Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Current Atherosclerosis Reports 5/2012

01-10-2012 | Clinical Trials and Their Interpretations (J Plutzky, Section Editor)

The Plaque “Micro” Environment: microRNAs Control the Risk and the Development of Atherosclerosis

Authors: Katey J. Rayner, Kathryn J. Moore

Published in: Current Atherosclerosis Reports | Issue 5/2012

Login to get access

Abstract

While the discovery of microRNAs has exponentially expanded our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms governing gene networks in many biological processes, the study of these tiny RNA powerhouses in cardiovascular disease is in its infancy. To date, there have been over 1200 human microRNAs identified, and they are estimated to affect the expression of over half of the protein-coding portion of the human genome. In this review, we will discuss miRNAs that are integral players in processes affecting risk factors for CVD, as well as miRNAs that act at the level of the vessel wall to affect atherogenesis. We will discuss how microRNAs are not only advancing the field of cardiovascular biology, but how some miRNAs are at the forefront of drug development and may be soon advancing into the clinic.
Literature
2.
go back to reference Pasquinelli AE. MicroRNAs and their targets: recognition, regulation and an emerging reciprocal relationship. Nat Rev Genet. 2012;13(4):271–82. doi:10.1038/nrg3162.PubMed Pasquinelli AE. MicroRNAs and their targets: recognition, regulation and an emerging reciprocal relationship. Nat Rev Genet. 2012;13(4):271–82. doi:10.​1038/​nrg3162.PubMed
3.
go back to reference Krol J, Loedige I, Filipowicz W. The widespread regulation of microRNA biogenesis, function and decay. Nat Rev Genet. 2010;11(9):597–610. doi:10.1038/nrg2843. Krol J, Loedige I, Filipowicz W. The widespread regulation of microRNA biogenesis, function and decay. Nat Rev Genet. 2010;11(9):597–610. doi:10.​1038/​nrg2843.
4.
go back to reference Gordon T, Castelli WP, Hjortland MC, Kannel WB, Dawber TR. High density lipoprotein as a protective factor against coronary heart disease. The Framingham Study. Am J Med. 1977;62(5):707–14.PubMedCrossRef Gordon T, Castelli WP, Hjortland MC, Kannel WB, Dawber TR. High density lipoprotein as a protective factor against coronary heart disease. The Framingham Study. Am J Med. 1977;62(5):707–14.PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference •• Najafi-Shoushtari SH, Kristo F, Li Y, Shioda T, Cohen DE, Gerszten RE et al. MicroRNA-33 and the SREBP host genes cooperate to control cholesterol homeostasis. Science. 2010;328(5985):1566–9. doi:10.1126/science.1189123. This study was among the first to uncover a role for miR-33 encoded within SREBF gene to regulate cholesterol transport and HDL. •• Najafi-Shoushtari SH, Kristo F, Li Y, Shioda T, Cohen DE, Gerszten RE et al. MicroRNA-33 and the SREBP host genes cooperate to control cholesterol homeostasis. Science. 2010;328(5985):1566–9. doi:10.​1126/​science.​1189123. This study was among the first to uncover a role for miR-33 encoded within SREBF gene to regulate cholesterol transport and HDL.
6.
go back to reference •• Rayner KJ, Suarez Y, Davalos A, Parathath S, Fitzgerald ML, Tamehiro N et al. MiR-33 contributes to the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis. Science. 2010;328(5985):1570–3. doi:10.1126/science.1189862. This study was among the first to uncover a role for miR-33 encoded within SREBF gene to regulate cholesterol transport and HDL. •• Rayner KJ, Suarez Y, Davalos A, Parathath S, Fitzgerald ML, Tamehiro N et al. MiR-33 contributes to the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis. Science. 2010;328(5985):1570–3. doi:10.​1126/​science.​1189862. This study was among the first to uncover a role for miR-33 encoded within SREBF gene to regulate cholesterol transport and HDL.
8.
go back to reference Rayner KJ, Esau CC, Hussain FN, McDaniel AL, Marshall SM, van Gils JM, et al. Inhibition of miR-33a/b in non-human primates raises plasma HDL and lowers VLDL triglycerides. Nature. 2011;478(7369):404–7. doi:10.1038/nature10486.PubMedCrossRef Rayner KJ, Esau CC, Hussain FN, McDaniel AL, Marshall SM, van Gils JM, et al. Inhibition of miR-33a/b in non-human primates raises plasma HDL and lowers VLDL triglycerides. Nature. 2011;478(7369):404–7. doi:10.​1038/​nature10486.PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Lagos-Quintana M, Rauhut R, Yalcin A, Meyer J, Lendeckel W, Tuschl T. Identification of tissue-specific microRNAs from mouse. Curr Biol. 2002;12(9):735–9.PubMedCrossRef Lagos-Quintana M, Rauhut R, Yalcin A, Meyer J, Lendeckel W, Tuschl T. Identification of tissue-specific microRNAs from mouse. Curr Biol. 2002;12(9):735–9.PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Chang J, Nicolas E, Marks D, Sander C, Lerro A, Buendia MA, et al. miR-122, a mammalian liver-specific microRNA, is processed from hcr mRNA and may downregulate the high affinity cationic amino acid transporter CAT-1. RNA Biol. 2004;1(2):106–13.PubMedCrossRef Chang J, Nicolas E, Marks D, Sander C, Lerro A, Buendia MA, et al. miR-122, a mammalian liver-specific microRNA, is processed from hcr mRNA and may downregulate the high affinity cationic amino acid transporter CAT-1. RNA Biol. 2004;1(2):106–13.PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Esau C, Davis S, Murray SF, Yu XX, Pandey SK, Pear M, et al. miR-122 regulation of lipid metabolism revealed by in vivo antisense targeting. Cell Metabolism. 2006;3(2):87–98.PubMedCrossRef Esau C, Davis S, Murray SF, Yu XX, Pandey SK, Pear M, et al. miR-122 regulation of lipid metabolism revealed by in vivo antisense targeting. Cell Metabolism. 2006;3(2):87–98.PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Elmen J, Lindow M, Silahtaroglu A, Bak M, Christensen M, Lind-Thomsen A, et al. Antagonism of microRNA-122 in mice by systemically administered LNA-antimiR leads to up-regulation of a large set of predicted target mRNAs in the liver. Nucleic Acids Res. 2008;36(4):1153–62. doi:10.1093/nar/gkm1113.PubMedCrossRef Elmen J, Lindow M, Silahtaroglu A, Bak M, Christensen M, Lind-Thomsen A, et al. Antagonism of microRNA-122 in mice by systemically administered LNA-antimiR leads to up-regulation of a large set of predicted target mRNAs in the liver. Nucleic Acids Res. 2008;36(4):1153–62. doi:10.​1093/​nar/​gkm1113.PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference •• Lanford RE, Hildebrandt-Eriksen ES, Petri A, Persson R, Lindow M, Munk ME et al. Therapeutic silencing of microRNA-122 in primates with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Science. 2010;327(5962):198–201. doi:10.1126/science.1178178. This was the first demonstration of anti-miRNA use in pre-clinical non-human primate models. •• Lanford RE, Hildebrandt-Eriksen ES, Petri A, Persson R, Lindow M, Munk ME et al. Therapeutic silencing of microRNA-122 in primates with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Science. 2010;327(5962):198–201. doi:10.​1126/​science.​1178178. This was the first demonstration of anti-miRNA use in pre-clinical non-human primate models.
17.
18.
go back to reference Horie T, Ono K, Horiguchi M, Nishi H, Nakamura T, Nagao K, et al. MicroRNA-33 encoded by an intron of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (Srebp2) regulates HDL in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010;107(40):17321–6. doi:10.1073/pnas.1008499107.PubMedCrossRef Horie T, Ono K, Horiguchi M, Nishi H, Nakamura T, Nagao K, et al. MicroRNA-33 encoded by an intron of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (Srebp2) regulates HDL in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010;107(40):17321–6. doi:10.​1073/​pnas.​1008499107.PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Davalos A, Goedeke L, Smibert P, Ramirez CM, Warrier NP, Andreo U, et al. miR-33a/b contribute to the regulation of fatty acid metabolism and insulin signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011;108(22):9232–7. doi:10.1073/pnas.1102281108.PubMedCrossRef Davalos A, Goedeke L, Smibert P, Ramirez CM, Warrier NP, Andreo U, et al. miR-33a/b contribute to the regulation of fatty acid metabolism and insulin signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011;108(22):9232–7. doi:10.​1073/​pnas.​1102281108.PubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Alberti KG, Eckel RH, Grundy SM, Zimmet PZ, Cleeman JI, Donato KA, et al. Harmonizing the metabolic syndrome: a joint interim statement of the International Diabetes Federation Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; American Heart Association; World Heart Federation; International Atherosclerosis Society; and International Association for the Study of Obesity. Circulation. 2009;120(16):1640–5. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.192644.PubMedCrossRef Alberti KG, Eckel RH, Grundy SM, Zimmet PZ, Cleeman JI, Donato KA, et al. Harmonizing the metabolic syndrome: a joint interim statement of the International Diabetes Federation Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; American Heart Association; World Heart Federation; International Atherosclerosis Society; and International Association for the Study of Obesity. Circulation. 2009;120(16):1640–5. doi:10.​1161/​CIRCULATIONAHA.​109.​192644.PubMedCrossRef
21.
go back to reference Horton JD, Goldstein JL, Brown MS. SREBPs: activators of the complete program of cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis in the liver. J Clin Invest. 2002;109(9):1125–31. doi:10.1172/JCI15593.PubMed Horton JD, Goldstein JL, Brown MS. SREBPs: activators of the complete program of cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis in the liver. J Clin Invest. 2002;109(9):1125–31. doi:10.​1172/​JCI15593.PubMed
22.
go back to reference •• Rayner KJ, Sheedy FJ, Esau CC, Hussain FN, Temel RE, Parathath S et al. Antagonism of miR-33 in mice promotes reverse cholesterol transport and regression of atherosclerosis. J Clin Invest. 2011;121(7):2921–31. doi:10.1172/JCI57275. The first demonstration that anti-microRNA oligonucleotides can directly act on atherosclerotic plaque macrophages and improve plaque phenotype. •• Rayner KJ, Sheedy FJ, Esau CC, Hussain FN, Temel RE, Parathath S et al. Antagonism of miR-33 in mice promotes reverse cholesterol transport and regression of atherosclerosis. J Clin Invest. 2011;121(7):2921–31. doi:10.​1172/​JCI57275. The first demonstration that anti-microRNA oligonucleotides can directly act on atherosclerotic plaque macrophages and improve plaque phenotype.
23.
24.
go back to reference Ramirez CM, Davalos A, Goedeke L, Salerno AG, Warrier N, Cirera-Salinas D et al. MicroRNA-758 regulates cholesterol efflux through posttranscriptional repression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2011. doi:10.1161/ATVBAHA.111.232066. Ramirez CM, Davalos A, Goedeke L, Salerno AG, Warrier N, Cirera-Salinas D et al. MicroRNA-758 regulates cholesterol efflux through posttranscriptional repression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2011. doi:10.​1161/​ATVBAHA.​111.​232066.
25.
go back to reference Davalos A, Goedeke L, Smibert P, Ramirez CM, Warrier NP, Andreo U et al. miR-33a/b contribute to the regulation of fatty acid metabolism and insulin signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 108(22):9232–7. doi:10.1073/pnas.1102281108. Davalos A, Goedeke L, Smibert P, Ramirez CM, Warrier NP, Andreo U et al. miR-33a/b contribute to the regulation of fatty acid metabolism and insulin signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 108(22):9232–7. doi:10.​1073/​pnas.​1102281108.
26.
go back to reference •• Cordes KR, Sheehy NT, White MP, Berry EC, Morton SU, Muth AN et al. miR-145 and miR-143 regulate smooth muscle cell fate and plasticity. Nature. 2009;460(7256):705–10. doi:10.1038/nature08195 . These authors uncovered an important role for miR-143 and miR-145 in maintaining smooth muscle cell contractility and regulating cell plasticity. •• Cordes KR, Sheehy NT, White MP, Berry EC, Morton SU, Muth AN et al. miR-145 and miR-143 regulate smooth muscle cell fate and plasticity. Nature. 2009;460(7256):705–10. doi:10.​1038/​nature08195 . These authors uncovered an important role for miR-143 and miR-145 in maintaining smooth muscle cell contractility and regulating cell plasticity.
27.
go back to reference Boettger T, Beetz N, Kostin S, Schneider J, Kruger M, Hein L, et al. Acquisition of the contractile phenotype by murine arterial smooth muscle cells depends on the Mir143/145 gene cluster. J Clin Invest. 2009;119(9):2634–47. doi:10.1172/JCI38864.PubMedCrossRef Boettger T, Beetz N, Kostin S, Schneider J, Kruger M, Hein L, et al. Acquisition of the contractile phenotype by murine arterial smooth muscle cells depends on the Mir143/145 gene cluster. J Clin Invest. 2009;119(9):2634–47. doi:10.​1172/​JCI38864.PubMedCrossRef
29.
go back to reference • Hergenreider E, Heydt S, Treguer K, Boettger T, Horrevoets AJ, Zeiher AM et al. Atheroprotective communication between endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells through miRNAs. Nat Cell Biol. 2012;14(3):249–56. doi:10.1038/ncb2441. Very elegant study suggesting endothelial cells communicate with smooth muscle cells in the vessel wall via secreted miRNA. • Hergenreider E, Heydt S, Treguer K, Boettger T, Horrevoets AJ, Zeiher AM et al. Atheroprotective communication between endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells through miRNAs. Nat Cell Biol. 2012;14(3):249–56. doi:10.​1038/​ncb2441. Very elegant study suggesting endothelial cells communicate with smooth muscle cells in the vessel wall via secreted miRNA.
31.
go back to reference Zhou J, Wang KC, Wu W, Subramaniam S, Shyy JY, Chiu JJ, et al. MicroRNA-21 targets peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-alpha in an autoregulatory loop to modulate flow-induced endothelial inflammation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011;108(25):10355–60. doi:10.1073/pnas.1107052108.PubMedCrossRef Zhou J, Wang KC, Wu W, Subramaniam S, Shyy JY, Chiu JJ, et al. MicroRNA-21 targets peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-alpha in an autoregulatory loop to modulate flow-induced endothelial inflammation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011;108(25):10355–60. doi:10.​1073/​pnas.​1107052108.PubMedCrossRef
34.
35.
36.
go back to reference Zernecke A, Bidzhekov K, Noels H, Shagdarsuren E, Gan L, Denecke B et al. Delivery of microRNA-126 by apoptotic bodies induces CXCL12-dependent vascular protection. Sci Signal. 2009;2(100):ra81. doi:10.1126/scisignal.2000610. Zernecke A, Bidzhekov K, Noels H, Shagdarsuren E, Gan L, Denecke B et al. Delivery of microRNA-126 by apoptotic bodies induces CXCL12-dependent vascular protection. Sci Signal. 2009;2(100):ra81. doi:10.​1126/​scisignal.​2000610.
39.
go back to reference • Boon RA, Seeger T, Heydt S, Fischer A, Hergenreider E, Horrevoets AJ et al. MicroRNA-29 in aortic dilation: implications for aneurysm formation. Circ Res. 2011;109(10):1115–9. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.111.255737. The first demontration that anti-miRNA therapy could improve plaque vulnerability in an aneurysm mouse model. • Boon RA, Seeger T, Heydt S, Fischer A, Hergenreider E, Horrevoets AJ et al. MicroRNA-29 in aortic dilation: implications for aneurysm formation. Circ Res. 2011;109(10):1115–9. doi:10.​1161/​CIRCRESAHA.​111.​255737. The first demontration that anti-miRNA therapy could improve plaque vulnerability in an aneurysm mouse model.
41.
go back to reference Vickers KC, Palmisano BT, Shoucri BM, Shamburek RD, Remaley AT. MicroRNAs are transported in plasma and delivered to recipient cells by high-density lipoproteins. Nat Cell Biol. 2011;13(4):423–33. doi:10.1038/ncb2210.PubMedCrossRef Vickers KC, Palmisano BT, Shoucri BM, Shamburek RD, Remaley AT. MicroRNAs are transported in plasma and delivered to recipient cells by high-density lipoproteins. Nat Cell Biol. 2011;13(4):423–33. doi:10.​1038/​ncb2210.PubMedCrossRef
43.
go back to reference Herrera-Merchan A, Cerrato C, Luengo G, Dominguez O, Piris MA, Serrano M, et al. miR-33-mediated downregulation of p53 controls hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal. Cell Cycle. 2010;9(16):3277–85.PubMedCrossRef Herrera-Merchan A, Cerrato C, Luengo G, Dominguez O, Piris MA, Serrano M, et al. miR-33-mediated downregulation of p53 controls hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal. Cell Cycle. 2010;9(16):3277–85.PubMedCrossRef
44.
go back to reference Cirera-Salinas D, Pauta M, Allen RM, Salerno AG, Ramirez CM, Chamorro-Jorganes A et al. Mir-33 regulates cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. Cell Cycle. 2012;11(5). doi:10.4161/cc.11.5.19421. Cirera-Salinas D, Pauta M, Allen RM, Salerno AG, Ramirez CM, Chamorro-Jorganes A et al. Mir-33 regulates cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. Cell Cycle. 2012;11(5). doi:10.​4161/​cc.​11.​5.​19421.
Metadata
Title
The Plaque “Micro” Environment: microRNAs Control the Risk and the Development of Atherosclerosis
Authors
Katey J. Rayner
Kathryn J. Moore
Publication date
01-10-2012
Publisher
Current Science Inc.
Published in
Current Atherosclerosis Reports / Issue 5/2012
Print ISSN: 1523-3804
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6242
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-012-0272-x

Other articles of this Issue 5/2012

Current Atherosclerosis Reports 5/2012 Go to the issue

Clinical Trials and Their Interpretations (J Plutzky, Section Editor)

Kruppel-Like Factors and Vascular Inflammation: Implications for Atherosclerosis

Clinical Trials and Their Interpretations (J Plutzky, Section Editor)

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Cardiometabolic Disorders

Clinical Trials and Their Interpretations (J Plutzky, Section Editor)

Molecular Imaging in Atherosclerosis: FDG PET

Clinical Trials and Their Interpretations (J Plutzky, Section Editor)

Regulation of Atherosclerosis and Associated Risk Factors by Adenosine and Adenosine Receptors

Clinical Trials and Their Interpretations (J Plutzky, Section Editor)

Evolving Concepts of Oxidative Stress and Reactive Oxygen Species in Cardiovascular Disease

Live Webinar | 27-06-2024 | 18:00 (CEST)

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Live: Thursday 27th June 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)

WHO estimates that half of all patients worldwide are non-adherent to their prescribed medication. The consequences of poor adherence can be catastrophic, on both the individual and population level.

Join our expert panel to discover why you need to understand the drivers of non-adherence in your patients, and how you can optimize medication adherence in your clinics to drastically improve patient outcomes.

Prof. Kevin Dolgin
Prof. Florian Limbourg
Prof. Anoop Chauhan
Developed by: Springer Medicine
Obesity Clinical Trial Summary

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.

Developed by: Springer Medicine

Highlights from the ACC 2024 Congress

Year in Review: Pediatric cardiology

Watch Dr. Anne Marie Valente present the last year's highlights in pediatric and congenital heart disease in the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Pulmonary vascular disease

The last year's highlights in pulmonary vascular disease are presented by Dr. Jane Leopold in this official video from ACC.24.

Year in Review: Valvular heart disease

Watch Prof. William Zoghbi present the last year's highlights in valvular heart disease from the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Heart failure and cardiomyopathies

Watch this official video from ACC.24. Dr. Biykem Bozkurt discusses last year's major advances in heart failure and cardiomyopathies.