Abstract
Accumulation of macrophage “foam” cells, laden with cholesterol and cholesteryl ester, within the intima of large arteries, is a hallmark of early “fatty streak” lesions which can progress to complex, multicellular atheromatous plaques, involving lipoproteins from the bloodstream and cells of the innate and adaptive immune response. Sterol accumulation triggers induction of genes encoding proteins mediating the atheroprotective cholesterol efflux pathway. Within the arterial intima, however, this mechanism is overwhelmed, leading to distinct changes in macrophage phenotype and inflammatory status. Over the last decade marked gains have been made in understanding of the epigenetic landscape which influence macrophage function, and in particular the importance of small non-coding micro-RNA (miRNA) sequences in this context. This review identifies some of the miRNA sequences which play a key role in regulating “foam” cell formation and atherogenesis, highlighting sequences involved in cholesterol accumulation, those influencing inflammation in sterol-loaded cells, and novel sequences and pathways which may offer new strategies to influence macrophage function within atherosclerotic lesions.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 303-333 |
Number of pages | 31 |
Journal | World Journal of Cardiology |
Volume | 12 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 26 Jul 2020 |
Keywords
- Atherosclerosis
- Cholesterol
- Coronary heart disease
- Inflammation
- Macrophage “foam” cell
- MicroRNA
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine