Fig. 8

Hypo-Exo enhances autophagy by reducing mTOR protein expression by delivering miR-421-3p. A Network diagram for predicting miRNA target genes. B Bioinformatics analysis predicted miRNAs that were potentially capable of binding to mTOR. C qPCR analysis revealed the expression levels of miR-421-3p, miR-199a-3p, miR-505-3p, and miR-195-5p in Hypo-Exo and Exo (*P < 0.05). D schematic diagram illustrating the predicted binding sites of miR-421-3p in the 3'UTR of mTOR mRNA. E Dual-Luciferase Reporter System was used to detect luciferase activity. (***P < 0.001). F qPCR analysis revealed the expression level of miR-421-3p in each group (****P < 0.0001). G qPCR analysis revealed miR-421-3p expression levels in HUVECs after transfer with miR-421-3p inhibitors and NC (*P < 0.05). H, I Western blot shows the expression of mTOR, p-mTOR, ULK1, p-ULK1, P62, LC3-I, LC3-II, FUNDC1, p-FUNDC1 in each group, and quantitative data of western blot (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001), Bars indicated means ± SD