Abstract P735: QPCR Panel Profiling Reveals MiRNAs That Modulate Microglial Activation in Aged Males Isolated After Stroke
Introduction: Social isolation (SI) after stroke is associated with increased ischemic injury and significantly delayed recovery due to exacerbation of microglial activation and immune mediated pro-inflammatory mechanisms. Studies have identified miRNAs that modulate and regulate this inflammatory transition through inflammasome NLRP3 activation. However, studies examining miRNA-based microglial activation in SI within the neuro-immune landscape are limited. We investigated miRNA profiles in aged mice to provide biomarkers and to identify underlying mechanisms related to microglial activation within the cerebral environment to mitigate this pathological microglial phenotype. Methods: Aged C57BL/6 male mice (18-20 months) were subjected to a 60-minute middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by reperfusion and were assigned to either (SI) or continued pair-housing (PH) immediately after stroke. On day 15, mice were sacrificed, and plasma samples were subjected to microRNAome (miRNAome) analysis. Top miRNAs were identified using bioinformatics frameworks and pathway analysis was performed using KEGG platform. Flow Cytometry (FACS) was performed on brain tissue and blood to determine if stroke or SI leads to changes in microglial and systemic myeloid activation. Results: The whole miRNAome panel analysis revealed 12 differentially expressed miRNAs (FC of 3 or higher) within the plasma following volcano plot and unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis confirmed by qPCR validation (P< 0.05). Network analysis revealed miR-495-3p as a pivotal node that targeted the largest subset of immune specific genes (P< 0.05); most notable for the inflammasome NLRP3, a regulator of microglial activation. Significant microglial activation was seen in post-stroke SI mice compared to pair-housed cohorts, identified through MHC-II presentation and the intracellular release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: This study provides an overview of the miRNA changes induced by post-stroke isolation. Additionally, these results suggest that there is potential to use plasma-based miRNAs as a source of novel biomarkers. Further, microglial inflammasome specific pathways appear to be involved in post-stroke social isolation.