MicroRNA-155 Promotes Atherosclerosis Inflammation via Targeting SOCS1

• Published in: Cellular physiology and biochemistry Vol. 36; no. 4; pp. 1371 - 1381
• Main Authors: Yang, Yang, Yang, Lixia, Liang, Xing, Zhu, Guofu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland Cell Physiol Biochem Press GmbH & Co KG 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Animals; Atherosclerosis; Atherosclerosis - complications; Atherosclerosis - genetics; Atherosclerosis - immunology; Atherosclerosis - pathology; Base Sequence; Cell Line; Cell Movement; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Inflammation; Inflammation - complications; Inflammation - genetics; Inflammation - immunology; Inflammation - pathology; Lipoproteins, LDL - immunology; Macrophages - immunology; Macrophages - metabolism; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; MicroRNA-155; MicroRNAs - genetics; MicroRNAs - immunology; NF-kappa B - immunology; Original Paper; Signal Transduction; SOCS1; STAT3 Transcription Factor - immunology; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 Protein; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins - genetics; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins - immunology; Inflammation; SOCS1; MicroRNA-155; Atherosclerosis
• ISSN: 1015-8987; 1421-9778
• DOI: 10.1159/000430303

Aims: Accumulating evidence suggests that atherosclerotic progression depends on persistent and chronic inflammation in the arterial walls. MicroRNA-155 is reportedly involved in cardiovascular disease and has been implicated as a pro-inflammation regulator. Although some researchers have focused on microRNA-155 as an atherosclerosis regulator, the mechanisms by which microRNA-155 functions as a putative pro-atherosclerosis microRNA are largely unknown. This study aims to analyze microRNA-155's effects on atherosclerotic inflammation and to explore its mechanism. Methods: MicroRNA-155's effects on atherosclerotic inflammation were observed along with the expression and activity levels of SOCS1, STAT3 and NF-κB though microRNA-155 inhibition or overexpression. Results: Highly expressions of microRNA-155 in oxLDL-stimulated macrophages and atherosclerosis mice were inversely correlated with SOCS1 expression. Ectopic microRNA-155 overexpression significantly promoted inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production and atherosclerosis progression. We then observed microRNA-155's functional role in the atherosclerotic pathophysiological process in vivo and in vitro. The observation revealed that by enhancing STAT3 and NF-κB signaling and facilitating immune inflammation by targeting SOCS1, microRNA-155 plays a promotable role in atherosclerosis progression. Conclusions: microRNA-155 works as a promoter in the atherosclerotic procession. Its mechanism may include enhancing inflammatory response in atherosclerosis by increasing STAT3 and NF-κB signaling via targeting SOCS1.