miR-146b-5p promotes VSMC proliferation and migration.

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play pivotal roles in the development of vascular diseases. While microRNAs are important in vascular pathologies, a few is known about their functional roles in VSMC phenotypes. We profiled microRNA expression in PDGF-BB treated VSMCs and found microRNA-146b-5p (miR-146b-5p) was upregulated. Inhibition of miR-146b-5p blocked in response to PDGF while reducing VSMC proliferation and migration. These studies implicate miR-146b-5p as necessary for PDGF-induced VSMC phenotype transition. Downstream miR-146b-5p targets modulating VSMC phenotypes will be further identified. Our study will help to understand the role of VSMCs in the pathology of vascular diseases.