miR-194-3p regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in embryonic epicardial cells via p120/β-catenin signaling

• miR-194-3p is significantly upregulated during TGF-β-induced EMT in embryonic epicardial cells, and its overexpression promotes EMT while its inhibition attenuates the process. • miR-194-3p directly targets p120-catenin, negatively regulating its expression, which in turn modulates β-catenin levels and the cell adhesion pathway. • Silencing p120-catenin rescues the EMT suppression caused by miR-194-3p inhibition, confirming the mechanistic link. • These findings highlight miR-194-3p as a potential therapeutic target for cardiac repair and regeneration, given its role in epicardial EMT.