MiR-29b Protects Dorsal Root Ganglia Neurons from Diabetic Rat

• Published in: Cell biochemistry and biophysics Vol. 70; no. 2; pp. 1105 - 1111
• Main Authors: Zhang, Xiaona, Gong, Xu, Han, Shuhai, Zhang, Yang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.11.2014; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Biochemistry; Biological and Medical Physics; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biophysics; Biotechnology; Cell Biology; Diabetic Neuropathies - genetics; Diabetic Neuropathies - pathology; Down-Regulation; Ganglia, Spinal - pathology; Life Sciences; Male; MicroRNAs - genetics; MicroRNAs - metabolism; Neurons - pathology; Original Paper; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Smad3 Protein - metabolism; miR-29b; Smad3; Neuropathy; Diabetic; Apoptosis
• ISSN: 1085-9195; 1559-0283
• DOI: 10.1007/s12013-014-0029-y

Accumulated evidences implicated that microRNAs may be involved in diabetic neuropathy. Here, we investigated miR-29’s roles in primary isolated dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons from STZ-induced diabetic rats. First, miR-29b was found down-regulated after STZ-injection. Inhibitions were increased with time course. Down-regulation of miR-29b was associated with higher apoptosis rate and more serious axonal swelling. Meanwhile, axonogeneration genes were inhibited, whereas neurodegenerative genes were stimulated. Restoration of miR-29b by mimic experiment could reverse the above neuropathy. Furthermore, western blot analysis disclosed that miR-29b could abolish Smad3 activation. In conclusion, the present study identifies that miR-29b could protect DRG from diabetic rats. This protective effects suggested potential therapeutic application of miR-29b in diabetic neuropathy.