Fig. 2: MiR-302d-3p disturbs RPE phagocytosis, promotes RPE proliferation, migration, and cell-cycle progression.

a–d Phagocytosis ability was suppressed in ARPE-19 cells transfected with miR-302d-3p mimic compared to cells transfected with NC mimic (a, b), and was promoted in cells transfected with miR-302d-3p inhibitor compared to cells transfected with NC inhibitor (c, d). e–h No detectable change in apoptosis rate was revealed by Annexin-V-FITC/PI apoptosis assay in ARPE-19 cells transfected with miR-302d-3p mimic compared to cells transfected with NC mimic (e, f), nor in cells transfected with miR-302d-3p inhibitor compared to cells transfected with NC inhibitor (g, h). i–l Proliferative rates were elevated in ARPE-19 cells transfected with miR-302d-3p mimic compared to cells transfected with NC mimic (i), and were suppressed in cells transfected with miR-302d-3p inhibitor compared to cells transfected with NC inhibitor (j). Migration was promoted in ARPE-19 cells transfected with miR-302d-3p mimic compared to cells transfected with NC mimic (k), and was inhibited in cells transfected with miR-302d-3p inhibitor compared to cells transfected with NC inhibitor (l). m–p Cell-cycle progression was induced in ARPE-19 cells transfected with miR-302d-3p mimic compared to cells transfected with NC mimic (m, n), and was prohibited in cells transfected with miR-302d-3p inhibitor compared to cells transfected with NC inhibitor (o, p). Overall, 10,000 cells were analyzed for each sample. The values represented the percentage of cells in each phase of the cell cycle. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001. Scale bar = 20 μm