Mechanism of RNA-binding protein Lin28 in neuronal ferroptosis after intracerebral haemorrhage

Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is a highly risky cerebrovascular disease with poor prognosis. Lin-28 homolog A (Lin28) has been identified as a crucial regulator in ICH. This study aims to analyse the mechanism of Lin28 in neuronal ferroptosis after ICH and provide theoretical basis for ICH treatment. An ICH mouse model was established via injection of collagenase VII, followed by neurological impairment assessment, and haematoxylin-eosin staining. An in vitro ICH model was established using hemin treatment. Next, cell viability and ferroptosis parameters were detected via cell counting kit-8, assay kits, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot. Lin28 expression and tripartite motif-containing 37 (Trim37) mRNA level were detected via western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The binding relationship of Lin28 and Trim37 was verified. ICH mice exhibited neuronal ferroptosis and upregulation of Lin28. Lin28 inhibition alleviated neurological impairment, manifested by decreased hematoma, oedema, neuronal necrosis, glial cell swelling, intracellular vacuoles and inflammatory cell infiltration, reduced Fe2+ concentration and reactive oxygen species content, and increased glutathione and glutathione peroxidase 4 activity. In the hemin-induced HT-22 cells, Lin28 inhibition promoted cell viability and alleviated neuronal ferroptosis. Lin28 bound to Trim37 mRNA to stabilize the mRNA level of Trim37. Overexpression of Trim37 reversed the alleviating role of silencing Lin28 in neuronal ferroptosis after ICH. Overall, Lin28 stabilized the mRNA level of Trim37 to aggravate neuronal ferroptosis after ICH.