Coenzyme Q10 increases cholesterol efflux and inhibits atherosclerosis through microRNAs

Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2014 Sep;34(9):1795-7. doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.114.303741.

Abstract

Researchers have identified a novel microRNA (miRNA) regulatory module that connects a popular vitamin-like supplement, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), to ATP-cassette transport G1 (ABCG1)-mediated macrophage cholesterol efflux. CoQ10 was found to inhibit the expression of c-Jun, and thus the activity of the AP-1 complex, which was determined to be a transcriptional activator of miR-378. miR-378 directly targets ABCG1 and loss of miR-378 suppression resulted in increased cholesterol efflux and atheroprotection in mice. Here we discuss the merits of a recent study by Wang, D et al., and place their acute observations in the current landscape of miRNA regulation of cholesterol efflux and atherosclerosis.

Keywords: CoQ 10; high-density lipoproteins; microRNA.

Publication types

  • Editorial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 1
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Atherosclerosis / metabolism*
  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins / physiology*
  • Macrophages / drug effects*
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / physiology*
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / physiology*
  • Ubiquinone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Ubiquinone / pharmacology

Substances

  • ABCG1 protein, human
  • ABCG1 protein, mouse
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 1
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • Lipoproteins
  • MIRN378 microRNA, human
  • MIRN378 microRNA, mouse
  • MicroRNAs
  • Transcription Factor AP-1
  • Ubiquinone
  • Cholesterol
  • coenzyme Q10