Abstract

The mechanism of learning and memory impairment induced by the combination of fluorine and aluminum (FA) is not fully understood. The results of our previous research demonstrated that miR-29b-3p is a differentially expressed miRNA in the hippocampi of rat offspring exposed to FA; this miRNA is related to learning and memory and apoptosis. Based on these findings, in vitro studies were designed to assess the role of miR-29b-3p in neuronal apoptosis caused by the coexistence of FA. In the present study, the viability of mouse neuroblastoma–rat glioma hybrid cell (NG108–15 cell) was analyzed using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). Apoptosis was detected by a Novocyte Flow Cytometer. Relative mRNA and protein expression levels were evaluated by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting (WB), respectively. The results showed that FA aggravated NG108–15 cell apoptosis by inhibiting dual-specificity phosphatase-2 (Dusp2) via increased miR-29b-3p. Accordingly, a dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-29b-3p modulated Dusp2 protein levels by targeting its 3′-untranslated region. These findings show, for the first time, that miR-29b-3p is involved in neuronal apoptosis triggered by FA by targeting Dusp2.