Mbnl1 Protects Against Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Modulating Microglia/Macrophage Polarization via NF-κB

Wenting Xu1, Mengjia Zhou2, Linlin Li3

  • 1Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, Hebei, China.

PubMed

Insights

Muscleblind-like 1 (Mbnl1) overexpression protects against ischemic stroke by regulating microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. This finding suggests Mbnl1 as a potential therapeutic target for stroke treatment and cognitive recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Microglia play a crucial role in regulating neuroinflammation and cell death in ischemic stroke.
  • The specific role of muscleblind-like 1 (Mbnl1) in microglial apoptosis and polarization during stroke is not well understood.
  • Mbnl1 inactivation is known to cause brain structural defects, but its function in stroke-related microglial responses requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism of Mbnl1 in ischemic stroke.
  • To determine Mbnl1's role in regulating microglial apoptosis, polarization, and neuroinflammatory responses.
  • To assess the impact of Mbnl1 on cognitive dysfunction following stroke.

Main Methods:

  • Serum Mbnl1 levels were measured in stroke patients.
  • Mbnl1 was overexpressed in a C57BL/6N mouse stroke model and an oxygen-glucose deprivation BV-2 cell model.
  • Histological assays, cognitive function tests, ELISA, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and Western blot analysis were employed to detect marker proteins and assess outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Mbnl1 overexpression demonstrated a protective effect in the ischemic stroke models.
  • Overexpression of Mbnl1 modulated microglia-mediated neuroinflammation.
  • Inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway was observed following Mbnl1 overexpression.
  • Cognitive recovery was promoted in Mbnl1-overexpressing stroke mice.

Conclusions:

  • Mbnl1 overexpression exerts a protective effect against ischemic stroke.
  • Mbnl1 regulates neuroinflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, impacting microglial polarization and apoptosis.
  • Mbnl1 represents a promising therapeutic target for stroke treatment, potentially improving cognitive function.