LncRNA MALAT1 up-regulates VEGF-A and ANGPT2 to promote angiogenesis in brain microvascular endothelial cells against oxygen–glucose deprivation via targetting miR-145
Authors: Kui Li
Zuneng Lu
Chunxia Wei
Lanfen Ren
Journal: Bioscience reports (2019)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: BMECs; Stroke; lncRNA-MALAT1.
Affiliations: Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China., Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China., Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, P.R. China .

Abstract:  Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability around the world. Angiogenesis is supposed to protect brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) from oxidative and ischemic stress. Previous studies indicated that interaction between metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) and miR-145 was involved in myocardial ischemia reperfusion, suggesting MALAT1 and miR-145 were also mediated with the progress of angiogenesis and cell migration in oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced BMECs. The present study aimed to investigate the functional roles of MALAT1 in regulating miR-145 and its downstream pro-angiogenesis factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and Angiopoietin-2 (ANGPT2) during the progress of angiogenesis in OGD-induced BMECs. An in vitro OGD model was employed in mouse BMECs to mimic brain hypoxic and ischemic conditions; MTT was used to determine cell viability. qRT-PCR was used to determine the expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-MALAT1 and miR-145 under OGD conditions; in vitro tube formation assay was used to investigate angiogenic effect of MALAT1 and miR-145 The relationship between lncRNA-MALAT1/miR-145 and miR-145/VEGF-A/ANGPT2 was evaluated by qRT-PCR and Western blot, and direct binding was assessed using dual luciferase assay. Results showed that the levels of lncRNA-MALAT1 and miR-145 were up-regulated in OGD-induced BMECs. miR-145 functioned as an anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic factor in OGD treated BMECs via down-regulating VEGF-A and ANGPT2 directly. While lncRNA-MALAT1 enhanced the expressions of VEGF-A and ANGPT2 by targetting miR-145 to promote angiogenesis and proliferation of BMECs under OGD conditions. Our present study revealed the inhibitory functions of miR-145 on angiogenesis through direct targetting on VEGF-A and ANGPT2 for the first time and proved the protective role of lncRNA-MALAT1 for BMECs under OGD conditions through the direct regulation of miR-145. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Both figures consisting of images from the matrigel assay feature duplicated images that have been recropped. Here, from Figure 2: ![file] And here, from Figure 4: ![file] Have the authors somehow confused their images? , 
 #1 Another overlap in Figure 2 images. *** ![file] *** ![file] , 
 2E. ![file] , 
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 https: doi.org 10.1042 BSR-20180226_EOC u201cThe Editorial Office has been made aware of potential issues surrounding the scientific validity of this paper, hence has issued an expression of concern to notify readers whilst the Editorial Office investigates.u201d , 
 https: doi.org 10.1042 BSR-20180226_RET This Retraction follows an Expression of Concern relating to this article previously published by Portland Press. This article is being retracted from Bioscience Reports at the request of the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board following receipt of a notification from several readers, alerting the Editorial Board to multiple duplications in Figures 2D, 2E, 4D and 4E. The authors have been contacted in regards to the retraction, and have not responded to the Journal s queries and the concerns raised. Given the extent of the issues raised, the Editorial Board stand by the decision to retract the article. ,