Open AccessDifferential expression of microRNAs in retinal vasculopathy caused by selective Müller cell disruption
Author(s) -
Soo Il Chung,
Mark C Gillies,
Michelle Yam,
Ying Wang,
Weiyong Shen
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
scientific reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.24
H-Index - 213
ISSN - 2045-2322
DOI - 10.1038/srep28993
Subject(s) - microrna , retina , retinal , macular degeneration , photoreceptor cell , biology , downregulation and upregulation , western blot , retinal degeneration , neovascularization , zinc finger , pathology , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , ophthalmology , cancer research , medicine , transcription factor , angiogenesis , genetics , neuroscience
Vascular changes and photoreceptor degeneration are features of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and macular telangiectasis. We have profiled the differential expression of microRNAs and analysed their target genes in transgenic mice in which induced Müller cell disruption results in photoreceptor degeneration, vascular leak and deep retinal neovascularisation. We identified 9 miRNAs which were differentially expressed during the development of retinal neovascularization and chose miR-200b and its target genes for further study. Using qRT-PCR and western blot analysis, we found that downregulation of miR-200b was negatively correlated with its target genes, including zinc finger E-box binding homeobox (ZEB) 1 and 2 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1. Double immunofluorescence labelling revealed that the newly formed vessels in the outer retina were positive for ZEB2. Furthermore, intravitreal injections of a miR-200b-mimic and anti-miR-200b confirmed the negative correlation of miR-200b and its target gene expression. We also found that the miR-200b-mimic inhibited vascular leak in the established mild vascular lesions, whereas anti-miR-200b promoted it. Taken together, these data suggest that miR-200b may play a role in the development of intraretinal neovascularisation.