Differential MicroRNA Expression in the Anterior Lens Capsule of Patients with Glucocorticoid-Induced Cataracts: A Preliminary Study.

Background/

Objectives

To investigate microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in the anterior lens capsules of patients with glucocorticoid-induced cataracts (GIC) and to identify miRNAs potentially associated with glucocorticoid (GC) exposure and posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC) formation.

Methods

A total of 33 participants were divided into four groups based on their GC usage history and cataract type: GIC (n = 10), age-related PSC (n = 6), GC-treated age-related cataract (ARC) (n = 7), and normal control (n = 10). Anterior lens capsule samples were obtained during cataract surgery and total RNA was extracted for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The expression levels of 12 selected miRNAs were quantified using a customized miScript miRNA PCR array.

Results

Among the twelve miRNAs analyzed, seven (let-7a-5p, let-7d-5p, miR-15a-5p, miR-16-5p, miR-23b-3p, miR-26a-5p, and miR-125a-5p) were significantly differentially expressed among the groups (p < 0.05). In the GIC group, let-7a-5p, miR-23b-3p, miR-26a-5p, and miR-125a-5p were significantly upregulated, whereas let-7d-5p, miR-15a-5p and miR-16-5p were significantly downregulated compared to that in the normal control group. No significant differences in miRNA expression were observed between the GIC and age-related PSC groups or between the GIC and GC-treated ARC groups.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates distinct miRNA expression patterns in the anterior lens capsules of patients with GIC. Altered expression of specific miRNAs may be linked to the pathogenesis of GC-induced PSC formation. These findings provide a molecular basis for further investigation into the regulatory roles of miRNAs in GC-associated cataracts.