Evaluation of microRNA responses in ARPE-19 cells against the oxidative stress.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine microRNA (miRNA) expression profile of human retinal pigment epithelium cell (ARPE-19) against the oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (HO).

Methods: ARPE-19 cells were incubated with different concentrations of HO (200, 600 and 800 μM) for 18 h, and then cell viability, vascular endothelial growth factor levels and total oxidant status were evaluated. Expressions of 1152 miRNA were determined by quantitative real-time PCR in each group.

Results: Expressions of 90 miRNA were significantly changed in the ARPE-19 cells incubated with HO compared to control group. However, miR-143-3p was only found to be expressed in groups incubated with HO. While 24 miRNA (hsa-miR-200c-3p, miR-192-5p, miR-194-5p, miR-141-3p, miR-658, miR-18 b-5p, miR-486-5p, miR-525-3p, miR-493-3p, miR-518d-3p, miR-29 b-1-5p, miR-675-3p, miR-1238-3p, miR-195-3p, miR-1539, miR-490-5p, miR-3200-5p, miR-1273d, miR-130a-5p, miR-30 b-5p, miR-1247-5p, miR-1910-5p, miR27a-5p and miR-200 b-3p) upregulated due to the increased dose of HO, nine miRNA (hsa-miR-96-5p, miR-33a-5p, miR-345-5p, miR-106 b-3p, miR-1285-3p, miR-23 b-5p, miR-27 b-5p, miR-103a-3p and miR-4289) were also found to be downregulated.

Conclusion: This study suggests that oxidative stress may be an important factor on expression of miRNAs in ARPE-19 cells. These miRNAs may have a role in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration related to oxidative stress. However, this relationship needs to be examined in new studies by evaluation of pathways and target genes.