(A) NRAS mRNA (qRT-PCR) and (B)
protein levels (Western blot) in HUVECs transfected with pre-miR-146a and
pre-miR-control. (C) Luciferase activity from
NRAS 3′UTR WT reporter plasmid and mutated
NRAS 3′UTR cotransfected into HEK293T cells
with pre-miR-146a or pre-miR-control 48 hours after transfection.
(D) BrdU incorporation, (E) FACS analysis for
apoptosis by annexin V–PI staining, and (F) DNA
fragmentation analysis in HUVECs transfected with NRAS or control siRNA for
48 hours. (G) Representative images of laser-induced choroidal
neovascularization 7 days after transfection with NRAS or control siRNA
injected intravitreously (n ≥ 8 eyes/condition;
4 lesions/eyes). Dashed outlines denote lesion area. Scale bars: 100
μm. (H) Quantification (by ImageJ) of the green
signal present in lesion area. CNV, choroidal neovascularization.
(I) NRAS mRNA level in HUVECs stimulated
with 16K PRL (50 nM, 8 hours), with pretransfection (48 hours) with
anti-miR-control or anti-miR-146a. All data are mean ± SD
(n ≥ 3) or mean ± SEM
(H). *P < 0.05 vs. respective
control. See also Supplemental Figure 2.