Fig. 2.

miR-542-3p inhibited osteogenic transition in yVSMCs induced by β-GP. Control yVSMCs, yVSMCs infected with an empty virus vector, and yVSMCs stably expressing miR-542-3p (miR-542-3p) were induced to calcify by β-GP. a After 7 days of induction, expressions smooth muscle markers (SM22α and calponin) and osteogenic markers (OPN and Runx2) were investigated by Western blot. GAPDH was used as loading control. b Quantification of protein expressions by densitometric analysis. n = 3. Versus control and vector yVSMCs, *p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01. c After β-GP induction for 7 days, calcium deposition was detected by Alizarin red staining. d Quantification of calcium deposition. n = 3. Versus control and vector yVSMCs, **p < 0.01