MicroRNA-138 Regulates Spinal Cord Development by Activating the Shh in Fetal Rats

• Published in: Pediatric neurosurgery Vol. 57; no. 6; pp. 407 - 421
• Main Authors: Ma, Zheng, Li, Cui-Yun, Wang, Li-Juan, Xia, Yan, Feng, Cheng-An, Peng, Yu-Fang, Han, Yan-Bing, Fan, Yan, Ba, Ying-Chun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland 01.02.2023
• Subjects: Animals; Hedgehog Proteins - genetics; Hedgehog Proteins - metabolism; Hedgehog Proteins - pharmacology; Humans; MicroRNAs - genetics; Neurons; Rats; Research Article; Spinal Cord; Development; Sonic hedgehog; miRNA-138; Embryonic spinal cord
• ISSN: 1016-2291; 1423-0305
• DOI: 10.1159/000527587

Introduction: Dysregulation of spinal cord development can lead to serious neuronal damage and dysfunction, causing significant health problems in newborns. MiRNA-138 appears to be crucial for proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of cells. However, the regulation of miRNA-138 and downstream molecules in embryonic spinal cord development remain elusive. The aim of this experiment is to determine whether overexpression of miRNA-138 or RNA interference (RNAi) can regulate the development of spinal cord in fetal rats. Methods: Two plasmid vectors including pLenti-III-mico-GFP (miRNA-138 open reading frame [ORF]) and pLenti-III-miR-Off (miRNA-138 short hairpin) were constructed and injected into the tail vein of rats on the 14th day of pregnancy. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the cell morphology. QRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunostaining confirmed the regulatory relationship between miRNA-138 and downstream molecules sonic hedgehog (Shh). Results: Overexpression of miRNA-138 increased neuron regeneration significantly and decreased neuronal apoptosis when compared with the control. Silencing of miRNA-138 increased neuronal apoptosis and spinal cord atrophy significantly. Furthermore, miRNA-138 ORF treatment effectively increased the expression level of miRNA-138 and also upregulated the level of Shh. Comparatively, knockdown of miRNA-138 downregulated Shh levels in myelodysplastic regions. Conclusion: These findings indicated that miRNA-138 overexpression could protect the spinal cord development of fetal rats, and the underlying mechanisms were associated with Shh expression. The present study provides a novel strategy to promote the molecular mechanism of embryonic spinal cord development.