MicroRNA involvement in mechanism of endogenous protection induced by fastigial nucleus stimulation based on deep sequencing and bioinformatics

Background: Neurogenic neuroprotection is a promising approach for treating patients with ischemic brain lesions. Fastigial nucleus stimulation (FNS) has been shown to reduce the tissue damage resulting from focal cerebral ischemia in the earlier studies. However, the mechanisms of neuroprotection induced by FNS remain unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a newly discovered group of non-coding small RNA molecules that negatively regulate target gene expression and involved in the regulation of pathological process. To date, there is a lack of knowledge on the expression of miRNA in response to FNS. Thus, we study the regulation of miRNAs in the rat ischemic brain by the neuroprotection effect of FNS. Methods: In this study, we used an established focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (IR) model in rats. MiRNA expression profile of rat ischemic cortex after 1 h of FNS were investigated using deep sequencing. Microarray was performed to study the expression pattern of miRNAs. Functional annotation on the miRNA was carried out by bioinformatics analysis. Results: Two thousand four hundred ninety three miRNAs were detected and found to be miRNAs or miRNA candidates using deep sequencing technology. We found that the FNS-related miRNAs were differentially expressed according microarray data. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that several differentially expressed miRNAs might be a central node of neuroprotection-associated genetic networks and contribute to neuroprotection induced by FNS. Conclusions: MiRNA acts as a novel regulator and contributes to FNS-induced neuroprotection. Our study provides a better understanding of neuroprotection induced by FNS.