Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2019; 127(04): 255-262
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-125324
Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Intravenous Injection of miR-34a Inhibitor Alleviates Diabetes Mellitus-Induced Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction by Targeting NOTCH1

Di Zhao
2   Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
,
Na-Sui Wang
1   Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
,
Fu Chen
1   Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
,
Zheng-Bing Li
1   Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
,
Xi-Tao Li
1   Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
,
Xu-Xin Zhu
1   Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 30 November 2017
revised 30 November 2017

accepted 21 December 2017

Publication Date:
12 March 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Background miR-34a is a multifunctional post-translational modulator, which is involved in several diabetes-related complications. However, miR-34a remains to be fully elucidated in the diabetic endothelium from rats. In this study, the role of miR-34a/NOTCH1 signaling in the progression of hyperglycemia-vascular endothelial dysfunction was investigated.

Methods In intravenous injection of miR-34a mimics and inhibitors in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, the biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction was measured. The targeted genes were predicted by a bioinformatics algorithm and confirmed by a dual luciferase reporter assay. The mRNA and protein levels were assayed by qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to measure NOTCH1 expression in the diabetic endothelium.

Results miR-34a was significantly up-regulated, and NOTCH1 down-regulated, in the thoracic aorta from STZ-induced diabetic rats compared with control group. As compared to model group, the mRNA of NOTCH1 was significantly decreased or increased by miR-34a mimics or inhibitors ex vivo, respectively. Bioinformatics methods further demonstrated that NOTCH1 was a potential target of miR-34a, which was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Moreover, both serum ET and NO were significantly increased in diabetic rats as compared to control group. miR-34a inhibitors ex vivo treatment resulted in significant down-regulation ofserum ET and NO levels in diabetic rats as compared to model group.

Conclusion These results provide evidence to support the use of miR-34a inhibitors as a therapeutic approach attenuating hyperglycemia-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction.