Cellular imbalances of cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism result in pathological processes, including atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome. Recent work from our group and others has shown that the intronic microRNAs hsa-miR-33a and hsa-miR-33b are located within the sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 and -1 genes, respectively, and regulate cholesterol homeostasis in concert with their host genes. Here, we show that miR-33a and -b also regulate genes involved in fatty acid metabolism and insulin signaling. miR-33a and -b target key enzymes involved in the regulation of fatty acid oxidation, including carnitine O-octaniltransferase, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A, hydroxyacyl-CoAdehydrogenase, Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6), and AMP kinase subunit-α. Moreover, miR-33a and -b also target the insulin receptor substrate 2, an essential component of the insulin-signaling pathway in the liver. Overexpression of miR-33a and -b reduces both fatty acid oxidation and insulin signaling in hepatic cell lines, whereas inhibition of endogenous miR-33a and -b increases these two metabolic pathways. Together, these data establish that miR-33a and -b regulate pathways controlling three of the risk factors of metabolic syndrome, namely levels of HDL, triglycerides, and insulin signaling, and suggest that inhibitors of miR-33a and -b may be useful in the treatment of this growing health concern.lipid homeostasis | posttranscriptional regulation | cardiovascular disease

Objective The ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is a major regulator of macrophage cholesterol efflux and protects cells from excess intracellular cholesterol accumulation, however the mechanism involved in posttranscriptional regulation of ABCA1 is poorly understood. We previously showed miR-33 was one regulator. Here we investigated the potential contribution of other microRNAs (miRNAs) to post-transcriptionally regulate ABCA1 and macrophage cholesterol efflux. Methods and Results We performed a bioinformatic analaysis for identifying miRNA target prediction sites in ABCA1 gene and an unbiased genome-wide screen to identify miRNAs modulated by cholesterol excess in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR confirmed that miR-758 is repressed in cholesterol-loaded macrophages. Under physiological conditions, high dietary fat excess in mice repressed mir-758 both in peritoneal macrophages and, to a lesser extent in the liver. In mouse and human cells in vitro, miR-758 repressed the expression of ABCA1 and conversely the inhibition of this miRNA by using anti-miR-758 increased ABCA1 expression. In mouse cells, mir-758 reduced cellular cholesterol efflux to apoA1 and anti-miR-758 increased it. miR-758 directly targets the 3′UTR of Abca1 as assessed by 3′UTR luciferase reporter assays. Interestingly, miR-758 is highly expressed in the brain where also target several genes involved in neurological functions including SLC38A1, NTM, EPHA7 and MYT1L. Conclusion We identified miR-758 as a novel miRNA that post-transcriptionally controls ABCA1 levels in different cells and regulates macrophage cellular cholesterol efflux to apoA1, opening new avenues to increase apoA1 and raise HDL levels.

Background and aims: The colonic epithelium plays a key role in host defence. During colitis, epithelial function is impaired, leading to elevated bacterial translocation and exacerbation of inflammation. We previously documented perturbation of epithelial function, in terms of secretion and as a barrier to bacterial translocation, that persisted long after resolution of a bout of colitis in the rat. The mechanisms underlying the epithelial dysfunction are not completely understood. Methods: Given the ability of prostaglandin (PG) D 2 to suppress colonic epithelial secretion, we investigated the potential roles of this eicosanoid and of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in mediating postcolitis epithelial secretory and barrier dysfunction. Results: Six weeks after induction of colitis with trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid, there was marked elevated synthesis of PGD 2 and elevated COX-2 expression. Selective COX-2 inhibition abolished the increase in PGD 2 synthesis. Colonic chloride secretory responses (in vitro) were significantly diminished relative to those in controls, a defect that was reversed by pre-exposure to a selective COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib) but not to a selective COX-1 inhibitor (SC-560). The hyporesponsiveness was mimicked by pre-exposure of normal colonic tissue to PGD 2 , but not to its metabolite, 15-deoxy-D 12-14 PGJ 2 . The post-colitis rats exhibited a 10-fold increase in bacterial colonisation of the colon, and .3-fold increase in bacterial translocation. Twice daily treatment for one week with a selective COX-2 inhibitor (rofecoxib) did not affect bacterial colonisation but abolished the increase in bacterial translocation.Conclusions: These studies demonstrate an important role for COX-2, possibly via generation of PGD 2 , in mediating the prolonged epithelial secretory and barrier dysfunction after a bout of colitis in the rat.

Lipid accumulation in macrophages has profound effects on macrophage gene expression and contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. Here, we report that angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is the most highly upregulated gene in foamy macrophages and it's absence in haematopoietic cells results in larger atherosclerotic plaques, characterized by bigger necrotic core areas and increased macrophage apoptosis. Furthermore, hyperlipidemic mice deficient in haematopoietic ANGPTL4 have higher blood leukocyte counts, which is associated with an increase in the common myeloid progenitor (CMP) population. ANGPTL4-deficient CMPs have higher lipid raft content, are more proliferative and less apoptotic compared with the wild-type (WT) CMPs. Finally, we observe that ANGPTL4 deficiency in macrophages promotes foam cell formation by enhancing CD36 expression and reducing ABCA1 localization in the cell surface. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that haematopoietic ANGPTL4 deficiency increases atherogenesis through regulating myeloid progenitor cell expansion and differentiation, foam cell formation and vascular inflammation.

Abstract:Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction has been associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) .