Endothelial microRNAs regulating the NF-κB pathway and cell adhesion molecules during inflammation

The surface of endothelial cells is covered with cell adhesion molecules, including E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM- 1) , that mediate the adhesion and extravasation of leukocytes and play pivotal roles in inflammatory response. microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the expression of these important cell adhesion molecules through two distinct major mechanisms, namely via modulating the proinflammatory NF-κB pathway, which controls their transcription, and via directly targeting them. The present review highlights the role of various miRNAs in controlling the expression of E-selectin, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1: a type of regulation that can be harnessed for therapeutic prevention of inflammation-associated diseases such as atherosclerosis and sepsis. The roles of secreted miRNAs as paracrine regulators, and cell adhesion molecule-based miRNA delivery are also addressed.-Zhong, L., Simard, M. J., Huot, J. Endothelial microRNAs regulating the NF-κB pathway and cell adhesion molecules during inflammation.