Overexpression of miR-126 Protects Hypoxic-Reoxygenation-Exposed HUVEC Cellular Injury through Regulating LRP6 Expression

The aim of the study was to explore the clinical impact of circulatory miR-126 as a candidate for novel biomarker in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and its protective role against hypoxia/reoxygenation- (H/R-) exposed HUVEC cellular injury. A total of 278 subjects, which included 153 subjects with angiographically confirmed CAD, 70 unstable angina subjects, and 55 healthy individuals, along with 18-hour HR-induced HUVECs were recruited in this study. Plasma miR-126 levels were significantly downregulated in stable and unstable CAD patients as well as 18-hour HR-exposed HUVECs as compared with controls. Stable and unstable CAD subjects were significantly differentiated from healthy individuals with a predictive value of AUC 0.903 and 0.923, respectively. Moreover, peripheral circulatory miR-126 expressions in elderly (71-90 years) stable and unstable CAD patients were comparatively lower than younger (30-50 years) subjects. The caspase-3 activity, intracellular ROS concentrations, and cellular viabilities were evidently increased in 18-hour HR-exposed HUVECs than in normal cells (P