MicroRNA-27a decreases the level and efficiency of the LDL receptor and contributes to the dysregulation of cholesterol homeostasis.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

A strong risk factor for atherosclerosis- the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes- is the elevation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in blood. The LDL receptor (LDLR) is the primary pathway for LDL-C removal from circulation, and their levels are increased by statins -the main treatment for high blood LDL-C. However, statins have low efficiency because they also increase PCSK9 which targets LDLR for degradation. Since microRNAs have recently emerged as key regulators of cholesterol homeostasis, our aim was to identify potential microRNA-based therapeutics to decrease blood LDL-C and prevent atherosclerosis.

Methods and results

We over expressed and knocked down miR-27a in HepG2 cells to assess its effect on the expression of key players in the

SUBMITTER: Alvarez ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4575910 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature