LncRNA AK077216 is downregulated in diabetic retinopathy and inhibited the apoptosis of retinal pigment epithelial cells by downregulating miR-383.

LncRNA AK077216 is a novel lncRNA with critical role in osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. Our preliminary RNA-seq data suggested its downregulated expression pattern in diabetic retinopathy (DR). We therefore further investigated the function of AK077216 in DR. Plasma samples used in this study were derived from blood, which was extracted from 60 diabetic retinopathy patients. AK077216 in plasma of DR patients, diabetic patients (DB) and controls (Control) was detected by RT-qPCR. ROC curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of plasma AK077216 for DR. It was found that plasma AK077216 was downregulated only in DR patients but not in diabetic patients (no obvious complications) comparing to healthy controls. Downregulation of AK077216 distinguished DR patients from diabetic patients and healthy controls. High glucose treatment failed to significantly affect AK077216 expression in cells of human retinal pigment epithelial cell line ARPE-19. MiR-383 was inversely correlated with AK077216 in DR patients. AK077216 overexpression caused miR-383 downregulation, but miR-383 overexpression did not significantly alter AK077216 expression. AK077216 overexpression inhibited ARPE-19 cell apoptosis, while miR-383 overexpression played an opposite role and attenuated the effects of AK077216 overexpression. Therefore, AK077216 is downregulated in diabetic retinopathy and inhibited the apoptosis of ARPE-19 cells by downregulating miR-383.