Abstract
Purpose: :
Ocular angiogenesis plays a central role in eye development and also in many major retinal vascular diseases, such as retinopathy of prematurity, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). microRNAs are small endogenous RNAs regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally. Their discovery has revolutionized our understanding of genetic pathway networks and ignited numerous studies to explore microRNA therapeutics for various diseases. This project focuses on microRNA mechanisms in ocular angiogenesis.
Methods: :
Genetic mouse model and LNA-anti-miRNA technology were used to dissect the function of microRNAs in retinal vascular development and vascular retinopathy.
Results: :
We found that miR-126 is expressed specifically in the endothelium in the retina/choroid and is required for retinal sprouting angiogenesis. The function of other microRNAs in retinal angiogenesis and vascular retinopathy will also be discussed.
Conclusions: :
miR-126 plays a critical regulatory role in ocular angiogenesis. As a small molecule with multiple regulatory functions, miR-126 would be an attractive therapeutic target for treatment of vascular retinopathies.
Keywords: retinal neovascularization • gene/expression • gene transfer/gene therapy