Differential Expression Profiles and Functional Prediction of tRNA-Derived Small RNAs in Rats After Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is mostly caused by trauma, leading to permanent neurological impairment. The primary mechanical injury is unavoidable, necessitating a focus on secondary injury mechanisms. Transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are short, non-coding RNAs with potential regulatory functions in various diseases. Their roles in traumatic SCI were investigated using sequencing, qRT-PCR, bioinformatics, and luciferase reporter assays. The study identified an altered tsRNA expression pattern and predicted that tiRNA-Gly-GCC-001 might be involved in the MAPK and neurotrophin pathways by targeting BDNF, thus regulating the post-SCI pathophysiologic processes.

• 1
  297 differentially expressed tsRNAs were identified in rats' spinal cord 1 day after contusion. 155 tsRNAs were significantly differentially expressed: 91 up-regulated, 64 down-regulated (fold change > 1.5; P < 0.05).
• 2
  Bioinformatics analyses identified candidate tsRNAs (tiRNA-Gly-GCC-001, tRF-Gly-GCC-012, tRF-Gly-GCC-013, and tRF-Gly-GCC-016) potentially regulating MAPK and neurotrophin signaling pathways by targeting BDNF.
• 3
  tiRNA-Gly-GCC-001 was identified to directly target BDNF using the luciferase reporter assay, suggesting its involvement in regulating post-SCI pathophysiologic processes.