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Signori D, Magliocca A, Hayashida K, Graw JA, Malhotra R, Bellani G, Berra L, Rezoagli E. Inhaled nitric oxide: role in the pathophysiology of cardio-cerebrovascular and respiratory diseases. Intensive Care Med Exp 2022; 10:28. [PMID: 35754072 PMCID: PMC9234017 DOI: 10.1186/s40635-022-00455-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a key molecule in the biology of human life. NO is involved in the physiology of organ viability and in the pathophysiology of organ dysfunction, respectively. In this narrative review, we aimed at elucidating the mechanisms behind the role of NO in the respiratory and cardio-cerebrovascular systems, in the presence of a healthy or dysfunctional endothelium. NO is a key player in maintaining multiorgan viability with adequate organ blood perfusion. We report on its physiological endogenous production and effects in the circulation and within the lungs, as well as the pathophysiological implication of its disturbances related to NO depletion and excess. The review covers from preclinical information about endogenous NO produced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) to the potential therapeutic role of exogenous NO (inhaled nitric oxide, iNO). Moreover, the importance of NO in several clinical conditions in critically ill patients such as hypoxemia, pulmonary hypertension, hemolysis, cerebrovascular events and ischemia-reperfusion syndrome is evaluated in preclinical and clinical settings. Accordingly, the mechanism behind the beneficial iNO treatment in hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension is investigated. Furthermore, investigating the pathophysiology of brain injury, cardiopulmonary bypass, and red blood cell and artificial hemoglobin transfusion provides a focus on the potential role of NO as a protective molecule in multiorgan dysfunction. Finally, the preclinical toxicology of iNO and the antimicrobial role of NO-including its recent investigation on its role against the Sars-CoV2 infection during the COVID-19 pandemic-are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Signori
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Aurora Magliocca
- Department of Medical Physiopathology and Transplants, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Kei Hayashida
- Laboratory for Critical Care Physiology, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health System, Manhasset, NY, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, North Shore University Hospital, Northwell Health System, Manhasset, NY, USA
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jan A Graw
- Department of Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine, CCM/CVK Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- ARDS/ECMO Centrum Charité, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rajeev Malhotra
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giacomo Bellani
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Department of Emergency and Intensive Care, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Berra
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Respiratory Care Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emanuele Rezoagli
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
- Department of Emergency and Intensive Care, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
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Sompol P, Norris CM. Ca 2+, Astrocyte Activation and Calcineurin/NFAT Signaling in Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Aging Neurosci 2018; 10:199. [PMID: 30038565 PMCID: PMC6046440 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mounting evidence supports a fundamental role for Ca2+ dysregulation in astrocyte activation. Though the activated astrocyte phenotype is complex, cell-type targeting approaches have revealed a number of detrimental roles of activated astrocytes involving neuroinflammation, release of synaptotoxic factors and loss of glutamate regulation. Work from our lab and others has suggested that the Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein phosphatase, calcineurin (CN), provides a critical link between Ca2+ dysregulation and the activated astrocyte phenotype. A proteolyzed, hyperactivated form of CN appears at high levels in activated astrocytes in both human tissue and rodent tissue around regions of amyloid and vascular pathology. Similar upregulation of the CN-dependent transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT4) also appears in activated astrocytes in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (ADs) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Major consequences of hyperactivated CN/NFAT4 signaling in astrocytes are neuroinflammation, synapse dysfunction and glutamate dysregulation/excitotoxicity, which will be covered in this review article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradoldej Sompol
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Christopher M Norris
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
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Hoseth EZ, Krull F, Dieset I, Mørch RH, Hope S, Gardsjord ES, Steen NE, Melle I, Brattbakk HR, Steen VM, Aukrust P, Djurovic S, Andreassen OA, Ueland T. Exploring the Wnt signaling pathway in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:55. [PMID: 29507296 PMCID: PMC5838215 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0102-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Wnt signaling pathway plays a crucial role in neurodevelopment and in regulating the function and structure of the adult nervous system. Schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) are severe mental disorders with evidence of subtle neurodevelopmental, structural and functional neuronal abnormalities. We aimed to elucidate the role of aberrant regulation of the Wnt system in these disorders by evaluating plasma levels of secreted Wnt modulators in patients (SCZ = 551 and BD = 246) and healthy controls (HCs = 639) using enzyme immune-assay. We also investigated the expression of 141 Wnt-related genes in whole blood in a subsample (SCZ = 338, BD = 241, and HCs = 263) using microarray analysis. Both SCZ and BD had dysregulated mRNA expression of Wnt-related genes favoring attenuated canonical (beta-catenin-dependent) signaling, and there were also indices of enhanced non-canonical Wnt signaling. In particular, FZD7, which may activate all Wnt pathways, but favors non-canonical signaling, and NFATc3, a downstream transcription factor and readout of the non-canonical Wnt/Ca2+ pathway, were significantly increased in SCZ and BD (p < 3 × 10-4). Furthermore, patients had lower plasma levels of soluble dickkopf 1 and sclerostin (p < 0.01) compared with HC. Our findings suggest that SCZ and BD are characterized by abnormal Wnt gene expression and plasma protein levels, and we propose that drugs targeting the Wnt pathway may have a role in the treatment of severe mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Z. Hoseth
- 0000 0004 0389 8485grid.55325.34NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, and Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway ,Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Møre and Romsdal Hospital Trust, Kristiansund, Norway
| | - Florian Krull
- 0000 0004 0389 8485grid.55325.34NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, and Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingrid Dieset
- 0000 0004 0389 8485grid.55325.34NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, and Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragni H. Mørch
- 0000 0004 0389 8485grid.55325.34NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, and Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sigrun Hope
- 0000 0004 0389 8485grid.55325.34NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, and Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway ,0000 0004 0389 8485grid.55325.34Departent of Neurohabilitation, Division of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Erlend S. Gardsjord
- 0000 0004 0389 8485grid.55325.34NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, and Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nils Eiel Steen
- 0000 0004 0389 8485grid.55325.34NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, and Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingrid Melle
- 0000 0004 0389 8485grid.55325.34NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, and Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hans-Richard Brattbakk
- 0000 0004 1936 7443grid.7914.bNORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Oslo, Norway ,0000 0000 9753 1393grid.412008.fDr. Einar Martens Research Group for Biological Psychiatry, Center for Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Vidar M. Steen
- 0000 0004 1936 7443grid.7914.bNORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Oslo, Norway ,0000 0000 9753 1393grid.412008.fDr. Einar Martens Research Group for Biological Psychiatry, Center for Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pål Aukrust
- 0000 0004 0389 8485grid.55325.34Research Institute for Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway ,0000 0004 0389 8485grid.55325.34Section of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway ,0000 0004 0389 8485grid.55325.34Instiute of Clinical Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway ,0000 0004 1936 8921grid.5510.1K.G. Jensen Inflammatory Research Center, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Srdjan Djurovic
- 0000 0004 0389 8485grid.55325.34Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway ,0000 0004 1936 7443grid.7914.bNORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ole A. Andreassen
- 0000 0004 0389 8485grid.55325.34NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, and Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Thor Ueland
- Research Institute for Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway. .,Instiute of Clinical Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway. .,K.G. Jensen Inflammatory Research Center, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. .,K. G. Jebsen Thrombosis Research and Expertise Center, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway.
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Marballi KK, Gallitano AL. Immediate Early Genes Anchor a Biological Pathway of Proteins Required for Memory Formation, Long-Term Depression and Risk for Schizophrenia. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:23. [PMID: 29520222 PMCID: PMC5827560 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
While the causes of myriad medical and infectious illnesses have been identified, the etiologies of neuropsychiatric illnesses remain elusive. This is due to two major obstacles. First, the risk for neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, is determined by both genetic and environmental factors. Second, numerous genes influence susceptibility for these illnesses. Genome-wide association studies have identified at least 108 genomic loci for schizophrenia, and more are expected to be published shortly. In addition, numerous biological processes contribute to the neuropathology underlying schizophrenia. These include immune dysfunction, synaptic and myelination deficits, vascular abnormalities, growth factor disruption, and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction. However, the field of psychiatric genetics lacks a unifying model to explain how environment may interact with numerous genes to influence these various biological processes and cause schizophrenia. Here we describe a biological cascade of proteins that are activated in response to environmental stimuli such as stress, a schizophrenia risk factor. The central proteins in this pathway are critical mediators of memory formation and a particular form of hippocampal synaptic plasticity, long-term depression (LTD). Each of these proteins is also implicated in schizophrenia risk. In fact, the pathway includes four genes that map to the 108 loci associated with schizophrenia: GRIN2A, nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFATc3), early growth response 1 (EGR1) and NGFI-A Binding Protein 2 (NAB2); each of which contains the "Index single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)" (most SNP) at its respective locus. Environmental stimuli activate this biological pathway in neurons, resulting in induction of EGR immediate early genes: EGR1, EGR3 and NAB2. We hypothesize that dysfunction in any of the genes in this pathway disrupts the normal activation of Egrs in response to stress. This may result in insufficient electrophysiologic, immunologic, and neuroprotective, processes that these genes normally mediate. Continued adverse environmental experiences, over time, may thereby result in neuropathology that gives rise to the symptoms of schizophrenia. By combining multiple genes associated with schizophrenia susceptibility, in a functional cascade triggered by neuronal activity, the proposed biological pathway provides an explanation for both the polygenic and environmental influences that determine the complex etiology of this mental illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ketan K. Marballi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences and Psychiatry, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Amelia L. Gallitano
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences and Psychiatry, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, United States
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5
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Xu M, Fan Q, Zhang J, Chen Y, Xu R, Chen L, Zhao P, Tian Y. NFAT3/c4-mediated excitotoxicity in hippocampal apoptosis during radiation-induced brain injury. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2017; 58:827-833. [PMID: 28992110 PMCID: PMC5710526 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rrx041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Whole brain irradiation (WBI) has become an indispensible tool in the treatment of head and neck cancer, and it has greatly improved patient survival rate and total survival time. In addition, prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) has dramatically decreased the incidence of brain metastatic carcinoma. However, WBI may induce temporary functional deficits or even progressive, irreversible cognitive dysfunction that compromises the quality of life for survivors. Unfortunately, the exact molecular mechanisms for cognitive damage remain elusive, and no treatment or preventative measures are available for use in the clinic. In the present study, the nuclear factor of activated T cells isoform 4 (NFAT3/c4) was found to play a vital role in excitotoxic hippocampus cell apoptosis induced by radiation. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats received 20 Gy WBI, after which we detected NFAT3/c4-mediated excitotoxicity. We found that radiation caused hippocampus excitotoxicity, resulting from overactivation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and always accompanied by subsequent elevation of the intracellular calcium level and activation of calcineurin (CaN). P-NFAT3/c4 was the principal downstream target of CaN, including regulation of its nuclear translocation as well as transcriptional activities. Radiation recruited NMDAR/NFAT3/c4 activation and subsequent Bax induction in hippocampus cells. Once treated with the NFAT3/c4 inhibitor 11R-VIVIT peptide pre-irradiation, hippocampal proliferation and neuron survival (dentate gyrus cells in particular) were protected from radiation-induced injury, resulting in inhibition of the apoptosis marker Bax. Our principal aim was to illuminate the role of NFAT3/c4-mediated excitotoxicity in hippocampal apoptosis during radiation-induced brain injury. This study is the first time that radiation-induced activation of NFAT3/c4 has been recorded, and our results suggest that NFAT3/c4 may be a novel target for prevention and treatment of radiation-induced brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiling Xu
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, San Xiang Road No. 1055, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, China
| | - Qiuhong Fan
- Institute of Radiotherapy & Oncology, Soochow University
| | - Junjun Zhang
- Suzhou Key Laboratory for Radiation Oncology, San Xiang Road No. 1055, Suzhou 215004, China
| | - Yanfang Chen
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, San Xiang Road No. 1055, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, China
| | - Ruizhe Xu
- Institute of Radiotherapy & Oncology, Soochow University
| | - Liesong Chen
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, San Xiang Road No. 1055, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, China
| | - Peifeng Zhao
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, San Xiang Road No. 1055, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, China
| | - Ye Tian
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, San Xiang Road No. 1055, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, China
- Corresponding author. Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, San Xiang Road No. 1055, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, China. Tel.: +86-512-6778-3430; Fax: +86-512-6828-4303; E-mail:
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6
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Song N, Wang X, Gui L, Raza SHA, Luoreng Z, Zan L. MicroRNA-214 regulates immunity-related genes in bovine mammary epithelial cells by targeting NFATc3 and TRAF3. Mol Cell Probes 2017. [PMID: 28627449 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In human, microRNA-214 (miR-214) plays crucial roles in mechanisms of immunity. However, the potential importance of miR-214 in immune mechanisms in dairy cows has not been investigated. In this study, we assessed potential immunity-related functions of miR-214 in human 293A cells and in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs). We found that NFATc3 and TRAF3 could be targeted by miR-214 in both 293A cells and BMECs. We also found that miR-214 indirectly inhibited the expression of MAP3K14, TBK1 and inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β. Taken together, our data revealed miR-214 regulated immunity-related genes by targeting NFATc3 and TRAF3, which provides insight into the molecular basis of immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Song
- College of Animal Science and Technology, National Beef Cattle Improvement Center, Northwest A&F University, Yangling Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xingping Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, National Beef Cattle Improvement Center, Northwest A&F University, Yangling Shaanxi 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Zoology in Hunan Higher Education, College of Life Science, Hunan University of Arts and Science, Changde Hunan 415000, China
| | - Linsheng Gui
- College of Animal Science and Technology, National Beef Cattle Improvement Center, Northwest A&F University, Yangling Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Sayed Haidar Abbas Raza
- College of Animal Science and Technology, National Beef Cattle Improvement Center, Northwest A&F University, Yangling Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Zhuoma Luoreng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, National Beef Cattle Improvement Center, Northwest A&F University, Yangling Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Linsen Zan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, National Beef Cattle Improvement Center, Northwest A&F University, Yangling Shaanxi 712100, China.
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Manocha GD, Ghatak A, Puig KL, Kraner SD, Norris CM, Combs CK. NFATc2 Modulates Microglial Activation in the AβPP/PS1 Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2017; 58:775-787. [PMID: 28505967 PMCID: PMC6265241 DOI: 10.3233/jad-151203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains are characterized by fibrillar amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide containing plaques and associated reactive microglia. The proinflammatory phenotype of the microglia suggests that they may negatively affect disease course and contribute to behavioral decline. This hypothesis predicts that attenuating microglial activation may provide benefit against disease. Prior work from our laboratory and others has characterized a role for the transcription factor, nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), in regulating microglial phenotype in response to different stimuli, including Aβ peptide. We observed that the NFATc2 isoform was the most highly expressed in murine microglia cultures, and inhibition or deletion of NFATc2 was sufficient to attenuate the ability of the microglia to secrete cytokines. In order to determine whether the NFATc2 isoform, in particular, was a valid immunomodulatory target in vivo, we crossed an NFATc2-/- line to a well-known AD mouse model, an AβPP/PS1 mouse line. As expected, the AβPP/PS1 x NFATc2-/- mice had attenuated cytokine levels compared to AβPP/PS1 mice as well as reduced microgliosis and astrogliosis with no effect on plaque load. Although some species differences in relative isoform expression may exist between murine and human microglia, it appears that microglial NFAT activity is a viable target for modulating the proinflammatory changes that occur during AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunjan D. Manocha
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Atreyi Ghatak
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Kendra L. Puig
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Susan D. Kraner
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences and the Sanders Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Christopher M. Norris
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences and the Sanders Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Colin K. Combs
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND, USA
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The Emerging Roles of the Calcineurin-Nuclear Factor of Activated T-Lymphocytes Pathway in Nervous System Functions and Diseases. J Aging Res 2016; 2016:5081021. [PMID: 27597899 PMCID: PMC5002468 DOI: 10.1155/2016/5081021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The ongoing epidemics of metabolic diseases and increase in the older population have increased the incidences of neurodegenerative diseases. Evidence from murine and cell line models has implicated calcineurin-nuclear factor of activated T-lymphocytes (NFAT) signaling pathway, a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent major proinflammatory pathway, in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Neurotoxins such as amyloid-β, tau protein, and α-synuclein trigger abnormal calcineurin/NFAT signaling activities. Additionally increased activities of endogenous regulators of calcineurin like plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) and regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1) also cause neuronal and glial loss and related functional alterations, in neurodegenerative diseases, psychotic disorders, epilepsy, and traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. Treatment with calcineurin/NFAT inhibitors induces some degree of neuroprotection and decreased reactive gliosis in the central and peripheral nervous system. In this paper, we summarize and discuss the current understanding of the roles of calcineurin/NFAT signaling in physiology and pathologies of the adult and developing nervous system, with an emphasis on recent reports and cutting-edge findings. Calcineurin/NFAT signaling is known for its critical roles in the developing and adult nervous system. Its role in physiological and pathological processes is still controversial. However, available data suggest that its beneficial and detrimental effects are context-dependent. In view of recent reports calcineurin/NFAT signaling is likely to serve as a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases and conditions. This review further highlights the need to characterize better all factors determining the outcome of calcineurin/NFAT signaling in diseases and the downstream targets mediating the beneficial and detrimental effects.
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Blockade of Astrocytic Calcineurin/NFAT Signaling Helps to Normalize Hippocampal Synaptic Function and Plasticity in a Rat Model of Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neurosci 2016; 36:1502-15. [PMID: 26843634 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1930-15.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Increasing evidence suggests that the calcineurin (CN)-dependent transcription factor NFAT (Nuclear Factor of Activated T cells) mediates deleterious effects of astrocytes in progressive neurodegenerative conditions. However, the impact of astrocytic CN/NFAT signaling on neural function/recovery after acute injury has not been investigated extensively. Using a controlled cortical impact (CCI) procedure in rats, we show that traumatic brain injury is associated with an increase in the activities of NFATs 1 and 4 in the hippocampus at 7 d after injury. NFAT4, but not NFAT1, exhibited extensive labeling in astrocytes and was found throughout the axon/dendrite layers of CA1 and the dentate gyrus. Blockade of the astrocytic CN/NFAT pathway in rats using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors expressing the astrocyte-specific promoter Gfa2 and the NFAT-inhibitory peptide VIVIT prevented the injury-related loss of basal CA1 synaptic strength and key synaptic proteins and reduced the susceptibility to induction of long-term depression. In conjunction with these seemingly beneficial effects, VIVIT treatment elicited a marked increase in the expression of the prosynaptogenic factor SPARCL1 (hevin), especially in hippocampal tissue ipsilateral to the CCI injury. However, in contrast to previous work on Alzheimer's mouse models, AAV-Gfa2-VIVIT had no effects on the levels of GFAP and Iba1, suggesting that synaptic benefits of VIVIT were not attributable to a reduction in glial activation per se. Together, the results implicate the astrocytic CN/NFAT4 pathway as a key mechanism for disrupting synaptic remodeling and homeostasis in the hippocampus after acute injury. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Similar to microglia, astrocytes become strongly "activated" with neural damage and exhibit numerous morphologic/biochemical changes, including an increase in the expression/activity of the protein phosphatase calcineurin. Using adeno-associated virus (AAV) to inhibit the calcineurin-dependent activation of the transcription factor NFAT (Nuclear Factor of Activated T cells) selectively, we have shown that activated astrocytes contribute to neural dysfunction in animal models characterized by progressive/chronic neuropathology. Here, we show that the suppression of astrocytic calcineurin/NFATs helps to protect synaptic function and plasticity in an animal model in which pathology arises from a single traumatic brain injury. The findings suggest that at least some astrocyte functions impair recovery after trauma and may provide druggable targets for treating victims of acute nervous system injury.
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Girgis F, Pace J, Sweet J, Miller JP. Hippocampal Neurophysiologic Changes after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Potential Neuromodulation Treatment Approaches. Front Syst Neurosci 2016; 10:8. [PMID: 26903824 PMCID: PMC4746250 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2016.00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability in individuals below age 45, and five million Americans live with chronic disability as a result. Mild TBI (mTBI), defined as TBI in the absence of major imaging or histopathological defects, is responsible for a majority of cases. Despite the lack of overt morphological defects, victims of mTBI frequently suffer lasting cognitive deficits, memory difficulties, and behavioral disturbances. There is increasing evidence that cognitive and memory dysfunction is related to subtle physiological changes that occur in the hippocampus, and these impact both the phenotype of deficits observed and subsequent recovery. Therapeutic modulation of physiological activity by means of medications commonly used for other indications or brain stimulation may represent novel treatment approaches. This review summarizes the present body of knowledge regarding neurophysiologic changes that occur in the hippocampus after mTBI, as well as potential targets for therapeutic modulation of neurologic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fady Girgis
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jonathan Pace
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jennifer Sweet
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jonathan P Miller
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH, USA
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Norris CM, Sompol P, Roberts KN, Ansari M, Scheff SW. Pycnogenol protects CA3-CA1 synaptic function in a rat model of traumatic brain injury. Exp Neurol 2015; 276:5-12. [PMID: 26607913 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Pycnogenol (PYC) is a patented mix of bioflavonoids with potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Previously, we showed that PYC administration to rats within hours after a controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury significantly protects against the loss of several synaptic proteins in the hippocampus. Here, we investigated the effects of PYC on CA3-CA1 synaptic function following CCI. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats received an ipsilateral CCI injury followed 15 min later by intravenous injection of saline vehicle or PYC (10 mg/kg). Hippocampal slices from the injured (ipsilateral) and uninjured (contralateral) hemispheres were prepared at seven and fourteen days post-CCI for electrophysiological analyses of CA3-CA1 synaptic function and induction of long-term depression (LTD). Basal synaptic strength was impaired in slices from the ipsilateral, relative to the contralateral, hemisphere at seven days post-CCI and susceptibility to LTD was enhanced in the ipsilateral hemisphere at both post-injury timepoints. No interhemispheric differences in basal synaptic strength or LTD induction were observed in rats treated with PYC. The results show that PYC preserves synaptic function after CCI and provides further rationale for investigating the use of PYC as a therapeutic in humans suffering from neurotrauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Norris
- Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, United States; Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, United States.
| | - Pradoldej Sompol
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, United States.
| | - Kelly N Roberts
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, United States.
| | - Mubeen Ansari
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, United States.
| | - Stephen W Scheff
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, United States; Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, United States.
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12
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Li G, Yan W, Dang Y, Li J, Liu C, Wang J. The role of calcineurin signaling in microcystin-LR triggered neuronal toxicity. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11271. [PMID: 26059982 PMCID: PMC4462030 DOI: 10.1038/srep11271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Microcystin-LR (MCLR) is a commonly acting potent hepatotoxin and has been pointed out of potentially causing neurotoxicity, but the exact mechanisms of action still remain unclear. Using proteomic analysis, forty-five proteins were identified to be significantly altered in hippocampal neurons of rats treated with MCLR. Among them, Ca(2+)-activated phosphatase calcineurin (CaN) and the nuclear factor of activated T-cells isoform c3 (NFATc3) were up-regulated remarkably. Validation of the changes in CaN and NFATc3 expression by Western blotting demonstrated CaN cleavage and subsequent NFATc3 nuclear translocation were generated, suggesting that exposure to MCLR leads to activation of CaN, which in turn activates NFATc3. Activation of CaN signaling has been reported to result in apoptosis via dephosphorylation of the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family member Bad. In agreement with this, our results revealed that treatment of neurons with the CaN inhibitor FK506 blocked the reduction in Bad dephosphorylation and cytochrome c (cyt c) release triggered by MCLR. Consistent with these biochemical results, we observed a marked decrease in apoptotic and necrotic cell death after MCLR exposure in the presence of FK506, supporting the hypothesis that MCLR appeared to cause neuronal toxicity by activation of CaN and the CaN-mediated mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyu Li
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Wei Yan
- Institute of Agricultural Quality Standards & Testing Technology, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
| | - Yao Dang
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jing Li
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Chunsheng Liu
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jianghua Wang
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
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Kim MS, Shutov LP, Gnanasekaran A, Lin Z, Rysted JE, Ulrich JD, Usachev YM. Nerve growth factor (NGF) regulates activity of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) in neurons via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) pathway. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:31349-60. [PMID: 25231981 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.587188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ca(2+)/calcineurin-dependent transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) plays an important role in regulating many neuronal functions, including excitability, axonal growth, synaptogenesis, and neuronal survival. NFAT can be activated by action potential firing or depolarization that leads to Ca(2+)/calcineurin-dependent dephosphorylation of NFAT and its translocation to the nucleus. Recent data suggest that NFAT and NFAT-dependent functions in neurons can also be potently regulated by NGF and other neurotrophins. However, the mechanisms of NFAT regulation by neurotrophins are not well understood. Here, we show that in dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons, NGF markedly facilitates NFAT-mediated gene expression induced by mild depolarization. The effects of NGF were not associated with changes in [Ca(2+)]i and were independent of phospholipase C activity. Instead, the facilitatory effect of NGF depended on activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway downstream of the TrkA receptor and on inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), a protein kinase known to phosphorylate NFAT and promote its nuclear export. Knockdown or knockout of NFATc3 eliminated this facilitatory effect. Simultaneous monitoring of EGFP-NFATc3 nuclear translocation and [Ca(2+)]i changes in dorsal root ganglion neurons indicated that NGF slowed the rate of NFATc3 nuclear export but did not affect its nuclear import rate. Collectively, our data suggest that NGF facilitates depolarization-induced NFAT activation by stimulating PI3K/Akt signaling, inactivating GSK3β, and thereby slowing NFATc3 export from the nucleus. We propose that NFAT serves as an integrator of neurotrophin action and depolarization-driven calcium signaling to regulate neuronal gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man-Su Kim
- From the Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 and the College of Pharmacy, Inje University, Gimhae 621-749, Korea
| | - Leonid P Shutov
- From the Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 and
| | - Aswini Gnanasekaran
- From the Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 and
| | - Zhihong Lin
- From the Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 and
| | - Jacob E Rysted
- From the Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 and
| | - Jason D Ulrich
- From the Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 and
| | - Yuriy M Usachev
- From the Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 and
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14
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Furman JL, Norris CM. Calcineurin and glial signaling: neuroinflammation and beyond. J Neuroinflammation 2014; 11:158. [PMID: 25199950 PMCID: PMC4172899 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-014-0158-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2014] [Accepted: 08/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Similar to peripheral immune/inflammatory cells, neuroglial cells appear to rely on calcineurin (CN) signaling pathways to regulate cytokine production and cellular activation. Several studies suggest that harmful immune/inflammatory responses may be the most impactful consequence of aberrant CN activity in glial cells. However, newly identified roles for CN in glutamate uptake, gap junction regulation, Ca2+ dyshomeostasis, and amyloid production suggest that CN's influence in glia may extend well beyond neuroinflammation. The following review will discuss the various actions of CN in glial cells, with particular emphasis on astrocytes, and consider the implications for neurologic dysfunction arising with aging, injury, and/or neurodegenerative disease.
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