TMEM166, a transmembrane protein, regulates cell autophagy and apoptosis in focal ferebral ischemia

TMEM166 is a lysosome and endoplasmic reticulum‐associated membrane protein, which mediates autophagy and apoptosis. In the present study, we investigated the role of TMEM166 following MCAO injury in rats. One hundred and twenty male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham, MCAO, MCAO+control siRNA, MCAO+TMEM166 siRNA. Outcomes measured include mortality rate, brain edema, BBB disruption, and neurobehavioral testing. Western blotting techniques measure the expression of key pro‐autophagic and apoptotic proteins such as TMEM166, Beclin‐1, cleaved casepase‐3 and Bcl‐2/Bax. TMEM166siRNA treatment significantly reduced the mortality rate, cerebral edema, neurobehavioral deficits, and BBB disruption as measured by Evan¡̄s Blue assay following MCAO injury. Immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis demonstrated an increased expression of TMEM166, Beclin‐1, LC3, cleaved casepase‐3 and Bcl‐2/Bax in the infarction area, which was accompanied with autophagy and apoptosis.