MicroRNA-126: A key regulator of angiogenesis, inflammation, and tumorigenesis — Exploring its multifaceted functions in vascular health and cancer

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNA molecules (20 to 24 nucleotides) that serve as essential regulators of gene expression through post-transcriptional mechanisms. Among these miRNAs, microRNA-126 (miR-126) has emerged as a key player in angiogenesis, vascular biology, inflammation, and fibrosis. Encoded in the intron of the epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) gene, miR-126 undergoes canonical biogenesis and forms complexes that repress target messenger RNAs (mRNAs) by binding to complementary sequences in their 3′-untranslated regions (UTRs). MiR-126 have two distinct mature subtypes, namely miR-126-3p and miR-126-5p. The key miR-126 targets include factors such as SPRED1, PIK3R2, PTEN, VEGF, EGFL7, CXCL12, and others. Importantly, changes in miR-126 expression are associated with numerous diseases affecting vascular functions, which highlights its therapeutic potential to improve neovascularisation and underlines its importance as a biomarker for assessing disease risk. This review integrates the current understanding of miR-126 mechanisms of action, its implications in vascular pathologies, and therapeutic strategies, highlighting its importance in cardiovascular health and cancer biology.