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Volume 5 Issue 4
Oct.  2025
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Article Navigation >  Frigid Zone Medicine  > 2025  >  5(4): 193-205
Qihui Chen, Jinghan Lin, Qingling Zhai, Qijun Yu, Yonghui Pan. Circular RNA signatures in vestibular migraine and migraine from cold regions: Preliminary mechanistic insights[J]. Frigid Zone Medicine, 2025, 5(4): 193-205. doi: 10.1515/fzm-2025-0022
Citation: Qihui Chen, Jinghan Lin, Qingling Zhai, Qijun Yu, Yonghui Pan. Circular RNA signatures in vestibular migraine and migraine from cold regions: Preliminary mechanistic insights[J]. Frigid Zone Medicine, 2025, 5(4): 193-205. doi: 10.1515/fzm-2025-0022
shu

Circular RNA signatures in vestibular migraine and migraine from cold regions: Preliminary mechanistic insights

doi: 10.1515/fzm-2025-0022
  • 1.

    Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China

  • 2.

    Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China

  • 3.

    Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China

  • 4.

    NHC Key Laboratory of Cell Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China

Funds:

General Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China 82071549

General Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China 82371483

Key Research & Development Program of Heilongjiang 2023ZX06C02

Youth Foundation of the first Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University 2024YQ22

More Information
  • Corresponding author: Yonghui Pan, E-mail: aigui1993@126.com
  • Received Date: 2025-09-16
  • Accepted Date: 2025-10-08
    Abstract
  •   Background  Vestibular migraine (VM) is a common disorder characterized by recurrent dizziness or vertigo, often aggravated by cold exposure. This study aimed to identify differentially expressed circular RNAs (circRNAs) in cold-region VM and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.  Methods  Peripheral blood samples from long-term residents of Heilongjiang Province profiled by circRNA microarray, and differentially expressed circRNAs were validated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). A competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network and enriched pathways were inferred by bioinformatics. A VM-like mouse model was established using nitroglycerin (NTG) and kainic acid (KA) and confirmed by behavioral testing and western blot. The hsa_circ_0003201/miR-31-5p/triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) axis and related pathways were examined in clinical samples and in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC) and vestibular nuclei (VN) of mice using qRT-PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and western blot. CircRNA microarray profiling also compared expression patterns between VM and migraine patients.  Results  Hsa_circ_0003201 was significantly upregulated in cold-region VM patients. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that hsa_circ_0003201 may regulate the miR-31-5p/TREM2 axis and be associated with phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling, pyruvate metabolism, and transient receptor potential (TRP) pathways. Clinical validation confirmed increased hsa_circ_0003201 and TREM2 and decreased miR-31-5p. VM-like mice exhibited central sensitization and vestibular dysfunction, with increased TREM2, decreased miR-31-5p, and PI3K/AKT activation in the TNC and VN. Comparative circRNA analysis between VM and migraine patients indicated distinct expression patterns.  Conclusion  Hsa_circ_0003201 shows potential as a diagnostic biomarker for cold-region VM, and the hsa_circ_0003201/miR-31-5p/TREM2 axis may contribute to pathogenesis through PI3K/AKT signaling, pyruvate metabolism, and TRP-related pathways.

     

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