Table 2 Mechanisms by which miRNAs influence the differentiation of MSCs into VSMCs

TGF-β1 Signaling Interaction

miR-143

Upregulated in response to TGF-β1, promoting SMC differentiation

Inhibits pluripotent factors.

[53]

miR-145

Enhances expression of smooth muscle-specific genes; represses KLF4

Targets KLF4 to promote differentiation

[38]

miR-503

Upregulated during early differentiation phases; targets SMAD7 to promote TGF-β signaling

Enhances transcriptional activity of SMAD4.

[30]

miR-222-5p

Downregulated during differentiation; inhibits SMC differentiation by targeting ROCK2

Impedes cytoskeletal dynamics

[38]

Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway Interaction

miR-503

Modulates β-catenin stability and activity; may enhance Wnt signaling in response to TGF-β1

Targets negative regulators of Wnt pathway.

[30]

miR-1

Positive regulator of MSC to SMC differentiation; loss-of-function leads to

reduced SMC marker expression

Interacts with KLF4 to repress its expression.

[64]