Amyloid Beta Alters the Expression of microRNAs Regulating HMGCR and ABCA1 Genes in Astrocytes of C57BL/6J Mice

Dysregulation of brain cholesterol homeostasis causes the accumulation of extracellular protein deposits called amyloid plaques in the hippocampus which eventually leads to neuronal death, memory and learning deficits. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of beta amyloid on miRNAs regulating HMGCR and ABCA1 as cholesterol synthesis and homeostasis genes. Primary astrocytes were isolated from C57BL/6J mice, and were treated with 0.5 μM amyloid beta (Aβ). Expression levels of genes and miRNAs were measured by real-time PCR. In comparison to control, Aβ treatment resulted in a significant decrease in miR-96-5p expression as a positive and negative regulator of HMGCR and ABCA1, respectively. There was no significant increase in miR-27a-3p expression as a negative regulator of HMGCR. miR-106b-5p and miR-143-3p expressions were also dramatically decreased as ABCA1 negative regulators. Amyloid beta can alter the expression of major genes in the cholesterol homeostasis pathway via their regulatory miRNAs.