title: MicroRNA-184 Regulates Corneal Lymphangiogenesis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  MicroRNAs are a class of small noncoding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression by binding to complimentary sequences of target messenger RNA. Their roles in corneal lymphangiogenesis are largely unknown. This study was to investigate the specific role of microRNA-184 (mir-184) in corneal lymphangiogenesis (LG) in vivo and lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  Standard murine suture placement model was used to study the expressional change of mir-184 in corneal inflammatory LG and the effect of synthetic mir-184 mimic on this process. Additionally, a human LEC culture system was used to assess the effect of mir-184 overexpression on cell functions in vitro.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Expression of mir-184 was significantly downregulated in corneal LG and, accordingly, its synthetic mimic suppressed corneal lymphatic growth in vivo. Furthermore, mir-184 overexpression in LECs inhibited their functions of adhesion, migration, and tube formation in vitro.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These novel findings indicate that mir-184 is involved critically in LG and potentially could be used as an inhibitor of the process. Further investigation holds the promise for divulging new therapies for LG disorders, which occur inside and outside the eye.
authors.forename: Sammy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grimaldo
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yuen
authors.forename: Jaci
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Theis
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ecoiffier
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D002465:Cell Movement; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: C552233:MIRN184 microRNA, mouse; D035683:MicroRNAs; D012333:RNA, Messenger