LncRNA DYNLRB2-2 inhibits THP-1 macrophage foam cell formation by enhancing autophagy

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate whether long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) DYNLRB2-2 can inhibit foam cell formation by activating autophagy. The location of DYNLRB2-2 in THP-1-derived macrophages was analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Oxidized-low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) was used to induce the formation of foam cells, Oil Red O (ORO) staining and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were performed to detect accumulation of lipid droplets and the level of cholesterol concentration, respectively. The mRNA and protein level of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) were examined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Relative protein levels of (p-) liver kinase B1 (LKB1), (p-) AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), (p-) the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and autophagy markers (LC3 II, Beclin-1 and p62) in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells were analyzed by Western blotting. The levels of inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β] in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). 3-MA and compound C were used to block autophagy. Our data show that DYNLRB2-2 inhibited the formation of THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells and promotes cholesterol efflux (CE) by activating autophagy. DYNLRB2-2 caused autophagy by activating the signaling pathway of LKB1/AMPK/mTOR in foam cells. DYNLRB2-2 activated the LKB1/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway via the miR-298/Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) axis. Our data indicated that DYNLRB2-2 enhanced CE by regulating the LKB1/AMPK/mTOR autophagy signaling pathway through the miR-298/SIRT3 axis, thereby blocking the formation of foam cells from THP-1 macrophages.