MiRNA-210 induces the apoptosis of neuronal cells of rats with cerebral ischemia through activating HIF-1α-VEGF pathway

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the expression of micro-ribonucleic acid (miRNA)-210 in the cerebral cortex of rat model with global cerebral ischemia, and determine its function on the regulation of the apoptosis of neuronal cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rat models of global cerebral ischemia were established in vitro. Rats were euthanized at 24 h after reperfusion and the cerebral cortex was collected. The expression of miRNA-210 was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Neuronal cells were transfected by liposomes in vitro and cells were divided into neuronal cell group (group i), neuronal cell + miRNA-210 mimic group (group ii) and neuronal cell + miRNA-210 inhibitor group (group iii). The cell apoptosis rate and gene and protein expressions of HIF-1 alpha, VEGF and Caspase-3 were measured. RESULTS: The level of miRNA-210 in rats with global cerebral ischemia was remarkably higher than that in rats from sham operation group (p<0.05). The apoptosis rate of neuronal cells was increased evidently when miRNA-210 was overexpressed, and the expressions of HIF-1 alpha, VEGF and Caspase-3 were elevated markedly at both mRNA and protein levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that miRNA-210 expression is upregulated in the rats with global cerebral ischemia, and the rise of miRNA-210 level increases the apoptosis of neuronal cells through the activation of HIF-1 alpha-VEGF signaling pathway.