Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Optimization, Design and Avoiding Pitfalls in Manual Multiplex Fluorescent Immunohistochemistry
09:15

Optimization, Design and Avoiding Pitfalls in Manual Multiplex Fluorescent Immunohistochemistry

Published on: July 26, 2019

9.8K

Atherosclerosis-associated endothelial cell apoptosis by miRNA let7-b-mediated downregulation of HAS-2

Lijie Zhu1,2,3, Qingman Li1,2,3, Datun Qi1,2,3

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China.

Journal of Cellular Biochemistry
|November 19, 2019
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNA let-7b protects against atherosclerosis by reducing endothelial cell apoptosis. Upregulating let-7b inhibits HAS-2 expression, a key factor in disease progression, via the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Gene Regulation

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial in disease pathophysiology, including atherosclerosis.
  • Their specific roles and mechanisms in atherosclerosis progression require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of miRNA let-7b in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs).
  • To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of let-7b in atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated let-7b function in HAECs and high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis models.
  • Analyzed the correlation between let-7b and HAS-2 expression.
  • Examined the effect of let-7b on endothelial cell apoptosis.
  • Identified HAS-2 as a let-7b target gene and its role in the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Main Results:

  • Downregulation of let-7b was observed in high-fat diet mice and HAECs, inversely correlated with HAS-2 expression.
  • Upregulation of let-7b significantly reduced HAEC apoptosis.
  • HAS-2 was confirmed as a direct target of let-7b.
  • HAS-2 reduction reversed the anti-apoptotic effects of let-7b via the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Conclusions:

  • let-7b plays a protective role in atherosclerosis by inhibiting endothelial cell apoptosis.
  • Targeting let-7b expression offers a potential therapeutic strategy against atherosclerosis development and progression.
Keywords:
HAS-2P13K/Aktatherosclerosishuman aortic endothelial cellslet-7b

More Related Videos

Profiling Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-like Dependent Post-translational Modifications and Identification of Significant Alterations10:26

Profiling Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-like Dependent Post-translational Modifications and Identification of Significant Alterations

Published on: November 7, 2019

6.0K

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs01:15

Receptor Downregulation in MVBs

Multivesicular bodies (MVBs) are mature endosomes that sort ubiquitinated proteins and then fuse with lysosomes to degrade the sorted proteins. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) form a complex that can be internalized through endocytosis, sorted into an MVB, and later degraded.
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that  lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR  stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive  EGFR activation may...
Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...