Analysis of miRNA signatures in eyes with EAU in rat

MicroRNAs(MiRNAs)是近年来出现的一种非编码、21-24个核苷酸的长RNA，是基因表达的重要转录后调节因子。在本研究中，我们观察了视网膜miRNA在大鼠EAU发生发展过程中的表达变化。EAU患者房水中IL-1β和MCP-1的表达在第14天达到高峰。基因芯片分析显示，视网膜组织中mir-223、142、21和146的表达在第14天比第0天升高，这些miRNAs的表达在第21天下降，而mir-181、183、124和331的表达在第14天降低。MiRNA的表达变化与EAU的临床病程平行。这些结果提示，这些上调或下调的miRNAs可能参与了大鼠EAU的发生和调控。

Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding, 21-24 nucleotide long RNAs that have recently emerged as important posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression. In the present study, we investigated the changes of miRNA expression of retina during the development of EAU in rats. Inflammation in anterior segment by biomicroscopic evaluation peaked on day 14. The expression of IL-1beta and MCP-1 in aqueous humor from eyes with EAU peaked on day 14. Microarray analysis demonstrated that the expression of mir-223, 142, 21, and 146 in retina was elevated on day 14 than on day 0 (baseline), and the expression of these miRNAs declined on day 21, whereas the expression of mir-181, 183, 124, and 331 was reduced on day 14. These results were confirmed by qRT-PCR method. The changes of miRNA expression paralleled clinical course of EAU in rat. These findings suggest that these up-regulated or down-regulated miRNAs may contribute to the development and regulation of EAU in rat.