MiR-181b suppresses the progression of epilepsy by regulation of lncRNA ZNF883

Am J Transl Res. 2020 Jun 15;12(6):2769-2780. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy (EP) is a very dangerous neurological disease. MiR-181b was reported to play a regulatory role during the progression of EP. However, the mechanism by which miR-181b regulates the process of EP remains unclear.

Methods: Hippocampal neurons were extracted from rats, which were treated with magnesium-free to mimic EP in vitro. CCK-8 assay was performed to test the cell viability. Gene and protein expressions in hippocampal neurons were detected by qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence and western blot, respectively. In addition, TUNEL staining was performed to test the cell apoptosis. Finally, dual luciferase report assay was used to verify the relation between miR-181b, ZNF883 and RASSF1A.

Results: Magnesium-free significantly inhibited the proliferation of hippocampal neurons, which was reversed by miR-181b mimics. In consistent, magnesium-free induced apoptosis of cells was notably inhibited by miR-181b mimics. In addition, miR-181b suppressed the progression of EP via directly targeting RASSF1A and activating PI3K/Akt signaling. Finally, upregulation of miR-181b notably suppressed the progression of EP via regulation of ZNF883.

Conclusion: MiR-181b suppressed the progression of epilepsy via regulation of RASSF1A and lncRNA ZNF883. Thus, miR-181b might serve as a new target for treatment of EP.

Keywords: Epilepsy; RASSF1A; lncRNA ZNF883; miR-181b.