title: Altered microRNome Profiling in Statin-Induced HepG2 Cells: A Pilot Study Identifying Potential new Biomarkers Involved in Lipid-Lowering Treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Statins are widely prescribed drugs to manage hypercholesterolemia. Despite they are considered effective lipid-lowering agents, significant inter-individual variability has been reported in relation to drug response. Among the reasons explaining this variation, genetic factors are known to partially contribute. Nonetheless, poor evidence exists regarding epigenetic factors involved.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated if atorvastatin can modulate the cholesterol related miR-33 family. Furthermore, we analyzed the microRNA expression profiles in HepG2 cells treated for 24 hours with atorvastatin or simvastatin using a microarray platform.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results indicate that atorvastatin does not influence the expression of the miR-33 family. In addition, microarray examination revealed that atorvastatin modulated thirteen miRs, whilst simvastatin only affected two miRs. All significantly modulated miRs after simvastastin therapy were also modulated by atorvastatin. In addition, four novel miRs with previously unreported functions were identified as statin-modulated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We identified several novel miRs affected by statin treatment. Additional research is needed to determine the biological significance of differentially expressed miRs identified in statins-induced HepG2 cells.
authors.affiliation: Center of Molecular Biology and Pharmacogenetics, Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.|School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tomás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zambrano
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rosario D C
authors.initials: RDC
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mario H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.affiliation: Center of Molecular Biology and Pharmacogenetics, Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.|School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Álvaro
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Cerda
authors.affiliation: Center of Molecular Biology and Pharmacogenetics, Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile. luis.salazar@ufrontera.cl.|Centro de Biología Molecular & Farmacogenética, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar 01145, Casilla 54-D, Temuco, Chile. luis.salazar@ufrontera.cl.
authors.forename: Luis A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Salazar
keywords: Cholesterol; Epigenetics; HepG2; Pharmacoepigenetics; Statins; miRNAs