Exosomes from Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Ameliorate Ischemic Injuries by Suppressing the RNA Component of Mitochondrial RNA-processing Endoribonuclease via the Induction of miR-206/miR-1-3p Levels

Exosomes might mediate the effects of remote ischemic post-conditioning (RIPostC) treatment on vital organs. The present study aimed to explore the role of RNA component of mitochondrial RNA-processing endoribonuclease (RMRP) in the effects of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC)-derived exosomes on ischemic injuries in vitro and in vivo. HUVECs were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) treatment and exosomes were collected OGD-treated human neural cells were incubated with HUVEC-derived exosomes. Changes in cell viability, apoptosis, and RMRP-mediated PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway activity were detected. The role of RMRP inhibition in the anti-OGD effects of exosomes was further determined by upregulating RMRP expression in human neural cells. The potential RMRP inhibitory factors in exosomes were explored using microarray detection. The effects of exosomes were validated with MCAO mouse models. In OGD neurons incubated with the exosomes, cell viability was improved and cell apoptosis was suppressed. At molecular level, exosomes on downregulated RMRP, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-mTOR, while induced eNOS. After the overexpression of RMRP, the cell protective effects of exosomes were counteracted, which was associated with the re-activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Based on the detection of microarray, the induced levels of miR-206 and miR-1-3p by OGD in HVUECs contributed to the RMPR inhibition. Additionally, injection of exosomes restricted infarction area and suppressed RMRP in MCAO mice. Collectively, exosomes from OGD HUVECs could protect neurons against ischemia-induced injuries, and the effects were associated with the suppression of RMRP in neurons via distance transfer of miR-206 and miR-1-3p.