Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as potent regulators of cardiac disease; however, the role of lncRNA in cardiac fibrosis remains partially understood. In this study, we identified a cardiac endothelial-enriched lncRNA-lnc000908, which was markedly up-regulated in rats with cardiac fibrosis. In addition, the expression of prostaglandin E2 receptor 4 (EP4) was decreased in cardiac fibrosis. In vivo lnc000908 silencing by lentivirus increased the EP4 level, decreased endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and improved cardiac fibrosis and cardiac function. Consistently, the lnc000908 knockdown also up-regulated EP4 and suppressed transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)-induced EndMT in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells. In contrast, the lnc000908 overexpression by lentivirus decreased the EP4 level and induced EndMT. Of note, these pro- or anti-EndMT effects were reversed by the EP4 overexpression or the EP4 antagonist AH-23848, respectively. This study demonstrates that lnc000908 is a novel regulator of cardiac fibrosis by modulating the EP4 expression and EndMT.