Long non-coding RNA PCA3 inhibits lipid accumulation and atherosclerosis through the miR-140-5p/RFX7/ABCA1 axis

Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids. 2021 May;1866(5):158904. doi: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2021.158904. Epub 2021 Feb 10.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) in atherosclerosis and the underlying mechanism.

Methods: The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets were used to divide differentially expressed lncRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs), and mRNAs. The expression of PCA3, miR-140-5p, RFX7 and ABCA1 were determined by qPCR or Western blot in ox-LDL-treated macrophages. Macrophage lipid accumulation s was evaluated using the Oil Red O staining and high-performance liquid chromatography. Target relationships among PCA3, miR-140-5p, RFX7, and ABCA1 promoter area were validated via dual-luciferase reporter gene assay or chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. The apoE-/- mouse model in vivo was designed to evaluate the effect of PCA3 on the reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) and atherosclerosis.

Results: PCA3 was down-regulated in foam cells, whereas miR-140-5p was highly expressed. Overexpression of PCA3 promoted ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux and reduced lipid accumulation in macrophages. Besides, RFX7 bound to the ABCA1 promoter and increased ABCA1 expression. Targeted relationships and interactions on the expression between miR-140-5p and PCA3 or RFX7 were elucidated. PCA3 up-regulated ABCA1 expression by binding to miR-140-5p to up-regulate RFX7 and ABCA1 expression in macrophages. PCA3 promoted RCT and impeded the progression of atherosclerosis by sponging miR-140-5p in apoE-/- mice. Meanwhile, miR-140-5p also inhibit ABCA1 expression via downregulation of RFX7 to impede RCT and aggravate atherosclerosis.

Conclusions: lncRNA PCA3 promotes ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux to inhibit atherosclerosis through sponging miR-140-5p and up-regulating RFX7.

Keywords: ABCA1; Atherosclerosis; LncRNA PCA3; RFX7; miR-140-5p.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1 / genetics
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1 / metabolism*
  • Atherosclerosis / genetics
  • Atherosclerosis / metabolism*
  • Atherosclerosis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lipid Metabolism*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / metabolism*
  • Regulatory Factor X Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Regulatory Factor X Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • THP-1 Cells

Substances

  • ABCA1 protein, human
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mirn140 microRNA, human
  • RFX7 protein, human
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • Regulatory Factor X Transcription Factors