Modulating the Novel miR-23b-Wnt/β-catenin Axis Strengthens Endothelial Barrier Properties

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption drives stroke and other CNS disorders pathology, yet restoring its integrity remains challenging. Using an unbiased anti-miR lentiviral screen, miR-23b was identified as a critical negative regulator of BBB integrity in brain endothelial cells (BECs). Targeted inhibition of miR-23b using anti-miR-23b, validated by Wnt-reporter, Wnt-rescue, and eCLIP analysis, demonstrates that BEC miR-23b silencing in BECs, enhances junctional protein expression and strengthens barrier function while suppressing transcellular transport. Global multi-omics analysis reveals that miR-23b acts as a robust driver of angiogenesis-specific genes and proteins. Conversely, anti-miR-23b induces the expression of factors essential for BBB stabilization and repair. Notably, anti-miR-23b enhances these protective barrier properties through the multi-faceted regulation of Wnt/{beta}-catenin, TGF-{beta}, Notch, and VEGF signaling mechanisms. Using a 3D microfluidic platform, anti-miR-23b was shown to foster BBB repair by accelerating vessel maturation and enhancing resilience against ischemic injury. Proof-of-concept studies show that BEC specific AAVBR1-anti-miR-23b gene therapy reinforces BBB tight junctions, reduces BBB leakage, and improves outcome measures in a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (t-MCAO) stroke model. Thus, miR-23b is a critical regulator of cerebrovascular integrity, positioning anti-miR-23b as a promising RNA-based therapy to enhance BBB stability and repair in stroke and other CNS disorders.