Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 30, 2025
Monitoring Dynamic Growth of Retinal Vessels in Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy Mouse Model
Published on: April 2, 2021
MicroRNA Expression Analysis of Mice Retinas with Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy by RNA Sequencing
Xiuping Chen1, Xianglian Li1, Yan Liu2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Purpose:
To characterize the microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in the retinas of mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy by RNA sequencing and to ascertain miRNAs associated with retinal neovascularization.
Methods:
Retina samples were obtained from 3 groups (6 retinas/group) of OIR mice and normal mice at P17. RNA was isolated from 24 retina samples and then detected on an Illumina HiSeq. Twelve retina samples were used for quantitative polymerase chain reaction to validate the RNA sequencing. Bioinformatics analyses were performed.
Result:
The RNA sequence showed that 565 miRNAs were detected in the retina of OIR mice and 583 miRNAs in the retina of normal control mice. A total of 553 miRNAs were expressed in both groups. Thirty-eight miRNAs showed altered expression in both groups (p ≤ 0.05). Compared with the control group, 2 miRNAs were significantly upregulated in the OIR group, while 36 miRNAs were significantly downregulated. Meanwhile, 2 candidate miRNAs (miR-181a-5p and miR-21a-5p) with significant differences in miRNA expression (p < 0.01) were selected for validation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to confirm the relative expression of the two miRNAs. Bioinformatics analyses showed that pathways involved in ischemic retinopathy (such as TGF-β, Ras, Hippo, PI3K-Akt, VEGF, and HIF-1 signaling pathways) were enriched.
Conclusions:
Our study provided an overall view of miRNA profiling in the OIR retina. These miRNA profiles provide a valuable framework for the potential therapy of retinal angiogenesis.
Insights
This study reveals altered microRNA (miRNA) expression in oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mouse retinas, identifying specific miRNAs linked to retinal neovascularization for potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) is a significant cause of vision impairment, characterized by abnormal retinal blood vessel growth.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and play crucial roles in various biological processes, including angiogenesis.
- Understanding miRNA dysregulation in OIR is essential for developing targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively characterize the microRNA (miRNA) expression profile in the retinas of mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR).
- To identify specific miRNAs associated with the pathological process of retinal neovascularization in OIR.
- To establish a foundation for exploring miRNA-based therapeutic strategies for OIR.
Main Methods:
- RNA sequencing was performed on retinal samples from OIR and control mice at postnatal day 17.
- Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was employed to validate the RNA sequencing findings for selected miRNAs.
- Bioinformatics analyses were conducted to identify differentially expressed miRNAs and enriched signaling pathways.
Main Results:
- RNA sequencing detected 565 miRNAs in OIR retinas and 583 in control retinas, with 553 common to both.
- Thirty-eight miRNAs exhibited altered expression in OIR retinas compared to controls (p ≤ 0.05).
- Specifically, 2 miRNAs were upregulated and 36 were downregulated in OIR retinas. miR-181a-5p and miR-21a-5p were validated as significantly differentially expressed (p < 0.01).
- Enriched pathways included those critical to ischemic retinopathy, such as TGF-β, Ras, Hippo, PI3K-Akt, VEGF, and HIF-1 signaling.
Conclusions:
- This study provides a comprehensive miRNA expression profile of the OIR retina.
- The identified miRNA signatures offer a valuable resource for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying retinal neovascularization.
- These findings lay the groundwork for developing novel miRNA-targeted therapies for OIR and related angiogenic disorders.
