miR‑126 is essential for endothelial phenotype expression during endothelial differentiation in adipose‑derived stem cells.

The endothelial differentiation of stem cells serves an essential role in vascular development, function and disease. Autograft adipose‑derived stem cells (ADSCs) may be a novel source of cell for use in the study of angiogenesis. microRNA‑126 (miR‑126) has been extensively studied in endothelial cells. However, the effect of miR‑126 on the endothelial differentiation of ADSCs has not been demonstrated. In the present study, it was observed that the expression of miR‑126 was markedly increased during the endothelial differentiation of ADSCs in a time‑dependent manner. The effect of miR‑126 on ADSC differentiation was confirmed by employing up‑ and down‑regulation strategies. The expression of endothelial markers was decreased by miR‑126 inhibitor transfection during endothelial differentiation. The results of the present study suggest that miR‑126 is essential for endothelial phenotype expression, and may promote the progress of endothelial differentiation in ADSCs, providing a novel strategy for modulating vascular formation and function.