Peripheral nerve injury and regeneration are complex processes and involve multiple molecular and signalling components. However, the involvement of long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) in this process is not fully clarified. In this study, we evaluated the expression of the lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) in rats after sciatic nerve transection and explored its potential mechanisms. The expression of lncRNA MEG3 was up‐regulated following sciatic nerve injury and observed in Schwann cells (SCs). The down‐regulation of lncRNA MEG3 in SCs enhanced the proliferation and migration of SCs via the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway. The silencing of lncRNA MEG3 promoted the migration of SCs and axon outgrowth in rats after sciatic nerve transection and facilitated rat nerve regeneration and functional recovery. Our findings indicated that lncRNA MEG3 may be involved in nerve injury and injured nerve regeneration in rats with sciatic nerve defects by regulating the proliferation and migration of SCs. This gene may provide a potential therapeutic target for improving peripheral nerve injury.

中文翻译：

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长时间非编码RNA MEG3的下调促进了雪旺氏细胞的增殖和迁移，并修复了大鼠坐骨神经损伤。

周围神经损伤和再生是复杂的过程，涉及多个分子和信号传导成分。但是，尚未完全阐明长非编码RNA（lncRNA）在此过程中的参与。在这项研究中，我们评估了坐骨神经横断后大鼠中lncRNA母体表达基因3（MEG3）的表达，并探讨了其潜在机制。坐骨神经损伤后，lncRNA MEG3的表达上调，并在雪旺细胞（SCs）中观察到。SCs中lncRNA MEG3的下调通过PTEN / PI3K / AKT途径增强了SCs的增殖和迁移。lncRNA MEG3的沉默促进了坐骨神经横断后大鼠SC的迁移和轴突的生长，并促进了大鼠神经的再生和功能的恢复。我们的发现表明，通过调节SCs的增殖和迁移，lncRNA MEG3可能参与了坐骨神经缺损大鼠的神经损伤和神经再生损伤。该基因可能为改善周围神经损伤提供潜在的治疗靶点。