Lowly expressed LNC01136 fails to aid HIF-1α to induce BTG2 expression resulting in increased proliferation of retinal microvascular endothelial cells

•LNC01136 is a cell growth suppressor by recruiting HIF-1α to induce the expression of BTG2.•The low expression of LNC01136 in hRMECs compared to other eye-associated cells promoted hRMECs' proliferation, which is probably a cause of retinal neovascularization under hypoxia.•The anti-proliferative effect of BTG2 is probably associated to the regulation of multiple cell cycle-related proteins.