[Inhibiting miR-186 expression alleviates mitochondrial damage in hypoxic human umbilical vein endothelial cells]

To investigate the effect of miR-186 inhibition on the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-α) and mitochondrial function in hypoxic vascular endothelial cells.

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured in routine or hypoxic conditions for 6 h were examined for the expression of miR-186. A miR-186 inhibitor was transfected in the HUVECs, and the cells were subsequently cultured in hypoxic condition for 6 h to observe the changes in the mitochondrial structure under an electron microscope. The changes in the mRNA and protein expressions of HIF-1α in response to miR-186 interference were tested using real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blotting.

The expression of miR-18 was mildly increased in HUVECs after hypoxic exposure for 6 h (P=0.0188). Interference of miR-186 expression obviously promoted the mRNA and protein expressions of HIF-1α in HUVECs. In hypoxic conditions, miR-186 interference significantly reduced mitochondrial damage in HUVECs as observed under electron microscope (P=0.0297).

Inhibition of miR-186 protects vascular endothelial cells against hypoxic injuries by promoting HIF-α expression to lessen mitochondrial damage, suggesting the possibility of targeted miR-186 interference for treatment of hemorrhagic shock.