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MiR-542-5p regulates the progression of diabetic retinopathy by targeting CARM1
Ning Guo1, Ayinu Nulahou1, Qian Bu1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 830000, China.
Abstract:
Diabetic retinopathy (DR), as the most frequent microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), causes vision loss and blindness in adults worldwide with increasing incidence. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the regulation of DR. However, the role of miR-542-5p is still unknown. Here, we demonstrate that miR-542-5p is down-regulated in patients with DR and in high-glucose (HG)-treated retinal pigment epithelial cells. Moreover, miR-542-5p overexpression inhibits apoptosis in retinal pigment epithelial cells exposed to HG. The interaction between miR-542-5p and co-activator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1) is confirmed. MiR-542-5p mimics decrease the CARM1 level and miR-542-5p inhibitor increases the CARM1 level. Additionally, CARM1 overexpression promotes the miR-542-5p-mediated apoptosis in HG-treated retinal pigment epithelial cells. In summary, the data suggest that miR-542-5p may suppress apoptosis in retinal pigment epithelial cells via targeting CARM1, which provides a new therapeutic target for the treatment of patients with DR.
Insights
MicroRNA-542-5p is reduced in diabetic retinopathy (DR) and protects retinal cells from high glucose-induced apoptosis by targeting CARM1, offering a potential new therapy for DR.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Molecular Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a role in DR pathogenesis, but miR-542-5p's function is unclear.
- Understanding novel molecular mechanisms is crucial for effective DR treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of miR-542-5p in diabetic retinopathy.
- To elucidate the molecular targets and mechanisms of miR-542-5p in retinal cells.
- To explore miR-542-5p as a potential therapeutic target for DR.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of miR-542-5p levels in DR patients and high-glucose (HG)-treated retinal cells.
- Assessment of miR-542-5p's effect on apoptosis in HG-treated retinal cells.
- Validation of the interaction between miR-542-5p and CARM1 using molecular assays.
Main Results:
- miR-542-5p expression was significantly down-regulated in DR patients and HG-treated retinal cells.
- Overexpression of miR-542-5p inhibited HG-induced apoptosis in retinal cells.
- miR-542-5p directly targets CARM1, reducing its expression, and CARM1 overexpression counteracted miR-542-5p's protective effects.
Conclusions:
- miR-542-5p suppresses apoptosis in retinal pigment epithelial cells, potentially via targeting CARM1.
- This finding identifies a novel regulatory pathway in DR pathogenesis.
- miR-542-5p represents a promising therapeutic target for managing diabetic retinopathy.
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