Project description:BACKGROUND:Epigenetic factors, such as microRNAs, are important regulators in the self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells and progenies. Here we investigated the microRNAs expressed in human limbal-peripheral corneal (LPC) epithelia containing corneal epithelial progenitor cells (CEPCs) and early transit amplifying cells, and their role in corneal epithelium. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:Human LPC epithelia was extracted for small RNAs or dissociated for CEPC culture. By Agilent Human microRNA Microarray V2 platform and GeneSpring GX11.0 analysis, we found differential expression of 18 microRNAs against central corneal (CC) epithelia, which were devoid of CEPCs. Among them, miR-184 was up-regulated in CC epithelia, similar to reported finding. Cluster miR-143/145 was expressed strongly in LPC but weakly in CC epithelia (P?=?0.0004, Mann-Whitney U-test). This was validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Locked nucleic acid-based in situ hybridization on corneal rim cryosections showed miR-143/145 presence localized to the parabasal cells of limbal epithelium but negligible in basal and superficial epithelia. With holoclone forming ability, CEPCs transfected with lentiviral plasmid containing mature miR-145 sequence gave rise to defective epithelium in organotypic culture and had increased cytokeratin-3/12 and connexin-43 expressions and decreased ABCG2 and p63 compared with cells transfected with scrambled sequences. Global gene expression was analyzed using Agilent Whole Human Genome Oligo Microarray and GeneSpring GX11.0. With a 5-fold difference compared to cells with scrambled sequences, miR-145 up-regulated 324 genes (containing genes for immune response) and down-regulated 277 genes (containing genes for epithelial development and stem cell maintenance). As validated by qPCR and luciferase reporter assay, our results showed miR-145 suppressed integrin ?8 (ITGB8) expression in both human corneal epithelial cells and primary CEPCs. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE:We found expression of miR-143/145 cluster in human corneal epithelium. Our results also showed that miR-145 regulated the corneal epithelium formation and maintenance of epithelial integrity, via ITGB8 targeting.
Project description:This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series: GSE24979: MicroRNA-145 Regulates Human Corneal Epithelial Differentiation [Agilent-016436 array data] GSE24980: MicroRNA-145 Regulates Human Corneal Epithelial Differentiation [Agilent-014850 array data] Refer to individual Series
Project description:To investigate the microRNA expression in human limbal-peripheral corneal (LPC) epithelia containing corneal epithelial progenitor cells (CEPCs) and early transit amplifying cells, we have employed Human microRNA Microarray V2 (Agilent) as a screening platform to identify specific microRNAs. We discovered a differential expression of 18 microRNAs against central corneal (CC) epithelia, which contains late transit amplifying cells and terminally differentiated cells. Among them, cluster miR-143/145 was expressed strongly in LPC but at low levels in CC epithelia and this was validated by real-time PCR and locked nucleic acid-based in situ hybridization. LPC and CC epithelia, separated by 1-mm in width, were dissected from human cornea for small RNA extraction. Total RNA was extracted by Trizol/chloroform and purified with RNeasy mini spin column. RNA samples with 28S/18S ratios in the range of 1.4 to 1.8 were used for microRNA profiling using an Agilent Human microRNA Microarray V2 platform.
Project description:To investigate the gene expression in human corneal epithelial overexpressing hsa-miR-145 by transfection , we have employed Whole Human Genome Oligo Microarray (Agilent) as a screening platform to identify gene regulation. We discovered a differential gene expression in HCE cells transfected with hsa-mIR-145 against cells with scrambled sequences. Among them, genes related with corneal development, integrity, differentiation and inflammatory responses were found and this was validated by real-time PCR. HCE cells transfected with hsa-miR-145 or scrambled sequences were collected at 24 hours after transfection. Total RNA was extracted by Trizol/chloroform and purified with RNeasy mini spin column. RNA samples with 28S/18S ratios in the range of 1.4 to 1.8 were used for expression RNA profiling using Whole Human Genome Oligo Microarray (Agilent).
Project description:To investigate the gene expression in human corneal epithelial overexpressing hsa-miR-145 by transfection , we have employed Whole Human Genome Oligo Microarray (Agilent) as a screening platform to identify gene regulation. We discovered a differential gene expression in HCE cells transfected with hsa-mIR-145 against cells with scrambled sequences. Among them, genes related with corneal development, integrity, differentiation and inflammatory responses were found and this was validated by real-time PCR.
Project description:To investigate the microRNA expression in human limbal-peripheral corneal (LPC) epithelia containing corneal epithelial progenitor cells (CEPCs) and early transit amplifying cells, we have employed Human microRNA Microarray V2 (Agilent) as a screening platform to identify specific microRNAs. We discovered a differential expression of 18 microRNAs against central corneal (CC) epithelia, which contains late transit amplifying cells and terminally differentiated cells. Among them, cluster miR-143/145 was expressed strongly in LPC but at low levels in CC epithelia and this was validated by real-time PCR and locked nucleic acid-based in situ hybridization.