Micrornas (mirnas) are considered to be critical mediators of gene expression with respect to tumor progression, although their role in ischemia-induced angiogenesis is poorly characterized, including in peripheral arterial disease (Pad). Furthermore, the underlying mechanism of action of specific mirnas in Pad remains unknown. reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that microRNA-93 (miR-93) was significantly upregulated in patients with Pad and in the

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... hy926 endothelial cells in response to hypoxia. additionally, mirna (mir)-93 promoted angiogenesis by enhancing proliferation, migration and tube formation. cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1a (cdKn1a), verified as a potential target gene of mir-93, was inhibited by overexpressed mir-93 at the protein and mrna expression levels. Furthermore, a hind-limb ischemia model served to evaluate the role of mir-93 in angiogenesis in vivo, and the results demonstrated that mir-93 overexpression enhanced capillary density and perfusion recovery from hind-limb ischemia. Taken together, mir-93 was indicated to be a promising target for pharmacological regulation to promote angiogenesis, and the mir-93/cdKn1a pathway may function as a novel therapeutic approach in Pad.