Up-regulated miR-199b-3p or down-regulated MAPK/ERK/EGR1 axis inhibit the apoptosis of CMECs. A, cell apoptosis in each group examined by Annexin V/PI staining; B, the apoptotic cell rate of CMECs in each group; #, p < 0.05 vs. the blank and NC groups; *, p< 0.05 vs. the normal group; CMECs, cerebral microvascular endothelial cells; NC, negative control; miR-199b-3p, microRNA-199b-3p; EGR1, early growth response 1; PI, propidium iodide.