Preliminary Exploration on Melatonin-Mediated Protective Effects in Intracranial Aneurysms: Transcriptomic, Proteomic, and Metabolomic Profiling of Cerebral Vascular Tissues Combined with in vivo Animal Experiments

Abstract

Background Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is a life-threatening cerebrovascular disease with unclear molecular mechanisms and limited drug treatment. Our previous research has shown that melatonin (MLT) has potential protective effects in IA, but its mechanism remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to explore the pathological mechanism of IA and the therapeutic mechanism of MLT by integrating transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic analyses. Methods In this study, mouse models of IA were successfully established by combining elastase injection with angiotensin II infusion. C57BL/6 mice were divided into control, IA model, IA model+MLT, and IA model+nimodipine groups. The pathological conditions were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, TUNEL staining, and scanning electron microscopy. Transcriptomic (n=3 for each group), proteomic (n=3 for each group), and metabolomic (n=6 for each group) analyses were performed based on cerebral vascular tissue samples. The screening thresholds for differentially expressed genes and differentially expressed proteins were P <0.05 and fold change >1.5 and fold change <0.667. The screening criteria for differential metabolites were variable importance for the projection (VIP)> 1.0, fold change >1.2 and fold change <0.833, and P <0.05. Results MLT alleviated brain tissue damage, vascular endothelial damage, structural disruption, and apoptosis in IA mice. Transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic analyses identified numerous differential molecules. Functional annotation revealed that these molecules may be involved in biological pathways and processes such as immune inflammation, vascular remodeling, extracellular matrix remodeling, neuropeptide activity, oxidative stress and metabolic pathways, thereby regulating the occurrence and development of IA or mediating the therapeutic effects of MLT. Furthermore, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses also suggest that there may be extensive post-transcriptional, translational and post-translational regulatory events in the progression of IA and the therapeutic effects of MLT. Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses suggest that Npy may be a key molecule in regulating IA progression and mediating MLT therapeutic effects, and its potential value is further supported by our immunohistochemical validation results. Conclusion Multi-omics integrative analysis preliminarily revealed that the potential mechanisms of MLT may involve the regulation of inflammatory response, vascular remodeling, extracellular matrix remodeling, neuropeptide activity, oxidative stress, metabolic pathways, and post-transcriptional/translational regulation.