MicroRNAs Regulate Function in Atherosclerosis and Clinical Implications.

Background: Atherosclerosis is considered the most common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Athermanous plaque formation is pathognomonic of atherosclerosis. The main feature of atherosclerosis is the formation of plaque, which is inseparable from endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and macrophages. MicroRNAs, a small highly conserved noncoding ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecule, have multiple biological functions, such as regulating gene transcription, silencing target gene expression, and affecting protein translation. MicroRNAs also have various pharmacological activities, such as regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metabolic processes. It is noteworthy that many studies in recent years have also proved that microRNAs play a role in atherosclerosis. Methods: To summarize the functions of microRNAs in atherosclerosis, we reviewed all relevant articles published in the PubMed database before June 2022, with keywords "atherosclerosis," "microRNA," "endothelial cells," "vascular smooth muscle cells," "macrophages," and "cholesterol homeostasis," briefly summarized a series of research progress on the function of microRNAs in endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and macrophages and atherosclerosis. Results and Conclusion. In general, the expression levels of some microRNAs changed significantly in different stages of atherosclerosis pathogenesis; therefore, MicroRNAs may become new diagnostic biomarkers for atherosclerosis. In addition, microRNAs are also involved in the regulation of core processes such as endothelial dysfunction, plaque formation and stabilization, and cholesterol metabolism, which also suggests the great potential of microRNAs as a therapeutic target.

Endocrine effects of three common gas signaling molecules in humans: A literature review.

Gases such as hydrogen sulfide, nitric oxide and sulfur dioxide have important regulatory effects on the endocrine and physiological processes of the body and are collectively referred to as "gas signaling molecules". These gas signaling molecules are also closely related to Alzheimer's disease, the inflammatory response and depression. In this paper, we introduce the production and metabolic pathways of NO, H2S and SO2 in living organisms and review the regulatory functions of gas signaling molecules in the endocrine system and their mechanisms in relation to their clinical applications. This work will provide a basis for finding targets for intervention and establishing novel prevention and treatment strategies for related diseases.