Abstract
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis and conveys a significant health burden globally. Critical limb ischaemia encompasses the most severe consequence of PAD. Our previous studies indicate that microRNA let-7g prevents atherosclerosis and improves endothelial functions. This study aimed to investigate whether and how let-7g therapy may improve blood flow to ischaemic limbs. The present study shows that let-7g has multiple pro-angiogenic effects on mouse ischaemic limb model and could be a potential therapeutic agent for PAD. Mice receiving intramuscular injection of let-7g had more neovascularization, better local perfusion and increased recruitment of endothelial progenitor cells after hindlimb ischaemia. The therapeutic effects of let-7g's on angiogenesis are mediated by multiple regulatory machinery. First, let-7g increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) through targeting their upstream regulators HIF-3α and TP53. In addition, let-7g affected the splicing factor SC35 which subsequently enhanced the alternative splicing of VEGF-A from the anti-angiogenic isoform VEGF-A165b towards the pro-angiogenic isoform VEGF-A164a . The pleiotropic effects of let-7g on angiogenesis imply that let-7g may possess a therapeutic potential in ischaemic diseases.