MicroRNA-92a Controls Angiogenesis and Functional Recovery of Ischemic Tissues in Mice

TLDR

MicroRNAs (miRs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by binding to target messenger RNAs (mRNAs), leading to translational repression or degradation. The miR‑92a component of the miR‑17~92 cluster regulates angiogenesis, where its overexpression inhibits new vessel formation while inhibition via antagomir promotes vascular growth and functional recovery in ischemic mouse models, suggesting miR‑92a as a therapeutic target for ischemic disease.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by binding to target messenger RNAs (mRNAs), leading to translational repression or degradation. Here, we show that the miR-17approximately92 cluster is highly expressed in human endothelial cells and that miR-92a, a component of this cluster, controls the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis). Forced overexpression of miR-92a in endothelial cells blocked angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. In mouse models of limb ischemia and myocardial infarction, systemic administration of an antagomir designed to inhibit miR-92a led to enhanced blood vessel growth and functional recovery of damaged tissue. MiR-92a appears to target mRNAs corresponding to several proangiogenic proteins, including the integrin subunit alpha5. Thus, miR-92a may serve as a valuable therapeutic target in the setting of ischemic disease.