LncRNA MIAT facilitated BM-MSCs differentiation into endothelial cells and restored erectile dysfunction via targeting miR-200a in a rat model of erectile dysfunction.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) implantation effectively restored rats' erectile dysfunction (ED). Long noncoding RNA (LncRNA)-myocardial infarction-associated transcript (MIAT) has been reported to play an important role in regulating endothelial cells (ECs) function via vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that induced BM-MSCs differentiation into ECs. However, the molecular functions and biological roles of lncRNA MIAT in ED remained unclear. METHODS: The rat model of ED was established. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blotting were used to detect the expression of lncRNA MIAT, von Willebrand factor (vWF), vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin), endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and VEGF following BM-MSCs transfection. Erectile function was evaluated by intra-cavernous pressure/mean artery pressure (ICP/MAP). Furthermore, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay and RNA pull down as well as luciferase reporter assay were carried out to examine the interaction among lncRNA MIAT, miR-200a and VEGF. RESULTS: BM-MSCs restored ED by upregulating lncRNA MIAT. LncRNA MIAT was upregulated in a time-dependent manner during BM-MSCs differentiation into ECs. LncRNA MIAT regulated VEGF via targeting miR-200a, thereby promoting BM-MSCs differentiation into ECs. LncRNA MIAT knockdown in vivo abolished the effect of BM-MSCs on ED. CONCLUSION: LncRNA MIAT promoted BM-MSCs differentiation into ECs and restored ED via miR-200a.