Abstract
Purpose :
To investigate the differential expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in aqueous humor of patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and its association with aqueous humor matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) activity.
Methods :
A total of 18 subjects, including 10 naïve CRVO patients (CRVO group) and 8 control subjects (control group) who were scheduled for intravitreal injection and cataract surgery, respectively, were included. The aqueous humor samples collected at the beginning of each procedure were analyzed. First, a microarray composed of 84 microRNAs was performed to find differentially expressed miRNAs in the CRVO aqueous humor, which were further analyzed using a bioinformatics tool to identify directly related cytokine/proteins in CRVO. Finally, MMP-2 and -9 were selected and the aqueous humor MMP-2 and -9 activities were detected using gelatin zymography.
Results :
Eight miRNAs (hsa-mir-16-5p, hsa-mir-142-3p, hsa-mir-19a-3p, hsa-mir-144-3p, hsa-mir-195-5p, hsa-mir-17-5p, hsa-mir-93-5p, and hsa-mir-20a-5p) were significantly downregulated in CRVO group compared to control group. Bioinformatics showed a direct relationship between down-regulated miRNAs, CRVO disease, and the following proteins: MMP-2, MMP-9, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGFB1), caspase 3 (CASP3), interleukin-6 (IL6), interferon-gamma (IFNG), and interleukin-1-beta (IL1B). Gelatin zymography analysis showed significantly increased MMP-2 and -9 activities in aqueous humor of the CRVO group compared to that of the control group (p < 0.01).
Conclusions :
This study was the first to investigate the differentially expressed miRNAs and the activity of associated MMPs in aqueous humor of CRVO patients. MMP-2 and -9 were directly related to down-regulated miRNAs, and their activities have significantly increased in the aqueous humor of CRVO patients. Therefore, the relevant miRNAs and MMPs in aqueous humor could serve as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets in CRVO.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.