Identification of Collective Expression Pattern of miRNA in the Regulation of Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a global health problem that is statistically more prevalent in the working age group. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been considered downstream molecules involved in several diseases. Recent research has reported that miRs can modulate multiple steps of the pathogenesis of DR.

This study aimed at identifying significant pathways and genes that cause the dysregulation of the identified miRs to enhance and/or cause development in an individual.

Extensive data mining led to the discovery of these novel miRNAs. Functional Enrichment Analysis of these targets was carried out using the MIENTURNET tool through KEGG and WikiPathways databases. The miRNet online tool was used to construct a network analysis.

Nine miRs were found to be associated with DR. We identified four significant pathways, including their involvement in DR: the TGF-beta signaling pathway, insulin signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, and type II diabetes mellitus pathway.

Identifying the targets for DR has the potential for developing new therapies for this chronic disease. The findings of this current work reveal different aspects of the results. Thus, identified miRNAs are found as potential novel biomarkers in identifying the mechanistic approach against DR.