miR-370 inhibits the angiogenic activity of endothelial cells by targeting smoothened (SMO) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2

What is it about?

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small intracellular molecules that regulate fundamental processes. Such a process is angiogenesis, i.e. the development of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones. In the present study, we analyzed the function of miR-370 in regulating the angiogenic activity of endothelial cells (EC). We found that this miRNA regulates several important steps of the angiogenic process, including EC proliferation, migration, tube formation and sprouting. Mechanistic analyses revealed that miR-370 directly targets the two genes smoothened (SMO) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 in EC. These novel findings indicate that miR-370 is a potent inhibitor of blood vessel development, which may be suitable for the development of novel therapeutic strategies in the treatment of angiogenic diseases.

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