MicroRNA let-7c inhibits Bcl-xl expression and regulates ox-LDL-induced endothelial apoptosis

BMB Rep. 2012 Aug;45(8):464-9. doi: 10.5483/BMBRep.2012.45.8.033.

Abstract

Endothelial cells (ECs) apoptosis induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) is thought to play a critical role in atherosclerosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs that posttranscriptionally regulate the expression of genes involved in diverse cell functions, including differentiation, growth, proliferation, and apoptosis. MiRNA let-7 family is known to be involved in the regulation of cell apoptosis. However, the function of let-7 in ox-LDL induced ECs apoptosis and atherosclerosis is still unknown. Here, we show that let-7c expression was markedly up-regulated in ox-LDL induced apoptotic human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Let-7c over-expression enhanced apoptosis in ECs whereas inhibition of let-7c could partly alleviate apoptotic cell death mediated by ox-LDL. Searching for how let-7c affected apoptosis, we discovered that antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xl was a direct target of let-7c in ECs. Our data suggest that let-7c contributes to endothelial apoptosis through suppression of Bcl-xl.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / pharmacology*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation
  • bcl-X Protein / antagonists & inhibitors
  • bcl-X Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • MicroRNAs
  • bcl-X Protein
  • mirnlet7 microRNA, human
  • oxidized low density lipoprotein