LncRNA Neat1 mediates miR-124-induced activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in spinal cord neural progenitor cells

Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 2019 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-019-1487-3 · Published: November 5, 2019

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Neurology

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the role of miR-124 in neural differentiation, particularly in the context of spinal cord injury (SCI) regeneration. It examines how miR-124 affects spinal cord neural progenitor cells (SC-NPCs) and its potential therapeutic effects on SCI. The research focuses on the interaction between miR-124 and lncRNA Neat1, and how this interaction influences the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which is important for cell differentiation and migration. The study also explores the effects of miR-124 and Neat1 on neuronal differentiation, apoptosis, and migration of SC-NPCs. The findings suggest that miR-124 can promote the functional recovery of injured spinal cords, and that the miR-124-Neat1-Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis plays a role in regulating the cell function of SC-NPCs. This could potentially offer new therapeutic strategies for SCI treatment.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Mouse spinal cord progenitor cells (SC-NPCs) and spinal cord injury (SCI) animal models

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
LncRNA Neat1 is involved in regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling activated by miR-124 in SC-NPCs.
2
Overexpression of miR-124 resulted in elevated Neat1 expression, accompanied by functional recovery of locomotion in a mouse model of spinal cord injury.
3
The miR-124-Neat1-Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis is involved in regulating the cell function of SC-NPCs.

Research Summary

The study revealed that lncRNA Neat1 is involved in regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling that is activated by miR-124 in SC-NPCs. LncRNA Neat1 was also found to play an important role in regulating neuronal differentiation, apoptosis, and migration of SC-NPCs. Overexpression of miR-124 resulted in elevated Neat1 expression, accompanied with the functional recovery of locomotion in a mouse model of spinal cord injury. The miR-124-Neat1-Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis is involved in regulating the cell function of SC-NPCs, and this may offer novel therapeutic avenues for future treatment of SCI.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential for SCI

miR-124 shows therapeutic effectiveness in promoting functional recovery after spinal cord injury, suggesting its potential as a clinical therapy.

Targeting the Signaling Axis

The miR-124-Neat1-Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis represents a novel therapeutic target for regulating SC-NPC behavior and treating SCI.

Enhancing Neuronal Differentiation

Strategies to promote miR-124 and Neat1 expression could enhance neuronal differentiation and migration, while inhibiting apoptosis, to improve SCI outcomes.

Study Limitations

1
The potential molecular mechanism that upregulates the expression of Neat1 by miR-124 is still unclear.
2
Further experiments are needed to elucidate the exact regulatory mechanisms of Neat1 by miR-124 in mediating the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
3
No continuous improvement was detected at 3 weeks, suggesting single injection of miR-124 is not enough to promote long-term functional recovery.

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