Expression of miR-181a and TGF-β2 in lens epithelial cells of patients with cataractous retinal detachment and its clinical significance

Expression and clinical significance of miR-181a and TGF-β2 in lens epithelial cells of patients with cataract-induced retinal detachment were investigated. Forty patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment combined with age-related cataract (cast-off group) and another 40 patients with simple age-related cataract (non-exfoliated group) in Tongren Hospital were enrolled between January 2017 and June 2018. Lens epithelial cells were collected, and expression levels of miR-181a and TGF-β2 mRNA in lens epithelial cells were measured by RT-qPCR. Expression of protein was detected by western blot analysis. miR-181a overexpression vector (miR-181a-mimic group) was constructed and transfected into lens epithelial cells isolated from patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment combined with age-related cataract. Empty vector (miR-control group) transfection was performed. Untransfected lens epithelial cells were the control group. Independent sample t-test was performed for comparison between groups. Correlation between miR-181a and TGF-β2 protein expression levels was analyzed by Pearson's correlation analysis. Relative expression level of miR-181a in the non-exfoliated group was significantly higher than that in the cast-off group (P<0.05). Relative expression levels of TGF-β2 mRNA and TGF-β2 protein in the cast-off group were significantly higher than those in the non-exfoliated group (P<0.05). Relative expression level of E-cadherin in the miR-control group was significantly lower than that in the miR-181a-mimic group (P<0.05). Relative expression level of vimentin in the miR-control group was significantly higher than that in the miR-181a-mimic group (P<0.05). Relative expression level of TGF-β2 protein in the miR-control group was significantly higher than that in the miR-181a-mimic group (P<0.05). The expression level of miR-181a was negatively correlated with the expression level of TGF-β2 protein (r= −0.875, P<0.001). miR-181a expression is decreased, while TGF-β2 expression is increased in lens epithelial cells of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment combined with age-related cataract. Over-expression of miR-181a may inhibit epithelial cell epithelial-inhibition by inhibiting TGF-β2 expression. Our findings may provide guidance for future postoperative prevention and treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in cataract patients.