Overexpression of miR-145 in Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Myocardial Injury in Rats

Abstract

Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) causes myocardial damage. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) exert protection on damaged hearts. We studied the effect of BMSCs with highly expressed miR-145 on repairing damaged heart caused by IRI in rats. SD rats were selected to isolate BMSCs which were assigned into negative control group, BMSCs group or miR-145-BMSCs (transfected with a lentivirus carrying pLVX-miR-145) followed by analysis of cell proliferation and apoptosis, and level of miR-145, Bcl2, Bax and VEGF by qRT-PCR. BMSCs overexpressing miR-145 showed elevated proliferation and decreased apoptotic activity. The cardiac function of miR-145-BMSCs and BMSCs rats was improved significantly, Bcl-2 and VEGF expression was enhanced, and Bax was decreased with more significant improvement in miR-145-BMSCs group. miR-145 overexpression has a regulatory effect on the biological behavior of BMSCs, and upregulates Bcl-2, VEGF and other key factors to repair the heart damage caused by IRI and restore heart function.