Plant polyprenols reduce demyelination and recover impaired oligodendrogenesis and neurogenesis in the cuprizone murine model of multiple sclerosis

Advancing understanding of the role of IL-22 in myelination: insights from the Cuprizone mouse model

Despite significant advancements in the field, the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) remains partially understood, with limited therapeutic options available for this debilitating condition. The precise impact of Interleukin-22 (IL-22) in the context of MS is still incompletely elucidated with some evidence suggesting its protective role. To provide a more comprehensive understanding of the role of IL-22, we investigated its effect on remyelination in a mouse model of demyelination induced by Cuprizone. Mice underwent a 6 week regimen of Cuprizone or vehicle, followed or not by intraperitoneal administration of IL-22. Behavioral assessments including tail suspension and inverted screen tests were conducted, alongside histological, histochemical, and quantitative PCR analyses. In Cuprizone-treated mice, IL-22 significantly improved motor and behavioral performance and robustly promoted remyelination in the corpus callosum. Additionally, IL-22 administration led to a significant elevation in MBP transcription in brain biopsies of treated mice. These findings collectively suggest a crucial role for IL-22 in the pathophysiology of MS, particularly in supporting the process of remyelination. These results offer potential avenues for expanding therapeutic strategies for MS treatment. Ongoing experiments aim to further unravel the underlying mechanisms of IL-22 action.

Farnesol brain transcriptomics in CNS inflammatory demyelination

BACKGROUND

Farnesol (FOL) prevents the onset of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a murine model of multiple sclerosis (MS).

OBJECTIVE

We examined the transcriptomic profile of the brains of EAE mice treated with daily oral FOL using next-generation sequencing (RNA-seq).

METHODS

Transcriptomics from whole brains of treated and untreated EAE mice at the peak of EAE was performed.

RESULTS

EAE-induced mice, compared to naïve, healthy mice, overall showed increased expression in pathways for immune response, as well as an increased cytokine signaling pathway, with downregulation of cellular stress proteins. FOL downregulates pro-inflammatory pathways and attenuates the immune response in EAE. FOL downregulated the expression of genes involved in misfolded protein response, MAPK activation/signaling, and pro-inflammatory response.

CONCLUSION

This study provides insight into the molecular impact of FOL in the brain and identifies potential therapeutic targets of the isoprenoid pathway in MS patients.

Dual Mechanism of Action of Curcumin in Experimental Models of Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by a combination of inflammatory and demyelination processes in the spinal cord and brain. Conventional drugs generally target the autoimmune response, without any curative effect. For that reason, there is a great interest in identifying novel agents with anti-inflammatory and myelinating effects, to counter the inflammation and cell death distinctive of the disease. Methods and results: An in vitro assay showed that curcumin (Cur) at 10 µM enhanced the proliferation of C8-D1A cells and modulated the production of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines in the cells stimulated by LPS. Furthermore, two in vivo pathophysiological experimental models were used to assess the effect of curcumin (100 mg/kg). The cuprizone model mimics the de/re-myelination aspect in MS, and the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model (EAE) reflects immune-mediated events. We found that Cur alleviated the neurological symptomatology in EAE and modulated the expression of lymphocytes CD3 and CD4 in the spinal cord. Interestingly, Cur restored motor and behavioral deficiencies, as well as myelination, in demyelinated mice, as indicated by the higher index of luxol fast blue (LFB) and the myelin basic protein (MBP) intensity in the corpus callosum. Conclusions: Curcumin is a potential therapeutic agent that can diminish the MS neuroimmune imbalance and demyelination through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Current status of neuroprotective and neuroregenerative strategies in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Immune-mediated demyelination and consequent degeneration of oligodendrocytes and axons are hallmark features of multiple sclerosis (MS). Remyelination declines in progressive MS, causing permanent axonal loss and irreversible disabilities. Strategies aimed at enhancing remyelination are critical to attenuate disease progression.

OBJECTIVE

We systematically reviewed recent advances in neuroprotective and regenerative therapies for MS, covering preclinical and clinical studies.

METHODS

We searched three biomedical databases using defined keywords. Two authors independently reviewed articles for inclusion based on pre-specified criteria. The data were extracted from each study and assessed for risk of bias.

RESULTS

Our search identified 7351 studies from 2014 to 2020, of which 221 met the defined criteria. These studies reported 262 interventions, wherein 92% were evaluated in animal models. These interventions comprised protein, RNA, lipid and cellular biologics, small molecules, inorganic compounds, and dietary and physiological interventions. Small molecules were the most highly represented strategy, followed by antibody therapies and stem cell transplantation.

CONCLUSION

While significant strides have been made to develop regenerative treatments for MS, the current evidence illustrates a skewed representation of the types of strategies that advance to clinical trials. Further examination is thus required to address current barriers to implementing experimental treatments in clinical settings.

The effects of genotype on inflammatory response in hippocampal progenitor cells: A computational approach

Cell culture models are valuable tools to study biological mechanisms underlying health and disease in a controlled environment. Although their genotype influences their phenotype, subtle genetic variations in cell lines are rarely characterised and taken into account for in vitro studies. To investigate how the genetic makeup of a cell line might affect the cellular response to inflammation, we characterised the single nucleotide variants (SNPs) relevant to inflammation-related genes in an established hippocampal progenitor cell line (HPC0A07/03C) that is frequently used as an in vitro model for hippocampal neurogenesis (HN). SNPs were identified using a genotyping array, and genes associated with chronic inflammatory and neuroinflammatory response gene ontology terms were retrieved using the AmiGO application. SNPs associated with these genes were then extracted from the genotyping dataset, for which a literature search was conducted, yielding relevant research articles for a total of 17 SNPs. Of these variants, 10 were found to potentially affect hippocampal neurogenesis whereby a majority (n=7) is likely to reduce neurogenesis under inflammatory conditions. Taken together, the existing literature seems to suggest that all stages of hippocampal neurogenesis could be negatively affected due to the genetic makeup in HPC0A07/03C cells under inflammation. Additional experiments will be needed to validate these specific findings in a laboratory setting. However, this computational approach already confirms that in vitro studies in general should control for cell lines subtle genetic variations which could mask or exacerbate findings.

Supercritical-CO2 extraction, identification and quantification of polyprenol as a bioactive ingredient from Irish trees species

This study ascertained the accumulation of polyprenol from four Irish conifer species Picea sitchensis, Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’, Pinus sylvestris and Taxus baccata and one flowering tree Cotoneaster hybrida using supercritical fluid extraction with carbon dioxide (SFE-CO₂) and solvent extraction. The effects of SFE-CO₂ parameters such as temperature (ranged from 40 to 70 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$^\circ{\rm C}$$\end{document}∘C), pressure (ranged from 100 to 350 bars) and dynamic time (from 70 min to 7 h) were analysed on the extraction efficiency of polyprenol. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of polyprenol was examined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results showed that P. sylvestris accumulated the highest polyprenol yield of 14.00  ± \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$0.4$$\end{document}0.4mg g⁻¹ DW when extracted with hexane:acetone (1:1 v/v). However, with SFE-CO₂ conditions of 200 bars, 70 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$^\circ{\rm C}$$\end{document}∘C, 7 h, with absolute ethanol as a cosolvent with a flow rate of 0.05 ml min⁻¹, P. sitchensis accumulated the highest polyprenol yield of 6.35 ± \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$0.4$$\end{document}0.4 mg g⁻¹DW. This study emphasised the potential application of SFE-CO₂ in the extraction of polyprenol as an environmentally friendly method to be used in pharmaceutical and food industries.

Neurodegeneration, Myelin Loss and Glial Response in the Three-Vessel Global Ischemia Model in Rat

(1) Background: Although myelin disruption is an integral part of ischemic brain injury, it is rarely the subject of research, particularly in animal models. This study assessed for the first time, myelin and oligodendrocyte loss in a three-vessel model of global cerebral ischemia (GCI), which causes hippocampal damage. In addition, we investigated the relationships between demyelination and changes in microglia and astrocytes, as well as oligodendrogenesis in the hippocampus; (2) Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (n = 15) underwent complete interruption of cerebral blood flow for 7 min by ligation of the major arteries supplying the brain or sham-operation. At 10 and 30 days after the surgery, brain slices were stained for neurodegeneration with Fluoro-Jade C and immunohistochemically to assess myelin content (MBP+ percentage of total area), oligodendrocyte (CNP+ cells) and neuronal (NeuN+ cells) loss, neuroinflammation (Iba1+ cells), astrogliosis (GFAP+ cells) and oligodendrogenesis (NG2+ cells); (3) Results: 10 days after GCI significant myelin and oligodendrocyte loss was found only in the stratum oriens and stratum pyramidale. By the 30th day, demyelination in these hippocampal layers intensified and affected the substratum radiatum. In addition to myelin damage, activation and an increase in the number of microglia and astrocytes in the corresponding layers, a loss of the CA1 pyramidal neurons, and neurodegeneration in the neocortex and thalamus was observed. At a 10-day time point, we observed rod-shaped microglia in the substratum radiatum. Parallel with ongoing myelin loss on the 30th day after ischemia, we found significant oligodendrogenesis in demyelinated hippocampal layers; (4) Conclusions: Our study showed that GCI-simulating cardiac arrest in humans—causes not only the loss of pyramidal neurons in the CA1 field, but also the myelin loss of adjacent layers of the hippocampus.

Metformin-induced AMPK activation stimulates remyelination through induction of neurotrophic factors, downregulation of NogoA and recruitment of Olig2+ precursor cells in the cuprizone murine model of multiple sclerosis

PURPOSE

Oligodendrocytes (OLGs) damage and myelin distraction is considered as a critical step in many neurological disorders especially multiple sclerosis (MS). Cuprizone (cup) animal model of MS targets OLGs degeneration and frequently used to the mechanistic understanding of de- and remyelination. The aim of this study was exploring the effects of metformin on the OLGs regeneration, myelin repair and profile of neurotrophic factors in the mice brain after cup-induced acute demyelination.

METHODS

Mice (C57BL/6 J) were fed with chow containing 0.2% cup for 5 weeks to induce specific OLGs degeneration and acute demyelination. Next, the cup was withdrawn to allow one-week recovery (spontaneous remyelination). At the end of this period, mature OLGs markers, myelin-associated neurite outgrowth inhibitor protein A (NogoA), premature specific OLGs transcription factor (Olig2), anti-apoptosis marker (survivin), neurotrophic factors, and AMPK activation were monitored in the presence or absence of metformin (50 mg/kg body weight/day) in the corpus callosum (CC).

RESULTS

Our finding indicated that consumption of metformin during the recovery period potentially induced an active form of AMPK (p-AMPK) and promoted repopulation of mature OLGs (MOG⁺ cells, MBP⁺ cells) in CC through up-regulation of BDNF, CNTF, and NGF as well as down-regulation of NogoA and recruitment of Olig2⁺ precursor cells.

CONCLUSIONS

This study for the first time reveals that metformin-induced AMPK, a master regulator of energy homeostasis, activation following toxic demyelination could potentially accelerate regeneration and supports spontaneous demyelination. These findings suggest the development of new therapeutic strategies based on AMPK activation for MS in the near future. Graphical abstract An overview of the possible molecular mechanisms of action of metformin-mediated remyelinationa.

Plant polyprenols reduce demyelination and recover impaired oligodendrogenesis and neurogenesis in the cuprizone murine model of multiple sclerosis

Recent studies showed hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory properties of polyprenols isolated from the green verdure of Picea abies (L.) Karst. This study aimed to investigate effects of polyprenols on oligodendrogenesis, neurogenesis, and myelin content in the cuprizone demyelination model. Demyelination was induced by 0.5% cuprizone in CD-1 mice during 10 weeks. Nine cuprizone-treated animals received daily injections of polyprenols intraperitoneally at a dose of 12-mg/kg body weight during Weeks 6-10. Nine control animals and other nine cuprizone-treated received sham oil injections. At Week 10, brain sections were stained for myelin basic protein, neuro-glial antigen-2, and doublecortin to evaluate demyelination, oligodendrogenesis, and neurogenesis. Cuprizone administration caused a decrease in myelin basic protein in the corpus callosum, cortex, hippocampus, and the caudate putamen compared with the controls. Oligodendrogenesis was increased, and neurogenesis in the subventricular zone and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus was decreased in the cuprizone-treated group compared with the controls. Mice treated with cuprizone and polyprenols did not show significant demyelination and differences in oligodendrogenesis and neurogenesis as compared with the controls. Our results suggest that polyprenols can halt demyelination, restore impaired neurogenesis, and mitigate reactive overproduction of oligodendrocytes caused by cuprizone neurotoxicity.