The Compatibility of Alisma and Atractylodes Affects the Biological Behaviours of VSMCs by Inhibiting the miR-128-5p/p21 Gene

OBJECTIVE: The compatibility of Alisma and Atractylodes (AA) has been estimated to exhibit antiatherosclerotic effects, but the mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the role of AA in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) behaviours and to explore the effects of microRNAs (miRNAs). METHODS: A scratch wound-healing assay was used to detect the migration of VSMCs, and immunocytochemistry and western blotting for SM22ɑ were used to evaluate phenotypic transformation. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry were applied to detect the proliferation of VSMCs. miRNA microarray profiling was performed using Lianchuan biological small RNA sequencing analysis. VSMCs were transfected with the miR-128-5p mimic and inhibitor, and the migration, phenotypic modulation, and proliferation of VSMCs were investigated. The 3′UTR-binding sequence site of miR-128-5p on the p21 gene was predicted and assessed by luciferase assays. RESULT: AA and the extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) blocker U0126 markedly inhibited migration, elevated smooth muscle 22α (SM22α) expression, repressed VSMC proliferation, elevated miR-466f-3p and miR-425-3p expression, and suppressed miR-27a-5p and miR-128-5p expression in ox-LDL-induced VSMCs. miR-128-5p targets the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), silent information regulator 2 (SIRT2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), and p21 genes, which are linked to the behaviours of VSMCs. The miR-128-5p mimic promoted the migration and proliferation of VSMCs and suppressed p21, p27, and SM22ɑ expression. The inhibitor increased p21, p27, and SM22ɑ expression and repressed the migration, phenotypic transformation, and proliferation of VSMCs. miR-128-5p directly targeted the 3′UTR-binding sequences of the p21 gene, negatively regulated p21 expression, and supported the proliferation of VSMCs. CONCLUSION: Our research showed that the migration, phenotypic transformation, and proliferation of ox-LDL-induced VSMCs were repressed by AA through inhibiting miR-128-5p by targeting the p21 gene, which may provide an effective option for the treatment of atherosclerosis.