MicroRNA-148b Targets the TGF-? Pathway to Regulate Angiogenesis and Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition during Skin Wound Healing.

ABSTRACT: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-?) is crucial for regulation of the endothelial cell (EC) homeostasis. Perturbation of TGF-? signaling leads to pathological conditions in the vasculature, causing cardiovascular disease and fibrotic disorders. The TGF-? pathway is critical in endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), but a gap remains in our understanding of the regulation of TGF-? and related signaling in the endothelium. This study applied a gain- and loss-of function approach and an in vivo model of skin wound healing to demonstrate that miR-148b regulates TGF-? signaling and has a key role in EndMT, targeting TGFB2 and SMAD2. Overexpression of miR-148b increased EC migration, proliferation, and angiogenesis, whereas its inhibition promoted EndMT. Cytokine challenge decreased miR-148b levels in ECs while promoting EndMT through the regulation of SMAD2. Finally, in a mouse model of skin wound healing, delivery of miR-148b mimics promoted wound vascularization and accelerated closure. In contrast, inhibition of miR-148b enhanced EndMT in wounds, resulting in impaired wound closure that was reversed by SMAD2 silencing. Together, these results demonstrate for the first time that miR-148b is a key factor controlling EndMT and vascularization. This opens new avenues for therapeutic application of miR-148b in vascular and tissue repair.

SUBMITTER: Miscianinov V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6094488 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature