title: Functional regulatory roles of microRNAs in atherosclerosis.
abstract: MicroRNAs are a group of endogenously small non-coding RNA molecules that downregulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level through binding to the 3'UTR of target mRNAs. Recent findings have revealed a key role for microRNAs in the pathophysiological processes of atherosclerosis. As a complex disease, atherosclerosis is influenced by a combination of multiple genes and environmental factors. Both of them play a role in atherogenesis by affecting different types of cells (such as endothelial cell, vascular smooth muscle cell and monocyte/macrophage) function. MicroRNAs control the senescence and dysfunction of endothelial cells, proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, and macrophage-driven cytokine production and polarization. By these effects, microRNAs can influence the processes of atherosclerosis and may represent new molecular targets for therapy.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
authors.forename: Ya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
authors.forename: Zhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
authors.forename: Ni-Ya
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
authors.forename: Xue-Shan
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
authors.forename: Mei-Mei
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Medical College, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410208, China.
authors.forename: Hong-Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China; College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China. Electronic address: tangzhihan98@163.com.
authors.forename: Zhi-Han
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China. Electronic address: zsjiang2005@163.com.
authors.forename: Zhi-Sheng
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
authors.forename: Gui-Xue
authors.initials: GX
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China; College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China. Electronic address: liuls2000@163.com.
authors.forename: Lu-Shan
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000235:genetics*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000502:physiology*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Endothelial cells; Inflammation; Macrophages; Vascular smooth muscle cells; microRNA