Protective effect of polypyrimidine tract-binding protein-associated splicing factor on endoplasmic reticulum oxidative stress injury of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To observe the effects of overexpression of polypyrimidine tract binding protein-associated splicing factor (PSF) on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) oxidative stress damage of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRMEC) under high concentration of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE).Methods:The logarithmic growth phase hRMEC cultured in vitro was divided into normal group, simple 4-HNE treatment group (simple 4-HNE group), empty plasmid combined with 4-HNE treatment group (Vec+4-HNE group), and PSF high expression combined with 4-HNE treatment group (PSF+4-HNE group). In 4-HNE group, Vec+4-HNE group, and PSF+4-HNE group cell culture medium, 10 μmol/L 4-HNE was added and stimulated for 12 hours. Subsequently, the Vec+4-HNE group and PSF+4-HNE group were transfected with transfection reagent liposome 2000 into pcDNA empty bodies and pcDNA-PSF eukaryotic expression plasmids, respectively, for 24 hours. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effects of 4-HNE and PSF on cell apoptosis. The effect of PSF overexpression on the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in hRMEC was detected by 2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein double Acetate probe. Western blot was used to detect ER oxide protein 1 (Ero-1), protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), C/EBP homologous transcription factor (CHOP), glucose regulatory protein (GRP) 78, protein kinase R-like ER kinase (PERK)/phosphorylated PERK (p-PERK), and Eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 2α/the relative expression levels of phosphorylated eIF (peIF) and activated transcription factor 4 (ATF4) proteins in hRMEC of normal group, 4-HNE group, Vec+4-HNE group, and PSF+4-HNE group. Single factor analysis of variance was performed for inter group comparison.Results:The apoptosis rates of the simple 4-HNE group, Vec+4-HNE group, and PSF+4-HNE group were (22.50±0.58)%, (26.93±0.55)%, and (11.70±0.17)%, respectively. The intracellular ROS expression levels were 0.23±0.03, 1.60±0.06, and 0.50±0.06, respectively. The difference in cell apoptosis rate among the three groups was statistically significant ( F=24.531, P<0.05). The expression level of ROS in the Vec+4-HNE group was significantly higher than that in the simple 4-HNE group and the PSF+4-HNE group, with a statistically significant difference ( F=37.274, P<0.05). The relative expression levels of ER Ero-1 and PDI proteins in the normal group, simple 4-HNE group, Vec+4-HNE group, and PSF+4-HNE group were 1.25±0.03, 0.45±0.03, 0.63±0.03, 1.13±0.09, and 1.00±0.10, 0.27±0.10, 0.31±0.05, and 0.80±0.06, respectively. The relative expression levels of CHOP and GRP78 proteins were 0.55±0.06, 1.13±0.09, 0.90±0.06, 0.48±0.04 and 0.48±0.04, 1.25±0.03, 1.03±0.09, 0.50±0.06, respectively. The relative expression levels of Ero-1 ( F=43.164), PDI ( F=36.643), CHOP ( F=42.855), and GRP78 ( F=45.275) proteins in four groups were compared, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Four groups of cells ER p-pERK/pERK ( F=35.755), peIF2 α/ The relative expression levels of eIF ( F=38.643) and ATF4 ( F=31.275) proteins were compared, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusion:PSF can inhibit cell apoptosis and ROS production induced by high concentration of 4-HNE, and its mechanism is closely related to restoring the homeostasis of ER and down-regulating the activation level of PERK/eIF2α/ATF4 pathway.

Metformin inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis in diabetic retinal vascular endothelial cells / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of metformin (Met) on inflammatory bodies and focal death in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRMEC) in diabetes mellitus (DM) microenvironment.Methods:Experimental research was divided into in vivo animal experiment and in vitro cell experiment. In vivo animal experiments: 9 healthy C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into DM group, normal control group, and DM+Met group, with 3 mice in each group. DM group and DM+Met group mice were induced by streptozotocin to establish DM model, and DM+Met group was given Met 400 mg/ (kg · d) intervention. Eight weeks after modeling, the expression of NLRP3, cleaved-membrane perforating protein D (GSDMD) and cleaved-Caspase-1 in the retina of mice in the normal control group, DM group and DM+Met group were observed by immunohistochemical staining. In vitro cell experiments: hRMEC was divided into conventional culture cell group (N group), advanced glycation end products (AGE) group, and AGE+Met group. Joining the AGE, AGE+Met groups cells were induced by 150 μg/ml of glycation end products, and 2.0 mmol/L Met was added to the AGE+Met group. Pyroptosis was detected by flow cytometry; 2' ,7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescent probe was used to detect the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells of each group. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to detect the relative mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3, cleaved-GSDMD, cleaved-Caspase-1 in each group of cells. Single factor analysis of variance was used for comparison among the three groups.Results:In vivo animal experiments: compared with the DM group, the expression of NLRP3, cleaved-GSDMD, and cleaved-Caspase-1 in the retina of normal control group and DM+Met group mice was significantly reduced, with significant difference among the 3 groups ( F=43.478, 36.643, 24.464; P<0.01). In vitro cell experiment and flow cytometry showed that the pyroptosis rate of AGE group was significantly higher than that of N group and AGE+Met group ( F=32.598, P<0.01). The DCFH-DA detection results showed that the intracellular ROS levels in the N group and AGE+Met group were significantly lower than those in the AGE group, with the significant difference ( F=47.267, P<0.01). The mRNA ( F=51.563, 32.192, 44.473; P<0.01) and protein levels ( F=63.372, 54.463, 48.412; P<0.01) of NLRP3, cleaved-GSDMD, and cleaved-Caspase-1 in hRMEC of the AGE+Met group were significantly reduced compared to the N group. Conclusion:Met can down regulate the expression of NLRP3 inflammatory body related factors in hRMEC and inhibit pyroptosis.

Up-regulation of p21 activated kinase 4 expression in the retina of diabetes mice and its effects on the behavior and mitochondrial function in retinal vascular endothelial cells / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To observe the effects of p21 activated kinase 4 (PAK4) on the mitochondrial function and biological behavior in retinal vascular endothelial cells.Methods:The experimental study was divided into two parts: in vivo animal experiment and in vitro cell experiment. In vivo animal experiments: 12 healthy C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into normal control group and diabetes group, with 6 mice in each group. Diabetes mice were induced by streptozotocin to establish diabetes model. Eight weeks after modeling, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blots were performed to detect the expression of PAK4 in diabetic retinas. In vitro cell experiments: the human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRMEC) were divided into three groups: conventional cultured cells group (N group), empty vector transfected (Vector group); pcDNA-PAK4 eukaryotic expression plasmid transfected group (PAK4 group). WB and qPCR were used to detect transfection efficiency, while scratching assay, cell scratch test was used to detect cell migration in hRMEC of each group. In vitro white blood cell adhesion experiment combined with 4 ', 6-diamino-2-phenylindole staining was used to detect the number of white blood cells adhering to hRMEC in each group. The Seahorse XFe96 cell energy metabolism analyzer measures intracellular mitochondrial basal respiration, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, maximum respiration, and reserve respiration capacity. The t-test was used for comparison between the two groups. Single factor analysis of variance was used for comparison among the three groups. Results:In vivo animal experiments: compared with normal control group, the relative expression levels of PAK4 mRNA and protein in retina of diabetic mice were significantly increased, with statistical significance ( t=25.372, 22.419, 25.372; P<0.05). In vitro cell experiment: compared with the N group and Vector group, the PAK4 protein, mRNA relative expression and cell mobility in the hRMEC of PAK4 group were significantly increased, with statistical significance ( F=36.821, 38.692, 29.421; P<0.05). Flow cytometry showed that the adhesion number of leukocytes on hRMEC in PAK4 group was significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=39.649, P<0.01). Mitochondrial pressure measurement results showed that the capacity of mitochondrial basic respiration, ATP production, maximum respiration and reserve respiration in hRMEC in PAK4 group was significantly decreased, with statistical significance ( F=27.472, 22.315, 31.147, 27.472; P<0.05). Conclusion:Over-expression of PAK4 impairs mitochondrial function and significantly promotes leukocyte adhesion and migration in retinal vascular endothelial cells.

Effect of high expression of polypyrimidine tract-binding protein-associated splicing factor on retinal microvascular endothelial cells / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of high expression of polypyrimidine tract-binding protein-associated splicing factor (PSF) on low concentration of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) induced human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs), and explore the possible mechanism.Methods:The HRMECs cultured in vitro were divided into 4-HNE treated group, PSF overexpression group combined with 4-HNE group (PSF+4-HNE group), PSF overexpression+ML385 treatment combined with 4-HNE group (PSF+ML385+4-HNE group), and 4-HNE induced PSF overexpression group with LY294002 pretreatment (LY294002+4-HNE+PSF group). Cell culture medium containing 10 μmmol/L 4-HNE was added into 4-HNE treatment group, PSF+4-HNE group, PSF+ML385+4-HNE group for 12 hours to stimulate oxidative stress. 1.0 μg of pcDNA-PSF eukaryotic expression plasmid were transfected into PSF+4-HNE group and PSF+ML385+4-HNE group to achieve the overexpression of PSF. Also cells were pretreated with ML385 (5 μmol/L) for 48 hours in the PSF+ML385+4-HNE group, meanwhile within the LY294002+4-HNE+PSF group, after pretreatment with LY294002, cells were treated with plasmid transfection and 4-HNE induction. Transwell detects the migration ability of PSF to HRMECs. The effect of PSF on the lumen formation of HRMECs was detected by using Matrigel in vitro three-dimensional molding method. Flow cytometer was used to detect the effect of PSF overexpression on reactive oxygen (ROS) level in HRMECs. Protein immunoblotting was used to detect the relative expression of PSF, nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein, and phosphoserine threonine protein kinase (pAkt) protein. The comparison between the two groups was performed using a t-test. Results:The number of live cells, migrating cells, and intact lumen formation in the 4-HNE treatment group and the PSF+4-HNE group were 1.70±0.06, 0.80±0.13, 24.00±0.58, 10.00±0.67, and 725.00±5.77, 318.7±12.13, respectively. There were significant differences in the number of live cells, migrating cells, and intact lumen formation between the two groups ( t=12.311, 15.643, 17.346; P<0.001). The results of flow cytometry showed that the ROS levels in the 4-HNE treatment group, PSF+4-HNE group, and PSF+ML385+4-HNE group were 816.70±16.67, 416.70±15.44, and 783.30±17.41, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups ( t=16.311, 14.833, 18.442; P<0.001). Western blot analysis showed that the relative expression levels of pAkt, Nrf2, and HO-1 proteins in HRMECs in the 4-HNE treatment group, PSF+4-HNE group and LY294002+4-HNE+PSF group were 0.08±0.01, 0.57±0.04, 0.35±0.09, 0.17±0.03, 1.10±0.06, 0.08±0.11 and 0.80±0.14, 2.50±0.07, 0.50±0.05, respectively. Compared with the PSF+4-HNE group, the relative expression of pAkt, Nrf2, and HO-1 proteins in the LY294002+4-HNE+PSF group decreased significantly, with significant differences ( t=17.342, 16.813, 18.794; P<0.001). Conclusion:PSF upregulates the expression of HO-1 by activating the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/Akt pathway and inhibits cell proliferation, migration, and lumen formation induced by low concentrations of 4-HNE.

Bone morphogenetic protein 4 promotes the proliferation and migration of retinal vascular endothelial cells / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) on the proliferation and migration of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRMEC) under oxidative stress.Methods:The hRMEC cultured in vitro were divided into control group, 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) treatment group (4-HNE group), 4-HNE+BMP4 group (BMP4 group). Cell culture medium of 4-HNE treatment group was added with 10 μmmol/L 4-HNE; cell culture of BMP4 group was cultured with 10 μmmol/L 4-HNE, and after stimulation for 6 h, 100 ng/ml recombinant human BMP4 was added. The effects of 4-HNE and BMP4 on hRMEC viability was detected by thiazole blue colorimetric method. The effects of 4-HNE and BMP4 on cell migration was determined by cell scratch test. The relative expression of BMP4 mRNA in the cells of the control group and 4-HNE treatment group and the mRNA expression of the control group, the fibronectin (FN) of BMP4 group, laminin (Laminin), α-smooth muscle contractile protein (α-SMA), and collagen type Ⅰ (Collagen Ⅰ), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Western blot was used to detect the relative expression of BMP4 protein in the control group and 4-HNE group. The control group and 4-HNE group were compared by t test. Results:Compared with the control group, cell viability ( t=12.73, 16.26, P=0.000 2, <0.000 1), cell migration rate ( t=28.17, 37.48, P<0.000 1, <0.000 1) in 4-HNE group and BMP4 group were significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant; the relative expression of BMP4 mRNA and protein in the 4-HNE group was significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=16.36, 69.35, P=0.000 1, <0.000 1). The qRT-PCR test results showed that compared with the control group, the relative expression of VEGF, FN, Laminin, α-SMA, Collagen Ⅰ, and CTGF mRNA in the cells of the BMP4 group was significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=10.61, 17.00, 14.85, 7.78, 12.02, 10.61, P=0.0004, <0.000 1, 0.000 1, 0.001 5, 0.000 1, 0.000 4). Conclusion:BMP4 can induce the proliferation and migration of hRMEC; it can also regulate the expression of angiogenesis factors and fibrosis-related factors in hRMEC.

Combined analysis and verification of differential gene transcriptome and Gene Expression Omnibus database in peripheral blood of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To screening differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients to provide new biological therapeutic targets for proliferative DR (PDR) therapy.Methods:A basic research. A total of 3 PDR patients (group PDR) and 3 non-diabetic patients (control group) were enrolled in the study in Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital in October 2020. In addition, 40 cases of PDR and non-diabetic patients were selected and divided into PDR validation group and control validation group. Peripheral blood validation test was performed in PDR validation group and control validation group; RNA sequencing was performed in PDR group and control group. Transcriptomics (RNAseq) sequencing technology was used to screen DEG in PDR group and control group. The selected DEGs were analyzed by gene ontology (GO) function enrichment analysis, signal pathway enrichment analysis of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and protein-protein interaction network (PPI). The gene expression database was used to find the high-throughput data related to PDR, and multi queue comparison analysis was carried out. The target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted through targetscan platform, so as to clearly screen the correlation between DEG and PDR. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to verify the expression of DEG mRNA and protein related to PDR. The relative expression of PDR related DEG mRNA and protein between PDR validation group and control validation group were compared by paired t-test. Results:A total of 1 337 DEGs were screened by RNAseq sequencing in the peripheral blood of patients with PDR, of which 419 genes were up-regulated and 918 down-regulated. Among them, direct inhibitor of apoptosis protein-binding protein with low isoelectric point ( DIABLO), zinc finger and BTB domain containing 10 ( ZBTB10), polo-like kinases 3 ( PLK3), regulatory subunit 1 ( PIK3R1) and B cell translocation gene 3 (BTG3) were differentially expressed in PDR patients. The function of GO was enriched from the analysis of molecular function, biological process and cellular composition. The results showed that DIABLO, ZBTB10, PLK3, PIK3R1, BTG3 were involved in the pathological process related to PDR. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that glucose metabolic pathways such as extracellular matrix receptors, cytokine regulatory pathway, p53 signal pathway and galactose metabolism may be involved in the process of differential genes. The analysis of PPI protein interaction network showed that the larger the DEG-associated protein node, the greater the number of associated nodes. Among them, DIABLO, ZBTB10, PLK3, PIK3R1 and BTG3 played significant roles in the formation of the action network. By comparing and analyzing the existing high-throughput data related to diabetic retinopathy in Gene Expression Omnibus database and predicting by Targetscan platform, it was found that some significant differences in miRNA reported in aqueous humor, vitreous fluid and plasma of DR patients can be regulated by the differential genes found in this study. Compared with the control verification group, the relative expressions of DIABLO, ZBTB10, PLK3, PIK3R1 mRNA and protein in peripheral blood of the PDR verification group were up-regulated, and the relative expression of BTG3 mRNA and protein was down-regulated. Conclusion:DIABLO, ZBTB10, PLK3, PIK3R1 and BTG3 are DEGs in patients with PDR, and they can participate in the disease process by regulating the biological processes of cell proliferation, fibrosis and oxidative stress.

miR-191 inhibits retinal vascular endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To observe the inhibitory effect of lentivirus (LV)-mediated miR-191 on the proliferation and angiogenesis of human retinal vascular endothelial cells (hREC) cultured in vitro.Methods:The hREC cell lines were cultured in vitro and divided into control group, hypoxia group, LV-empty vector (LV-vector) group, and LV-miR-191 (LV-191) group. The LV-vector group and LV-191 group were transferred to the corresponding lentiviral vector respectively. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell transfection efficiency. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) test was used to detect cell proliferation ability. Scarification test and invasion chamber (Transwell) test were used to detect cell migration ability. Matrigel test was used to detect cell lumen formation ability. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the relative expression of miR-191 and relative mRNA expression of its downstream target genes p21, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cell division protein kinase (CDK) 6, cyclin-D1 (Cyclin D1). Independent sample t test was used for pairwise comparison. Results:The results of flow cytometry showed that the transfection efficiency of cells in the control group and the LV-191 group were 0.615% and 99.400%, respectively. The results of CCK-8, scarification, Transwell and Matrigel test showed that, compared with the control group, the number of cell proliferation ( t=6.130, 4.606), the cell mobility ( t=4.910, 6.702), the number of stained cells on the microporous membrane ( t=7.244, 6.724) and the lumen formation ability cells ( t=8.345, 9.859) were significantly increased in the hypoxia group and the LV-vector group ( P<0.01), while the LV-191 group showed completely opposite performance ( t=14.710, 6.245, 5.333, 5.892; P≤0.01). The qPCR test results showed that, compared with the control group and the LV-vector group, the relative expression of miR-191 mRNA in the cells of the LV-191 group was significantly up-regulated ( t=44.110, 42.680), the relative expression of Cyclin D1 mRNA ( t=29.940, 14.010) and CDK6 mRNA ( t=15.200, 7.645) decreased significantly, and the difference were statistically significant ( P<0.01); the relative expression of p21 mRNA increased, however, the difference was not statistically significant ( t=2.013, 2.755; P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the relative expression of VEGF mRNA in the 4 groups of cells ( F=0.966, P>0.05). Conclusions:LV-191 can inhibit the proliferation, migration and tubing of hREC by up-regulating p21 and down-regulating CDK6 and Cyclin D1.

Proteomic analysis of optic nerve in the rat model of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To quantitatively analyze the protein expression changes of the optic nerve in an SD rat model of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), and to make bioinformatics analysis of the differential proteins.Methods:Ten 8-week-old SPF male SD rats with a body mass of 200-250 g were selected.The NAION model was established using the method of rose bengal and laser photodynamics.Four from the 8 rats with successful model were selected as the NAION model group.Another 4 body weight- and age-matched healthy SD rats without eye diseases were taken as the normal control group.The optic nerve was dissected on the 7th day after modeling.The samples were prepared by the enzyme digestion method, and the proteins were identified and quantitatively detected by isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification labeling combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.The proteins with expression fold greater than 1.5 times and significant differences between the two groups ( P<0.05) were defined as differentially expressed proteins and analyzed by bioinformatics.The use and care of animals complied with Regulations for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by the State Science and Technology Commission of China.The study protocol was approved by an Animal Ethical and Welfare Committee of Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital (No.TJYY2021041029). Results:Three days after modeling, the optic disc of rats was swollen and fluorescein leakage in the optic disc was detected in fluorescein fundus angiography images in the NAION model group, which indicated the model was established successfully.A total of 1 291 quantifiable proteins including 80 differentially expressed proteins were identified.Compared with the normal control group, there were 5 up-regulated proteins and 75 down-regulated proteins.The expression levels of collagen alpha-1(V) chain (Col5A1), cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit beta (Prkacb) and disks large homolog 1(Dlg1) were increased, and the expression levels of neurofilament medium polypeptide (Nefm), microtubule-associated protein 1B (Map1b), Ras-related protein Ral-A (Rala), serine/threonine-protein kinase N2 (Pkn2) and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase IB subunit beta (Pafah1b1) were decreased.Differentially expressed proteins were mainly involved in the biological processes, including regulation of the cytoskeleton, cellular response to hypoxia, axon production and extension, regulation of synapse, regulation of neuron apoptosis and axo-dendritic transport, etc.KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed proteins were mainly involved in metabolic pathways, synaptic vesicle circulation and platelet activation.Conclusions:The expression of proteins related to signal pathways such as nerve growth, energy metabolism, axo-dendritic transport and apoptosis is involved in the apoptosis of neurons in NAION.

Interferon gene stimulating protein inhibitor improves leukocyte adhesion and glycolysis of retinal vascular endothelial cells / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects of interferon gene stimulating protein (STING) inhibitor (C176) on human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRMEC) under oxidative stress.Methods:An animal experimental study. In vivo experiment: 48 healthy male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into wild type mice group (WT group) and diabetes (DM) group, with 24 mice in each group. DM mice were induced by streptozotocin to establish DM model. After successful modeling, DM group was divided into DM+dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) group and DM+C176 group, with 12 mice in each group. The mice in the DM+DMSO group were intraperitoneally injected with DMSO at the dose of 50 mg/kg. Mice in DM+C176 group were intraperitoneally injected with STING inhibitor C176 750 nmol at the dose of 50 mg/kg. Four weeks after modeling, immunohistochemical staining, Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the expression of STING in the retina of WT and DM mice. The leukocyte adhesion test was used to detect the number of leukocytes adhering to hRMEC in mice with WT, DM+DMSO and DM+C176 groups. In vitro experiment: hRMEC was randomly divided into conventional culture cell group (N group), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) group (with DMSO intervention) and C176 group (with C176 intervention). The cells were induced by 150 μg/ml glycation end products for each group. In vitro leukocyte adhesion test combined with 4', 6-diamino-2-phenylindole staining was used to detect the number of leukocytes adhering to hRMEC. The adherent leukocytes were quantitatively analyzed by flow cytometry; H 2DCFDA/reactive oxygen species (ROS) fluorescence probe was used to detect ROS expression in cells; Seahorse XFe96 cell energy metabolism analyzer was used to measure the level of intracellular glycolysis. t-test was used to compare the two groups; single factor analysis of variance was used to compare the three groups. Results:In vivo experiment: compared with WT group, the expression level of STING ( t=73.248) and the relative expression amount of mRNA ( t=67.385) in the retina of DM group mice increased significantly ( P<0.05). Compared with WT group, the number of leukocytes adhering to the retinal vessels of mice in DM+DMSO group was significantly increased, while that in DM+C176 group was significantly decreased ( F=84.352, P<0.01). In vitro: compared with N group and DMSO group, the number of leukocyte adhesion on hRMEC in C176 group decreased significantly ( F=35.251, P<0.01). Compared with N group, the number of leukocytes adhering to hRMEC in DMSO group and C176 group decreased significantly ( F=26.374, P<0.01). The ROS level in hRMEC in C176 group was significantly lower than that in N group and C176 group ( F=41.362, P<0.01). Compared with N group and DMSO group, the glycolysis level of hRMEC in C176 group was significantly reduced, with a statistically significant difference ( F=68.741, P<0.01). Conclusion:Inhibiting the expression of STING in retinal vascular endothelial cells can improve the progress of DM by inhibiting leukocyte adhesion, ROS production and glycolysis level.

Effect of bone morphogenetic protein 4 on glycolysis of human retinal vascular endothelial cells / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) on the glycolysis level of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRMECs).Methods:A experimental study. hRMECs cultured in vitro were divided into normal group, 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) group (4-HNE group) and 4-HNE+BMP4 treatment group (BMP4 group). 4-HNE group cell culture medium was added with 10 μmmol/L 4-HNE; BMP4 group cell culture medium was added with recombinant human BMP4 100 ng/ml after 6 h stimulation with 10 μmol/L 4-HNE. The levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by flow cytometry. The effect of 4-HNE on the viability of cells was detected by thiazole blue colorimetry. Cell scratch test and Transwell cell method were used to determine the effect of 4-HNE on cell migration. The relative expression of BMP4 and SMAD9 mRNA and protein in normal group and 4-HNE group were detected by realtime quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Seahorse XFe96 cell energy metabolism analyzer was used to determine the level of intracellular glycolysis metabolism in normal group, 4-HNE group and BMP4 group. One-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between groups.Results:The ROS levels in hRMECs of normal group, 4-HNE group and BMP4 group were 21±1, 815±5, 810±7, respectively. Compared with the normal group, the levels of ROS in the 4-HNE group and the BMP4 group were significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=53.40, 50.30; P<0.001). The cell viability in the normal group and 4-HNE group was 1.05±0.05 and 1.28±0.05, respectively; the migration rates were (0.148±0.005)%, (0.376±0.015)%; the number of cells passing through the pores were 109.0±9.6, 318.0±6.4, respectively. Compared with the normal group, the 4-HNE group had significantly higher cell viability, cell migration rate, and the number of cells passing through the pores, and the differences were statistically significant ( F=54.35, 52.84, 84.35; P<0.05). The relative expression levels of BMP4 and SMAD9 mRNA in the cells of the 4-HEN group were 1.680±0.039 and 1.760±0.011, respectively; compared with the normal group, the difference was statistically significant ( F=53.66, 83.54; P<0.05). The relative expression levels of BMP4 and SMAD9 proteins in the cells of the normal group and 4-HEN group were 0.620±0.045, 0.860±0.190, 0.166±0.049, 0.309±0.038, respectively; compared with the normal group, the differences were statistically significant ( F=24.87, 53.84; P<0.05). The levels of intracellular glycolysis, glycolytic capacity and glycolytic reserve in normal group, 4-HNE group and BMP4 group were 1.21±0.12, 2.84±0.24, 1.78±0.36, 2.59±0.11, 5.34±0.32, 2.78±0.45 and 2.64±0.13, 5.20±0.28, 2.66±0.33. Compared with the normal group, the differences were statistically significant (4-HNE group: F=86.34, 69.75, 58.45; P<0.001; BMP4 group: F=56.87, 59.35, 58.35; P<0.05). There was no significant difference in intracellular glycolysis, glycolysis capacity and glycolysis reserve level between 4-HNE group and BMP4 group ( F=48.32, 56.33, 55.01; P>0.05). Conclusion:BMP4 induces the proliferation and migration of hRMECs through glycolysis.

Study on the mechanism of miRNA expression profile and enrichment analysis on p21 in oxygen-induced retinopathy mice / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To observe the expression of miRNA in retinal tissue of mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), and screen miRNAs related to p21 and retinal neovascularization (RNV) formation.Methods:A experimental study. Forty healthy 7-day-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal group and OIR group, with 20 mice in each group. The oxygen induced RNV model was constructed in the OIR group, and no treatment was performed in the normal group. At the age of 17 days, the mice were killed and the RNV of mice was observed by retinal fluorescence; the nuclei of vascular endothelium that broke through the inner limiting membrane of retina were counted under light microscope. The retinal tissues were taken for miRNA chip analysis to detect the differentially expressed miRNAs between the normal group and the OIR group. The resulting differential miRNA target genes were subjected to enrichment analysis based on gene annotation (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG); miRNAs and pathways that may be related to p21 were screened through Targetscan, MiRanda and MicroT-CDs database alignment. Independent sample t-test was used for pairwise comparison between groups. Results:Compared with the normal group, the area of nonperfusion area, RNV and the number of vascular endothelial nuclei that broke through the inner limiting membrane of the retina in the OIR group increased significantly, differences were statistically significant ( t=18.800, 9.025; P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, there were 54 miRNAs that were statistically differentially expressed in the OIR group, of which 47 were up-regulated and 7 were down-regulated. A total of 13 miRNAs related to p21 were screened from the alignment results of the three databases with the obtained differential miRNAs. According to the difference multiples, they were miR-7218-5p, miR-322-5p, miR-224-5p, miR-335-5p, miR-329-3p, miR-362-3p, miR-532-5p, miR-20b-5p, miR-20a-5p, miR-195a-5p, miR-423-5p, miR-497a-5p, and miR-129-5p. Differential miRNA target gene enrichment analysis yielded 1 112 go entries and 50 KEGG pathways, of which 50 go entries and 13 KEGG pathways were related to p21. Conclusion:13 miRNAs related to p21 were screened out in the OIR model.

Study on the mechanism of miRNA expression profile and enrichment analysis on p21 in oxygen-induced retinopathy mice / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To observe the expression of miRNA in retinal tissue of mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), and screen miRNAs related to p21 and retinal neovascularization (RNV) formation.Methods:A experimental study. Forty healthy 7-day-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal group and OIR group, with 20 mice in each group. The oxygen induced RNV model was constructed in the OIR group, and no treatment was performed in the normal group. At the age of 17 days, the mice were killed and the RNV of mice was observed by retinal fluorescence; the nuclei of vascular endothelium that broke through the inner limiting membrane of retina were counted under light microscope. The retinal tissues were taken for miRNA chip analysis to detect the differentially expressed miRNAs between the normal group and the OIR group. The resulting differential miRNA target genes were subjected to enrichment analysis based on gene annotation (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG); miRNAs and pathways that may be related to p21 were screened through Targetscan, MiRanda and MicroT-CDs database alignment. Independent sample t-test was used for pairwise comparison between groups. Results:Compared with the normal group, the area of nonperfusion area, RNV and the number of vascular endothelial nuclei that broke through the inner limiting membrane of the retina in the OIR group increased significantly, differences were statistically significant ( t=18.800, 9.025; P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, there were 54 miRNAs that were statistically differentially expressed in the OIR group, of which 47 were up-regulated and 7 were down-regulated. A total of 13 miRNAs related to p21 were screened from the alignment results of the three databases with the obtained differential miRNAs. According to the difference multiples, they were miR-7218-5p, miR-322-5p, miR-224-5p, miR-335-5p, miR-329-3p, miR-362-3p, miR-532-5p, miR-20b-5p, miR-20a-5p, miR-195a-5p, miR-423-5p, miR-497a-5p, and miR-129-5p. Differential miRNA target gene enrichment analysis yielded 1 112 go entries and 50 KEGG pathways, of which 50 go entries and 13 KEGG pathways were related to p21. Conclusion:13 miRNAs related to p21 were screened out in the OIR model.

MiSeq analysis of gene expression profiles in human retinal capillary endothelial cells induced by fulvic acid / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To observe the MiSeq sequencing analysis results of fulvic acid (FA) intervention in hypoxia-induced human retinal microvascular endothelial cell (hRMEC) gene expression profile.Methods:hRMEC were cultured in vitro and divided into the hypoxia group (hypoxia treatment) and the FA intervention group (FA intervention after hypoxia). The MTT colorimetric method was used to detect the influence of different concentrations and different modes of FA on hRMEC activity. The optimal concentration of FA was chosen. RT-PCR was used to investigated the effect of FA on hypoxia-induced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, MMP-2, TNF-α, TNF-β, other inflammatory factors in hRMEC, and inflammation-related factors mRNA expression. Cells in the hypoxia group and FA intervention group in the logarithmic growth phase were collected. MiSeq sequencing technology was applyed to complete the whole transcriptome sequencing of the two groups of cells, biological data were obtained, and the differentially expressed miRNA were analyzed on this basis. Gene annotation (GO) functionally significant enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) pathway significant enrichment analysis were used to analyze the functions and signal pathways of differential miRNAs. The expression of inflammatory factors and inflammation-related factors were compared between groups. The expression level of the corresponding miRNA in the cell was regulated by miRNA mimic, and its effect on cell function was observed, so as to judge the effect of the miRNA.Results:Different concentrations and different modes of action of FA had no effect on the cell viability of hRMEC. The mRNA expression of ICAM-1, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-β in the hypoxia group hRMEC were significantly up-regulated compared with the normal group, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=3.426, 6.011, 5.282, 6.500; P=0.027, 0.004, 0.006, 0.003); the mRNA expression of ICAM-1, IL-6, TNF-α and TNF-β in the FA intervention group hRMEC was significantly lower than that of the hypoxia group, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=9.961, 3.676, 3.613, 3.387; P=0.001, 0.021, 0.023, 0.028). There were 14 differentially expressed miRNAs between the hypoxia group and the FA intervention group, of which 9 were up-regulated genes and 5 were down-regulated genes. The predicted target genes of 4 differential miRNAs (hsa-miR-1 285-3p, hsa-miR-30d-3p, hsa-miR-3 170, hsa-miR-7 976) were all ICAM-1. The results of significant enrichment analysis of GO function showed that the functions of differential genes were mainly enriched in the process of cell development, cell differentiation and single organism development. Significant enrichment analysis of the KEGG pathway showed that the differential miRNA expression was highly enriched in the proteoglycan pathway and the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway in cancer, and the arachidonic acid metabolism pathway and the amphetamine pathway were the more obvious differential expressions. Conclusion:FA may affect the expression level of downstream ICAM-1 mRNA by regulating the expression of multiple miRNAs, thereby affecting the inflammatory state of cells after hypoxia-stimulated hRMEC.

The effects of highly expression of polypyramidine tract binding protein-associated splicing factor on advanced glycation end-products-induced human retinal microvascular endothelial cells / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To investigate the protection and the corresponding molecular mechanisms of polypyramidine tract binding protein-associated splicing factor (PSF) overexpression on human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRMECs) induced by advanced glycation end-products (AGEs).Methods:The hRMECs were divided into the normal group, the vector group, PSF group, zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) group and PSF+ZnPP group for experiment. Cells in the normal group were cultured in a DMEM medium containing 10% fetal calf serum, penicillin/streptomycin, and placed in a closed constant temperature incubator at 37 °C, 95% air, and 5% CO 2. Cells in the vector group were infected with empty lentivirus. The cells in the PSF group were infected with overexpressing PSF lentivirus. Cells in the ZnPP group were treated with ZnPP (10 mol/L) for 2 h. The PSF+ZnPP group cells were infected with overexpressing PSF lentivirus, and then pretreated with ZnPP (10 mol/L) for 2 h. With the last four groups of cells stimulated with AGEs, HE, Hoechst33258 staining and flow cytometry were used to observe the protective effect of high expression of PSF on cell damage and the antagonistic effect of ZnPP on PSF. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), phosphorylated (p) extracellular regulatory protein kinase (ERK), and Nrf2 in the cells. U0126, a specific antagonist of ERK pathway, was introduced, and Western blot verified the reversal effect of U0126 on the expression of HO-1 induced by PSF protein. Results:HE staining and Hoechst33258 staining showed that the number of nuclei of damaged cells of PSF group were significantly increased compared with control group, while decreased compared with PSF+ZnPP group ( F=27.5, 38.7; P<0.05). The results of flow cytometry showed that the ROS produced by cells in the PSF group was significantly increased compared to the normal group, and significantly decreased compared to the PSF+ZnPP group, the difference was statistically significant ( F=126.4, P<0.05). Western blot results showed that HO-1 expression of PSF group was significantly increased compared with control and the vector group ( F=70.1, P<0.05). AGEs inducement of 30, 60, 120 and 240 min could significantly improve pERK expression compared with 15 min ( F=474.0, P<0.05). The expression of HO-1 and Nrf2 proteins in the PSF+/U0126- group was significantly more than those in the PSF-/U0126-group, the expression of HO-1 and Nrf2 proteins in the PSF+/U0126+ group was significantly lower than that in the PSF+/U0126- group, and the differences were statistically significant ( F=30.2, 489.4; P<0.05). Conclusion:Over expression of PSF can promote the HO-1 expression by activating ERK pathway and promoting the Nrf2 to the nucleus, thus protect hRMECs against AGEs-induced oxidative damage.

Applications of bioinformatics methods in ocular fundus diseases / 中华眼底病杂志

With the development of life sciences and informatics, bioinformatics is developing as an interdisciplinary subject. Its main application is the relationship between genes and proteins and their expression. With the help of genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics, researchers introduce bioinformatics research methods into fundus disease research. A series of gratifying research results have been achieved including the screening of genetic susceptibility genes, the screening of diagnostic markers, and the exploration of pathogenesis. Genomics has the characteristics of high efficiency and accuracy. It has been used to detect new mutation sites in retinoblastoma and retinal pigment degeneration research, which helps to further improve the pathogenesis of retinal genetic diseases. Transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics have high throughput characteristics. They are used to analyze changes in the expression profiles of RNA, proteins, and metabolites in intraocular fluid or isolated cells in disease states, which help to screen biomarkers and further elucidate the pathogenesis. With the advancement of technology, bioinformatics will provide new ideas for the study of ocular fundus diseases.

Expression and analysis of miRNA in retinal tissue of oxygen-induced retinopathy mice / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To analyze the expression of miRNA involved in regulating retinal neovascularizationin in retinal tissue of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mice.Methods:Eighty healthy C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group and OIR group at postnatal day 7(P7). Control group were not received any treatment and then exposed to room air. The OIR group was exposed to (75±2)% oxygen and then under room air at P12. Mice of all groups were euthanized at P17. Retinal neovasculation (RNV) was evaluated by counting the number of pre-retinal neovascular cells and analysing no perfusion area by immunofluorescent staining of the mouse retina.Total RNA was extracted from retinal tissue,and miRNA microarrays was performed to identify differentially expressed miRNA in the two groups. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed differential microRNA.Results:Compared with the control group,the retinal neovascular tufts and the no perfusion area were both significantly smaller than those in OIR group. The number of pre-retinal neovascular cell nuclei in retinas from control group were obviously lower than those in the retinas from OIR group ( t=9.025, P<0.05). MiRNA microarray analysis showed that 54 miRNA in OIR group showed statistically different expression in control group, 47 miRNA were up-regulated and 7 miRNA were down-regulated. The results of PCR were consistent with the trend of microarray. In GO analysis, 1112 items were significantly different ( P<0.05), and 65 items were significantly different in KEGG analysis of expression profile ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The miRNA expression in retinal tissue of OIR mice is different from that of normal mice, and these miRNA may be involved in the development of RNV. There are 54 miRNA expression differences in retinal tissue of OIR compared with normal mouse retinal tissue.

Preliminary discussion on the potential mechanism of follistatin-like protein 1 in the process of proliferative diabetic retinopathy / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To observe the changes of follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL1) in serum of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).Methods:Twenty PDR patients confirmed by clinical examination and 20 normal people were included in the study. Human retinal vascular endothelial cells (HRCEC) were divided into HRCEC blank control group, 3 h hypoxia group, 6 h hypoxia group. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) were divided into HUVEC blank control group, 3h hypoxia group, 6h hypoxia group. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) and ELISA were used to determine the expression of FSTL1, TGF-β, VEGF, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA and protein in peripheral blood and cells of all groups from all subjects.Results:The expressions of FSTL1, TGF-β1, CTGF, VEGF mRNA in blood samples of patients with PDR were 1.79±0.58, 0.97±0.21, 1.85±0.69 and 1.38±0.44. The expressions of FSTL1, TGF-β1 protein were 1.19±0.50, 0.71±0.24 ng/ml and 734.03±116.45, 649.36±44.23 ng/L. Compared with normal people, the differences were statistically significant ( tmRNA=0.90, 0.21, 2.85, 1.77; P=0.00, 0.00, 0.04, 0.02. tprotein=1.88, 7.68; P=0.00, 0.02). The cell viability of HRCEC cells in the 3 h hypoxia group and the 6 h hypoxia group were 0.66±0.05 and 0.64±0.04, respectively. Compared with the blank control group, the difference was statistically significant ( F=13.02, P=0.00). The cell viability of HUVEC cells in the 3 h hypoxia group and the 6 h hypoxia group were 0.63±0.06 and 0.68±0.06, respectively. Compared with the blank control group, the difference was statistically significant ( F=26.52, P=0.00). Comparison of FSTL1, TGF-β1, CTGF, and VEGF mRNA expression in HRCEC blank control group and 3 h hypoxia group, the differences were statistically significant ( F=14.75, 44.93, 85.54, 6.23; P=0.01, 0.00, 0.00, 0.03). Compared with the HRCEC blank control and 3 h hypoxia group, the expressions of FSTL1 and TGF-β1 protein were statistically significant ( P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in TGF-β1 protein expression in the hypoxic 6 h group ( P=0.03) and no significant difference in FSTL1 protein expression ( P=0.68). Comparison of FSTL1, TGF-β1, CTGF, and VEGF mRNA expression in HUVEC blank control group and 3h hypoxia group, the differences were statistically significant ( F=19.08, 25.12, 22.89, 13.07; P=0.00, 0.00, 0.00, 0.01). Immunofluorescence staining results showed that FSTL1, TGF-β1, CTGF, and VEGF proteins were positively expressed in cells in the 3h hypoxia and 6h hypoxia groups. Conclusion:The expression of FSTL1 gene and protein in serum of PDR patients was significantly higher than that of normal people.

Effects of pyrimidine bundle-binding protein-associated splicing factors on the function of hypoxia-induced human retinal microvascular endothelial cells / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of pyrimidine bundle-binding protein-associated splicing factors (PSF) on the function of hypoxia-induced human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRMECs).Methods:A three-plasmid system was used to construct lentivirus (LV)-PSF. After LV-PSF infected hRMECs in vitro, the infection efficiency was measured by flow cytometry. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of PSF mRNA in hRMECs infected with LV-PSF. The experiment was divided into two parts, in vivo and in vitro. In vivo experiments: 20 healthy C57B/L6 mice at the age of postnatal 7 were randomly divided into normal group, oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) group, OIR+LV-Vec group, and OIR+LV-PSF group, each group has five mice. Mice in 3 groups were constructed with OIR models except the normal group and the mice in OIR group were not treated. The mice in the OIR + LV-Vec group and the OIR+LV-PSF group were injected with an empty vector (LV-Vec) or LV-PSF in the vitreous cavity, respectively. The effect of LV-PSF on the formation of retinal neovascularization (RNV) was observed then. In vitro experiments: hRMECs were divided into normal group, hypoxia group, vector group, and PSF high expression group. HRMECs in the normal group were cultured in vitro; hRMECs in the hypoxic group were restored to normal culture conditions for 3 h after 3 h of hypoxia stimulation; hRMECs in the vector group and PSF high expression group were infected with LV-Vec and LV-PSF for 48 h, and hRMECs were returned to normal culture conditions for 24 h with hypoxia stimulation for 3 h. The effect of PSF on cell proliferation was observed by MTT colorimetry. Cell scratch test and Transwell migration experiment were used to observe the effect of PSF on cell migration ability under hypoxia stimulation. RT-PCR was used to observe the mRNA expression of HIF-1α, VEGF and PSF in each group of cells.Results:The LV-PSF of stably expressing PSF was successfully constructed. The infection efficiency was 97% determined by flow cytometry. The level of PSF mRNA in hRMECs infected with LV-PSF was significantly increased and detected by RT-PCR. In vivo experiments: The RNV area of the mice in the OIR group and the OIR + LV-Vec group was significantly increased compared to the normal group ( t=18.31, 43.71), and the RNV area of the mice in the OIR + LV-PSF group was smaller than that in the OIR group ( t=11.30) and OIR + The LV-Vec group ( t=15.47), and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). In vitro experiments: MTT colorimetry results showed that the proliferative capacity of hRMECs in the hypoxic group was significantly enhanced compared with the normal group ( t=2.57), and the proliferative capacity of hRMECs in the PSF high expression group was significantly lower than that of the normal, hypoxic, and vector groups ( t=5.26, 5.46, 3.73), the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The results of cell scratch test showed that the hRMECs could be stimulated by the hypoxia stimulation for 3 hours to restore the normal condition for 24 hours or 48 hours ( t=8.35, 13.84; P<0.05). Compared with the vector group, cell migration rate in the PSF-high expression group was not significant ( t=10.99, 18.27, 9.75, 8.93, 26.94, 7.01; P<0.05). Transwell experiments showed that the number of cells stained on the microporous membrane was higher in the normal group and the vector groups, while the number of cells stained in the PSF high expression group was significantly reduced ( t=9.33, 6.15; P<0.05). The results of RT-PCR showed that the mRNA expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in hRMECs in the hypoxic and vector groups increased significantly compared with the normal group ( t=15.23, 21.09; P<0.05), but no change in the mRNA expression of PSF ( t=0.12, 2.15; P>0.05); compared with the hypoxia group and the vector group, the HIF-1α and VEGF mRNA expression in hRMECs in the PSF high expression group were significantly decreased ( t=10.18, 13.10; P<0.05), but the PSF mRNA expression increased ( t=65.00, 85.79; P<0.05). Conclusion:PSF can reduce the RNV area in OIR model mice. PSF may inhibit hypoxia-induced proliferation and migration of hRMECs through the HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway.

Application of virus-mediated gene transduction technology in ophthalmology research / 中华眼底病杂志

With the advancement of molecular biology technology and the development of genetics, the viral vector system has been continuously improved and optimized. The viral vector system has gradually become one of the best carriers in ophthalmic gene therapy. Adenovirus vector has the characteristics of transient expression and plays an important role in reducing corneal immune response. Lentiviral vector has the characteristics of stable and high efficiency and can be expressed slowly in the body for a long time.Adeno-associated virus vector has the characteristics of low immunogenicity, high efficiency and precision and can infect a variety of retinal cells. The combined use of adeno-associated virus vector and CRISPR-Cas9 provides new methods for precise treatment of ophthalmic genetic diseases. The advent of viral vectors has significantly increased the potential of gene therapy and has unparalleled advantages over traditional therapies. We have reason to believe that virus-based gene transduction technology will soon achieve clinical application in the near future, and a large number of difficult ophthalmic problems will be solved by then.

Lentivirus-mediated polypyrimidine bundle binding protein-associated splicing factor inhibits retinal neovascularization in mice of oxygen-induced retinopathy / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect oflentivirus-mediated polypyrimidine bundle binding protein-associated splicing factor (PSF) on retinal neovascularization (RNV) in mice model of oxygeninduced retinopathy (OIR).Methods One hundred and twelve 5-day-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal control group,simple OIR model group,OIR model + lentivirus empty vector treatment group (Vec group) and OIR model + PSF lentivirus treatment group (PSF group),with 16,32,32 and 32 mice,respectively.When the mice were 7 days old,the mice in the normal control group were fed in a routine environment,and the mice in the OIR model group,Vec group and PSF group were established OIR model.The mice in the Vec group and PSF group were given an intravitreal injection of 1 μl of lentiviral vector and PSF lentivirus (titer 1 × 10~ TU/ml) at the age of 12 days.No injection was performed in the normal control group and simple OIR group.RNV was evaluated by counting the number of pre-retinal neovascular cells and analysis of non-perfusion area by immunofluorescent staining of the mouse retina.Real-time quantitative PCR was applied to detect the mRNA expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and hemeoxygenase1 (HO-1).Western blot analysis was applied to detect the protein expression ofNrf2,HO-1 and PSF.Results Of the normal control group,simple OIR model group,Vec group and PSF group,the number of pre-retinal neovascular cell nuclei were 0.00,14.36 ± 5.50,15.67 ± 4.96,8.13 ± 2.09,the non-perfusion area were 0.00％,(35.71 ± 2.81)％,(36.57 ± 4.53)％,(15.33 ± 4.75)％,respectively.The differences of the number of pre-retinal neovascular cell nuclei and non-perfusion area among 4 groups were significant (F=24.87,165.70;P＜0.05).Compared with the normal control group,there were more pre-retinal neovascular cell nucleis and larger nonperfusion area in the simple OIR model group and Vec group (P＜0.05).Compared with the simple OIR model group and Vec group,there were lower pre-retinal neovascular cell nucleis and smaller non-perfusion area in the PSF group (P＜0.05).Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot showed that the mRNA expression of Nrf2,HO-1 (F=53.66,83.54) and protein expression ofNrf2,HO-1 and PSF (F=58.38,52.69,24.79) among 4 groups were significant (P＜0.05).The rnRNA expression ofNrf2,HO-1 and protein expression of Nrf2,HO-1 and PSF in the simple OIR model group and Vec group decreased significantly than those in the normal control group (P＜0.05).The mRNA expression ofNrf2,HO-1 and protein expression ofNrf2,HO-1 and PSF in the PSF group were increased significantly than those in the simple OIR model group and Vec group (P＜0.05).model group and Vec group (P＜0.05).Conclusion Intravitreal injection of lentivirus-mediated PSF inhibits RNV in mice model of OIR possibly through up-regulating the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1.