Long non-coding RNA NEAT1 mediates MPTP/MPP+-induced apoptosis via regulating the miR-124/KLF4 axis in Parkinson’s disease

Accumulating evidence suggests that dysregulation of long non-coding RNAs is closely associated with various human diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the role of nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) in the PD process remains unclear. The number of TH+ cells was reduced, and the expression levels of NEAT1 and Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) were increased in the midbrain of MPTP-HCl-treated mice. In addition, the expression of cleaved-caspase-3 (cleaved-casp-3) and Bax (apoptosis-related proteins) was increased, while the expression of Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic protein) was reduced in MPTP-HCl-treated mice. The expression levels of NEAT1 and KLF4 were increased in MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Knockdown of NEAT1 promoted cell viability and decreased apoptosis in MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cells, which could be reversed by upregulating KLF4. KLF4 was verified as a direct target of miR-124, and miR-124 could particularly bind to NEAT1. Downregulation of NEAT1 significantly increased cell viability and decreased apoptosis by regulating miR-124 expression in MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Additionally, interference of NEAT1 increased the number of TH+ cells and miR-124 expression, while reduced apoptosis and expression of KLF4 in vivo. NEAT1 knockdown increased cell viability and suppressed apoptosis in PD via regulating the miR-124/KLF4 axis, providing a promising avenue for the treatment of PD.