Activation of the STAT3/microRNA‐21 pathway participates in angiotensin II‐induced angiogenesis

Angiotensin II (AngII) facilitates angiogenesis that is associated with the continuous progression of atherosclerotic plaques, but the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. Several microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to promote angiogenesis; however, whether miRNAs play a crucial role in AngII‐induced angiogenesis remains unclear. This study evaluated the functional involvement of miRNA‐21 (miR‐21) in the AngII‐mediated proangiogenic response in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs). We found that AngII exerted a proangiogenic role, indicated by the promotion of proliferation, migration, and tube formation in HMECs. Next, miR‐21 was found to be upregulated in AngII‐treated HMECs, and its specific inhibitor potently blocked the proangiogenic effects of AngII. Subsequently, we focused on the constitutive activation of STAT3 in the AngII‐mediated proangiogenic process. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that STAT3 acted as a transcription factor initiating miR‐21 expression, which was verified by ChIP‐PCR. A reporter assay further identified three functional binding sites of STAT3 in the miR‐21 promoter region. Moreover, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) was recognized as a target of miR‐21, and STAT3 inhibition restored AngII‐induced reduction in PTEN. Similarly, the STAT3/miR‐21 axis was shown to mediate AngII‐provoked angiogenesis in vivo, which was demonstrated by using the appropriate inhibitors. Our data suggest that AngII was involved in proangiogenic responses through miR‐21 upregulation and reduced PTEN expression, which was, at least in part, linked to STAT3 signaling. The present study provides novel insights into AngII‐induced angiogenesis and suggests potential treatment strategies for attenuating the progression of atherosclerotic lesions and preventing atherosclerosis complications.