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Yang P, Chen HY, Zhang X, Wang T, Li L, Su H, Li J, Guo YJ, Su SY. Electroacupuncture Attenuates Neuropathic Pain in a Rat Model of Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy: Involvement of Spinal Cord Synaptic Plasticity. J Pain Res 2023; 16:2447-2460. [PMID: 37483411 PMCID: PMC10362917 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s415111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) is a common neurologic condition that causes chronic neck pain and motor functions, with neuropathic pain (NP) being the primary symptom. Although it has been established that electroacupuncture (EA) can yield an analgesic effect in clinics and synaptic plasticity plays a critical role in the development and maintenance of NP, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we explored the potential mechanisms underlying EA's effect on synaptic plasticity in CSR rat models. Materials and Methods The CSR rat model was established by spinal cord compression (SCC). Electroacupuncture stimulation was applied to LI4 (Hegu) and LR3 (Taichong) acupoints for 20 min once a day for 7 days. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) and mechanical pain threshold (MPT) were utilized to detect the pain response of rats. A gait score was used to evaluate the motor function of rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blot (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed to investigate the effects of EA. Results Our results showed that EA alleviated SCC-induced spontaneous pain and gait disturbance. ELISA showed that EA could decrease the concentration of pain mediators in the cervical nerve root. WB, IHC, and IF results showed that EA could downregulate the expression of synaptic proteins in spinal cord tissues and promote synaptic plasticity. TEM revealed that the EA could reverse the synaptic ultrastructural changes induced by CSR. Conclusion Our findings reveal that EA can inhibit SCC-induced NP by modulating the synaptic plasticity in the spinal cord and provide the foothold for the clinical treatment of CSR with EA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu Yang
- Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hai-Yan Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xi Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tian Wang
- Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ling Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hong Su
- Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Li
- Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan-Jun Guo
- Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sheng-Yong Su
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Preventive Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
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Chen Y, Jin J, Chen X, Xu J, An L, Ruan H. Exosomal microRNA-342-5p from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells inhibits preeclampsia in rats. Funct Integr Genomics 2023; 23:27. [PMID: 36598700 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-022-00931-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hucMSC)-derived exosomes (hucMSC-Exos) transmitting microRNA-342-5p (miR-342-5p) on the development of preeclampsia (PE) by targeting programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4). The primary hucMSCs were cultured and transfected with miR-342-5p, and the exosomes (Exo) were extracted from the hucMSCs. PE rats were performed with an intraperitoneal injection of L-NAME from days 11 to 19 of gestation, and injection of Exo, Exo-negative control (NC), Exo-miR-342-5p agomir, Exo-miR-342-5p antagomir, and overexpressing PDCD4 (oe-PDCD4) vector into the placenta on the 16th day of pregnancy. HE staining was utilized to observe the pathological changes in placental tissues. TUNEL staining was implemented to evaluate cell apoptosis in placental tissues. Blood pressure and 24-h urinary protein in pregnant rats were measured by a non-invasive rat tail artery blood pressure measurement and protein auto-analyzer. Expressions of miR-342-5p, PDCD4, proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β), and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β) were detected by RT-qPCR, and PDCD4 protein expression was determined by Western blot. The interaction between miR-342-5p and PDCD4 was analyzed by luciferase activity assay. MiR-342-5p was downregulated while PDCD4 was upregulated in the placental tissues of PE rats. HucMSC-Exo relieved pathology and suppressed inflammatory response, and apoptosis in the placental tissues, as well as reducing blood pressure and 24-h urinary protein of PE rats. Elevated miR-342-5p enhanced the promoting influence of hucMSC-Exo on PE rats, while inhibited miR-342-5p reversed the functions of hucMSC-Exo on PE rats. miR-342-5p targeted PDCD4. Overexpression of PDCD4 worsened the development of PE in rats. HucMSC-Exo conveying elevated miR-342-5p inhibits the development of PE in a rat model through downregulating PDCD4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First People's Hospital of WenLing ZheJiang, No. 333, Chuanannan Road, Chengxi Street, Wenling, 317500, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiaxi Jin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First People's Hospital of WenLing ZheJiang, No. 333, Chuanannan Road, Chengxi Street, Wenling, 317500, Zhejiang, China
| | - XiaoPei Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First People's Hospital of WenLing ZheJiang, No. 333, Chuanannan Road, Chengxi Street, Wenling, 317500, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jia Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First People's Hospital of WenLing ZheJiang, No. 333, Chuanannan Road, Chengxi Street, Wenling, 317500, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lihong An
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First People's Hospital of WenLing ZheJiang, No. 333, Chuanannan Road, Chengxi Street, Wenling, 317500, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haibo Ruan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First People's Hospital of WenLing ZheJiang, No. 333, Chuanannan Road, Chengxi Street, Wenling, 317500, Zhejiang, China.
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Liu Y, Zhang J, Liu X, Zhou W, Stalin A, Fu C, Wu J, Cheng G, Guo S, Jia S, Li B, Wang H, Li J, Lu S. Investigation on the mechanisms of guiqi huoxue capsule for treating cervical spondylosis based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e26643. [PMID: 34664825 PMCID: PMC8447999 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000026643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Guiqi huoxue capsule (GQHXC) is a patented Chinese medicine used for treating a liver and kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome due to qi deficiency. It is caused by cervical spondylosis (cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR), mixed cervical spondylosis mainly composed of nerve root type). Its underlying mechanisms need, however, to be further clarified. METHODS In this study, collecting compounds, predicting therapeutic targets, constructing networks, and analyzing biological functions and pathways were based on network pharmacology analysis. In addition, molecular docking verification was engaged to assess the binding potential of selected target-compound pairs. RESULTS We established 5 networks: compound-putative target network of GQHXC, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network related to CSR, compound-CSR target network, potential therapeutic targets PPI network, and herb-compound-target-pathway network. Network analysis indicated that 7 targets (tumor necrosis factor [TNF], interleukin 6 [IL6], nitric oxide synthase 3 [NOS3], Interleukin-8 [CXCL8], prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 [PTGS2], vascular endothelial growth factor A [VEGFA], and AP-1 transcription factor subunit [JUN]) might be the therapeutic targets of GQHXC in CSR. Moreover, molecular docking verification showed that TNF, IL6, NOS3, CXCL8, PTGS2, VEGFA, and JUN had a good is interaction with the corresponding compounds. Furthermore, enrichment analysis indicated that GQHXC might exert a curative role in CSR by regulating some important pathways, such as TNF signaling pathway, NF-kappa B signaling pathway, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, and so on. CONCLUSION Our study preliminarily explained the underlying mechanisms of GQHXC for treating CSR, and molecular docking verification was adopted as an additional verification. These findings laid a valuable foundation for experimental research and further application of GQHXC in the clinical treatment of CSR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Liu
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jingyuan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xinkui Liu
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Antony Stalin
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Changgeng Fu
- Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, China
| | - Jiarui Wu
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Guoliang Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Generic Manufacture Technology of Chinese Traditional Medicine, Linyi, China
| | - Siyu Guo
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shanshan Jia
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Bingbing Li
- Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, China
| | - Haojia Wang
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jialin Li
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shan Lu
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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Zhao L, Shen J, Jia K, Shi F, Hao Q, Gao F. MicroRNA-24-3p Inhibits Microglia Inflammation by Regulating MK2 Following Spinal Cord Injury. Neurochem Res 2021; 46:843-852. [PMID: 33439430 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-020-03211-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a functional impairment of the spinal cord caused by external forces, accompanied by limb movement disorders and permanent paralysis, which seriously lowers the life quality of SCI patients. Secondary injury caused by inflammation attenuated the therapeutic effects of SCI. Therefore, the exploration of biomarkers associated with the inflammatory response following SCI might provide novel therapy strategy against SCI.SCI rat model was established as previously reported and evaluated by BBB score. The expression of microRNA-24-3p (miR-24-3p) and MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) in spinal cord tissues of SCI rats and HAPI cells was analyzed by qRT-PCR. Protein expression of MK2, ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 (Iba-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was assessed by western blot assay. The release of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The interaction between miR-24-3p and MK2 was examined by the luciferase reporter system. Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score dramatically reduced in rats following SCI compared with sham rats. Moreover, the expression of miR-24-3p was down-regulated, while MK2 was up-regulated in the spinal cord tissues of SCI rats and LPS-induced microglia cells compared with the corresponding control group. Luciferase reporter system confirmed the interaction between miR-24-3p and MK2. In addition, miR-24-3p upregulation or MK2 knockdown attenuated LPS induced activation of microglial cells and expression of inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and IL-1β. Besides, we discovered that miR-24-3p regulated inflammation of highly aggressively proliferating immortalized (HAPI) cells by targeting MK2.In our study, we clarified that miR-24-3p repressed inflammation of microglia cells following SCI by regulating MK2, thereby providing promising biomarkers for SCI therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Medical College of Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Juan Shen
- Department of Human Anatomy, Medical College of Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kunpeng Jia
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fangfang Shi
- Department of Human Anatomy, Medical College of Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qin Hao
- Department of Nursing, Medical College of Yan'an University, Guanghua Road, Baota District, Yan'an, 716000, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Yan'an University, Guanghua Road, Baota District, Yan'an, 716000, Shaanxi, China.
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Shen WS, Li CF, Zhou ZS, Zhai NN, Pan LP. MicroRNA-204 silencing relieves pain of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy by targeting GDNF. Gene Ther 2019; 27:254-265. [PMID: 31819204 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-019-0114-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cervical spondylosis may cause chronic neck pain, radiculopathy and/or myelopathy, and consequently results in severe brain damage. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a potent neurotrophic factor for motoneurons. Accumulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have highlighted as critical regulators of GDNF signaling in the mediation of neuroinflammation and neuropathic pain. Hence, we performed this study to investigate the potential role of miR-204 in the neuropathic pain of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) by targeting GDNF. A rat model of spinal cord compression (SCC) was established to stimulate a pathologic lesion. RT-qPCR and western blot assays characterized the downregulation of GDNF and the upregulation of miR-204 in spinal cord tissues of rats under the conditions of SCC. Moreover, miR-204 could directly target GDNF, as evidenced by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. In order to elucidate the roles of miR-204 and GDNF in SCC-induced neuropathic pain, miR-204 sponge, GDNF, or shRNA against GDNF was introduced to the rats, followed by measurements for SCC-induced neuroinflammation and neuropathic pain. GDNF upregulation or miR-204 silencing was identified to reduce the spontaneous pain score, gait scores and cell apoptosis. Furthermore, GDNF upregulation or miR-204 silencing resulted in elevated amplitude of sensory-evoked potentials (SEPs), number of motoneurons, release of pro-inflammatory factors, TNF-α, and IL-1β in addition to an increase in the anti-inflammatory factor BDNF. Taken together, upregulation of GDNF induced by miR-204 silencing confers protection against SCC-induced pain in rat models, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for CSR treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Sheng Shen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shaoxing Paojiang Hospital, Shaoxing, 312000, PR China.
| | - Cun-Feng Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shaoxing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaoxing, 312000, PR China
| | - Zhi-Shui Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shaoxing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaoxing, 312000, PR China
| | - Nan-Nan Zhai
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shaoxing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaoxing, 312000, PR China
| | - Lu-Ping Pan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shaoxing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaoxing, 312000, PR China
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