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 5. Bioinformatic analyses of potential links within the TGF-β1/miR-378a-3p/CTGF axis, with multiple mediators uncovered. The expression levels of TGF-β1/miR-378a-3p/CTGF were found to decrease in sera of patients with severe aortic arch calcification compared to those without. Hierarchical clustering of potential linking nodes/effectors between TGF-β1 and miR-378a-3p (A), miR-378a-3p and CTGF (B), and between TGF-β1, miR-378a-3p, and CTGF (C). Serum TGF-β1 (D), CTGF (E), and miR-378a-3p (F) levels of older adults according to the absence of AAC or presence of severe AAC are shown. AAC, aortic arch calcification; CTGF, connective tissue growth factor; TGF-β, transforming growth factor-β.