Objective: This study aimed to examine regulation of capillary tubules and lipid formation in vascular endothelial cells and macrophages via extracellular vesicle-mediated microRNA (miRNA)-4306 transfer.
Methods: Whole blood samples (12 mL) were collected from 53 patients, and miR-4306 levels in extracellular vesicles (EVs) were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Human coronary artery vascular endothelial cells (HCAECs) and human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs) were transfected with a scrambled oligonucleotide, an miR-4306 mimic, or an anti-miR-4306 inhibitor. The direct effect of miR-4306 on the target gene was analyzed by a dual-luciferase reporter assay.
Results: EV-contained miR-4306 released from HMDMs was significantly upregulated in coronary artery disease. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-stimulated HMDM-derived EVs inhibited proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis abilities of HCAECs in vitro. However, ox-LDL-stimulated HCAEC-derived EVs enhanced lipid formation of HMDMs. The possible mechanism of these findings was partly due to EV-mediated miR-4306 upregulation of the Akt/nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway.
Conclusions: Paracrine cellular crosstalk between HCAECs and HMDMs probably supports the pro-atherosclerotic effects of EVs under ox-LDL stress.
Keywords: Extracellular vesicle; coronary artery disease; human coronary artery vascular endothelial cell; human monocyte-derived macrophage; lipid; miR-4306; oxidized low-density lipoprotein.