2023, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (5): 758-764

Regulatory role of non-coding RNAs as potential therapeutic targets in spinal cord injury

Li Zhichao1, Tan Guoqing2, Su Hui1, Xu Zhanwang2, Xue Haipeng1, 2   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although many studies have been carried out on the complex physiological and pathological mechanisms of spinal cord injury, there is still a lack of satisfactory treatment methods. Studies have shown that non-coding RNAs associated with secondary injuries, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy and apoptosis, are differentially expressed after spinal cord injury. Therefore, non-coding RNAs have potential as therapeutic targets after spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE: Based on the latest research progress, to review the functional roles and regulatory mechanisms of non-coding RNAs in spinal cord injury, in order to provide new ideas for clinical treatment of spinal cord injury.
METHODS: Using “spinal cord injury” AND “non-coding RNA” OR “microRNA” OR “long non-coding RNA” OR “circRNA” AND “oxidative stress” OR “inflammation” OR “autophagy” OR “apoptosis” as English and Chinese keywords, PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI and WanFang databases were searched. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 75 articles were reviewed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After spinal cord injury, non-coding RNAs associated with secondary injury such as oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy and apoptosis were significantly differentially expressed, resulting in differential expression of target genes and changes in cell functions. Regulating non-coding RNAs to antagonize oxidative stress, intervening microglia activation, polarization and inflammatory pathways to reduce inflammation, maintaining moderate levels of autophagy and keeping autophagy flux unobstructed, and inhibiting apoptosis may be the breakthrough points to promote the repair of spinal cord injury.
Key words: spinal cord injury, apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, autophagy, microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, circular RNAs