Effect of miRNA-15a on High Glucose-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells

XUE Yingying; YANG Feng; ZHONG Xiaoyan

doi:10.13919/j.issn.2095-6274.ZHJY202411030

Abstract：Objective To investigate the effect of microRNA-15a(miRNA-15a)on high glucose-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)in human peritoneal mesothelial cells(HPMCs).Methods Passaged HP-MCs were divided into three groups:low-glucose control group(glucose concentration 25 mmol/L),medium-glucose group(glucose concentration 75 mmol/L),and high-glucose group(glucose concentration 125 mmol/L).Real-time quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR)and Western blotting were used to measure the expression levels of miRNA-15a,VEGF mRNA,and VEGF protein.HPMCs were then cultured in high-glucose medium(glucose concentration 125 mmol/L)and further divided into four subgroups:high-glucose control group,high-glucose+control group,high-glucose+mimics group,and high-glucose+inhibitor group.The expression of miRNA-15a and VEGF mRNA,as well as the fibrosis-related proteins VEGF,Col-IV,FN1,α-SMA,and E-cadherin,were assessed.Results High glucose conditions led to downregulation of miRNA-15a expression and upregulation of VEGF mRNA expression in a con-centration-dependent manner,which was consistent with the results for VEGF protein expression(P<0.05).Under high glucose conditions,overexpression of miRNA-15a resulted in decreased VEGF mRNA expression,reduced lev-els of VEGF,Col-IV,FN1,and α-SMA proteins,and increased expression of E-cadherin.Inhibition of miRNA-15a led to an increase in VEGF mRNA expression,higher protein levels of VEGF,Col-IV,FN1,and α-SMA,and reduced expression of E-cadherin(P<0.05).Conclusion miRNA-15a participates in and inhibits high glucose-induced ep-ithelial-mesenchymal transition in human peritoneal mesothelial cells.