Exosomes-carried microRNA-26b-5p regulates microglia M1 polarization after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion

Guangying Li1, Longhai Xiao1, Hao Qin1

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Zaozhuang Municipal Hospital, Zaozhuang, Shandong, P.R. China.

Insights

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell exosomes carrying miR-26b-5p alleviate nerve injury and microglia M1 polarization in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) by targeting CH25H and inactivating the TLR pathway.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Regenerative Medicine

Background:

  • Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury involves exosomes and microRNAs (miRs).
  • Microglia polarization, particularly M1, contributes to nerve damage in I/R.
  • Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes show therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the therapeutic effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUCMSC)-derived exosomes on nerve injury and microglia polarization in an I/R mouse model.
  • To elucidate the underlying mechanism involving miR-26b-5p, CH25H, and the Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway.

Main Methods:

  • Established an I/R mouse model and isolated/identified hUCMSC-derived exosomes.
  • Analyzed differentially expressed genes and miRs in microglia; performed gene intervention and cell co-culture experiments.
  • Utilized microarray analysis and targeted gene assays to confirm miR-26b-5p's role and its interaction with CH25H.

Main Results:

  • hUCMSC-derived exosomes alleviated nerve injury and inhibited M1 polarization in microglia.
  • Exosomes upregulated miR-26b-5p in microglia, which targeted and downregulated CH25H expression.
  • miR-26b-5p repressed M1 polarization by inactivating the TLR pathway, thereby mitigating I/R-induced nerve injury.

Conclusions:

  • Exosomal miR-26b-5p plays a crucial role in the neuroprotective effects of hUCMSC-derived exosomes.
  • The miR-26b-5p/CH25H/TLR pathway is a key mechanism underlying exosome-mediated I/R neuroprotection.
  • This study offers novel therapeutic strategies for cerebral I/R injury.