Figure 3.

The AKT/ERK signaling pathway is targeted and modulated by miR-18a-5p. (A, B) Luciferase activity of the AKT and ERK were measured by the dual-luciferase reporter assay. (C, E) Expression of AKT and ERK in VSMCs was measured by Western blot analysis. (D, F) Correlation between miR-18a-5p level with the protein expression level of AKT and ERKs. (G and I) Luciferase activity of AKT and ERK in VSMCs was examined by immunofluorescence analysis. (H, J) Correlation between the miR-18a-5p expression level with the AKT and ERK luciferase activity. Representative images of the VSMCs are shown (200×). Data are expressed as the mean±S.E.M. ** p<0.01 were significant.