miR-214 mediates vascular inflammation and apoptosis via PTEN expression

The present study aimed to investigate the role of miR-214 on inflammation and apoptosis in the vascular system and to examine its potential mechanisms. Anti-miR-214 mimics were used to downregulate miR-214 expression in HUVECs. Cell viability and the apoptosis rate were measured using MTT assay and flow cytometry. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and IL-18 levels were measured using ELISA kits. Following this, caspase-3/9, Bax, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), nuclear factor (NF)-B and phosphorylated-(p)-protein kinase B (Akt) protein expression were analyzed using western blotting. The results demonstrated that anti-miR-214 mimics inhibited cell proliferation, increased apoptosis and inflammatory factors (TNF-, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-18 levels), inhibited cell proliferation, and induced Bax protein expression in TNF--induced vascular endothelial cells through induction of PTEN and NF-B protein expression and inhibition of Akt protein expression. The PTEN inhibitor inhibited the function of anti-miR-214 on apoptosis and inflammation in TNF--induced inflammation vascular endothelial cells through the PTEN/Akt signaling pathway. These results suggest that miR-214 mediates vascular inflammation and apoptosis via PTEN expression.