Effects of novel mRNA-VEGF@USPIO nanoparticles on human brain microvascular endothelial cell injury

We investigated the effect of mRNA-VEGF@ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles on the repair of human brain microvascular endothelial cell (HBMECs) injury and its related mechanisms. mRNA-VEGF@USPIO nanoparticles were designed, prepared, and characterized using NTA and UV spectrophotometry. Cell viability was determined using the CCK-8. Cells in the control, TNF-α, and mRNA-VEGF@USPIO groups were sequenced and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Finally, a functional analysis of the DEGs was performed. Both NTA and spectrophotometry results indicated that mRNA-VEGF@USPIO was successfully constructed. TNF-α significantly reduced cell viability and promoted apoptosis compared with the control group (p < 0.05), whereas mRNA-VEGF@USPIO nanoparticles reversed the changes caused by TNF-α. Via sequencing, 9063 DEGs were identified between the control and TNF-α groups, 9125 DEGs were identified between the control and mRNA-VEGF@USPIO groups, and 211 DEGs were identified between the TNF-α and mRNA-VEGF@USPIO groups. Additionally, 71 overlapping DEGs were identified in the three groups using Venn diagrams. These overlapping DEGs were mainly enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions and the TNF signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, and NOD-like receptor signaling pathway. This study shows that mRNA-VEGF@USPIO nanoparticles can repair HBMECs injury.