TP53INP2 knockdown inhibits inflammatory response and apoptosis after spinal cord injury

Abstract Background Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a traumatic neurological disorder with limited therapeutic options. Tumor protein p53‐inducible nuclear protein 2 (TP53INP2) is involved in the occurrence and development of various diseases, and it may play a role during SCI via affecting inflammation and neuronal apoptosis. This study investigated the associated roles and mechanisms of TP53INP2 in SCI. Methods Mouse and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced SCI BV‐2 cell models were constructed to explore the role of TP53INP2 in SCI and the associated mechanisms. Histopathological evaluation of spinal cord tissue was detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan score was used to measure the motor function of the mice, while the spinal cord water content was used to assess spinal cord edema. The expression of TP53INP2 was measured using RT‐qPCR. In addition, inflammatory factors in the spinal cord tissue of SCI mice and LPS‐treated BV‐2 cells were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Apoptosis and related protein expression levels were detected by flow cytometry and western blot analysis, respectively. Results TP53INP2 levels increased in SCI mice and LPS‐treated BV‐2 cells. The results of in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that TP53INP2 knockdown inhibited the inflammatory response and neuronal apoptosis in mouse spinal cord tissue or LPS‐induced BV‐2 cells. Conclusions After spinal cord injury, TP53INP2 was upregulated, and TP53INP2 knockdown inhibited the inflammatory response and apoptosis.