Long noncoding RNA H19 prevents neurogenesis in ischemic stroke through p53/Notch1 pathway

Long non-coding RNA H19 regulates neurogenesis of induced neural stem cells in a mouse model of closed head injury

Stem cell-based therapies have been proposed as a potential treatment for neural regeneration following closed head injury. We previously reported that induced neural stem cells exert beneficial effects on neural regeneration via cell replacement. However, the neural regeneration efficiency of induced neural stem cells remains limited. In this study, we explored differentially expressed genes and long non-coding RNAs to clarify the mechanism underlying the neurogenesis of induced neural stem cells. We found that H19 was the most downregulated neurogenesis-associated lncRNA in induced neural stem cells compared with induced pluripotent stem cells. Additionally, we demonstrated that H19 levels in induced neural stem cells were markedly lower than those in induced pluripotent stem cells and were substantially higher than those in induced neural stem cell-derived neurons. We predicted the target genes of H19 and discovered that H19 directly interacts with miR-325-3p, which directly interacts with Ctbp2 in induced pluripotent stem cells and induced neural stem cells. Silencing H19 or Ctbp2 impaired induced neural stem cell proliferation, and miR-325-3p suppression restored the effect of H19 inhibition but not the effect of Ctbp2 inhibition. Furthermore, H19 silencing substantially promoted the neural differentiation of induced neural stem cells and did not induce apoptosis of induced neural stem cells. Notably, silencing H19 in induced neural stem cell grafts markedly accelerated the neurological recovery of closed head injury mice. Our results reveal that H19 regulates the neurogenesis of induced neural stem cells. H19 inhibition may promote the neural differentiation of induced neural stem cells, which is closely associated with neurological recovery following closed head injury.

LncRNA XIST Exacerbates Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation/Reoxygenation-Induced Cerebral Injury Through the miR-25-3p/TRAF3 Axis

Ischemic stroke causes lethal damage to the brain. Identifying key regulators of OGD/R-induced cerebral injury is important for developing novel therapies for ischemic stroke. HMC3 and SH-SY5Y cells were treated with OGD/R as an in vitro ischemic stroke model. Cell viability and apoptosis were determined via CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. Inflammatory cytokines were examined by ELISA. Luciferase activity was measured for evaluating the interaction of XIST, miR-25-3p, and TRAF3. Bcl-2, Bax, Bad, cleaved-caspase 3, total caspase 3, and TRAF3 were detected via western blotting. HMC3 and SH-SY5Y cells showed increased XIST expression and decreased miR-25-3p expression following OGD/R. Importantly, silencing of XIST and overexpression of miR-25-3p reduced apoptosis and inflammatory response following OGD/R. Furthermore, XIST worked as a miR-25-3p sponge, and miR-25-3p targeted TRAF3 to suppress its expression. Moreover, the knockdown of TRAF3 ameliorated OGD/R-induced injury. Loss of XIST-mediated protective effects was reversed by overexpression of TRAF3. LncRNA XIST exacerbates OGD/R-induced cerebral damage via sponging miR-25-3p and enhancing TRAF3 expression.

Regulation of Notch1 Signalling by Long Non-Coding RNAs in Cancers and Other Health Disorders

Notch1 signalling plays a multifaceted role in tissue development and homeostasis. Currently, due to the pivotal role of Notch1 signalling, the relationship between NOTCH1 expression and the development of health disorders is being intensively studied. Nevertheless, Notch1 signalling is not only controlled at the transcriptional level but also by a variety of post-translational events. First is the ligand-dependent mechanical activation of NOTCH receptors and then the intracellular crosstalk with other signalling molecules-among those are long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). In this review, we provide a detailed overview of the specific role of lncRNAs in the modulation of Notch1 signalling, from expression to activity, and their connection with the development of health disorders, especially cancers.

Effect of regulatory cell death on the occurrence and development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck cancer is a malignant tumour with a high mortality rate characterized by late diagnosis, high recurrence and metastasis rates, and poor prognosis. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the most common type of head and neck cancer. Various factors are involved in the occurrence and development of HNSCC, including external inflammatory stimuli and oncogenic viral infections. In recent years, studies on the regulation of cell death have provided new insights into the biology and therapeutic response of HNSCC, such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and recently the newly discovered cuproptosis. We explored how various cell deaths act as a unique defence mechanism against cancer emergence and how they can be exploited to inhibit tumorigenesis and progression, thus introducing regulatory cell death (RCD) as a novel strategy for tumour therapy. In contrast to accidental cell death, RCD is controlled by specific signal transduction pathways, including TP53 signalling, KRAS signalling, NOTCH signalling, hypoxia signalling, and metabolic reprogramming. In this review, we describe the molecular mechanisms of nonapoptotic RCD and its relationship to HNSCC and discuss the crosstalk between relevant signalling pathways in HNSCC cells. We also highlight novel approaches to tumour elimination through RCD.

Non-coding RNAs in stroke pathology, diagnostics, and therapeutics

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Methods to alleviate functional deficits after ischemic stroke focus on restoration of cerebral blood flow to the affected area. However, pharmacological or surgical methods such as thrombolysis and thrombectomy have a narrow effective window. Harnessing and manipulating neurochemical processes of recovery may provide an alternative to these methods. Recently, non-coding RNA (ncRNA) have been increasingly investigated for their contributions to the pathology of diseases and potential for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Here we will review several ncRNA - H19, MALAT1, ANRIL, NEAT1, pseudogenes, small nucleolar RNA, piwi-interacting RNA and circular RNA - and their involvement in stroke pathology. We also examine these ncRNA as potential diagnostic biomarkers, particularly in circulating blood, and as targets for therapeutic interventions. An important aspect of this is a discussion of potential methods of treatment delivery to allow for targeting of interventions past the blood-brain barrier, including lipid nanoparticles, polymer nanoparticles, and viral and non-viral vectors. Overall, several long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) discussed here have strong implications for the development of pathology and functional recovery after ischemic stroke. LncRNAs H19 and ANRIL show potential as diagnostic biomarkers, while H19 and MALAT1 may prove to be effective therapeutics for both minimising damage as well as promoting recovery. Other ncRNA have also been implicated in ischemic stroke but are currently too poorly understood to make inferences for diagnosis or treatment. Whilst the field of ncRNAs is relatively new, significant work has already highlighted that ncRNAs represent a promising novel investigative tool for understanding stroke pathology, could be used as diagnostic biomarkers, and as targets for therapeutic interventions.

Long non-coding RNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ischemic stroke

Background

The problem of ischemic stroke (IS) has become increasingly important in recent years, as it ranks first in the structure of disability and mortality, crowding out other vascular diseases. In this regard, the study of this pathology and the search for new therapeutic and diagnostic tools remains an urgent problem of modern medical science and practice. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs)-based therapeutics and diagnostic tools offer a very attractive area of study. Therefore, this systematic review aims at summarizing current knowledge on promising lncRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for IS exploring original articles and literature reviews on in vivo, in vitro and ex vivo experiments.

Methods

The current systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases were comprehensively explored to perform the article search.

Results

34 eligible studies were included and analyzed: 25 focused on lncRNAs-based therapeutics and 9 on lncRNAs-based diagnosis. We found 31 different lncRNAs tested as potential therapeutic and diagnostic molecules in cells and animal model experiments. Among all founded lncRNA-based therapeutics and non-invasive diagnostic tools, nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) emerged to be the most investigated and proposed as a potential molecule for IS diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusions

Our analysis provides a snapshot of the current scenario regarding the lncRNAs as therapeutic molecules and biomarkers in IS. Different lncRNAs are differently expressed in IS, and some of them can be further evaluated as therapeutic targets and biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis or treatment response. However, despite many efforts, none of the selected studies go beyond preclinical studies, and their translation into clinical practice seems to be very premature.

Epigenetic mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets in stroke

Accumulating evidence indicates a central role for epigenetic modifications in the progression of stroke pathology. These epigenetic mechanisms are involved in complex and dynamic processes that modulate post-stroke gene expression, cellular injury response, motor function, and cognitive ability. Despite decades of research, stroke continues to be classified as a leading cause of death and disability worldwide with limited clinical interventions. Thus, technological advances in the field of epigenetics may provide innovative targets to develop new stroke therapies. This review presents the evidence on the impact of epigenomic readers, writers, and erasers in both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke pathophysiology. We specifically explore the role of DNA methylation, DNA hydroxymethylation, histone modifications, and epigenomic regulation by long non-coding RNAs in modulating gene expression and functional outcome after stroke. Furthermore, we highlight promising pharmacological approaches and biomarkers in relation to epigenetics for translational therapeutic applications.

Exosome-transported lncRNA H19 regulates insulin-like growth factor-1 via the H19/let-7a/insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor axis in ischemic stroke

LncRNA (long non-coding RNA) H19 is a transcript of the H19 gene that is expressed during embryogenesis. We previously discovered a role for circular lncRNA H19 in the onset and prognosis of cerebral ischemic stroke. In this study, we used serum from patients with ischemic stroke, and mouse and cell culture models to elucidate the roles of plasma and neuronal exosomes in the regulatory effect of lncRNA H19 on insulin-like growth factor-1 and its mechanism in ischemic stroke, using western blotting, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Plasma exosomal lncRNA H19 was negatively associated with blood levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 in samples from patients with cerebral ischemic stroke. In a mouse model, levels of exosomal lncRNA H19 were positively correlated with plasma and cerebral lncRNA H19. In a cell co-culture model, we confirmed that lncRNA H19 was transported from neurons to astrocytes by exosomes to induce downregulation of insulin-like growth factor-1 through the H19/let-7a/insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor axis. This study provides the first evidence for the transportation of lncRNA H19 by exosomes and the relationship between lncRNA H19 and insulin-like growth factor-1.

Silencing of Long Noncoding RNA GAS5 Blocks Experimental Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Restraining AQP4 Expression via the miR-1192/STAT5A Axis

The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) GAS5 has been shown to affect disease development in stroke. This study aimed to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of the lncRNA GAS5 on STAT5A in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. First, GAS5 and STAT5A levels in the blood of patients with stroke were determined. Then, a middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion rat model was established in which short hairpin RNAs targeting GAS5 or STAT5A were intracranially injected, followed by the assessment of neurological function, cerebral injury and water content, and inflammation. Primary rat astrocytes were induced with oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R), and cell proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation were evaluated. Moreover, the interplay between GAS5, miR-1192, and STAT5A and the binding of STAT5A to the AQP4 promoter were identified. GAS5 and STAT5A were strongly expressed in stroke patients, and inhibition of GAS5 or STAT5A in model rats improved neurological function, reduced infarction and neuronal apoptosis, and diminished cerebral water content and astrocyte activation. Furthermore, GAS5 or STAT5A downregulation restored proliferation and restrained apoptosis and inflammation in OGD/R-induced astrocytes. Mechanistically, GAS5 targeted miR-1192, which negatively regulated STAT5A. Astrocytes showed perturbed proliferation and strengthened apoptosis and inflammation when miR-1192 was inhibited despite the silencing of GAS5, while these unfavorable effects were abolished by STAT5A silencing. STAT5A binds to the AQP4 promoter and regulates its expression. Silencing of GAS5 and overexpresion of AQP4 led to lower cell viability and higher apoptosis and inflammation than GAS5 silencing alone. Overall, GAS5 silencing inhibited AQP4 through the miR-1192/STAT5A axis, thus alleviating cerebral I/R injury.

The multifaceted actions of the lncRNA H19 in cardiovascular biology and diseases

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death and debility worldwide. Various molecular mechanisms have been studied to better understand the development and progression of cardiovascular pathologies with hope to eradicate these diseases. With the advancement of the sequencing technology, it is revealed that the majority of our genome is non-coding. A growing body of literature demonstrates the critical role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as epigenetic regulators of gene expression. LncRNAs can regulate cellular biological processes through various distinct molecular mechanisms. The abundance of lncRNAs in the cardiovascular system indicates their significance in cardiovascular physiology and pathology. LncRNA H19, in particular, is a highly evolutionarily conserved lncRNA that is enriched in cardiac and vascular tissue, underlining its importance in maintaining homeostasis of the cardiovascular system. In this review, we discuss the versatile function of H19 in various types of cardiovascular diseases. We highlight the current literature on H19 in the cardiovascular system and demonstrate how dysregulation of H19 induces the development of cardiovascular pathophysiology.

Exosome-transported lncRNA H19 induces blood-brain barrier disruption in cerebral ischemic stroke via the H19/microRNA-18a/VEGF axis

Long non-coding RNA H19 (lncRNA H19) is transcribed from the H19 gene. We previously reported the role of lncRNA H19 in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemic stroke. The present study aimed to elucidate the relationship between lncRNA H19 and blood-brain barrier breakdown induced by cerebral ischemic stroke. We observed that plasma levels of lncRNA H19 were positively associated with the extent of blood-brain barrier damage. In cellular co-culture models, neurons expressed and transported lncRNA H19 to astrocytes via exosomes and contributed to an increase in endothelium permeability induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation. Inhibition of neuronal exosomal lncRNA H19 regulated astrocytic microRNA (miR)-18a and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Further, lncRNA H19 induced a decrease in tight junction proteins expression via the lncRNA H19/miR-18a/VEGF axis. This study highlights the transportation of lncRNA H19 by exosomes and the relationship between lncRNA H19 and blood-brain barrier breakdown.

Uncovering the Mechanism of Chuanhong Stroke Capsule in the Treatment of Stroke Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Technology

Background and Objective: Chuanhong Stroke Capsule (CHSC) has good clinical efficacy in the treatment of cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS) patients. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacological mechanisms of CHSC in treating CIS using bioinformatics. Methods: The active compounds of CHSC were screened by searching Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacological Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), Swiss absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME), PubMed, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. Besides, the potential targets of active compounds were obtained through TCMSP and Swiss Target Prediction databases. CIS targets were obtained from GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. CHSC-CIS intersection targets were identified by matching the two, and prediction and analysis of biological functions and pathways of intersection targets was used the enrichments of gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Furthermore, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, herb-target, and compound-target network of CHSC-CIS were constructed by Cytoscape3.7.2, and herb-compound-pathway network was drawn with Sankey diagram. Finally, AutoDock was used for molecular docking verification, and identifying the active binding sites in target proteins. Results: A total of 293 putative targets were obtained from 62 active compounds in CHSC. Among them, 209 targets were related to CIS. PPI network showed that the top 16 key targets were RELA, JUN, FOS, MAPK1, AKT1, etc. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated that CHSC was enriched in PI3K-Akt, MAPK, and TNF signaling pathways. In addition, GO enrichment analysis showed the significant enrichment of CHSC in the following categories: kinase binding, cellular response to nitrogen compound, etc. Network topology analysis showed that quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, etc., were the key components in CHSC. Finally, molecular docking studies suggested that the active components in CHSC had a good binding ability with the key targets. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that CHSC exerted the effect in treating CIS by the characteristics of multi-target and multi-pathway, thereby providing a theoretical basis for further study of the effective components and mechanism of CHSC in the treatment of CIS.

Long noncoding RNA H19 mediates neural stem/progenitor cells proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis through the p53 signaling pathway after ischemic stroke

Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) H19 plays an important role on the biological functions of endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs). Our study aimed to explore the functions of H19 in NSPCs induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) in vitro and the underlying mechanisms. In this study, our results showed that knockdown of H19 significantly inhibited NSPCs proliferation. Additionally, the apoptosis of NSPCs after ODG/R injury was notably promoted by H19 knockdown. Cell cycle arrest was induced in NSPCs at G0/G1 phase after OGD/R, while knockdown of H19 decreased the percentage of cells at G2/S phase. The results of immunofluorescence analysis revealed that H19 knockdown reduced the staining intensity of Ki-67 and DCX. Furthermore, H19 knockdown enhanced the expression of p53, Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3, while Bcl-2 expression was decreased. Silencing of H19 suppressed the NSPCs proliferation, cell cycle progression and differentiation, whereas cell apoptosis was promoted. Upregulation of H19 abolished OGD/R-induced NSPCs apoptosis, while cell proliferation and differentiation were promoted. Furthermore, the effects of overexpressed H19 on NSPCs proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis were abrogated by the upregulation of p53. In summary, overexpressed H19 resulted in the inactivation of p53, which promoted NSPCs proliferation, differentiation, and inhibited cell apoptosis. These findings suggested that H19 could promote cell proliferation and differentiation after OGD/R through suppressing the p53 signaling.

HBO Alleviates Neural Stem Cell Pyroptosis via lncRNA-H19/miR-423-5p/NLRP3 Axis and Improves Neurogenesis after Oxygen Glucose Deprivation

Due to the limited neurogenesis capacity, there has been a big challenge in better recovery from neurological dysfunction caused by stroke for a long time. Neural stem cell (NSC) programmed death is one of the unfavorable factors for neural regeneration after stroke. The types of death such as apoptosis and necroptosis have been deeply investigated while the pyroptosis of NSCs is not quite understood. Although it is well accepted that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) alleviates the oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) injury after stroke and reduces programmed death of NSCs, whether NSC pyroptosis is involved in this process is still unknown. Therefore, this study is aimed at studying the potential effect of HBO treatment on NSC pyroptosis following OGD exposure, as well as its influence on NSC proliferation and differentiation in vitro. The results revealed that OGD increased NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) expression to induce the pyroptotic death of NSCs, which was rescued by HBO treatment. And the upregulated lncRNA-H19 functioned as a molecular sponge of miR-423-5p to target NLRP3 for NSC pyroptosis following OGD. Most importantly, it was confirmed that HBO exerted protection of NSCs against pyroptosis by inhibiting lncRNA-H19/miR-423-5p/NLRP3 axis. Moreover, HBO restraint of lncRNA-H19-associated pyroptosis benefited the proliferation and neuronal differentiation of NSCs. It was concluded that HBO attenuated NSC pyroptosis via lncRNA-H19/miR-423-5p/NLRP3 axis and enhanced neurogenesis following OGD. The findings provide new insight into NSC programmed death and enlighten therapeutic strategy after stroke.

Emerging Impact of Non-coding RNAs in the Pathology of Stroke

Ischemic stroke (IS) is an acute cerebral vascular event with high mortality and morbidity. Though the precise pathophysiologic routes leading to this condition are not entirely clarified, growing evidence from animal and human experiments has exhibited the impact of non-coding RNAs in the pathogenesis of IS. Various lncRNAs namely MALAT1, linc-SLC22A2, linc-OBP2B-1, linc_luo_1172, linc-DHFRL1-4, SNHG15, linc-FAM98A-3, H19, MEG3, ANRIL, MIAT, and GAS5 are possibly involved in the pathogenesis of IS. Meanwhile, lots of miRNAs contribute in this process. Differential expression of lncRNAs and miRNAs in the sera of IS patients versus unaffected individuals has endowed these transcripts the aptitude to distinguish at risk patients. Despite conduction of comprehensive assays for evaluation of the influence of lncRNAs/miRNAs in the pathogenesis of IS, therapeutic impacts of these transcripts in IS have not been clarified. In the present paper, we review the impact of lncRNAs/miRNAs in the pathobiology of IS through assessment of evidence provided by human and animal studies.

Hypoxia related long non-coding RNAs in ischemic stroke

With high rates of mortality and disability, stroke has caused huge social burden, and 85% of which is ischemic stroke. In recent years, it is a progressive discovery of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) playing an important regulatory role throughout ischemic stroke. Hypoxia, generated from reduction or interruption of cerebral blood flow, leads to changes in lncRNA expression, which then influence disease progression. Therefore, we reviewed studies on expression of hypoxia-related lncRNAs and relevant molecular mechanism in ischemic stroke. Considering that hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is a crucial regulator in hypoxic progress, we mainly focus on the HIF-related lncRNA which regulates the expression of HIF or is regulated by HIF, further reveal their pathogenesis and adaption after brain ischemia and hypoxia, so as to find effective biomarker and therapeutic targets.

Divergent regulation of lncRNA expression by ischemia in adult and aging mice

Elderly patients have increased susceptibility to acute kidney injury (AKI). Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) are key regulators of cellular processes, and have been implicated in both aging and AKI. Our aim was to study the effects of aging and ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) on the renal expression of lncRNAs. Adult and old (10- and 26-30-month-old) C57BL/6 N mice were subjected to unilateral IRI followed by 7 days of reperfusion. Renal expression of 90 lncRNAs and mRNA expression of injury, regeneration, and fibrosis markers was measured by qPCR in the injured and contralateral control kidneys. Tubular injury, regeneration, and fibrosis were assessed by histology. Urinary lipocalin-2 excretion was increased in old mice prior to IRI, but plasma urea was similar. In the control kidneys of old mice tubular cell necrosis and apoptosis, mRNA expression of kidney injury molecule-1, fibronectin-1, p16, and p21 was elevated. IRI increased plasma urea concentration only in old mice, but injury, regeneration, and fibrosis scores and their mRNA markers were similar in both age groups. AK082072 and Y lncRNAs were upregulated, while H19 and RepA transcript were downregulated in the control kidneys of old mice. IRI upregulated Miat, Igf2as, SNHG5, SNHG6, RNCR3, Malat1, Air, Linc1633, and Neat1 v1, while downregulated Linc1242. LncRNAs H19, AK082072, RepA transcript, and Six3os were influenced by both aging and IRI. Our results indicate that both aging and IRI alter renal lncRNA expression suggesting that lncRNAs have a versatile and complex role in aging and kidney injury. An Ingenuity Pathway Analysis highlighted that the most downregulated H19 may be linked to aging/senescence through p53.

Overexpression of Long Noncoding RNA H19 Inhibits Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis in Neonatal Rats with Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Damage Through the miR-149-5p/LIF/PI3K/Akt Axis

Hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) is a leading cause of fatality and neural system injury in neonates. This study aims to explore the effect of long noncoding RNA H19 on cardiomyocyte apoptosis in neonatal rats with HIBD. The neonatal rat model of HIBD was established. The cerebral infarction volume and apoptosis index of cardiomyocyte increased, while H19 expression decreased in neonatal rats with HIBD. After the lentivirus vector of overexpressed H19 was injected into neonatal rats with HIBD, the cardiomyocyte apoptosis was suppressed; levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress injury of myocardial tissues were reduced. The binding relationships between H19 and miR-149-5p, and miR-149-5p and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) were predicted by a bioinformatics website and verified using the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. H19 competitively bound to miR-149-5p to upregulate LIF expression and activate the PI3K/Akt pathway. Moreover, a functional rescue experiment was carried out. Injection of Wortmannin reversed the inhibitory effect of H19 overexpression on cardiomyocyte apoptosis in neonatal rats with HIBD. It could be concluded that H19 competitively bound to miR-149-5p to upregulate LIF expression and activate the PI3K/Akt pathway, thus reducing cardiomyocyte apoptosis in neonatal rats with HIBD. This study may offer new insights for HIBD treatment.

Long non-coding RNA H19: Physiological functions and involvements in central nervous system disorders

Central nervous system (CNS) disorders are some of the most complex and challenging diseases because of the intricate structure and functions of the CNS. Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) H19, which had been mistaken for "transcription noise" previously, has now been found to be closely related to the development and homeostasis of the CNS. Several recent studies indicate that it plays an important role in the pathogenesis, treatment, and even prognosis of CNS disorders. LncRNA H19 is correlated with susceptibility to various CNS disorders such as intracranial aneurysms, ischemic stroke, glioma, and neuroblastoma. Moreover, it participates in the pathogenesis of CNS disorders by regulating transcription, translation, and signaling pathways, suggesting that it is a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for these disorders. This article reviews the functions and mechanisms of lncRNA H19 in various CNS disorders, including cerebral ischemia, cerebral hemorrhage, glioma, pituitary adenoma, neuroblastoma, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, traumatic spinal cord injury, neuropathic pain, and temporal lobe epilepsy, to provide a theoretical basis for further research on the role of lncRNA H19 in CNS disorders.

Non-Coding RNAs Based Molecular Links in Type 2 Diabetes, Ischemic Stroke, and Vascular Dementia

This article reviews recent advances in the study of microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and their functions in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), ischemic stroke (IS), and vascular dementia (VaD). miRNAs and lncRNAs are gene regulation markers that both regulate translational aspects of a wide range of proteins and biological processes in healthy and disease states. Recent studies from our laboratory and others have revealed that miRNAs and lncRNAs expressed differently are potential therapeutic targets for neurological diseases, especially T2DM, IS, VaD, and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Currently, the effect of aging in T2DM, IS, and VaD and the cellular and molecular pathways are largely unknown. In this article, we highlight results from the works on the molecular connections between T2DM and IS, and IS and VaD. In each disease, we also summarize the pathophysiology and the differential expressions of miRNAs and lncRNAs. Based on current research findings, we hypothesize that 1) T2DM bi-directionally and age-dependently induces IS and VaD, and 2) these changes are precursors to the onset of dementia in elderly people. Research into these hypotheses is required to examine further whether research efforts on reducing T2DM, IS, and VaD may affect dementia and/or delay the AD disease process in the aged population.

Role of lncRNAs in the Development of Ischemic Stroke and Their Therapeutic Potential

Stroke is a major cause of premature mortality and disability around the world. Therefore, identification of cellular and molecular processes implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of ischemic stroke has become a priority. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as significant players in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia. They are involved in different signalling pathways of cellular processes like cell apoptosis, autophagy, angiogenesis, inflammation, and cell death, impacting the progression of cerebral damage. Exploring the functions of these lncRNAs and their mechanism of action may help in the development of promising treatment strategies. In this review, the current knowledge of lncRNAs in ischemic stroke, focusing on the mechanism by which they cause cellular apoptosis, inflammation, and microglial activation, has been summarized. Very few lncRNAs have been functionally annotated. Therefore, the therapies based on lncRNAs still face many hurdles since the potential targets are likely to increase with the identification of new ones. Majority of experiments involving the identification and function of lncRNAs have been carried out in animal models, and the role of lncRNAs in human stroke presents a challenge. However, mitigating these issues through more rational experimental design might lead to the development of lncRNA-based stroke therapies to treat ischemic stroke.

Long non-coding RNA H19 expression and functional polymorphism rs217727 are linked to increased ischemic stroke risk

Background

Efforts to identify potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of ischemic stroke (IS) are valuable. The H19 gene plays a functional role in increasing the prevalence of IS risk factors. We evaluated the correlation between H19 rs217727 polymorphism and the expression level of H19 lncRNA with susceptibility to IS among the Iranian population.

Methods

Blood samples were collected from IS patients (n = 114) and controls (n = 114). We concentrated on the expression pattern of H19 at different time points (i.e., 0–24, 24–48, and 48–72 h after stroke). The tetra-amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR) method was applied for DNA genotyping. We used the quantitative real-time PCR to evaluate H19 expression levels. We used the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to evaluate the diagnosis and prognosis of IS.

Results

The rs217727polymorphism of H19 was related with IS susceptibility in the co-dominant (OR = 2.92, 95% CI = 0.91–10.92, P = 0.04) and recessive models (OR = 2.80, 95% CI = 0.96–8.15, P = 0.04). H19 expression was significantly upregulated in IS and remained high for 72 h after stroke. ROC curves showed that H19 expression within the first 24 h from stroke onset might serve as a biomarker for the early diagnosis of IS with 79.49% sensitivity and 80.00% specificity. H19 expression in small vessel occlusion (SVO) and large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA) patients were 3.74 and 3.34 times higher than the undetermined (UD) subtype, respectively [OR = 3.74 95% CL (1.14–12.27) P = 0.030 and OR = 3.34 95% CL (1.13–9.85) P = 0.029].

Conclusion

The rs217727 polymorphism of the H19 is correlated with IS susceptibility, and H19 expression levels were higher in SVO and LAA patients. The upregulation of H19 may be considered as a diagnostic biomarker in IS among the Iranian population, but it cannot serve as a useful prognostic marker.

The Roles of H19 in Regulating Inflammation and Aging

Accumulating evidence suggests that long non-coding RNA H19 correlates with several aging processes. However, the role of H19 in aging remains unclear. Many studies have elucidated a close connection between H19 and inflammatory genes. Chronic systemic inflammation is an established factor associated with various diseases during aging. Thus, H19 might participate in the development of age-related diseases by interplay with inflammation and therefore provide a protective function against age-related diseases. We investigated the inflammatory gene network of H19 to understand its regulatory mechanisms. H19 usually controls gene expression by acting as a microRNA sponge, or through mir-675, or by leading various protein complexes to genes at the chromosome level. The regulatory gene network has been intensively studied, whereas the biogenesis of H19 remains largely unknown. This literature review found that the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and an imprinting gene network (IGN) might link H19 with inflammation. Evidence indicates that EMT and IGN are also tightly controlled by environmental stress. We propose that H19 is a stress-induced long non-coding RNA. Because environmental stress is a recognized age-related factor, inflammation and H19 might serve as a therapeutic axis to fight against age-related diseases.

Inhibition of LncRNA MALAT1 Attenuates Cerebral Ischemic Reperfusion Injury via Regulating AQP4 Expression

Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) including MALAT1 have been shown to have critical roles in cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (CIRI). However, the underlying mechanism of MALAT1 in CIRI has not been elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the function and potential regulatory mechanism of MALAT1 in cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury. We established the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/RX) model in vivo and in vitro, and then Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), RT-qPCR, flow cytometry analysis, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) analysis, and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining were used to examine cell viability, MALAT1, aquaporin-4 (AQP4) expression, LDH release, and infarct volume, respectively. The level of AQP4 was remarkably upregulated in CIRI 24 h/48 h or OGD/RX 24 h/48 h compared with the sham group. Knockdown of AQP4 could alleviate OGD/RX-induced injury through enhancing cell viability and reducing LDH release and the rate of apoptotic cells. Furthermore, we found that MALAT1 was also increased in OGD/RX 24 h/48 h and silencing of MALAT1 could decrease AQP4. Inhibition of MALAT1 could also protect OGD/RX-induced injury, while the protective effect of MALAT1 siRNA on cerebral ischemic reperfusion was disappeared after transfection with AQP4 plasmid, indicating that MALAT1 may play a protective role in brain stroke through regulating AQP4. Taken together, our study provides evidence that MALAT1 is involved in ischemic stroke by inhibiting AQP4. Therefore, MALAT1 may serve as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in ischemic brain injury.

LncRNAs Stand as Potent Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for Stroke

Stroke is a major public health problem worldwide with a high burden of neurological disability and mortality. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have attracted much attention in the past decades because of their newly discovered roles in pathophysiological processes in many diseases. The abundance of lncRNAs in the nervous system indicates that they may be part of a complex regulatory network governing physiology and pathology of the brain. In particular, lncRNAs have been shown to play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of stroke. In this article, we provide a review of the multifaceted functions of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage, highlighting their promising use as stroke diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutics. To this end, we discuss the potential of stem cells in aiding lncRNA applications in stroke.

Long Non-Coding RNA H19 Positively Associates With Aspirin Resistance in the Patients of Cerebral Ischemic Stroke

Background and purpose

Aspirin is a novel anti-platelet drug that is intensively recommended for the prevention and treatment of cerebral ischemic stroke. However, the existence of aspirin resistance weakens the effects of aspirin and usually induces the recurrence of ischemic stroke. While the mechanism underlying aspirin resistance is still unclear. Long non-coding RNA H19 (H19) is closely associated with the onset and prognosis of cerebral ischemic stroke. Since the relationship between H19 and aspirin resistance have never been reported, herein, we aimed to evaluate the H19 expression in aspirin-resistant ischemic stroke patients and subsequently, ascertain the ability of H19 to diagnose aspirin resistance.

Methods

We included 150 patients with acute cerebral ischemic stroke who were followed up for one year to determine stroke recurrence. Levels of 11-dehydro thromboxane B2 (11dhTXB2) in urine were tested to evaluate the status of aspirin resistance, and those of H19 and 8-iso-prostaglandin-2α in plasma were assessed. The relationship between 11dhTXB2 or and 8-iso-prostaglandin-2α and H19, and the receiver operating characteristic curve of H19, the association of H19 and aspirin resistance with the recurrence of stoke were statistically analyzed.

Results

Plasma H19 was significantly up-regulated in patients with aspirin resistance (p=0.0203), and the H19 levels were positively associated with urine 11dhTXB2/creatinine (R=0.04364, p=0.0106) and positively associated with the level of 8-iso-PGF2α (R=0.04561, p=0.0089). The ROC curves indicated that H19 can sensitively and specifically diagnose aspirin resistance (area under the curve, 0.8005; 95% CI, 0.7301–0.8710; p < 0.0001; specificity, 75.86207%; sensitivity, 73.84615%.). H19 is an independent risk factor for aspirin resistance (OR=1.129, p=0.0321), and aspirin resistance and H19 are closely related with ischemic stroke recurrence.

Conclusions

H19 is closely associated with aspirin resistance, and H19 probably induces aspirin resistance through increasing the production of 8-iso-prostaglandin-2α. Besides which, H19 may serve as a serological marker for diagnosing aspirin resistance with high specificity and sensitivity, and the test of H19 could give clues to the recurrence of ischemic stroke.

The functions of long non-coding RNAs in neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation

The capacities for neural stem cells (NSCs) self-renewal with differentiation are need to be precisely regulated for ensuring brain development and homeostasis. Recently, increasing number of studies have highlighted that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are associated with NSC fate determination during brain development stages. LncRNAs are a class of non-coding RNAs more than 200 nucleotides without protein-coding potential and function as novel critical regulators in multiple biological processes. However, the correlation between lncRNAs and NSC fate decision still need to be explored in-depth. In this review, we will summarize the roles and molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs focusing on NSCs self-renewal, neurogenesis and gliogenesis over the course of neural development, still more, dysregulation of lncRNAs in all stage of neural development have closely relationship with development disorders or glioma. In brief, lncRNAs may be explored as effective modulators in NSCs related neural development and novel biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of neurological disorders in the future.

Modulators of microglia activation and polarization in ischemic stroke (Review)

Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide. However, there is a current lack of effective therapies available. As the resident macrophages of the brain, microglia can monitor the microenvironment and initiate immune responses. In response to various brain injuries, such as ischemic stroke, microglia are activated and polarized into the proinflammatory M1 phenotype or the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. The immunomodulatory molecules, such as cytokines and chemokines, generated by these microglia are closely associated with secondary brain damage or repair, respectively, following ischemic stroke. It has been shown that M1 microglia promote secondary brain damage, whilst M2 microglia facilitate recovery following stroke. In addition, autophagy is also reportedly involved in the pathology of ischemic stroke through regulating the activation and function of microglia. Therefore, this review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of microglia activation, their functions and changes, and the modulators of these processes, including transcription factors, membrane receptors, ion channel proteins and genes, in ischemic stroke. The effects of autophagy on microglia polarization in ischemic stroke were also reviewed. Finally, future research areas of ischemic stroke and the implications of the current knowledge for the development of novel therapeutics for ischemic stroke were identified.

LncRNAs a New Target for Post-Stroke Recovery

LncRNAs (long non-coding RNAs) are endogenous molecules, involved in complicated biological processes. Increasing evidence has shown that lncRNAs play a vital role in the post-stroke pathophysiology. Furthermore, several lncRNAs were reported to mediate ischemia cascade processes include apoptosis, bloodbrain barier breakdown, angiogenesis, microglial activation induced neuroinflammation which can cause neuron injury and influence neuron recovery after ischemic stroke. In our study, we first summarize current development about lncRNAs and post-stroke, focus on the regulatory roles of lncRNAs on pathophysiology after stroke. We also reviewed genetic variation in lncRNA associated with functional outcome after ischemic stroke. Additionally, lncRNA-based therapeutics offer promising strategies to decrease brain damage and promote neurological recovery following ischemic stroke. We believe that lncRNAs will become promising for the frontier strategies for IS and can open up a new path for the treatment of IS in the future.

Long noncoding RNAs in neurodevelopment and Parkinson's disease

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA molecules comprising more than 200 nucleotides, which are not translated into proteins. Many studies have shown that lncRNAs are involved in regulating a variety of biological processes, including immune, cancer, stress, development and differentiation at the transcriptional, epigenetic or post-transcriptional levels. Here, we review the role of lncRNAs in the process of neurodevelopment, neural differentiation, synaptic function, and pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). These pathomechanisms include protein misfolding and aggregation, disordered protein degradation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, autophagy, apoptosis, and neuroinflammation. This information will provide the basis of lncRNA-based disease diagnosis and drug treatment for PD.