Mir-21 Suppresses Ox-Ldl-Induced Huvecs Apoptosis By Targeting Pdcd4

This study was to investigate the effects of microRNA-21 (miR-21) on ox-LDL-induced HUVECs apoptosis. MTT assay was performed to evaluate the proliferation of HUVECs. Quantitative RT-PCR was conducted to quantify the expression of miR-21. Western blotting was used to determine protein expression. Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining was adopted to detect cell apoptosis. We found that ox-LD significantly induced HUVECs apoptosis and reduced miR-21 expression. MiR-21 mimic attenuated the apoptosis of HUVECs under ox-LDL treatment compared with the NC groups while miR-21 inhibitors promoted that of HUVECs. MiR-21 directly targeted PDCD4 in HUVECs. Moreover, miR-21 significantly regulated the downstream apoptotic proteins like bax, bad, bcl-2 and caspase3, meanwhile it enhanced the phosphorylation of ERK.