MicroRNA-21 blocks abdominal aortic aneurysm development and nicotine-augmented expansion.

ABSTRACT: Identification and treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains among the most prominent challenges in vascular medicine. MicroRNAs are crucial regulators of cardiovascular pathology and represent possible targets for the inhibition of AAA expansion. We identified microRNA-21 (miR-21) as a key modulator of proliferation and apoptosis of vascular wall smooth muscle cells during development of AAA in two established murine models. In both models (AAA induced by porcine pancreatic elastase or infusion of angiotensin II), miR-21 expression increased as AAA developed. Lentiviral overexpression of miR-21 induced cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis in the aortic wall, with protective effects on aneurysm expansion. miR-21 overexpression substantially decreased expression of the phos

SUBMITTER: Maegdefessel L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5753594 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature