关键词：
Apolipoprotein E;Apolipoprotein E receptor 2;Atherosclerosis;Inflammation;Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9
摘要：
Atherosclerosis is characterized by chronic inflammation and lipid accumulation in arterial walls, resulting in several vascular events. Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9), a serine protease, has a pivotal role in the degradation of hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). It can increase plasma concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and affect lipid metabolism. Recently, PCSK9 has been found to accelerate atherosclerosis via mechanisms apart from that involving the degradation of LDLR, with an emerging role in regulating the inflammatory response in atherosclerosis. Apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (apoER2), one of the LDLR family members expressed in macrophages, can bind to its ligand apolipoprotein E (apoE), exhibiting an anti-inflammatory role in atherosclerosis. Evidence suggests that apoER2 is a target of PCSK9. This review aims to discuss PCSK9 as a potential regulator of apoE/apoER2 against inflammation in atherosclerosis.
摘要：
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), also known as neural apoptosis regulated convertase (NARC1), is a key modulator of cholesterol metabolism. PCSK9 increases the serum concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by escorting low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLRs) from the membrane of hepatic cells into lysosomes, where the LDLRs are degraded. Owing to the importance of PCSK9 in lipid metabolism, considerable effort has been made over the past decade in developing drugs targeting PCSK9 to lower serum lipid levels. Nevertheless, some problems and challenges remain. In this review we first describes the structure and function of PCSK9 and its gene polymorphisms. We then discuss the various designs of pharmacological targets of PCSK9, including those that block the binding of PCSK9 to hepatic LDLRs (mimetic peptides, adnectins, and monoclonal antibodies), inhibit PCSK9 expression (the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 platform, small molecules, antisense oligonucleotides, and small interfering RNAs), and interfere with PCSK9 secretion. Finally, this review highlights future challenges in this field, including safety concerns associated with PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies, the limited utility of PCSK9 inhibitors in the central nervous system, and the cost-effectiveness of PCSK9 inhibitors.
摘要：
MicroRNAs are a group of endogenously small non-coding RNA molecules that downregulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level through binding to the 3'UTR of target mRNAs. Recent findings have revealed a key role for microRNAs in the pathophysiological processes of atherosclerosis. As a complex disease, atherosclerosis is influenced by a combination of multiple genes and environmental factors. Both of them play a role in atherogenesis by affecting different types of cells (such as endothelial cell, vascular smooth muscle cell and monocyte/macrophage) function. MicroRNAs control the senescence and dysfunction of endothelial cells, proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, and macrophage-driven cytokine production and polarization. By these effects, microRNAs can influence the processes of atherosclerosis and may represent new molecular targets for therapy. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
