OXIDIZED LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS REDUCE MICRO-RNA 146B EXPRESSION AND LEAD TO ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION: ROLE OF TRAF6 SIGNALING PATHWAY

Oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDLs) contribute to the dysregulation of endothelial cell functions, an initial key step involved in atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by a pro-inflammatory state, adhesion of circulating monocytes, and impairment of angiogenesis. Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that are emerging as key regulators of several physiological and pathological processes. However, their precise role in the development of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis remains to be determined. Because miR-146b was previously documented to be an important inhibitor of inflammation, we investigated its potential role in oxLDL-induced endothelial dysfunction.