Microvesicles containing microRNA-21 induce myocardial fibrosis via AKT pathway

Y.-W. Xia, S.-B. Wang

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hanchuan City People’s Hospital, Hanchuan, China. 1589885345@qq.com

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• Cardiology

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of microvesicles (MVs) containing microRNA-21 in myocardial fibrosis and their underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Myocardial ischemia rat model was first constructed for collecting myocardial tissues. Myocardial fibrosis-related indicators and microRNA-21 expression in myocardial tissues of ischemia rats were detected. After in vitro primary rat cardiomyocytes were treated with TGF-β1, myocardial fibrosis-related indicators and microRNA-21 expression in primary rat cardiomyocytes were also detected. Furthermore, AKT (protein kinase B) pathway-related genes were detected by Western blot. Rescue experiments were performed after primary rat cardiomyocytes were transfected with a microRNA-21 inhibitor.

RESULTS: MVs containing microRNA-21 were overexpressed during the process of myocardial fibrosis. AKT pathway was remarkably activated after TGF-β1 treatment in cardiomyocytes. Meanwhile, myocardial fibrosis was significantly alleviated after microRNA-21 expression was inhibited.

CONCLUSIONS: Overexpressed MVs containing microRNA-21 promoted myocardial fibrosis via AKT pathway.

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