Electroacupuncture Improves Neurobehavioral Function Through Targeting of SOX2-Mediated Axonal Regeneration by MicroRNA-132 After Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

Our previous studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) enhances neurobehavioral functional recovery after ischemic stroke, however, the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are abundant in the brain and are involved in post-transcriptional gene regulation. During cerebral ischemia reperfusion, miRNAs perform numerous biological functions in the central nervous system related to regeneration and repair of damaged nerves. Our previous studies also have shown that the expression of miRNA-132 (miR-132) is obviously down-regulated after stroke by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), which can be up-regulated by EA. This study aimed to identify whether up-regulation of miR-132 by EA improved the damaged nerves after stroke and to screen the potential target of miR-132. The results showed that EA up-regulated miR-132 thus suppressing SOX2 expression in vivo after MCAO, which obviously ameliorated neurobehavioral functional recovery. Moreover, our results also suggested that up-regulated miR-132 suppressed SOX2 in primary neurons after oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), which promoted neurite outgrowth. In conclusion, EA enhances neurobehavioral functional recovery against ischemic stroke through targeting of SOX2-mediated axonal regeneration by miR-132.

Electroacupuncture Promoted Nerve Repair After Peripheral Nerve Injury by Regulating miR-1b and Its Target Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

“…Studies showed that the expression of multiple miRNAs has changed such as miR-129 ( Zhu et al, 2018 ) and miR-195 ( Shi et al, 2013 ) after PNI. It has been reported that EA enhanced neurobehavioral functional recovery against ischemic stroke through targeting of SOX2-mediated axonal regeneration by miR-132 ( Cui et al, 2017 ; Zhao X. et al, 2018 ). Another research suggested that several miRNAs were involved in chronic electroacupuncture tolerance in the rat hypothalamus ( Cui et al, 2017 ; Zhao X. et al, 2018 ).…”

“…It has been reported that EA enhanced neurobehavioral functional recovery against ischemic stroke through targeting of SOX2-mediated axonal regeneration by miR-132 ( Cui et al, 2017 ; Zhao X. et al, 2018 ). Another research suggested that several miRNAs were involved in chronic electroacupuncture tolerance in the rat hypothalamus ( Cui et al, 2017 ; Zhao X. et al, 2018 ). Our previous studies have confirmed that EA could promote SC migration and NGF expression in injured local nerve as well as BDNF ( Hu et al, 2018 ).…”

Applications of Acupuncture Therapy in Modulating the Plasticity of Neurodegenerative Disease and Depression: Do MicroRNA and Neurotrophin BDNF Shed Light on the Underlying Mechanism?

“…EA increased cerebral blood flow and alleviated neurological impairment in rats. Moreover, upregulated miR-132 suppressed SOX2 in primary neurons after oxygen-glucose deprivation, which promoted neurite outgrowth [ 43 ]. Intriguingly, miR-9 responds locally to BDNF.…”

“…Zhao et al aimed to identify whether upregulation of miR-132 by EA improved the damaged nerves after stroke. After administration of EA, upregulated miR-132 suppressed SOX2 in primary neurons after oxygen-glucose deprivation, which promoted neurite outgrowth [ 43 ]. Liu et al found that the density of dendritic spines and the number of synapses in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells were obviously reduced in stroke model rats.…”

Intranasal Delivery of Targeted Nanoparticles Loaded With miR-132 to Brain for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases

“…MCAO rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: MCAO, MCAO + NPs, MCAO + NPs-miR132, MCAO + WGA-NPs-miR132, and SD rats (which were the normal group) (n=15). Administered 20μL of nanoparticles by pipette, 5μL per nostril each time, which alternated between nostrils every 2–3 min (miR132 simulated 1pmol/g) ( Zhao et al, 2018 ). Control rats received the same dose of a vehicle.…”