MicroRNA-210 promotes angiogenesis in acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

MicroRNA-210 (miRNA-210) has been reported to be associated with angiogenesis and may serve important roles in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), which remain unclear. The present study sought to evaluate the efficacy of miRNA-210 in AMI and to examine the potential associated mechanisms. AMI models were established in Sprague-Dawley rats. The expression of miRNA-210 was upregulated via transfection with lentivirus-mediated agonists and quantitative analysis was performed using the reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Immunoblotting and RT-qPCR were separately used to detect the expression levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in heart samples, while only the protein expression level of β-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC) was assessed. The expression of HGF in human umbilical vein endothelial cells under hypoxic conditions was silenced by transfecting with small interfering RNA, as demonstrated by the determination of associated protein expression levels. The microvessel density (MVD) of the infarcted myocardium was selected to be the angiogenesis efficacy endpoint, which was evaluated by platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule immunostaining. Markedly increased expression of HGF was observed among the AMI rats receiving miRNA-210 agonists, demonstrated via quantitative analyses using RT-qPCR or western blotting. Promotion of angiogenesis was observed with the increased MVD. Improved cardiac function in the rats was subsequently noted, as they exhibited improved left ventricular fractional shortening and left ventricular ejection fraction percentages, which may result from improved cardiac contractility indicated by attenuating the increase in β -MHC protein expression. Overexpression of miRNA-210 appeared to be an advantageous therapeutic tool for treating AMI, primarily due to its promoting effects on angiogenesis in the infarcted myocardium by stimulating HGF expression and inducing improved left ventricular remodeling, leading to improved cardiac function.