Transcriptome study of LncRNAs after peripheral nerve injury

Objective To investigate the expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) during peripheral nerve injury (PNI) and nerve regeneration through bioinformatics methods, so as to provide potential therapeutic targets for PNI and regeneration. Methods High-throughput gene chips were used to monitor the changes of lncRNAs and their mRNA in distal sciatic nerve tissues of mice 3, 7 and 14 after injury, and the differential lncRNAs and their target genes were screened by bioinformatics methods. PCR was performed to examine the changes of the same indictors after injury over time. Results Significant differences were found in the expression of 5 354 lncRNAs. The lncRNAs and their targeted genes that are more likely to participate in nerve regeneration were NONMMUG036609-Cd9, NONMMUG014387-Cthrc1, NONMMUG 035232-Ezh2, ENSMUSG00000087366-Jun, SOX2OT-Sox2 and NONMMUG010575-Sox4. Conclusions The lncRNAs with differential expression may participate in peripheral nerve injury and nerve regeneration. The current study provides new thoughts and potential targets for clinical treatment of peripheral nerve injury.