Profiling of gene expression signatures for human corneal epithelial cell after transfection with microRNA-184 or NC.

Our previous study identified that microRNA-184 as one of the most highly expressed miRNAs in the corneal epithelium. To gain insight into the underlying mechanisms of miR-184 modulation of corneal epithelial cell proliferation and migration, we probed for its gene targets by microarray analysis . HCECs transfected with miR-184 or a NC for 48 h were harvested and a gene microarray evaluated transcriptome expression patterns. Ectopic miR-184 expression resulted in numerous genes undergoing either upregulation or downregulation. Since miRNAs mediate biological functions by impeding expression of their target genes in mammals, a total of 901 differentially downregulated genes (Foldchange ≤ 0.667) were firstly selected. Gene expression in human corneal epithelial cell was measured at 48 hours after transfection with either a 50 nM miR-184 mimic or negative control (NC)