Fig. 2

MiR-224-5p targets FHL1. A Venn map of predicted regulatory miRNAs of FHL1. Four ovals indicate the predicated results from the microRNA, TargetScan, RNA22 and starBase databases and the middle part indicates the intersection miRNAs. B Expression of the 11 predicted miRNAs in normal and asthmatic samples determined by RT-qPCR (n = 10). C Putative miR-224-5p binding sites in the 3’UTR of FHL1 mRNA. D The binding of miR-224-5p to FHL1 verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. E FHL1 mRNA level in ASMCs isolated from asthmatic mice determined by RT-qPCR in the presence of miR-224-5p mimic. F Western blot analysis of FHL1 protein expression in ASMCs isolated from asthmatic mice in the presence of miR-224-5p mimic. * p < 0.05 compared with normal samples or NC-mimic. Cell experiments were performed in triplicate