miRNA Regulation of Cell Phenotype and Parietal Remodeling in Atherosclerotic and Non-Atherosclerotic Aortic Aneurysms: Differences and Similarities

Abstract

Aortic aneurysms are a serious health concern as their rupture leads to high morbidity and mortality. Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) exhibit differences and similarities in their pathophysiological and pathogenetic features. AAA is a multifactorial disease, mainly associated with atherosclerosis, characterized by a relevant inflammatory response and calcification. TAA is rarely associated with atherosclerosis and in some cases is associated with genetic mutations such as Marfan syndrome (MFS) and bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). MFS-related and non-genetic or sporadic TAA share aortic degeneration with endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (End-Mt) and fibrosis, whereas in BAV TAA, aortic degeneration with calcification prevails. microRNA (miRNAs) contribute to the regulation of aneurysmatic aortic remodeling. miRNAs are a class of non-coding RNAs, which post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression. In this review, we report the involvement of deregulated miRNAs in the different aortic remodeling characterizing AAAs and TAAs. In AAA, miRNA deregulation appears to be involved in parietal inflammatory response, smooth muscle cell (SMC) apoptosis and aortic wall calcification. In sporadic and MFS-related TAA, miRNA deregulation promotes End-Mt, SMC myofibroblastic phenotypic switching and fibrosis with glycosaminoglycan accumulation. In BAV TAA, miRNA deregulation sustains aortic calcification. Those differences may support the development of more personalized therapeutic approaches.

Heterogenous causal effects of serum fatty acid levels on the risk of cerebral and abdominal aortic aneurysm: a Mendelian Randomization study

“…In addition, the transformation of vSMC to foam cells induced by oleic acid is dependent on the NLRP3 inflammasome and can be suppressed by Scutellarin 22 . Since AA shares molecular characteristics with atherosclerosis 23,24 , and atherosclerotic plaque is an important indicator of AA risk 25 , these results suggest that MUFAs may promote AA through inducing atherosclerosis.…”