advertisement
Abstract #95381 Published in IGR 22-2
CircRNA expression profile and functional analysis in retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury
Yao MD; Zhu Y; Zhang QY; Zhang HY; Li XM; Li XM; Jiang Q; Yan B; Yan BGenomics 2021; 113: 1482-1490
Retinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is involved in the pathogenesis of many vision-threatening diseases. circRNAs act as key players in gene regulation and human diseases. However, the global circRNA expression profile in retinal I/R injury has not been fully uncovered. Herein, we established a murine model of retinal I/R injury and performed circRNA microarrays to identify I/R-related circRNAs. 1265 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified between I/R retinas and normal retinas. Notably, the detection of cWDR37 level in aqueous humor could discriminate glaucoma patients from cataract patients (AUC = 0.9367). cWdr37 silencing protected against hypoxic stress- or oxidative stress-induced retinal ganglion cell (RGC) injury. cWdr37 silencing alleviated IR-induced retinal neurodegeneration as shown by increased NeuN staining, reduced retinal reactive gliosis, and decreased retinal apoptosis. Collectively, this study provides a novel insight into the pathogenesis of retinal I/R injury. cWdr37 is a promising target for the diagnosis or treatment of I/R-related ocular diseases.
The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Full article