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Sex-Specific Alterations in Inflammatory MicroRNAs in Mouse Brain and Bone Marrow CD11b+ Cells Following Traumatic
Paresh Prajapati1,2, Wang-Xia Wang3,4,5, Steven A Pesina1,2
1Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
|November 11, 2021
Summary
Sex differences in traumatic brain injury (TBI) neuroinflammation involve specific microRNAs (miRNAs). miR-223-3p elevation in females post-TBI suggests a key role in sex-specific inflammatory responses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Sex is a critical biological variable influencing neuroinflammation after traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- The molecular mechanisms underlying sex-specific neuroinflammatory responses in TBI remain largely unknown.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in regulating inflammatory processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the tissue enrichment and sex-specific alterations of inflammatory miRNAs in CD11b+ cells following TBI.
- To elucidate the role of specific miRNAs, particularly miR-223-3p, in sex-dimorphic neuroinflammation post-TBI.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of miRNA expression in CD11b+ cells from the brain and bone marrow of male and female mice.
- Comparison of miRNA levels in naïve mice and mice subjected to TBI.
- Quantification of miR-223-3p targets (TRAF6, FBXW7) and inflammation markers (ARG1, IL4) post-TBI.
Main Results:
- Naïve mice showed differential miRNA enrichment in brain and bone marrow CD11b+ cells.
- TBI induced sex-specific changes in brain CD11b+ cell miRNA expression.
- miR-223-3p levels increased in both sexes post-TBI, with significantly higher levels in females at 24 hours.
- Female TBI mice exhibited reduced miR-223-3p targets and elevated anti-inflammatory genes (ARG1, IL4) compared to males.
Conclusions:
- Specific inflammatory miRNAs, notably miR-223-3p, are altered in a sex-dependent manner following TBI.
- These miRNAs likely contribute to the sex-specific neuroinflammatory response and outcomes after TBI.
- Findings highlight the importance of considering sex as a biological variable in TBI research and therapeutic strategies.
