Abstract
BackgroundAbnormal proliferation, metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) of lens epithelial cells (LECs) are direct factors of posterior capsular opacification (PCO). Nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) has been shown to promote cell proliferation, metastasis and EMT, but whether it affects the progression of PCO is unclear.MethodsThe expression of NEAT1, microRNA-486-5p (miR-486-5p) and Drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic 4 (SMAD4) was determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The proliferation of cells was measured via 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2 thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Transwell assay was employed to detect the migration and invasion of cells. The levels of EMT marker proteins, SMAD4 protein and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/SMAD signaling pathway-related proteins were assessed by western blot (WB) analysis. Further, the relationship between miR-486-5p and NEAT1 or SMAD4 was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay and biotin-labeled RNA pull-down assay.ResultsNEAT1 is upregulated and miR-486-5p is downregulated in the posterior capsular tissues of PCO patients and TGF-β2-induced LECs. Interference of NEAT1 reverses the promoting effect of TGF-β2 on the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of LECs. MiR-486-5p can be sponged by NEAT1, and its inhibitor reverses the suppression effect of NEAT1 silencing on the progression of TGF-β2-induced LECs. SMAD4 functions as a target of miR-486-5p, and its overexpression recovers the inhibition effect of miR-486-5p overexpression on the progression of TGF-β2-induced LECs. The activity of the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway is regulated by the NEAT1/miR-486-5p/SMAD4 axis.ConclusionOur study shows that NEAT1 has a positive effect on the progression of PCO and is expected to become a new target for PCO treatment.
Highlights
Abnormal proliferation, metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) of lens epithelial cells (LECs) are direct factors of posterior capsular opacification (PCO)
Depletion of Nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) suppresses the biological functions of transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2)-stimulated LECs; 2
The NEAT1/miR-486-5p/Drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic 4 (SMAD4) axis regulates the activity of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/SMAD signaling pathway
Summary
Metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) of lens epithelial cells (LECs) are direct factors of posterior capsular opacification (PCO). Nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) has been shown to promote cell proliferation, metastasis and EMT, but whether it affects the progression of PCO is unclear. Modern secondary cataract mainly refers to posterior capsular opacification (PCO) [2, 3]. Current studies suggest that the proliferation, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) of lens epithelial cells (LECs) are the key factors for PCO formation [4, 5]. The EMT process of LECs plays a central role in the formation of PCO, which can lead to cell adhesion and loss of the apicalbasal polarity of the mesenchymal phenotype, leading to the production of fibroblasts [6, 7]. At present, transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2)induced LECs are considered to be an effective way to construct an in vitro model of PCO [8, 9], which provides a convenient experimental model for us to carry out relevant research on PCO
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