MicroRNAs downregulated in neuropathic pain regulate MeCP2 and BDNF related to pain sensitivity

Abstract

Nerve injury induces chronic pain and dysregulation of microRNAs in dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Several downregulated microRNAs are predicted to targetMecp2. MECP2 mutations cause Rett syndrome and these patients report decreased pain perception. We confirmed MeCP2 upregulation in DRG following nerve injury and repression of MeCP2 by miRNAsin vitro. MeCP2 regulates brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and downregulation of MeCP2 by microRNAs decreasedBdnf in vitro. MeCP2 T158A mice exhibited reduced mechanical sensitivity andMecp2‐null and MeCP2 T158A mice have decreasedBdnf in DRG. MeCP2‐mediated regulation ofBdnf in the DRG could contribute to altered pain sensitivity.

Keywords

• MeCP2
• miRNA
• Neuropathic pain
• BDNF