Identification of tRNA-derived small RNAs expression profiles and their potential functions in age-related cataract

Abstract

Object: To identify the expression profiles and demonstrate the potential functions of tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) in the formation of age-related cataract (ARC). Methods: Human lens epithelial cell line (HLE-B3 cells) were treated with H2O2, small RNA sequencing analysis was performed to identify expression profiles of tsRNAs in control and H2O2-treated HLE-B3 cells. Then, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were employed to illustrate the potential functions of differentially expressed (DE) tsRNAs and target genes in ARC. Finally, quantitative real-time PCR assay was used to verify the expression patterns of DE tsRNAs. Results: Totally 604 DE tsRNAs (329 upregulated and 275 downregulated) were obtained between control and H2O2-treated HLE-B3 cells. Bioinformatic analysis results showed that calcium signaling pathway may mainly participate in the formation of ARC. Conclusion: Our results indicated that tsRNAs may be associated with the pathogenesis of ARC, and thus might be potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for ARC.