Pro-Inflammatory Role of MicroRNA-200 in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells From Diabetic Mice

Objective-Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from type 2 diabetic db/db mice exhibit enhanced proinflammatory responses implicated in accelerated vascular complications. We examined the role of microRNA(miR)-200 family members and their target Zeb1, an E-box binding transcriptional repressor, in these events. Methods and Results-The expression levels of miR-200b, miR-200c, and miR-429 were increased, although protein levels of Zeb1 were decreased in VSMC and aortas from db/db mice relative to control db/+ mice. Transfection of miR-200 mimics into VSMC downregulated Zeb1 by targeting its 3'-UTR, upregulated the inflammatory genes cyclooxygenase-2 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and promoted monocyte binding in db/+ VSMC. In contrast, miR-200 inhibitors reversed the enhanced monocyte binding of db/dbVSMC. Zeb1 gene silencing with siRNAs also increased these proinflammatory responses in db/+ VSMC confirming negative regulatory role of Zeb1. Both miR-200 mimics and Zeb1 siRNAs increased cyclooxygenase-2 promoter transcriptional activity. Chromatin immuno-precipitation showed that Zeb1 occupancy at inflammatory gene promoters was reduced in VSMC from type 2 diabetic db/db mice. Furthermore, Zeb1 knockdown increased miR-200 levels demonstrating a feedback regulatory loop. Conclusion-Disruption of the reciprocal negative regulatory loop between miR-200 and Zeb1 under diabetic conditions enhances proinflammatory responses of VSMC implicated in vascular complications. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2012; 32:721-729.)