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High-Throughput Screening Identifies MicroRNAs Regulating Human PCSK9 and Hepatic Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Expression.

ABSTRACT: Investigations into the regulatory mechanisms controlling cholesterol homeostasis have proven fruitful in identifying low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-lowering therapies to reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. A major advance was the discovery of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a secreted protein that binds the LDL receptor (LDLR) on the cell surface and internalizes it for degradation, thereby blunting its ability to take up circulating LDL. The discovery that loss-of-function mutations in PCSK9 lead to lower plasma levels of LDL cholesterol and protection from cardiovascular disease led to the therapeutic development of PCSK9 inhibitors at an unprecedented pace. However, there remain many gaps in our understanding of PCSK9 regulation and biology, including its posttranscriptional control by microRNAs. Using a high-throughput region(3'-UTR) of human microRNA library screen, we identified microRNAs targeting the 3' untranslated region of human PCSK9. The top 35 hits were confirmed by large-format PCSK9 3'-UTR luciferase assays, and 10 microRNAs were then selected for further validation in hepatic cells, including effects on PCSK9 secretion and LDLR cell surface expression. These studies identified seven novel microRNAs that reduce PCSK9 expression, including miR-221-5p, miR-342-5p, miR-363-5p, miR-609, miR-765, and miR-3165. Interestingly, several of these microRNAs were also found to target other genes involved in LDLR regulation and potently upregulate LDLR cell surface expression in hepatic cells. Together, these data enhance our understanding of post-transcriptional regulators of PCSK9 and their potential for therapeutic manipulation of hepatic LDLR expression.

SUBMITTER: van Solingen C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8310920 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is an important modifiable risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It is unclear whether the percentage LDL-C lowering with pharmacotherapies differs on the basis of baseline LDL-C levels. To evaluate the association between baseline LDL-C levels and the percentage LDL-C reduction with a statin, ezetimibe, and a PCSK9 inhibitor. This secondary exploratory study analyzed data from 3 randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials (Aggrastat to Zocor-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 21 [A to Z-TIMI 21], Improved Reduction of Outcomes: Vytorin Efficacy International Trial [IMPROVE-IT], and Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research With PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects With Elevated Risk [FOURIER]) of lipid-lowering therapies (statin, ezetimibe, and a PCSK9 inhibitor) and included participants with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Analyses took place form April to October 2020. In A to Z-TIMI 21, 1:1 randomization to simvastatin, 40 mg, daily for 30 days followed by 80 mg daily thereafter vs placebo for 4 months followed by simvastatin, 20 mg, daily thereafter. In IMPROVE-IT, 1:1 randomization to ezetimibe, 10 mg, daily plus simvastatin, 40 mg, daily vs placebo plus simvastatin, 40 mg, daily. In FOURIER, 1:1 randomization to evolocumab, 140 mg, every 2 weeks or 420 mg monthly vs matching placebo. The percentage LDL-C reduction at either 1 month (A to Z-TIMI 21, IMPROVE-IT) or 3 months (FOURIER) as a function of baseline LDL-C level. Data were modeled using a generalized linear regression model. A total of 3187 patients from A to Z-TIMI 21, 10 680 patients from IMPROVE-IT, and 25 847 patients from FOURIER were analyzed. There was a higher percentage reduction in LDL-C levels with evolocumab in patients with lower baseline LDL-C levels, ranging from 59.4% (95% CI, 59.1%-59.8%) in patients with a baseline LDL-C level of 130 mg/dL to 66.1% (95% CI, 65.6%-66.6%) in patients with a baseline LDL-C level of 70 mg/dL (P < .001). In contrast, across the same range of baseline LDL-C level, there was a more modest difference for simvastatin (44.6% [95% CI, 43.9%-45.2%] vs 47.8% [95% CI, 46.4%-49.2%]; P < .001) and minimal difference with ezetimibe (25.0% [95% CI, 23.3%-26.6%] vs 26.2% [95% CI, 24.2%-28.1%]; P = .007). The percentage LDL-C reduction with statins, ezetimibe, and PCSK9 inhibition is not attenuated in patients starting with lower baseline LDL-C levels and is 6.6% greater for PCSK9 inhibition. These data are encouraging for the use of intensive LDL-C-lowering therapy even for patients with lower LDL-C levels.

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High-Throughput Screening Identifies MicroRNAs Regulating Human PCSK9 and Hepatic Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Expression.

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