A comparative evaluation of the response to peroxynitrite by a brain endothelial cell line and control of the effects by drug targeting

Reactive nitrogen species as therapeutic targets for autophagy/mitophagy modulation to relieve neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis: Potential application for drug discovery

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory disease with limited therapeutic effects, eventually developing into handicap. Seeking novel therapeutic strategies for MS is timely important. Active autophagy/mitophagy could mediate neurodegeneration, while its roles in MS remain controversial. To elucidate the exact roles of autophagy/mitophagy and reveal its in-depth regulatory mechanisms, we conduct a systematic literature study and analyze the factors that might be responsible for divergent results obtained. The dynamic change levels of autophagy/mitophagy appear to be a determining factor for final neuron fate during MS pathology. Excessive neuronal autophagy/mitophagy contributes to neurodegeneration after disease onset at the active MS phase. Reactive nitrogen species (RNS) serve as key regulators for redox-related modifications and participate in autophagy/mitophagy modulation in MS. Nitric oxide (•NO) and peroxynitrite (ONOO-), two representative RNS, could nitrate or nitrosate Drp1/parkin/PINK1 pathway, activating excessive mitophagy and aggravating neuronal injury. Targeting RNS-mediated excessive autophagy/mitophagy could be a promising strategy for developing novel anti-MS drugs. In this review, we highlight the important roles of RNS-mediated autophagy/mitophagy in neuronal injury and review the potential therapeutic compounds with the bioactivities of inhibiting RNS-mediated autophagy/mitophagy activation and attenuating MS progression. Overall, we conclude that reactive nitrogen species could be promising therapeutic targets to regulate autophagy/mitophagy for multiple sclerosis treatment.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-stimulated Gene-6 (TSG-6) Secreted by BMSCs Regulates Activated Astrocytes by Inhibiting NF-κB Signaling Pathway to Ameliorate Blood Brain Barrier Damage After Intracerebral Hemorrhage

To investigate the influence of tumor necrosis factor-stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6) secreted by bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on blood brain barrier (BBB) after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and its related mechanisms. BMSCs and astrocytes were isolated and induced by TNF-α and LPS respectively. The effect of TSG-6 secreted by BMSCs on the proliferation and apoptosis of astrocytes and inflammatory response were assessed by CCK8, flow cytometry, and ELISA respectively. Then we studied the effects of TSG-6 secreted by BMSCs through the paracrine mechanism on the integrity of BBB after ICH via NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo. We successfully isolated BMSCs and astrocytes. After LPS treatment of astrocytes, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α showed an upward trend. TSG-6 secreted by TNF-α-activated BMSCs could antagonize the inflammatory response in activated astrocytes. Through the co-culture of astrocytes and BMSCs and the ICH animal model, we found that TSG-6 regulates activated astrocytes by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway and ameliorates BBB damage. Furthermore, we found that TNF-α-activated BMSCs secreted exosomes containing TSG-6 and played an anti-inflammatory effect. TSG-6 secreted by BMSCs regulates activated astrocytes by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby ameliorating BBB damage.

Markers of oxidative/nitrative damage of plasma proteins correlated with EDSS and BDI scores in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the present study was to evaluate oxidative/nitrative stress in the plasma of 50 patients suffering from the secondary progressive course of multiple sclerosis (MS), and to verify its correlation with physical and mental disability as assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

METHODS

Oxidative and nitrative damage to proteins was determined by the level of carbonyl groups and 3-nitrotyrosine using ELISA test. Based on the reaction with Ellman's reagent, we estimated the concentration of oxidized thiol groups. Additionally, we measured the level of lipid peroxidation.

RESULTS

In plasma drawn from MS patients, we observed a significantly higher level of 3-NT (92%; P < 0.0003), carbonyl groups (29%; P < 0.0001) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (73%; P < 0.0001), as well as a lower concentration of thiol groups (33%; P < 0.0001), in comparison to healthy subjects. We noted positive correlations between the level of carbonyl groups or 3-NT and both diagnostic parameters, EDSS and BDI. Negative correlations were observed between concentration of -SH groups and EDSS and BDI.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that impaired red-ox balance can significantly promote neurodegeneration in secondary progressive MS.

Baicalein Attenuates Neurological Deficits and Preserves Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity in a Rat Model of Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Previous studies have demonstrated that baicalein has protective effects against several diseases, which including ischemic stroke. The effect of baicalein on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and its related mechanisms are not well understood. We aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which baicalein may influence the BBB in a rat model of ICH. The rat model of ICH was induced by intravenous injection of collagenase IV into the brain. Animals were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation, vehicle, and baicalein group. Each group was then divided into subgroups, in which the rats were sacrificed at 24 and 72 h after ICH. We assessed brain edema, behavioral changes, BBB leakage, apoptosis, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), zonula occludens (ZO)-1, Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Treatment with baicalein reduced brain water content, BBB leakage, apoptosis, and neurologic deficits, compared with vehicle. Baicalein also decreased ICH-induced changes in the levels of iNOS but increased the levels of ZO-1. The protective effect of baicalein on the BBB in ICH rats was possibly invoked by attenuated p-38 MAPK and JNK phosphorylation, and decreased activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, which may have suppressed gene transcription, including iNOS, and eventually decreased formation of peroxynitrite (ONOO^-). Our results suggest that baicalein exerts a protective effect on BBB disruption in the rat model of ICH. The likely mechanism is via inhibition of MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways, leading to decreased formation of iNOS and ONOO^-, thereby improving neurological function.

A novel molecular mechanism for nitrated {alpha}-synuclein-induced cell death

Although previous studies have demonstrated the involvement of nitrated α-synuclein in neurodegenerative disorders (synucleinopathies), the effects of nitrated α-synuclein and the molecular mechanisms underlying its toxicity are still unclear. In the present study, nitrated α-synuclein with four 3-nitrotyrosines (Tyr(39), Tyr(125), Tyr(133), and Tyr(136)) was obtained non-enzymatically by incubation with nitrite. The nitrated protein existed as a mixture of monomers, dimers, and polymers in solution. The nitrated α-synuclein could induce cell death in a time- and concentration-dependent manner when SH-SY5Y cells (a human neuroblastoma cell line) were incubated with the dimers and polymers. Treatment with anti-integrin α5β1 antibody partially rescued the SH-SY5Y cells from the cell death. Dot blotting and immunoprecipitation revealed that the nitrated protein bound to integrin on the cell membranes. Level of nitric oxide (NO) and calcium-independent inducible NO synthase (iNOS) activity increased during the initial stages of the treatment. The expression of phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) decreased in the cells. Subsequently, an increase in caspase 3 activity was observed in SH-SY5Y cells. Our results demonstrate that activation of iNOS and inhibition of FAK may both be responsible for the cell death induced by nitrated α-synuclein. These data suggest that the cytotoxicity of nitrated α-synuclein is mediated via an integrin-iNOS/-FAK signaling pathway, and that the nitration of α-synuclein plays a role in neuronal degeneration.