miR-495-3p Attenuates Neuronal Apoptosis Through The Activation of Wnt/MAPK Pathways in Ischemic Stroke

Eunjae Jang1,2, Hee Yu1,3, Jiyun Choi1

  • 1Department of Physiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun-Gun, Jeollanamdo, 58128, Republic of Korea.

Molecular Neurobiology
|December 3, 2025
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNA-495-3p inhibitor (miR-495-3p-I) enhances neuronal survival and recovery in ischemic stroke models. This study shows miR-495-3p-I reduces apoptosis and improves motor function, suggesting its therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Ischemic stroke is a growing neurological disease characterized by neuronal cell death and vascular damage.
  • MicroRNAs play crucial roles in regulating cellular processes, including survival and apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the therapeutic potential of miR-495-3p-I in ischemic stroke models.
  • To elucidate the effects of miR-495-3p-I on neuronal viability, apoptosis, and related signaling pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized oxygen-glucose deprivation and recovery (OGD/R) and transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAo) models.
  • Assessed cell viability and apoptosis using flow cytometry.
  • Analyzed gene and protein expression of Wnt/MAPK pathways and apoptosis markers (Bax, Bcl-2 family).
  • Evaluated motor function and brain infarct volume in vivo.

Main Results:

  • miR-495-3p-I treatment increased neuronal viability and decreased apoptosis in OGD/R and tMCAo models.
  • In tMCAo models, miR-495-3p-I upregulated canonical Wnt pathway genes and neuronal markers while downregulating non-canonical Wnt/MAPK pathway genes.
  • miR-495-3p-I reduced pro-apoptotic Bax and increased anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 expression.
  • Improved motor function and reduced brain infarct volume were observed in treated animals.

Conclusions:

  • miR-495-3p-I demonstrates neuroprotective effects by reducing apoptosis and enhancing neuronal survival in ischemic stroke.
  • The mechanism involves modulation of Wnt and MAPK signaling pathways.
  • miR-495-3p-I represents a promising therapeutic target for ischemic stroke treatment.

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
21.2K
Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway02:54

Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway

The gene encoding the main signaling molecules of the Wnt signaling pathways (the Wnt proteins) was discovered almost four decades ago by Nüsslein-Volhard and Wieschaus. They identified and originally named the gene "wingless" (wg) after a phenotype discovered during their landmark genetic screen in Drosophila for body pattern defects. At around the same time, another researcher named Harold Varmus found that a murine tumor virus activates the mammalian wg homolog, Int-1, which...
8.6K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
3.1K