PIWI-like protein, HIWI2: A novel player in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

摘要: Abstract Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the major causes blindness resulting from prolonged hyperglycemia which leads to breakdown blood retinal barrier and excessive neovascularization. In our previous study, we demonstrated presence germline-specific PIWI-like proteins in human retina pigment epithelium (RPE) a discrete function HIWI2 (PIWIL4) assembly tight junction through Akt/GSK3α/β. Recently, PIWI/piRNA has been suggested be involved development diabetes. Here, have investigated role proliferative diabetic (PDR). Interestingly, Western blot analysis indicated elevated expression vitreous aspirates patients with PDR comparison macular hole (MH) rhegmatogenous detachment (RRD). addition, treatment ARPE19 25% aspirate significantly increased HIWI2. Moreover, exposure oxidative stress VEGF, induced Further, knocked down ARPE19 cells understand its disease progression. Silencing reduced growth factors, VEGF TGFβ1, altered epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers E-cadherin αSMA. MMP9 cell migration was Si-HIWI2. Collectively, report highlights novel association piRNA binding protein, PDR. The could influence various aspects pathogenesis, like EMT changes migration. Hence, understanding exact reveal potential as therapeutic target for retinopathy.