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… Click to show full abstract
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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