Abstract
Recent advances have suggested that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are differentially expressed in ocular tissues and play a critical role in the pathogenesis of different types of eye diseases. Here, we summarize the functions and mechanisms of known aberrantly-expressed lncRNAs and present a brief overview of relevant reports about lncRNAs in such ocular diseases as glaucoma, proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), diabeticretinopathy (DR), and ocular tumors. We intend to highlight comprehensive studies that provide detailed data about the mechanisms of lncRNAs, their applications as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers, and their potential therapeutic targets. Although our understanding of lncRNAs is still in its infancy, these examples may provide helpful insights into the methods by which lncRNAs interfere with ocular diseases.
Highlights
The dramatically increasing prevalence of ocular disorders worldwide, including ocular diseases that lead to visual impairment and eventual blindness, such as glaucoma, retinal degeneration, and ocular tumors, will likely continue, in underdeveloped countries and in developed regions
The occurrence and development of eye diseases have been primarily attributed to specific gene mutations, such as RB1 for retinoblastoma [2,3] and GNAQ, GNA11, EIF1AX, SF3B1, BAP1, and PLCB4 for uveal melanoma [4,5,6,7]
Several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in eye development, includingVax2os1, retinal noncoding RNA 2 (RNCR2), Six3OS, Tug1, and MALAT1
Summary
The dramatically increasing prevalence of ocular disorders worldwide, including ocular diseases that lead to visual impairment and eventual blindness, such as glaucoma, retinal degeneration, and ocular tumors, will likely continue, in underdeveloped countries and in developed regions. LncRNAs are recognized as transcripts that are longer than 200 nucleotides and that structurally resemble mRNA but have little or no protein-coding potential. Certain lncRNAs that overlap with, or are antisense transcribed to, protein-coding genes are defined as sense or antisense. A lncRNA may guide or sequester transcription factors to bind to a specific site of action, or it may interact with multiple components, thereby repressing or activating gene expression [18,19,20]. Some lncRNAs may affect gene expression through post-transcriptional events [21]. Defining the functions and potential mechanisms of lncRNAs has been the focus of recent and intense research. Several lncRNAs have been implicated in common ocular diseases, such as corneal vascularization, glaucoma, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, and ocular tumors, among others. CN: corneal neovascularization; POAG: primary open angle glaucoma; PVR: proliferative vitreoretinopathy; DR: diabetic retinopathy; CNV: choroidal neovascularization; RB: retinoblastoma; UM: uveal melanoma; NG: not given
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