LAUSR

The abnormal proliferation and apoptosis of human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HAVSMCs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Recent study revealed that angiotensin II (Ang II) could elicit HAVSMC dysfunction, to induce or aggravate hypertension. Purinergic receptor P2Y6, an inflammation-inducible G protein-coupled receptor, promoted Ang II-induced hypertension. In the present study, we revealed that Ang II induced HAVSMC proliferation and upregulated P2Y6 protein levels. After knockdown of P2Y6, the promotive effect of Ang II on HAVSMC proliferation was restored. microRNAs (miRNAs) involve in most biological processes. In this study, we scanned out seven candidate miRNAs, which were predicted to contain binding site of P2Y6's 3′-UTR by online tools. Among them, miR-185 was significantly downregulated by Ang II treatment. miR-185 reduced P2Y6 protein levels by direct binding to the 3′UTR of P2Y6. miR-185 overexpression suppressed HAVSMC proliferation; P2Y6 overexpression or A...