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Updated: Sep 24, 2025

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circFTO upregulates transforming growth factor-alpha through sponging miR-148a-3p to regulate high glucose-induced

Yan Huang1, Xueyao Li1, Lu Jiang1

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, The People's Hospital of Yubei District of Chongqing City, Chongqing, 401120, China.

Bioengineered
|May 4, 2022
PubMed

Insights

This study reveals that elevated circFTO expression exacerbates diabetic retinopathy (DR) by promoting retinal cell apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation. circFTO acts as a molecular sponge for miR-148a-3p, contributing to DR progression.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss in diabetic individuals.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms of DR is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of upregulated circFTO in diabetic retinopathy.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying circFTO's effects on retinal epithelial cells.

Main Methods:

  • Luciferase reporter assays
  • RNA pull-down assays
  • RT-qPCR
  • Western blot
  • ELISA

Main Results:

  • circFTO expression was upregulated in DR patients and promoted ARPE-19 cell apoptosis while inhibiting proliferation.
  • circFTO acted as a molecular sponge for miR-148a-3p, regulating TGFA expression.
  • Absence of circFTO reduced high glucose-induced retinal cell injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation.

Conclusions:

  • circFTO plays a significant role in DR progression by affecting retinal epithelial cell viability and apoptosis.
  • The circFTO/miR-148a-3p/TGFA axis represents a potential therapeutic target for DR.
  • circFTO may serve as a novel biomarker for early DR diagnosis and treatment.
Keywords:
Diabetic retinopathyTGFAcircFTOmiR-148a-3p

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