Open AccesstRNA ‐derived fragment tRF ‐1020 ameliorates diabetes‐induced retinal microvascular complications
Author(s) -
Ma Cong,
Du Jianling,
Ma Xiang
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/jcmm.17555
Subject(s) - retinal , diabetic retinopathy , gene silencing , retinopathy , vascular permeability , microbiology and biotechnology , downregulation and upregulation , biology , wnt signaling pathway , inflammation , chemistry , diabetes mellitus , endocrinology , signal transduction , biochemistry , immunology , gene
Transfer RNA (tRNA)‐derived fragments are the non‐coding single‐stranded RNAs involved in several physiological and pathological processes. Herein, we investigated the role of tRF‐1020, a tRNA fragment, in diabetes‐induced retinal microvascular complications. The results showed that the levels of tRF‐1020 expression were down‐regulated in diabetic retinal vessels and retinal endothelial cells following high glucose or H 2 O 2 stress. Overexpressing tRF‐1020 led to decreased endothelial cell viability, proliferation, migration, and tube formation and alleviated retinal vascular dysfunction as shown by decreased retinal acellular capillaries, vascular leakage, and inflammation. By contrast, tRF‐1020 silencing displayed the opposite effects. tRF‐1020 regulated endothelial angiogenic functions and retinal vascular dysfunction by targeting Wnt signalling. Moreover, the levels of tRF‐1020 expression were reduced in aqueous humour and vitreous samples of the patients with diabetic retinopathy. Collectively, tRF‐1020 is a potential target for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy.