LGR4 Is a Direct Target of MicroRNA-34a and Modulates the Proliferation and Migration of Retinal Pigment Epithelial ARPE-19 Cells

PLoS One. 2016 Dec 15;11(12):e0168320. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168320. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

The pathology of proliferative vitreoretinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy is linked to proliferation, migration, and adhesion of the retinal pigment epithelium. MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) expression modulates changes in proliferation and migration of retinal pigment epithelial cell line ARPE-19. In this study, we determined that miR-34a interacts with LGR4, identified by bioinformatics using TargetScan Human 5.0, to affect these changes. Double luciferase gene reporter assay confirmed miR-34a involvement in mediating control. miR-34a mimic transfection decreased LGR4 expression. Western blot analysis documented corresponding protein expression inhibition. MTS, Ki67 immunostaining, scratch and transwell testing, along with attachment assay showed that miR-34a upregulation inhibited ARPE-19 cell proliferation, migration and attachment partly through downregulation of LGR4 protein expression. Western blot analysis revealed that both miR-34a upregulation and LGR4 downregulation induced declines in E2F1, p-CDC2, CDK2, CDK4 and CDK6 protein expression. Taken together, miR-34a gene expression upregulation inhibits ARPE-19 cell proliferation, migration and adhesion partly by suppressing LGR4 expression. These results substantiate earlier indications that both miR-34a and LGR4 are potential drug targets to prevent fibrosis in a clinical setting.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement / genetics*
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics*
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / physiology*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics*
  • Retinal Pigment Epithelium / cytology
  • Retinal Pigment Epithelium / metabolism*
  • Retinal Pigment Epithelium / physiology*
  • Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative / genetics
  • Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative / pathology

Substances

  • LGR4 protein, human
  • MIRN34 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled

Grants and funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China Grant 81100671, Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China Grant LY16H120009 and Y2110609 for Q.Hou.