Suppression of long noncoding RNA NEAT1 attenuates hypoxia-induced cardiomyocytes injury by targeting miR-378a-3p

Background/Aims: lncRNA NEAT1 is involved in the development of many diseases. However, the function of lncRNA NEAT1 in myocardial infarction is unclear. Therefore, this experimental design based on lncRNA NEAT1 to explore the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction. Methods: RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-378a-3p in peripheral blood and mouse cardiomyocytes of patients with myocardial infarction. MTT assay, flow cytometry, Caspase-3 kit and transwell assay were used to detect the effects of lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-378a-3p on cardiomyocyte proliferation, apoptosis and migration. Target gene prediction and screening, luciferase reporter assays were used to verify downstream target genes for lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-378a-3p. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of Atg12 and related autophagy genes. Results: lncRNA NEAT1 was highly expressed in peripheral blood and mouse cardiomyocytes of patients with myocardial infarction. Moreover, lncRNA NEAT1 significantly promoted cell proliferation and migration of cardiomyocytes. In addition, lncRNA NEAT1 inhibited miR-378a-3p expression, and miR-378a-3p inhibited Atg12 expression, while lncRNA NEAT1 regulated expression of Atg12 and related autophagic factors via miR-378a-3p. Knockout of microRNA-378-3p reversed the effects of NEAT1 silencing on cell damage. Conclusion: lncRNA NEAT1 can regulate the proliferation of cardiomyocytes by regulating miR-378-3p/Atg12 axis, thus accelerating the occurrence and development of cardiomyocytes.