Lycium barbarum polysaccharides attenuates high glucose-induced diabetic retinal angiogenesis by rescuing the expression of miR-15a-5p in RF/6A cells

Lycium barbarum L., a classical traditional Chinese Medicine, has long been used to treat ocular diseases. Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) is an effective component of Lycium barbarum L. with a wide range of pharmacological activities. This research aims to investigate the inhibition of high glucose-induced angiogenesis by LBP in RF/6A cells.A high-glucose-induced angiogenesis model was established using monkey retinal vascular endothelial (RF/6A) cells. Different dosages administration times of LBP and glucose concentrations were tested. Under the optimized conditions, RF/6A cells were treated with LBP for 48 h, followed by another 48-h culture in high glucose (25 mmol/L) medium. The effect and mechanism of LBP were investigated following the treatment.The expression of miR-15a-5p and miR-15a-3p in RF/6A cells decreased significantly after 48 h of 25 or 50 mmol/L high glucose treatment. The expression of miR-15a-5p was higher than that of miR-15a-3p. Mimic-miR-15a-5p or 600 mg/L LBP could increase the apoptosis of cells and the total length of vascular branches. The expression of VEGFA, VEGFR2, and ANG2 proteins was reduced, while the expression of ANG1 protein was elevated. Expression of ASM mRNA and protein was also inhibited.LBP attenuates diabetic retinal angiogenesis by rescuing the expression of miR-15a-5p in RF/6A cells.