MicroRNA-146a Contributes to SCI Recovery via Regulating TRAF6 and IRAK1 Expression

Abstract EN

MicroRNA-146a participates in spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery.

Until recently, how miRNA-146a participates in SCI remained unclear.

In this study, we tried to explore the roles of miRNA-146a in the recovery of SCI using a rat model.

The expression of the probable target genes of miRNA-146a (including IRAK1 and TARF6) as well as proinflammation cytokines were measured until 7 days after surgery in the three groups (sham group, SCI group, and miRNA-146a antagomir injection group).

Also, the animals’ motivations were estimated using Basso Beattie Bresnahan (BBB) during the whole experiment.

A luciferase assay was performed to demonstrate that miRNA-146a could directly target the mRNAs of IRAK1 and TRAF6.

Our experiments indicate that miRNA-146a inhibits proinflammatory cytokine secretion by suppressing IRAK1 and TRAF6 expression in the SCI model.

In contrast, miRNA-146a may be upregulated by inflammatory mediators via the IRAK1/TRAF6 pathway in the spinal cord.

As a negative feedback element, miRNA-146a could make sure that the expression of IRAK1- and TRAF6-mediated genes was under tight control.

Thus, miRNA-146a may serve as a novel therapeutic target for SCI interventions.