ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)-derived exosomal microRNA-1297 (miR-1297) on hippocampal neuron damage in depressed rats.Methods:BMSCs and BMSCs-derived exosomes were prepared and identified. Rats were first injected with corticosterone to establish the model of depression, and then injected with BMSCs-derived exosomes. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), TNF-α and IL-1β in rat serum samples, hippocampal tissues and neurons were detected. Expression of miR-1297 in hippocampal tissues and neurons was detected by RT-qPCR. A rat hippocampal neuron injury model was established to investigate the role of BMSC-derived exosomes and miR-1297 in neuronal apoptosis and proliferation. The targeting relationship between miR-1297 and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was analyzed using dual luciferase reporter genes.Results:In the hippocampus of depressed rats, the expression of miR-1297 was low, while the expression of CTGF was elevated. Exosomes derived from BMSCs can inhibit the expression of CTGF by up-regulating the level of miR-1297, thereby inhibiting neuronal cell apoptosis in the hippocampus of depressed rats, while increasing the level of SOD, and reducing inflammatory damage, and ultimately improving the behavioral function of depressed rats.Conclusions:Depressed rats showed decreased expression of miR-1297 and increased expression of CTGF. BMSC-derived exosomes inhibited CTGF expression through up-regulating miR-1297, thereby improving hippocampal neuron damage in rats with depression.