Open AccessMicroRNA sequences modulating inflammation and lipid accumulation in macrophage “foam” cells: Implications for atherosclerosis
Author(s) -
Richard James Lightbody,
Janice Taylor,
Yvonne Dempsie,
Annette Graham
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
world journal of cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1949-8462
DOI - 10.4330/wjc.v12.i7.303
Subject(s) - foam cell , macrophage , inflammation , fatty streak , microbiology and biotechnology , context (archaeology) , immune system , microrna , biology , innate immune system , efferocytosis , cholesterol , medicine , immunology , gene , genetics , biochemistry , in vitro , paleontology
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.