Role of miR-124 and miR-141 in the regulation of vascular reactivity and the relationship to RhoA and Rac1 after hemorrhage and hypoxia

Recent studies show that hypoxia can alter expression levels of microRNAs (miRNAs). Whether hypoxia or hemorrhage-induced vascular hyporeactivity is related to miRNAs and the underlying mechanisms of this process is not clear. Using hypoxia-treated superior mesenteric arteries (SMAs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of rats that underwent hemorrhage, we observed the regulatory effects of miR-124/miR-141 on vascular reactivity, the relationship of these miRNAs to RhoA and Rac1, and the mutual regulation of miR-124 and miR-141. The contractile responses of SMAs and VSMCs showed an increase in early stages and a decrease in late stages of hypoxia and hemorrhage. Forty-five miRNAs appeared to have been significantly changed in SMAs after hypoxia, and miR-124 and miR-141 underwent the most change. Overexpressed miR-124 or miR-141 and their antisenses appeared to alter both vascular reactivity and expression of the proteins RhoA and Rac1 after hypoxia. miR-124 inhibited Rac1 by acting at the Rac1 mRNA 3'-untranslated region (UTR), but it led to an increase in RhoA by inhibiting miR-141. miR-141 inhibited RhoA by acting at the RhoA mRNA 3'-UTR, but it led to an increase in Rac1 by inhibiting miR-124. Further study found that miR-124 inhibited miR-141 via transcription factor early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1), whereas miR-141 inhibited miR-124 via transcription of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2). These results suggest that miR-124 and miR-141 participate in the regulation of vascular reactivity after hypoxia and hemorrhage by regulating expression of the RhoA and Rac1 proteins, and in doing so, miR-124 and miR-141 are mutually regulated. These findings provide potential targets for restoring vascular function as part of the treatment protocol for hemorrhagic shock and some other critical illness.