Role of lncRNA NEAT1 mediated by YY1 in the development of diabetic cataract via targeting the microRNA-205-3p/MMP16 axis

Objective We aimed at investigating the possible role and mechanism of NEAT1 in the pathogenesis of diabetic cataract. Patients and methods YY1 and NEAT1 expressions in anterior lens capsule collected from diabetic cataract (DC) patients and normal controls were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis, and their correlation was analyzed. The binding site between YY1 and NEAT1 sequences was predicted by JASPAR and detected by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. The proliferation and apoptosis of high-glucose-induced cells with NEAT1 knockdown were detected. Potential downstream targets of NEAT1 were predicted by bioinformatics and detected by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay. Results YY1 and NEAT1 expressions in the anterior capsule tissue of DC lens were remarkably reduced and positively correlated. Dual-Luciferase reporter assay and ChIP confirmed that YY1 could bind to locus 2 of NEAT1. Knockdown of NEAT1 inhibited proliferation while promoted apoptosis under high glucose conditions. Further mechanism studies revealed that knockdown of NEAT1 could upregulate microRNA-205-3p, and MMP16 was a potential target of miR-205. Conclusions The low expression of YY1 induces NEAT1 downregulation, which regulates microRNA-205-3p/MMP16 axis and thus participates in the development of DC.