The long non-coding RNA BDNF-AS induces neuronal cell apoptosis by targeting miR-125b-5p in Alzheimer's disease models.

BACKGROUND

At least 55 million individuals suffer from dementia globally, of which Alzheimer's disease (AD) accounts for 60-70% of cases. Alzheimer's disease is the only major cause of death that is still growing. However, the molecular mechanisms are largely unknown in the progress of AD.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of the study was to assess whether lncRNA brain-derived neurotrophic factor antisense (BDNF-AS) could affect processes underlying the regulation of neuronal cell apoptosis in rat and cellular models of AD by directing the expression of miR-125b-5p.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The amyloid-β (Aβ)1-42-induced rat and cellular models of AD were established. Changes in learning and memory in rats were detected with the use of the Morris water maze. Cell viability and apoptosis were determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test and flow cytometry. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was applied to detect the expression of lncRNA BDNF-AS and miR-125b-5p, and western blotting was utilized to examine proteins. The correlations between lncRNA BDNF-AS and miR-125b-5p were demonstrated using dual-luciferase reporter gene assays.

RESULTS

Our results showed that BDNF-AS was upregulated and miR-125b-5p was downregulated in the rat and cellular AD models. The addition of si-BDNF-AS and miR-125b-5p mimics shortened the escape latency and swimming distance in the rat model. Furthermore, the knockdown of BDNF-AS or the administration of miR-125b-5p mimic significantly suppressed cell apoptosis, cell inflammatory, and inflammatory pathway-related proteins, while these cellular activities were promoted in rat and cellular models of AD. Additionally, miR-125b-5p was found to be a BDNF-AS target gene that was linked negatively with BDNF-AS in AD.

CONCLUSIONS

Through regulation of miR-125b-5p, lncRNA BDNF-AS suppressed cell death, inflammation and inflammatory pathway-related proteins in AD models, which provides a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in the clinical treatment of AD.