Whole-transcriptome sequencing identifies neuroinflammation, metabolism and blood-brain barrier related processes in the hippocampus of aged mice during perioperative period

Aim: Perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) occur frequently after surgery and anesthesia, especially in aged patients. Previous studies have shown multiple PND related mechanisms in the hippocampus, however, their relationships remain unclear. Meanwhile, the perioperative neuropathological processes are sophisticated and changeable, single period study could not reveal the accurate mechanisms. Thus, multiperiod whole-transcriptome study is necessary to elucidate the gene expression patterns during perioperative period. Methods: Aged C57BL/6 mice were subjected to exploratory laparotomy under sevoflurane anesthesia. Whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq analysis) was performed on the hippocampi from control condition (Con), 30 minutes (Day0), 2 days (Day2) and 7 days (Day7) after surgery. Gene Ontology/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses, quantitative Real-Time PCR, immunofluorescence and fear conditioning test were also performed to elucidate the pathological proce...