MicroRNA expression in the cuprizone-induced demyelination mouse model. MicroRNA expression in the cuprizone-induced demyelination mouse model

Myelin abnormalities, oligodendrocyte damage, and concomitant glia activation are common in demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). The neurotoxicant cuprizone (CPZ) has been extensively used to create a mouse model of demyelination. However, the changes of miRNA expression and effects on behavior of cuprizone treatment have not been clearly reported. We have analyzed the behavioral changes of mice given a diet containing 0.2% cuprizone for 6 weeks. To evaluate the changes of miRNA expression in CPZ-induced demyelination compared with control, we performed the Affymetrix GeneChip® miRNA 4.0 Array. We identified 1348 and 1253 differentially expressed miRNAs for control and CPZ-treated mice, respectively. Furthermore, the expression of 240 miRNAs was significantly changed in CPZ-induced mice comparing with control mice. These results suggest that the changes of miRNA expression in vivo may provide a new potential remyelination therapeutic target. Overall design: We analyzed cerebellum from 2 subjects using Affymetrix GeneChip® miRNA 4.0 Array (Mus musculus) platform. Array data export processing and analysis were performed using Affymetrix® GeneChip Command Console® Software (AGCC).