosphere-derived Cell Extracellular Vesicles ( CDC-EVs), BCYRN1, And Its Short Synthetic Derivatives Enhance Regulatory T Cell (Treg) Proliferation, Migration, And Activation

Background: By modulating inflammation, Treg cells influence outcomes in myocardial infarction (MI). Here, we test the hypothesis that BCYRN1 (Brain Cytoplasmic RNA 1) and BCYRN1-derived binding small sequences (BDSSs) are cardioprotective by activating Tregs. Methods: RNA sequencing identified BCYRN1 as plentiful in cardiosphere-derived cell extracellular vesicles (CDC-EVs), validated by qPCR. RNA pulldown and luciferase assays probed BCYRN1's potential function as a miRNA sponge. We assessed BCYRN1 and BDSS effects on Treg proliferation (Cell Counting Kit-8), migration (trans-well migration), and IL-10 (qPCR and ELISA). In vivo , MI was induced in C57BL/6 mouse by left coronary artery ligation for 45 minutes followed by 15 minutes reperfusion. Afterwards, mice received (via tail vein) CDC-EV-BCYRN1 (CDC-EVs overexpressing BCYRN1), BDSSs, mut-BDSSs (scrambled inactive versions of BDSS) or vehicle (PBS). MI size (by TTC staining) and infiltrating Treg (by flow cytometry) were assessed 72 hrs post-MI. Findings: BCYRN1 was found to contain putative binding sites for miR-138, miR-150 and miR-98; these miRs target ATG7, CCR6 and IL-10 mRNAs, respectively. BCYRN1 serves as a miRNA sponge, leading to Treg cell ATG7/autophagy dependent proliferation (3.0± 0.1 fold increase, N=5), CCR-6 dependent migration (1.8 ± 0.1 fold increase, N=5) and increased IL-10 production (fold increase, qPCR: 2.6 ± 0.4, N=6 and ELISA: 6.1 ± 0.8, N=5). Lipid nanoparticles containing a cocktail of 3BDSSs likewise induce Treg cell proliferation (1.9± 0.6 fold increase, N=6), migration (1.3± 0.2 fold increase, N=6), and IL-10 induction (6.8± 0.5 fold increase, N=6). In vivo (N=5/group), CDC-EV-BCYRN1 (but not vehicle) and BDSS cocktail (but not mut-BDSS) induced Treg infiltration, proliferation and IL10 production in the heart with a concomitant decrease of infarct size. Conclusions: A single LncRNA (BCYRN1) and shorter synthetic derivatives mimic the effects of CDC-EV on Treg in vitro and in vivo . Our study provides a novel approach, targeting Treg, to treat MI. This approach could be useful for other diseases where increased Treg activity is a therapeutic goal (e.g. autoimmune disorders).