MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that negatively adjust gene expression in multifarious biological processes. However, the regulatory effects of miRNAs on Schwann cells remain poorly understood. Previous microarray analysis results have shown that miRNA expression is altered following sciatic nerve transaction, thereby affecting proliferation and migration of Schwann cells. This study investigated whether miR-148b-3p could regulate migration of Schwann cells by directly targeting cullin-associated and neddylation-dissociated 1 (Cand1). Up-regulated expression of miR-148b-3p promoted Schwann cell migration, whereas silencing of miR-148b-3p inhibited Schwann cell migration in vitro. Further experiments confirmed that Cand1 was a direct target of miR-148b-3p, and Cand1 knockdown reversed suppression of the miR-148b-3p inhibitor on Schwann cell migration. These results suggested that miR-148b-3p promoted migration of Schwann cells by directly targeting Cand1 in vitro.
Keywords: Cand1; Schwann cells; gene expression; mechanisms; miR-148b-3p; microarray; migration; nerve regeneration; neural regeneration; peripheral nerve injury; sciatic nerve injury.