Role of microRNA-21 in the occurrence and development of ophthalmic diseases / 中华实验眼科杂志

ABSTRACT

MicroRNA (miRNA) is a short noncoding RNA, which can regulate gene expression.miR-21 is one of the human miRNAs identified earlier.As an oncovirus, it is involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene and plays important roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation.In addition, miR-21 promotes inflammatory responses and also plays a key role in regulating the function of immune system.Recent studies have shown that miR-21 could be detected in corneal fibroblasts cells, retinal pigment epithelial cells, retinal microvascular endothelial cells, retinal microglia and other eye-derived cells.Furthermore, miR-21 plays an important part in the development of various eye diseases including retinoblastoma, uveal melanoma, corneal alkali burn, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, diabetic retinopathy and uveitis.Further studies have shown that inhibited expression of miR-21 can treat retinoblastoma and rescue vision loss caused by corneal neovascularization and diabetic retinopathy, while overexpression of miR-21 can promote corneal epithelial healing and treat primary open-angle glaucoma and retinal degeneration.This review summarized the recent research progress of the role of miR-21 in eye diseases.