Differential expression analysis of microRNAs and mRNAs in the mouse hippocampus of post-stroke depression (PSD) based on transcriptome sequencing

To clarify the differential expressions of microRNAs and mRNAs in a PSD model, this study employed PSD mice for model construction by injecting vasoconstrictor ET-1 (angioendothelin-1) into the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of mice. The animals underwent elevated plus maze test, open field test, tail suspension test, and forced swimming test subsequently. Transcriptome sequencing was performed to analyze the differentially expressed mRNAs and microRNAs. The results showed that open arm entries and time of PSD mice were markedly decreased. Times of the entry to center for mice in the model group were apparently decreased. The climbing time of mice in the model group was greatly decreased. The behavior of PSD mice indicated a marked change, and several indicators of the behavioral tests were significantly lower than those of the control group. Transcriptome sequencing analysis demonstrated that expressions of 1 206 genes and 21 microRNAs were markedly upregulated in model group, whereas expressions of 2 113 genes and 32 microRNAs were markedly downregulated. GO analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in regulatory pathways of single-multicellular organism process, developmental process, cell periphery, plasma membrane, and neuron projection. Meanwhile, KEGG analysis results indicated that the differentially expressed genes mostly participated in signaling pathways of neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, calcium signaling pathway, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. In conclusion, differentially expressed microRNAs and mRNAs were screened, which offers a theoretical foundation for further investigation of molecular mechanisms and novel insight for the early identification, prevention, and treatment of PSD.