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Chen Y, Sun JX, Chen WK, Wu GC, Wang YQ, Zhu KY, Wang J. miR-124/VAMP3 is a novel therapeutic target for mitigation of surgical trauma-induced microglial activation. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2019; 4:27. [PMID: 31637007 PMCID: PMC6799846 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-019-0061-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of microglia and the subsequently elevated inflammatory cytokine release in the brain during surgery predispose individuals to cognitive dysfunction, also known as postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). miR-124 is one of the most abundant microRNAs in the brain that regulates microglial function. Elucidating the role of miR-124 in microglial activation in the context of surgery may therefore promote understanding of as well as therapeutic development for post-surgical disorders involving microglial activation. The downstream targets of miR-124 were investigated using bioinformatic screening and dual-luciferase reporter assay validation, and vesicle-associated membrane protein 3 (VAMP3) was identified as a potential target. The kinetics of miR-124/VAMP3 expression was first examined in vitro in microglial cells (primary microglia and BV2 microglial cells) following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. LPS induced a time-dependent decrease of miR-124 and upregulated the expression of VAMP3. Manipulating miR-124/VAMP3 expression by using miR-124 mimics or VAMP3-specific siRNA in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells inhibited BV2 microglial activation-associated inflammatory cytokine release. To further examine the role of miR-124/VAMP3 in a surgical setting, we employed a rat surgical trauma model. Significant microglial activation and altered miR-124/VAMP3 expression were observed following surgical trauma. We also altered miR-124/VAMP3 expression in the rat surgical trauma model by administration of exogenous miR-124 and by using electroacupuncture, which is a clinically applicable treatment that modulates microglial function and minimizes postoperative disorders. We determined that electroacupuncture treatment specifically increases the expression of miR-124 in the hypothalamus and hippocampus. Increased miR-124 expression with a concomitant decrease in VAMP3 expression resulted in decreased inflammatory cytokine release related to microglial activation post-surgery. Our study indicates that miR-124/VAMP3 is involved in surgery-induced microglial activation and that targeting miR-124/VAMP3 could be a potential therapeutic strategy for postoperative disorders involving microglial activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
- Institutes of Brain Science, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
| | - Jing-xian Sun
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
- Institutes of Brain Science, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
| | - Wan-kun Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 200032 Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
| | - Gen-cheng Wu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
- Institutes of Brain Science, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
| | - Yan-qing Wang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
- Institutes of Brain Science, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
| | - Ke-ying Zhu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
- Institutes of Brain Science, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
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