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Updated: Mar 4, 2026
A Protocol to Evaluate and Quantify Retinal Pigmented Epithelium Pathologies in Mouse Models of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Published on: March 10, 2023
Retinal and Circulating miRNAs in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: An In vivo Animal and Human Study
Giovanni L Romano1, Chiara B M Platania1, Filippo Drago1
1Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of CataniaCatania, Italy.
Abstract:
Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness among people aged 50 and over. Retinal deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregates in AMD patients has suggested a potential link between AMD and Alzheimer's disease (AD). We have evaluated the differential retinal expression profile of miRNAs in a rat model of AMD elicited by Aβ. A serum profile of miRNAs in AMD patients has been also assessed using single TaqMan assay. Analysis of retina from rats intravitreally injected with Aβ revealed that miR-27a, miR-146a, and miR-155 were up-regulated in comparison to control rats. Seven miRNA (miR-9, miR-23a, miR-27a, miR-34a, miR-126, miR-146a, and miR-155) have been found to be dysregulated in serum of AMD patients in comparison to control group. Analysis of pathways has revealed that dysregulated miRNAs, both in the AMD animal model and in AMD patients, can target genes regulating pathways linked to neurodegeneration and inflammation, reinforcing the hypothesis that AMD is a protein misfolding disease similar to AD. In fact, miR-9, miR-23a, miR-27a, miR-34a, miR-146a, miR-155 have been found to be dysregulated both in AMD and AD. In conclusion, we suggest that miR-9, miR-23a, miR-27a, miR-34a, miR-146a, miR-155 represent potential biomarkers and new pharmacological targets for AMD.
Insights
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) shares links with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Specific microRNAs (miRNAs) are dysregulated in both conditions, suggesting they could be biomarkers for AMD and AD.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology and Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
Background:
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults.
- Amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition in the retina suggests a link between AMD and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in gene regulation and are implicated in various diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential expression of miRNAs in a rat model of AMD induced by Aβ.
- To assess the serum miRNA profile in AMD patients.
- To explore the potential of specific miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for AMD.
Main Methods:
- Induction of AMD in a rat model using intravitreal Aβ injection.
- Analysis of retinal miRNA expression in rats using quantitative assays.
- Serum miRNA profiling in AMD patients via single TaqMan assays.
- Bioinformatic analysis of miRNA targets and associated pathways.
Main Results:
- Upregulation of miR-27a, miR-146a, and miR-155 in the retinas of Aβ-treated rats.
- Seven miRNAs (miR-9, miR-23a, miR-27a, miR-34a, miR-126, miR-146a, and miR-155) were found to be dysregulated in the serum of AMD patients.
- Dysregulated miRNAs target genes involved in neurodegeneration and inflammation, supporting the link between AMD and AD.
- Six miRNAs (miR-9, miR-23a, miR-27a, miR-34a, miR-146a, and miR-155) were found to be dysregulated in both AMD and AD.
Conclusions:
- Specific miRNAs are dysregulated in both an AMD animal model and AMD patients.
- These dysregulated miRNAs highlight shared pathways of neurodegeneration and inflammation in AMD and AD.
- miR-9, miR-23a, miR-27a, miR-34a, miR-146a, and miR-155 are proposed as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for AMD.
