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MicroRNA-27a protects retinal pigment epithelial cells under high glucose conditions by targeting TLR4

Xiaolei Tang1, Yan Dai1, Xiaoli Wang1

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, P.R. China.

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
|June 14, 2018
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNA-27a (miRNA27a) protects retinal cells from high glucose damage by reducing inflammation and apoptosis. This involves targeting Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), offering a potential therapeutic avenue for diabetic retinopathy.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss.
  • The pathogenesis of DR involves retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell damage.
  • MicroRNAs play critical roles in cellular processes and disease development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of microRNA-27a (miRNA27a) in diabetic retinopathy pathogenesis.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanism of miRNA27a in high glucose-induced RPE cell injury.

Main Methods:

  • Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to measure miRNA27a expression.
  • Assays for caspase-3/9 activity, B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X (Bax) protein expression, and cell viability.
  • Inhibition of miRNA27a and treatment with immunostimulatory RNA (isRNA) targeting Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4).

Main Results:

  • High glucose decreased miRNA27a expression in RPE cells.
  • Inhibition of miRNA27a exacerbated high glucose-induced RPE cell apoptosis and inflammation.
  • Targeting TLR4 with isRNA reversed the detrimental effects of miRNA27a inhibition under high glucose conditions.

Conclusions:

  • miRNA27a protects RPE cells against high glucose-induced damage.
  • The protective mechanism involves the inhibition of inflammation and apoptosis via targeting TLR4.
  • miRNA27a represents a potential therapeutic target for diabetic retinopathy.
Keywords:
Toll-like receptor 4apoptosisinflammationmicroRNA-27aretinal pigment epithelial cells

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