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. 2012 Nov 3;18(1):47–57. doi: 10.2478/s11658-012-0037-0

Regulation of angiogenesis by hypoxia: the role of microRNA

Piotr Madanecki 1, Niren Kapoor 2, Zsuzsa Bebok 3, Renata Ochocka 1, James F Collawn 3, Rafal Bartoszewski 1,4,✉
PMCID: PMC3874716  NIHMSID: NIHMS538585  PMID: 23124858

Abstract

Understanding the cellular pathways that regulate angiogenesis during hypoxia is a necessary aspect in the development of novel treatments for cardiovascular disorders. Although the pathways of angiogenesis have been extensively studied, there is limited information on the role of miRNAs in this process. miRNAs or their antagomirs could be used in future therapeutic approaches to regulate hypoxia-induced angiogenesis, so it is critical to understand their role in governing angiogenesis during hypoxic conditions. Although hypoxia and ischemia change the expression profile of many miRNAs, a functional role for a limited number of so-called hypoxamiRs has been demonstrated in angiogenesis. Here, we discuss the best examples that illustrate the role of hypoxamiRs in angiogenesis.

Key words: Angiogenesis, Hypoxia, microRNA, miRNA, HypoxamiR, HIF, VEGF

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Abbreviations used

3′UTR

3′-untranslated region

CUL2

cullin 2

DDX6

member six of the DEAD box protein family

DUSP2

dual-specificity phosphatase-2

EFNA3

ephrin-A3

ERK

extracellular signal-regulated kinases

Ets-1

v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog 1

FIH

factor inhibiting HIF-1

HIF

hypoxia-inducible factor

hnRNP L

heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein L

HRE

hypoxia-response element

miRNA

microRNA

PHD2

proline-hydroxylase-2

RISC

miRNA-induced silencing complex

SIRi1

sirtuin

STAT3

signal transducer and activator of transcription 3

VEGF

vascular endothelial growth factor

VEGFR2

vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2

VHL

gene encoding von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein

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