Assessment of MiRNA regulation of endothelial progenitor cell mediated angiogenesis

Abstract

Organ outgrowth, embryonic development, wound healing, and many such processes require the process of angiogenesis, whereby new blood vessels are developed from the preexisting vessels. microRNAs (miRs) are 18–24 nucleotide-containing endogenous RNAs that, via a posttranscriptional mechanism, exert substantial gene regulatory effects. It was discovered by recent advances that, through direct targeting of certain critical secretory factors and transcription factors, miRs exert potent angiogenic control in a cell autonomous and non-cell autonomous manner. This chapter comprehensively summarizes step-by-step protocols for the (1) transfection of miRNA in EPCs (2) advantages and limitations of the principal tubule formation assays in use.