Circular RNA HIPK3 regulates human lens epithelial cell dysfunction by targeting the miR-221-3p/PI3K/AKT pathway in age-related cataract.

Circular RNA HIPK3 regulates human lens epithelial cell dysfunction by targeting the miR-221-3p/PI3K/AKT pathway in age-related cataract. Exp Eye Res. 2020 Jul 15;:108128 Authors: Cui G, Wang L, Huang W Abstract Circular RNA Homeodomain Interacting Protein Kinase 3 (circHIPK3) was found to involve in the pathogenesis of age-related cataract (ARC). Here, we further disclosed the related target genes and molecular mechanism of circHIPK3 in the ARC progression. The expression of circHIPK3, microRNA (miR)-221-3p was detected using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Human lens epithelial cell (HLEC) proliferation and apoptosis were measured by 3-(4, 5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3, 5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Western blot was used to detect the levels of apoptosis-related proteins, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/p-protein kinase B (AKT) pathway-related proteins. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) were measured by kits. The interaction between miR-221-3p and circHIPK3 was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. CircHIPK3 was down-regulated while miR-221-3p was up-regulated in human lens epithelium samples of ARC patients. CircHIPK3 up-regulation or miR-221-3p down-regulation mediated the promotion of proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, decrease of MDA level as well as increase of GSH-PX level in ...
Source: Experimental Eye Research - Category: Opthalmology Authors: Tags: Exp Eye Res Source Type: research