Effects of microRNA-124 on the proliferation and apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effects of miR-124 on the proliferation and apoptosis of endothelial cells of umbilical cord vein in order to explore the role of miR-124 in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Methods The expression levels of miR-124 in plasma of 40 patients with coronary heart disease and 40 healthy control participants were examined using quantitative RT-PCR. CCK8 assay and BrdU incorporation assay were used to analyze the effects of miR-124 on the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The effect of miR-124 on HUVEC apoptosis was examined by TUNNEL staining. The effects of miR-124 on the expression of proapoptotic protein cleaved caspase 3 and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in HUVECs were examined by Western blotting. Results Compared with healthy controls, plasma miR-124 was down-regulated in patients with coronary artery disease. In vitro experiment, miR-124 significantly promoted HUVEC proliferation, and it also inhibited HUVECs apoptosis by affecting the expressions of cleaved caspase 3 and Bcl-2. Conclusions MiR-124 could promote the proliferation and inhibit the apoptosis of HUVECs. This may provide a theoretical basis for clarifying the mechanisms of atherosclerosis.