Cocaine-Mediated Downregulation of miR-124 Activates Microglia by Targeting KLF4 and TLR4 Signaling.

ABSTRACT: Cocaine is known to activate microglia both in vitro and in vivo. High expression of microglial Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and their downstream signal transducers play critical roles in determining microglial activation status. Emerging reports have also demonstrated that cocaine can enhance the strength of TLR signaling. Detailed molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, however, remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the role(s) of miR-124 in regulating microglial TLR4 signaling in the context of cocaine. Herein, we found a dose- and time-dependent upregulation of KLF4 in cocaine-exposed BV-2 cells and rat primary microglial cells (rPMs). KLF4 also identified as a novel 3'-UTR target directly regulated by miR-124. In parallel, miR-124 regulated multiple TLR4 signaling mole

SUBMITTER: Periyasamy P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5673594 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature