miR-30b-5p targeting GRIN2A inhibits hippocampal damage in epilepsy

GRIN2A is associated with epilepsy (EP); however, its regulatory mechanism involving upstream miRNA (miR-30b-5p) has been overlooked. In this study, we aimed to identify the regulatory mechanism of the miR-30b-5p/GRIN2A axis in EP. Hippocampal neurons isolated from mice were incubated in magnesium-free medium for 48 h to establish an in vitro EP model. An in vivo model of EP was constructed by the intraperitoneal injection of atropine into mice. Nissl staining and hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to evaluate pathological injuries in the hippocampal CA1 regions of mice. The CCK8 assay confirmed that miR-30b-5p overexpression restored the suppressed proliferative capacity of hippocampal neurons exposed to magnesium-free conditions. Caspase-3 activity assay revealed that miR-30b-5p overexpression abrogated the increased apoptosis of hippocampal neurons under magnesium-free conditions. In an in vivo model of EP, miR-30b-5p overexpression reversed pathological injuries in the hippocampal CA1 regions of mice and abrogated the increased apoptosis in the EP mouse model. Luciferase assays and western blotting confirmed that miR-30b-5p targeted GRIN2A, thereby inhibiting GRIN2A expression. Overall, miR-30b-5p can protect against cell proliferation and attenuate apoptosis in hippocampal neurons under magnesium-free conditions by targeting GRIN2A.