Volume 30, Issue 2, 2021
DOI: 10.24205/03276716.2020.4080
MicroRNA-128 exerts protective effects on intracerebral hemorrhage and blood-brain barrier by upregulation of Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)
Abstract
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a cellular protein essential for tissue repair. MicroRNA (miR)-128 can alleviate myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by promoting CTGF expression, but its effect on cerebral hemorrhage injury is not yet known. Herein, we intend to identify the interaction between miR-128 and CTGF in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICM). A model of ICM was established through injection of autologous blood. siRNA and miR-128 mimic were injected into the rats to assess the effect of miR-128 and CTGF on ICM by measuring neurological severity score. ELISA was carried to detect the release of inflammatory factors and Evans Blue staining assessed the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) of brain tissue. CTGF level was decreased in ICM tissues of human and rats and reached a minimum value at 24h after establishment of ICM model. Silencing of CTGF aggravated cerebral injury, which was manifested by elevated neurological severity score, increased brain water content, Evans blue extravasation, and elevated MPO cells. miR-128 knockdown inhibited CTGF expression and aggravated inflammatory response, while miR-128 overexpression alleviated the damage induced by ICM and improved BBB, and increased CTFG expression. In conclusion, miR-128 enhances damaged wound healing and protects BBB integrity in ICH by promoting CTGF expression, which provides a novel insight into the development of targeted therapy for this disorder.
Keywords
MiR-128; Intracerebral hemorrhage; Connective tissue growth factor; Blood-brain barrier; fibroblast