In the present study, KCNQ1OT1 and mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD)4 expression levels were upregulated in human cataract lens posterior capsular samples and in transforming growth factor (TGF)‑β2‑treated SRA01/04 cells, as demonstrated by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical staining and western blot analyses.
Knockdown of KCNQ1OT1 expression significantly suppressed H2O2-induced SRA01/04 cell pyroptosis in vitro, which is the critical step in cataract formation.