MEG3 is involved in the development of glaucoma through promoting the autophagy of retinal ganglion cells.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed at investigating whether MEG3 may be involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma by regulating the autophagy of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used qRT-PCR to detect the expression of MEG3 in RGC-5s cell line under high hydrostatic pressure. RGC-5s were transfected with a lentiviral vector to achieve MEG3 overexpression or knockdown. The influence of overexpression or inhibition of MEG3 on cell proliferation and apoptosis was observed using CCK-8 test and flow cytometry. After overexpression of MEG3 and/or knockdown of MEG3 or Beclin-1, detection of the expressions of autophagy-related and apoptosis-related proteins was performed using Western blot.

RESULTS: MEG3 expression level increased in RGC-5 cells under high hydrostatic pressure, while exogenously decreased MEG3 expression can reverse the impact of the high pressure on RGC-5 cells. Additionally, overexpression of MEG3 can improve Atg3 expression, promote cell apoptosis, inhibit cell proliferation, and enhance autophagy levels. Meanwhile, knockdown of Beclin-1 up-regulated Bcl-2 level.

CONCLUSIONS: Upregulation of MEG3 is involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma through promoting apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells, the mechanism of which may be related to the enhanced autophagy levels.