Research Paper Volume 12, Issue 6 pp 5352—5361

Figure 3. Metformin exerts effects on HMGB1 via affecting miR-142-3p in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). (A) Decreased HMGB1 gene expression in a metformin dose-dependent manner by quantitative real-time PCR. (B) Correlation analysis revealed that negative correlation was found between metformin concentration and HMGB1 gene expression. (C) Increased miR-142-3p expression in a metformin dose-dependent manner by quantitative real-time PCR. (D) Correlation analysis revealed that positive correlation was found between metformin concentration and miR-142-3p gene expression. (E) Decreased HMGB1 level was found in HMGB1-WT-3′UTR + miR-142-3p transfected VSMCs compared to HMGB1-WT-3′UTR + control vector transfected VSMCs, whereas HMGB1 level was similar between HMGB1-MUT-3′UTR + miR-142-3p transfected VSMCs and HMGB1- MUT -3′UTR + control vector transfected VSMCs. (F) miR-142-3p overexpression and inhibition by mimics and siRNA resulted in decreased and increased HMGB1 gene expression in VSMCs, respectively. (G) miR-142-3p overexpression and inhibition by mimics and siRNA resulted in decreased and increased HMGB1 protein expression in VSMCs, respectively. (H) Relative quantification of HMGB1 level. **p < 0.01 and ***p < 0.001 for between group comparison.