MicroRNA-126 affects cell apoptosis, proliferation, cell cycle and modulates VEGF/TGF-β levels in pulmonary artery endothelial cells.

OBJECTIVE

In the clinic, therapeutic options for pulmonary arterial hypertension are limited; therefore, investigating the therapeutic strategies and novel therapies is critical for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the role of miRNA-126 (miR-126) and its associated signaling pathways and specific mechanisms for the pathogenesis of PAH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs) were isolated and identified. The miR-126 mimic and miR-126 inhibitor were synthesized. LV-3-miR-126 mimic viral vector and LV-3-miR-126 inhibitor vector were established and infected into pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Expression of sprouty-related EVH1 domain-containing protein 1 (SPRED1), phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 2 (PIK3R2) and miR-126 were detected using Real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Cell apoptosis (Annexin V-PE/7-AAD) and proliferation (PKH26) were examined by using FACScan flow cytometry. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and TGF-β3 levels were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits.

RESULTS

miR-126 inhibited the endothelial cells related to SPRED1 and PIK3R2 expression. Over-expression of miR-126 significantly inhibited the PAECs apoptosis compared to PAECs and blank LV-3 vector group (p<0.05). miR-126 significantly triggered the PAECs proliferation compared to PAECs and blank LV-3 vector group (p<0.05). In functional analysis, miR-126 mimic significantly increased the cells amounts of S phases compared to PAECs and blank LV-3 vector group (p<0.05). Pre-infection with miR-126 mimic significantly enhanced the levels of VEGF, TGF-β1, and TGF-β3 compared to PAECs and blank LV-3 vector group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

miR-126 could affect cell apoptosis, proliferation, cell cycle, and modulate VEGF/TGF-β levels.