Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) was involved in stretch-induced miR-145 inhibition.

<p>(A and B) Effect of stretch on ACE expression. qRT-PCR and western blot analysis of mRNA and protein levels, respectively. (C and D) Effect of miR-145 mimics on protein and mRNA levels of ACE in stretched HASMCs. (E and F) Effect of ACE or NC siRNA on miR-145 level and mRNA and protein levels of VSMC contractile markers in HASMCs, respectively, *p<0.05, **p<0.01, vs static, # p<0.05 vs stretch, n = 4. (G) Effect of ACE siRNA on Angiotensin II (AngII) level in stretched HASMCs. Cells transcribed with ACE or NC siRNA were exposed to 16% stretch for 12 hr. AngII level in cytoplasm was measured by use of ELISA kit; (H) Effect of miR-145 mimics on AngII level in stretched HASMCs; Data are present as mean±SEM of 5 experiments. *p<0.05 vs static, #p<0.05 vs stretch. (I) schematic representation of stretch mediated miR-145 expression and interaction with ACE.