| First Author | Desjarlais M | Year | 2019 |
| Journal | Atherosclerosis | Volume | 289 |
| Pages | 73-84 | PubMed ID | 31479774 |
| Mgi Jnum | J:295759 | Mgi Id | MGI:6453591 |
| Doi | 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2019.08.010 | Citation | Desjarlais M, et al. (2019) Forced expression of microRNA-146b reduces TRAF6-dependent inflammation and improves ischemia-induced neovascularization in hypercholesterolemic conditions. Atherosclerosis 289:73-84 |
| abstractText | BACKGROUND AND AIMS: MicroRNA (miR)-146 is a key regulator of inflammation, endothelial activation and atherosclerosis. This study sought to define its potential role for the modulation of ischemia-induced neovascularization in atherosclerotic conditions. METHODS: Next generation sequencing and qRT-PCR analyses were used to compare microRNA expression in the ischemic muscles of hypercholesterolemic ApoE-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice vs. wild type mice, and in HUVECs exposed or not to oxLDL. Neovascularization was investigated in a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia and the functional activities of HUVECs and pro-angiogenic cells (PACs) were assessed in vitro. RESULTS: We found that miR-146b (but not miR-146a) is significantly reduced in the ischemic muscles of ApoE(-/-) mice, and in HUVECs exposed to oxLDL. Inhibition of miR-146b reduces angiogenesis in vitro, whereas forced expression of miR-146b rescues oxLDL-mediated impairment of endothelial cell proliferation and tube formation. Mechanistically, miR146b directly targets tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFa) Receptor Associated Factor 6 (TRAF6) to inhibit inflammation. We found that hypercholesterolemia and oxLDL exposure are associated with higher levels of TRAF6, and increased expression of TNFa. However, forced expression of miR-146b in high cholesterol conditions reduces the expression of these inflammatory factors. In vivo, intramuscular injection of miR-146b mimic reduces ischemic damages and restores blood flow recuperation and capillary density in the ischemic muscles of ApoE(-/-) mice. Treatment with miR-146b also increases the number and functional activities of pro-angiogenic cells (PACs). CONCLUSIONS: Hypercholesterolemia is associated with reduced expression of miR-146b, which increases TRAF6-dependent inflammation and is associated with poor neovascularization in response to ischemia. Forced expression of miR-146b using a miR mimic could constitute a novel therapeutic strategy to improve ischemia-induced neovascularization in atherosclerotic conditions. |
