Inhibition of long noncoding RNA BLACAT1 protects anesthesia-induced neural cytotoxicity in human induced pluripotent stem cells derived neurons

Involvement of selected circulating ncRNAs in the regulation of cognitive dysfunction induced by anesthesia

Post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) refers to the functional impairment of the nervous system caused by prolonged exposure to anesthetics. It is known that prolonged exposure to anesthetics may increase the risk for the development of several cognitive impairments. The drugs used to induce general anesthesia are generally safe, owing to the CNS's direct and/or indirect self-protective activity against drug-induced damages. Non-coding RNAs have recently started to gain attention to better understand the mechanism of gene regulation correlated to cellular physiology and pathology. In order to provide new insights for the neuroprotective function of highly expressed ncRNAs in the central nervous system, we investigated their expression profile in the circulating exosomes of patients exposed to anesthesia vs healthy controls. The experimental design envisaged the recruitment of 30 adult patients undergoing general anesthesia and healthy controls. The effects of anesthetics have been evaluated on miR-34a and miR-124, on the lncRNAs MALAT-1, HOTAIR, GAS5, BLACAT1, HULC, PANDA, and on YRNAs. NcRNAs miR-34a, miR-124, MALAT-1, HOTAIR, GAS5, BLACAT1, and YRNA1 are significantly overexpressed following anesthesia, while YRNA5 is significantly down regulated. Some of them have neuroprotective function, while other correlate with neurological dysfunctions. Our data suggests that, during anesthesia, the toxic action of some non-coding RNAs could be compensated by other non-coding RNAs, both synthesized by the CNS or also transported into neurons from other tissues. It is reasonable to suppose a mutual action of these molecules likely to secure the CNS from anesthetics, that drive a convoluted cascade of ncRNA-dependent biological counter-responses. Our findings are novel in the field of brain dysfunction, indicating that some of the analyzed ncRNAs, although several of their functions still need to be addressed, could be suggested as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in post-operative cognitive dysfunction-related processes.

Neuroprotective Effect of HOTAIR Silencing on Isoflurane-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction via Sponging microRNA-129-5p and Inhibiting Neuroinflammation

INTRODUCTION

This article purposed to detect the function of the HOTAIR and HOTAIR/microRNA-129-5p (miR-129-5p) axis on the isoflurane (ISO)-injured cells and rat, and propounded a novel perspective in exploring the molecular pathogenesis of ISO damage.

METHODS

The expression of HOTAIR and miR-129-5p was tested by quantitative real-time PCR. The viable cells were identified using MMT, and the apoptotic cells were provided by flow cytometry. The concentration of proinflammatory indicators was revealed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The function of HOTAIR on oxidative stress was detected by commercial kits. A luciferase assay was performed to confirm the relationship between miR-129-5p and HOTAIR. The Morris water maze test was conducted to elucidate the cognition of SD rats.

RESULTS

The expression of HOTAIR was enhanced and the expression of miR-129-5p was lessened in the ISO-evoked SD rats and HT22 cells. The interference of HOTAIR reversed the injury of ISO on cell viability, apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Besides, HOTAIR might be a target ceRNA of miR-129-5p. MiR-129-5p abrogated the function of silenced HOTAIR on cell viability, cell apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Moreover, in vivo, the intervention of HOTAIR reversed the influence of ISO on cognition and oxidative stress by binding miR-129-5p.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Lowly expressed HOTAIR contributed to the recovery of the ISO-injured HT22 cell model from the abnormal viability, apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress by regulating miR-129-5p. miR-129-5p mediated the function of HOTAIR on cognition and oxidative balance in the ISO-managed SD rat model.

Oncogenic roles of lncRNA BLACAT1 and its related mechanisms in human cancers

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play indispensable roles in mediating regulation of epigenetics, and their dysregulation is strongly associated with the initiation and progression of human cancers. Recently, lncRNA bladder cancer-associated transcript 1 (BLACAT1) has been observed to exert oncogenic effects on cancers, including glioma, breast cancer, lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer and osteosarcoma. Additional mechanical analyses have uncovered that lncRNA BLACAT1 is positively correlated with tumor stage, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis of primary tumors via involvement with various cellular activities, thus leading to poor overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS). In this review, we generalize the oncogenic roles of BLACAT1 in multiple human cancers through correlation with clinical implications and cellular activities. Moreover, we forecast its potential clinical application as a novel biomarker and a promising therapeutic target for cancers.