Effects of microRNA-124 on the proliferation and apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells

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 miR124 in plasma of 40 patients with coronary heart disease and 40 healthy control participants were examined using quantitative RTPCR. 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. DOI: 10.11855/j.issn.0577-7402.2016.01.02