Pathophysiology of Long Non-coding RNAs in Ischemic Stroke

LncRNA SERPINB9P1 Mitigates Cerebral Injury Induced by Oxygen‒Glucose Deprivation/Reoxygenation by Interacting with HSPA2

Dysregulation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is implicated in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke (IS). However, the molecular mechanism of the lncRNA SERPINB9P1 in IS remains unclear. Our study aimed to explore the role and molecular mechanism of the lncRNA SERPINB9P1 in IS. This study revealed downregulation of the lncRNA SERPINB9P1 in the peripheral blood of IS patients, which was corroborated by the GSE140275 dataset. Furthermore, high lncRNA SERPINB9P1 expression was associated with lower National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and favorable outcome. Clinically, lncRNA SERPINB9P1 expression was correlated with inflammation and coagulation parameters in IS patients. Furthermore, lncRNA SERPINB9P1 silencing inhibited cell viability, induced apoptosis and inflammatory response under oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion ; however, these effects were reversed upon its overexpression. Additionally, Chromatin Isolation by RNA Purification and mass spectrometry (CHIRP-MS) and western blot confirmed that the lncRNA SERPINB9P1 was involved in the pathological process of IS through binding to heat shock protein 2 (HSPA2). HSPA2 was upregulated in IS patients, and its protein interaction network was significantly enriched in IS-related pathways. In conclusion, the lncRNA SERPINB9P1 may ameliorate neurological injury in IS patients by interacting with the HSPA2 protein and engaging in IS-related pathways, providing new insights into treatment strategies for IS.

The critical role of Sirt1 in ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke, the most prevalent form of stroke, is responsible for the highest disability rates globally and ranks as the primary cause of mortality worldwide. Sirt1, extensively investigated in neurodegenerative disorders, is the most well-known and earliest member of the sirtuins family. However, its mechanism of action during ischemic stroke remains ambiguous. The literature examination revealed the intricate involvement of Sirt1 in regulating both physiological and pathological mechanisms during ischemic stroke. Sirt1 demonstrates deacetylation effects on PGC-1α, HMGB1, FOXOs, and p53. It hinders the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB while also engaging with AMPK. It regulates inflammatory response, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy, pro-death, and necrotic apoptosis. Therefore, the potential of Sirt1 as a therapeutic target for the management of ischemic stroke is promising.

Oxidative stress and dysregulated long noncoding RNAs in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive age-related neurodegenerative disease whose annual incidence is increasing as populations continue to age. Although its pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated, oxidative stress has been shown to play an important role in promoting the occurrence and development of the disease. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are more than 200 nucleotides in length, are also involved in the pathogenesis of PD at the transcriptional level via epigenetic regulation, or at the post-transcriptional level by participating in physiological processes, including aggregation of the α-synuclein, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, calcium stabilization, and neuroinflammation. LncRNAs and oxidative stress are correlated during neurodegenerative processes: oxidative stress affects the expression of multiple lncRNAs, while lncRNAs regulate many genes involved in oxidative stress responses. Oxidative stress and lncRNAs also affect other processes associated with neurodegeneration, including mitochondrial dysfunction and increased neuroinflammation that lead to neuronal death. Therefore, modulating the levels of specific lncRNAs may alleviate pathological oxidative damage and have neuroprotective effects. This review discusses the general mechanisms of oxidative stress, pathological mechanism underlying the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of PD, and teases out the mechanisms through which lncRNAs regulate oxidative stress during PD pathogenesis, as well as identifies the possible neuroprotective mechanisms of lncRNAs. Reviewing published studies will help us further understand the mechanisms underlying the role of lncRNAs in the oxidative stress process in PD and to identify potential therapeutic strategies for PD.

Targeting PTEN in ischemic stroke: From molecular mechanisms to therapeutic potentials

Ischemic stroke remains a leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide, driven by complex pathophysiological mechanisms, including excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and neuroinflammation. PTEN (Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10) plays a crucial role in these processes, influencing key signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt and mTOR. This review aims to explore PTEN's multifaceted functions in ischemic stroke, examining its interactions with non-coding RNAs, involvement in mitophagy and immune suppression, and overall impact on cellular homeostasis. We will investigate various therapeutic strategies targeting PTEN, including synthetic drugs, natural products, and exosome-based therapies enriched with specific miRNAs. Additionally, we will assess the potential of non-pharmaceutical interventions such as electroacupuncture, exercise, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and therapeutic hypothermia in modulating PTEN activity to enhance cererbroprotection and functional recovery. By elucidating these aspects, this review aims to inspire and motivate the audience in their research and clinical practice, highlighting PTEN as a promising therapeutic target and paving the way for developing effective treatments for ischemic stroke.

Naodesheng Pills Ameliorate Cerebral Ischemia Reperfusion-Induced Ferroptosis via Inhibition of the ERK1/2 Signaling Pathway

BACKGROUND

Ferroptosis plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and is regulated by mitogen-activated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). In China, Naodesheng Pills (NDSP) are prescribed to prevent and treat cerebrosclerosis and stroke. However, the protective effects and mechanism of action of NDSP against cerebral I/R-induced ferroptosis remain unclear. We investigated whether NDSP exerts its protective effects against I/R injury by regulating ferroptosis and aimed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

The efficacy of NDSP was evaluated using a Sprague-Dawley rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion and an in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model. Brain injury was assessed using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC), hematoxylin and eosin staining, Nissl staining, and neurological scoring. Western blotting was performed to determine the expression levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), divalent metal-ion transporter-1 (DMT1), solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1). Iron levels, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial morphology were also evaluated. Network pharmacology was used to assess the associated mechanisms.

RESULTS

NDSP (1.08 g/kg) significantly improved cerebral infarct area, cerebral water content, neurological scores, and cerebral tissue damage. Furthermore, NDSP inhibited I/R- and OGD/R-induced ferroptosis, as evidenced by the increased protein expression of GPX4 and SLC7A11, suppression of TFR1 and DMT1, and an overall reduction in oxidative stress and Fe2+ levels. The protective effects of NDSP in vitro were abolished by the GPX4 inhibitor RSL3. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that ERK1/2 was the core target gene and that NDSP reduced the amount of phosphorylated ERK1/2.

CONCLUSION

NDSP exerts its protective effects against I/R by inhibiting cerebral I/R-induced ferroptosis, and this mechanism is associated with the regulation of ferroptosis via the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

The exo-microRNA (miRNA) signaling pathways in pathogenesis and treatment of stroke diseases: Emphasize on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)

A major factor in long-term impairment is stroke. Patients with persistent stroke and severe functional disabilities have few therapy choices. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) may contribute to the regulation of the pathophysiologic processes of ischemic stroke as shown by altered expression of lncRNAs and microRNA (miRNAs) in blood samples of acute ischemic stroke patients. On the other hand, multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) increase neurogenesis, and angiogenesis, dampen neuroinflammation, and boost brain plasticity to improve functional recovery in experimental stroke models. MSCs can be procured from various sources such as the bone marrow, adipose tissue, and peripheral blood. Under the proper circumstances, MSCs can differentiate into a variety of mature cells, including neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Accordingly, the capability of MSCs to exert neuroprotection and also neurogenesis has recently attracted more attention. Nowadays, lncRNAs and miRNAs derived from MSCs have opened new avenues to alleviate stroke symptoms. Accordingly, in this review article, we examined various studies concerning the lncRNAs and miRNAs' role in stroke pathogenesis and delivered an overview of the therapeutic role of MSC-derived miRNAs and lncRNAs in stroke conditions.

Expression, Functional Polymorphism, and Diagnostic Values of MIAT rs2331291 and H19 rs217727 Long Non-Coding RNAs in Cerebral Ischemic Stroke Egyptian Patients

Cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS) is a severe cerebral vascular event. This research aimed to evaluate the role of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the lncRNAs MIAT rs2331291 and H19 rs217727 and epigenetic methylation in the expression patterns of serum lncRNA H19 in CIS Egyptian patients. It included 80 CIS cases and 40 healthy subjects. Serum MIAT expression levels decreased, whereas serum H19 expression levels increased among CIS compared to controls. For MIAT rs2331291, there were significant differences in the genotypic and allelic frequencies between the CIS and healthy subjects at p = 0.02 and p = 0.0001, respectively. Our findings illustrated a significantly increased MIAT T/T genotype frequency in hypertensive CIS compared to non-hypertensive CIS at p = 0.004. However, H19 rs217727 gene frequency C/C was not significantly higher in non-hypertensive CIS than in hypertensive CIS. The methylation of the H19 gene promoter was significantly higher in CIS patients compared to healthy subjects. The level of MIAT was positively correlated with serum H19 in CIS. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis revealed that serum MIAT and H19 have a high diagnostic potential for distinguishing CIS subjects from healthy ones. In conclusion, the MIAT-rs2331291 polymorphism might serve as a novel potential indicator of CIS.

Novel insight into cGAS-STING pathway in ischemic stroke: from pre- to post-disease

Ischemic stroke, a primary cause of disability and the second leading cause of mortality, has emerged as an urgent public health issue. Growing evidence suggests that the Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)- Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway, a component of innate immunity, is closely associated with microglia activation, neuroinflammation, and regulated cell death in ischemic stroke. However, the mechanisms underlying this pathway remain inadequately understood. This article comprehensively reviews the existing literature on the cGAS-STING pathway and its multifaceted relationship with ischemic stroke. Initially, it examines how various risk factors and pre-disease mechanisms such as metabolic dysfunction and senescence (e.g., hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia) affect the cGAS-STING pathway in relation to ischemic stroke. Subsequently, we explore in depth the potential pathophysiological relationship between this pathway and oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, neuroinflammation as well as regulated cell death including ferroptosis and PANoptosis following cerebral ischemia injury. Finally, it suggests that intervention targeting the cGAS-STING pathway may serve as promising therapeutic strategies for addressing neuroinflammation associated with ischemic stroke. Taken together, this review concludes that targeting the microglia cGAS-STING pathway may shed light on the exploration of new therapeutic strategies against ischemic stroke.

Neuroinflammatory Biomarkers in the Brain, Cerebrospinal Fluid, and Blood After Ischemic Stroke

The most frequent type of stroke, known as ischemic stroke (IS), is a significant global public health issue. The pathological process of IS and post-IS episodes has not yet been fully explored, but neuroinflammation has been identified as one of the key processes. Biomarkers are objective indicators used to assess normal or pathological processes, evaluate responses to treatment, and predict outcomes, and some biomarkers can also be used as therapeutic targets. After IS, various molecules are produced by different cell types, such as microglia, astrocytes, infiltrating leukocytes, endothelial cells, and damaged neurons, that participate in the neuroinflammatory response within the ischemic brain region. These molecules may either promote or inhibit neuroinflammation and may be released into extracellular spaces, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood, due to reasons such as BBB damage. These neuroinflammatory molecules should be valued as biomarkers to monitor whether their expression levels in the blood, CSF, and brain correlate with the diagnosis and prognosis of IS patients or whether they have potential as therapeutic targets. In addition, although some molecules do not directly participate in the process of neuroinflammation, they have been reported to have potential diagnostic or therapeutic value against post-IS neuroinflammation, and these molecules will also be listed. In this review, we summarize the neuroinflammatory biomarkers in the brain, CSF, and blood after an IS episode and the potential value of these biomarkers for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of IS patients.

Plasma lncRNA LIPCAR Expression Levels Associated with Neurological Impairment and Stroke Subtypes in Patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction: A Prospective Observational Study with a Control Group

INTRODUCTION

This prospective observational study with a control group aimed to compare the plasma levels of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) LIPCAR between patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI) and healthy controls, and to assess the prognostic abilities of LIPCAR for adverse outcomes of patients with ACI at 1-year follow-up.

METHODS

Eighty patients with ACI, of whom 40 had large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) and 40 had cardioembolism (CE) and who were hospitalized at Xi'an No. 1 Hospital from July 2019 to June 2020, were selected as the case group. Age- and sex-matched non-stroke patients from the same hospital throughout the same time period were chosen as the control group. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the levels of plasma lncRNA LIPCAR. The correlations of LIPCAR expression among the LAA, CE, and control groups were assessed using Spearman's correlation analysis. Curve fitting and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the LIPCAR levels and 1-year adverse outcomes of patients with ACI and its subtypes.

RESULTS

The expression of plasma LIPCAR in the case group was noticeably higher than that of the control group (2.42 ± 1.49 vs. 1.00 ± 0.47, p < 0.001). Patients with CE had considerably higher levels of LIPCAR expression than those with LAA. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score and modified Rankin scale score on admission were significantly positively correlated with LIPCAR expression in patients with CE and LAA. Furthermore, the correlation was stronger in patients with CE than in those with LAA, with correlation coefficients of 0.69 and 0.64, respectively. Curve fitting revealed a non-linear correlation between LIPCAR expression levels, 1-year recurrent stroke, all-cause mortalities, and poor prognoses, with a cut-off value of 2.2.

CONCLUSION

The expression level of lncRNA LIPCAR may play a potential role in the identification of neurological impairment and CE subtype in patients with ACI. Increased 1-year risk of adverse outcomes may be associated with high levels of LIPCAR expression.

QHRD106 ameliorates ischemic stroke injury as a long-acting tissue kallikrein preparation

Ischemic stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and there are limited effective treatment strategies. QHRD106, a polyethyleneglycol (PEG)-modified long-acting tissue kallikrein preparation, has not been reported previously. In this study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of QHRD106 in ischemic stroke and its possible mechanism. We found that QHRD106 treatment alleviated brain injury after stroke via bradykinin (BK) receptor B2 (B2R) instead of BK receptor B1 (B1R). Mechanistically, QHRD106 reduced high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)-induced apoptosis and inflammation after ischemic stroke in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, we confirmed that QHRD106 reduced the level of acetylated HMGB1 and reduced the binding between heat shock protein 90 alpha family class A member 1 (HSP90AA1) and HMGB1, thus inhibiting the translocation and release of HMGB1. In summary, these findings indicate that QHRD106 treatment has therapeutic potential for cerebral ischemic stroke.

An In Silico Analysis Reveals Sustained Upregulation of Neuroprotective Genes in the Post-Stroke Human Brain

Ischemic stroke is a cerebrovascular disease caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain, thus determining a lack of oxygen and nutrient supply. The ischemic event leads to the activation of several molecular signaling pathways involved in inflammation and the production of reactive oxygen species, causing irreversible neuronal damage. Several studies have focused on the acute phase of ischemic stroke. It is not clear if this traumatic event can influence some of the molecular processes in the affected area even years after the clinical event. In our study, we performed an in silico analysis using freely available raw data with the purpose of evaluating the transcriptomic state of post-mortem brain tissue. The samples were taken from non-fatal ischemic stroke patients, meaning that they suffered an ischemic stroke and lived for a period of about 2 years after the event. These samples were compared with healthy controls. The aim was to evaluate possible recovery processes useful to mitigating neuronal damage and the detrimental consequences of stroke. Our results highlighted differentially expressed genes codifying for proteins along with long non-coding genes with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant functions. This suggests that even after an amount of time from the ischemic insult, different neuroprotective mechanisms are activated to ameliorate brain conditions and repair post-stroke neuronal injury.

ANRIL overexpression globally induces expression and alternative splicing of genes involved in inflammation in HUVECs

Long non‑coding (lnc)RNAs serve important cellular functions and certain lncRNAs have roles in different mechanisms of gene regulation. lncRNA‑antisense non‑coding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) affects cell inflammation; however, the potential genes underlying the inflammatory response regulated by ANRIL remain unclear. In the present study, the potential function of ANRIL in regulating gene expression and alternative splicing was assessed. ANRIL‑regulated human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) transcriptome was obtained using high‑throughput RNA sequencing (RNA‑seq) to evaluate the potential role of ANRIL. Following plasmid transfection, gene expression profile and alternative splicing pattern of HUVECs overexpressing ANRIL were analyzed using RNA‑seq. ANRIL overexpression affected the transcription levels of genes associated with the inflammatory response, NF‑κB signaling pathway, type I interferon‑mediated signal transduction pathway and innate immune response. ANRIL regulated the alternative splicing of hundreds of genes with functions such as gene expression, translation, DNA repair, RNA processing and participation in the NF‑κB signaling pathway. Many of these genes serve a key role in the inflammatory response. ANRIL‑regulated inflammatory response may be achieved by regulating alternate splicing and transcription. The present study broadened the understanding of ANRIL‑mediated gene regulation mechanisms and clarified the role of ANRIL in mediating inflammatory response mechanisms.

Multi-omics research strategies in ischemic stroke: A multidimensional perspective

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a multifactorial and heterogeneous neurological disorder with high rate of death and long-term impairment. Despite years of studies, there are still no stroke biomarkers for clinical practice, and the molecular mechanisms of stroke remain largely unclear. The high-throughput omics approach provides new avenues for discovering biomarkers of IS and explaining its pathological mechanisms. However, single-omics approaches only provide a limited understanding of the biological pathways of diseases. The integration of multiple omics data means the simultaneous analysis of thousands of genes, RNAs, proteins and metabolites, revealing networks of interactions between multiple molecular levels. Integrated analysis of multi-omics approaches will provide helpful insights into stroke pathogenesis, therapeutic target identification and biomarker discovery. Here, we consider advances in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics and outline their use in discovering the biomarkers and pathological mechanisms of IS. We then delineate strategies for achieving integration at the multi-omics level and discuss how integrative omics and systems biology can contribute to our understanding and management of IS.

COMIRESTROKE—A clinical study protocol for monitoring clinical effect and molecular biological readouts of COMprehensive Intensive REhabilitation program after STROKE: A four-arm parallel-group randomized double blinded controlled trial with a longitudinal design

Introduction

While the role of physiotherapy as part of a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation is indisputable, clear evidence concerning the effectiveness of different rehabilitation managements [interdisciplinary implementing the International Classification of Functioning, disability and health (ICF) vs. multidisciplinary model] and physiotherapy categories (neuroproprioceptive “facilitation, inhibition” vs. motor/skill acquisitions using technologies) are still lacking. In this study, four kinds of comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation with different management and content of physical therapy will be compared. Moreover, focus will be placed on the identification of novel biological molecules reflective of effective rehabilitation. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts (&gt;200 bps) of limited coding potential, which have recently been recognized as key factors in neuronal signaling pathways in ischemic stroke and as such, may provide a valuable readout of patient recovery and neuroprotection during therapeutic progression.

Methods and analysis

Adults after the first ischemic stroke in an early sub-acute phase with motor disability will be randomly assigned to one of four groups and undergo a 3 weeks comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation of different types: interdisciplinary team work using ICF model as a guide; multidisciplinary teamwork implementing neuroproprioceptive “facilitation and inhibition” physiotherapy; multidisciplinary teamwork implementing technology-based physiotherapy; and standard multidisciplinary teamwork. Primary (the Goal Attainment Scale, the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System, and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule) and secondary (motor, cognitive, psychological, speech and swallowing functions, functional independence) outcomes will be measured. A blood sample will be obtained upon consent (20 mls; representing pre-rehabilitation molecular) before and after the inpatient program. Primary outcomes will be followed up again 3 and 12 months after the end of the program. The overarching aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of various rehabilitation managements and physiotherapeutic categories implemented by patients post ischemic stroke via analysis of primary, secondary and long non-coding RNA readouts. This clinical trial will offer an innovative approach not previously tested and will provide new complex analysis along with public assessable molecular biological evidence of various rehabilitation methodology for the alleviation of the effects of ischemic stroke.

Clinical trial registration

NCT05323916, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05323916.

Long Noncoding RNA NEAT1 Expression and Its Target miR-124 in Diabetic Ischemic Stroke Patients

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a known risk factor for stroke and may be linked to poorer post-stroke outcomes. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be fully identified. In this study we assessed the association of the lncRNA Nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1)'s expression and its target miRNA-124 with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in type II diabetic patients (T2DM). Methods and Results: Diabetic patients with stroke, non-diabetics with stroke, diabetics without stroke, and controls were recruited. NEAT1 and miR-124 expression levels in plasma samples from the participants were investigated using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). C reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were measured using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. In the DM+AIS group, NEAT1 expression was considerably higher, compared with AIS group and with control group. In comparison to the AIS-only patients, DM patients and controls, miR-124 expression was considerably lower in the DM+AIS group. NEAT1 was shown to have good predictive value for AIS risk in diabetics, based on Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. In both the DM+AIS and the AIS group, NEAT1 levels was strongly linked with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score. Also, a significant positive correlation was observed between NEAT1 expression and the inflammatory markers CRP and TNF-α and significant negative association with miRNA-124 in patient groups. Conclusion: In diabetic patients, the lncRNA NEAT1 may influence the incidence, severity, inflammation, and prognosis of AIS. NEAT1 expression levels could be used as a diagnostic marker of stroke in diabetic patients.

The Novel lncRNA ENST00000530525 Affects ANO1, Contributing to Blood-Brain Barrier Injury in Cultured hCMEC/D3 Cells Under OGD/R Conditions

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a major neurological disease with high fatality and residual disability burdens. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been found to play an important role in IS. However, the roles and significance of most lncRNAs in IS are still unknown. This study was performed to identify differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs using a lncRNA microarray in whole blood samples of patients suffering from acute cerebral ischemia. Bioinformatics analyses, including GO, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, and proximity to putative stroke risk location analysis were performed. The novel lncRNA, ENST00000530525, significantly decreased after IS. Furthermore, we evaluated lncRNA ENST00000530525 expression in cultured hCMEC/D3 cells under oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) conditions using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis. To investigate the function of lncRNA ENST00000530525, its over-expression (OE) and negative control (NC) plasmids were transfected into hCMEC/D3 cells, and cell viability was detected by a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay after OGD/R. LncRNA ENST00000530525 and ANO1 expression were investigated using RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence. For blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, FITC-dextran transendothelial permeability assay and tight junction (TJ) protein immunofluorescence assays were performed. There were 3352 DE lncRNAs in the blood samples of acute IS patients. The validation results were consistent with the gene chip data. The GO and KEGG results showed that these lncRNAs were mainly related to oxygen and glucose metabolism, leukocyte transendothelial migration, mitophagy and cellular senescence. Among these, lncRNA ENST00000530525 was the most highly downregulated lncRNA and it was mapped within the IS-associated gene anoctamin-1 (ANO1). We further found that lncRNA ENST00000530525 was downregulated in hCMEC/D3 cells under 4 h OGD and 20 h reoxygenation (OGD4/R20) conditions. Upregulating lncRNA ENST00000530525 by plasmid transfection decreased cell viability while increasing ANO1 expression and it contributed to BBB injury in hCMEC/D3 cells after OGD4/R20. The lncRNA ENST00000530525 might play deleterious roles in post-stroke pathogenesis. These results show that some DE lncRNAs in humans participate through characteristic roles in post-stroke pathogenesis; thus, the roles and significance of some novel lncRNAs in IS warrant further study.

Biotechnology-based therapeutics for management of cerebral stroke

Cerebral stroke, commonly caused due to hindrance in blood flow, is broadly classified into two categories-ischemic and haemorrhagic strokes. The onset of stroke triggers multiple mechanisms causing inflammation, generation of free radicals and protein damage leading to apoptosis of neuronal cells. The current therapies available for cerebral strokes involve use of complex surgical treatments and tissue plasminogen activator which increases the risk of internal bleeding, brain edema and cerebral damage, thereby restricting their use in clinical setting. The alarming need to develop safe, effective, target specific systems which, promote neuronal growth and reduce cerebral inflammation can be accomplished with use of biotechnological approaches. The article gives an insight to biotechnology-based advancements for tissue plasminogen activators, cell penetrating peptides, growth factors, ribonucleic acid systems and monoclonal antibodies for cerebral stroke. We also emphasis on challenges and future perspective of biotechnology-based therapeutics for better management of stroke.

Hypoxia related long non-coding RNAs in ischemic stroke

With high rates of mortality and disability, stroke has caused huge social burden, and 85% of which is ischemic stroke. In recent years, it is a progressive discovery of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) playing an important regulatory role throughout ischemic stroke. Hypoxia, generated from reduction or interruption of cerebral blood flow, leads to changes in lncRNA expression, which then influence disease progression. Therefore, we reviewed studies on expression of hypoxia-related lncRNAs and relevant molecular mechanism in ischemic stroke. Considering that hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is a crucial regulator in hypoxic progress, we mainly focus on the HIF-related lncRNA which regulates the expression of HIF or is regulated by HIF, further reveal their pathogenesis and adaption after brain ischemia and hypoxia, so as to find effective biomarker and therapeutic targets.

Long non-coding RNA Gm11974 aggravates oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced injury via miR-122-5p/SEMA3A axis in ischaemic stroke

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in ischaemic stroke. This study aimed to investigate the role and potential mechanism of lncRNA Gm11974 in ischaemic stroke. Mouse neuroblastoma N2a cells were treated with oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). The levels of Gm11974, microRNA-122-5p (miR-122-5p) and semaphorin 3A (SEMA3A) were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) or western blot. Cell viability and apoptosis were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, Caspase-3 Assay Kit and flow Cytometry. The levels of oxidative stress indicators were measured by using commercial kits. The relationship between miR-122-5p and Gm11974 or SEMA3A was verified by dual-luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull-down assays. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in mice was used to mimic ischaemic stroke. Gm11974 and SEMA3A were up-regulated, while miR-122-5p was down-regulated in OGD-treated N2a cells and MCAO mice. Down-regulation of Gm11974 ameliorated OGD-mediated N2a cell damage by increasing cell viability and reducing cell apoptosis and oxidative stress. Gm11974 promoted OGD-induced injury in N2a cells via negatively regulating miR-122-5p. Also, miR-122-5p alleviated OGD-resulted N2a cell injury by targeting SEMA3A. Moreover, silencing of Gm11974 decreased infarct volume and neurological score in MCAO mice. Knockdown of Gm11974 attenuated neuronal injury in ischaemic stroke by regulating miR-122-5p/SEMA3A signaling pathway.

LncRNA SNHG8 sponges miR-449c-5p and regulates the SIRT1/FoxO1 pathway to affect microglia activation and blood-brain barrier permeability in ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke (IS) can cause disability and death, and microglia as the immune component of the CNS can release inflammatory factors and participate in blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the effects of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG8 on microglia activation and BBB permeability in IS. A rat model of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (p-MCAO) and a cell model of oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) in microglia were established, followed by evaluation of neurobehavioral function, BBB permeability, brain edema, and pathologic changes of microglia in brain tissue. The activation status of microglia and expressions of inflammatory factors were detected. Cell viability and integrity of microglia membrane were assessed. The downstream microRNA (miR), gene, and pathway of SNHG8 were analyzed. LncRNA SNHG8 was down-regulated in MCAO rats. Overexpression of SNHG8 improved the neural function defect, reduced brain water content, BBB permeability, brain tissue damage and inflammation, and inhibited microglia activation. In OGD-induced microglia, overexpression of SNHG8 or miR-449c-5p down-regulation increased cell viability and decreased lactate dehydrogenase activity. Moreover, SNHG8 sponged miR-449c-5p to regulate SIRT1. Overexpression of SNHG8 increased the expression of SIRT1 and FoxO1. MiR-449c-5p mimic could annul the effect of SNHG8 overexpression on ischemic microglia. Collectively, SNHG8 inhibits microglia activation and BBB permeability via the miR-449c-5p/SIRT1/FoxO1 pathway, thus eliciting protective effects on ischemic brain injury.

Emerging Role of LncRNAs in Ischemic Stroke-Novel Insights into the Regulation of Inflammation

As a crucial kind of pervasive gene, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are abundant and key players in brain function as well as numerous neurological disorders, especially ischemic stroke. The mechanisms underlying ischemic stroke include angiogenesis, autophagy, apoptosis, cell death, and neuroinflammation. Inflammation plays a vital role in the pathological process of ischemic stroke, and systemic inflammation affects the patient’s prognosis. Although a great deal of research has illustrated that various lncRNAs are closely relevant to regulate neuroinflammation and microglial activation in ischemic stroke, the specific interactional relationships and mechanisms between lncRNAs and neuroinflammation have not been described clearly. This review aimed to summarize the therapeutic effects and action mechanisms of lncRNAs on ischemia by regulating inflammation and microglial activation. In addition, we emphasize that lncRNAs have the potential to modulate inflammation by inhibiting and activating various signaling pathways, such as microRNAs, NF‐κB and ERK.

Silencing lncRNA HOTAIR improves the recovery of neurological function in ischemic stroke via the miR-148a-3p/KLF6 axis

Ischemic stroke (IS), caused by a permanent or transient local reduction in blood supply to the brain, is one of the most widespread causes of public health problems in modern society. Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) has been reported to be related to angiogenesis following IS. In this study, we explored the effect and potential molecular mechanism of lncRNA homeobox antisense non-coding RNA (HOTAIR) in IS. Permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) model and oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) model were established. HOTAIR was increased in vivo and in vitro models post-ischemic. HOTAIR knockdown promoted neurological function recovery, manifesting in decreased modified neurological severity score, cerebral infarcted area, apoptosis and inflammation, and improved balance ability, spatial learning and memory ability. Silencing HOTAIR also improved the viability of OGD-induced N2a cells, and attenuated apoptosis and inflammation. HOTAIR can compete with KLF6 to bind to miR-148a-3p. miR-148a-3p knockdown or KLF6 overexpression partially reversed the effect of sh-HOTAIR on OGD-induced N2a cells. HOTAIR suppressed the activation of STAT3 pathway via the miR-148a-3p/KLF6 axis. To summarize, this study demonstrated that lncRNA HOTAIR absorbed miR-148a-3p and up-regulated KLF6 expression through ceRNA mechanism, and inhibited STAT3 pathway, promoted apoptosis and inflammation, and aggravated neurological injury post-IS.

Knockdown of XIST Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Through Regulation of miR-362/ROCK2 Axis

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are considered as critical regulators in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia. In this present study, we aimed to investigate the impact and underlying mechanism of lncRNA X-inactive specific transcript (XIST) in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. An oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) model in PC12 cells was applied to mimic cerebral I/R injury in vitro and middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model was performed in mice to mimic cerebral I/R injury in vivo. Real-time PCR, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay, and western blotting assay were carried out to detect the expression levels of XIST, miR-362, and Rho-related coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2 (ROCK2). The functional experiments were measured by CCK-8 assay, immumofluorescence assay, ELISA assay, TUNEL, and TTC staining. Results displayed that XIST was elevated in PC12 cells with OGD/R, as well as in the ischemic penumbra of mice with MCAO/R. In vitro, knockdown of XIST facilitated cell survival, inhibited apoptosis, and alleviated inflammation injury in OGDR PC12 cells. In vivo, inhibition of XIST remarkably reduced the neurological impairments, promoted neuron proliferation, and suppressed apoptosis in MCAO mice. Mechanistically, XIST acted as a competing endogenous RNA of miR-362 to regulate the downstream gene ROCK2. In conclusion, depletion of XIST attenuated I/R-induced neurological impairment and inflammatory response via the miR-362/ROCK2 axis. These findings offer a potential novel strategy for ischemic stroke therapy.

Involvement of noncoding RNA in blood-brain barrier integrity in central nervous system disease

Given the important role of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in the central nervous system (CNS), increasing studies have been carried out to determine how the structural and functional integrity of the BBB impacts the pathogenesis of CNS diseases such as stroke, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and gliomas. Emerging studies have revealed that noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) help to maintain the integrity and permeability of the BBB, thereby mediating CNS homeostasis. This review summarizes recent studies that focus on the effects of ncRNAs on the BBB in CNS diseases, including regulating the biological processes of inflammation, necrosis, and apoptosis of cells, affecting the translational dysfunction of proteins and regulating tight junctions (TJs). A comprehensive and detailed understanding of the interaction between ncRNAs and the BBB will lay a solid foundation for the development of early diagnostic methods and effective treatments for CNS diseases.

Systematic Investigation of the Effect of Powerful Tianma Eucommia Capsule on Ischemic Stroke Using Network Pharmacology

Background

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a serious disease with a high rate of death and disability, and a growing number of people are becoming victims. Existing drugs not only have limited therapeutic effects but also have obvious side effects. Most importantly, drug resistance due to long-term or improper use of drugs is detrimental to patients. Therefore, it is urgent to find some alternative or supplementary medicines to alleviate the current embarrassment. Powerful Tianma Eucommia Capsule (PTEC) is mainly used to treat IS in China for thousands of years; however, the molecular mechanism is not clear.

Methods

Pharmacology ingredients and target genes were filtered and downloaded from websites. A pharmacology ingredient-target gene network was constructed to predict the molecular interactions between ingredients and target genes. Enrichment analysis was performed to explore the possible signal pathways. LeDock was used to simulate the interaction form between proteins and main active ingredients and to deduce key amino acid positions.

Results

Two hundred eighty-nine target genes and seventy-four pharmacological ingredients were obtained from public databases. Several key ingredients (quercetin, kaempferol, and stigmasterol) and primary core target genes (PTGS1, NCOA2, and PRSS1) were detected through ingredient-target gene network analysis. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis demonstrated that ingredients affect networks mainly in nuclear receptor activity and G protein-coupled amine receptor activity; besides, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, human cytomegalovirus infection, and hepatitis B signaling pathways might be the principal therapy ways. A series of presumed key amino acid sites (189ASP, 190SER, 192GLN, 57HIS, and 99TYE) were calculated in PRSS1. Six of the target genes were differentially expressed between male and female patients.

Conclusions

Seven new putative target genes (ACHE, ADRA1A, AR, CHRM3, F7, GABRA1, and PRSS1) were observed in this work. Based on the result of GO and KEGG analysis, this work will be helpful to further demonstrate the molecular mechanism of PTEC treatment of IS.

Gastrodin Alleviates Cerebral Ischaemia/Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting Pyroptosis by Regulating the lncRNA NEAT1/miR-22-3p Axis

Cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury-induced irreversible brain injury is a major cause of mortality and functional impairment in ageing people. Gastrodin (GAS), derived from the traditional Chinese herbal medicine Tianma, has been reported to inhibit the progression of stroke, but the mechanism whereby GAS modulates the progression of cerebral I/R remains unclear. The middle cerebral artery occlusion method was used as a model of I/R in vivo. Rats were pretreated with GAS by intraperitoneal injection 7 days before I/R surgery and were then treated with GAS for 7 days after I/R surgery. Additionally, an oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation model using neuronal cells was established in vitro to simulate I/R injury. 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride and Nissl staining were used to evaluate infarct size and neuronal damage, respectively. Lactate dehydrogenase release and cell counting kit-8 assays were used to assess neuronal cell viability. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, qPCR, flow cytometry and western blotting were performed to analyse the expression levels of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-18), lncRNA NEAT1, miR-22-3p, NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1. Luciferase reporter experiments were performed to verify the association between lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-22-3p. The results indicated that GAS could significantly improve the neurological scores of rats and reduce the area of cerebral infarction. Meanwhile, GAS inhibited pyroptosis by downregulating NLRP3, inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-18) and cleaved caspase-1. In addition, GAS attenuated I/R-induced inflammation in neuronal cells through the modulation of the lncRNA NEAT1/miR-22-3p axis. GAS significantly attenuated cerebral I/R injury via modulation of the lncRNA NEAT1/miR-22-3p axis. Thus, GAS might serve as a new agent for the treatment of cerebral I/R injury.

Regulation of the long noncoding RNA XIST on the inflammatory polarization of microglia in cerebral infarction

Proinflammatory polarization of microglia aggravates brain injury in cerebral infarction. The present study focused on the role of long non-coding (lnc)RNA X-inactive specific transcript (XIST) in the phenotype modulation of microglia. It was revealed that lncRNA XIST was significantly upregulated in both a mouse cerebral infarction model induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and an activated microglial model induced by oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD). The overexpression of XIST enhanced the expression and release of pro-inflammatory mediators [such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6, and iNOS] in microglia. Culture supernatant from lncRNA XIST-overexpressed microglial cells induced the apoptosis of primary neurons, while TNF-α antibody counteracted this neurotoxic effect. LncRNA XIST served as a sponge for miR-96-5p, counteracting its inhibitory effect on IKKβ/NF-κB signaling and TNF-α production. Notably, TNF-α was positively regulated by XIST and in turn enhanced XIST expression in microglia. The lncRNA XIST-TNF-α feedback promoted the proinflammatory polarization of microglia, thereby exacerbating cerebral neuron apoptosis.

Long Non-coding RNA MEG3 Promotes Pyroptosis in Testicular Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Targeting MiR-29a to Modulate PTEN Expression

Increasing evidence shows that the abnormal long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) expression is closely related to ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R) progression. Studies have previously described that lncRNA MEG3 regulates pyroptosis in various organs I/R. Nevertheless, the related mechanisms of MEG3 in testicular I/R has not been clarified. The aim of this research is to unravel underlying mechanisms of the regulation of pyroptosis mediated by MEG3 during testicular I/R. We have established a testicular torsion/detorsion (T/D) model and an oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R)-treated spermatogenic cell model. Testicular ischemic injury was assessed by H&E staining. Western blotting, quantitative real-time PCR, MDA, and SOD tests and immunohistochemistry measured the expression of MEG3 and related proteins and the level of ROS production in testicular tissues. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting determined the relative expression of MEG3, miR-29a, and relevant proteins in GC-1. Cell viability and cytotoxicity were measured by CCK-8 and LDH assays. Secretion and expression levels of inflammatory proteins were determined by ELISA, immunofluorescence and western blotting. The interaction among MEG3, miR-29a, and PTEN was validated through a dual luciferase reporter assay and Ago2-RIP. In this research, we identified that MEG3 was upregulated in animal specimens and GC-1. In loss of function or gain of function assays, we verified that MEG3 could promote pyroptosis. Furthermore, we found that MEG3 negatively regulated miR-29a expression at the posttranscriptional level and promoted PTEN expression, and further promoted pyroptosis. Therefore, we explored the interaction among MEG3, miR-29a and PTEN and found that MEG3 directly targeted miR-29a, and miR-29a targeted PTEN. Overexpression of miR-29a effectively eliminated the upregulation of PTEN induced by MEG3, indicating that MEG3 regulates PTEN expression by targeting miR-29a. In summary, our research indicates that MEG3 contributes to pyroptosis by regulating miR-29a and PTEN during testicular I/R, indicating that MEG3 may be a potential therapeutic target in testicular torsion.

LncRNA NEAT1 accelerates renal tubular epithelial cell damage by modulating mitophagy via miR-150-5p-DRP1 axis in diabetic nephropathy

NEW FINDINGS

What is the central question of this study? Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a severe complication of diabetes correlated with a higher mortality rate in diabetic patients. Renal tubular injury participates in the pathogenesis of DN. We aimed to uncover the biological function of the NEAT1-miR-150-5p-DRP1 axis in an in vitro model of DN and elaborate the potential mechanisms. What is the main finding and its importance? NEAT1 facilitated high glucose-induced damage in HK-2 cells by reducing mitophagy via the miR-150-5p-DRP1 axis, which sheds light on DN pathogenesis and reveals a potential treatment for DN.

ABSTRACT

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a severe complication in diabetic patients, with a high mortality rate. Renal tubular injury is involved in the pathogenesis of DN. In this study, we aimed to uncover the regulatory roles of the NEAT1-miR-150-5p-DRP1 axis in an in vitro model of DN and its possible mechanisms. High glucose-challenged HK-2 cells were used as an in vitro DN model. NEAT1, miR-150-5p and DRP1 levels were assessed by RT-qPCR. Cell viability was determined by the MTT assay. MitoSOX Red and JC-1 were used to evaluate intracellular production of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential, respectively. Lactate dehydrogenase release and superoxide dismutase activity were assessed with commercial kits. The protein levels of DRP1, p62, BECN1(beclin 1) and BNIP3 were determined by western blotting. The interaction between NEAT1 (DRP1) and miR-150-5p was verified by a dual-luciferase reporter assay and an RNA immunoprecipitation assay. Our results showed that in response to high glucose the NEAT1 and DRP1 levels were upregulated, whereas the miR-150-5p level was downregulated in HK-2 cells. Knockdown of NEAT1 or DRP1 in high glucose-challenged HK-2 cells inhibited excessive reactive oxygen species production and lactate dehydrogenase release, increased cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potential and superoxide dismutase activity and enhanced mitophagy. Inhibition of miR-150-5p resulted in the opposite results. Mechanistically, NEAT1 sponged miR-150-5p to increase the DRP1 level. Moreover, silencing of NEAT1 or DRP1 could counteract miR-150-5p inhibition-induced deleterious effects. Collectively, our findings indicate that NEAT1 facilitates high glucose-induced damage in HK-2 cells by suppressing mitophagy via the miR-150-5p-DRP 1 axis, which sheds light on a novel mechanism of DN.

New epigenetic players in stroke pathogenesis: From non-coding RNAs to exosomal non-coding RNAs

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have critical role in the pathophysiology as well as recovery after ischemic stroke. ncRNAs, particularly microRNAs, and the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are critical for angiogenesis and neuroprotection, and they have been suggested to be therapeutic, diagnostic and prognostic tools in cerebrovascular diseases, including stroke. Moreover, exosomes have been considered as nanocarriers capable of transferring various cargos, such as lncRNAs and miRNAs to recipient cells, with prominent inter-cellular roles in the mediation of neuro-restorative events following strokes and neural injuries. In this review, we summarize the pathogenic role of ncRNAs and exosomal ncRNAs in the stroke.

Long Noncoding RNA SNHG14 Promotes Ischemic Brain Injury via Regulating miR-199b/AQP4 Axis

BACKGROUND

Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia. This study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 14 (SNHG14) in ischemic brain injury.

METHODS

Cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in mice. The expression of SNHG14 in MCAO mouse model was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The levels of SNHG14, microRNA-199b (miR-199b) and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-stimulated BV2 cells were determined by qRT-PCR or western blot assay. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of oxidative stress markers were examined using commercial kits. The relationships among SNHG14, miR-199b and AQP4 were confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation assay and RNA pull-down assay.

RESULTS

SNHG14 was up-regulated in MCAO mouse model. Depletion of SNHG14 lessened cerebral ischemia in MCAO mouse model. SNHG14 silencing inhibited inflammation and oxidative stress in OGD-exposed BV2 cells. MiR-199b level was decreased, while AQP4 level was increased in OGD-treated BV2 cells. Knockdown of miR-199b reversed the effect of SNHG14 knockdown on ischemic damage in OGD-stimulated BV2 cells. Moreover, AQP4 overexpression abolished the effect of miR-199b on ischemic injury in OGD-treated BV2 cells. Furthermore, SNHG14 indirectly regulate AQP4 expression by sponging miR-199b.

CONCLUSIONS

Knockdown of SNHG14 attenuated ischemic brain injury by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress through the miR-199b/AQP4 axis.

The role of lncRNAs in ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide due to the narrow therapeutic time window of the only two approved therapies, intravenous thrombolysis and thrombectomy. The pathophysiological processes of ischemic stroke are driven by multiple complex molecular and cellular interactions that ultimately induce brain damage and neurobehavioral impairment. Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are significantly altered in the blood and brains of ischemic stroke patients and play a critical role in the pathogenesis of stroke, which serve as potential targets for stroke interventions. In this review, we provide an overview of the roles of lncRNAs in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke and discuss the opportunities and challenges for the clinical application of lncRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of ischemic stroke.

Long Noncoding RNAs MALAT1 and ANRIL Gene Variants and the Risk of Cerebral Ischemic Stroke: An Association Study

Cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS) is one of the primary causes of death worldwide and a major cause of long-term disability. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as crucial mediators in the pathology of CIS; however, their potential importance is yet to be discovered. Herein, we examined the association of four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the risk of CIS, their correlation with the lncRNAs, MALAT1 and ANRIL, expression, and the potential of serum MALAT1 and ANRIL as biomarkers for CIS. A total of 100 CIS patients and 100 healthy controls were recruited in the study. Genotyping and expression analysis of MALAT1 and ANRIL SNPs were carried out by qPCR. The present results showed that serum MALAT1 was downregulated, while serum ANRIL was overexpressed in CIS patients, relative to controls. MALAT1 downregulation discriminated CIS patients from controls by receiver-operating-characteristic analysis. Moreover, serum ANRIL denoted good diagnostic accuracy. MALAT1 rs619586 AA and rs3200401 CT, TT were associated with increased CIS risk, whereas ANRIL rs10965215 GG was found to be protective. The studied ANRIL rs10738605 polymorphism was not associated with CIS susceptibility. Notably, the G variant of MALAT1 rs619586 demonstrated a higher serum MALAT1 expression level. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed serum MALAT1 as well as MALAT1 rs3200401 CT + TT as independent predictors of CIS. Additionally, a negative association was found between the serum MALAT1 level and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. In conclusion, MALAT1 rs619586 and rs3200401 and ANRIL rs10965215 are novel prospective noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers for CIS predisposition.

Role of lncRNAs in the Development of Ischemic Stroke and Their Therapeutic Potential

Stroke is a major cause of premature mortality and disability around the world. Therefore, identification of cellular and molecular processes implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of ischemic stroke has become a priority. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as significant players in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia. They are involved in different signalling pathways of cellular processes like cell apoptosis, autophagy, angiogenesis, inflammation, and cell death, impacting the progression of cerebral damage. Exploring the functions of these lncRNAs and their mechanism of action may help in the development of promising treatment strategies. In this review, the current knowledge of lncRNAs in ischemic stroke, focusing on the mechanism by which they cause cellular apoptosis, inflammation, and microglial activation, has been summarized. Very few lncRNAs have been functionally annotated. Therefore, the therapies based on lncRNAs still face many hurdles since the potential targets are likely to increase with the identification of new ones. Majority of experiments involving the identification and function of lncRNAs have been carried out in animal models, and the role of lncRNAs in human stroke presents a challenge. However, mitigating these issues through more rational experimental design might lead to the development of lncRNA-based stroke therapies to treat ischemic stroke.

Coding and non-coding nucleotides': The future of stroke gene therapeutics

Stroke is the foremost cause of death ranked after heart disease and cancer. It is the fatal life-threatening event that requires immediate medical admissions to overcome following morbidity and mortality. The therapeutic advances in stroke therapy have been manipulated with diverse paths for last 5 years. Recent research and clinical trials have investigated a variety of anti-stroke agents including anti-coagulants, cerebro-protective agents, antiplatelet therapy, stem-cell therapy, and specified gene therapy. In recent advanced studies, genetic therapies including noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), Piwi interacting RNAs (PiWi RNAs) have shown better potential as targeted future therapeutics with a better outcome than conventional stroke therapeutics. The potential of targeted gene therapy is much more advanced in not only the induction of neuroprotection but also safer non-toxic targeted therapeutics. In the current state of the art review, we have focused on the recent advancements made towards the stroke with RNA modifications and targeted gene therapeutics.

Long non-coding RNA H19 expression and functional polymorphism rs217727 are linked to increased ischemic stroke risk

Background

Efforts to identify potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of ischemic stroke (IS) are valuable. The H19 gene plays a functional role in increasing the prevalence of IS risk factors. We evaluated the correlation between H19 rs217727 polymorphism and the expression level of H19 lncRNA with susceptibility to IS among the Iranian population.

Methods

Blood samples were collected from IS patients (n = 114) and controls (n = 114). We concentrated on the expression pattern of H19 at different time points (i.e., 0–24, 24–48, and 48–72 h after stroke). The tetra-amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR) method was applied for DNA genotyping. We used the quantitative real-time PCR to evaluate H19 expression levels. We used the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to evaluate the diagnosis and prognosis of IS.

Results

The rs217727polymorphism of H19 was related with IS susceptibility in the co-dominant (OR = 2.92, 95% CI = 0.91–10.92, P = 0.04) and recessive models (OR = 2.80, 95% CI = 0.96–8.15, P = 0.04). H19 expression was significantly upregulated in IS and remained high for 72 h after stroke. ROC curves showed that H19 expression within the first 24 h from stroke onset might serve as a biomarker for the early diagnosis of IS with 79.49% sensitivity and 80.00% specificity. H19 expression in small vessel occlusion (SVO) and large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA) patients were 3.74 and 3.34 times higher than the undetermined (UD) subtype, respectively [OR = 3.74 95% CL (1.14–12.27) P = 0.030 and OR = 3.34 95% CL (1.13–9.85) P = 0.029].

Conclusion

The rs217727 polymorphism of the H19 is correlated with IS susceptibility, and H19 expression levels were higher in SVO and LAA patients. The upregulation of H19 may be considered as a diagnostic biomarker in IS among the Iranian population, but it cannot serve as a useful prognostic marker.

Association of circulating long non-coding RNA MALAT1 in diagnosis, disease surveillance, and prognosis of acute ischemic stroke

We aimed to investigate the association of long non-coding RNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (lnc-MALAT1) with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), and its association with disease severity, inflammation, and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in AIS patients. One hundred and twenty AIS patients and 120 controls were recruited. Venous blood samples from AIS patients (within 24 h after symptoms onset) and controls (at entry to study) were collected to detect plasma lnc-MALAT1 expression by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. AIS severity was assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score. Plasma concentrations of inflammation factors (including C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, and IL-22) were measured and RFS was calculated. lnc-MALAT1 expression was decreased in AIS patients compared to controls, and it had a close correlation with AIS (AUC=0.791, 95% CI: 0.735-0.846). For disease condition, lnc-MALAT1 expression negatively correlated with NIHSS score and pro-inflammatory factor expression (including CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-22), while it positively correlated with anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 expression. Furthermore, lnc-MALAT1 expression was elevated in AIS patients with diabetes. For prognosis, no statistical correlation of lnc-MALAT1 expression with RFS was found, while a trend for longer RFS was observed in patients with lnc-MALAT1 high expression compared to those with lnc-MALAT1 low expression.

Silencing of Long Non-coding RNA GAS5 Suppresses Neuron Cell Apoptosis and Nerve Injury in Ischemic Stroke Through Inhibiting DNMT3B-Dependent MAP4K4 Methylation

Ischemic stroke is associated with various physiological and pathological processes including neuronal apoptosis. Growth-arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5), a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), has been recently reported to affect ischemic stroke-induced neuron apoptosis, while its mechanisms remain largely undefined. Through in silico analysis, GAS5 was predicted to interact with the promoter of MAP4K4. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the possible role of GAS5 in the progression of ischemic stroke via regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (MAP4K4) methylation. The expression of MAP4K4 was found to be lowly expressed in the clinical samples collected from 55 patients. MAP4K4 was suggested to be methylated in an in vitro model of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-treated mouse primary cortical neurons, while its overexpression could inhibit OGD-induced neuronal apoptosis. A series of dual-luciferase reporter, RIP, RNA pull-down, ChIP MSP, and BSP assays confirmed that GAS5 significantly induced MAP4K4 methylation and downregulated MAP4K4 expression through the recruitment of DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B). An in vivo ischemic stroke model was developed using middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Upregulation of GAS5 promoted OGD-induced neuronal apoptosis in the in vitro model and increased cerebral infarction size and neurological score in the in vivo model by reducing MAP4K4 expression. Collectively, the present study highlights that silencing GAS5 may inhibit neuronal apoptosis and improve neurological function in ischemic stroke by suppressing DNMT3B-mediated MAP4K4 methylation, which contributes to better understanding of the pathologies of ischemic stroke and development of novel therapeutic options for this disease.

Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Adult Post Stroke Neurogenesis

Stroke remains the leading cause of adult disability. Post-stroke neurogenesis contributes to functional recovery. As an intrinsic neurorestorative process, it is important to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying stroke-induced neurogenesis and to develop therapies designed specifically to augment neurogenesis. Epigenetic mechanisms include DNA methylation, histone modification and its mediation by microRNAs and long-non-coding RNAs. In this review, we highlight how epigenetic factors including DNA methylation, histone modification, microRNAs and long-non-coding RNAs mediate stroke-induced neurogenesis including neural stem cell self-renewal and cell fate determination. We also summarize therapies targeting these mechanisms in the treatment of stroke.

SNHG12 inhibits oxygen‑glucose deprivation‑induced neuronal apoptosis via the miR‑181a‑5p/NEGR1 axis

Emerging evidence has indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are closely associated with the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. It has been reported that small nucleolar RNA host gene 12 (SNHG12) serves a critical role in ischemic stroke by acting as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA). SNHG12 competes with various microRNAs (miRs) to regulate RNA transcription of specific targets. However, the effect of SNHG12 on oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced neuronal apoptosis has rarely been reported. The present study demonstrated that SNHG12 expression was downregulated in OGD-injured SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, miR-181a-5p was reported as a target of SNHG12 and was negatively regulated by SNHG12. Moreover, NEGR1 was a target of miR-181a-5p, which functions as a negative regulator of NEGR1 in OGD-induced neuronal apoptosis. In summary, the results strongly confirmed the hypothesis that SNHG12 functions as a ceRNA for miR-181a-5p and regulates the expression of NEGR1 thus inhibiting OGD-induced apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells. Neuronal apoptosis aggravates brain damage during ischemic stroke, indicating that the activation of SNHG12 and NEGR1 expression and inhibition of miR-181a-5p may be a novel strategy for the clinical treatment of ischemic stroke.

Noncoding RNAs in Cardiovascular Disease: Current Knowledge, Tools and Technologies for Investigation, and Future Directions: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND

The discovery that much of the non-protein-coding genome is transcribed and plays a diverse functional role in fundamental cellular processes has led to an explosion in the development of tools and technologies to investigate the role of these noncoding RNAs in cardiovascular health. Furthermore, identifying noncoding RNAs for targeted therapeutics to treat cardiovascular disease is an emerging area of research. The purpose of this statement is to review existing literature, offer guidance on tools and technologies currently available to study noncoding RNAs, and identify areas of unmet need.

METHODS

The writing group used systematic literature reviews (including MEDLINE, Web of Science through 2018), expert opinion/statements, analyses of databases and computational tools/algorithms, and review of current clinical trials to provide a broad consensus on the current state of the art in noncoding RNA in cardiovascular disease.

RESULTS

Significant progress has been made since the initial studies focusing on the role of miRNAs (microRNAs) in cardiovascular development and disease. Notably, recent progress on understanding the role of novel types of noncoding small RNAs such as snoRNAs (small nucleolar RNAs), tRNA (transfer RNA) fragments, and Y-RNAs in cellular processes has revealed a noncanonical function for many of these molecules. Similarly, the identification of long noncoding RNAs that appear to play an important role in cardiovascular disease processes, coupled with the development of tools to characterize their interacting partners, has led to significant mechanistic insight. Finally, recent work has characterized the unique role of extracellular RNAs in mediating intercellular communication and their potential role as biomarkers.

CONCLUSIONS

The rapid expansion of tools and pipelines for isolating, measuring, and annotating these entities suggests that caution in interpreting results is warranted until these methodologies are rigorously validated. Most investigators have focused on investigating the functional role of single RNA entities, but studies suggest complex interaction between different RNA molecules. The use of network approaches and advanced computational tools to understand the interaction of different noncoding RNA species to mediate a particular phenotype may be required to fully comprehend the function of noncoding RNAs in mediating disease phenotypes.

Long non‑coding RNA SNHG16 inhibits the oxygen‑glucose deprivation and reoxygenation‑induced apoptosis in human brain microvascular endothelial cells by regulating miR‑15a‑5p/bcl‑2

MicroRNA (miR) 15a-5p can promote ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced apoptosis of cerebral vascular endothelial cells, which is inhibited by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). The present study investigated the potential of lncRNAs targeting miR-15a-5p to regulate oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD-R)-induced apoptosis of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMECs). hBMECs were transfected with or without miR-15a-5p or its mutant, together with p-small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 (SNHG16) or its mutant. Following OGD-R, proliferation, apoptosis and miR-15a-5p, SNHG16 and Bcl-2 expression levels were determined using MTT, flow cytometry, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR or western blotting. The potential interaction of SNHG16 with miR-15a-5p was analyzed by pull-down, luciferase and immunoprecipitation assays. OGD-R induced apoptosis of hBMECs and increased miR-15a-5p expression levels in a time-dependent manner. miR-15a-5p overexpression decreased the proliferation of hBMECs and promoted apoptosis by decreasing Bcl-2 expression levels. SNHG16 was pulled-down by miR-15a-5p and anti-Ago2. miR-15a-5p overexpression significantly decreased SNHG16-regulated luciferase activity and hBMEC survival by increasing apoptosis. SNHG16 overexpression decreased miR-15a-5p expression levels in hBMECs. SNHG16 gradually decreased following OGD-R and its overexpression decreased miR-15a-5p expression levels and promoted the proliferation of hBMECs by decreasing apoptosis. SNHG16 enhanced Bcl-2 expression levels in hBMECs, which was abrogated by miR-15a-5p. Bioinformatics suggest that SNHG16 may antagonize the binding of miR-15a-5p to the 3′UTR of Bcl-2 mRNA. These findings suggest that SNHG16 may protect hBMECs from OGD-R-induced apoptosis by antagonizing the miR-15a-5p/bcl-2 axis. Thus, targeting SNHG16-based mechanisms may provide novel therapeutic strategies for treatment of ischemic stroke.

Role of Long Noncoding RNAs in Parkinson's Disease: Putative Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor. Age is the main risk factor. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are novel RNA molecules of more than 200 nucleotides in length. They may be involved in the regulation of many pathological processes of PD. PD has a variety of pathophysiological mechanisms, including alpha-synuclein aggregate, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, calcium homeostasis, axonal transport, and neuroinflammation. Among these, the impacts of lncRNAs on the pathogenesis and progression of PD need to be highlighted. lncRNAs may serve as putative biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the early diagnosis of PD. This study aimed to investigate the role of lncRNAs in various pathological processes of PD and the specific lncRNAs that might be used as putative diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets of PD.

Lnc-ITSN1-2, Derived From RNA Sequencing, Correlates With Increased Disease Risk, Activity and Promotes CD4+ T Cell Activation, Proliferation and Th1/Th17 Cell Differentiation by Serving as a ceRNA for IL-23R via Sponging miR-125a in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background: This study aimed to investigate long-non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression profiles and the correlation of lnc-ITSN1-2 expression with disease risk, activity and inflammation, and its influence on CD4⁺ T cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: LncRNA expression profiles were detected in intestinal mucosa samples from six IBD patients and six healthy controls (HCs). Intestinal mucosa and PBMC lnc-ITSN1-2, IL-23R, and inflammatory cytokines were measured in 120 IBD patients [60 Crohn's disease (CD) and 60 ulcerative colitis (UC)] and 30 HCs. Effect of lnc-ITSN1-2 on IBD CD4⁺ T cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation was determined and its regulatory interaction with miR-125a and IL-23R was detected.

Results: Three-hundred-and-nine upregulated and 310 downregulated lncRNAs were identified in IBD patients by RNA-Sequencing, which were enriched in regulating immune and inflammation related pathways. Large-sample qPCR validation disclosed that both intestinal mucosa and PBMC lnc-ITSN1-2 expressions were increased in IBD patients compared to HCs, and presented with good predictive values for IBD risk, especially for active disease conditions, and they positively correlated with disease activity, inflammation cytokines, and IL-23R in IBD patients. Lnc-ITSN1-2 was decreased after infliximab treatment in active-CD patients. Furthermore, lnc-ITSN1-2 promoted IBD CD4⁺ T cell activation and proliferation, and stimulated Th1/Th17 cell differentiation. Multiple rescue experiments disclosed that lnc-ITSN1-2 functioned in IBD CD4⁺ T cells via targeting miR-125a, then positively regulating IL-23R. Luciferase Reporter assay observed that lnc-ITSN1-2 bound miR-125a, and miR-125a bound IL-23R.

Conclusion: Lnc-ITSN1-2 correlates with increased disease risk, activity, and inflammatory cytokines of IBD, and promotes IBD CD4⁺ T cell activation, proliferation, and Th1/Th17 cell differentiation by serving as a competing endogenous RNA for IL-23R via sponging miR-125a.

The role of a lncRNA (TCONS_00044595) in regulating pineal CLOCK expression after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia brain injury

A common, yet often neglectable, feature of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) is circadian rhythm disorders resulted from pineal gland dysfunction. Our previous work demonstrated that miRNAs play an important role in regulating key circadian genes in the pineal gland post HIBD [5,21]. In current study, we sought out to extend our investigation by profiling expression changes of pineal long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) upon neonatal HIBD using RNA-Seq. After validating lncRNA changes, we showed that one lncRNA: TCONS_00044595 is highly enriched in the pineal gland and exhibits a circadian expression pattern. Next, we performed bioinformatic analysis to predict the lncRNA-miRNA regulatory network and identified 168 miRNAs that potentially targetlncRNA TCONS_00044595. We further validated the bona fide interaction between one candidate miRNA: miR-182, a known factor to regulate pineal Clock expression, and lncRNA TCONS_00044595. Finally, we showed that suppression of lncRNA TCONS_00044595 alleviated the CLOCK activation both in the cultured pinealocytes under OGD conditions and in the pineal gland post HIBD in vivo. Our study thus shed light into novel mechanisms of pathophysiology of pineal dysfunction post neonatal HIBD.

A Promoter Polymorphism (Rs57137919) of ABCG1 Gene Influence on Blood Lipoprotein in Chinese Han Population

BACKGROUND

Adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette subfamily G member 1 (ABCG1) has the function of transporting free intracellular cholesterol to extracellular high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles, which play a crucial role in atherosclerosis. The goal of this study is to examine the relationship between the polymorphisms of the ABCG1 gene promoter region and ischemic stroke.

METHODS

In the present study, a case-control association study was designed to identify 3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs5713919, rs1378577, and rs1893590), which were located in the promoter region of ABCG1 gene by kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction genotyping approach. The in vitro luciferase assay was done to estimate the effect of rs5713919 on gene expression. Finally, the relationships of 3 SNPs of ABCG1 gene with plasma lipids and lipoproteins were investigated in this Chinese cohort.

RESULTS

The correlation analysis between lipids and genotypes showed that the rs57137919 locus genotype was significantly associated with HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (P = 0.021 and P = 0.017, respectively), and the GA and AA genotypes had higher HDL-C levels than the GG genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides evidence that ABCG1 promoter region polymorphism rs57137919 has an influence on plasma HDL-C and LDL-C levels in Chinese Han population.

RNA expression studies in stroke: what can they tell us about stroke mechanism?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Diagnosis of stroke and understanding the mechanism of stroke is critical to implement optimal treatment. RNA expressed in peripheral blood cells is emerging as a precision biomarker to aid in stroke diagnosis and prediction of stroke cause. In this review, we summarize available data regarding the role of RNA to predict stroke, the rationale for these changes, and a discussion of novel mechanistic insight and clinical applications.

RECENT FINDINGS

Differences in RNA gene expression in blood have been identified in patients with stroke, including differences to distinguish ischemic from hemorrhagic stroke, and differences between cardioembolic, large vessel atherosclerotic, and small vessel lacunar stroke cause. Gene expression differences show promise as novel stroke biomarkers to predict stroke of unclear cause (cryptogenic stroke). The differences in RNA expression provide novel insight to stroke mechanism, including the role of immune response and thrombosis in human stroke. Important insight to regulation of gene expression in stroke and its causes are being acquired, including alternative splicing, noncoding RNA, and microRNA.

SUMMARY

Improved diagnosis of stroke and determination of stroke cause will improve stroke treatment and prevention. RNA biomarkers show promise to aid in the diagnosis of stroke and cause determination, as well as providing novel insight to mechanism of stroke in patients. While further study is required, an RNA profile may one day be part of the stroke armamentarium with utility to guide acute stroke therapy and prevention strategies and refine stroke phenotype.

The role of non-coding RNAs in neuroprotection and angiogenesis following ischemic stroke

Stroke is the leading cause of death and physical disability worldwide. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are endogenous molecules that play key roles in the pathophysiology and retrieval processes following ischemic stroke. The potential of ncRNAs, especially microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in neuroprotection and angiogenesis highlights their potential as targets for therapeutic intervention. In this review, we document the miRNAs and lncRNAs that have been reported to exert regulatory actions in neuroprotective and angiogenic processes through different mechanisms involving their interaction with target coding genes. We believe that exploration of the expression profiles and the possible functions of ncRNAs during the recovery processes will help comprehension of the molecular mechanisms responsible for neuroprotection and angiogenesis, and may also contribute to find biomarkers and targets for future stroke intervention.

Transcriptome-wide Profiling of Cerebral Cavernous Malformations Patients Reveal Important Long noncoding RNA molecular signatures

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are low-flow vascular malformations in the brain associated with recurrent hemorrhage and seizures. The current treatment of CCMs relies solely on surgical intervention. Henceforth, alternative non-invasive therapies are urgently needed to help prevent subsequent hemorrhagic episodes. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) belong to the class of non-coding RNAs and are known to regulate gene transcription and involved in chromatin remodeling via various mechanism. Despite accumulating evidence demonstrating the role of lncRNAs in cerebrovascular disorders, their identification in CCMs pathology remains unknown. The objective of the current study was to identify lncRNAs associated with CCMs pathogenesis using patient cohorts having 10 CCM patients and 4 controls from brain. Executing next generation sequencing, we performed whole transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis and identified 1,967 lncRNAs and 4,928 protein coding genes (PCGs) to be differentially expressed in CCMs patients. Among these, we selected top 6 differentially expressed lncRNAs each having significant correlative expression with more than 100 differentially expressed PCGs. The differential expression status of the top lncRNAs, SMIM25 and LBX2-AS1 in CCMs was further confirmed by qRT-PCR analysis. Additionally, gene set enrichment analysis of correlated PCGs revealed critical pathways related to vascular signaling and important biological processes relevant to CCMs pathophysiology. Here, by transcriptome-wide approach we demonstrate that lncRNAs are prevalent in CCMs disease and are likely to play critical roles in regulating important signaling pathways involved in the disease progression. We believe, that detailed future investigations on this set of identified lncRNAs can provide useful insights into the biology and, ultimately, contribute in preventing this debilitating disease.