<P> MiR - 712 targets tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 3 (TIMP3). TIMPs normally regulate activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM). Arterial ECM is mainly composed of collagen and elastin fibers, providing the structural support and recoil properties of arteries . These fibers play a critical role in regulation of vascular inflammation and permeability, which are important in the development of atherosclerosis . Expressed by endothelial cells, TIMP3 is the only ECM - bound TIMP . A decrease in TIMP3 expression results in an increase of ECM degradation in the presence of d - flow . Consistent with these findings, inhibition of pre-miR712 increases expression of TIMP3 in cells, even when exposed to turbulent flow . </P> <P> TIMP3 also decreases the expression of TNFα (a pro-inflammatory regulator) during turbulent flow . Activity of TNFα in turbulent flow was measured by the expression of TNFα - converting enzyme (TACE) in blood . TNFα decreased if miR - 712 was inhibited or TIMP3 overexpressed, suggesting that miR - 712 and TIMP3 regulate TACE activity in turbulent flow conditions . </P> <P> Anti-miR - 712 effectively suppresses d - flow - induced miR - 712 expression and increases TIMP3 expression . Anti-miR - 712 also inhibits vascular hyperpermeability, thereby significantly reducing atherosclerosis lesion development and immune cell infiltration . </P> <P> The human homolog of miR - 712 was found on the RN45s homolog gene, which maintains similar miRNAs to mice . MiR - 205 of humans sshare similar sequences with miR - 712 of mice and is conserved across most vertebrates . MiR - 205 and miR - 712 also share more than 50% of the cell signaling targets, including TIMP3 . </P>

Which of the following correctly describes the function of micrornas