Plasma-aqueous dual-fluid NEAT1/miR-93-5p axis may be involved in retinal ganglion cell degeneration in glaucoma: mechanistic dissection and diagnostic model construction

The progressive degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) is the primary pathological characteristic of glaucoma. The role of the NEAT1/miR-93-5p axis, a crucial part of the ceRNA network, in the plasma-aqueous dual-fluid of glaucoma and its regulatory mechanism for RGC degeneration remain unclear. Patients with glaucoma and those with simple cataracts had their plasma and aqueous humor (AH) samples taken. The expressions of NEAT1 and miR-93-5p were detected by qRT-PCR. The Pearson correlation analysis method was used to examine the expression correlation in the plasma-aqueous dual-fluid. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent factors associated with the disease state. To investigate the regulatory effects of the NEAT1/miR-93-5p axis on cell viability, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress, a NaIO₃-induced cell damage model was built. In comparison to the control group, glaucoma patients had significantly higher levels of NEAT1 in their plasma and AH, significantly lower levels of miR-93-5p, and a negative correlation between NEAT1 and miR-93-5p. NEAT1 and miR-93-5p are independent factors related to the pathological state of glaucoma. According to cell experiments, high NEAT1 expression would inhibit cell viability, promotes the release of inflammatory factors. Silencing NEAT1 can reverse this damage, and this regulatory effect may be mediated by miR-93-5p. The NEAT1/miR-93-5p axis in plasma may potentially serve as a biomarker for the diagnosis of glaucoma.