Let-7e modulates the inflammatory response in vascular endothelial cells through ceRNA crosstalk

The inflammatory responses of vascular endothelial cells (VECs) are critical in the development of many cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. Let-7e is an important regulator of endothelial function and inflammation. However, the effects and mechanisms of let-7e on VECs inflammation have not been studied until recently. Thus, we investigated these issues and found that in addition to proliferation, apoptosis and cell adhesion, let-7e was also implicated in the regulation of inflammatory responses through a complex network, including IκBβ and lncRNA lnc-MKI67IP-3. Let-7e promoted NF-κB activation and translocation to the nucleus by inhibiting its target gene (IκBβ) expression and subsequently increased the expression of inflammatory and adhesion molecules. Meanwhile, lnc-MKI67IP-3 acted as a sponge or competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for let-7e, suppressing its pro-inflammatory…