MiR-455-5p serves as a biomarker of atherosclerosis and inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration

Background: This study discussed the clinical value and expression level of miR-455-5p in atherosclerosis (AS) patients. Meanwhile, its regulatory effect on the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) was further analyzed. Materials & methods: Clinical experiments were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and receiver operating characteristic. Cell experiments were detected by CCK-8, transwell and luciferase reporter gene assay. Results: miR-455-5p was low expressed in AS patients and had diagnostic value to distinguish AS patients from healthy controls. MiR-455-5p inhibited the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. SOCS3 was the target gene of miR-455-5p. Conclusion: MiR-455-5p may be used as a potential diagnostic biomarker for AS. MiR-455-5p may inhibit the proliferation and migration of VSMCs through targeting SOCS3. Lay abstract Atherosclerosis (AS) is the main cause of coronary heart disease and stroke. While caused by many factors, the development of AS is still very complex and unclear. The study revealed that low expression of miR-455-5p was observed in the serum of patients with AS. Individuals with low miR-455-5p levels may have a greater risk to suffer from AS. miR-455-5p may be involved in the development of AS via regulating the gene SOCS3. This data may provide a novel therapeutic target for AS treatment.