MiR-126 is essential for endothelial phenotype expression during endothelial differentiation in adipose-derived stem cells

Abstract

The endothelial differentiation of stem cells serves an essential role in vascular development, function and disease. Autograft adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) may be a novel source of cell for use in the study of angiogenesis. microRNA-126 (miR-126) has been extensively studied in endothelial cells. However, the effect of miR-126 on the endothelial differentiation of ADSCs has not been demonstrated. In the present study, it was observed that the expression of miR-126 was markedly increased during the endothelial differentiation of ADSCs in a time-dependent manner. The effect of miR-126 on ADSC differentiation was confirmed by employing up- and down-regulation strategies. The expression of endothelial markers was decreased by miR-126 inhibitor transfection during endothelial differentiation. The results of the present study suggest that miR-126 is essential for endothelial phenotype expression, and may promote the progress of endothelial differentiation in ADSCs, providing a novel strategy for modulating vascular formation and function.