MicroRNA-126 regulates endothelial expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1

TA Harris, M Yamakuchi, M Ferlito… - Proceedings of the …, 2008 - National Acad Sciences
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2008National Acad Sciences
Adhesion molecules expressed by activated endothelial cells play a key role in regulating
leukocyte trafficking to sites of inflammation. Resting endothelial cells normally do not
express adhesion molecules, but cytokines activate endothelial cells to express adhesion
molecules such as vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), which mediate leukocyte
adherence to endothelial cells. We now show that endothelial cells express microRNA 126
(miR-126), which inhibits VCAM-1 expression. Transfection of endothelial cells with an …
Adhesion molecules expressed by activated endothelial cells play a key role in regulating leukocyte trafficking to sites of inflammation. Resting endothelial cells normally do not express adhesion molecules, but cytokines activate endothelial cells to express adhesion molecules such as vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), which mediate leukocyte adherence to endothelial cells. We now show that endothelial cells express microRNA 126 (miR-126), which inhibits VCAM-1 expression. Transfection of endothelial cells with an oligonucleotide that decreases miR-126 permits an increase in TNF-α-stimulated VCAM-1 expression. Conversely, overexpression of the precursor to miR-126 increases miR-126 levels and decreases VCAM-1 expression. Additionally, decreasing endogenous miR-126 levels increases leukocyte adherence to endothelial cells. These data suggest that microRNA can regulate adhesion molecule expression and may provide additional control of vascular inflammation.
National Acad Sciences