Spinal cord injury (SCI) significantly impacts the central nervous system, with limited effective treatments available. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a crucial role in neuronal growth, survival, and regeneration after SCI. MicroRNAs, particularly miR-124-3p, have been implicated in SCI pathophysiology. However, the relationship between miR-124-3p and BDNF in the context of SCI remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between miR-124-3p expression and BDNF levels in a rat model of spinal cord injury and to assess how the timing of injury affects this relationship.
This study included 72 male Wistar rats divided into three groups: intact (n = 8), sham (n = 32), and SCI (n = 32). SCI diagnosis was confirmed through behavioral-motor function analysis using the Basso, Beattie & Brenham score and histological examination with crystal violet staining. The expression levels of miR-124-3p and BDNF were assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction in all groups at four time points (one hour, one day, three days, and seven days post-injury).
In the SCI group, a marked reduction in miR-124-3p expression was observed relative to both the sham and intact groups. Conversely, there was a substantial elevation in BDNF expression within the SCI group in comparison to the sham and intact groups. The findings underscore a negative association between miR-124-3p expression and BDNF messenger RNA levels.
This study provides valuable insights into the relationship between miR-124-3p and BDNF expression in the context of spinal cord injury. Our findings demonstrate a significant downregulation of miR-124-3p and a concurrent upregulation of BDNF levels following SCI in a rat model. These results, supported by histological examinations and behavioral assessments, suggest a potential regulatory role of miR-124-3p in BDNF expression and SCI pathophysiology. While our study contributes to the understanding of SCI molecular mechanisms, further research is needed to fully explore the therapeutic potential of targeting the miR-124-3p/BDNF pathway. Future studies should focus on in vivo manipulation of miR-124-3p levels and explore combination therapies to enhance regenerative responses after SCI. These findings may pave the way for novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic strategies in spinal cord injury management.
https://www.xiahepublishing.com/1555-3884/GE-2024-00073
The study was recently published in the Gene Expression .
Gene Expression (GE) is an open-access journal. It was launched in 1991 by Chicago Medical School Press, and transferred to Cognizant Communication Corporation in 1994. From August 2022, GE is published by Xia & He Publishing Inc.
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Gene Expression
MicroRNA-124-3p and Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor in Rat Spinal Cord Injury: Inverse Expression Pattern
31-Mar-2025