1
|
Zhang Z, Zhu Z, Zuo X, Wang X, Ju C, Liang Z, Li K, Zhang J, Luo L, Ma Y, Song Z, Li X, Li P, Quan H, Huang P, Yao Z, Yang N, Zhou J, Kou Z, Chen B, Ding T, Wang Z, Hu X. Photobiomodulation reduces neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury by downregulating CXCL10 expression. CNS Neurosci Ther 2023; 29:3995-4017. [PMID: 37475184 PMCID: PMC10651991 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many studies have recently highlighted the role of photobiomodulation (PBM) in neuropathic pain (NP) relief after spinal cord injury (SCI), suggesting that it may be an effective way to relieve NP after SCI. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the potential mechanisms of PBM in NP relief after SCI. METHODS We performed systematic observations and investigated the mechanism of PBM intervention in NP in rats after SCI. Using transcriptome sequencing, we screened CXCL10 as a possible target molecule for PBM intervention and validated the results in rat tissues using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Using immunofluorescence co-labeling, astrocytes and microglia were identified as the cells responsible for CXCL10 expression. The involvement of the NF-κB pathway in CXCL10 expression was verified using inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) and agonist phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), which were further validated by an in vivo injection experiment. RESULTS Here, we demonstrated that PBM therapy led to an improvement in NP relative behaviors post-SCI, inhibited the activation of microglia and astrocytes, and decreased the expression level of CXCL10 in glial cells, which was accompanied by mediation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Photobiomodulation inhibit the activation of the NF-κB pathway and reduce downstream CXCL10 expression. The NF-κB pathway inhibitor PDTC had the same effect as PBM on improving pain in animals with SCI, and the NF-κB pathway promoter PMA could reverse the beneficial effect of PBM. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide new insights into the mechanisms by which PBM alleviates NP after SCI. We demonstrated that PBM significantly inhibited the activation of microglia and astrocytes and decreased the expression level of CXCL10. These effects appear to be related to the NF-κB signaling pathway. Taken together, our study provides evidence that PBM could be a potentially effective therapy for NP after SCI, CXCL10 and NF-kB signaling pathways might be critical factors in pain relief mediated by PBM after SCI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Zhang
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Zhijie Zhu
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Xiaoshuang Zuo
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Xuankang Wang
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Cheng Ju
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Zhuowen Liang
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Kun Li
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Jiawei Zhang
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Liang Luo
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Yangguang Ma
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Zhiwen Song
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Xin Li
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
- 967 Hospital of People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support ForceDalianLiaoningChina
| | - Penghui Li
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Huilin Quan
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Peipei Huang
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Zhou Yao
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Ning Yang
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Zhenzhen Kou
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic MedicineAir Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Beiyu Chen
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Tan Ding
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Xueyu Hu
- Department of OrthopedicsXijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ju C, Ma Y, Zuo X, Wang X, Song Z, Zhang Z, Zhu Z, Li X, Liang Z, Ding T, Hu X, Wang Z. Photobiomodulation promotes spinal cord injury repair by inhibiting macrophage polarization through lncRNA TUG1-miR-1192/TLR3 axis. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2023; 28:5. [PMID: 36658478 PMCID: PMC9854040 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-023-00417-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Secondary spinal cord injury (SCI) often causes the aggravation of inflammatory reaction and nerve injury, which affects the recovery of motor function. Bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were recruited to the injured area after SCI, and the M1 polarization is the key process for inducing inflammatory response and neuronal apoptosis. We previously showed that photobiomodulation (PBM) can inhibit the polarization of M1 phenotype of BMDMs and reduce inflammation, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. The purpose of this study is to explore the potential target and mechanism of PBM in treating SCI. METHODS Transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis showed that long noncoding RNA taurine upregulated gene 1 (lncRNA TUG1) was a potential target of PBM. The expression and specific mechanism of lncRNA TUG1 were detected by qPCR, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, western blotting, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and luciferase assay. The Basso mouse scale (BMS) and gait analysis were used to evaluate the recovery of motor function in mice. RESULTS Results showed that lncRNA TUG1 may be a potential target of PBM, regulating the polarization of BMDMs, inflammatory response, and the axial growth of DRG. Mechanistically, TUG1 competed with TLR3 for binding to miR-1192 and attenuated the inhibitory effect of miR-1192 on TLR3. This effect protected TLR3 from degradation, enabling the high expression of TLR3, which promoted the activation of downstream NF-κB signal and the release of inflammatory cytokines. In vivo, PBM treatment could reduce the expression of TUG1, TLR3, and inflammatory cytokines and promoted nerve survival and motor function recovery in SCI mice. CONCLUSIONS Our study clarified that the lncRNA TUG1/miR-1192/TLR3 axis is an important pathway for PBM to inhibit M1 macrophage polarization and inflammation, which provides theoretical support for its clinical application in patients with SCI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Ju
- grid.233520.50000 0004 1761 4404Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Changle West Road No. 127, Xi’an, 710032 Shaanxi China
| | - Yangguang Ma
- grid.233520.50000 0004 1761 4404Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Changle West Road No. 127, Xi’an, 710032 Shaanxi China
| | - Xiaoshuang Zuo
- grid.233520.50000 0004 1761 4404Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Changle West Road No. 127, Xi’an, 710032 Shaanxi China
| | - Xuankang Wang
- grid.233520.50000 0004 1761 4404Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Changle West Road No. 127, Xi’an, 710032 Shaanxi China
| | - Zhiwen Song
- grid.233520.50000 0004 1761 4404Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Changle West Road No. 127, Xi’an, 710032 Shaanxi China
| | - Zhihao Zhang
- grid.233520.50000 0004 1761 4404Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Changle West Road No. 127, Xi’an, 710032 Shaanxi China
| | - Zhijie Zhu
- grid.233520.50000 0004 1761 4404Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Changle West Road No. 127, Xi’an, 710032 Shaanxi China
| | - Xin Li
- grid.233520.50000 0004 1761 4404Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Changle West Road No. 127, Xi’an, 710032 Shaanxi China
| | - Zhuowen Liang
- grid.233520.50000 0004 1761 4404Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Changle West Road No. 127, Xi’an, 710032 Shaanxi China
| | - Tan Ding
- grid.233520.50000 0004 1761 4404Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Changle West Road No. 127, Xi’an, 710032 Shaanxi China
| | - Xueyu Hu
- grid.233520.50000 0004 1761 4404Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Changle West Road No. 127, Xi’an, 710032 Shaanxi China
| | - Zhe Wang
- grid.233520.50000 0004 1761 4404Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Changle West Road No. 127, Xi’an, 710032 Shaanxi China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ma Y, Li P, Ju C, Zuo X, Li X, Ding T, Liang Z, Zhang J, Li K, Wang X, Zhu Z, Zhang Z, Song Z, Quan H, Hu X, Wang Z. Photobiomodulation Attenuates Neurotoxic Polarization of Macrophages by Inhibiting the Notch1-HIF-1α/NF-κB Signalling Pathway in Mice With Spinal Cord Injury. Front Immunol 2022; 13:816952. [PMID: 35371065 PMCID: PMC8968029 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.816952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic disease with a complex pathogenesis that includes inflammation, oxidative stress, and glial scar formation. Macrophages are the main mediators of the inflammatory response and are distributed in the epicentre of the SCI. Macrophages have neurotoxic and neuroprotective phenotypes (also known as classically and alternatively activated macrophages or M1 and M2 macrophages) that are associated with pro- or anti- inflammatory gene expression. Our previous study demonstrated that photobiomodulation (PBM) alters the polarization state of macrophages in the SCI region towards the M2 phenotype and promotes the recovery of motor function in rats with SCI. However, the mechanism by which PBM promotes SCI repair remains largely undefined. This study is based on the replacement of conventional percutaneous irradiation with implantable biofibre optic in vivo irradiation. The aim was to further investigate the effects of PBM on SCI in mice under new irradiation patterns and its potential mechanisms of action. PBM was administered to male mice with clamped SCI for four consecutive weeks and significantly promoted the recovery of motor function in mice. Analysis of the macrophage phenotypes in the epicentre of the SCI in mice showed that PBM mainly inhibited the neurotoxic activation of macrophages in the SCI area and reduced the secretion of inflammatory factors such as IL-1α and IL-6; PBM had no effect on M2 macrophages. Immediately afterwards, we constructed in vitro models of the inflammatory polarization of macrophages and PBM intervention. We found that PBM attenuated the neurotoxicity of M1 macrophages on VSC 4.1 motor neurons and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. The effects of PBM on neurotoxic macrophages and the possible mechanisms of action were analysed using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), which confirmed that the main role of PBM was to modulate the inflammatory response and immune system processes. Analysis of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with the inflammatory response showed that PBM had the most significant regulatory effects on genes such as interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and had obvious inhibitory effects on inflammation-related Notch1 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) pathway genes. RNA-seq analysis of the effect of PBM on gene expression in resting-state macrophages and M2 macrophages did not show significant differences (data not shown). In conclusion, PBM promoted better motor recovery after SCI in mice by inhibiting the neurotoxic polarization of macrophages and the release of inflammatory mediators by acting on the Notch1-HIF-1α/NF-κB Signalling Pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yangguang Ma
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Penghui Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Cheng Ju
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xiaoshuang Zuo
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Department of Orthopaedics, 967 Hospital of People’s Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force, Dalian, China
| | - Tan Ding
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhuowen Liang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jiawei Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Kun Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xuankang Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhijie Zhu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhihao Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhiwen Song
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Huilin Quan
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xueyu Hu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Xueyu Hu, ; Zhe Wang,
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Xueyu Hu, ; Zhe Wang,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li X, Vemireddy V, Cai Q, Xiong H, Kang P, Li X, Giannotta M, Hayenga HN, Pan E, Sirsi SR, Mateo C, Kleinfeld D, Greene C, Campbell M, Dejana E, Bachoo R, Qin Z. Reversibly Modulating the Blood-Brain Barrier by Laser Stimulation of Molecular-Targeted Nanoparticles. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:9805-9815. [PMID: 34516144 PMCID: PMC8616836 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c02996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is highly selective and acts as the interface between the central nervous system and circulation. While the BBB is critical for maintaining brain homeostasis, it represents a formidable challenge for drug delivery. Here we synthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for targeting the tight junction specifically and demonstrated that transcranial picosecond laser stimulation of these AuNPs post intravenous injection increases the BBB permeability. The BBB permeability change can be graded by laser intensity, is entirely reversible, and involves increased paracellular diffusion. BBB modulation does not lead to significant disruption in the spontaneous vasomotion or the structure of the neurovascular unit. This strategy allows the entry of immunoglobulins and viral gene therapy vectors, as well as cargo-laden liposomes. We anticipate this nanotechnology to be useful for tissue regions that are accessible to light or fiberoptic application and to open new avenues for drug screening and therapeutic interventions in the central nervous system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Li
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, United State
| | - Vamsidhara Vemireddy
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United State
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United State
| | - Qi Cai
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, United State
| | - Hejian Xiong
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, United State
| | - Peiyuan Kang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, United State
| | - Xiuying Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, United State
| | - Monica Giannotta
- FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology Foundation (IFOM), 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Heather N. Hayenga
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, United State
| | - Edward Pan
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United State
| | - Shashank R. Sirsi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, United State
| | - Celine Mateo
- Department of Physics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United State
| | - David Kleinfeld
- Department of Physics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United State
| | - Chris Greene
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2 D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Matthew Campbell
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2 D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Elisabetta Dejana
- FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology Foundation (IFOM), 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Robert Bachoo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United State
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United State
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United State
| | - Zhenpeng Qin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, United State
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, United State
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United State
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, United State
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang X, Zhang Z, Zhu Z, Liang Z, Zuo X, Ju C, Song Z, Li X, Hu X, Wang Z. Photobiomodulation Promotes Repair Following Spinal Cord Injury by Regulating the Transformation of A1/A2 Reactive Astrocytes. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:768262. [PMID: 34795557 PMCID: PMC8593167 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.768262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
After spinal cord injury (SCI), reactive astrocytes can be classified into two distinctive phenotypes according to their different functions: neurotoxic (A1) astrocytes and neuroprotective (A2) astrocytes. Our previous studies proved that photobiomodulation (PBM) can promote motor function recovery and improve tissue repair after SCI, but little is known about the underlying mechanism. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether PBM contributes to repair after SCI by regulating the activation of astrocytes. Male rats subjected to clip-compression SCI were treated with PBM for two consecutive weeks, and the results showed that recovery of motor function was improved, the lesion cavity size was reduced, and the number of neurons retained was increased. We determined the time course of A1/A2 astrocyte activation after SCI by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and verified that PBM inhibited A1 astrocyte activation and promoted A2 astrocyte activation at 7 days postinjury (dpi) and 14 dpi. Subsequently, potential signaling pathways related to A1/A2 astrocyte activation were identified by GO function analysis and KEGG pathway analysis and then studied in animal experiments and preliminarily analyzed in cultured astrocytes. Next, we observed that the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) was upregulated by PBM and that both factors contributed to the transformation of A1/A2 astrocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, we found that PBM reduced the neurotoxicity of A1 astrocytes to dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. In conclusion, PBM can promote better recovery after SCI, which may be related to the transformation of A1/A2 reactive astrocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuankang Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhihao Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhijie Zhu
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhuowen Liang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaoshuang Zuo
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Cheng Ju
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhiwen Song
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Hospital of People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force, Dalian, China
| | - Xueyu Hu
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wang X, Li X, Zuo X, Liang Z, Ding T, Li K, Ma Y, Li P, Zhu Z, Ju C, Zhang Z, Song Z, Quan H, Zhang J, Hu X, Wang Z. Photobiomodulation inhibits the activation of neurotoxic microglia and astrocytes by inhibiting Lcn2/JAK2-STAT3 crosstalk after spinal cord injury in male rats. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:256. [PMID: 34740378 PMCID: PMC8571847 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02312-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurotoxic microglia and astrocytes begin to activate and participate in pathological processes after spinal cord injury (SCI), subsequently causing severe secondary damage and affecting tissue repair. We have previously reported that photobiomodulation (PBM) can promote functional recovery by reducing neuroinflammation after SCI, but little is known about the underlying mechanism. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether PBM ameliorates neuroinflammation by modulating the activation of microglia and astrocytes after SCI. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: a sham control group, an SCI + vehicle group and an SCI + PBM group. PBM was performed for two consecutive weeks after clip-compression SCI models were established. The activation of neurotoxic microglia and astrocytes, the level of tissue apoptosis, the number of motor neurons and the recovery of motor function were evaluated at different days post-injury (1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days post-injury, dpi). Lipocalin 2 (Lcn2) and Janus kinase-2 (JAK2)-signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) signaling were regarded as potential targets by which PBM affected neurotoxic microglia and astrocytes. In in vitro experiments, primary microglia and astrocytes were irradiated with PBM and cotreated with cucurbitacin I (a JAK2-STAT3 pathway inhibitor), an adenovirus (shRNA-Lcn2) and recombinant Lcn2 protein. RESULTS PBM promoted the recovery of motor function, inhibited the activation of neurotoxic microglia and astrocytes, alleviated neuroinflammation and tissue apoptosis, and increased the number of neurons retained after SCI. The upregulation of Lcn2 and the activation of the JAK2-STAT3 pathway after SCI were suppressed by PBM. In vitro experiments also showed that Lcn2 and JAK2-STAT3 were mutually promoted and that PBM interfered with this interaction, inhibiting the activation of microglia and astrocytes. CONCLUSION Lcn2/JAK2-STAT3 crosstalk is involved in the activation of neurotoxic microglia and astrocytes after SCI, and this process can be suppressed by PBM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuankang Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China.,967 Hospital of People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force, Dalian, 116044, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiaoshuang Zuo
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhuowen Liang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tan Ding
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kun Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yangguang Ma
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Penghui Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhijie Zhu
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Cheng Ju
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhihao Zhang
- 967 Hospital of People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force, Dalian, 116044, Liaoning, China
| | - Zhiwen Song
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Huilin Quan
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiawei Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xueyu Hu
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|