The association of circulating microRNA-30c with atherogenic lipoprotein subfractions and composition

Circulating miR-30c has been linked to various aspects of cholesterol homeostasis. The aim of this study was to determine the association of circulating miR-30c with the atherogenic lipoprotein subfractions. Samples from subjects who were given placebo (n = 22) in a randomised, double-blind crossover study were used. Subjects were divided into non-atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype (Non-ALP; n = 12; triglycerides < 2.0 mmol/L) and atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype (ALP; n = 10; triglycerides ≥ 2.0 mmol/L) groups. All lipid and lipoprotein measurements, RNA extraction and reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were undertaken using standard procedures. Subjects with ALP weighed significantly more than their non-ALP counterparts (p = 0.023). In the non-ALP group there was significant correlation between miR-30c and components within VLDL1, namely triglyceride which showed a negative association (p = 0.035) whereas phospholipids and cholesterol-ester were both positively correlated (p = 0.025 and 0.014, respectively). In contrast, in the ALP group there was a significant correlation between the expression of miR-30c and components within VLDL2, namely triglyceride, which was positively associated (p = 0.013). This study reveals specificity with regards to the effect of miR-30c on VLDL subfractions based on the individual's lipoprotein phenotype and implicates roles for microsomal-triglyceride transfer-protein and cholesteryl-ester-transfer-protein in LDL and VLDL metabolism, respectively.