Fig. 1

EMT and miRNA expression changes in human diabetic cataract and hyperglycemic LECs. a, b Immunofluorescence analysis was performed to detect the protein expression of EMT markers in capsules. The staining intensity of alpha-SMA, FSP-1 and vimentin expression increased in capsule of diabetic cataract than that of ARC, and E-cadherin expression decreased (n = 6). c, d The protein expression of EMT markers detected by western blot. An increased expression of alpha-SMA, FSP-1 and vimentin, while decreased expression of E-cadherin in HG conditions could be found (n = 9). e The expression of miRNAs was detected by RT-qPCR. MiR-9, miR-16, miR-138, miR-195, miR-204 were upregulated significantly, while miR-15a, miR-29 and miR-199a were downregulated in the diabetic cataract capsules (n = 9). f In the HG-treated LECs, miR-9 was upregulated firstly and then downregulated, while the expression of miR-16 and miR-29 were increased with HG exposure time. The expression of miR-22 and miR-199a were downregulated after 3 days of HG treatment (n = 3) (*P < 0.05; ***P < 0.005). EMT epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, LECs lens epithelial cells, DCC diabetic cataract capsule, ARC age related cataract, HG high glucose