Identification Of Circular RNA In Corneal Neovascularization

Objective: This study aimed to identify cyclic RNA in corneal neovascularization.Methods:1.Microarray analysis was used to identify corneal neovascularization-relatedcircular RNAs in alkali burn-induced corneal injury model and control group.2.Gene ontology(GO)enrichment and KEGG analysis was used to reveal thecircular RNA-Kifap3 in corneal neovascularization associated biologicalprocesses and related signaling pathways.3.The qRT-PCR assay was used to verify the consistency of the microarrayanalysis results of animal model with human homologous genes.4.In vitro,we employed to study the impact of cKifap3 knowdown in HUVECsendothelial angiogenic functions,such as proliferation,migration and tubeformation.Results:1.229 circRNAs were differentially expressed identified between avascularcorneas and vascularized corneas,including 174 up-regulated circRNAs and 55down-regulated circRNAs.2.In gene ontology(GO)analysis and Kyoto Genomics and GenomicsEncyclopedia(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis,we found that circularRNA-Kifap3 is down-regulated and Rap1 signaling pathway is associated withcorneal neovascularization.3.qRT-PCR assays showed that the ortholog of cKifap3 was significantlydecreased in the vascularized corneas.4.In vitro,silencing of circular RNA-Kifap3 significantly increased vascularendothelial cell proliferation,migration and tube formation,thereby regulatingthe pathological process of corneal neovascularization.Conclusions:This study identified cyclic RNA in corneal neovascularization.It has been confirmed by clinical experiments and cell experiments that the circular RNA-Kifap3 inhibits angiogenesis by regulating the function of vascular endothelial cells during corneal neovascularization.These results help us understand the mechanism of formation of corneal neovascularization mediated by circular RNA-Kifap3.The circular RNA-Kifap3 is expected to become a new target for the treatment of corneal neovascularization in the future.