miR-191 inhibits oxygen-induced retinal neovascularization in mice

Objective To observe the inhibitory effect of lentiviral vector miR-191 (LV-191) on retinal neovascularization (RNV) in mice model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). Methods Eighty healthy 7-day-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 5 groups including normal group, non-intervention group, normal saline (NS) group, LV-191 group and LV-green fluorescent protein (GFP) group, 16 mice in each group. The OIR model was established in the non-intervention group, NS group, LV-191 group and LV-GFP group. NS group, LV-191 group and LV-GFP group were given an intravitreal injection of 1 μl of NS, LV-191 and LV-GFP at the age of 12 days. No injection was performed in the non-intervention group. In normal group,newborn mouse were maintained in room air form P0 to P17, and no treatment was performed. Mice in all five groups were euthanized at P17. Retinal neovasculation (RNV) was evaluated by counting the number of pre-retinal neovascular cells and analysis of non-perfusion area area by immunofluorescent staining of the mouse retina. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) to detect miR -191 and P21 expression of retinal tissue. Results In the LV-191 group, the non-perfusion area were both significantly smaller than those in non-intervention group, NS group and LV-GFP group (F=127.20, P<0.001). The number of pre-retinal neovascular cell nuclei in retinas from LV-191 group were obviously lower than those in the retinas from non-intervention group, NS group and LV-GFP group (F=31.71, P<0.05). RT-PCR showed that the LV-191 and P21 level of LV-191 group increased significantly than other groups (F=10.95, 15.60; P<0.05). Conclusion Intravitreal injection of LV- 191 inhibits RNV in mice model of OIR possibly through up-regulating p21. Key words: Retinal neovascularization/prevention c Lentivirus infections; Animal experimentation