H2 S inhibits apo(a) expression and secretion through PKCα/FXR and Akt/HNF4α pathways in HepG2 cells.

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a strong genetic risk factor for coronary heart diseases. However, the metabolism of this protein remains poorly understood. Efficient and specific drugs that can decrease high plasma levels of Lp(a) have not been developed yet. Hydrogen sulfide (H2 S), a member of the gas transmitter family, performs important biological actions, including protection against cardiovascular diseases and maintenance of the lipid metabolism equilibrium in hepatocytes and adipocytes. In this study, we investigated the possible molecular mechanism of H2 S that influences apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] biosynthesis. We also determined the effects of H2 S on apo(a) expression and secretion in HepG2 cells as well as the underlying mechanisms. Results showed that H2 S significantly inhibited the expression and secretion levels of apo(a). These effects were attenuated by the PKCα inhibitor and FXR siRNA. H2 S also reduced HNF4α expression and enhanced FXR expression. The Akt inhibitor partially reversed H2 S-induced inhibition of apo(a) and HNF4α expression and apo(a) secretion. This study reveals that H2 S suppressed apo(a) expression and secretion via the PKCα-FXR and PI3K/Akt-HNF4α pathways.

Ox-Lp(a) transiently induces HUVEC autophagy via an ROS-dependent PAPR-1-LKB1-AMPK-mTOR pathway.

Oxidised lipoprotein(a) [oxLp(a)] is considered as a more potent arteriosclerotic factor than native Lp(a). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this potency remain unclear. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) possibly act as intracellular second messengers that participate in autophagy stimulation. In this study, the effect of oxLp(a) on endothelial cell autophagy was determined. The mechanism and effect of autophagy on endothelial cells were also investigated. Results showed that oxLp(a) could induce autophagy depending on the generation of cellular ROS. Superoxide dismutase, an antioxidant, could inhibit oxLp(a)-induced autophagy in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells. Furthermore, poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1)-liver kinase B1 (LKB1)-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and LKB1-AMPK-mTOR pathways are involved in oxLp(a)-induced autophagy. These pathways are also dependent on ROS. Thus, oxLp(a) induced autophagy via LKB1-AMPK-mTOR and PAPR-1-LKB1-AMPK-mTOR pathways, which are dependent on ROS generation.

MicroRNAs: Key regulators of endothelial progenitor cell functions.

Development of cardiovascular diseases mobilises endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from the bone marrow to participate in vascular repair and formation of new blood vessels under both pathological and physiological conditions. Therefore, EPCs show great potential for therapeutic applications; however, the phenotypic and functional characterisation of EPCs is still difficult because controversies exist regarding their accurate definition. Growing studies have shown modest clinical benefits of EPCs; however, it is necessary to better understand the regulation of EPC functions. MicroRNAs are small, non-coding, single-stranded RNAs with regulatory activities. Results of some recent studies have found that microRNAs play an important role in regulating EPC functions. In this review, we will summarise the results of some recent studies to provide an integral picture of the role of microRNAs in the regulation of EPC functions and will discuss the therapeutic applications and the new research direction.

FGF21 increases cholesterol efflux by upregulating ABCA1 through the ERK1/2-PPARγ-LXRα pathway in THP1 macrophage-derived foam cells.

FGF21, a member of the fibroblast growth factor superfamily, is an important endogenous regulator of systemic glucose and lipid metabolism. Elevated serum FGF21 levels have been reported in subjects with coronary heart disease and carotid artery plaques. However, whether FGF21 is associated with atherosclerotic diseases remains unclear. In this study, the effects of FGF21 on cholesterol efflux in THP1 macrophage-derived foam cells and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. THP1 macrophage-derived foam cells were incubated with 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 ng/mL of FGF21 for varying time periods (0, 6, 12, and 24 h). Cholesterol efflux onto apoA-1 was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography assays, while change in ABCA1 expression was analyzed by western blot and real-time quantitative PCR. Incubation was performed with the ERK1/2-specific inhibitor PD98059, PPARγ-specific inhibitor GW9662, and LXRα siRNA. Our results show that FGF21 promotes cholesterol efflux and ABCA1 expression in THP1 macrophage-derived foam cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, inhibition of ERK1/2 or PPARγ, or knockdown of LXRα attenuated FGF21-mediated promotion of ABCA1 expression and cholesterol efflux. These results demonstrate that FGF21 can promote cholesterol efflux by upregulating ABCA1 through the ERK1/2-PPARγ-LXRα pathway in THP1 macrophage-derived foam cells.