MicroRNAs miR-143 and miR-145 modulate cytoskeletal dynamics and responsiveness of smooth muscle cells to injury

Genes Dev. 2009 Sep 15;23(18):2166-78. doi: 10.1101/gad.1842409. Epub 2009 Aug 31.

Abstract

Vascular injury triggers dedifferentiation and cytoskeletal remodeling of smooth muscle cells (SMCs), culminating in vessel occlusion. Serum response factor (SRF) and its coactivator, myocardin, play a central role in the control of smooth muscle phenotypes by regulating the expression of cytoskeletal genes. We show that SRF and myocardin regulate a cardiovascular-specific microRNA (miRNA) cluster encoding miR-143 and miR-145. To assess the functions of these miRNAs in vivo, we systematically deleted them singly and in combination in mice. Mice lacking both miR-143 and miR-145 are viable and do not display overt abnormalities in smooth muscle differentiation, although they show a significant reduction in blood pressure due to reduced vascular tone. Remarkably, however, neointima formation in response to vascular injury is profoundly impeded in mice lacking these miRNAs, due to disarray of actin stress fibers and diminished migratory activity of SMCs. These abnormalities reflect the regulation of a cadre of modulators of SRF activity and actin dynamics by miR-143 and miR-145. Thus, miR-143 and miR-145 act as integral components of the regulatory network whereby SRF controls cytoskeletal remodeling and phenotypic switching of SMCs during vascular disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Carotid Artery Injuries / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism*
  • Enhancer Elements, Genetic / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / metabolism*
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / pathology
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins
  • MIRN145a microRNA, mouse
  • MicroRNAs
  • MIRN143 microRNA, mouse
  • Mrtfa protein, mouse
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • myocardin