LncRNA Meg3 knockdown reduces corneal neovascularization and VEGF-induced vascular endothelial angiogenesis via SDF-1/CXCR4 and Smad2/3 pathway

The crucial effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced vascular angiogenesis has been well known in corneal neovascularization (CNV). This research aimed to determine the underlying value and mechanism of Meg3 on CNV in vivo and in vitro. In an alkali-burned mouse model, length and area of new vessels were increased along with thinning of corneal epithelium, accompanied by the overexpression of Meg3. Notably, subconjunctival injection of shMeg3 suppressed the degree of injury in cornea, causing expression of the angiogenesis markers--VEGF-A and CD31 decreased. In VEGF-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), knockdown of Meg3 antagonized the enhancement of viability, proliferation, wound healing ability and angiogenesis by VEGF. The proteins expression of VEGF-A, CD31, SDF-1/CXCR4 as well as phosphoraylation-Smad2/3 pathways, which were related to angiogenesis, were reduced with Meg3 deficiency. Overall, knockdown of Meg3 alleviated formation of neovascularization in alkali-burned corneas and reduced VEGF-induced angiogenesis by inhibiting SDF-1/CXCR4 and Smad2/3 signaling in vitro.