Mechanism of ARPP21 antagonistic intron miR-128 on neurological function repair after stroke.

Objective: Stroke is a cerebrovascular disorder that often causes neurological function defects. ARPP21 is a conserved host gene of miR-128 controlling neurodevelopmental functions. This study investigated the mechanism of ARPP21 antagonistic intron miR-128 on neurological function repair after stroke.

Methods: Expressions of ARPP21 and miR-128 in stroke patients were detected. The mouse neurons and astrocytes were cultured in vitro and treated with oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). The OGD-treated cells were transfected with pc-ARPP21 and miR-128 mimic. The proliferation of astrocytes, and the apoptosis of neurons and astrocytes were detected, and inflammatory factors of astrocytes were measured. The binding relationship between miR-128 and CREB1 was verified. The rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established. ARPP21 expression in model rats was detected. The effects of pc-ARPP21 on neuron injury, brain edema volume, and cerebral infarct in rats were observed.

Results: ARPP21 expression was downregulated and miR-128 expression was upregulated in stroke patients. pc-ARPP21 facilitated the proliferation of astrocytes and inhibited apoptosis of neurons and astrocytes, and reduced inflammation of astrocytes. miR-128 mimic could reverse these effects of pc-ARPP21 on neurons and astrocytes. miR-128 targeted CREB1 and reduced BDNF secretion. In vitro experiments confirmed that ARPP21 expression was decreased in MCAO rats, and pc-ARPP21 promoted neurological function repair after stroke.

Conclusion: ARPP21 upregulated CREB1 and BDNF expressions by antagonizing miR-128, thus inhibiting neuronal apoptosis and promoting neurological function repair after stroke. This study may offer a novel target for the management of stroke.