ABSTRACT
AIM: To detect the expression of microRNA (miRNA)-29a in pulmonary arteries of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertensive rats, and to investigate the effects of miRNA-29a on pulmonary hypertension.METHODS: MCT-induced pulmonary hypertensive model was established in Wistar rats.The expression of miRNA-29a in the lung tissue was determined by qPCR.miRNA-29a was overexpressed in the pulmonary hypertension rats by tail vein injection of miRNA-29a-mimic.Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and systemic arterial pressure (SAP) were measured.The morphological changes of the pulmonary arteries were observed by HE staining.The protein levels of p-Akt and p-eNOS were detected by Western blot.RESULTS: The mRNA expression of miRNA-29a was significantly decreased in the pulmonary arteries of MCT-induced pulmonary hypertensive rats.Furthermore, after overexpression of miRNA-29a, PAP was remarkably reduced, while SAP remained unchanged.In addition, the increased thickness of tunica media, the remodeling of pulmonary arteries and the decreased protein levels of p-Akt and p-eNOS in the pulmonary hypertensive rats were dramati-cally changed after miRNA-29a overexpression.CONCLUSION: Overexpression of miRNA-29a ameliorates pulmonary hypertension in rats.These effects may be associated with the activation of PI3K/Akt-eNOS signaling pathway.