# CircRNA Cdyl promotes the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells via regulating miR-544-3p/Nr3c1 axis

## TL;DR

A circular RNA called circCdyl helps neural stem cells grow and differentiate, which could help treat cognitive issues.

## Contribution

This study identifies circCdyl's role in NSC proliferation and differentiation via the miR-544-3p/Nr3c1 axis.

## Key findings

- circCdyl is elevated in the hippocampus after fimbria-fornix transection.
- circCdyl promotes NSC proliferation and neuronal differentiation through the miR-544-3p/Nr3c1 axis.
- Overexpression of circCdyl improves cognitive dysfunction in vivo.

## Abstract

Emerging evidence suggests that numerous circular RNAs (circRNAs) are abnormally expressed during neural stem cell (NSC) differentiation, which may play an important role in the fate of NSCs. Here, we explored the potential mechanism of circRNA Cdyl (circCdyl) in NSC proliferation and differentiation. SD rats underwent fimbria-fornix (FF) transection, while primary NSCs were induced to proliferate and differentiate. CCK8, qRT-PCR, Western blot, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence assay to confirm the function of circCdyl in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that circCdyl was elevated during NSC proliferation and differentiation, and in the hippocampus after FF transection. Besides, circCdyl overexpression promoted the proliferation and neuronal differentiation of hippocampal NSCs through miR-544-3p/subfamily 3 group C member 1 (Nr3c1) axis. In vivo experiments revealed that the overexpression of circCdyl promoted hippocampal neurogenesis and improved cognitive dysfunction after FF transection, which provides a potential therapeutic target for cognitive dysfunction.

•circCdyl was elevated in the hippocampus after FF transection•circCdyl promoted the proliferation of NSCs through miR-544-3p/Nr3c1 axis•circCdyl promoted the neuronal differentiation of NSCs through the miR-544-3p/Nr3c1 axis•In vivo circCdyl promoted hippocampal neurogenesis and improved cognitive dysfunction

circCdyl was elevated in the hippocampus after FF transection

circCdyl promoted the proliferation of NSCs through miR-544-3p/Nr3c1 axis

circCdyl promoted the neuronal differentiation of NSCs through the miR-544-3p/Nr3c1 axis

In vivo circCdyl promoted hippocampal neurogenesis and improved cognitive dysfunction

Neuroscience; Molecular neuroscience; Developmental neuroscience; Cellular neuroscience