MicroRNA Signatures of the Developing Primate Fovea

Abstract

Rod and cone photoreceptors differ in their shape, photopigment expression, synaptic connection patterns, light sensitivity, and distribution across the retina. Although rods greatly outnumber cones, human vision is mostly dependent on cone photoreceptors since cones are essential for our sharp visual acuity and color discrimination. In humans and other primates, the fovea centralis (fovea), a specialized region of the central retina, contains the highest density of cones. Despite the vast importance of the fovea for human vision, the molecular mechanisms guiding the development of this region are largely unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small post-transcriptional regulators known to orchestrate developmental transitions and cell fate specification in the retina. Here, we have characterized the transcriptional landscape of the developing rhesus monkey retina. Our data indicates that non-human primate fovea development is significantly accelerated compared to the equivalent retinal region at the other side of the optic nerve head, as described previously. Notably, we also identify several miRNAs differentially expressed in the presumptive fovea, including miR-15b-5p, miR-342-5p, miR-30b-5p, miR-103-3p, miR-93-5p as well as the miRNA cluster miR-183/-96/-182. Interestingly, miR-342-5p is enriched in the nasal primate retina and in the peripheral developing mouse retina, while miR-15b is enriched in the temporal primate retina and increases over time in the mouse retina in a central-to-periphery gradient. Together our data constitutes the first characterization of the developing rhesus monkey retinal miRNome and provides novel datasets to attain a more comprehensive understanding of foveal development.

Light-Responsive MicroRNAs in Human Retinal Tissue are Differentially Regulated by Distinct Wavelengths of Light

“…Notably, many miRNAs are specifically expressed in the retina, giving rise to a unique miRNA expression profile in retinal tissue. 3,5,6 It has been established that miRNAs play critical roles in regulating the expression of genes essential for photoreceptor development and function. 2 Additionally, they serve as crucial regulators of lightsensitive processes within the retina.…”

Oscillatory Behaviors of microRNA Networks: Emerging Roles in Retinal Development

“…To gain further understanding of the roles of miRNAs in ocular tissues, several groups have attempted to characterize the retina miRNome by in situ hybridization, computational predictions, and profiling techniques. Hundreds of different miRNAs have been identified in the retina of different species ( Loscher et al, 2007 ; Xu et al, 2007 ; Bak et al, 2008 ; Hackler et al, 2010 ; Karali et al, 2010 , 2016 ; Fishman et al, 2021 ) and several miRNAs show a significantly enriched expression in the retina compared to other tissues ( Table 1 ). Two early reports by Hackler et al ( Hackler et al, 2010 ) and Xu et al ( Xu et al, 2007 ) compared miRNA expression patterns at different developmental ages in the mouse retina and brain.…”

A Novel Tree Shrew Model of Chronic Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis and Its Disruptive Application

“…Retinal folds, photoreceptor cell damage, and inflammatory infiltration into the eyeball are primary features of autoimmune uveitis and lead to vision loss in humans. Although rods outnumber cones, human vision mostly relies on cone photoreceptors since cones play an important role in sharp chromatic vision and spatial acuity ( 3 ). In particular, the human fovea, a specialized region of the central retina, shows the highest density of cones and is essential for human vision ( 4 ).…”