LncRNA ZFAS1 confers inflammatory responses and reduces cholesterol efflux in atherosclerosis through regulating miR-654-3p-ADAM10/RAB22A axis

Abstract Purpose Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) with high incidence rate and mortality rate. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important functional molecules in atherosclerosis. Present study aimed to explore the functional role and underlying mechanism of ZFAS1 in atherosclerosis. Methods The in-vitro cell model of atherosclerosis was established by using oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) to induce THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells. qRT-PCR measured the mRNA levels of ZFAS1, miR-654-3p, ADAM10 and RAB22A. Western blot detected the protein levels of ADAM10 and RAB22A. The levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-ɑ (inflammatory biomarkers) were tested with ELISA assay. Detection of cholesterol efflux rate was experimented. The interaction between RNAs was affirmed with luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down experiments. Results The expression of ZFAS1 was significantly up-regulated in in-vitro cell model of atherosclerosis at a dose- and time-dependent manner. Knockdown of ZFAS1 impaired inflammatory responses and promoted cholesterol efflux rate. Overexpression of ZFAS1 accelerated inflammatory responses and hampered cholesterol efflux rate. Then, the cytoplasmic role of ZFAS1 was revealed. By bio-informatics analysis and mechanism assays, miR-654-3p was identified to bind with ZFAS1. Moreover, ADAM10 and RAB22A were targeted and suppressed by miR-654-3p. ZFAS1 served as a ceRNA to positively regulate ADAM10 and RAB22A expression through endogenously sponging miR-654-3p. Conclusion In conclusion, ZFAS1 elevated ADAM10/RAB22A expression to reduce cholesterol efflux rate and facilitate inflammatory responses in atherosclerosis at a miR-654-3p-dependent way, suggesting a prospective treatment method for amelioration of atherosclerosis.