Expression Profiles of Long Noncoding RNAs in Mice with High-Altitude Hypoxia-Induced Brain Injury Treated with Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br.

BACKGROUND

The unique geographical environment at high altitudes may cause a series of diseases, such as acute altitude reaction, cerebral edema, and pulmonary edema. Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br. has been reported to have an effect on high-altitude hypoxia. However, the molecular mechanism, especially the expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), is not yet clear.

METHODS

The expression profiles of lncRNAs in high-altitude hypoxia-induced brain injury mice treated with Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br. by using a microarray method.

RESULTS

A total of 226 differentially expressed lncRNAs, 126 significantly dysregulated mRNAs and 23 differentially expressed circRNAs were detected (>2.0-fold, p<0.05). The expression of selected lncRNAs, mRNAs and circRNAs was validated by qRT-PCR. KEGG analysis showed that the mRNAs coexpressed with lncRNAs were involved in inflammation and hypoxia pathways, including the HIF-1, PI3K-Akt, and NF-kappa B signaling pathways. The lncRNA-TF network analysis results indicated that the lncRNAs were regulated mostly by HMGA2, SRY, GATA4, SOX5, and ZBTB16.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to report the expression profiles of lncRNAs, mRNAs and circRNAs in mice with high-altitude hypoxia-induced brain injury treated with Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br. and may improve the understanding of the molecular mechanism of Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br. in treating high altitude hypoxia-induced brain injury.