RESUMO
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important regulatory role in neuronal growth and development. Different miRNAs target different genes to protect neurons in different ways, such as by avoiding apoptosis, preventing degeneration mediated by conditional mediators, preventing neuronal loss, weakening certain neurotoxic mechanisms, avoiding damage to neurons, and reducing inflammatory damage to them. The high expression of miRNAs in the brain has significantly facilitated their development as protective targets for therapy, including neuroprotection and neuronal recovery. miRNA is indispensable to the growth and development of neurons, and in turn, is beneficial for the development of the brain and checking the progression of various diseases of the nervous system. It can thus be used as an important therapeutic target for models of various diseases. This review provides an introduction to the protective effects of miRNA on neurons in case of different diseases or damage models, and then provides reference values and reflections on the relevant treatments for the benefit of future research in the area.
RESUMO
Circulating factors in the circulatory system support important functions of living tissues and the body. Parabiosis is a condition in which two living animals are connected using surgical methods and share a single circulatory system. Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the major cause of infectious eosinophilic meningitis, which causes severe damage to the central nervous system (CNS) and immune system. However, the mechanism of immunopathology remains largely unknown. We hypothesize that a restored humoral environment can help relieve damage to the CNS and immune system. In the present study, we found that administration of normal serum significantly reduced mortality, alleviated thymic atrophy and reduced inflammation in the brains of mice infected with A. cantonensis. We further generated parabiotic pairs between two healthy mice, one of which was then orally infected with A. cantonensis. The results showed that compared with singleton mice, mice connected with a healthy parabiotic partner were protected against CNS and immune system damage, as revealed by significantly reduced inflammation in the brain, alleviated thymic atrophy, and decreased expression of proinflammatory cytokines. These findings revealed that a healthy systemic environment can relieve damage to the CNS and immune system in infected mice, suggesting novel therapeutic approaches for diseases involving severe brain and immune system damage.
