Mir-126 is a human microRNA that is expressed only in endothelial cells, throughout capillaries as well as larger blood vessels,[1] and acts upon various transcripts to control angiogenesis.

[7] The frequency of the SNP varies between different ethnic backgrounds and potentially is related to the differential acquisition of human disease.

Transcription of both occur, however mature mir-126 binds to a complementary sequence within EGFL7 preventing translation of the mRNA resulting in a decrease of EGFL7 protein levels.

[8] EGFL7 is known to be involved in cell migration and blood vessel formation,[9] making EGFL7 and mir-126 opportune targets for disease, such as cancers, which require the continual formation of blood vessels to supply the tumour with nutrients and cell migration pathways to mediate tissue invasion.

[22] The consequence of misregulation of these miRNAs has not been fully elucidated, however mir-126 has been shown to decrease in expression in response to high glucose levels.

[22] The decrease of mir-15a, mir-29b, mir-126 and mir-223 proceedes the manifestation of the disease, making these transcripts a possible target for diagnostic testing for type 2 diabetes.

mir-126 is suspected to play a role in regulating the innate immune responses within Cystic Fibrosis affected lungs.