Exosomal non-coding RNAs: Emerging therapeutic targets in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is an LDL-driven and inflammatory disorder of the sub-endothelial space. Available data have proposed that various factors could affect atherosclerosis pathogenesis, including inflammation, oxidation of LDL particles, endothelial dysfunction, foam cell formation, proliferation, and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In addition, other research indicated that the crosstalk among atherosclerosis-induced cells is a crucial factor in modulating atherosclerosis. Extracellular vesicles are nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 30 to 150 nm, playing an important role in various pathophysiological situations. Exosomes, as a form of extracellular vesicles, could affect the crosstalk between sub-endothelial cells. They can transport bioactive components like proteins, lipids, RNA, and DNA. As an important cargo in exosomes, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) including microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs could modulate cellular functions by regulating the transcription, epigenetic alteration, and translation. The current work aimed to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of exosomal ncRNA as well as their potential as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target in atherosclerosis.

Automated summary

Atherosclerosis is a disease caused by LDL and inflammation, which affects the sub-endothelial space. Various factors, including inflammation, LDL oxidation, endothelial dysfunction, foam cell formation, and smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration, are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Crosstalk among atherosclerosis-induced cells plays an important role in modulating the disease. Exosomes, a type of extracellular vesicle, have been found to carry bioactive components like proteins, lipids, RNA, and DNA, and can affect the communication between sub-endothelial cells. Noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs, which are important cargo in exosomes, can regulate cellular functions. This study aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms of exosomal ncRNAs and their potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in atherosclerosis.