Zhang Kaiyun, Chen Li, Qu Laiqiang, Yan Hong
Shaanxi Eye Hospital, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital), Affiliated People's Hospital of Northwest University, No. 21 Jiefang Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710004, China.
Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2025 Jan 6. doi: 10.1007/s00417-024-06723-3.
Age-related cataract (ARC) remains one of the leading causes of blindness globally. Despite the satisfactory outcomes of surgical interventions, significant disparities in access to medical care prevent many patients from receiving effective treatment. Thus, identifying reliable biomarkers and therapeutic targets to expand treatment options for ARC is essential. Recent evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a role in the development of cataracts and may serve as promising biomarkers. Consequently, this study aims to investigate miRNAs' levels and potential functions in ARC.
We conducted a meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines by searching three databases from inception to March 31, 2023. The quality of the articles was assessed using the NOS. Subsequently, the targets of the miRNAs identified in the meta-analysis were predicted using six databases, and their GO functions and KEGG pathway enrichment information were analyzed via DAVID.
An initial search yielded 225 publications, from which 22 miRNAs across 37 studies were selected for our meta-analysis. We identified eight differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) in ARC, comprising two up-regulated miRNAs (miR-124 and miR-125a) and six down-regulated miRNAs (miR-15a, miR-23b, miR-34a, miR-221, miR-222, and miR-378a). A total of 972 targets for these miRNAs have been confirmed, and subsequent bioinformatics analysis has revealed their potential functions and pathways in various ARC-related processes.
This study indicates that eight differentially expressed miRNAs (miRNA-15a, miRNA-23b, miRNA-34a, miRNA-124, miRNA-125a, miRNA-221, miRNA-222, and miRNA-378a) may serve as biomarkers for ARC. Bioinformatics analyses suggest varied potential roles for each miRNA, providing a framework for future research in ARC. This systematic evaluation represents the initial depiction of the miRNA-biomarker landscape in ARC.
What is known MicroRNAs(miRNAs) could serve as biomarkers for age-related cataract(ARC) since their abundances are associated with ARC and can play a role in cataractogenesis. However, existing studies have reported inconsistent results regarding the miRNA level in ARC. Therefore, achieving a consensus on the role of miRNAs in ARC is essential to clarify their involvement. What is new This study suggested that eight differentially expressed miRNAs (miRNA-15a, miRNA-23b, miRNA-34a, miRNA-124, miRNA-125a, miRNA-221, miRNA-222, and miRNA-378a) may serve as biomarkers for ARC. Our bioinformatics analysis identified various potential roles for each miRNA, which could guide future research on ARC.
年龄相关性白内障（ARC）仍然是全球失明的主要原因之一。尽管手术干预取得了令人满意的效果，但在获得医疗服务方面存在显著差异，这使得许多患者无法接受有效治疗。因此，确定可靠的生物标志物和治疗靶点以扩大ARC的治疗选择至关重要。最近的证据表明，微小RNA（miRNA）在白内障的发生发展中起作用，可能是有前景的生物标志物。因此，本研究旨在探讨miRNA在ARC中的水平及其潜在功能。
我们按照PRISMA指南进行了一项荟萃分析，从数据库建立至2023年3月31日搜索了三个数据库。使用NOS评估文章质量。随后，使用六个数据库预测荟萃分析中鉴定出的miRNA的靶标，并通过DAVID分析其GO功能和KEGG通路富集信息。
初步搜索得到225篇出版物，从中选择了37项研究中的22种miRNA进行我们的荟萃分析。我们在ARC中鉴定出8种差异表达的miRNA（DEmiRNA），包括2种上调的miRNA（miR-124和miR-125a）和6种下调的miRNA（miR-15a、miR-23b、miR-34a、miR-221、miR-222和miR-378a）。这些miRNA共有972个靶标得到确认，随后的生物信息学分析揭示了它们在各种ARC相关过程中的潜在功能和途径。
本研究表明，8种差异表达的miRNA（miRNA-15a、miRNA-23b、miRNA-34a、miRNA-124、miRNA-125a、miRNA-221、miRNA-222和miRNA-378a）可能作为ARC的生物标志物。生物信息学分析表明每种miRNA具有多种潜在作用，为ARC的未来研究提供了框架。这种系统评价代表了ARC中miRNA生物标志物格局的初步描绘。
已知内容 微小RNA（miRNA）可作为年龄相关性白内障（ARC）的生物标志物，因为它们的丰度与ARC相关且可在白内障形成中发挥作用。然而，现有研究报道的ARC中miRNA水平的结果并不一致。因此，就miRNA在ARC中的作用达成共识对于阐明它们的参与情况至关重要。新内容 本研究表明，8种差异表达的miRNA（miRNA-15a、miRNA-23b、miRNA-34a、miRNA-124、miRNA-125a、miRNA-221、miRNA-222和miRNA-378a）可能作为ARC的生物标志物。我们的生物信息学分析确定了每种miRNA的各种潜在作用，这可为ARC的未来研究提供指导。
