LncRNA ST6GALNAC3 inhibits dermal fibroblast proliferation and migration in cashmere goat hair follicles via chi-miR-24-3p/ID4 axis

Abstract

Objective: Dermal papilla is formed by the continuous proliferation and differentiation of dermal fibroblasts, which is the key to the normal development of hair follicles. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the role of lncRNA ST6GALNAC3, which is significantly differentially expressed during the secondary hair follicle development stage in cashmere goats, on dermal fibroblasts, and to thoroughly analyze the regulatory mechanism of this lncRNA.

Methods: Taking into account the characteristics of secondary hair follicle development, we conducted a screen for lncRNAs that are associated with this process. CCK8, EdU, and flow cytometry detected the effects of lncRNA ST6GALNAC3 on cell proliferation and migration. Subsequently, we employed bioinformatics analysis to predict the target miRNAs of lncRNA ST6GALNAC3 and the target genes of these miRNAs, respectively, and initially constructed the regulatory axis of lncRNA ST6GALNAC3-chi-miR-24-3p-ID4. Subsequently, luciferase reporter assays and rescue experiments were performed to confirm the regulatory axis at both molecular and cellular levels, thus elucidating the mechanism by which lncRNA ST6GALNAC3 regulates dermal fibroblasts.

Results: A total of 158 lncRNAs related to secondary hair follicle morphogenesis were identified. Among them, lncRNA ST6GALNAC3 was significantly differentially expressed on embryonic day 75 and significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of dermal fibroblasts. The results showed that lncRNA ST6GALNAC3 could target chi-miR-24-3p, and chi-miR-24-3p could target the ID4 gene. Subsequently, the results of luciferase reporter assay and rescue assay showed that chi-miR-24-3p had binding sites with both lncRNA ST6GALNAC3 and ID4, and lncRNA ST6GALNAC3 could indirectly regulate the proliferation and migration of dermal fibroblasts through chi-miR-24-3p/ID4 axis.

Conclusion: LncRNA ST6GALNAC3 inhibits the proliferation and migration of dermal fibroblasts through the chi-miR-24-3p/ID4 axis, thus suppressing the formation of dermal papilla structures and influencing the morphogenesis of secondary hair follicles during the embryonic period.

Keywords: Cashmere goats; Dermal fibroblast; Hair follicle; LncRNA; Morphogenesis.