A consistent trend was found between an increasing number of manifestations of atherosclerosis (peripheral arterial disease in specific), and lower levels of miR-18a-5p, miR-27a-3p, miR-199a-3p, miR-223-3p and miR-652-3p (all P < 0.05).
However, it has not been fully understood whether miR-27 affects the expression of LPL and subsequent development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE KO) mice.
Within this chapter, the most prominent microRNAs involved in lipid metabolism, e.g., miR-27a/b, miR-33/33*, miR-122, miR-144, or miR-223, and their intracellular and extracellular functions will be extensively discussed, in particular focusing on their mechanistic role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis.
In this review, we focus on the role of miR-27 in the development of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques, potential as a disease biomarker and novel therapeutic target in atherosclerosis.