MicroRNA-33-5p inhibits cholesterol efflux in vascular endothelial cells by regulating citrate synthase and ATP-binding cassette transporter A1

BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2021 Sep 13;21(1):433. doi: 10.1186/s12872-021-02228-7.

Abstract

Background: A high level of total cholesterol is associated with several lipid metabolism disorders, including atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter A1 (ABCA1) and miR-33-5p play crucial roles in atherosclerosis by controlling cholesterol efflux. While citrate is a precursor metabolite for lipid and cholesterol synthesis, little is known about the association between citrate synthase (CS) and cholesterol efflux. This study investigated the role of the miR-33-5p/ABCA1/CS axis in regulating cholesterol efflux in vascular endothelial cells (VECs).

Materials and methods: VECs were treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ox-LDL), or pretreated with plasmids overexpressing CS, ABCA1, siRNAs against CS and ABCA1, and an miR-33-5p inhibitor. Cell apoptosis, cellular senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, inflammation, and cholesterol efflux were detected.

Results: Treatment with ox-LDL decreased ABCA1 and CS levels and increased miR-33-5p expression and apoptosis in dose-dependent manners. In contrast, treatment with the miR-33-5p inhibitor and ABCA1 and CS overexpression plasmids inhibited the above-mentioned ox-LDL-induced changes. In addition, treatment with ox-LDL decreased cholesterol efflux, induced aging, and promoted the production of inflammatory cytokines (i.e., IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor TNF-α), as well as the expression of Bax and Caspase 3 proteins in VECs. All these changes were rescued by miR-33-5p inhibition and ABCA1 and CS overexpression. The inhibition of ABCA1 and CS by siRNAs eliminated the effects mediated by the miR-33-5p inhibitor, and knockdown of CS eliminated the effects of ABCA1 on VECs.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated the crucial roles played by the miR-33-5p/ABCA1/CS axis in regulating cholesterol efflux, inflammation, apoptosis, and aging in VECs, and also suggested the axis as a target for managing lipid metabolism disorders.

Keywords: ABCA1; Citrate synthase; Vascular endothelial cells; miR-33-5p; ox-LDL.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1 / genetics
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1 / metabolism*
  • Apoptosis
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cellular Senescence
  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • Citrate (si)-Synthase / genetics
  • Citrate (si)-Synthase / metabolism*
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Endothelial Cells / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / pharmacology
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*

Substances

  • ABCA1 protein, human
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • MIRN33a microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • oxidized low density lipoprotein
  • Cholesterol
  • Citrate (si)-Synthase