SMALL AND DANGEROUS: MICRORNA-21 AND BLINDNESS

Date

2/13/2019

Authors

Rajpurohit, Shubhra

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Abstract

Retinal neovascularization (RNV) is a potentially blinding condition characterized by the development of small, leaky, abnormal, blood vessels in the retina. This occurs as a consequence of retinal ischemia, which promotes the release of angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). MicroRNAs (miRs) are non-coding RNA involved in post-transcriptional regulation of genes resulting in the blockade of their expression. MiRs are key players in a wide range of biological processes such as cell differentiation, neurogenesis, viral infection, immunity, and hypoxia. More specifically, microRNA-21 (miR-21) is upregulated in many pathological conditions including cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Previously, we have shown that microRNA-21 (miR-21) is a downstream effector of the transcription factor Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) in retinal endothelial microvascular cells. Here, we will identify new therapeutic targets as well as diagnostic tools to prevent retinal neovascularization and, potentially, other ocular diseases. One well-known retinal angiostatic factor is pigmented epithelium-derived factor (PEDF). Increased miR-21 expression in the ischemic retina affects PEDF �gene� expression. Interestingly, miR-21 is known to inhibit the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR?). PPAR? is a transcription factor for PEDF; therefore, increased miR-21 level in the ischemic retina could lead to inhibition of PPR alpha expression and consequent inhibition of PEDF expression.

Description

Presentation given at the 20th Annual Phi Kappa Phi Student Research and Fine Arts Conference

Keywords

Retinal Neovascularization, MicroRNA-21, PEDF, PPARa

Citation

DOI