Dysfunction of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is key in the pathogenesis of proliferative cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and post-angioplasty restenosis. However, to date, the molecular mechanisms of this pathological process have not been elucidated. Growing evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of novel gene regulators. Recently, miR-146a was shown to be highly expressed in rat balloon-injured vascular walls as well as in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of miR-146a in regulating VSMC fate and the possible underlying mechanisms involved. Our results revealed that the expression of miR‑146a was increased in proliferative VSMCs. Subsequently, we observed that the knockdown of miR‑146a significantly inhibited the proliferative and migratory properties of VSMCs in vitro, while it markedly promoted the apoptotic capacity of VSMCs. In addition, we demonstrated that the protein expression of nuclear factor-κBp65 (NF-κBp65) and the proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), known as critical transcriptional factors, were downregulated. By contrast, the crucial proapoptotic molecule Bax has been revealed to be upregulated following miR‑146a knockdown. These results support the conclusion that miR-146a is a novel regulator of VSMC fate and may be a new biomarker or therapeutic target for proliferative cardiovascular disease.

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BackgroundAntenatal depression (AD) is considered as one of the major health burdens and has adverse effects on the outcome of expectant mothers and newborns. The present study aims to investigate the prevalence of antenatal depression (AD), and to explore the potential risk factors of AD among pregnant women in Chengdu, including personal background, related social factors, family factors and cognitive factors.MethodsThe prospective nested case-control study included pregnant women who were in their second pregnancy and attended prenatal care at three tertiary hospitals and one regional hospital in Chengdu, China, between March 2015 and May 2016. Self-designed questionnaires were given to participants in their second and third trimesters to collect information on clinical and demographic characteristics, and a modified edition of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were used to measure AD. The logistic regression was applicated in analyses.ResultsA total of 996 pregnant women were included in analysis. Ninety-three women suffered from AD symptoms only in their second trimester, 96 only in their third trimester, and 107 displayed persistent depression in both trimesters. In the univariate analyses, age and marital relationships were linked with AD occurrence in both second and third trimester. In addition, increasing age, full-time job, higher education level, and no gender preference of spouse were associated with reduced persistent depression. Multivariate analysis showed that gender preference and marital relationship were the potential risk factors of persistent depression.ConclusionsAge, marital relationship relationships, with parents-in-law, the negative recognition of this pregnancy and husband’s gender preference were found as risk factors of AD occurrence in some specific trimester. Gender preference of husbands and marital relationships were independently associated with persistent depression. These findings suggest that stronger family support can help improve mental health of pregnant women.

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