Cytomegalovirus β2.7 RNA transcript protects endothelial cells against apoptosis during ischemia/reperfusion injury

β2.7 RNA is a novel effector molecule that can protect rat aortic endothelial cells from I/R injury causing apoptosis. As a non-coding RNA, β2.7 RNA will not induce an immune response in the recipient. We have shown that overexpression of β2.7 RNA can protect RAEC from H/R- or I/R-mediated apoptosis by reduction of ROS formation.