Light-responsive microRNA molecules in human retinal organoids are differentially regulated by distinct wavelengths of light
Canan Celiker,
Kamila Weissova,
Katerina Amruz Cerna,
Jan Oppelt,
Birthe Dorgau,
Francisco Molina Gambin,
Jana Sebestikova,
Majlinda Lako,
Evelyne Sernagor,
Petra Liskova,
Tomas Barta
Affiliations
Canan Celiker
Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
Kamila Weissova
Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
Katerina Amruz Cerna
Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
Jan Oppelt
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Neuropathology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Birthe Dorgau
Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
Francisco Molina Gambin
Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
Jana Sebestikova
Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
Majlinda Lako
Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
Evelyne Sernagor
Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
Petra Liskova
Department of Paediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
Tomas Barta
Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Corresponding author
Summary: Cells in the human retina must rapidly adapt to constantly changing visual stimuli. This fast adaptation to varying levels and wavelengths of light helps to regulate circadian rhythms and allows for adaptation to high levels of illumination, thereby enabling the rest of the visual system to remain responsive. It has been shown that retinal microRNA (miRNA) molecules play a key role in regulating these processes. However, despite extensive research using various model organisms, light-regulated miRNAs in human retinal cells remain unknown. Here, we aim to characterize these miRNAs. We generated light-responsive human retinal organoids that express miRNA families and clusters typically found in the retina. Using an in-house developed photostimulation device, we identified a subset of light-regulated miRNAs. Importantly, we found that these miRNAs are differentially regulated by distinct wavelengths of light and have a rapid turnover, highlighting the dynamic and adaptive nature of the human retina.
