Abstract:

Objective To constructed a TA-siRNA nanogel to target the inhibition of Schwann cell death. Methods The study used the transcriptome sequencing data of GEO database GSE244328 for bioinformatics analysis to screen pyroptosis-related genes and evaluated the expression level of specific genes through polymerase chain reaction and protein imprint analysis. Mouse Schwann cells from the American ATCC were used， and LPS was used to simulate inflammatory stimulation. Self-assembled TA-siRNA nanogels were prepared， and CCK8 kit experiments， cytoskeleton staining， and scratch experiments were used to evaluate the cell function of TA-siRNA nanogels. GraphPad Prism 8， ImageJ， and R 4.2.1 were used for statistical difference analysis， with P < 0.05 as the statistical difference standard. Results The Gzmb gene was significantly （P < 0.05） highly expressed during the pyroptosis of Schwann cells. TA-siRNA nanogel had excellent biocompatibility with a size of 68.65 ± 7.35 nm and a potential of -36.48 mV， which could be effectively internalized by Schwann cells and did not lead to the elongation and deformation of Schwann cells （P > 0.05）. TA-siRNA nanogel could effectively inhibit the Gzmb gene of Schwann cells， thus inhibiting the death of Schwann cells and increasing the survival rate and activity of Schwann cells （P < 0.05）. Conclusion Given the role of Schwann cells in PNI， TA-siRNA nanogel inhibition of Schwann cell pyroptosis may be a potential treatment strategy for PNI in the future.

Key words: peripheral nerve injury, Schwann cells, nanogel