Research Paper Volume 15, Issue 3 pp 830—845
The context-dependent role of transforming growth factor-β/miR-378a-3p/connective tissue growth factor in vascular calcification: a translational study
Figure 4. Functional evaluation of the role of miR-378a-3p during VC and ex vivo validation. Over-expression of miR-378a-3p led to CTGF suppression while remained neutral regarding TGF-β1 expressions. From early to mid-term VC, the expressions of RUNX2 (early, A; mid-term, B), ALP (C), TGF-β1 (early, D; mid-term, E), and CTGF (early, F; mid-term, G) in ASMCs without or with miR-378a-3p over-expression or OM treatment are shown. (H) The effect on CTGF expression exerted by increasing miR-378a-3p transfection dose. (I) AR staining of ex vivo aortas without or with OM, with aortic expressions of TGF-β1 (J), miR-378a-3p (K), and CTGF (L) shown. ALP, alkaline phosphatase; AR, Alizarin red; ASMC, aortic smooth muscle cell; ctrl, control; CTGF, connective tissue growth factor; OM, osteogenic media; TGF-β, transforming growth factor-β.