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Author Spotlight: Advancing VRL Diagnosis Using Cell-Free DNA Extraction from Vitreous Humor
Published on: January 12, 2024
Exosomal MicroRNA Profiling in Vitreous Humor Derived From Pathological Myopia Patients
Jie You1,2,3, Qiao Wu4,5, Gezhi Xu1,2,3
1Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Purpose:
Pathologic myopia (PM) is one of the primary causes of blindness. This study aims to explore the possible relations between the composition of microRNA in vitreous exosomes of patients with PM and the progression of myopic maculopathy.
Methods:
Vitreous humor (VH) samples were collected from patients undergoing retinal surgery. A total of 15 and 12 VH samples were obtained from patients with PM and control, respectively. The PM group was divided into PM-L (G2) and PM-H groups (G3 and G4) in order to explore differentially expressed microRNAs (DEMs) that account for the relatively poor prognosis in G3 and G4 myopic maculopathy. A Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was conducted to find the persistently altered key microRNAs in myopic maculopathy progression. The Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were used.
Results:
High purity exosomes were extracted from the vitreous fluid of patients with PM and control. The top five downregulated DEMs of PM-H versus PM-L can reflect the tendency of deterioration of PM-H myopic maculopathy. MiR-143-3p and miR-145-5p, which were found in WGCNA, may participate in the development of myopic maculopathy. These microRNAs all relate to the insulin resistance pathway.
Conclusions:
This is the first study to explore the relations between the progression of myopic maculopathy and vitreous exosomal microRNAs. Vitreous exosomal miR-143-3p and miR-145-5p can be considered biomarkers for patients with PM, and the vitreous exosomal DEM associated with PM-H may represent alarming signals of myopic maculopathy deterioration.
Insights
This study identifies specific microRNAs in eye exosomes linked to pathologic myopia (PM) progression. Vitreous exosomal miR-143-3p and miR-145-5p may serve as biomarkers for PM and indicate worsening myopic maculopathy.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Pathologic myopia (PM) is a leading cause of blindness.
- Myopic maculopathy progression is a significant concern in patients with PM.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying PM progression is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the microRNA composition of vitreous exosomes and the progression of myopic maculopathy in patients with PM.
- To identify specific microRNAs that are differentially expressed in patients with advanced stages of myopic maculopathy.
Main Methods:
- Vitreous humor samples were collected from patients with PM and controls.
- Exosomes were isolated from vitreous fluid.
- Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was performed to identify key microRNAs.
- Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were conducted.
Main Results:
- High-purity exosomes were successfully extracted from vitreous samples.
- The top five downregulated differentially expressed microRNAs (DEMs) in the PM-H group compared to the PM-L group indicated a tendency towards deterioration.
- Vitreous exosomal miR-143-3p and miR-145-5p were identified as potentially involved in myopic maculopathy development and are linked to insulin resistance pathways.
Conclusions:
- This is the first study to link vitreous exosomal microRNAs to myopic maculopathy progression.
- Vitreous exosomal miR-143-3p and miR-145-5p show potential as biomarkers for PM.
- DEMs in vitreous exosomes associated with advanced PM (PM-H) may serve as early warning signals for disease deterioration.
