MicroRNA-29b targets ADAM12 and 19 to regulate the extracellular matrix in lamina cribrosa cells

Glaucoma remains the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) being the only modifiable risk factor in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Despite adequate IOP control, many patients continue to progress to irreversible optic neuropathy, emphasising the need for alternate treatments. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) promotes extracellular matrix (ECM) production and fibrosis at the optic nerve head (ONH) in glaucoma. A disintegrin and metalloprotease-12 and metalloprotease-19 (ADAM12 and ADAM19) are implicated in fibrosis. Recent studies have explored miRNA-based manipulation of the TGF-β signalling pathway as a potential therapeutic strategy in fibrosis. This study investigates whether miR-29b modulation affects ADAM12, ADAM19, and ECM gene expression in human lamina cribrosa (LC) cells. Primary human normal lamina cribrosa (NLC) and glaucoma LC (GLC) cells were treated with TGF-β1 and transfected with either a miR-29b mimic or control. Gene expression levels of ADAM12, ADAM19, miR-29b, and several ECM genes were quantified using real-time RT-qPCR, and protein expression levels by Western blotting. ADAM12 and ADAM19 expression was elevated in untreated GLC cells, and treatment with TGF-β1 in both NLC and GLC cells increased ADAM12 and ADAM19 expression. The expression of miR-29b was significantly reduced in both GLC- and TGF-β1-treated NLC and GLC cells. Transfection with miR-29b resulted in a marked reduction in ADAM12 and ADAM19 mRNA expression in TGF-β1-treated NLC and GLC cells. Additionally, miR-29b transfection reduced ECM gene expression in both NLC and GLC under TGF-β1 stimulation. Our results demonstrate that miR-29b plays a crucial role in fibrotic remodelling at the LC by antagonising the effects of TGF-β1 on ADAM and ECM gene expression, representing a novel therapeutic target in glaucoma.