LncRNA MEG3 Induces Endothelial Differentiation of Adipose-derived Stem Cells by Targeting MiR-145-5p/KLF4

Abstract Background: The present study aimed to investigate the mechanisms through which long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) maternally expressed 3 (MEG3) affected the endothelial differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). Material and Methods: ADSCs were isolated and identified by specific surface marker detection. The effects of lncRNA MEG3 on endothelial differentiation of ADSCs were also detected via quantitative PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence and Matrigel angiogenesis assays. In addition, using target gene prediction tools and luciferase reporter assays, the downstream target gene was demonstrated. Results: LncRNA MEG3 targeted and reduced the expression levels of microRNA-145-5p (miR-145-5p), which upregulated the expression levels of Krüppel like factor 4 (KLF4), promoting endothelial differentiation of ADSCs. Conclusion: LncRNA MEG3 induced endothelial differentiation of ADSCs by targeting miR-145-5p/KLF4, which may provide novel insights to illustrate the mechanism of endothelial differentiation of ADSCs.