Microarray analysis of the expression profile of lncRNAs reveals the key role of lncRNA BC088327 as an agonist to heregulin-1-induced cell proliferation in peripheral nerve injury

Heregulin-1 is capable of promoting the nerve regeneration of acellular nerve allografts with skin-derived precursor differentiated Schwann cell (SC) therapy in peripheral nerve injury. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) serve important roles in the regulation of gene transcription and translation in multiple biological processes, but its association with the repair of peripheral nerve injury is unexplored. Therefore, in the present study, the aim was to identify novel indicators for peripheral nerve injury, and to detect whether there is an association between lncRNA expression and the treatment effect of heregulin-1 on this disorder. The expression status of lncRNAs and mRNAs in a well-built rat model with sciatic nerve injury was investigated using microarray assays. Based on the results of the microarray assays and quantitative polymerase chain reaction validation, it was inferred that lncRNA BC088327 was upregulated to the largest extent among all the lncRNAs. According to these findings, the role of BC088327 in peripheral nerve injury was further assessed by detecting the cell viability, cell cycle and apoptosis in a hypoxic SC cell model after suppressing the expression of BC088327 using specific small interfering RNA. Based on the results of the lncRNA microarray assay, 805 lncRNAs were significantly differentially expressed, among which, 323 lncRNAs were upregulated and 482 lncRNAs were downregulated. Based on the results of the mRNA microarray assay, 1,293 lncRNAs were significantly differentially expressed, including 603 upregulated and 690 downregulated lncRNAs. Moreover, knockdown of lncRNA BC088327 suppressed cell viability and induced cell apoptosis and S-phase cell cycle arrest in the SCs. In conclusion, expression profile changes of lncRNAs in peripheral nerve injuries were closely associated with treatment with heregulin-1. lncRNA BC088327 may play a synergistic role with heregulin-1 in repairing peripheral injury, which has the potential be a biomarker for the detection of peripheral injury and a medical target for the development of therapeutic modalities.