miR‑23a‑3p regulates the proliferation and apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells by targeting Bcl‑2 in an <em>in vitro</em> model of cataracts

Yao,Pengxiang; Jiang,Jian; Ma,Xiaoping; Chen,Zhenzhong; Hong,Yufang; Wu,Yang

doi:10.3892/etm.2021.9853

miR‑23a‑3p regulates the proliferation and apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells by targeting Bcl‑2 in an in vitro model of cataracts

Authors:
- Pengxiang Yao
- Jian Jiang
- Xiaoping Ma
- Zhenzhong Chen
- Yufang Hong
- Yang Wu
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Affiliations: Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen Branch, Fudan University, Xiamen, Fujian 361000, P.R. China, Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, P.R. China
Published online on: February 26, 2021 https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.9853
Article Number: 436
Copyright: © Yao et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Cataracts account for ~50% of the cases of blindness in individuals worldwide. The apoptosis of lens epithelial cells (LECs) occurs during the formation of cataracts, which is a non‑congenital condition. Numerous microRNAs (miRs) have been reported to regulate apoptosis in LECs. For instance, miR‑23a expression levels were shown to be upregulated in cataractous lenses; however, the function of miR‑23a in cataracts remains undetermined. To establish an in vitro model of cataracts, human LECs, HLE‑B3 cells, were induced with 200 µmol/l H₂O₂ for 24 h. HLE‑B3 cells were transfected with the miR‑negative control (NC) mimic, miR‑23a‑3p mimic, miR‑NC inhibitor, miR‑23a‑3p inhibitor, small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting BCL2 (siRNA‑BCL2) and siRNA‑NC. The expression levels of miR‑23a‑3p were detected using reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR. The interaction between miR‑23a‑3p and the 3'‑untranslated region (UTR) of the target mRNA BCL2 was predicted by TargetScan 7.1, and further validated using a dual luciferase reporter assay. The BCL2 protein expression levels were analyzed using western blotting, cell proliferation was determined using a CCK‑8 assay and the levels of cell apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometric analysis. The results of the present study revealed that the expression levels of miR‑23a‑3p were significantly upregulated, while the expression levels of BCL2 were significantly downregulated in H₂O₂‑induced HLE‑B3 cells compared to untreated control cells. BCL2 was shown to be a target of miR‑23a‑3p. The miR‑23a‑3p inhibitor subsequently attenuated H₂O₂‑induced apoptosis and increased the proliferation of HLE‑B3 cells, which was partially reversed by siRNA‑BCL2. In conclusion, the findings of the current study suggested that the inhibition of miR‑23a‑3p may attenuate H₂O₂‑induced cataract formation by targeting BCL2, thus providing a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of patients with cataracts in the clinic.

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