Hsa-miR-485-3p Can Be Involved in the Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy by Targeting IL1RN

This article aimed to study the molecular mechanism of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and find new targets for the treatment of DR. IL1RN and hsa-miR-485-3p were screened the key molecules using bioinformatics means. Western blot or RT-qPCR results showed a high expression of hsa-miR-485-3p and a low IL1RN expression in high glucose (HG)-treated human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) and DR patients. The dual luciferase reporter assay verified the targeting relationship of hsa-miR-485-3p to IL1RN, and up-regulating hsa-miR-485-3p hindered IL1RN expression. The Annexin-V/PI and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) assay displayed that HG induced HREC apoptosis and broke the tight connection function between cells. These effects of HG on HRECs were exacerbated by hsa-miR-485-3p upregulation and were attenuated by IL1RN overexpression. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and binary logistic regression analysis showed that hsa-miR-485-3p was a risk for progression to DR in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), while IL1RN was a potential protective factor. In a word, hsa-miR-485-3p was involved in the development of DR by regulating IL1RN, and they have certain diagnostic value, indicating that they may be novel biomarkers of DR.