Abstract

Several processes including endothelial angiogenesis, vascular neointimal lesion formation, vascular inflammation process, lipoprotein metabolism, and hypertension are critically involved in atherosclerosis. This chapter aims to introduce the role of miRNAs in lipoprotein metabolism. The low-density lipoprotein (LDL) when oxidized by oxygen free radicals and coming into contact with arterial wall, causes atherosclerotic lesions leading to increase in endothelial permeability and adhesiveness. In response to the damage to the artery wall and endothelial dysfunction, the immune system responds by recruiting white blood cells to adsorb the oxidized-LDL. The stimulation of lipid uptake into these cells by oxidized-LDL is critical to the initiation and development of atherosclerosis. miR-122 has been documented to regulate cholesterol synthesis and miR-125a to regulate lipid uptake in monocytes/macrophages.