miR-126 binds to and inhibits TGFβ expression in HUVECs. A Dual-Luciferase assay was performed. (A) A segment of the TGFβ 3′UTR containing the predicted miR-126 binding site was inserted downstream of the luciferase-coding sequence. Sequence alignment demonstrates TGFβ 3′UTR complementarity with the 5′ end of miR-126. (B) Sequence alignment of miR-126 and the mutated TGFβ 3′UTR exhibited no complementarity. (C) HUVECs were co-transfected with the wt-Luc-TGF-β or mu-Luc-TGFβ plasmid and miR-126 mimic or control miR. (D) HUVECs were co-transfected with the wt-Luc-TGFβ or mu-Luc-TGFβ plasmid and miR-126 antagomir or a control miR. *P<0.05 vs. control. miR, microRNA; TGFβ, transforming growth factor β; HUVECs, human umbilical vein endothelial cells; UTR, untranslated region; wt, wild-type; mu, mutant; Luc, luciferase.