Open Access

Comprehensive analysis of the differential expression profile of microRNAs in rats with spinal cord injury treated by electroacupuncture

  • Authors:
    • Zhidong Zhou
    • Hejian Li
    • Hongchun Li
    • Jing Zhang
    • Kaiwen Fu
    • Cao Cao
    • Fumou Deng
    • Jun Luo
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: May 20, 2020     https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2020.11161
  • Pages: 751-762
  • Copyright: © Zhou et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Abnormal microRNA (miRNA) expression has been implicated in spinal cord injury (SCI), but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on miRNA expression profiles in SCI rats and investigate the potential mechanisms involved in this process, Sprague‑Dawley rats were divided into sham, SCI and SCI+EA groups (n=6 each). Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scoring and hematoxylin‑eosin staining of cortical tissues were used to evaluate spinal cord recovery with EA treatment 21 days post‑surgery across the three groups. To investigate miRNA expression profiles, 6 Sprague‑Dawley rats were randomly divided into SCI and SCI+EA groups (n=3 in each group) and examined using next‑generation sequencing. Integrated miRNA‑mRNA‑pathway network analysis was performed to elucidate the interaction network of the candidate miRNAs, their target genes and the involved pathways. Behavioral scores suggested that hindlimb motor functions improved with EA treatments. Apoptotic indices were lower in the SCI+EA group compared with the SCI group. It was also observed that 168 miRNAs were differentially expressed between the SCI and SCI+EA groups, with 29 upregulated and 139 downregulated miRNAs in the SCI+EA group. Changes in miRNA expression are involved in SCI physiopathology, including inflammation and apoptosis. Reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR measurement of the five candidate miRNAs, namely rno‑miR‑219a‑5p, rno‑miR‑486, rno‑miR‑136‑5p, rno‑miR‑128‑3p, and rno‑miR‑7b, was consistent with RNA sequencing data. Integrated miRNA‑mRNA‑pathway analysis suggested that the MAPK, Wnt and NF‑κB signaling pathways were involved in EA‑mediated recovery from SCI. The present study evaluated the miRNA expression profiles involved in EA‑treated SCI rats and demonstrated the potential mechanism and functional role of miRNAs in SCI in rats.
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August-2020
Volume 22 Issue 2

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Spandidos Publications style
Zhou Z, Li H, Li H, Zhang J, Fu K, Cao C, Deng F and Luo J: Comprehensive analysis of the differential expression profile of microRNAs in rats with spinal cord injury treated by electroacupuncture. Mol Med Rep 22: 751-762, 2020.
APA
Zhou, Z., Li, H., Li, H., Zhang, J., Fu, K., Cao, C. ... Luo, J. (2020). Comprehensive analysis of the differential expression profile of microRNAs in rats with spinal cord injury treated by electroacupuncture. Molecular Medicine Reports, 22, 751-762. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2020.11161
MLA
Zhou, Z., Li, H., Li, H., Zhang, J., Fu, K., Cao, C., Deng, F., Luo, J."Comprehensive analysis of the differential expression profile of microRNAs in rats with spinal cord injury treated by electroacupuncture". Molecular Medicine Reports 22.2 (2020): 751-762.
Chicago
Zhou, Z., Li, H., Li, H., Zhang, J., Fu, K., Cao, C., Deng, F., Luo, J."Comprehensive analysis of the differential expression profile of microRNAs in rats with spinal cord injury treated by electroacupuncture". Molecular Medicine Reports 22, no. 2 (2020): 751-762. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2020.11161