MicroRNA-137 regulates hypoxia-induced retinal ganglion cell apoptosis through Notch1

  • Authors:
    • Haiyan Li
    • Zhongqiao Zhu
    • Jianrong Liu
    • Jianzhou Wang
    • Chaoyi Qu
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: December 12, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2017.3319
  • Pages: 1774-1782
Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

The apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) is a hallmark of several optic neuropathies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recently identified regulators of various biological processes. However, the role of miRNAs in regulating RGC apoptosis remains largely unknown. We herein aimed to demonstrate that miR-137 acts as a hypoxia-responsive gene in RGCs that is downregulated under hypoxic conditions. It was observed that overexpression of miR-137 markedly aggravated hypoxia-induced cell apoptosis, whereas inhibition of miR-137 effectively protected RGCs against hypoxia-induced apoptosis. Hypoxia induced Notch1 expression and signaling activation, while blocking Notch signaling significantly aggravated hypoxia-induced cell apoptosis. Further data revealed that the pro-survival Akt signaling pathway was involved in miR-137-Notch signaling pathway-mediated RGC protection. Knockdown of Notch significantly reversed the effect of anti‑miR-137 on RGC protection and Akt signaling activation. In addition, blocking Akt signaling also significantly abrogated the protective effect of anti-miR-137 on hypoxia-induced cell injury. Overall, the results of the present study demonstrated that miR-137 targets Notch1 expression, revealing a novel link between miR-137 and Notch signaling, and suggesting that a miR-137/Notch1 axis may serve as a potential molecular target for the treatment of hypoxia-induced retinal diseases.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

March-2018
Volume 41 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Li H, Zhu Z, Liu J, Wang J and Qu C: MicroRNA-137 regulates hypoxia-induced retinal ganglion cell apoptosis through Notch1. Int J Mol Med 41: 1774-1782, 2018
APA
Li, H., Zhu, Z., Liu, J., Wang, J., & Qu, C. (2018). MicroRNA-137 regulates hypoxia-induced retinal ganglion cell apoptosis through Notch1. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 41, 1774-1782. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2017.3319
MLA
Li, H., Zhu, Z., Liu, J., Wang, J., Qu, C."MicroRNA-137 regulates hypoxia-induced retinal ganglion cell apoptosis through Notch1". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 41.3 (2018): 1774-1782.
Chicago
Li, H., Zhu, Z., Liu, J., Wang, J., Qu, C."MicroRNA-137 regulates hypoxia-induced retinal ganglion cell apoptosis through Notch1". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 41, no. 3 (2018): 1774-1782. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2017.3319