LncRNA SNHG1 attenuates neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury by regulating CDK4 level

J.-Y. Zhang, D.-B. Lv, Y.-N. Su, X.-L. Wang, W.-C. Sheng, G. Yang, L.-X. Li, X. Gao, Y.-Z. Gao, J.-T. Li

Department of Spinal Surgery, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital, of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. doctorgao63@163.com

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• Orthopedics

OBJECTIVE: Neuropathic pain (NP) is one of the most intractable complications of spinal cord injury (SCI). This study aims to explore the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG1 in influencing SCI-induced NP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: After establishment of the spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model in rats, spinal tissues were extracted. SNHG1 level in rat spinal tissues was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The role of SNHG1 in the development of NP was explored by assessing paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) in model rats. The interaction between SNHG1 and CDK4 was explored by Luciferase assay and RIP (RNA-Binding Protein Immunoprecipitation). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and qRT-PCR were conducted to determine inflammatory factor levels in rat spinal tissues.

RESULTS: SNHG1 was upregulated in rats undergoing SNL. Knockdown of SNHG1 alleviated the development of NP and overexpression of SNHG1 was capable of inducing NP symptoms in uninjured rats. SNHG1 induced NP by directly regulating CDK4 level.

CONCLUSIONS: SNHG1 is a novel target in the treatment of NP associated with neuroinflammation.

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