Circular RNA Plek promotes fibrogenic activation by regulating the miR-135b-5p/TGF-βR1 axis after spinal cord injury
Wenzhao Wang, Dong He, Jianan Chen, Zhengdong Zhang, Shaoyi Wang, Yunpeng Jiang, Jianlu Wei
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The spinal cord rarely repairs itself when damaged; however, methods for encouraging nerves to regrow are on the horizon. Although circular RNAs (circRNAs) contribute to various biological processes, including neuronal processes, their functions in the subacute phase of spinal cord injury (SCI) have not been elucidated. In this study, we identified a novel circRNA, named CircPlek, with increased expression in spinal tissues after SCI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: . RESULTS: We confirmed that in TGF-β1-induced fibroblasts, the overexpression of miR-135b-5p or/and inhibition of CircPlek inhibited fibrosis activation via the Smad pathway. Inhibitors of miR-135b-5p had antagonistic effects on CircPlek. CONCLUSIONS: the CircPlek/miR-135b-5p/TGF-βR1 axis may exert important functions in SCI and is a potential therapeutic target.