MicroRNAs, fibrotic remodeling, and aortic aneurysms
Dianna M. Milewicz
Dianna M. Milewicz
Published January 24, 2012
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2012;122(2):490-493. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI62204.
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Commentary

MicroRNAs, fibrotic remodeling, and aortic aneurysms

Abstract

Aortic aneurysms are a common clinical condition that can cause death due to aortic dissection or rupture. The association between aortic aneurysm pathogenesis and altered TGF-β signaling has been the subject of numerous investigations. Recently, a TGF-β–responsive microRNA (miR), miR-29, has been identified to play a role in cellular phenotypic modulation during aortic development and aging. In this issue of JCI, Maegdefessel and colleagues demonstrate that decreasing the levels of miR-29b in the aortic wall can attenuate aortic aneurysm progression in two different mouse models of abdominal aortic aneurysms. This study highlights the relevance of miR-29b in aortic disease but also raises questions about its specific role.

Authors

Dianna M. Milewicz

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Figure 1

Decreased expression of miR-29b and aortic aneurysm progression.

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Decreased expression of miR-29b and aortic aneurysm progression. AAAs we...
AAAs were induced in 10-week-old mice by infusing porcine pancreatic elastase into the infrarenal segment of the aorta. miR-29b expression was significantly downregulated with aneurysm progression over 21 days, and expression of collagen genes (Col1a1 and Col3a1) increased. Administration of locked nucleic acid anti–miR-29b further decreased miR-29b levels and greatly increased expression of collagen genes, resulting in a reduction in aortic enlargement over time. Increasing the expression of miR-29b using a lentiviral vector (pre–miR-29b) increased expression of miR-29b and decreased collagen gene expression, leading to augmented aortic growth.