MicroRNA 126-3p (miR-126-3p)

MicroRNA 126 (miR-126) is a highly conserved, endothelial-specific microRNA located within the seventh intron of the EGFL7 gene that plays a pivotal role in maintaining vascular integrity and regulating angiogenesis (Fish et al., 2008). It is processed into two mature strands, with miR-126-3p being the most biologically active in the vasculature, where it post-transcriptionally represses negative regulators of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway, specifically SPRED1 and PIK3R2 (Wang et al., 2008). By silencing these inhibitors, miR-126-3p effectively lowers the threshold for VEGF-induced signaling, promoting endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and survival (Nicoli et al., 2010). Additionally, miR-126-3p modulates vascular inflammation by targeting Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (VCAM-1), which reduces the recruitment of inflammatory cells to the vessel wall (Harris et al., 2008). Clinically, reduced levels of circulating miR-126-3p are strongly associated with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease, suggesting its utility as a biomarker for endothelial dysfunction (Zampetaki et al., 2010). Therapeutic strategies currently under investigation include the use of miR-126 mimics to restore vascular function in ischemic conditions and antagomirs to inhibit its role in pathological angiogenesis or tumor growth.

Other names

MIR126hsa-miR-126-3pMicroRNA 126miR-126

MicroRNA 126-3p functions by binding to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of target mRNAs, leading to translational repression or mRNA degradation. In endothelial cells, it primarily targets negative regulators of the VEGF and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways, such as SPRED1 and PIK3R2, thereby enhancing pro-angiogenic responses (Wang et al., 2008; Fish et al., 2008).