MicroRNAs are necessary for vascular smooth muscle growth, differentiation, and function.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Regulation of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) proliferation and contractile differentiation is an important factor in vascular development and subsequent cardiovascular diseases. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to regulate fundamental cellular processes in a number of cell types, but the integrated role of miRNAs in VSM in blood vessels is unknown. Here, we investigated the role of miRNAs in VSM by deleting the rate-limiting enzyme in miRNA synthesis, Dicer.

Methods and results

Deletion of Dicer in VSM results in late embryonic lethality at embryonic day 16 to 17, associated with extensive internal hemorrhage. The loss of VSM Dicer results in dilated, thin-walled blood vessels caused by a reduction in cellular proliferation. In addition, blood vessels fro

SUBMITTER: Albinsson S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2880481 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature