Differentially Expressed MicroRNAs in the Development of Early Diabetic Retinopathy

Figure 5

SP1 might represent a previously unknown target of miR-125b and suppression of high levels of SP1 expression by miR-125b in RPE cells under hyperglycemia. (a) Three representative predicted seed regions of miR-125b in the 3′ UTR of SP1 mRNA. (b) Expression of miR-125b was significantly increased after transfection with an miR-125b mimic (as compared to levels after transfection with a scramble-control miRNA) in RPE cells cultured under HG exposure. Lipofectamine did not affect miR-125b expression. (c, d) Hyperglycemia-induced increases in SP1 levels in RPE cells were alleviated by miR-125b upregulations, which was confirmed by (c) western blot and (d) quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Endogenous β-actin was used as a reference for protein expression, and SP1 mRNA level was normalized relative to PPIA mRNA level. , compared with NG; ^#; ^##, compared with scramble control.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)