microRNA在动脉粥样硬化发病机制中的作用

Role of microRNA in atherosclerosis

微小核糖核酸(microRNA,miRNA)是一类非编码的小分子RNA,主要在转录后水平调控基因表达。近来,miRNA与动脉粥样硬化(atherosclerosis,As)发病机制的关系成为研究热点。目前已证实miRNA在调节As病变进程相关的血管壁炎性反应、免疫细胞分化和胆固醇代谢等方面均发挥重要作用。miR-155和miR-146a参与调控血管壁的炎性反应以及辅助性T细胞(helper T cell,Th)的分化;miR-29参与调控血管平滑肌细胞(vascular smooth muscle cell,VSMC)迁移以及相关炎性反应;miR-33参与对胆固醇代谢的调控。此外,miR-365、miR-222等分别通过调控内皮细胞的凋亡和新生血管的形成参与As的发生、发展。文中就上述miRNA在As发生、发展过程中的作用机制进行综述,旨在为进一步揭示As的发病机制提供思路。

MicroRNAs （miRNAs） are small noncoding RNAs that regulate the gene expression post-transcription. Recently, the relationship between miRNA and atherosclerosis becomes a research hotspot. It has been confirmed that miRNAs play an important role in regulating vessel wall inflammation associated with atherosclerosis, immune cell differentiation and cholesterol metabolism, miR- 155 and miR-146a involved in the regulation of vessel wall inflammation and helper T cell differentiation; miR-29 modulated vascular smooth muscle cell migration and inflammation, miR-33 regulated cholesterol metabolism, miR-365 and miR-222 involved in the initia- tion and progression of atherosclerosis through regulating endothelium apoptosis and angiogenesis respectively. This article reviews the mechanisms of miRNA in the development of atherosclerosis, aiming to provide ideas for further revealing the pathogenesis of athero- sclerosis.