Vitamin D Promotes Vascular Endothelial Cell Function via the Regulation of miR-199a-5p

Abstract

Essential hypertension (EH) is a main risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Vitamin D (VD) levels are inversely related to hypertension. MicroRNAs (miRNA or miR) are involved in various diseases, including EH. Till now, the role of miR-199a-5p in EH remains unclear. Cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry and Transwell assay were carried out in the current study to study the effects of VD on the biological behavior of Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The expression of miR-199a-5p was subsequently determined using reverse transcription-quantitative (RT-q) PCR. TargetScan prediction and double luciferase reporter gene detection were applied to confirm the binding sites between Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and miR-199a-5p. The results showed that VD promoted the proliferation and migration of HUVECs and reduced cell apoptosis. VD was observed to significantly reduced miR-199a-5p level in HUVECs. Transfection of the miR-199a-5p mimic was indicated to reverse the influence of VD on the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of HUVECs. SIRT1 was also confirmed to be a target gene of miR-199a-5p. Western blot analysis and RT-qPCR were performed to measure the impact of VD on the SIRT1/AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)- /NFB pathway. The results demonstrated that VD increased SIRT1 expression and p-AMPK- and decreased the expression of p-p65, and the transfection of miR-199a-5p mimic reversed these effects. In conclusion, the results of the current study indicated that VD may relieve EH through promoting vascular endothelial cell function via regulating miR-199a-5p.