Exosomal non-coding RNAs: Emerging therapeutic targets in atherosclerosis

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Biology
• Molecular Medicine
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Atherosclerosis is an LDL-driven inflammatory disease involving sub-endothelial space.
• Key factors include inflammation, LDL oxidation, endothelial dysfunction, and VSMC activity.
• Cellular crosstalk is critical in modulating atherosclerosis pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the role of exosomal noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in atherosclerosis.
• Explore the molecular mechanisms underlying exosomal ncRNA function in this disease.
• Assess the potential of exosomal ncRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

• Focus on extracellular vesicles, specifically exosomes, as mediators of cell-to-cell communication.
• Analyze the cargo of exosomes, including noncoding RNAs (microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, circular RNAs).
• Examine how these ncRNAs regulate cellular functions like transcription, epigenetics, and translation.

Main Results:

• Exosomes facilitate crosstalk between sub-endothelial cells in atherosclerosis.
• Exosomal ncRNAs are key effectors, modulating cellular processes.
• These ncRNAs hold potential for diagnosing and treating atherosclerosis.

Conclusions:

• Exosomal ncRNAs are integral to atherosclerosis pathogenesis.
• They represent promising biomarkers for early detection.
• Targeting exosomal ncRNAs offers a novel therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis.