The miR-590-3p/VEGFA axis modulates secretion of VEGFA from adipose-derived stem cells, which acts as a paracrine regulator of human dermal microvascular endothelial cell angiogenesis

The paracrine secretion of angiogenic cytokines from adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) might promote endothelial cell angiogenesis, therefore promoting wound healing in injured tissues. Hypoxia is one of the common occurrence in injured tissues, during which angiogenesis is enhanced to improve the oxygen supply. In the present study, miR-590-3p, an anti-angiogenic miRNA, was predicted to target VEGFA, a key factor that can be transcriptionally upregulated by HIF1A during ADSC proliferation and tubule formation in response to hypoxic stimulation. Herein, we found that in response to hypoxic stimuli, HIF1A and VEGFA protein expressions were remarkably induced. In addition, ADSC viability was promoted. Incubation with conditioned medium from ADSCs stimulated by hypoxia significantly enhanced the angiogenic ability of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs), while the conditioned medium from VEGFA-silenced ADSCs significantly reversed the angiogenic ability of HDMECs. Regarding the molecular mechanism, it was verified that miR-590-3p binds to VEGFA; miR-590-3p inhibited VEGFA to affect the paracrine regulation by ADSCs, subsequently hindering the HDMEC angiogenesis. More importantly, the consequences of miR-590-3p-overexpressing conditioned medium on HDMEC angiogenesis were partially reversed by VEGFA-overexpressing conditioned medium. In conclusion, miR-590-3-5p/VEGFA axis modulates the paracrine secretion of VEGFA by ADSCs to affect the angiogenesis of HDMECs.