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Published on: June 15, 2018

MicroRNA-30c reduces hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in mice by decreasing lipid synthesis and lipoprotein

James Soh1, Jahangir Iqbal, Joyce Queiroz

  • 1School of Graduate Studies, Molecular and Cell Biology Program, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA.

Nature Medicine
|June 11, 2013
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNA-30c (miR-30c) reduces hyperlipidemia by decreasing lipid synthesis and lipoprotein secretion. Increasing miR-30c levels may offer a novel therapeutic approach for metabolic and cardiovascular disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Metabolic Disorders
  • Cardiovascular Science

Background:

  • Hyperlipidemia is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
  • Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) drives lipoprotein overproduction, contributing to hyperlipidemia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of microRNA-30c (miR-30c) in regulating lipid metabolism and hyperlipidemia.
  • To determine if miR-30c can be a therapeutic target for hyperlipidemia and associated conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated the interaction between miR-30c and MTP mRNA.
  • Assessed the effects of miR-30c on MTP activity, apolipoprotein B (APOB) secretion, and lipid synthesis in vitro and in vivo.
  • Utilized mouse models (Western diet-fed and Apoe(-/-)) to evaluate hepatic miR-30c overexpression and inhibition effects on hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.

Main Results:

  • miR-30c directly interacts with MTP mRNA, inducing its degradation and reducing MTP activity and APOB secretion.
  • miR-30c independently reduces hepatic lipid synthesis.
  • Hepatic miR-30c overexpression ameliorated hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in mouse models.
  • Inhibition of miR-30c exacerbated hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.

Conclusions:

  • miR-30c acts as a key regulator, coordinately reducing lipid biosynthesis and lipoprotein secretion.
  • Elevating miR-30c levels presents a potential therapeutic strategy for managing hyperlipidemia and related cardiovascular disorders.

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