Microglial TNF-α mediates enhancement of dopaminergic degeneration by brain angiotensin

Menopause and Parkinson's disease. Interaction between estrogens and brain renin-angiotensin system in dopaminergic degeneration

The neuroprotective effects of menopausal hormonal therapy in Parkinson's disease (PD) have not yet been clarified, and it is controversial whether there is a critical period for neuroprotection. Studies in animal models and clinical and epidemiological studies indicate that estrogens induce dopaminergic neuroprotection. Recent studies suggest that inhibition of the brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) mediates the effects of estrogens in PD models. In the substantia nigra, ovariectomy induces a decrease in levels of estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) and increases angiotensin activity, NADPH-oxidase activity and expression of neuroinflammatory markers, which are regulated by estrogen replacement therapy. There is a critical period for the neuroprotective effect of estrogen replacement therapy, and local ER-α and RAS play a major role. Astrocytes play a major role in ER-α-induced regulation of local RAS, but neurons and microglia are also involved. Interestingly, treatment with angiotensin receptor antagonists after the critical period induced neuroprotection.

Treatment with polyamine oxidase inhibitor reduces microglial activation and limits vascular injury in ischemic retinopathy

Retinal vascular injury is a major cause of vision impairment in ischemic retinopathies. Insults such as hyperoxia, oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to this pathology. Previously, we showed that hyperoxia-induced retinal neurodegeneration is associated with increased polyamine oxidation. Here, we are studying the involvement of polyamine oxidases in hyperoxia-induced injury and death of retinal vascular endothelial cells. New-born C57BL6/J mice were exposed to hyperoxia (70% O2) from postnatal day (P) 7 to 12 and were treated with the polyamine oxidase inhibitor MDL 72527 or vehicle starting at P6. Mice were sacrificed after different durations of hyperoxia and their retinas were analyzed to determine the effects on vascular injury, microglial cell activation, and inflammatory cytokine profiling. The results of this analysis showed that MDL 72527 treatment significantly reduced hyperoxia-induced retinal vascular injury and enhanced vascular sprouting as compared with the vehicle controls. These protective effects were correlated with significant decreases in microglial activation as well as levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In order to model the effects of polyamine oxidation in causing microglial activation in vitro, studies were performed using rat brain microvascular endothelial cells treated with conditioned-medium from rat retinal microglia stimulated with hydrogen peroxide. Conditioned-medium from activated microglial cultures induced cell stress signals and cell death in microvascular endothelial cells. These studies demonstrate the involvement of polyamine oxidases in hyperoxia-induced retinal vascular injury and retinal inflammation in ischemic retinopathy, through mechanisms involving cross-talk between endothelial cells and resident retinal microglia.

Effects of Rho Kinase Inhibitors on Grafts of Dopaminergic Cell Precursors in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease

In models of Parkinson's disease (PD), Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitors have antiapoptotic and axon-stabilizing effects on damaged neurons, decrease the neuroinflammatory response, and protect against dopaminergic neuron death and axonal retraction. ROCK inhibitors have also shown protective effects against apoptosis induced by handling and dissociation of several types of stem cells. However, the effect of ROCK inhibitors on dopaminergic cell grafts has not been investigated. In the present study, treatment of dopaminergic cell suspension with ROCK inhibitors yielded significant decreases in the number of surviving dopaminergic neurons, in the density of graft-derived dopaminergic fibers, and in graft vascularization. Dopaminergic neuron death also markedly increased in primary mesencephalic cultures when the cell suspension was treated with ROCK inhibitors before plating, which suggests that decreased angiogenesis is not the only factor leading to cell death in grafts. Interestingly, treatment of the host 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats with ROCK inhibitors induced a slight, nonsignificant increase in the number of surviving neurons, as well as marked increases in the density of graft-derived dopaminergic fibers and the size of the striatal reinnervated area. The study findings discourage treatment of cell suspensions before grafting. However, treatment of the host induces a marked increase in graft-derived striatal reinnervation. Because ROCK inhibitors have also exerted neuroprotective effects in several models of PD, treatment of the host with ROCK inhibitors, currently used against vascular diseases in clinical practice, before and after grafting may be a useful adjuvant to cell therapy in PD.

SIGNIFICANCE

Cell-replacement therapy is one promising therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD). However, many questions must be addressed before widespread application. Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitors have been used in a variety of applications associated with stem cell research and may be an excellent strategy for improving survival of grafted neurons and graft-derived dopaminergic innervation. The present results discourage the treatment of suspensions of dopaminergic precursors with ROCK inhibitors in the pregrafting period. However, treatment of the host (patients with PD) with ROCK inhibitors, currently used against vascular diseases, may be a useful adjuvant to cell therapy in PD.

MPTP activates ASK1-p38 MAPK signaling pathway through TNF-dependent Trx1 oxidation in parkinsonism mouse model

Activation of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1)-p38 MAPK death signaling cascade is implicated in the death of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease (PD). We investigated upstream activators of ASK1 using an MPTP mouse model of parkinsonism and assessed the temporal cascade of death signaling in ventral midbrain (VMB) and striatum (ST). MPTP selectively activated ASK1 and downstream p38 MAPK in a time-dependent manner in VMB alone. This occurred through selective protein thiol oxidation of the redox-sensitive thiol disulfide oxidoreductase, thioredoxin (Trx1), resulting in release of its inhibitory association with ASK1, while glutathione-S-transferase µ 1 (GSTM1) remained in reduced form in association with ASK1. Levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a known activator of ASK1, increased early after MPTP in VMB. Protein covariation network analysis (PCNA) using protein states as nodes revealed TNF to be an important node regulating the ASK1 signaling cascade. In confirmation, blocking MPTP-mediated TNF signaling through intrathecal administration of TNF-neutralizing antibody prevented Trx1 oxidation and downstream ASK1-p38 MAPK activation. Averting an early increase in TNF, which leads to protein thiol oxidation resulting in activation of ASK1-p38 signaling, may be critical for neuroprotection in PD. Importantly, network analysis can help in understanding the cause/effect relationship within protein networks in complex disease states.

Reciprocal regulation between sirtuin-1 and angiotensin-II in the substantia nigra: implications for aging and neurodegeneration

Local angiotensin II (AII) and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) play a major role in the modulation of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and aging-related dopaminergic vulnerability to damage. However, it is not known whether the modulation is related to reciprocal regulation between SIRT1 and AII. In the present study, a single intraventricular injection of AII increased nigral SIRT1 levels in young adult rats. Although AII activity is known to be increased in aged rats, levels of SIRT1 were significantly lower than in young controls. Treatment with the SIRT1-activating compound resveratrol increased nigral SIRT1 levels in aged rats. Levels of SIRT1 were significantly higher in aged wild type mice than in AII type-1 receptor (AT1) deficient mice. In cell culture studies, treatment with AII also induced a transitory increase in levels of SIRT1 in the MES 23.5 dopaminergic neuron and the N9 microglial cell lines. In aged rats, treatment with resveratrol induced a significant decrease in the expression of AT1 receptors and markers of NADPH-oxidase activation (p47phox). In aged transgenic mice over-expressing SIRT1, levels of AT1 and p47 phox were lower than in aged wild type controls. In vitro, the inhibitory effects of resveratrol on AII/AT1/NADPH-oxidase activity were confirmed in primary mesencephalic cultures, the N9 microglial cell line, and the dopaminergic neuron cell line MES 23.5, and they were blocked by the SIRT1 specific inhibitor EX527. The present findings show that SIRT1 and the axis AII/AT1/NADPH-oxidase regulate each other. This is impaired in aged animals and may be mitigated with sirtuin-activating compounds.

The implications of angiotensin-converting enzymes and their modulators in neurodegenerative disorders: current and future perspectives

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is a dipeptidyl peptidase transmembrane bound enzyme. Generally, ACE inhibitors are used for the cardiovascular disorders. ACE inhibitors are primary agents for the management of hypertension, so these cannot be avoided for further use. The present Review focuses on the implications of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stroke, and diabetic neuropathy. ACE inhibitors such as ramipril, captopril, perindopril, quinapril, lisinopril, enalapril, and trandolapril have been documented to ameliorate the above neurodegenerative disorders. Neurodegeneration occurs not only by angiotensin II, but also by other endogenous factors, such as the formation of free radicals, amyloid beta, immune reactions, and activation of calcium dependent enzymes. ACE inhibitors interact with the above cellular mechanisms. Thus, these may act as a promising factor for future medicine for neurological disorders beyond the cardiovascular actions. Central acting ACE inhibitors can be useful in the future for the management of neuropathic pain due to following actions: (i) ACE-2 converts angiotensinogen to angiotensin(1-7) (hepatapeptide) which produces neuroprotective action; (ii) ACE inhibitors downregulate kinin B1 receptors in the peripheral nervous system which is responsible for neuropathic pain. However, more extensive research is required in the field of neuropathic pain for the utilization of ACE inhibitors in human.

Brain region-specific gene expression profiles in freshly isolated rat microglia

Microglia are important cells in the brain that can acquire different morphological and functional phenotypes dependent on the local situation they encounter. Knowledge on the region-specific gene signature of microglia may hold valuable clues for microglial functioning in health and disease, e.g., Parkinson's disease (PD) in which microglial phenotypes differ between affected brain regions. Therefore, we here investigated whether regional differences exist in gene expression profiles of microglia that are isolated from healthy rat brain regions relevant for PD. We used an optimized isolation protocol based on a rapid isolation of microglia from discrete rat gray matter regions using density gradients and fluorescent-activated cell sorting. Application of the present protocol followed by gene expression analysis enabled us to identify subtle differences in region-specific microglial expression profiles and show that the genetic profile of microglia already differs between different brain regions when studied under control conditions. As such, these novel findings imply that brain region-specific microglial gene expression profiles exist that may contribute to the region-specific differences in microglia responsivity during disease conditions, such as seen in, e.g., PD.

Transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor 2D regulates interleukin-10 production in microglia to protect neuronal cells from inflammation-induced death

BACKGROUND

Neuroinflammatory responses have been recognized as an important aspect in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Transcriptional regulation plays a critical role in the process of inflammation. Transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D) is identified as a central factor in transmission of extracellular signals and activation of the genetic programs in response to a wide range of stimuli in several cell types, including neurons. But its presence and function in microglia have not been reported. We therefore investigated the effect of MEF2D in activated microglia on the progress of neuroinflammation and the survival of neurons.

METHODS

BV2 cells and primary cultured glial cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Samples from cells were examined for MEF2D expression, interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) by immunoblotting, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The activity of MEF2D was examined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay (ChIP). Recombinant lentivirus expressing shRNA specific to MEF2D was used to silence MEF2D expression in BV2 cells. The role of IL-10 transcriptionally induced by MEF2D on neuronal survival was assessed by anti-IL-10 neutralizing antibody. The survival of neurons was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. Male C57bl/6 mice were used to establish an acute PD model. Brain sections and cell slides were tested by immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that MEF2D was present in microglia. Activation of microglia was associated with an increase in MEF2D level and activity in response to different stimuli in vivo and in vitro. MEF2D bound to a MEF2 consensus site in the promoter region of IL-10 gene and stimulated IL-10 transcription. Silencing MEF2D decreased the level of IL-10, increased the TNF-α mRNA, and promoted inflammation-induced cytotoxicity, consistent with the result of inhibiting IL-10 activity with an anti-IL-10 neutralizing antibody.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identifies MEF2D as a critical regulator of IL-10 gene expression that negatively controls microglia inflammation response and prevents inflammation-mediated cytotoxicity.

Critical period for dopaminergic neuroprotection by hormonal replacement in menopausal rats

The neuroprotective effects of menopausal hormonal therapy in Parkinson's disease have not yet been clarified, and it is not known whether there is a critical period. Estrogen induced significant protection against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced dopaminergic degeneration when administered immediately or 6 weeks, but not 20 weeks after ovariectomy. In the substantia nigra, ovariectomy induced a decrease in levels of estrogen receptor-α and increased angiotensin activity, NADPH-oxidase activity, and expression of neuroinflammatory markers, which were regulated by estrogen administered immediately or 6 weeks but not 20 weeks after ovariectomy. Interestingly, treatment with angiotensin receptor antagonists after the critical period induced a significant level of neuroprotection. In cultures, treatment with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium induced an increase in astrocyte-derived angiotensinogen and dopaminergic neuron death, which were inhibited by estrogen receptor α agonists. In microglial cells, estrogen receptor β agonists inhibited the angiotensin-induced increase in inflammatory markers. The results suggest that there is a critical period for the neuroprotective effect of estrogen against dopaminergic cell death, and local estrogen receptor α and renin-angiotensin system play a major role.

Rho Kinase and Dopaminergic Degeneration

The small GTP-binding protein Rho plays an important role in several cellular functions. RhoA, which is a member of the Rho family, initiates cellular processes that act on its direct downstream effector Rho-associated kinase (ROCK). ROCK inhibition protects against dopaminergic cell death induced by dopaminergic neurotoxins. It has been suggested that ROCK inhibition activates neuroprotective survival cascades in dopaminergic neurons. Axon-stabilizing effects in damaged neurons may represent another mechanism of neuroprotection of dopaminergic neurons by ROCK inhibition. However, it has been shown that microglial cells play a crucial role in neuroprotection by ROCK inhibition and that activation of microglial ROCK mediates major components of the microglial inflammatory response. Additional mechanisms such as interaction with autophagy may also contribute to the neuroprotective effects of ROCK inhibition. Interestingly, ROCK interacts with several brain factors that play a major role in dopaminergic neuron vulnerability such as NADPH-oxidase, angiotensin, and estrogen. ROCK inhibition may provide a new neuroprotective strategy for Parkinson’s disease. This is of particular interest because ROCK inhibitors are currently used against vascular diseases in clinical practice. However, it is necessary to develop more potent and selective ROCK inhibitors to reduce side effects and enhance the efficacy.

Tetramethylpyrazine alleviated cytokine synthesis and dopamine deficit and improved motor dysfunction in the mice model of Parkinson's disease

It was previously reported that cytokines and neurotoxins released from activated inflammatory cells induced the loss of projecting dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, which triggered the pathogenesis of PD. The present study investigated the effect of treatment with tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on the central cytokine synthesis, striatal dopamine content and glutamatergic transmission, and behavioral performance in the rotarod task in mice injected with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Treatment with TMP significantly improved the behavioral performance in the rotarod task in mice injected with MPTP. It also decreased the upregulation of cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β) in the substantia nigra and striatum in these modeled mice. Furthermore, treatment with TMP significantly improved the dopamine deficits and attenuated the upregulation of striatal basal glutamatergic strength in the striatum of mice injected with MPTP. These results indicated that TMP might serve as a novel approach for the treatment of patients with PD.

Brain renin-angiotensin system and dopaminergic cell vulnerability

Although the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) was classically considered as a circulating system that regulates blood pressure, many tissues are now known to have a local RAS. Angiotensin, via type 1 receptors, is a major activator of the NADPH-oxidase complex, which mediates several key events in oxidative stress (OS) and inflammatory processes involved in the pathogenesis of major aging-related diseases. Several studies have demonstrated the presence of RAS components in the basal ganglia, and particularly in the nigrostriatal system. In the nigrostriatal system, RAS hyperactivation, via NADPH-oxidase complex activation, exacerbates OS and the microglial inflammatory response and contributes to progression of dopaminergic degeneration, which is inhibited by angiotensin receptor blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Several factors may induce an increase in RAS activity in the dopaminergic system. A decrease in dopaminergic activity induces compensatory upregulation of local RAS function in both dopaminergic neurons and glia. In addition to its role as an essential neurotransmitter, dopamine may also modulate microglial inflammatory responses and neuronal OS via RAS. Important counterregulatory interactions between angiotensin and dopamine have also been observed in several peripheral tissues. Neurotoxins and proinflammatory factors may also act on astrocytes to induce an increase in RAS activity, either independently of or before the loss of dopamine. Consistent with a major role of RAS in dopaminergic vulnerability, increased RAS activity has been observed in the nigra of animal models of aging, menopause and chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, which also showed higher dopaminergic vulnerability. Manipulation of the brain RAS may constitute an effective neuroprotective strategy against dopaminergic vulnerability and progression of Parkinson's disease.

Inhibition of the microglial response is essential for the neuroprotective effects of Rho-kinase inhibitors on MPTP-induced dopaminergic cell death

Several recent studies have shown that activation of the RhoA/Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) pathway is involved in the MPTP-induced dopaminergic cell degeneration and possibly in Parkinson's disease. ROCK inhibitors have been suggested as candidate neuroprotective drugs for Parkinson's disease. However, the mechanism responsible for the increased survival of dopaminergic neurons after treatment with ROCK inhibitors is not clear. We exposed primary (neuron-glia) mesencephalic cultures, cultures of the MES 23.5 dopaminergic neuron cell line and primary mesencephalic cultures lacking microglial cells to the dopaminergic neurotoxin MPP+ and the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 in order to study the effects of ROCK inhibition on dopaminergic cell loss and the length of neurites of surviving dopaminergic neurons. In primary (neuron-glia) cultures, simultaneous treatment with MPP+ and the ROCK inhibitor significantly reduced the loss of dopaminergic neurons. In the absence of microglia, treatment with the ROCK inhibitor did not induce a significant reduction in the dopaminergic cell loss. Treatment with the ROCK inhibitor induced a significant decrease in axonal retraction in primary cultures with and without microglia and in cultures of the MES 23.5 neuron cell line. In conclusion, inhibition of microglial ROCK is essential for the neuroprotective effects of ROCK inhibitors against cell death induced by the dopaminergic neurotoxin MPP+. In addition, ROCK inhibition induced a direct effect against axonal retraction in surviving neurons. However, the latter effect was not sufficient to cause a significant increase in the survival of dopaminergic neurons after treatment with MPP+.

Baicalein ameliorated the upregulation of striatal glutamatergic transmission in the mice model of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder, which is characterized by a loss of projecting dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and diminished dopamine level in the striatum. Dopaminergic deficit consequently leads to the alterations of striatal basal glutamatergic synaptic transmission and plasticity in the medium spiny neurons. The cytokines and neurotoxins released from the reactive immune cells induced the loss of the projecting dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, which triggering the pathogenesis of PD. The present study investigated the effect of treatment with baicalein (5,6,7-trihydroxyflavone) on the central cytokine synthesis, striatal glutamatergic transmission, and behavioral performance in the rotarod task in the mice injected with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Treatment with baicalein significantly attenuated the upregulation of striatal basal glutamatergic strength by decreasing the presynaptic glutamate release and recovering the insertion of postsynaptic glutamate receptor subunit GluR1 induced by MPTP. It also significantly improved the behavioral performance in the rotarod task in the mice injected with MPTP. Treatment with baicalein decreased the upregulation of cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β) in the substantia nigra and striatum in the mice injected with MPTP. These results indicated that baicalein might serve as novel approach for the treatment of the patients with PD.