MicroRNA-122-5p is upregulated in diabetic foot ulcers and decelerates the transition from the inflammatory to the proliferative stage

Figure 4 MicroRNA-122-5p reduced vascular endothelial growth and delayed fibrosis during the transition from the inflammatory phase to the proliferative phase. A and B: Levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibronectin (FN) 1, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in wound tissues of mice after 14 days were detected using immunohistochemistry (20 ×); C: The expression of VEGF, FN1, and α-SMA in wound tissues of mice was assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction; D and E: Expressions of VEGF, FN1, and α-SMA proteins were tested in wound tissues (n = 3); F and G: Expressions of VEGF, FN1, and α-SMA proteins were tested in NIH3T3 cells in different groups (n = 3). ^aP < 0.05. ^bP < 0.01. ^cP < 0.001. DU: Diabetic ulcer; miR: MicroRNA; AAVDJ: Adeno-associated virus-DJ; SMA: Smooth muscle actin; VEGF: Vascular endothelial growth factor; FN: Fibronectin; NC: Normal control.