Wang Yong, Cai Danyang, Kong Jinsong, Zhu Ning, Guan Junhui, Yang Zeyu, Jia Shunjie, Huang Jiehe, Zheng Wenbiao, Zheng Xin
Department of Orthopedics, Taizhou Municipal Hospital, No. 581 East of Shifu Avenue Jiaojiang District, Taizhou, 318000, Zhejiang, China.
Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology of Taizhou, Radiation Oncology Institute of Enze Medical Health Academy, Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Taizhou Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, 317000, Zhejiang Province, China.
Mol Neurobiol. 2025 Apr 16. doi: 10.1007/s12035-025-04877-7.
Pathological changes following spinal cord injury (SCI) are characterized by a gradual enlargement of the lesion area, often leading to cavity formation, accompanied by reactive astrocytic hyperplasia and chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation tends to stimulate astrocyte activation and spinal cavity cavitation. Post-SCI inflammation primarily results from the activation of M1/M2 microglia, with M1 microglia inducing the death of reactive astrocytes in rats, thereby promoting inflammation. Additionally, the NLRP3 inflammasome is critically involved in the post-SCI inflammatory response, as its activation leads to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, further contributing to secondary injury and functional impairment. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms through which circular RNAs (circRNAs), influence the inflammatory response following spinal cord injury, particularly focusing on its role in modulating NLRP3 activation. Animal and cell models were established, and the success of the models and the secretion of factors were evaluated using the BBB locomotor rating scale, RT-qPCR, and WB. The circular structure of circGTF2H2C was verified through AGE, RNase R treatment, and actinomycin D treatment. Additionally, we investigated the interactions between circGTF2H2C and PTPN11, including the analysis of NLRP3 phosphorylation status through WB and Co-IP. Lastly, potential miRNA interactions with circGTF2H2C and PTPN11 were explored through RNA pull-down assays and luciferase reporter assays to confirm binding relationships. This study confirmed that circGTF2H2C was up-regulated in SCI tissues. Experimental results demonstrated that circGTF2H2C regulated the expression of pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-18. Further investigation revealed that circGTF2H2C played a pro-inflammatory role by regulating the phosphorylation level of NLRP3, while PTPN11 was also found to contribute to SCI induction. In addition, circGTF2H2C also affected SCI by competitively binding miR-1323 to up-regulate PTPN11. In summary, circGTF2H2C regulates NLRP3 dephosphorylation via PTPN11 in spinal cord injury, highlighting its potential as a target for therapeutic intervention.
脊髓损伤(SCI)后的病理变化特征为损伤区域逐渐扩大,常导致空洞形成,并伴有反应性星形胶质细胞增生和慢性炎症。慢性炎症倾向于刺激星形胶质细胞活化和脊髓空洞形成。SCI后的炎症主要源于M1/M2小胶质细胞的活化,其中M1小胶质细胞可诱导大鼠反应性星形胶质细胞死亡,从而促进炎症反应。此外,NLRP3炎性小体在SCI后的炎症反应中起关键作用,因为其活化会导致促炎细胞因子的释放,进一步加重继发性损伤和功能障碍。本研究旨在探讨环状RNA(circRNA)影响脊髓损伤后炎症反应的分子机制,尤其关注其在调节NLRP3活化中的作用。建立了动物和细胞模型,并使用BBB运动评分量表、RT-qPCR和WB评估模型的成功与否及因子的分泌情况。通过AGE、RNase R处理和放线菌素D处理验证了circGTF2H2C的环状结构。此外,我们研究了circGTF2H2C与PTPN11之间的相互作用,包括通过WB和Co-IP分析NLRP3的磷酸化状态。最后,通过RNA下拉实验和荧光素酶报告实验探索了circGTF2H2C和PTPN11与潜在miRNA的相互作用,以确认结合关系。本研究证实circGTF2H2C在SCI组织中上调。实验结果表明,circGTF2H2C调节促炎因子IL-1β和IL-18的表达。进一步研究发现,circGTF2H2C通过调节NLRP3的磷酸化水平发挥促炎作用,同时还发现PTPN11也有助于SCI的诱导。此外,circGTF2H2C还通过竞争性结合miR-1323上调PTPN11来影响SCI。总之,circGTF2H2C在脊髓损伤中通过PTPN11调节NLRP3去磷酸化,突出了其作为治疗干预靶点的潜力。