Expression profiles of long non-coding RNAs in neurogenic bladder of spinal cord injured rats: a transcriptomic analysis

Abstract

Background: Growing evidence has indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important regulators of pathological and physiological processes through various mechanisms. However, the signature of lncRNA expression and the possible roles of lncRNAs in spinal cord injury (SCI) rat neurogenic bladder (NB) have not been comprehensively explored. In this study, the expression profiles of lncRNAs and mRNAs were explored in the bladder tissue of SCI rats using next-generation sequencing (NGS).Methods: Twenty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into SCI 1-3 and normal control (NC) groups.The spinal cord was completely transected at the T9-T10 level to establish the SCI model. Bladder tissues were collected on days 7, 14, and 28 after the operation. The expression profiles of lncRNAs were detected by NGS. Differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) were chosen for qRT-PCR verification to validate the RNA sequencing results. The functions of the predicted target genes were then evaluated using Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis.Results: Compared with the NC group, the SCI 1-3 groups had 468, 117, and 408 DELs [fold change (FC)

Expression profiles of circular RNAs and interaction networks of competing endogenous RNAs in neurogenic bladder of rats following suprasacral spinal cord injury

“…In addition, Pgam1, the host gene of circRNA0722, interacted with TGF and mediated inflammation, apoptosis, and collagen accumulation, further contributing to fibrosis progression ( Wu et al, 2021 ). However, we have previously reported that NB and bladder fibrosis after SSCI is associated with the TGF- β pathway and EMT ( Ruan et al, 2022 ). Our present sequencing data showed upregulation of circRNA2378 and circRNA0722, suggesting they contribute to bladder fibrosis after SSCI.…”

“…We also observed that lncRNAs could play a role in regulating NB following SSCI and bladder fibrosis. Our previous studies showed that some lncRNAs might affect the bladder fibrosis process following SSCI through certain signaling pathways ( Ruan et al, 2022 ). For instance, in bladder fibrosis following SSCI, the lncRNA Mir155hg targets miR-155 and activates the fibrotic signaling pathway downstream, including the TGF- β 1 pathways.…”