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Published on: August 26, 2017
Secreted monocytic miR-150 enhances targeted endothelial cell migration
Yujing Zhang1, Danqing Liu, Xi Chen
1Jiangsu Diabetes Center, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China.
Molecular Cell
|July 7, 2010
Summary
Secreted microRNAs (miRNAs) act as signaling molecules. Microvesicles deliver miR-150 between cells, influencing gene expression and cell function, with implications for diseases like atherosclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression.
- Intercellular communication is crucial for multicellular organisms.
- The role of secreted miRNAs in cell-to-cell signaling is an emerging area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether secreted microRNAs (miRNAs) function as signaling molecules.
- To determine the mechanism of miRNA transfer between cells via microvesicles.
- To explore the functional consequences of miRNA delivery on recipient cells and its relevance in disease.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of microvesicles (MVs) from cell cultures and biological fluids.
- Quantification of specific miRNA (miR-150) levels within MVs.
- Cellular uptake studies using fluorescently labeled MVs.
- Assessment of target gene expression (c-Myb) and cell function (migration) in recipient cells.
- In vivo studies involving intravenous injection of MVs in mice.
Main Results:
- Microvesicles (MVs) selectively package and secrete miR-150 from human blood cells and THP-1 cells.
- THP-1 derived MVs deliver functional miR-150 into HMEC-1 cells, reducing c-Myb expression and enhancing migration.
- In vivo administration of MVs increases circulating miR-150 levels.
- MVs from atherosclerosis patients exhibit elevated miR-150 and enhanced pro-migratory effects on HMEC-1 cells compared to healthy donors.
Conclusions:
- Cells actively secrete microRNAs (miRNAs) packaged within microvesicles (MVs).
- Secreted miRNAs mediate intercellular communication by regulating gene expression and function in recipient cells.
- Aberrant miR-150 levels in MVs from atherosclerosis patients suggest a role in disease pathogenesis.
