MicroRNA-144 Regulates Cardiomyocyte Proliferation and Apoptosis by Targeting TBX1 through the JAK2/STAT1 Pathway

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Biology
• Molecular Genetics
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Congenital heart disease (CHD) is linked to TBX1 gene dysregulation.
• Limited research exists on the abnormal regulation of TBX1 gene expression.
• Understanding microRNA regulation of TBX1 is crucial for cardiac development insights.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the role of miR-144 in cardiac development.
• Elucidate the regulatory mechanism of miR-144 on TBX1/JAK2/STAT1 signaling in cardiomyocytes.
• Determine the therapeutic potential of miR-144 for CHD.

Main Methods:

• Cell proliferation assays (MTT, clone formation).
• Cell cycle and apoptosis analysis (flow cytometry).
• Gene and protein expression analysis (qRT-PCR, Western blot).
• Direct targeting validation (dual luciferase reporter assay).

Main Results:

• miR-144 inhibited H9c2 cell proliferation by G1 arrest and induced apoptosis.
• miR-144 activated the JAK2/STAT1 signaling pathway.
• miR-144 was confirmed to directly target TBX1.
• Co-overexpression of miR-144 and TBX1 reversed proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction.

Conclusions:

• miR-144 functions as a proliferation inhibitor in cardiomyocytes through the TBX1/JAK2/STAT1 axis.
• Dysregulation of miR-144 may contribute to CHD pathogenesis.
• miR-144 represents a potential novel therapeutic target for CHD treatment.