MiR-126 regulates the effect of mesenchymal stem cell vascular repair on carotid atherosclerosis through MAPK/ERK signaling pathway

Figure 3 To assess the relative expression level of miR-126, cell proliferation, cell migration ability, and apoptosis. A: Relative expression level of miR-126 was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. MiR-126 mimics significantly increase miR-126 expression, while miR-126 inhibitor reduces it; B: Cell proliferation was assessed by measuring optical density at 450 nm. Compared with the control group (negative control mimics), the miR-126 mimics group showed enhanced cell proliferation (higher optical density value); C: Cell migration ability was assessed by wound healing assay. The number of migrated cells in the miR-126 mimics group was significantly higher than that in the negative control mimics group. The bar chart quantified the number of migrated cells, further supporting these observations; D: Cells were assessed by flow cytometry apoptosis. MiR-126 mimics reduced apoptosis, while miR-126 inhibitor significantly increased it. The bar chart quantified the apoptosis rate, further supporting these observations. Data are presented as the mean ± SD, and differences between groups were calculated using one-way ANOVA. ^aP < 0.01. OD: Optical density; NC: Negative control.