Targeting TRAF3IP2 alleviates high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte inflammation and apoptosis

To clarify the role of TRAF3IP2 in high glucose (HG)-stimulated cardiomyocyte inflammation and apoptosis and its action mechanism. SiRNA plasmid of TRAF3IP2 was constructed and transfected into HG-stimulated cardiomyocytes to silence TRAF3IP2. The expression of TRAF3IP2 was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot. Cell viability and cytotoxicity were first observed using cell counting kit-8 and lactate dehydrogenase assays. The inflammatory injury of the cardiomyocytes was then examined by real time-qPCR (RT-qPCR) and western blot. The oxidative stress of the cardiomyocytes was evaluated using reactive oxygen species assay kit, RT-qPCR, western blot and enzyme activity assay kit. Next, cell apoptosis was detected employing TUNEL and western blot. Finally, RT-qPCR and western blot were performed to investigate the effects of inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase-4, including saxagliptin, empagliflozin and linagliptin, on TRAF3IP2. TRAF3IP2 expression was found to be increased in HG-stimulated cardiomyocytes. TRAF3IP2 interference inhibited HG-induced cell viability loss, cytotoxicity, inflammatory response, oxidative stress and apoptosis of the cardiomyocytes. Moreover, saxagliptin, empagliflozin and linagliptin inhibited the expression of TRAF3IP2. TRAF3IP2 interference alleviates HG-induced inflammation and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. The result suggests that TRAF3IP2 may be a promising therapeutic target in treating diabetic cardiomyopathy.