Abstract
Background: Increasing evidence has demonstrated that the senescence of vascular endothelial cells has critical roles in the pathogenesis of vascular dysfunction such as atherosclerosis and thrombosis. MicroRNA (miR) are small non-coding RNAs that inhibit gene expression by binding to complementary sequences in the 3'UTR of their target mRNAs. MiRs modulate a variety of biological functions such as cell development, cell differentiation, and apoptosis. Moreover, several miRs involved in endothelial cell function have been identified. Methods and results: Through a microarray approach, we have identified a miR-146a that is progressively modulated in endothelial cells with aging. In young human umbilical vein endothelial cells, this miR is involved in a premature senescence-like phenotype through direct targeting of the NOX4 protein, implicated in cell senescence and aging. Conclusions and general significance: Finding important factors that regulate endothelial cell senescence, like miR-146a, will help provide novel therapeutic strategies for vascular disorders.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 326-330 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Atherosclerosis |
Volume | 217 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2011 |
Keywords
- Apoptosis
- Cell death
- Endothelial cells
- Microarray
- MicroRna
- Senescence
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine