LncRNA SCIRT is downregulated in atherosclerosis and suppresses the proliferation of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HAOSMCs) by sponging miR-146a in cytoplasm

A Review of MicroRNAs and lncRNAs in Atherosclerosis as Well as Some Major Inflammatory Conditions Affecting Atherosclerosis

It is generally accepted that atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. The link between atherosclerosis and other inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) via metabolic, inflammatory, and immunoregulatory pathways is well established. The aim of our review was to summarize the associations between selected microRNAs (miRs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and atherosclerosis, psoriasis, T2DM, and RA. We reviewed the role of miR-146a, miR-210, miR-143, miR-223, miR-126, miR-21, miR-155, miR-145, miR-200, miR-133, miR-135, miR-221, miR-424, let-7, lncRNA-H19, lncRNA-MEG3, lncRNA-UCA1, and lncRNA-XIST in atherosclerosis and psoriasis, T2DM, and RA. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a method of intracellular signal transduction. Their function depends on surface expression, cargo, and the cell from which they originate. The majority of the studies that investigated lncRNAs and some miRs had relatively small sample sizes, which limits the generalizability of their findings and indicates the need for more research. Based on the studies reviewed, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-145, miR-200, miR-133, and lncRNA-H19 are the most promising potential biomarkers and, possibly, therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis as well as T2DM, RA, and psoriasis.

MicroRNA-218-5p regulates inflammation response via targeting TLR4 in atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND

To investigate the expression of miR-218-5p in atherosclerosis patients and its effect on ox-LDL induced THP-1-derived macrophage inflammatory response.

METHODS

RT-qPCR detected the expression of serum miR-218-5p, and the diagnostic value of miR-218-5p was analyzed by ROC curve. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between miR-218-5p and CIMT and CRP. THP-1 cells were treated with ox-LDL to construct foam cell model. The expression of miR-218-5p was regulated by in vitro transfection technique, and the effects of miR-218-5p on cell viability, apoptosis and inflammation were investigated. Luciferase reporter genes were used to analyze target genes of miR-218-5p in cell models.

RESULTS

The expression of miR-218-5p in the atherosclerosis cohort was significantly reduced, and miR-218-5p showed a good ability to distinguish patients from healthy people. Correlation analysis showed that the level of miR-218-5p was negatively correlated with the levels of CIMT and CRP. Cytological studies showed that the expression of miR-218-5p in macrophages decreased after ox-LDL induction. ox-LDL treatment on macrophages resulted in decreased cell viability, increased cell apoptosis and production of inflammatory cytokines, which contributed to the exacerbation of plaque formation. However, the above situation was reversed after upregulation of miR-218-5p. Bioinformatics analysis showed that TLR4 may be the target gene of miR-218-5p, and this hypothesis was proved by luciferase reporter gene assay.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of miR-218-5p is reduced in atherosclerosis, and it may regulate the inflammatory response of atherosclerotic foam cells by targeting TLR4, suggesting that miR-218-5p may be a promising target for clinical atherosclerosis therapy.