CircXPO5 Plays a Neuroprotective Function in the Lateral Geniculate Nucleus of Glaucoma by Regulating GRIN2A

Previous studies have found the neurodegeneration and atrophy of glaucomatous lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), but the mechanism is still unknown. Circular RNA (circRNA) plays some important roles in physiological and pathological progression of the disease. In this study, we focused on the differentially expressed circRNAs and the mechanism for circXPO5 in LGN degeneration in a macaque glaucoma model.

Using RNA-seq, we analyzed the differentially expressed circRNAs in a macaque glaucoma model. An RT-QPCR was used to check the expression of selected differentially expressed circRNAs, candidate miRNAs and mRNAs. A competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network analysis was performed to examine the mechanism of circXPO5 action.

circXPO5 significantly decreased in the glaucoma model and a ceRNA network analysis revealed that circXPO5 can bind to miR-330-5p, which also binds to GRIN2A (ionotropic receptor NMDA type subunit 2A). QPCR detection showed a decrease in GRIN2A and an increase in miR-330-5p.

Our earlier studies revealed that the GRIN2A gene regulates the calcium signal pathway. Decreasing of GRIN2A related with neuron apoptosis and neurodegeneration. These findings indicate that the reduction in circXPO5 may have a protective effect on neuronal apoptosis in the visual central system of glaucoma.