Mitochondrial ncRNA LDL-805 declines in alveolar epithelial type 2 cells of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Abstract Rationale We showed that levels of a murine mitochondrial noncoding RNA, mito-ncR-LDL805 , increase in alveolar epithelial type 2 cells exposed to extracts from cigarette smoke. The transcripts translocate to the nucleus, upregulating nucleus-encoded mitochondrial genes and mitochondrial bioenergetics. This response is lost after chronic exposure to smoke in a mouse model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Objectives To determine if mito-ncR-LDL805 plays a role in human disease, this study aimed to (i) identify the human homologue, (ii) test if the smoke-induced response occurs in human cells, (ii) determine causality between the subcellular localization of the transcript and increased mitochondrial bioenergetics, and (iii) analyze mito-ncR-LDL805 transcript levels in samples from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods Levels and subcellular localization of the human homologue identified from an RNA transcript library were assessed in human alveolar epithelial type 2 cells exposed to smoke extract. Lipid nanoparticles were used for nucleus-targeted delivery of mito-ncR-LDL805 transcripts. Analyses included in situ hybridization, quantitative PCR, cell growth, and Seahorse mitochondrial bioenergetics assays. Measurements and Main Results The levels of human homologue transiently increased and the transcripts translocated to the nuclei in human cells exposed to smoke extract. Targeted nuclear delivery of transcripts increased mitochondrial bioenergetics. Alveolar cells from humans with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease had reduced levels of the mito-ncR-LDL805 . Conclusions mito-ncR-LDL805 mediates mitochondrial bioenergetics in murine and human alveolar epithelial type 2 cells in response to cigarette smoke exposure, but this response is likely lost in diseases associated with chronic smoking, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, due to its diminished levels. Impact This study describes a novel mechanism by which epithelial cells in the lungs adapt to the mitochondrial stress triggered by exposure to cigarette smoke. We show that a noncoding RNA in mitochondria is upregulated and translocated to the nuclei of alveolar epithelial type 2 cells to trigger expression of genes that restore mitochondrial bioenergetics. Mitochondria function and levels of the noncoding RNA decrease under conditions that lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, suggesting that the mitochondrial noncoding RNA can serve as potential therapeutic target to restore function to halt disease progression.