MicroRNA-30c reduces hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in mice by decreasing lipid synthesis and lipoprotein secretion

Nat Med. 2013 Jul;19(7):892-900. doi: 10.1038/nm.3200. Epub 2013 Jun 9.

Abstract

Hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for various cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Overproduction of lipoproteins, a process that is dependent on microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), can contribute to hyperlipidemia. We show that microRNA-30c (miR-30c) interacts with the 3' untranslated region of MTP mRNA and induces its degradation, leading to reductions in MTP activity and in apolipoprotein B (APOB) secretion. miR-30c also reduces lipid synthesis independently of MTP. Hepatic overexpression of miR-30c reduced hyperlipidemia in Western diet-fed mice by decreasing lipid synthesis and the secretion of triglyceride-rich ApoB-containing lipoproteins and decreased atherosclerosis in Apoe(-/-) mice. Furthermore, inhibition of hepatic miR-30c by anti-miR-30c increased hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. Therefore, miR-30c coordinately reduces lipid biosynthesis and lipoprotein secretion, thereby regulating hepatic and plasma lipid concentrations. Raising miR-30c levels might be useful in treating hyperlipidemias and associated disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atherosclerosis / genetics
  • Atherosclerosis / metabolism*
  • COS Cells
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperlipidemias / genetics
  • Hyperlipidemias / metabolism*
  • Lipogenesis / genetics*
  • Lipoproteins / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • MicroRNAs / physiology*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Lipoproteins
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mirn30d microRNA, mouse
  • microsomal triglyceride transfer protein