Role of lncRNA NEAT1 mediated by YY1 in the development of diabetic cataract via targeting the microRNA-205-3p/MMP16 axis

Y. Li, S.-H. Jiang, S. Liu, Q. Wang

Shandong University, Jinan, China. bywq001@126.com

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• Ophthalmology

OBJECTIVE: We aimed at investigating the possible role and mechanism of NEAT1 in the pathogenesis of diabetic cataract.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: YY1 and NEAT1 expressions in anterior lens capsule collected from diabetic cataract (DC) patients and normal controls were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis, and their correlation was analyzed. The binding site between YY1 and NEAT1 sequences was predicted by JASPAR and detected by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. The proliferation and apoptosis of high-glucose-induced cells with NEAT1 knockdown were detected. Potential downstream targets of NEAT1 were predicted by bioinformatics and detected by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS: YY1 and NEAT1 expressions in the anterior capsule tissue of DC lens were remarkably reduced and positively correlated. Dual-Luciferase reporter assay and ChIP confirmed that YY1 could bind to locus 2 of NEAT1. Knockdown of NEAT1 inhibited proliferation while promoted apoptosis under high glucose conditions. Further mechanism studies revealed that knockdown of NEAT1 could upregulate microRNA-205-3p, and MMP16 was a potential target of miR-205.

CONCLUSIONS: The low expression of YY1 induces NEAT1 downregulation, which regulates microRNA-205-3p/MMP16 axis and thus participates in the development of DC.

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