The metabolism of cholesterol, an essential cell membrane component and precursor in metabolic pathways, is tightly regulated at both the cellular and organismal level. Insufficient or excessive cholesterol levels result in pathologic processes, thereby necessitating a complex homeostatic regulation of cholesterol availability to cells and tissues. However, it remains poorly understood how the intricate processes of cholesterol influx and efflux are coordinately regulated to maintain cholesterol homeostasis. MicroRNAs are small endogenous RNAs that have emerged as post- transcriptional regulators of physiological processes. These short, double stranded RNAs are encoded in the genome and bind to complementary target sites in the 3'untranslated regions (3'UTR) of mRNAs, causing translational repression and/or mRNA destabilization. Notably, a single miRNA can have multiple targets, thus providing a mechanism for simultaneously regulating the post-transcriptional expression of genes involved in a specific pathway or physiological process. We hypothesize that microRNAs may play important roles in the epigenetic regulation of cholesterol metabolism gene pathways. To gain insight into role of microRNAs in cholesterol metabolism, we undertook an unbiased genome-wide screen of microRNAs modulated by cellular cholesterol content. We identified miRNAs that target components of the pathways regulating both low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL). In this grant, we propose to determine the role of these microRNAs in both the physiological and pathological processes of cholesterol regulation. Specifically we will use overexpression and antagonism approaches to: (1) assess the role of these microRNAs in regulating lipoprotein metabolism, and (2) determine their impact on atherosclerosis progression and regression. These studies will provide insight into the mechanisms by which microRNAs contribute to the post-transcriptional regulation of cholesterol homeostasis, and assess their potential as therapeutic targets in the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Public Health Relevance

Atherosclerotic vascular disease is a major health problem in the US and the western world. This project will advance our understanding of the pathways that regulate LDL and HDL cholesterol metabolism, two independent risk factors for atherosclerosis. These studies may uncover novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01HL108182-03S1
Application #
8762947
Study Section
Atherosclerosis and Inflammation of the Cardiovascular System Study Section (AICS)
Program Officer
Applebaum-Bowden, Deborah
Project Start
2013-12-01
Project End
2015-11-30
Budget Start
2013-12-01
Budget End
2015-11-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$403,410
Indirect Cost
$165,410
Name
New York University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
121911077
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10016
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Feinberg, Mark W; Moore, Kathryn J (2016) MicroRNA Regulation of Atherosclerosis. Circ Res 118:703-20
Ouimet, Mireille; Hennessy, Elizabeth J; van Solingen, Coen et al. (2016) miRNA Targeting of Oxysterol-Binding Protein-Like 6 Regulates Cholesterol Trafficking and Efflux. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 36:942-951
Karunakaran, Denuja; Thrush, A Brianne; Nguyen, My-Anh et al. (2015) Macrophage Mitochondrial Energy Status Regulates Cholesterol Efflux and Is Enhanced by Anti-miR33 in Atherosclerosis. Circ Res 117:266-78
Moore, Kathryn J; Rayner, Katey J (2015) Local Anti-miR Delivery: The Latest in the Arsenal of Drug-Eluting Stents. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 35:1905-6
Ouimet, Mireille; Ediriweera, Hasini N; Gundra, U Mahesh et al. (2015) MicroRNA-33-dependent regulation of macrophage metabolism directs immune cell polarization in atherosclerosis. J Clin Invest 125:4334-48
Vengrenyuk, Yuliya; Nishi, Hitoo; Long, Xiaochun et al. (2015) Cholesterol loading reprograms the microRNA-143/145-myocardin axis to convert aortic smooth muscle cells to a dysfunctional macrophage-like phenotype. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 35:535-46
Distel, Emilie; Barrett, Tessa J; Chung, Kellie et al. (2014) miR33 inhibition overcomes deleterious effects of diabetes mellitus on atherosclerosis plaque regression in mice. Circ Res 115:759-69
Moore, Kathryn J; Fisher, Edward A (2014) High-density lipoproteins put out the fire. Cell Metab 19:175-6
Rayner, Katey J; Moore, Kathryn J (2014) MicroRNA control of high-density lipoprotein metabolism and function. Circ Res 114:183-92

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