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Expression of mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs in Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells Upon Mechanical Stretch.

ABSTRACT: Purpose:Intraocular pressure (IOP), the primary risk factor for primary open-angle glaucoma, is determined by resistance to aqueous outflow through the trabecular meshwork (TM). IOP homeostasis relies on TM responses to mechanical stretch. To model the effects of elevated IOP on the TM, this study sought to identify coding and non-coding RNAs differentially expressed in response to mechanical stretch. Methods:Monolayers of TM cells from non-glaucomatous donors (n = 5) were cultured in the presence or absence of 15% mechanical stretch, 1 cycle/second, for 24 hours using a computer-controlled Flexcell unit. We profiled mRNAs and lncRNAs with stranded total RNA sequencing and microRNA (miRNA) expression with NanoString-based miRNA assays. We used two-tailed paired t-tests for mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and the Bioconductor limma package for miRNAs. Gene ontology and pathway analyses were performed with WebGestalt. miRNA-mRNA interactions were identified using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis Integrative miRNA Target Finder software. Validation of differential expression was conducted using droplet digital PCR. Results:We identified 219 mRNAs, 42 miRNAs, and 387 lncRNAs with differential expression in TM cells upon cyclic mechanical stretch. Pathway analysis indicated significant enrichment of genes involved in steroid biosynthesis, glycerolipid metabolism, and extracellular matrix-receptor interaction. We also identified several miRNA master regulators (miR-125a-5p, miR-30a-5p, and miR-1275) that regulate several mechanoresponsive genes. Conclusions:To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the differential expression of coding and non-coding RNAs in a single set of cells subjected to cyclic mechanical stretch. Our results validate previously identified, as well as novel, genes and pathways.

SUBMITTER: Youngblood H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7405621 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Expression of mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs in Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells Upon Mechanical Stretch.

Youngblood Hannah H Cai Jingwen J Drewry Michelle D MD Helwa Inas I Hu Eric E Liu Sabrina S Yu Hongfang H Mu Hongmei H Hu Yanzhong Y Perkumas Kristin K Aboobakar Inas F IF Johnson William M WM Stamer W Daniel WD Liu Yutao Y

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science 20200501 5

<h4>Purpose</h4>Intraocular pressure (IOP), the primary risk factor for primary open-angle glaucoma, is determined by resistance to aqueous outflow through the trabecular meshwork (TM). IOP homeostasis relies on TM responses to mechanical stretch. To model the effects of elevated IOP on the TM, this study sought to identify coding and non-coding RNAs differentially expressed in response to mechanical stretch.<h4>Methods</h4>Monolayers of TM cells from non-glaucomatous donors (n = 5) were culture ...[more]

PMID: 32392310

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Project description:To investigate the changes in gene expression induced by cyclic mechanical stress (CMS) in trabecular meshwork (TM) cells.Human TM cultures from three donors were plated on type I collagen-coated flexible silicone bottom plates and subjected to 15% stretching, one cycle per second for 6 h. Non-stressed parallel control cultures were incubated under the same conditions in the absence of CMS. Total RNA from each culture was amplified (1 round of amplification) and hybridized to Operon Human Oligo Arrays version 3.0 (35 K probes). Differences in gene expression induced by CMS were analyzed using Genespring 7.2. quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) was used to confirm changes in the expressions of 12 selected genes. The effects of chemical inhibitors for p38, ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase), JNK (Jun N-terminal kinase), PKA (protein kinase A), PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase), and P2 (purinergic 2) receptors on the induction of MMP3 (matrix metalloproteinase 3), HSP70 (heat shock protein 70), ECSM1 (endothelial cell specific molecule 1), BMP2 (bone morphogenetic protein 2), VEGFC (vascular endothelial growth factor C), and IL-8 (interleukin 8) were evaluated in porcine TM cells subjected to the same regime of CMS as that used in human cells.CMS induced extensive gene expression changes (664 genes, p < or = 0.05) twofold or higher in cultured TM cells. Many of these changes were related to extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and remodeling including the upregulation of two metalloproteinases (MMP3 and MMP10). Cytoskeleton and cell adhesion genes were also affected by CMS as well as genes known to be involved in cellular protection against stress including several members of the HSP70 family. Inhibition of PI3K/AKT and P2 receptors pathways significantly reduced the induction of MMP3 and IL-8 whereas the inhibition of the PKA/cAMP pathway decreased ECSM1 and BMP2.CMS activated many genes that could influence the aqueous humor outflow facility, specifically genes involved in ECM synthesis and remodeling (e.g. MMPs), cytoskeletal organization, and cell adhesion. Induction of MMP3 has the potential to increase the aqueous humor outflow facility and could be part of a homeostatic mechanism involved in the maintenance of normal intraocular pressure (IOP) levels. Other observed changes are more likely to be related to general cellular responses to stress (e.g., HSP70, ECSM1, and BMP2). Although these latter changes may initially help to repair mechanical damage, some of them such as the induction of BMP2 could eventually increase tissue rigidity and compromise the ability of the TM to maintain normal levels of outflow resistance.

Project description:PurposeCells in the trabecular meshwork sense and respond to a myriad of physical forces through a process known as mechanotransduction. Whilst the effect of substratum stiffness or stretch on TM cells have been investigated in the context of transforming growth factor (TGF-β), Wnt and YAP/TAZ pathways, the role of Notch signaling, an evolutionarily conserved pathway, recently implicated in mechanotransduction, has not been investigated in trabecular meshwork (TM) cells. Here, we compare the endogenous expression of Notch pathway molecules in TM cells from glaucomatous and non-glaucomatous donors, segmental flow regions, and when subjected to cyclical strain, or grown on hydrogels of varying rigidity.MethodsPrimary TM from glaucomatous (GTM), non-glaucomatous (NTM) donors, and from segmental flow regions [high flow (HF), low flow (LF)], were utilized between passages 2-6. Cells were (i) plated on tissue culture plastic, (ii) subjected to cyclical strain (6 h and 24 h), or (iii) cultured on 3 kPa and 80 kPa hydrogels. mRNA levels of Notch receptors/ligands/effectors in the TM cells was determined by qRT-PCR. Phagocytosis was determined as a function of substratum stiffness in NTM-HF/LF cells in the presence or absence of 100 nM Dexamethasone treatment.ResultsInnate expression of Notch pathway genes were significantly overexpressed in GTM cells with no discernible differences observed between HF/LF cells in either NTM or GTM cells cultured on plastic substrates. With 6 h of cyclical strain, a subset of Notch pathway genes presented with altered expression. Expression of Notch receptors/ligands/receptors/inhibitors progressively declined with increasing stiffness and this correlated with phagocytic ability of NTM cells. Dexamethasone treatment decreased phagocytosis regardless of stiffness or cells isolated from segmental outflow regions.ConclusionsWe demonstrate here that the Notch expression in cultured TM cells differ intrinsically between GTM vs NTM, and by substratum cues (cyclical strain and stiffness). Of import, the most apparent differences in gene expression were observed as a function of substratum stiffness which closely followed phagocytic ability of cells. Interestingly, on soft substrates (mimicking normal TM stiffness) Notch expression and phagocytosis was highest, while both expression and phagocytosis was significantly lower on stiffer substrates (mimicking glaucomatous stiffness) regardless of DEX treatment. Such context dependent changes suggest Notch pathway may play differing roles in disease vs homeostasis. Studies focused on understanding the mechanistic role of Notch (if any) in outflow homeostasis are thus warranted.

Dataset Information

Expression of mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs in Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells Upon Mechanical Stretch.

Publications

Expression of mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs in Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells Upon Mechanical Stretch.

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