<p>Characterization of novel lnc RNAs in the spinal cord of rats with lumbar disc herniation</p>

Abstract

BackgroundRadicular pain, caused by a lesion or autologous nucleus pulposus (NP) implantation, is associated with alteration in gene expression of the pain-signaling pathways. lncRNAs have been shown to play critical roles in neuropathic pain. However, the mechanistic function of lncRNAs in lumbar disc herniation (LDH) remains largely unknown. Identifying different lncRNA expression under sham and NP-implantation conditions in the spinal cord is important for understanding the molecular mechanisms of radicular pain.MethodsLDH was induced by implantation of autologous nucleus pulposus (NP), harvested from rat tail, in lumbar 5 and 6 spinal nerve roots. The mRNA and lncRNA microarray analyses demonstrated that the expression profiles of lncRNAs and mRNAs between the LDH and sham groups were markedly altered at 7 days post operation. The expression patterns of several mRNAs and lncRNAs were further proved by qPCR.ResultsLDH produced persistent mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. A total of 19 lncRNAs was differentially expressed (>1.5-folds), of which 13 was upregulated and 6 was downregulated. In addition, a total of 103 mRNAs was markedly altered (>1.5-folds), of which 40 was upregulated and 63 downregulated. Biological analyses of these mRNAs further demonstrated that the most significantly upregulated genes in LDH included chemotaxis, immune response, and positive regulation of inflammatory responses, which might be important mechanisms underlying radicular neuropathic pain. These 19 differentially expressed lncRNAs have overlapping mRNAs in the genome, which are related to glutamatergic synapse, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and the oxytocin-signalling pathway.ConclusionOur findings revealed the alteration of expression patterns of mRNAs and lncRNAs in the spinal cord of rats in a radicular pain model of LDH. These mRNAs and lncRNAs might be potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of radicular pain.

Global transcriptome analysis of rat dorsal root ganglia to identify molecular pathways involved in incisional pain

“…Notably, the number of downregulated genes much greater than the number of upregulated genes; however, the fold change in expression for the upregulated genes was markedly higher than that for the downregulated genes ( Figure 7 , Tables 1 and 2 ). The higher number of downregulated versus upregulated transcripts in DRG is consistent with previous studies that used lumbar disc herniation models 35 but it contrasts with studies that used neuropathic pain models. 36 , 37 These findings suggest that altered gene expression in sensory neurons are specific to the types of tissue injury.…”

Long Non-coding RNA and mRNA Expression Change in Spinal Dorsal Horn After Exercise in Neuropathic Pain Rats

“…In the CCI vs Sham group and the CCI-Swim vs CCI group, the KEGG pathway enriched by lncRNA target genes showed significant changes in cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, Asthma, Ribosome, and PPAR signaling pathway. The enrichment degree of these pathways in the CCI vs Sham group was significantly changed, which was in accordance with existing researches ( Zhou et al, 2017a ; Du et al, 2018 ; Wang et al, 2019 ; Li et al, 2021 ). In addition, these enrichment pathways changed significantly again after swimming in the CCI-Swim group, suggesting that they may be a potential pathway for exercise to improve NP.…”

“…The results of GO analysis of DE lncRNA target genes revealed the GO terms, such as extracellular space, plasma membrane, phosphatase activity, and protein binding, consistent with previous NP related studies ( Zhou et al, 2017a , b ; Du et al, 2018 ; Mao et al, 2018 ; Wang et al, 2019 ; Li et al, 2021 ). These GO terms were significantly expressed among the two group comparisons, thus suggesting that they may be the potential pathways of the effects of exercise on NP.…”

Network Pharmacological Dissection of the Mechanisms of Eucommiae Cortex-Achyranthis Radix Combination for Intervertebral Disc Herniation Treatment

“…The IDH-related human targets were retrieved from the databases, including the Therapeutic Target Database, 42 DisGeNET, 43 Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, 44 GeneCards, 45 Comparative Toxicogenomics Database, 46 and Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase, 47 as well as from previous relevant literature. 27,[48][49][50][51][52][53][54]…”