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Zhang Y, Wu F, Guo S, Yin R, Yuan M, Li X, Zhao X, Li X. Critical role of apoptosis in MeCP2-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition of ARPE-19 cells. J Cell Physiol 2024:e31429. [PMID: 39238182 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a complex disease that significantly contributes to recurrent retinal detachment. Its development is notably affected by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), where apoptosis plays a crucial role as a regulator of EMT. However, the function of MeCP2 in governing apoptosis and EMT in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and its implications for PVR development have remained inadequately understood. Thus, we investigated the impact of MeCP2 on proliferation, migration, apoptosis and EMT in ARPE-19 cells to provide a fresh perspective on the etiology of PVR. The morphological changes in ARPE-19 cells induced by recombinant human MeCP2 protein and MeCP2 knockdown were observed. Wound healing assay were performed to verify the effects of recombinant human MeCP2 protein and MeCP2 knockdown on ARPE-19 cell migration. Furthermore, cell proliferation was assessed using the CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. Western blot analysis, quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and immunofluorescence analysis were conducted to measure the protein levels associated with apoptosis, cell cycle and EMT. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence assays confirmed that MeCP2 promoted EMT formation in ARPE-19 cells. The CCK-8 assay revealed that MeCP2 treatment enhanced the proliferation of ARPE-19 cells, whereas MeCP2 knockdown inhibited ARPE-19 cell proliferation. Treatment with recombinant human MeCP2 protein and MeCP2 knockdown altered the morphology of ARPE-19 cells. Wound healing assay demonstrated that MeCP2 knockdown inhibited ARPE-19 cell migration, and MeCP2 treatment promoted ARPE-19 cell migration. MeCP2 knockdown induced a G0/G1 phase block, inhibiting cell growth, and qRT-PCR data indicated reduced expression of cell cycle-related genes. Increased apoptosis was observed after MeCP2 knockdown in ARPE-19 cells. Overall, MeCP2 treatment stimulates cell proliferation, migration and EMT formation; conversely, MeCP2 knockdown inhibits EMT, cell proliferation, migration and cell cycle G1/S phase transition, and induces apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongya Zhang
- People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Eye Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fei Wu
- People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Eye Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sibei Guo
- Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Eye Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruijie Yin
- Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Eye Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Min Yuan
- Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Eye Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xue Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Eye Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xueru Zhao
- Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Eye Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaohua Li
- People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Eye Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
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Li X, Zhao X, Yin R, Yuan M, Zhang Y, Li X. TGF-β2-induced alterations of m6A methylation in hTERT RPE-1 cells. Exp Eye Res 2024; 241:109839. [PMID: 38395214 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a major type of RNA modification implicated in various pathophysiological processes. Transforming growth factor β2 (TGF-β2) induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in retinal pigmental epithelial (RPE) cells and promotes the progression of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). However, the role of m6A methylation in the EMT of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) retinal pigmental epithelium (RPE)-1 cells has not been clarified. Here, we extracted RNA from RPE cells subjected to 0 or 20 ng/mL TGF-β2 for 72 h and identified differentially methylated genes (DMGs) by m6A-Seq and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by RNA-Seq. We selected the genes related to EMT by conjoint m6A-Seq/RNA-Seq analysis and verified them by qRT-PCR. We then confirmed the function of m6A methylation in the EMT of RPE cells by knocking down the methyltransferase METTL3 and the m6A reading protein YTHDF1. Sequencing yielded 5814 DMGs and 1607 DEGs. Conjoint analysis selected 467 genes altered at the m6A and RNA levels that are closely associated with the EMT-related TGF-β, AGE-RAGE, PI3K-Akt, P53, and Wnt signaling pathways. We also identified ten core EMT genes ACTG2, BMP6, CDH2, LOXL2, SNAIL1, SPARC, BMP4, EMP3, FOXM1, and MYC. Their RNA levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR and were consistent with the sequencing results. We observed that METTL3 knockdown enhanced RPE cell migration and significantly upregulated the EMT markers N-cadherin (encoded by CDH2), fibronectin (FN), Snail family transcription repressor (SLUG), and vimentin. However, YTHDF1 knockdown had the opposite effects and decreased both cell migration and the N-cadherin, FN, and SLUG expression levels. The present study clarified TGF-β2-induced m6A- and RNA-level differences in RPE cells, indicated that m6A methylation might regulate EMT marker expression, and showed that m6A could regulate TGF-β2-induced EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Li
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Eye Institute, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xueru Zhao
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Eye Institute, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruijie Yin
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Eye Institute, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Min Yuan
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Eye Institute, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yongya Zhang
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaohua Li
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Eye Institute, Zhengzhou, China.
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Li M, Zhang Z, Guan L, Ji S, Lu P. ERH gene knockdown inhibits the proliferation and migration of ARPE-19 cells through MCM complex and EMT process. Gene 2024; 892:147855. [PMID: 37778419 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore the role of the Enhancer of rudimentary homolog (ERH) gene on the proliferation and migration of ARPE-19 cells, and its mechanism. METHODS ARPE-19 cells were divided into ERH gene knockdown (ERH KD) and normal ERH gene (ERH NC) groups and infected with respected virus. Cell counting kit-8 assay, wound-healing assay, and flow cytometry were performed to evaluate the effects of the ERH gene on cell proliferation, migration, and cell cycle. A 4D label-free quantitative proteomic analysis was conducted to obtain the ERH gene knockdown-related differential proteins list (DPL). Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), protein domain analysis, subcellular localization analysis, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis were performed to explore the main downstream functions of the ERH gene. Proteins related to DNA replication, cell cycle, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were identified by Western blot test. RESULTS The ERH gene was successfully knocked down in ARPE-19 cells of the ERH KD group. The proliferation and migration of cells were reduced and the cell cycle was arrested at the S phase in the ERH KD group. A DPL of 47 upregulated and 108 downregulated proteins was obtained, and their functions were explored and found to be associated with the MCM complex, DNA replication, and cell cycle. Protein domain analysis, protein subcellular localization analysis, and PPI analysis showed that the MCM complex may play a key role in the proliferation of ARPE-19 cells affected by the ERH gene. DNA replication, cell cycle, and EMT-related proteins were affected when the ERH gene was knocked down. CONCLUSION Knockdown of ERH gene inhibits the proliferation and migration of ARPE-19 cells through the MCM complex and EMT process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meili Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, No. 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China; Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Institute of Xuzhou, No. 269 Daxue Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Zhengpei Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Institute of Xuzhou, No. 269 Daxue Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Lina Guan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Institute of Xuzhou, No. 269 Daxue Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Sujuan Ji
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Institute of Xuzhou, No. 269 Daxue Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Peirong Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, No. 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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Zhao X, Zhang Y, Wu F, Li X, Guo S, Li X. MeCP2-Induced Alternations of Transcript Levels and m6A Methylation in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:47964-47973. [PMID: 38144074 PMCID: PMC10734004 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c06610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
MeCP2 is a transcriptional regulator that is involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and is highly expressed in proliferative vitreoretinopathy. m6A methylation is a critical post-transcriptional regulation in eukaryotic cells. However, the connection between MeCP2 and m6A methylation has not been revealed in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and the regulatory role of MeCP2 at the post-transcriptional level in an m6A-dependent manner is rarely investigated. In this study, we used sequencing to reveal differences in transcript levels and m6A abundance of individual genes in RPE cells after treatment with human recombinant protein MeCP2. The biological functions and processes of differential genes were further analyzed by bioinformatics. The results exhibited that after MeCP2 treatment, 65 genes were up-regulated and 43 genes were down-regulated at the transcription level, and 4 peaks were hypermethylated and 9,041 peaks were hypomethylated at the m6A modification level. Enrichment analysis found that differentially expressed genes were associated with organic acid metabolism, melanogenesis, and vascular smooth muscle contraction. In addition, differentially methylated genes were related to cell junction, RNA processing and metabolism, cell activity, actin cytoskeleton, and several signaling pathways associated with EMT. Further conjoint analysis indicated that the transcription and m6A levels of the EGR1, ELOVL2, and SFR1 genes were altered, and EGR1 is an essential transcription factor in the EMT process. The RNA levels and m6A levels of the three genes were verified by qPCR and m6A-IP-qPCR, respectively. Overall, this study preliminarily revealed the differential mapping of MeCP2-induced m6A modifications, which contributes to the study of the epigenetic and EMT mechanism in RPE cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueru Zhao
- Henan
Eye Hospital, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China
- Zhengzhou
University People’s Hospital, 450000 Zhengzhou, China
- People’s
Hospital of Henan University, 450003 Zhengzhou, China
- Eye
Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations
in Medical Science, 450000 Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yongya Zhang
- Henan
Eye Hospital, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China
- Zhengzhou
University People’s Hospital, 450000 Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fei Wu
- Henan
Eye Hospital, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China
- Zhengzhou
University People’s Hospital, 450000 Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xue Li
- Henan
Eye Hospital, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China
- Zhengzhou
University People’s Hospital, 450000 Zhengzhou, China
- People’s
Hospital of Henan University, 450003 Zhengzhou, China
- Eye
Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations
in Medical Science, 450000 Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sibei Guo
- Henan
Eye Hospital, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China
- Xinxiang
Medical University Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, 453003 Xinxiang, China
| | - Xiaohua Li
- Henan
Eye Hospital, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China
- Zhengzhou
University People’s Hospital, 450000 Zhengzhou, China
- People’s
Hospital of Henan University, 450003 Zhengzhou, China
- Eye
Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations
in Medical Science, 450000 Zhengzhou, China
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Li X, Ma B, Zhang W, Song Z, Zhang X, Liao M, Li X, Zhao X, Du M, Yu J, He S, Yan H. The essential role of N6-methyladenosine RNA methylation in complex eye diseases. Genes Dis 2023; 10:505-520. [PMID: 37223523 PMCID: PMC10201676 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There are many complex eye diseases which are the leading causes of blindness, however, the pathogenesis of the complex eye diseases is not fully understood, especially the underlying molecular mechanisms of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation in the eye diseases have not been extensive clarified. Our review summarizes the latest advances in the studies of m6A modification in the pathogenesis of the complex eye diseases, including cornea disease, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, Graves' disease, uveal melanoma, retinoblastoma, and traumatic optic neuropathy. We further discuss the possibility of developing m6A modification signatures as biomarkers for the diagnosis of the eye diseases, as well as potential therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Li
- Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China
| | - Binyun Ma
- Department of Medicine/Hematology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Wenfang Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, China
| | - Zongming Song
- Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China
| | - Xiaodan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Laboratory of Molecular Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University. Department of Pharmacology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Mengyu Liao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Laboratory of Molecular Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University. Department of Pharmacology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Xue Li
- Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China
| | - Xueru Zhao
- Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China
| | - Mei Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Laboratory of Molecular Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University. Department of Pharmacology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Jinguo Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Laboratory of Molecular Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University. Department of Pharmacology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Shikun He
- Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Laboratory of Molecular Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University. Department of Pharmacology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300052, China
- Department of Pathology and Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Hua Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Laboratory of Molecular Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University. Department of Pharmacology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300052, China
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Zhang Q, Guo Y, Kang M, Lin WH, Wu JC, Yu Y, Li LC, Sang A. p21CIP/WAF1 saRNA inhibits proliferative vitreoretinopathy in a rabbit model. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282063. [PMID: 36821623 PMCID: PMC9949646 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a disease process resulting from proliferation of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in the vitreous and periretinal area, leading to periretinal membrane formation and traction and eventually to postoperative failure after vitreo-retinal surgery for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). The present study was designed to test the therapeutic potential of a p21CIP/WAF1 (p21) inducing saRNA for PVR. METHODS A chemically modified p21 saRNA (RAG1-40-53) was tested in cultured human RPE cells for p21 induction and for the inhibition of cell proliferation, migration and cell cycle progression. RAG1-40-53 was further conjugated to a cholesterol moiety and tested for pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in rabbit eyes and for therapeutic effects after intravitreal administration in a rabbit PVR model established by injecting human RPE cells. RESULTS RAG1-40-53 (0.3 mg, 1 mg) significantly induced p21 expression in RPE cells and inhibited cell proliferation, the progression of cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase and TGF-β1 induced migration. After a single intravitreal injection into rabbit eyes, cholesterol-conjugated RAG1-40-53 exhibited sustained concentration in the vitreal humor beyond at least 8 days and prevented the progression of established PVR. CONCLUSION p21 saRNA could represent a novel therapeutics for PVR by exerting a antiproliferation and antimigration effect on RPE cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital and Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China
- Dalian Medical University, Lvshunkou District, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yangchen Guo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital and Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China
- Nantong University, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Moorim Kang
- Ractigen Therapeutics, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wei-Hsiang Lin
- Ractigen Therapeutics, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jian-Cheng Wu
- Ractigen Therapeutics, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ying Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital and Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China
- * E-mail: (LCL); (YY); (AS)
| | - Long-Cheng Li
- Ractigen Therapeutics, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China
- * E-mail: (LCL); (YY); (AS)
| | - Aimin Sang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital and Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China
- * E-mail: (LCL); (YY); (AS)
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Li X, Li X, He S, Zhao M. MeCP2-421-mediated RPE epithelial-mesenchymal transition and its relevance to the pathogenesis of proliferative vitreoretinopathy. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:9420-9427. [PMID: 32638535 PMCID: PMC7417696 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a blinding eye disease. Epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) of RPE cells plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PVR. In the current study, we sought to investigate the role of the methyl‐CpG‐binding protein 2 (MeCP2), especially P‐MeCP2‐421 in the pathogenesis of PVR. The expressions of P‐MeCP2‐421, P‐MeCP2‐80, PPAR‐γ and the double labelling of P‐MeCP2‐421 with α‐SMA, cytokeratin, TGF‐β and PPAR‐γ in human PVR membranes were analysed by immunohistochemistry. The effect of knocking down MeCP2 using siRNA on the expressions of α‐SMA, phospho‐Smad2/3, collagen I, fibronectin and PPAR‐γ; the expression of α‐SMA stimulated by recombinant MeCP2 in ARPE‐19; and the effect of TGF‐β and 5‐AZA treatment on PPAR‐γ expression were analysed by Western blot. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was used to determine the binding of MeCP2 to TGF‐β. Our results showed that P‐MeCP2‐421 was highly expressed in PVR membranes and was double labelled with α‐SMA, cytokeratin and TGF‐β, knocking down MeCP2 inhibited the activation of Smad2/3 and the expression of collagen I and fibronectin induced by TGF‐β. TGF‐β inhibited the expression of PPAR‐γ, silence of MeCP2 by siRNA or using MeCP2 inhibitor (5‐AZA) increased the expression of PPAR‐γ. α‐SMA was up‐regulated by the treatment of recombinant MeCP2. Importantly, we found that MeCP2 bound to TGF‐β as demonstrated by Chip assay. The results suggest that MeCP2 especially P‐MeCP2‐421 may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of PVR and targeting MeCP2 may be a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of PVR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Li
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, China.,People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xue Li
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, China.,People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shikun He
- Ophthalmology Optometry Centre, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, Beijing, China.,Departments of Pathology, USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mingwei Zhao
- Ophthalmology Optometry Centre, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, Beijing, China
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