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Volume 27
Issue 10
10.3390/ijms27104644
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

miRNA-26b Is Associated with Increased Connexin-40 Expression in Endothelial Cells Under Flow Conditions

by
Marcus Igl
1,
Markus Haberbosch
1,
Michael Hristov
1,
Felix Reich
1,
Emiel P. C. van der Vorst
1,2,
Christian Weber
1,* and
Kiril Bidzhekov
1,*
1
Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 80802 Munich, Germany
2
Department of Internal Medicine I, Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Cardio-Renal Disease (AMICARE), Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(10), 4644; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27104644
Submission received: 14 April 2026 / Revised: 13 May 2026 / Accepted: 18 May 2026 / Published: 21 May 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Endothelial Dysfunction, Fifth Edition)
Review Reports Versions Notes

Abstract

Endothelial cell dysfunction is the initial step in atherosclerosis, in which gap junction proteins such as connexin 40 (Cx40) might play an important role. Previously, we could demonstrate that miRNA-26b, a 21-nucleotide miRNA, is highly expressed in human atherosclerotic plaques and plays a key causal role in atherogenesis. There is evidence that miRNA-26b and Cx40 play crucial roles in sustaining endothelial health. However, their potential effects on atherosclerosis-related processes remain poorly understood. Therefore, this study elucidated the expression of miRNA-26b and Cx40 and studied the effect of Cx40 on inflammation and monocyte binding, which are key processes in atherosclerosis formation. In a human in vitro endothelial cell model, miRNA-26b overexpression is associated with increased Cx40 expression. Although we did not observe any anti-atherogenic effect of Cx40 on monocyte attachment or VCAM-1 transcription under static conditions, a flow-dependent expression pattern characterised by increased Cx40 and reduced VCAM-1 transcription was observed. How miRNA-26b and Cx40 are connected remains to be investigated. Furthermore, the functional role of Cx40 under flow conditions requires further investigation.
Keywords: connexins; Cx40; micro-RNA; miRNA-26b; atherosclerosis connexins; Cx40; micro-RNA; miRNA-26b; atherosclerosis

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Igl, M.; Haberbosch, M.; Hristov, M.; Reich, F.; van der Vorst, E.P.C.; Weber, C.; Bidzhekov, K. miRNA-26b Is Associated with Increased Connexin-40 Expression in Endothelial Cells Under Flow Conditions. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27, 4644. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27104644

AMA Style

Igl M, Haberbosch M, Hristov M, Reich F, van der Vorst EPC, Weber C, Bidzhekov K. miRNA-26b Is Associated with Increased Connexin-40 Expression in Endothelial Cells Under Flow Conditions. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2026; 27(10):4644. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27104644

Chicago/Turabian Style

Igl, Marcus, Markus Haberbosch, Michael Hristov, Felix Reich, Emiel P. C. van der Vorst, Christian Weber, and Kiril Bidzhekov. 2026. "miRNA-26b Is Associated with Increased Connexin-40 Expression in Endothelial Cells Under Flow Conditions" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 27, no. 10: 4644. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27104644

APA Style

Igl, M., Haberbosch, M., Hristov, M., Reich, F., van der Vorst, E. P. C., Weber, C., & Bidzhekov, K. (2026). miRNA-26b Is Associated with Increased Connexin-40 Expression in Endothelial Cells Under Flow Conditions. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 27(10), 4644. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27104644

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