MicroRNA-98 regulates foam cell formation and lipid accumulation through repression of LOX-1

• Published in: Redox biology Vol. 16; pp. 255 - 262
• Main Authors: Dai, Yao, Wu, Xiaoqin, Dai, Dongsheng, Li, Jun, Mehta, Jawahar L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.06.2018; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Apolipoproteins E - genetics; Atherosclerosis - blood; Atherosclerosis - genetics; Atherosclerosis - pathology; Diet, High-Fat; Foam cells; Foam Cells - metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Lipid Metabolism - genetics; Lipoproteins, LDL - metabolism; LOX-1; Macrophages - metabolism; Mice; Mice, Knockout; MicroRNAs - genetics; MiR-98; Ox-LDL; Research Paper; Scavenger Receptors, Class E - genetics; MiR-98; LOX-1; Foam cells; Ox-LDL
• ISSN: 2213-2317; 2213-2317
• DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2018.03.003

Several miR/s that regulate gene/s relevant in atherogenesis are being described. We identified a miR (miR-98) that targets LOX-1, a receptor for ox-LDL, and speculated that it might be relevant in atherogenesis. MicroRNA-98 was predicted by bioinformatics tools. The effects of miR-98 (by use of mimics and inhibitors) on LOX-1 expression and foam cell formation in mouse peritoneal macrophages were assessed. ApoE-/- mice fed by high fat diet were administered with mmu-agomiR-98 and mmu-antagomiR-98, and expression of LOX-1 and foam cell formation in aorta were quantified. LOX-1 was established to be a direct target of miR-98 by luciferase reporter assay. Enhancement of miR-98 decreased the expression of LOX-1 and inhibited foam cell formation and lipid accumulation. Inhibition of miR-98 had the opposite effects on all parameters. Reduced expression of miR-98 may relate to LOX-1 expression and foam cell formation and lipid accumulation in aortas of ApoE-/- mice. Plasma level of miR-98 may be a biomarker of atherosclerotic disease process and its modulation may offer a therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis. [Display omitted] •miR-98 inhibits LOX-1.•miR-98 inhibits foam cell formation.•miR-98 inhibits lipid accumulation.