MicroRNAs and cataracts: correlation among let-7 expression, age and the severity of lens opacity

作者：Peng, Chi-Hsien; Liu, Jorn-Hon; Woung, Lin-Chung; Lin, Tzu-Jung; Chiou, Shih-Hwa; Tseng, Po-Chen; Du, Wen-Yuan; Cheng, Cheng-Kuo; Hu, Chao-Chien; Chien, Ke-Hung; Chen, Shih-Jen^*

来源：British Journal of Ophthalmology, 2012, 96(5): 747-751.

DOI：10.1136/bjophthalmol-2011-300585

• CELL-PROLIFERATION
• REGENERATION

Background Let-7 microRNA is an important regulator of cellular ageing and tissue senescence. The objective of this study is to evaluate the expression of let-7a/let-7b/let-7c microRNAs in human age-related cataracts. @@@ Aim To evaluate the correlation among the severity of lens opacity, the level of let-7a/let-7b/let-7c microRNA expression and patient age in the context of age-related cataracts. @@@ Methods The authors evaluated the mRNA level of let7a/let-7b/let-7c microRNA in lens epithelia obtained from 174 eyes with age-related cataracts. The authors also recorded the patient age and the severity of lens opacity as classified according to the modified version of the Lens Opacities Classification System version III. @@@ Results Let-7b microRNA expression was demonstrated to be positively associated with patient age (R=0.472; p<0.001). A positive correlation was also observed between higher N, C and P cataract scores and higher expression of let-7b microRNA in patients with age-related cataracts (p<0.001). However, no significant correlation was observed between the let-7a and let-7c microRNA expression levels and either the severity of lens opacity or the patient age. @@@ Conclusion These findings suggest that microRNAs play a role in age-related cataracts. A local let-7b microRNA increase may represent a risk factor in the formation of age-related cataracts.

• 出版日期2012-5
• 单位长春大学