Depletion of GR-1-Positive Cells Is Associated with Reduced Neutrophil Inflammation and Astrocyte Reactivity after Experimental Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Endoplasmic Reticulum Interaction Supports Energy Production and Redox Homeostasis in Mitochondria Released from Astrocytes

Mitochondria can be released by astrocytes as part of a help-me signaling process in stroke. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms that underlie mitochondria secretion, redox status, and functional regulation in the extracellular environment. Exposure of rat primary astrocytes to NAD or cADPR elicited an increase in mitochondrial calcium through ryanodine receptor (RyR) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Importantly, CD38 stimulation with NAD accelerated ATP production along with increasing glutathione reductase (GR) and dipicolinic acid (DPA) in intracellular mitochondria. When RyR was blocked by Dantrolene, all effects were clearly diminished. Mitochondrial functional assay showed that these activated mitochondria appeared to be resistant to H2O2 exposure and sustained mitochondrial membrane potential, while inhibition of RyR resulted in disrupted membrane potential under oxidative stress. Finally, a gain- or loss-of-function assay demonstrated that treatment with DPA in control mitochondria preserved GR contents and increased mitochondrial membrane potential, whereas inhibiting GR with carmustine decreased membrane potentials in extracellular mitochondria released from astrocytes. Collectively, these data suggest that ER-mitochondrial interaction mediated by CD38 stimulation may support mitochondrial energy production and redox homeostasis during the mode of mitochondrial transfer from astrocytes.

Neutrophil extracellular traps, released from neutrophil, promote microglia inflammation and contribute to poor outcome in subarachnoid hemorrhage

Evidence indicates that neutrophil has promoted inflammation in several central nervous system diseases. However, whether the peripheral blood levels of neutrophils are associated with the functional outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage and its potential mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we showed that neutrophil levels in peripheral blood were higher in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (P < 0.001) than in healthy subjects. Neutrophil levels were positively associated with Hunt and Hess grade (P < 0.001) and modified Rankin Scale scores at 3 months after SAH (P = 0.008). In terms of the mechanism, neutrophil extracellular traps markedly increased the proinflammatory subtype transition of microglia. After treatment with DNAse I, the proinflammatory subtype transition of microglia involving CD16 positive and IL-1β positive microglia was limited (P < 0.05). This mechanism was also verified in vitro. These results indicate that the existence of neutrophil extracellular traps, released from neutrophils after subarachnoid hemorrhage, can shift microglia toward a more proinflammatory phenotype and contribute to neuroinflammation and poor outcome in subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Control of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia Utilizing TLR2 Agonist Pam3CSK4

The spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a critical health issue that has drawn greater attention to the potential use of immunotherapy. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), a pattern recognition receptor, is an essential component in host innate defense system against S. aureus infection. However, little is known about the innate immune response, specifically TLR2 activation, against MRSA infection. Here, we evaluate the protective effect and the mechanism of MRSA murine pneumonia after pretreatment with Pam3CSK4, a TLR2 agonist. We found that the MRSA-pneumonia mouse model, pretreated with Pam3CSK4, had reduced bacteria and mortality in comparison to control mice. As well, lower protein and mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were observed in lungs and bronchus of the Pam3CSK4 pretreatment group. Conversely, expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, but not TGF-β, increased in Pam3CSK4-pretreated mice. Our additional studies showed that CXCL-2 and CXCL1, which are necessary for neutrophil recruitment, were less evident in the Pam3CSK4-pretreated group compared to control group, whereas the expression of Fcγ receptors (FcγⅠ/Ⅲ) and complement receptors (CR1/3) increased in murine lungs. Furthermore, we found that increased survival and improved bacterial clearance were not a result of higher levels of neutrophil infiltration, but rather a result of enhanced phagocytosis and bactericidal activity of neutrophils in vitro and in vivo as well as increased robust oxidative activity and release of lactoferrin. Our cumulative findings suggest that Pam3CSK4 could be a novel immunotherapeutic candidate against MRSA pneumonia.

Polymorphonuclear neutrophil in brain parenchyma after experimental intracerebral hemorrhage

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) infiltration into brain parenchyma after cerebrovascular accidents is viewed as a key component of secondary brain injury. Interestingly, a recent study of ischemic stroke suggests that after ischemic stroke, PMNs do not enter brain parenchyma and as such may cause no harm to the brain. Thus, the present study was designed to determine PMNs' behavior after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Using the autologous blood injection model of ICH in rats and immunohistochemistry for PMNs and vascular components, we evaluated the temporal and spatial PMNs distribution in the ICH-affected brain. We found that, similar to ischemia, there is a robust increase in presence of PMNs in the ICH-injured tissue that lasts for at least 1 to 2 weeks. However, in contrast to what was suggested for ischemia, besides PMNs that stay in association with the vasculature, after ICH, we found abundance of intraparenchymal PMNs (with no obvious association with vessels) in the ICH core and hematoma border, especially between 1 and 7 days after the ictus. Interestingly, the increased presence of intraparenchymal PMNs after ICH coincided with the massive loss of microvascular integrity, suggesting vascular disruption as a potential cause of PMNs presence in the brain parenchyma. Our study indicates that in contrast to ischemic stroke, after ICH, PMNs target not only vascular compartment but also brain parenchyma in the affected brain. As such, it is possible that the pathogenic role and therapeutic implications of targeting PMNs after ICH could be different from these after ischemic stroke. Our work suggests the needs for more studies addressing the role of PMNs in ICH.