Circ_001209 aggravates diabetic retinal vascular dysfunction through regulating miR-15b-5p/COL12A1

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness, stemming from diabetes mellitus complications.
• Circular RNAs (circRNAs) influence gene expression by sponging microRNAs (miRNAs), playing a role in DR pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mechanism of circ_001209 in regulating diabetic retinal vascular dysfunction.
• To elucidate the interaction between circ_001209, miR-15b-5p, and COL12A1 in the context of DR.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR) and Western blot assays were used to analyze gene and protein expression.
• In vitro assays (wound healing, Transwell, tube formation) assessed human retinal vascular endothelial cell (HRVEC) function.
• In vivo studies involved streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DR in rats, with TUNEL and H&E staining for pathological evaluation.
• Bioinformatics, luciferase reporter, RNA-FISH, and overexpression assays elucidated molecular interactions.

Main Results:

• High glucose (HG) conditions upregulated circ_001209 and downregulated miR-15b-5p in HRVECs.
• miR-15b-5p downregulation promoted HRVEC proliferation, migration, and tube formation by targeting COL12A1.
• Overexpression of circ_001209 mimicked these effects and worsened retinal injury in diabetic rats.

Conclusions:

• Upregulated circ_001209 contributes to diabetic retinal vascular dysfunction via the miR-15b-5p/COL12A1 axis.
• Circ_001209 represents a potential therapeutic target for managing diabetic retinopathy.