Figure 3.

LINC00167 Functions as a Sponge for miR-203a-3p in RPE Cells

(A) Schematic diagram of the interaction between LINC00167 and miR-203a-3p. (B) Relative luciferase activities in ARPE-19 cells transfected with LINC00167-siRNA and LINC00167^WT or LINC00167^MU and miR-203a-3p mimic or NC mimic. (C) Relative miR-203a-3p expression in cells transfected with LINC00167-siRNA and scramble RNA. (D) Expression of miR-203a-3p along with RPE differentiation. (E) Expression of LINC00167 in diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC)- and H₂O₂-treated RPE cells. (F) Expression of LINC00167 in DEPC- and TNF-α-treated RPE cells. (G) RPE characteristic markers ZO-1 and β-catenin were observed by immunofluorescence staining in ARPE-19 cells transfected with NC mimic, miR-203a-3p mimic, and miR-203a-3p mimic together with LINC00167-siRNA. Scale bars, 20 μm. (H) Expression levels of RPE markers β-catenin and keratin 18 were monitored by immunoblotting in ARPE-19 cells transfected with NC mimic, miR-203a-3p mimic, and miR-203a-3p mimic together with LINC00167-siRNA. (I) Secreted VEGFA levels in serum of ARPE-19 cells transfected with NC mimic and miR-203a-3p mimic. The data are presented at as the mean ± SD of three independent experiments. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001. NS, not significant.