17β-estradiol enhances vascular endothelial Ets-1/miR-126-3p expression: the possible mechanism for attenuation of atherosclerosis

Context:Endothelial microRNA 126 (miR-126) attenuates the development of atherosclerosis (AS). However, there is no evidence showing the role of miR-126 in estrogen’s anti-atherogenic effects.Objective:We hypothesized that 17β-estradiol (E2) modulates miR-126 expression, thus may improve endothelial function and retard AS development.Design/Setting/Participants:This was a prospective cohort study of 12 healthy regularly menstruating female volunteers aged 23-26 yr conducted at Guangzhou Medical University. ApoE-/- mice were used as atherosclerosis model and human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured as cell model.Main Outcome Measures:Serum hormones and miR-126-3p levels were measured up to three times for one cycle. Real-time PCR, histology for atherosclerotic lesions, immunofluorescence, luciferase assay, transfection experiments, cell proliferation, migration and tube formation assay and western blot were performed.Results:Serum concentrations of miR-126-3p in cycling women were ...