Abstract: Objective To explore the significantly differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in lenses via microarray expression profiling after vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade co-treatment. Methods After vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade usage, mRNA expression profiling was carried out 3 days, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery in experimental rabbits. A non-surgery control group was also established and analyzed. Furthermore, genes with significantly altered expression after surgery were detected via quantitative real-time PCR. Results The expression of 129 genes was significantly altered 3 days after surgery and these included 55 upregulated and 74 downregulated genes(altered ratio, ≥ 2 or ≤ 0.5). The DEGs were mainly involved in the oxidative stress and inflammation regulatory pathways. Moreover, 140 genes were differentially expressed 1 month after the surgery, including 72 significantly upregulated and 68 significantly downregulated genes. Three months after surgery, 134 genes showed significantly altered expression, including 75 upregulated and 59 downregulated genes. Cluster analysis revealed 29 post-surgery DEGs common to the 3 experimental groups, including 10 upregulated and 9 downregulated genes. The representative upregulated genes included NPPA, CD38, BPGM, PIN, and ELAM1, and the representative downregulated genes included VTN, GSTM2, BFSP2, LTB4DH, MMP2, and CAPNS1. The significantly DEGs were involved in functions such as oxidative stress, inflammation, transport, signaling transduction, apoptosis, and cell differentiation. Furthermore, real-time PCR analysis confirmed the altered expression of these genes, indicating the authenticity and reliability of our microarray expression profiling analysis. Conclusion mRNA expression profiling revealed a group of genes significantly altered in lenses after vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade co-treatment. These altered genes were involved in oxidative stress and inflammation regulatory pathways, which may be responsible for cataract formation.

Key words: Gene chip, Differentially expression gene, Lenses, Silicone oil