Changes in expression of hippocampal long non-coding RNA and bioinformatics analysis in mice with perioperative neurocognitive disorders

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the changes in the expression of hippocampal long non-coding RNA and bioinformatics analysis in mice with perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND). Methods Thirty clean-grade male C57BL/6 mice, aged 12-14 weeks, weighing 25-30 g, were divided into 2 groups (n=15 each) according to the random number table method: control group (group C) and PND group.The model of PND was established by performing open tibial fracture with intramedullary fixation under isoflurane anesthesia in anesthetized mice.The Morris water maze test, open field test and fear conditioning test were performed at 1, 3 and 7 days postoperatively.The animals were sacrificed after the end of behavioral testing on 3 days after operation, the hippocampus was obtained, the high-throughput gene sequencing was performed to identify the differentially expressed lncRNAs, and Gene Ontology functional analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes signaling pathway analysis were used to analyze the results. Results Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, and the percentage of time spend in the target quadrant and percentage of freezing time in the fear conditioning test were decreased at different time points after operation in group PND(P<0.05). A total of 121 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified, of which 69 were up-regulated and 52 were down-regulated.The Gene Ontology functional analysis showed that there were differences in various biological processes, such as synaptic transmission, cholinergic neurotransmitters, or adiponectin secretion and regulation.The KEGG signaling pathway analysis showed that there were also differences in cholinergic synapses, MAPK signaling pathway, glucagon signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, NOD-like receptors, Toll-like receptors, chemokine signaling pathway and etc. Conclusion There are 121 differentially expressed lncRNAs in the hippocampus of PND mice, and lncRNAs- and the target gene-related inflammatory responses, synaptic transmission, energy metabolism and etc.may be related to the pathogenesis of PND. Key words: Cognition disorders; Hippocampus; Long non-coding RNA