The Synchrony of STARD4-AS1 and H19 Downregulation with Cardiomyocytes Cell Cycle Arrest

Shiri M.; Movahedi F.; Etezadi F.; Bhia I.; Korsching E.; Wang K.; Gharbi S.; Pahlavan S.

Abstract

Cardiac regeneration is hindered by the permanent cell cycle arrest of cardiomyocytes post-birth, leading to compensatory fibrosis and impaired cardiac function after injury. While the role of cell cycle regulatory proteins is well understood, the impact of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) remains unclear. To address this gap, we reanalyzed public transcriptomic datasets comparing pre- and post-natal ventricular cardiomyocytes. In silico analysis identified differentially expressed lncRNAs, with four candidates selected for further validation. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) were differentiated into cardiomyocytes, and their cell cycle status was assessed on Days 10, 20, and 30. The expression of in silico-identified lncRNAs was evaluated in proliferative (Day 10) and non-proliferative (Days 20 and 30) hESC-derived cardiomyocytes, resembling pre- and post-natal ventricular cardiomyocytes. Among the candidates, STARD4-AS1 and H19 showed a permanent downregulation pattern in both in silico and in vitro assays. STARD4-AS1 and H19 lncRNAs might reside in the regulatory network of cardiomyocytes cell cycle arrest and as targets for cardiac regenerative strategies.