Long non-coding RNA NONMMUG014387 promotes Schwann cell proliferation after peripheral nerve injury

Schwann cells play a critical role in peripheral nerve regeneration through dedifferentiation and proliferation. In a previous study, we performed microarray analysis of the sciatic nerve after injury. Accordingly, we predicted that long non-coding RNA NONMMUG014387 may promote Schwann cell proliferation after peripheral nerve injury, as bioinformatic analysis revealed that the target gene of NONMMUG014387 was collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (Cthrc1). Cthrc1 may promote cell proliferation in a variety of cells by activating Wnt/PCP signaling. Nonetheless, bioinformatic analysis still needs to be verified by biological experiment. In this study, the candidate long non-coding RNA, NONMMUG014387, was overexpressed in mouse Schwann cells by recombinant adenovirus transfection. Plasmid pHBAd-MCMV-GFP-NONMMUG014387 and pHBAd-MCMV-GFP were transfected into Schwann cells. Schwann cells were divided into three groups: control (Schwann cells without intervention), Ad-GFP (Schwann cells with GFP overexpression), and Ad-NONMMUGO148387 (Schwann cells with GFP and NONMMUGO148387 overexpression). Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to evaluate proliferative capability of mouse Schwann cells after NONMMUG014387 overexpression. Polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay were performed to investigate target genes and downstream pathways of NONMMUG014387. Cell proliferation was significantly increased in Schwann cells overexpressing lncRNA NONMMUG014387 compared with the other two groups. Further, compared with the control group, mRNA and protein levels of Cthrc1, Wnt5a, ROR2, RhoA, Rac1, JNK, and ROCK were visibly up-regulated in the Ad-NONMMUGO148387 group. Our findings confirm that long non-coding RNA NONMMUG014387 can promote proliferation of Schwann cells surrounding the injury site through targeting Cthrc1 and activating the Wnt/PCP pathway.