Runx2/miR-3960/miR-2861 Positive Feedback Loop Is Responsible for Osteogenic Transdifferentiation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Figure 5

Runx2 stimulates miR-2861 and miR-3960 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells. (a) Western blot analysis of Runx2 protein levels (left) and Northern blot analysis of miR-2861 and miR-3960 levels (right) in VSMCs transfected with pcDNA3.1 vector control or Runx2 pcDNA3.1 vector (pcDNA3.1-Runx2) for 48 h. (b) Western blot analysis of Runx2 protein levels (left) and Northern blot analysis of miR-2861 and miR-3960 levels (right) in VSMCs transfected with siRNA control (si-C) or si-Runx2 and then cultured with β-glycerophosphate for 48 h. For Western blot analysis, β-actin acts as a loading control. For Northern blot analysis, U6 snRNA acts as a loading control.

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