Neuronal extracellular vesicle derived miR-98 prevents salvageable neurons from microglial phagocytosis in acute ischemic stroke

Cell Death Dis. 2021 Jan 6;12(1):23. doi: 10.1038/s41419-020-03310-2.

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), as a novel intercellular communication carrier transferring cargo microRNAs (miRNAs), could play important roles in the brain remodeling process after ischemic stroke. However, the detailed mechanisms involved in EVs derived miRNAs-mediated cellular interactions in the brain remain unclear. Several studies indicated that microRNA-98 (miR-98) might participate in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. Here, we showed that expression of miR-98 in penumbra field kept up on the first day but dropped sharply on the 3rd day after ischemic stroke in rats, indicating that miR-98 could function as an endogenous protective factor post-ischemia. Overexpression of miR-98 targeted inhibiting platelet activating factor receptor-mediated microglial phagocytosis to attenuate neuronal death. Furthermore, we showed that neurons transferred miR-98 to microglia via EVs secretion after ischemic stroke, to prevent the stress-but-viable neurons from microglial phagocytosis. Therefore, we reveal that EVs derived miR-98 act as an intercellular signal mediating neurons and microglia communication during the brain remodeling after ischemic stroke. The present work provides a novel insight into the roles of EVs in the stroke pathogenesis and a new EVs-miRNAs-based therapeutic strategy for stroke.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Animals
  • Brain Ischemia / genetics*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Extracellular Vesicles / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Ischemic Stroke
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Microglia / metabolism*
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Phagocytosis
  • Rats

Substances

  • MIRN98 microRNA-98, rat
  • MicroRNAs