LncRNA MALAT1 aggravates oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation-induced neuronal endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis via the miR-195a-5p/HMGA1 axis

STIM2 Suppression Blocks Glial Activation to Alleviate Brain Ischemia Reperfusion Injury via Inhibition of Inflammation and Pyroptosis

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI) involves various pathogenic mechanisms, including cytotoxicity, apoptosis, inflammation, and pyroptosis. Stromal interactive molecule 2 (STIM2) is implicated in cerebral ischemia. Consequently, this study investigates the biological functions of STIM2 and its related mechanisms in CIRI progression. Middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) mouse models and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) cellular models were established. STIM2 level was upregulated in experimental CIRI models, as shown by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Brain infarction and edema were attenuated by STIM2 knockdown, as 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and brain water content evaluation revealed. STIM2 knockdown relieved neuronal apoptosis, microglia activation, inflammation and pyroptosis in MCAO/R mice, as detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blotting. Results of flow cytometry, ELISA, western blotting and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays also showed that STIM2 knockdown inhibited inflammation, apoptosis and pyroptosis in OGD/R-treated BV2 cells. Moreover, STIM2 knockdown inhibited apoptosis and pyroptosis in PC12 cells incubated with conditioned medium collected from OGD/R-exposed BV2 cells. Mechanistically, lncRNA Malat1 (metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1) positively regulated STIM2 expression by sponging miR-30d-5p. Their binding relationship was confirmed by luciferase reporter assays. Finally, lncRNA Malat1 elevation or miR-30d-5p knockdown abolished the sh-STIM2-induced inhibition in cell damage. In conclusion, STIM2 knockdown in microglia alleviates CIRI by inhibiting microglial activation, inflammation, apoptosis, and pyroptosis.

LncRNA MALAT1 and Ischemic Stroke: Pathogenesis and Opportunities

Ischemic stroke (IS) stands as a prominent cause of mortality and long-term disability around the world. It arises primarily from a disruption in cerebral blood flow, inflicting severe neural injuries. Hence, there is a pressing need to comprehensively understand the intricate mechanisms underlying IS and identify novel therapeutic targets. Recently, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as a novel class of regulatory molecules with the potential to attenuate pathogenic mechanisms following IS. Among these lncRNAs, MALAT1 (metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1) has been extensively studied due to its involvement in the pathophysiological processes of IS. In this review, we provide an in-depth analysis of the essential role of MALAT1 in the development and progression of both pathogenic and protective mechanisms following IS. These mechanisms include oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, cell death signaling, blood brain barrier dysfunction, and angiogenesis. Furthermore, we summarize the impact of MALAT1 on the susceptibility and severity of IS. This review highlights the potential risks associated with the therapeutic use of MALAT1 for IS, which are attributable to the stimulatory action of MALAT1 on ischemia/reperfusion injury. Ultimately, this review sheds light on the potential molecular mechanisms and associated signaling pathways underlying MALAT1 expression post-IS, with the aim of uncovering potential therapeutic targets.

Long Noncoding RNA MALAT1: Salt-Sensitive Hypertension

Hypertension stands as the leading global cause of mortality, affecting one billion individuals and serving as a crucial risk indicator for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Elevated salt intake triggers inflammation and hypertension by activating antigen-presenting cells (APCs). We found that one of the primary reasons behind this pro-inflammatory response is the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), responsible for transporting sodium ions into APCs and the activation of NADPH oxidase, leading to increased oxidative stress. Oxidative stress increases lipid peroxidation and the formation of pro-inflammatory isolevuglandins (IsoLG). Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in regulating gene expression, and MALAT1, broadly expressed across cell types, including blood vessels and inflammatory cells, is also associated with inflammation regulation. In hypertension, the decreased transcriptional activity of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2 or Nfe2l2) correlates with heightened oxidative stress in APCs and impaired control of various antioxidant genes. Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), an intracellular inhibitor of Nrf2, exhibits elevated levels of hypertension. Sodium, through an increase in Sp1 transcription factor binding at its promoter, upregulates MALAT1 expression. Silencing MALAT1 inhibits sodium-induced Keap1 upregulation, facilitating the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and subsequent antioxidant gene transcription. Thus, MALAT1, acting via the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, modulates antioxidant defense in hypertension. This review explores the potential role of the lncRNA MALAT1 in controlling the Keap1-Nrf2-antioxidant defense pathway in salt-induced hypertension. The inhibition of MALAT1 holds therapeutic potential for the progression of salt-induced hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

METTL3-dependent N6-methyladenosine modification is involved in berberine-mediated neuroprotection in ischemic stroke by enhancing the stability of NEAT1 in astrocytes

Ischemic stroke (IS) is one of the principal causes of disability and death worldwide. Berberine (BBR), derived from the traditional Chinese herbal medicine Huang Lian, has been reported to inhibit the progression of stroke, but the specific mechanism whereby BBR modulates the progression of ischemic stroke remains unclear. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is the most typical epigenetic modification of mRNA post-transcriptional modifications, among which METTL3 is the most common methylation transferase. During the study, the middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) was established in mice, and the mice primary astrocytes and neurons induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) was simulated in vitro. Level of LncNEAT1, miR-377-3p was detected via RT-qPCR. The levels of Nampt and METTL3 were measured by Western blot. CCK8 and LDH assay was performed to detect cell viability. Here, we found that berberine alleviates MCAO/R-induced ischemic injury and up-regulates the expression of Nampt in astrocytes, miR-377-3p inhibits the expression of Nampt in astrocytes after OGD/R, thus promoting neuronal injury. NEAT1 binds to miR-377-3p in OGD/R astrocytes and plays a neuronal protective role as a ceRNA. METTL3 can enhance NEAT1 stability in OGD/R astrocytes by modulating m6A modification of NEAT1. Taken together, our results demonstrate that berberine exerts neuroprotective effects via the m6A methyltransferase METTL3, which regulates the NEAT1/miR-377-3p/Nampt axis in mouse astrocytes to ameliorate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.

LncRNA MALAT1 Promoted Neuronal Necroptosis in Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Mice by Stabilizing HSP90

The objective of this research was to investigate the role of lncRNA MALAT1 and HSP90 in the regulation of neuronal necroptosis in mice with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CIR). We used male C57BL/6J mice to establish a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model and conducted in vitro experiments using the HT-22 mouse hippocampal neuron cell line. The cellular localization of NeuN and MLKL, as well as the expression levels of neuronal necroptosis factors, MALAT1, and HSP90 were analyzed. Cell viability and necroptosis were assessed, and we also investigated the relationship between MALAT1 and HSP90. The results showed that MALAT1 expression increased after MCAO and oxygen-glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation (OGD/R) treatment in both cerebral tissues and cells compared with the control group. The levels of neuronal necroptosis factors and the co-localization of NeuN and MLKL were also increased in MCAO mice compared with the Sham group. MALAT1 was found to interact with HSP90, and inhibition of HSP90 expression led to decreased phosphorylation levels of neuronal necroptosis factors. Inhibition of MALAT1 expression resulted in decreased co-localization levels of NeuN and MLKL, decreased phosphorylation levels of neuronal necroptosis factors, and reduced necroptosis rate in cerebral tissues. Furthermore, inhibiting MALAT1 expression also led to a shorter half-life of HSP90, increased ubiquitination level, and decreased phosphorylation levels of neuronal necroptosis factors in cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that lncRNA MALAT1 promotes neuronal necroptosis in CIR mice by stabilizing HSP90.

The Role of LincRNA-EPS/Sirt1/Autophagy Pathway in the Neuroprotection Process by Hydrogen against OGD/R-Induced Hippocampal HT22 Cells Injury

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (CI/R) injury causes high disability and mortality. Hydrogen (H2) enhances tolerance to an announced ischemic event; however, the therapeutic targets for the effective treatment of CI/R injury remain uncertain. Long non-coding RNA lincRNA-erythroid prosurvival (EPS) (lincRNA-EPS) regulate various biological processes, but their involvement in the effects of H2 and their associated underlying mechanisms still needs clarification. Herein, we examine the function of the lincRNA-EPS/Sirt1/autophagy pathway in the neuroprotection of H2 against CI/R injury. HT22 cells and an oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model were used to mimic CI/R injury in vitro. H2, 3-MA (an autophagy inhibitor), and RAPA (an autophagy agonist) were then administered, respectively. Autophagy, neuro-proinflammation, and apoptosis were evaluated by Western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence staining, real-time PCR, and flow cytometry. The results demonstrated that H2 attenuated HT22 cell injury, which would be confirmed by the improved cell survival rate and decreased levels of lactate dehydrogenase. Furthermore, H2 remarkably improved cell injury after OGD/R insult via decreasing pro-inflammatory factors, as well as suppressing apoptosis. Intriguingly, the protection of H2 against neuronal OGD/R injury was abolished by rapamycin. Importantly, the ability of H2 to promote lincRNA-EPS and Sirt1 expression and inhibit autophagy were abrogated by the siRNA-lincRNA-EPS. Taken together, the findings proved that neuronal cell injury caused by OGD/R is efficiently prevented by H2 via modulating lincRNA-EPS/Sirt1/autophagy-dependent pathway. It was hinted that lincRNA-EPS might be a potential target for the H2 treatment of CI/R injury.

Flavonoids from Citrus paradise cv. Changshan-huyou exerts protective effect on ischemia-induced cerebral injury in mice via inhibiting RhoA-ROCK2 signaling pathway

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of total flavonoids from Citrus paradise cv. Changshan-huyou extracts (TFC) on oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) of primary neurons and chronic ischemia-induced cerebral injury in mice.

METHODS

Primary hippocampal neurons of 18-day fetal rats were isolated and cultured for 1 week, then treated with 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 mg/mL TFC. After oxygen-glucose deprivation for 1 h, cells were reperfused for 6 and 24 h, respectively. The cytoskeleton was observed by phalloidin staining. In animal study, 6-week ICR male mice were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, low-dose (10 mg/kg), medium-dose (25 mg/kg) and high-dose (50 mg/kg) TFC treatment groups, with 20 mice in each group. After 3 weeks, chronic cerebral ischemia was induced by unilateral common carotid artery ligation in all groups except sham operation group. Mice were treated with different concentrations of TFC in the three TFC treatment groups for 4 weeks. Open field test, novel object recognition test and Morris water maze test were used to evaluate anxiety, learning and memory of these mice. Nissl, HE and Golgi stainings were used to detect neuronal degeneration and dendritic spine changes in the cortex and the hippocampus. The expression levels of Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) 2, LIM kinase (LIMK) 1, cofilin and its phosphorylation, as well as the expression of globular actin (G-actin) and filamentous actin (F-actin) protein in hippocampus of mice were detected by Western blotting.

RESULTS

Neurons subjected to OGD showed that neurites displayed shortening and breakage; while treatment with TFC reversed OGD-induced neurite injury, especially in the 0.50 mg/mL TFC group. Compared with the sham operation group, the mice in the model group showed a significant decline in anxiety and cognitive ability (P<0.01), whereas treatment with TFC significantly reversed anxiety and cognitive deficits (P<0.05). Improvement in the medium-dose TFC group was the most obvious. Histopathological analysis indicated that the number of Nissl bodies and dendritic spines in hippocampus and cortex were decreased in the model group (all P<0.01). However, after treatment with medium dose of TFC, the number of Nissl bodies and dendritic spines (all P<0.05) was significantly recovered. Compared with the sham operation group, the phosphorylation level of ROCK2 in the brain tissue of the model group was significantly increased (P<0.05), while the phosphorylation levels of LIMK1 and cofilin were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the relative content ratio of G-actin/F-actin was significantly increased (P<0.05). After administration of TFC, the phosphorylation level of ROCK2 in brain tissue of each group was significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the phosphorylation levels of LIMK1 and cofilin were significantly up-regulated (P<0.05) and the relative content ratio of G-actin/F-actin was significantly decreased (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

TFC protects from ischemia-induced cytoskeletal damage, reduces neuronal dendritic spine injury and protects mice against chronic cerebral ischemia through RhoA-ROCK2 signaling pathway, indicating that TFC might be a potential candidate for treatment of chronic ischemic cerebral injury.

Oxidative Stress and Its Modulation by Ladostigil Alter the Expression of Abundant Long Non-Coding RNAs in SH-SY5Y Cells

Neurodegenerative disorders, brain injury, and the decline in cognitive function with aging are accompanied by a reduced capacity of cells in the brain to cope with oxidative stress and inflammation. In this study, we focused on the response to oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y, a human neuroblastoma cell line. We monitored the viability of the cells in the presence of oxidative stress. Such stress was induced by hydrogen peroxide or by Sin1 (3-morpholinosydnonimine) that generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS). Both stressors caused significant cell death. Our results from the RNA-seq experiments show that SH-SY5Y cells treated with Sin1 for 24 h resulted in 94 differently expressed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), including many abundant ones. Among the abundant lncRNAs that were upregulated by exposing the cells to Sin1 were those implicated in redox homeostasis, energy metabolism, and neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., MALAT1, MIAT, GABPB1-AS1, NEAT1, MIAT, GABPB1-AS1, and HAND2-AS1). Another group of abundant lncRNAs that were significantly altered under oxidative stress included cancer-related SNHG family members. We tested the impact of ladostigil, a bifunctional reagent with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, on the lncRNA expression levels. Ladostigil was previously shown to enhance learning and memory in the brains of elderly rats. In SH-SY5Y cells, several lncRNAs involved in transcription regulation and the chromatin structure were significantly induced by ladostigil. We anticipate that these poorly studied lncRNAs may act as enhancers (eRNA), regulating transcription and splicing, and in competition for miRNA binding (ceRNA). We found that the induction of abundant lncRNAs, such as MALAT1, NEAT-1, MIAT, and SHNG12, by the Sin1 oxidative stress paradigm specifies only the undifferentiated cell state. We conclude that a global alteration in the lncRNA profiles upon stress in SH-SY5Y may shift cell homeostasis and is an attractive in vitro system to characterize drugs that impact the redox state of the cells and their viability.

LncRNA MALAT1 Targets miR-9-3p to Upregulate SAP97 in the Hippocampus of Mice with Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia (VaD) is the second most common subtype of dementia, but the precise mechanism underlying VaD is not fully understood. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) can act as a key regulator in physiological and pathological processes, including neurological disorders, but whether it is correlated with VaD has not been elucidated. In this study, we established a mouse model of VaD by the transient bilateral common carotid artery occlusion surgery. As expected, the Morris water maze showed that VaD mice had significant deficits in spatial learning and memory. MALAT1 was elevated in the hippocampus of VaD mice. Additionally, we found that microRNA (miR)-9-3p was downregulated in the VaD hippocampus. By performing a dual-luciferase report assay, we verified the binding relationship between MALAT1 and miR-9-3p. Interestingly, synapse-associated protein-97 (SAP97), a well-known gene related to synaptic functions, was found upregulated in the hippocampus of VaD mice. In vitro experiments performed on hippocampal neurons demonstrated that miR-9-3p negatively regulated SAP97 expression. The downregulation of MALAT1 in hippocampal neurons increased miR-9-3p and reduced SAP97, whereas miR-9-3p inhibition rescued the MALAT1 downregulation-mediated SAP97 reduction. In conclusion, the present study reported the alterations in the expression levels of MALAT1, miR-9-3p, and SAP97 in the hippocampus of VaD mice, suggesting that MALAT1 targets miR-9-3p to upregulate SAP97 in the hippocampus of mice with VaD. This work will be helpful for understanding the molecular mechanisms of VaD.

Long Noncoding RNAs and Circular RNAs Regulate AKT and Its Effectors to Control Cell Functions of Cancer Cells

AKT serine-threonine kinase (AKT) and its effectors are essential for maintaining cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, mitochondrial morphogenesis (fission/fusion), ferroptosis, necroptosis, DNA damage response (damage and repair), senescence, and migration of cancer cells. Several lncRNAs and circRNAs also regulate the expression of these functions by numerous pathways. However, the impact on cell functions by lncRNAs and circRNAs regulating AKT and its effectors is poorly understood. This review provides comprehensive information about the relationship of lncRNAs and circRNAs with AKT on the cell functions of cancer cells. the roles of several lncRNAs and circRNAs acting on AKT effectors, such as FOXO, mTORC1/2, S6K1/2, 4EBP1, SREBP, and HIF are explored. To further validate the relationship between AKT, AKT effectors, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, more predicted AKT- and AKT effector-targeting lncRNAs and circRNAs were retrieved from the LncTarD and circBase databases. Consistently, using an in-depth literature survey, these AKT- and AKT effector-targeting database lncRNAs and circRNAs were related to cell functions. Therefore, some lncRNAs and circRNAs can regulate several cell functions through modulating AKT and AKT effectors. This review provides insights into a comprehensive network of AKT and AKT effectors connecting to lncRNAs and circRNAs in the regulation of cancer cell functions.

Identification of programmed cell death-related gene signature and associated regulatory axis in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Background: Numerous studies have suggested that programmed cell death (PCD) pathways play vital roles in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the specific mechanisms underlying cell death during cerebral I/R injury have yet to be completely clarified. There is thus a need to identify the PCD-related gene signatures and the associated regulatory axes in cerebral I/R injury, which should provide novel therapeutic targets against cerebral I/R injury.

Methods: We analyzed transcriptome signatures of brain tissue samples from mice subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) and matched controls, and identified differentially expressed genes related to the three types of PCD(apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis). We next performed functional enrichment analysis and constructed PCD-related competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory networks. We also conducted hub gene analysis to identify hub nodes and key regulatory axes.

Results: Fifteen PCD-related genes were identified. Functional enrichment analysis showed that they were particularly associated with corresponding PCD-related biological processes, inflammatory response, and reactive oxygen species metabolic processes. The apoptosis-related ceRNA regulatory network was constructed, which included 24 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), 41 microRNAs (miRNAs), and 4 messenger RNAs (mRNAs); the necroptosis-related ceRNA regulatory network included 16 lncRNAs, 20 miRNAs, and 6 mRNAs; and the pyroptosis-related ceRNA regulatory network included 15 lncRNAs, 18 miRNAs, and 6 mRNAs. Hub gene analysis identified hub nodes in each PCD-related ceRNA regulatory network and seven key regulatory axes in total, namely, lncRNA Malat1/miR-181a-5p/Mapt, lncRNA Malat1/miR-181b-5p/Mapt, lncRNA Neat1/miR-181a-5p/Mapt, and lncRNA Neat1/miR-181b-5p/Mapt for the apoptosis-related ceRNA regulatory network; lncRNA Neat1/miR-181a-5p/Tnf for the necroptosis-related ceRNA regulatory network; lncRNA Malat1/miR-181c-5p/Tnf for the pyroptosis-related ceRNA regulatory network; and lncRNAMalat1/miR-181a-5p for both necroptosis-related and pyroptosis-related ceRNA regulatory networks.

Conclusion: The results of this study supported the hypothesis that these PCD pathways (apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and PANoptosis) and crosstalk among them might be involved in ischemic stroke and that the key nodes and regulatory axes identified in this study might play vital roles in regulating the above processes. This may offer new insights into the potential mechanisms underlying cell death during cerebral I/R injury and provide new therapeutic targets for neuroprotection.

An update on the functional roles of long non‑coding RNAs in ischemic injury (Review)

Ischemic injuries result from ischemia and hypoxia in cells. Tissues and organs receive an insufficient supply of nutrients and accumulate metabolic waste, which leads to the development of inflammation, fibrosis and a series of other issues. Ischemic injuries in the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs and other organs can cause severe adverse effects. Acute renal ischemia induces acute renal failure, heart ischemia induces myocardial infarction and cerebral ischemia induces cerebrovascular accidents, leading to loss of movement, consciousness and possibly, life-threatening disabilities. Existing evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are regulatory sequences involved in transcription, post-transcription, epigenetic regulation and multiple physiological processes. lncRNAs have been shown to be differentially expressed following ischemic injury, with the severity of the ischemic injury being affected by the upregulation or downregulation of certain types of lncRNA. The present review article provides an extensive summary of the functional roles of lncRNAs in ischemic injury, with a focus on the brain, heart, kidneys and lungs. The present review mainly summarizes the functional roles of lncRNA MALAT1, lncRNA MEG3, lncRNA H19, lncRNA TUG1, lncRNA NEAT1, lncRNA AK139328 and lncRNA CAREL, among which lncRNA MALAT1, in particular, plays a crucial role in ischemic injury and is currently a hot research topic.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and the Unfolded Protein Response in Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Ischemic stroke is an acute cerebrovascular disease characterized by sudden interruption of blood flow in a certain part of the brain, leading to serious disability and death. At present, treatment methods for ischemic stroke are limited to thrombolysis or thrombus removal, but the treatment window is very narrow. However, recovery of cerebral blood circulation further causes cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI). The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays an important role in protein secretion, membrane protein folding, transportation, and maintenance of intracellular calcium homeostasis. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) plays a crucial role in cerebral ischemia pathophysiology. Mild ERS helps improve cell tolerance and restore cell homeostasis; however, excessive or long-term ERS causes apoptotic pathway activation. Specifically, the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), and inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) pathways are significantly activated following initiation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). CIRI-induced apoptosis leads to nerve cell death, which ultimately aggravates neurological deficits in patients. Therefore, it is necessary and important to comprehensively explore the mechanism of ERS in CIRI to identify methods for preserving brain cells and neuronal function after ischemia.

Significant role of long non-coding RNA MALAT1 in deep vein thrombosis via the regulation of vascular endothelial cell physiology through the microRNA-383-5p/BCL2L11 axis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a vascular disease. The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), is positively expressed in DVT tissues, and regulates the biological behavior of endothelial progenitor cells. Here, we explored whether MALAT1 affected the physiology of human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) and analyzed its underlying mechanism. To overexpress/silence the expression of MALAT1 in HUVECs, MALAT1-plasmid/MALAT1-small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide and flow cytometry analyses were performed to observe the cell viability and apoptosis. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to determine the apoptosis-related protein and gene expression levels. We used Starbase software to predict the associations among MALAT1, microRNA (miR)-383-5p, and BCL2-like 11 (BCL2L11). Luciferase reporter assay was used to validate their relationship. Compared to the control vector group, MALAT1-plasmid suppressed the viability and induced apoptosis of HUVECs, while improving Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) expression and decreasing Bcl-2 expression. There was an interaction between MALAT1 and miR-383-5p. Compared to the control siRNA group, MALAT1-siRNA increased the cell viability, reduced cell apoptosis, upregulated Bcl-2 expression, and suppressed Bax expression. These changes were reversed by the miR-383-5p inhibitor. Additionally, we verified that BCL2L11 is a target of miR-383-5p. miR-383-5p improved the cell proliferation, while decreasing cell apoptosis in HUVECs by targeting BCL2L11. Therefore, the lncRNA-MALAT1/miR-383-5p/BCL2L11 axis may be effective for DVT treatment.

Long Non-Coding RNA-Mediated Competing Endogenous RNA Networks in Ischemic Stroke: Molecular Mechanisms, Therapeutic Implications, and Challenges

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a disease that is characterized by high mortality and disability. Recent studies have shown that LncRNA-mediated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks play roles in the occurrence and development of cerebral I/R injury by regulating different signaling pathways. However, no systematic analysis of ceRNA mechanisms in IS has been reported. In this review, we discuss molecular mechanisms of LncRNA-mediated ceRNA networks under I/R injury. The expression levels of LncRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs), and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and their effects in four major cell types of the neurovascular unit (NVU) are also involved. We further summarize studies of LncRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Finally, we analyze the advantages and limitations of using LncRNAs as therapeutics for IS.