Low-dose lipopolysaccharide inhibits spinal cord injury-induced neuronal apoptosis by regulating autophagy through the lncRNA MALAT1/Nrf2 axis

PeerJ, 2023 · DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15919 · Published: August 28, 2023

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious neurological problem that often leads to disability. This study investigates how a low dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can help reduce the damage caused by SCI. The research focuses on how LPS affects nerve cell death (apoptosis) and a process called autophagy, which is the body's way of cleaning out damaged cells. The study also looks at the roles of MALAT1, a long non-coding RNA, and Nrf2, a protein that protects cells from damage, in how LPS helps to heal SCI.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

72 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats

Evidence Level

Level 2: In vivo and in vitro experimental study

Key Findings

1
Low-dose LPS pretreatment improved nerve function and reduced tissue damage in rats with SCI.
2
LPS increased the expression of MALAT1, activated autophagy, and promoted Nrf2 nuclear translocation in both in vivo and in vitro SCI models.
3
Silencing MALAT1 reversed the protective effects of low-dose LPS, while overexpressing MALAT1 inhibited cell apoptosis and promoted autophagy.

Research Summary

This study investigates the protective effects of low-dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats and PC12 cells. The findings demonstrate that low-dose LPS alleviates SCI-induced neuronal apoptosis and promotes autophagy through the lncRNA MALAT1/Nrf2 axis. The results suggest that low-dose LPS pretreatment could be a potential therapeutic strategy for SCI by upregulating MALAT1, activating autophagy, and promoting Nrf2 nuclear translocation.

Practical Implications

Potential therapeutic strategy

Low-dose LPS could be used as a pretreatment to protect against SCI by activating autophagy and suppressing nerve cell apoptosis.

Targeting the MALAT1/Nrf2 axis

Therapeutic interventions could focus on modulating the MALAT1/Nrf2 axis to enhance the protective effects on SCI.

Further research

Additional studies are needed to explore the optimal dosage and delivery method of LPS for SCI treatment, as well as to investigate the long-term effects and potential side effects.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on rats and PC12 cells, and the results may not be directly applicable to humans.
2
The specific mechanisms through which LPS regulates MALAT1 and autophagy are not fully understood.
3
The long-term effects of low-dose LPS pretreatment on SCI recovery were not investigated.

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