Up-regulated miR-93 contributes to coronary atherosclerosis pathogenesis through targeting ABCA1

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease, starting with the accumulation of white blood cells and fatty materials in the arterial wall. ABCA1, a gene promotes phospholipid and cholesterol transfer from cells to poorly lapidated ApoA1, is considered to be related to the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis. Meanwhile, disturbed miRNAs were reported to be related to coronary atherosclerosis. To understand the relationship between miRNA, ABCA1 and coronary atherosclerosis pathogenesis, we first screened the miRNAs that may directly target 3'UTR of ABCA1 and miR-33a was used as positive control. Through dual luciferase assay and western blot, we confirmed that miR-93 and miR-17 repress ABCA1 expression through directly targeting 3'UTR. The serum miR-33a, miR-93 and miR-17 levels in participants were detected by qRT-PCR and a significant reduction of miR-33a and miR-93 was found in the coronary patients. After statistical analysis we identified that a negative correlation was existed in the serum miR-93 and ABCA1 levels in coronary atherosclerosis patients. Meanwhile, our results indicate that the serum miR-93 positively correlates with the serum cholesterol level. This research may give insight into understanding of coronary atherosclerosis pathogenesis and create an opportunity to the diagnosis of coronary atherosclerosis.