The lncRNA Punisher Regulates Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Homeostasis of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via Targeting miR-664a-5p and OPA1

Figure 7

GapmeR-Punisher-mediated silencing induces cell apoptosis and mitochondrial fission in VSMCs. (a) The diagram of design and principle of GapmeR-Punisher. (b) qRT-PCR analysis of knockdown efficiency after transfection of different doses of GapmeR-Punisher. (c) Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide staining and FACS quantification of the number of apoptotic cells after transfection of GapmeR-Punisher. (d, e) Detection of mitochondrial fission through MitoTracker staining in VSMC after LNA-Punisher transfection. (f, g) Evaluation of ROS production after transfection of LNA-Punisher. (h) Evaluation of ATP production after transfection of LNA-Punisher. (i) Measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential after LNA-Punisher transfection by detecting JC-1 expression using ELISA. (j) qRT-PCR analysis of miR-664a-5p mRNA expression level after transfection of GapmeR-Punisher. (k) The apoptosis proteins were determined by western blotting after transfection of GapmeR-Punisher. All values are the average of at least 3 biological replicates, and data shown are . Scale bars: 20 μm. ; .

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