Sirtuin1 deficiency suppresses migration during corneal epithelial wound healing

Abstract

Purpose : Sirtuin1 (SIRT1), a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) dependent deacetylase, has been demonstrated to play critical roles in various biological processes. However, the precise role of SIRT1 in corneal epithelium (CE) is still poorly understood. Here, we investigated its function during corneal epithelial wound healing (CEWH).

Methods : Mouse CEWH model was created by CE debridement using Algerbrush. Realtime RT-PCR and Western blot detected the expression level of SIRT1 during CEWH. CE-specific Sirt1 deletion mice were generated using Cre-lox system. SIRT1 was knocked down in human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) using Lipofectamine-mediated siRNA transfection. HCEC proliferation and migration was examined by MTS and scratch assay, respectively.

Results : SIRT1 was significantly upregulated during CEWH. Sirt1 deletion markedly delayed in vivo CEWH. Moreover, downregulation of SIRT1 dramatically inhibited HCEC migration.

Conclusions : Our results demonstrate that SIRT1 is critical in regulating CEWH, which implys an effective therapeutic strategy to enhance CEWH.

This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.