miR-128在便秘发病中的作用及其机制

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between miR-128 and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in the pathogenesis of constipation and the related mechanism. We observed that the expression of miR-128 and c-kit were significantly down-regulated in constipated rats compared with the control rats; moreover, transient knockdown of miR-128 induced significant increase in the apoptosis and marked decrease in the proliferation of ICCs; finally, transfection of miR-128 inhibitors also lead to increased expression of Bax and Caspase-3, as well as reduced expression of Bcl-2 in ICCs. Taken together, our results proved for the first time that miR-128 can regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of ICCs via Bcl-2/Bax/Caspase-3 signaling pathway, suggesting that miR-128 has the potential to become a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of constipation.