Regulatory effect of miR-144-3p on the function of human trabecular meshwork cells and fibronectin-1

Ruoxi Yin1, Xiaoya Chen2

  • 1Postgraduate School, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Eye Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221000, P.R. China.

Insights

MicroRNA (miR)-144-3p is downregulated in glaucoma patients. Overexpressing miR-144-3p enhances human trabecular meshwork cell proliferation and invasion by inhibiting fibronectin-1, suggesting its potential as a glaucoma treatment target.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.
  • Human trabecular meshwork cells (HTMCs) play a crucial role in regulating intraocular pressure.
  • Dysregulation of microRNAs has been implicated in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of microRNA (miR)-144-3p in regulating HTMC function.
  • To explore the relationship between miR-144-3p and fibronectin-1 (FN-1) in HTMCs.
  • To evaluate the therapeutic potential of miR-144-3p in glaucoma.

Main Methods:

  • Establishment of oxidative stress HTMC models.
  • Transfection of HTMCs with miR-144-3p sequences (independent, inhibitory, over-expression).
  • Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) for miR-144-3p expression.
  • Western blot analysis for FN-1 protein expression.
  • Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay for cell proliferation.
  • Transwell assay for cell invasion.
  • Analysis of serum miR-144-3p in primary open-angle glaucoma patients and healthy controls.

Main Results:

  • Serum miR-144-3p expression was significantly lower in glaucoma patients compared to healthy individuals.
  • Overexpression of miR-144-3p significantly increased HTMC proliferation and invasion.
  • Overexpression of miR-144-3p significantly decreased FN-1 protein expression in HTMCs.
  • Inhibition of miR-144-3p decreased HTMC proliferation and invasion while increasing FN-1 expression.

Conclusions:

  • Overexpression of miR-144-3p promotes HTMC proliferation and invasion by inhibiting FN-1 expression.
  • miR-144-3p plays a protective role in HTMCs under oxidative stress.
  • miR-144-3p represents a potential therapeutic target for glaucoma treatment.

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