miRNA-1273g-3p Involvement in Development of Diabetic Retinopathy by Modulating the Autophagy-Lysosome Pathway

Dysregulated autophagy: A key player in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes and its complications

Autophagy is essential in regulating the turnover of macromolecules via removing damaged organelles, misfolded proteins in various tissues, including liver, skeletal muscles, and adipose tissue to maintain the cellular homeostasis. In these tissues, a specific type of autophagy maintains the accumulation of lipid droplets which is directly related to obesity and the development of insulin resistance. It appears to play a protective role in a normal physiological environment by eliminating the invading pathogens, protein aggregates, and damaged organelles and generating energy and new building blocks by recycling the cellular components. Ageing is also a crucial modulator of autophagy process. During stress conditions involving nutrient deficiency, lipids excess, hypoxia etc., autophagy serves as a pro-survival mechanism by recycling the free amino acids to maintain the synthesis of proteins. The dysregulated autophagy has been found in several ageing associated diseases including type 2 diabetes (T2DM), cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. So, targeting autophagy can be a promising therapeutic strategy against the progression to diabetes related complications. Our article provides a comprehensive outline of understanding of the autophagy process, including its types, mechanisms, regulation, and role in the pathophysiology of T2DM and related complications. We also explored the significance of autophagy in the homeostasis of β-cells, insulin resistance (IR), clearance of protein aggregates such as islet amyloid polypeptide, and various insulin-sensitive tissues. This will further pave the way for developing novel therapeutic strategies for diabetes-related complications.

Redoxisome and diabetic retinopathy: Pathophysiology and therapeutic interventions

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a chronic microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). It is a worldwide growing epidemic disease considered to be the leading cause of vision-loss and blindness in people with DM. Redox reactions occurring at the extra- and intracellular levels are essential for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Dysregulation of redox homeostasis are implicated in the onset and development of DR. Thioredoxin1 (TRX1) and Thioredoxin2 (TRX2) are cytoplasmic and mitochondrially localized antioxidant proteins ubiquitously expressed in various cells and control cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by reducing the disulfides into thiol groups. Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) binds to TRX system and inhibits the active reduced form of TRX through disulfide exchange reaction. Recent studies indicate the association of TRX/TXNIP with redox signal transduction pathways including activation of Nod-like receptor pyrin domain containing protein-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, apoptosis, autophagy/mitophagy, epigenetic modifications in a redox-dependent manner. Thus, it is important to gain a more in-depth understanding about the cellular and molecular mechanisms that links redoxisome and ER/Mitochondrial dysfunction to drive the progression of DR. The purpose of this review is to provide a mechanistic understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms and pathophysiological roles associated with redoxisome, the TRX/TXNIP redox signaling complex under oxidative stress in the development of DR. Also, the molecular targets of FDA approved drugs and clinical trials in addition to effective antioxidant strategies for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy are reviewed.

Exploring the role of non-coding RNAs in autophagy

As a self-degradative mechanism, macroautophagy/autophagy has a role in the maintenance of energy homeostasis during critical periods in the development of cells. It also controls cellular damage through the eradication of damaged proteins and organelles. This process is accomplished by tens of ATG (autophagy-related) proteins. Recent studies have shown the involvement of non-coding RNAs in the regulation of autophagy. These transcripts mostly modulate the expression of ATG genes. Both long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to modulate the autophagy mechanism. Levels of several lncRNAs and miRNAs are altered in this process. In the present review, we discuss the role of lncRNAs and miRNAs in the regulation of autophagy in diverse contexts such as cancer, deep vein thrombosis, spinal cord injury, diabetes and its complications, acute myocardial infarction, osteoarthritis, pre-eclampsia and epilepsy.Abbreviations: AMI: acute myocardial infarction; ATG: autophagy-related; lncRNA: long non-coding RNA; miRNA: microRNA.

LncRNA THRIL promotes high glucose-induced proliferation and migration of human retina microvascular endothelial cells through enhancing autophagy

AIMS

Diabetes retinopathy (DR) is associated with retinal microvascular system injury induced by high glucose (HG). This study aims to explore the role and mechanism of long non-coding RNA THRIL in regulating cell proliferation and migration of human retina microvascular endothelial cells (hRMECs) under HG condition.

METHOD

The gene and protein expression were detetced by RT-PCR and western blot, respectively. Cell proliferation and migration of hRMECs were examined using MTT assay and Transwell assay, respectively. The interaction between miR-125b-5p and THRIL or autophagy-related gene 4D (ATG4D) was analyzed using luciferase activity assay.

RESULTS

THRIL expression was induced by HG in hRMECs. THRIL overexpression enhanced the proliferation and migration of hRMECs induced by HG, whereas THRIL silencing yielded the opposite results. Furthermore, THRIL overexpression induced autophagy activation, and inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine abrogated the promotory effects of THRIL overexpression on cell proliferation and migration of hRMECs. Mechanismly, THRIL inhibited miR-125b-5p to upregulate the expression of ATG4D (an important autophagy-related gene), thereby promoting autophagy. Moreover, miR-125b-5p overexpression or ATG4D silencing alone abolished the promoting effects of THRIL overexpression on HG-induced autophagy, proliferation and migration of hRMECs.

CONCLUSIONS

THRIL promotes HG-induced cell proliferation and migration of hRMECs through activation of autophagy via the miR-125b-5p/ATG4D axis. THRIL may serve as a potential therapeutic target for DR.

Circulating MicroRNAs as Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers for Diabetic Retinopathy: A Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common diabetic microvascular complication and a major cause of acquired vision loss. Finding effective biomarkers for the early identification and diagnosis of DR is crucial. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the accuracy of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the diagnosis of DR via a meta-analysis of previously published diagnostic studies. This study has been registered on the PROSPERO website, with the number CRD42022323238.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, China Wanfang database, and China Knowledge Network database to identify relevant articles published from the time of database creation to April 10, 2022. Stata 14.0 software was used to calculate the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic ratio (DOR), and area under the summary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to assess the accuracy of miRNAs in the diagnosis of DR. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using Cochran-Q test and I² statistic for quantitative analysis. The random-effect model was selected due to significant heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis and regression analysis were also performed to determine the potential sources of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

We included 25 articles detailing 52 studies with 1987 patients with DR and 1771 non-DR controls. The findings demonstrated overall sensitivity (0.82, 95% CI: 0.78 ~ 0.85), specificity (0.84, 95% CI: 0.81 ~ 0.86), PLR (5.0, 95% CI: 4.2 ~ 5.9), NLR (0.22, 95% CI: 0.18 ~ 0.26), and the area under the summary ROC curve (0.90, 95% CI: 0.87 ~ 0.92). Furthermore, we performed subgroup analysis and found that panels of multiple miRNAs could enhance the pooled sensitivity (sensitivity, specificity, and AUC values were 0.89, 0.87, and 0.94, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The meta-analysis showed that miRNAs can be used as potential diagnostic markers for DR, with high accuracy of diagnoses observed with the detection of miRNAs in plasma and serum.

MiR-200c-3p regulates pyroptosis by targeting SLC30A7 in diabetic retinopathy

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to be involved in the progression of various diseases. Studying the regulatory mechanisms of miRNAs can help clinical treatment.

BACKGROUND

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the complications of diabetes. The objective of this study was to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms by which miR-200c-3p regulates the pyroptosis of DR cell.

METHODS

Human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) and high glucose (HG) cultures established DR cell model in vitro. RT-qPCR is used to detect the expression level of miRNAs. CCK-8 assays and flow cytometry are used to detect apoptosis of HRMECs cell. Western blotting is used to detect cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-1, and N-GSDMD proteins levels in HRMECs. The ELISA assay is used to detect the expression of IL-1β and IL-18. Predict and validate potential binding sites between miR-200c-3p and SLC30A7 by dual luciferase reporter gene analysis.

RESULTS

The results showed that HG caused damage to HRMECs through the pyroptosis pathway rather than the apoptosis pathway. MiR-200c-3p is highly expressed in HG induced-HRMECs, and knockdown of miR-200c-3p mitigates HG-induced HRMECs pyroptosis. MiR-200c-3p negatively targets SLC30A7 in HRMECs, and miR-200c-3p regulates pyroptosis of HG-induced HRMECs by targeting SLC30A7.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that miR-200c-3p might be a promising interference target for DR prevention and treatment. The results of current study may provide new insights into development of therapeutic strategies for DR.

MicroRNA regulation of critical retinal pigment epithelial functions

MicroRNAs are short, evolutionarily conserved noncoding RNAs that are critical for the control of normal cellular physiology. In the retina, photoreceptors are highly specialized neurons that transduce light into electrical signals. Photoreceptors, however, are unable to process visual stimuli without the support of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The RPE performs numerous functions to aid the retina, including the generation of visual chromophore and metabolic support. Recent work has underscored how microRNAs enable vision through their contributions to RPE functions. This review focuses on the biogenesis and control of microRNAs in rodents and humans, the roles microRNAs play in RPE function and degeneration, and how microRNAs could serve as potential therapeutics and biomarkers for visual diseases.

MiR-124-3p Suppresses the Dysfunction of High Glucose-Stimulated Endothelial Cells by Targeting G3BP2

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most important manifestation of diabetic microangiopathy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), members of non-coding RNAs, have been frequently reported to regulate various diseases including DR. MiR-124-3p is involved in DR based on bioinformatics. The current study aimed to investigate the role of miR-124-3p in high glucose (HG)-treated human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs), an in vitro model of DR.

Methods: Bioinformatics analysis was applied to reveal the targets downstream miR-124-3p. A series of assays including CCK-8, luciferase reporter, western blot, and tube formation assays were used to explore the function and mechanism of miR-124-3p in HG-stimulated HRMECs.

Results: We found out that miR-124-3p was downregulated in HG-stimulated HRMECs. Functionally, miR-124-3p overexpression restrained the HG-induced cell injury of HRMECs. Mechanistically, we predicted 5 potential target mRNAs of miR-124-3p. G3BP stress granule assembly factor 2 (G3BP2) was validated to bind with miR-124-3p. Rescue assays showed that miR-124-3p suppressed cell injury of HG-stimulated HRMECs through G3BP2. In addition, miR-124-3p regulated the p38MAPK signaling pathway by G3BP2, and G3BP2 promoted injury of HG-treated HRMECs through the activation of the p38MAPK signaling pathway.

Conclusion: MiR-124-3p suppressed the dysfunctions of HG-treated HRMECs by targeting G3BP2 and activating the p38MAPK signaling. This new discovery provided a potential biomarker for DR treatment.

Exosomal miR-4488 and miR-1273g-5p inhibit the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of transforming growth factor β2-mediated retinal pigment epithelial cells by targeting ATP-binding cassette A4

Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to be involved in the regulation of many disease progression, including proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). However, the roles of exosomal miR-4488 and miR-1273g-5p in PVR progression have not been demonstrated. Transforming growth factor β2 (TGF-β2)-induced ARPE-19 cells were used to stimulate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cells. Exosomes derived from TGF-β2-induced ARPE-19 cells were identified by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. The expression levels of miR-4488, miR-1273g-5p and ATP-binding cassette A4 (ABCA4) were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. The promotion levels of exosomes markers, EMT markers, apoptosis markers and ABCA4 were determined by western blot analysis. The migration, invasion and apoptosis of cells were determined by transwell assay, wound healing assay and flow cytometry. Our data showed that miR-4488 and miR-1273g-5p were lowly expressed in TGF-β2-induced ARPE-19 cells. Overexpressed exosomal miR-4488 and miR-1273g-5p could inhibit the EMT, migration, invasion, and promote apoptosis in TGF-β2-induced ARPE-19 cells. In addition, ABCA4 was a target of miR-4488 and miR-1273g-5p. Overexpressed ABCA4 also could reverse the negatively regulation of exosomal miR-4488 and miR-1273g-5p on the EMT, migration, and invasion of TGF-β2-induced ARPE-19 cells. In conclusion, our data showed that exosomal miR-4488 and miR-1273g-5p could inhibit TGF-β2-stimulated EMT in ARPE-19 cells through targeting ABCA4.

Dysregulation of miR-374a is involved in the progression of diabetic retinopathy and regulates the proliferation and migration of retinal microvascular endothelial cells

Clinical relevance: microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to be involved in the progression of various diseases.Background: This study evaluated the expression and clinical value of miR-374a in diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients and analysed the effects of miR-374a on the progression of DR.Methods: Subjects were divided into four groups: healthy control, type 2 diabetes mellitus without DR (NDR), proliferation DR (PDR) and non-proliferation DR (NPDR). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was detected in the serum miR-374a levels of the subjects. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of miR-374a in DR patients. Pearson correlation was used to analyse the correlation between miRNA and clinical indicators of patients. High glucose (HG) in treatment of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs). The effects of miR-374a on cell proliferation and migration induced by HG were detected.Results: Serum miR-374a was progressively accelerated in patients with NDR, NPDR and PDR than in healthy controls. Moreover, miR-374a can significantly distinguish between NDR and DR patients. Among DR patients, miR-374a can differentiate PDR patients from NPDR patients. Serum miR-374a was positively correlated with diabetes duration, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in DR patients. HG-induced proliferation and migration of HRMECs was inhibited by reduction of miR-374a.Conclusion: Dysregulation of miR-374a is involved in the progression of DR and serves a regulatory role in retinal, which can be used as a promising diagnostic biomarker for DR.

Protective or Harmful: The Dual Roles of Autophagy in Diabetic Retinopathy

Autophagy is a self-degradative pathway involving intracellular substance degradation and recycling. Recently, this process has attracted a great deal of attention for its fundamental effect on physiological processes in cells, tissues, and the maintenance of organismal homeostasis. Dysregulation of autophagy occurs in some diseases, including immune disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative conditions. Diabetic retinopathy (DR), as a serious microvascular complication of diabetes, is the main cause of visual loss in working-age adults worldwide. The pathogenic mechanisms of DR are thought to be associated with accumulation of oxidative stress, retinal cell apoptosis, inflammatory response, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and nutrient starvation. These factors are closely related to the regulation of autophagy under pathological conditions. Increasing evidence has demonstrated the potential role of autophagy in the progression of DR through different pathways. However, to date this role is not understood, and whether the altered level of autophagy flux protects DR, or instead aggravates the progression, needs to be explored. In this review, we explore the alterations and functions of autophagy in different retinal cells and tissues under DR conditions, and explain the mechanisms involved in DR progression. We aim to provide a basis on which DR associated stress-modulated autophagy may be understood, and to suggest novel targets for future therapeutic intervention in DR.

miR-139-5p promotes neovascularization in diabetic retinopathy by regulating the phosphatase and tensin homolog

Pathological retinal neovascularization is a driver of the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR). The present study sought to identify the microRNAs (miRNAs) that are differentially expressed during the progression of DR as well as to explore the specific regulatory mechanism of those miRNAs in retinal neovascularization. Using a microarray data set and a diabetic mouse model, it was determined that miR-139-5p was significantly upregulated during the progression of DR. The in vitro investigation revealed an elevation in the miR-139-5p level in both the high glucose (HG)-treated mouse retinal microvascular endothelial cells (mRMECs) and the HG-treated human RMECs (hRMECs). The miR-139-5p overexpression elevated cell migration, facilitated tube formation, and increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein level in the hRMECs. While the angiogenic effect of miR-139-5p overexpression was halted by an anti-VEGF antibody. Meanwhile, the miR-139-5p knockdown eliminated the VEGF-induced cell migration and tube formation in the hRMECs. The phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) was the target gene of the miR-139-5p. PTEN overexpression removed the angiogenic effect of miR-139-5p overexpression, which led to reduced cell migration and tube formation. In the diabetic mice, the miR-139-5p antagomir effectively decreased the acellular capillaries and suppressed the formation of aberrant blood vessels in the retinal tissues. Taken together, miR-139-5p promotes retinal neovascularization by repressing PTEN expression.

The Impact of miRNAs in Health and Disease of Retinal Pigment Epithelium

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs, are essential key players in the control of biological processes in both physiological and pathological conditions. miRNAs play important roles in fine tuning the expression of many genes, which often have roles in common molecular networks. miRNA dysregulation thus renders cells vulnerable to aberrant fluctuations in genes, resulting in degenerative diseases. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a monolayer of polarized pigmented epithelial cells that resides between the light-sensitive photoreceptors (PR) and the choriocapillaris. The demanding physiological functions of RPE cells require precise gene regulation for the maintenance of retinal homeostasis under stress conditions and the preservation of vision. Thus far, our understanding of how miRNAs function in the homeostasis and maintenance of the RPE has been poorly addressed, and advancing our knowledge is central to harnessing their potential as therapeutic agents to counteract visual impairment. This review focuses on the emerging roles of miRNAs in the function and health of the RPE and on the future exploration of miRNA-based therapeutic approaches to counteract blinding diseases.

Circ-ITCH restrains the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TNF-α in diabetic retinopathy by inhibiting miR-22

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), the most frequent complication of diabetes mellitus, is the principal cause of acquired blindness worldwide. Although the roles of circRNAs have been extensively explored, the detailed physiological and pathological functions of circRNAs in DR are less understood. Here, we studied the biological effects of circ-ITCH in diabetic retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPEs) and explored the underlying mechanisms. As our results shown, the RNA expression of circ-ITCH was significantly lower in RPEs isolated from diabetic rats than they were in those isolated from normal rats. While diabetes induced an increase in MMP-2, MMP-9 and TNF-α in RPEs, circ-ITCH overexpression exerted an inhibitory on these increases and knockdown of circ-ITCH reversed the inhibitory. In addition, increased expression of miR-22 in RPEs correlated with diabetes and downregulation of circ-ITCH. Remarkably, in the presence of miR-22 mimics, the effects of circ-ITCH on the MMP-2 and MMP-9 were both antagonized. Collectively, our data supports a cellular signaling cascade in which circ-ITCH-inhibited miR-22 activity modulates the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TNF-α in DR.

Autophagy regulation by microRNAs: Novel insights into osteosarcoma therapy

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a kind of primary bone cancer that is considered as the leading cause of children death. Surgery and chemotherapy are considered as common treatment approaches for OS; the rate of survival for patients is almost 60-70%. Besides the used therapeutic approaches, it seems that there is a crucial need to launch new treatments for OS. In this regard, more understanding about cellular and molecular pathways involved in OS can contribute to recovery and develop new therapeutic platforms. Autophagy is a cellular machinery that digests and degrades dysfunctional proteins and organelles, so it can regulate the cell proliferation and survival. Most of the time, OS cells use autophagy to increase their survival and proliferation and to gain the ability to resist chemotherapy. Although, there are several controversial evidences on how OS cells use autophagy. A variety of cellular and molecular pathways, that is, microRNAs (miRNAs) can modulate autophagy. MiRNAs are some endogenous, approximately 22 nucleotide RNAs that have an important role in posttranscriptional regulation of mRNAs by targeting them. There are many evidences that the various miRNA expressions in OS cells are dysregulated, so it can propel a normal cell to cancerous one by influencing the cell survival, apoptosis, and autophagy, and eventually increased chemoresitance. Hence, miRNAs can be considered as new biomarkers for OS diagnosis, and according to the role of autophagy in OS progression, miRNAs can use inhibiting or promoting autophagy agents. The present review summarizes the effects of aberrant expression of miRNAs in OS diagnosis and treatment with focus on their roles in autophagy.

RNA-Seq Revealed Novel Non-proliferative Retinopathy Specific Circulating MiRNAs in T2DM Patients

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common diabetes complication and was considered as the major cause of blindness among young adults. MiRNAs are a group of small non-coding RNAs regulating the expression of target genes and have been reported to be associated with the development of DR in a variety of molecular mechanisms. In this study, we aimed to identify miRNAs that are differentially expressed (DE) in the serum of DR patients. Methods: We recruited 21 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) inpatients of Chinese Han ancestry, consisting of 10 non-proliferative DR patients (DR group) and 11 non-DR T2DM patients (NDR group). MiRNA was extracted from fasting peripheral serum and quantified by RNA-seq. The expression levels of miRNA were evaluated and compared between the two groups, with adjustments made for age differences. The validated target genes of miRNAs were subjected to a pathway analysis. We also constructed a weighted polygenic risk score using the DE miRNA and evaluated its predictive power. Results: Five miRNAs were DE between DR and NDR groups (p-Value ≤ 0.01, LFC ≥ 2 or LFC ≤-2). These included miR-4448, miR-338-3p, miR-190a-5p, miR-485-5p, and miR-9-5p. In total, these miRNAs were validated to regulate 55 target genes. Four target genes were found to overlap with the NAD metabolism, sirtuin, and aging pathway, which was thought to control the vascular growth and morphogenesis. The predictive power of our polygenic risk score was apparently high (AUC = 0.909). However, it needs to be interpreted with caution. Conclusion: In this study, we discovered novel DR-specific miRNAs in human serum samples. These circulating miRNAs may represent the pathological changes in the retina in response to diabetes and may serve as non-invasive biomarkers for early DR risk prediction.

Baicalin protects human retinal pigment epithelial cell lines against high glucose-induced cell injury by up-regulation of microRNA-145

BACKGROUND

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus, which is a major reason of blindness. Baicalin (BAI) is a flavonoid extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis, whose pharmacological characterizes have been widely reported in various diseases. However, it remains unclear the effect of BAI on DR. The study aimed to confirm the protective effect of BAI on DR.

METHODS

ARPE-19 cells and HRMECs were exposed to the high glucose (HG) environment to construct a cell injury model. After treatment with HG and BAI, cell viability, apoptosis, inflammatory cytokines and ROS generations were determined in ARPE-19 cells and HRMECs. Subsequently, microRNA-145 (miR-145) inhibitor and its negative control were transfected into ARPE-19 cells, and the regulatory effects on HG-and BAI-co-treated cells were detected. NF-κB and p38MAPK signaling pathways were finally examined to state the underling mechanisms.

RESULTS

HG treatment significantly induced ARPE-19 cells and HRMECs injury in vitro. BAI significantly promoted cell proliferation, reduced apoptosis, as well as inhibited the release of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and ROS level in HG-injured ARPE-19 cells and HRMECs. Additionally, the expression level of miR-145 was up-regulated in HG-and BAI-co-treated cells. More importantly, miR-145 inhibition reversed the protective effect of BAI on HG-injured ARPE-19 cells. Besides, we observed that BAI inhibited the activations of NF-κB and p38MAPK pathways by up-regulating miR-145.

CONCLUSIONS

Results demonstrated that BAI exhibited the protective effect against HG-induced cell injury by up-regulation of miR-145.

A comprehensive competitive endogenous RNA network pinpoints key molecules in diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a severe microvascular complication of diabetes and the primary cause of vision loss in diabetic patients. Previous research has revealed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of DR. However, the roles of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interactions in DR are poorly understood. In the present study, we aimed to compute a global triple network of competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) in order to pinpoint essential molecules. We found that there were 802 nodes (121 lncRNA nodes, 17 miRNA nodes, and 664 mRNA nodes) and 949 edges in the ceRNA network. Further functional analysis suggested that some molecules were specifically related to DR. Surprisingly, these molecules were involved in visual perception, eye development, and lens development in camera-type eye. In summary, our study highlighted specific lncRNAs and miRNAs related to the pathogenesis of DR, which might be used as potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for DR.