Abnormally expressed miR-23b in Chinese Mongolian at high cardiovascular risk may contribute to monocyte/macrophage inflammatory reaction in atherosclerosis

Background: The prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) appears to be high among Chinese Mongolians. MiR-23b has been proven to play a key role in atherosclerosis. The expression and role of miR-23b in the Mongolians at high cardiovascular risk were explored in the present study.

Methods: Forty cases of blood samples from the Mongolians at high cardiovascular risk were enrolled in the present study. The expression of miR-23b was quantified by quantitative real-time PCR. To induce monocytes differentiation into macrophages, HP-1 cells were cultured with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. The level of inflammatory markers was determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The interaction between miR-23b and A20 was explored by the dual luciferase reporter assay.

Results: The expression of miR-23b in the Mongolian at high cardiovascular risk was higher than that in healthy Mongolian volunteers. Decrease in ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 caused by miR-23b is responsible for TC accumulation in the Mongolian at high cardiovascular risk. MiR-23b enhanced the oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced inflammatory response of THP-1 derived macrophage. MiR-23b regulated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway through targeting A20. MiR-23b mediated oxLDL-induced inflammatory response of peripheral blood mononuclear cell in the Mongolian at high cardiovascular risk.

Conclusion MiR-23b enhanced oxLDL-induced inflammatory response of macrophages in the Mongolian at high cardiovascular risk through the A20/NF-κB signaling pathway, and thus contributing to atherosclerosis.

Predictors of endothelial dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

We investigated the predictors of endothelial dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD). The study population included 50 patients with RA and 30 controls. Disease activity score (DAS28) was calculated for patients with RA. An FMD response <7% was accepted as impaired FMD. Brachial artery Doppler study revealed that in patients with RA, FMD% was significantly lower as compared with controls (6.6% ± 3.5% vs 9.7% ± 41%, P = .002). After multivariate logistic regression analysis, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; OR: 1.086, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.012-1.167, P = .023), duration of RA (OR: 1.392, 95% CI: 1.044-1.856, P = .024), and DAS28 (OR: 3.335, 95% CI: 1.067-10.42, P = .038) were independent predictors of impaired FMD in patients with RA. Endothelial function is impaired in patients with RA. Disease duration, DAS28, and ESR indicating active inflammation are independent predictors of impaired FMD in patients with RA.

Perceived Stress and Vascular Disease

Apart from traditional risk factors, psychosocial characteristics are increasingly considered as potential predictors of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The concept of stress is relevant when discussing the relationship between psychosocial factors and CVD. Among stress types and definitions (ie, marital stress, work stress), “perceived stress” presents a global and comprehensive stress construct and is based on the concept that individuals actively interact with their environment, appraising potentially threatening or challenging events in the light of available coping resources. However, the role of perceived stress in CVD incidence has not yet been completely elucidated. Thus, we evaluate perceived stress as a CVD risk factor by reviewing the literature. We also discuss the relationship between negative affect and CVD development.