miR-212-3p attenuates neuroinflammation of rats with Alzheimer’s disease via regulating the SP1/BACE1/NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) ranks as the leading cause of dementia. MicroRNA (miR)-212-3p has been identified to exert neuroprotective effects on brain disorders. The current study analyzed the protective role of miR-212-3p in AD rats through regulating the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3)/Caspase-1 signaling pathway. The AD rat model was established through injection of amyloid-β 1-42 (Aβ1-42), followed by the Morris water maze test. The morphology and functions of neurons were observed. Furthermore, miR-212-3p, NLRP3, cleaved Caspase-1, gasdermin D N-terminus, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-18 expressions were measured. H19-7 cells were treated with Aβ1-42 to establish the AD cell model, followed by an assessment of cell viability and pyroptosis. Downstream targets of miR-212-3p and specificity protein 1 (SP1), as well as beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), were predicted by databases and testified using dual-luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. miR-212-3p was weakly expressed in AD rats. miR-212-3p overexpression was linked to improved learning and memory capacities of AD rats and reduced neuronal pyroptosis linked to neuroinflammation attenuation. In vitro, miR-212-3p improved viability and suppressed pyroptosis of neurons through inhibiting NLRP3/Caspase-1. Overall, miR-212-3p inhibited SP1 expression to block BACE1-induced activation of NLRP3/Caspase-1, thereby attenuating neuroinflammation of AD rats.