MicroRNA-221 regulates endothelial nitric oxide production and inflammatory response by targeting adiponectin receptor 1

Adiponectin exerts anti-atherosclerosis property through its 2 receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2). The mechanism regulating the expression of adiponectin receptors is unclear. Bioinformatics analysis showed that miR-221 targeted the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of the AdipoR1 mRNA. The protein level and the mRNA level of AdipoR1 were reduced when miR-221 was expressed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Meanwhile, miR-221...