MicroRNA-425-5p Is Involved in the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy and Regulates the Proliferation and Migration of Retinal Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The objective of this article was to detect the expression pattern and clinical value of miR-425-5p in diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients and investigate its effect on the proliferation and migration of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) in a high glucose (HG) state. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The serum miR-425-5p level of the subjects was determined using quantitative real-time PCR. The diagnostic value of serum miR-425-5p was validated using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Pearson analysis detected the correlation between clinical indicators and microRNA. The influence of miR-425-5p on cell proliferation and migration under HG conditions was calculated by using Cell Counting Kit-8 and Transwell assay. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Serum miR-425-5p levels showed a gradual increasing trend in the healthy control group, the diabetic mellitus patients without DR, and DR patients. Moreover, the levels of miR-425-5p in proliferative DR (PDR) patients were elevated than that of non-PDR (NPDR) patients. Furthermore, upregulated miR-425-5p had a high diagnostic value for DR patients and can distinguish PDR patients from NPDR patients. The expression of miR-425-5p was significantly positively correlated with the fasting plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and disease course of the patients. Under HG conditions, overexpression of miR-425-5p promoted HRMEC proliferation and migration, while inhibition of miR-425-5p led to opposite results. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Present research confirmed that serum miR-425-5p levels in DR are marked by elevation. High expression of miR-425-5p can be used as a feasible diagnostic biomarker for DR patients and can predict the development and severity of DR. Moreover, inhibiting the expression of miR-425-5p levels under the condition of hyperglycemia may be used as a valuable therapeutic strategy for preventing the pathogenesis of DR.