Effect of miR-29b on the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells by Targeting Mcl-1 and CCND2

Abstract EN

The proliferation and apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) are considered to be key steps in the progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

MicroRNAs (e.g., miR-29b) have been identified in various diseases to be critical modulators of cell growth and apoptosis by targeting Mcl-1 and CCND2.

However, the role of miR-29b in PAH remains unknown.

So we try to investigate the effect of miR-29b on Mcl-1 and CCND2 protein in PASMCs, analyze the effect of miR-29b on the proliferation of PASMCs, and explore the significance of miR-29b in the proliferation, apoptosis, and gene therapy of PAH.

It was observed that gene chip analysis showed miR-29b expression in pulmonary artery tissue.

The expression of miR-29b was significantly reduced in PAH model mice.

MiR-29b inhibited the proliferation of PASMCs and promoted the apoptosis of PASMCs.

Mechanically, miR-29b could inhibit the expression of Mcl-1 and CCND2 protein and silenced Mcl-1 and CCND2 could abolish the change of proliferation and apoptosis of PASMCs.

These results demonstrate that miR-29b suppressed cellular proliferation and promoted apoptosis of PASMCs, possibly through the inhibition of Mcl-1 and CCND2.

Therefore, miR-29b may serve as a useful therapeutic tool to treat PAH.