FIGURE 1.

The lncRNA Aerrie is expressed in endothelial cells and is regulated by aging, shear stress, and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (endMT). (A) Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to laminar (72 h, 20 dyn/cm²) and oscillatory flow (14 h, 20 dyn/cm²). Expression levels of Aerrie were measured by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Expression values are relative to static condition and normalized to GAPDH mRNA (n > 3). (B) Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were artificially aged by passing frequently until senescence is reached. Expression levels of Aerrie were measured by RT-qPCR in early and late passages (p) (n = 4). (C) Human atherosclerotic plaques were collected, and microarray profiled (GSE21545). Expression levels of Aerrie were plotted as normal healthy arteries (n = 10) versus atherosclerotic plaques (n = 127). From the atherosclerotic plaques, those from asymptomatic (n = 40) and symptomatic patients (n = 87) were distinguished and expression levels of Aerrie were plotted. (D) HUVECs were stimulated with IL-1β and TGF-β2 to induce endMT. Expression levels of Aerrie were measured by RT-qPCR (n = 3). (E) Human heart tissue of the left ventricle was isolated from healthy donor (n = 7) versus ischemic heart disease (ISHD) patients (n = 7). Expression levels of Aerrie were measured by RT-qPCR. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001; ****p < 0.0001; ns, not statistically significant.