Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 20, 2026

In Vivo Nanovector Delivery of a Heart-specific MicroRNA-sponge
09:53

In Vivo Nanovector Delivery of a Heart-specific MicroRNA-sponge

Published on: June 15, 2018

8.0K

STARD4-AS1 promotes coronary artery disease and modulates endothelial dysfunction by targeting miR-204-3p/FLI1

Yuan Li1, Li Liu1

  • 1Department of General Practice, Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital of Panzhihua, Panzhihua, 617000, China.

Microvascular Research
|February 18, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Steroidogenic acute regulator protein-related lipid transfer domain containing 4-antisense RNA 1 (STARD4-AS1) is elevated in coronary artery disease (CAD) and regulates endothelial cell function. STARD4-AS1 shows potential as a therapeutic target and biomarker for CAD.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading global cause of mortality.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying CAD is crucial for developing effective treatments.
  • The role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) like STARD4-AS1 in CAD pathogenesis is under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression, function, and regulatory mechanisms of STARD4-AS1 in CAD.
  • To evaluate STARD4-AS1 as a potential diagnostic biomarker for CAD.
  • To explore STARD4-AS1 as a therapeutic target for CAD.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of the GSE113079 dataset to identify STARD4-AS1 expression in CAD.
  • Quantification of serum STARD4-AS1 levels in CAD patients and healthy controls using RT-qPCR.
  • In vitro functional assays in human primary coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) under hypoxia, including siRNA-mediated knockdown of STARD4-AS1, assessment of monocyte adhesion, LDH release, MDA, SOD, and LDL-C levels.
  • Prediction and validation of miRNA targets for STARD4-AS1 using dual-luciferase reporter assays.
  • Rescue experiments to validate the STARD4-AS1/miRNA axis function.

Main Results:

  • STARD4-AS1 was significantly elevated in CAD peripheral blood mononuclear cells and serum.
  • Elevated STARD4-AS1 levels correlated positively with LDL-C and demonstrated diagnostic value for CAD.
  • Knockdown of STARD4-AS1 in HCAECs under hypoxia reduced LDH release, MDA levels, intracellular LDL-C, and monocyte adhesion.
  • MiR-204-3p was identified as a direct target of STARD4-AS1, and FLI1 as a target of miR-204-3p.
  • Inhibition of miR-204-3p reversed the protective effects of STARD4-AS1 suppression on hypoxic HCAECs.

Conclusions:

  • STARD4-AS1 plays a significant role in regulating endothelial cell function under hypoxic conditions relevant to CAD.
  • The STARD4-AS1/miR-204-3p/FLI1 axis is implicated in CAD pathogenesis.
  • STARD4-AS1 represents a promising novel therapeutic target and a potential circulating biomarker for CAD.
Keywords:
BiomarkerCoronary artery diseaseOxidative stressSTARD4-AS1miR-204-3p

More Related Videos

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis11:44

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis

Published on: March 30, 2019

8.1K
Delivery of Modified mRNA in a Myocardial Infarction Mouse Model06:03

Delivery of Modified mRNA in a Myocardial Infarction Mouse Model

Published on: June 11, 2020

9.8K

Related Concept Videos

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
646
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl...
3.7K
Mechanism of Angiogenesis01:10

Mechanism of Angiogenesis

Blood vessel formation starts early during embryonic development, around day 7. In the extraembryonic yolk sac, mesodermal precursor cells called hemangioblast proliferate and differentiate into angioblast. Angioblasts express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 or VEGFR2, which binds VEGF-A, a proangiogenic factor, guiding blood vessel formation. VEGF signaling promotes angioblasts to form a blood island in the developing embryo. Angioblasts further differentiate, giving rise to...
7.1K
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
1.2K
Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway01:28

Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway

Nitric oxide (NO), an inorganic gas, acts as a potent second messenger in most animal and plant tissues. NO diffuses out of the cells that produce it and enters the neighboring cells to generate a downstream response. NO synthase (NOS) catalyzes NO production by the deamination of the amino acid arginine. There are three isoforms of NOS. Endothelial cells have endothelial NOS (eNOS), nerve and muscle cells have neuronal NOS (nNOS), and macrophages produce inducible NOS (iNOS) upon exposure...
6.4K
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors...
10.7K