Protective Effects of miR-16-5p and miR-142-3p on Inflammation and Autophagy in Human Corneal Epithelial Cells Under Hyperosmotic Stress In Vitro.

ABSTRACT: To investigate the regulatory effects of miR-16-5p and miR-142-3p on inflammation and autophagy in human corneal epithelial cells (HCEpiCs) exposed to hyperosmotic stress, a key pathogenic condition in dry eye disease, HCEpiCs were cultured under NaCl-induced hyperosmotic conditions (450 mOsm, 24 h) and transfected with miR-16-5p or miR-142-3p mimics. Expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IRAK1), autophagy-related genes (ATG5, Beclin-1, ATG16L1, p62), and apoptotic markers (Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3) was analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), autophagic vesicles, and apoptosis were evaluated using DCFH-DA, DAPRed, and Annexin V assays. The expression levels of antioxidant proteins (SOD1, catalase, NRF2) were also measured. Hyperosmotic stress i

SUBMITTER: Cha MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12785823 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature