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Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
Published on: March 30, 2019
miR-486-5p Inhibits eNOS and Angiogenesis in Cultured Endothelial Cells by Targeting MAML3
Adrianna Douvris1,2, Ali Maadelat1, Christopher J Porter3
1Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine and Kidney Research Centre, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract:
Kidney ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is associated with endothelial injury. Administration of miRNA (miR)-486-5p protects against rat kidney I/R injury, with localisation to capillary endothelial cells, although it inhibits I/R-induced endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein expression. Here, we studied the effect of miR-486-5p on eNOS and endothelial cell function and determined its mRNA targets. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were transfected with the miR-486-5p mimic and assayed for proliferation, migration and network formation. Biotinylated miR-486-5p was transfected for pulldown of bound mRNA, followed by RNA sequencing. miR-486-5p markedly decreased eNOS mRNA and protein in HUVECs (p < 0.001) and decreased eNOS protein in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (p < 0.05), although eNOS was not a direct target of miR-486-5p. miR-486-5p inhibited angiogenesis, which was rescued with eNOS plasmid transfection. RNA sequencing of biotinylated miR-486-5p pulldown RNA revealed highly significant enrichment in predicted targets FOXO1, FOXP1, TNFSF4, MAML3 and CELSR3, and in the non-predicted target SPCS2. RT-qPCR validated these transcripts as inhibited by miR-486-5p. While silencing of FOXO1 had no impact on eNOS protein, MAML3 silencing inhibited eNOS levels. miR-486-5p inhibits angiogenesis in endothelial cells via eNOS down-regulation, which involves selective targeting of MAML3. These data support a novel pathway regulating endothelial cell function.
Insights
MicroRNA-486-5p protects against kidney injury by inhibiting endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and angiogenesis. This process involves targeting MAML3, revealing a new pathway regulating endothelial cell function.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology and Metabolism
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Kidney ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is linked to endothelial damage.
- MicroRNA (miR)-486-5p shows protective effects in rat kidney I/R injury.
- miR-486-5p localizes to capillary endothelial cells but inhibits endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of miR-486-5p on eNOS and endothelial cell function.
- To identify the messenger RNA (mRNA) targets of miR-486-5p.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying miR-486-5p's effect on angiogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were transfected with miR-486-5p mimic.
- Assays included proliferation, migration, and network formation.
- Biotinylated miR-486-5p pulldown followed by RNA sequencing identified mRNA targets.
Main Results:
- miR-486-5p significantly reduced eNOS mRNA and protein levels in HUVECs and pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells.
- Angiogenesis was inhibited by miR-486-5p, an effect reversed by eNOS plasmid transfection.
- RNA sequencing identified FOXO1, FOXP1, TNFSF4, MAML3, CELSR3, and SPCS2 as miR-486-5p targets; MAML3 silencing inhibited eNOS.
Conclusions:
- miR-486-5p inhibits endothelial cell angiogenesis through eNOS down-regulation.
- This inhibitory effect is mediated by the selective targeting of MAML3.
- The study reveals a novel pathway regulating endothelial cell function via miR-486-5p and MAML3.
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