The roles of microRNAs in atherosclerosis

MicroRNA (abbr. miRNA) is an endogenous small non-coding RNAs (containing ~22 nucleotides) found in plants and animals, which functions in transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. These endogenous gene expression inhibitors were primarily described in cancer but recent emerging roles in the regulation of autoimmune inflammation which is thought to be associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including atherosclerosis known as an autoimmune disease. MiRNA controls innate and adaptive immune responses to intracellular bacterial infection by targeting interferon-γ, and plays the roles in endothelial cell (EC), vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC), and macrophages, and thereby leading to regulate the progression of atherosclerosis. MiRNA modulates several pathways such as lipid uptake and Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling, implicating an involvement in plaque development. In the present review, we focus on the roles of microRNAs in atherosclerosis through which highlight the therapeutic possibility for the treatment of atherosclerosis.