MiR-155 inhibits transformation of macrophages into foam cells via regulating CEH expression

Fengxiang Zhang, Jinsong Zhao, Dapeng Sun, Ning Wei

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

MiR-155 can inhibit the formation of atherosclerosis by interfering with the transformation of macrophages into foam cells that plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, but the precise mechanisms of miR-155 are still unknown. Herein, we observed that mRNA and protein expression levels of CEH were significantly upregulated in a dose- and time-dependent manner by transfected with miR-155 mimics in THP-1 macrophages. Further studies showed that overexpression of miR-155 can significantly inhibit foam cells formation, reduce intracellular CE accumulation and enhance the efflux of FC and cholesterol, result in a decrease of intracellular lipid accumulation; while this effect was significantly reversed by siCEH. Meanwhile, we found that Tim-3 is associated with miR-155-mediated CEH expression in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells. Overexpression of Tim-3 can attenuate miR-155-mediated CEH induction. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that miR-155 can inhibit the transformation of macrophages into foam cells by enhancing CEH signaling pathway in macrophages, this effect is likely to be achieved by inhibiting the expression of Tim-3.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)645-651
Number of pages7
JournalBiomedicine and Pharmacotherapy
Volume104
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cholesterol ester hydrolase
  • Macrophages
  • MiR-155
  • Tim-3

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'MiR-155 inhibits transformation of macrophages into foam cells via regulating CEH expression'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this