Comprehensive Transcriptome-Wide Profiling of 5-Methylcytosine Modifications in Long Non-Coding RNAs in a Rat Model of Traumatic Brain Injury.

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) poses a major global health challenge, leading to serious repercussions for those affected and imposing considerable financial strains on families and healthcare systems. RNA methylation, especially 5-methylcytosine (m⁵C), plays a crucial role as an epigenetic modification in regulating RNA at the level of post-transcriptional regulation. However, the impact of TBI on the m⁵C methylation profile of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) remains unexplored. In the present study, we conducted a thorough transcriptome-wide examination of m⁵C methylation in lncRNAs in a rat TBI model utilizing MeRIP-Seq. Our results revealed significant differences in the amount and distribution of m⁵C methylation in lncRNAs between TBI and control groups, indicating profound changes in m⁵C methylation following TBI. Bioinformatic analyses linked these specifically methylated transcripts to pathways involved in immune response, neural repair, and lipid metabolism, providing insight into possible mechanisms underlying TBI pathology. These findings offer novel perspectives on the post-transcriptional modifications in lncRNA m⁵C methylation following TBI, which may contribute to understanding the disease mechanisms and developing targeted therapeutic strategies.