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Downregulation of miR-34a promotes endothelial cell growth and suppresses apoptosis in atherosclerosis by regulating Bcl-2

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Abstract

Several miRNAs have been demonstrated to be involved in endothelial dysfunction during atherosclerosis (AS). However, the detailed roles and underlying mechanisms of miR-34a in AS-associated endothelial cell apoptosis are far from being addressed. Apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE−/−) mice fed with high-fat diet (HFD) were used as in vivo model of AS. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-treated human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were applied as in vitro model of AS. The effects of miR-34a on atherosclerotic lesions were evaluated by hematoxylin–eosin (HE) and Oil Red O staining. Pecam-1+ endothelial cells were isolated from the aortic arch with flow cytometry. qRT-PCR and western blot were employed to measure gene and protein expression. The effects of miR-34a on cell viability, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis were assessed by Cell counting kit (CCK)-8 and flow cytometry analysis. The relationship between miR-34a and Bcl-2 was confirmed by online softwares, luciferase reporter assay, and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP). miR-34a was upregulated in HFD-induced ApoE−/− mice and ox-LDL-treated HAECs. Anti-miR-34a decreased atherosclerotic lesions and inhibited Pecam-1+ endothelial cells apoptosis in HFD-induced ApoE−/− mice. Moreover, anti-miR-34a significantly promoted cell viability, alleviated cell cycle arrest, and restrained apoptosis in ox-LDL-treated HAECs. Furthermore, Bcl-2 was identified as a target of miR-34a, and miR-34a inhibited Bcl-2 expression via binding to its 3′UTR. Rescue experiments demonstrated that Bcl-2 overexpression dramatically reversed miR-34a-mediated inhibition of cell growth and promotion of apoptosis in ox-LDL-exposed HAECs. Depletion of miR-34a facilitated endothelial cell growth and blocked apoptosis in AS by upregulating Bcl-2, offering a promising avenue for AS therapy.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Henan Provincial Department of Education research project (No. 162102310550).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 453100, China

    Gang Su, Hai Liu, Liliang Shu & Zhenxing Liang

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshe East Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou, 453100, China

    Guangli Sun

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Correspondence to Guangli Sun.

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Su, G., Sun, G., Liu, H. et al. Downregulation of miR-34a promotes endothelial cell growth and suppresses apoptosis in atherosclerosis by regulating Bcl-2. Heart Vessels 33, 1185–1194 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00380-018-1169-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00380-018-1169-6

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