Effects of EGF on apoptosis of adipose derived stem cells by regulating miRNA-21

Abstract

Abstract Objective The miroRNA-21 (MiR-21) plays a vital role in the process of proliferation and apoptosis in different types of cells. EGF could increase the miR-21 primary transcript during adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) differentiation, however, the underlying molecular mechanism is unclear. We hypothesized that EGF affects the proliferation and apoptosis of ADSCs by regulating miRNA-21. Methods Gain or loss of function strategy was used through transfecting ADSCs with chemically synthesized oligonucleotides complementary to miR-21. Profiles of post-transfection miR-21 caused by EGF were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Apoptosis of ADSCs was evaluated with flow cytometry. The expression levels of miR-21's targeted genes PTEN and FASLwere determined by Western blot assay. Results In response to miR-21 mimics or inhibitor, the apoptosis and cytoactivity of ADSCs changed correspondingly. Change of miR-21 expression level was checked and an inverse correlation of EGF was observed with PTEN and FASL expression in ADSCs. Conclusion Our results indicated that miR-21 could influence EGF expression and furtherly inhibits the apoptosis of ADSCs by downregulating PTEN and FASL. These findings may provide clues toward regulating biological activity of ADSCs with miR-21.