Fig. 3. CTGF is a target of miR-145 in VSMCs. (A) miR-145 was bound to the 3′UTR of CTGF. (B) The luciferase activity of CTGF was decreased by miR-145 mimic in WT. (C) Western blot analysis showed higher expression of CTGF protein in AAD specimens than in NAD specimens. (D) qRT-PCR showed a higher expression of CTGF mRNA in AAD specimens than in NAD specimens. (E) Regression analysis showed a negative correlation of miR-145 with CTGF expression. (F) Western blot showed decreased or increased expression of CTGF protein in the miR-145 mimic or miR-145 inhibitor group, respectively. (G) qRT-PCR showed decreased or increased expression of CTGF gene in the miR-145 mimic or miR-145 inhibitor group, respectively. ^*p<0.05, ^†p<0.01. CTGF, connective tissue growth factor; VSMC, vascular smooth muscle cell; AAD, acute aortic dissection; NAD, normal aortic dissection.