Associations of inflammatory markers and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 with endothelial dysfunction in collagen-induced arthritis

Regional Changes in Brain Biomolecular Markers in a Collagen-Induced Arthritis Rat Model

BACKGROUND

The effects of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a model of systemic inflammation, on brain regional molecular markers associated with neurological disorders are uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the brain regional molecular changes in markers associated with inflammation and neuronal dysfunction in a CIA model.

METHODS

Fourteen male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into control (n = 5) or CIA (n = 9) groups. 10 weeks after CIA induction, brain tissue was collected. Brain regional mRNA expression of inflammatory markers (IL-1β and IL-6), apoptotic markers (BAX and Bcl2) and neurotrophic factors (BDNF, CREB and TrkB) was determined. Monoamine distribution and abundance in different brain regions were determine by mass spectrometry imaging (MSI).

RESULTS

Neuroinflammation was confirmed in the CIA group by increased IL-β mRNA expression, concurrent with an increased BAX/Bcl2 ratio. The mRNA expression of CREB was increased in the midbrain and hippocampus while BDNF was increased and TrkB was decreased across all brain regions in CIA compared to control animals. Serotonin was decreased in the midbrain and hippocampus while dopamine was decreased in the striatum of CIA rats, compared to controls.

CONCLUSION

CIA resulted in neuroinflammation concurrent with an apoptotic state and aberrant expression of neurotrophic factors and monoamines in the brain, suggestive of neurodegeneration.

Effects of local cryotherapy on systemic endothelial activation, dysfunction, and vascular inflammation in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rats

Aim

This study explored the systemic vascular effects of local cryotherapy with a focus on endothelial changes and arterial inflammation in the model of rat adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA).

Methods

Cryotherapy was applied twice a day on hind paws of AIA rats from the onset of arthritis to the acute inflammatory phase. Endothelial activation was studied in the aorta by measuring the mRNA levels of chemokines (CXCL-1, MCP-1 (CCL-2), MIP-1α (CCL-3)) and adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1) by qRT-PCR. Endothelial dysfunction was measured in isolated aortic and mesenteric rings. Aortic inflammation was evaluated via the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) by qRT-PCR and leucocyte infiltration analysis (flow cytometry). Plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-17A, and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were measured using Multiplex/ELISA.

Results

AIA was associated with an increased aortic expression of CXCL-1 and ICAM-1 as well as an infiltration of leucocytes and increased mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Local cryotherapy, which decreased arthritis score and structural damages, reduced aortic mRNA expression of CXCL-1, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, as well as aortic infiltration of leucocytes (T lymphocytes, monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils) and improved acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation in the aorta and mesenteric arteries. Plasma levels of IL-17A and OPG were significantly reduced by cryotherapy, while the number of circulating leucocytes was not. IL-17A levels positively correlated with endothelial activation and dysfunction.

Conclusion

In the AIA model, local cryotherapy reduced systemic endothelial activation, immune cell infiltration, and endothelial dysfunction. Mechanistically, the reduction of circulating levels of IL-17A appears as the possible link between joint cooling and the remote vascular effects.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13075-022-02774-1.

Advances in the Role of Endothelial Cells in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) poses a serious socio-economic burden due to its high prevalence and severe impact on the quality of life of elderly patients. Pathological changes in CSVD mainly influence small cerebral arteries, microarteries, capillaries, and small veins, which are usually caused by multiple vascular risk factors. CSVD is often identified on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by recent small subcortical infarcts, white matter hyperintensities, lacune, cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), enlarged perivascular spaces (ePVSs), and brain atrophy. Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction is earlier than clinical symptoms. Immune activation, inflammation, and oxidative stress may be potential mechanisms of EC injury. ECs of the blood–brain–barrier (BBB) are the most important part of the neurovascular unit (NVU) that ensures constant blood flow to the brain. Impaired cerebral vascular autoregulation and disrupted BBB cause cumulative brain damage. This review will focus on the role of EC injury in CSVD. Furthermore, several specific biomarkers will be discussed, which may be useful for us to assess the endothelial dysfunction and explore new therapeutic directions.

The effect of TNF-α inhibitor treatment on microRNAs and endothelial function in collagen induced arthritis

Chronic inflammation causes dysregulated expression of microRNAs. Aberrant microRNA expression is associated with endothelial dysfunction. In this study we determined whether TNF-α inhibition impacted the expression of miRNA-146a-5p and miRNA-155-5p, and whether changes in the expression of these miRNAs were related to inflammation-induced changes in endothelial function in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Sixty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control (n = 24), CIA (n = 24) and CIA+etanercept (n = 16) groups. CIA and CIA+etanercept groups were immunized with bovine type-II collagen, emulsified in incomplete Freund’s adjuvant. Upon signs of arthritis, the CIA+etanercept group received 10mg/kg of etanercept intraperitoneally, every three days. After six weeks of treatment, mesenteric artery vascular reactivity was assessed using wire-myography. Serum concentrations of TNF-α, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) were measured by ELISA. Relative expression of circulating miRNA-146a-5p and miRNA-155-5p were determined using RT-qPCR. Compared to controls, circulating miRNA-155-5p, VCAM-1 and PTX-3 concentrations were increased, and vessel relaxation was impaired in the CIA (all p<0.05), but not in the CIA+etanercept (all p<0.05) groups. The CIA group had greater miRNA-146a-5p expression compared to the CIA+etanercept group (p = 0.005). Independent of blood pressure, miRNA-146a-5p expression was associated with increased PTX-3 concentrations (p = 0.03), while miRNA-155-5p expression was associated with impaired vessel relaxation (p = 0.01). In conclusion, blocking circulating TNF-α impacted systemic inflammation-induced increased expression of miRNA-146a-5p and miRNA-155-5p, which were associated with endothelial inflammation and impaired endothelial dependent vasorelaxation, respectively.

Pitavastatin maintains MAPK7 expression and alleviates angiotensin II-induced vascular endothelial cell inflammation and injury

Statins have been reported to suppress vascular remodeling in rats with spontaneous hypertension. However, the possible effects of the statin pitavastatin on hypertension-induced endothelial inflammation and injury remain to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of pitavastatin on HUVEC injury and inflammation. HUVECs were exposed to angiotensin (Ang) II with or without pitavastatin co-treatment, after which MAPK7 expression was detected via reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting. MAPK7 expression was additionally silenced in HUVECs via transfection with short hairpin RNA, followed by Ang II treatment with or without pitavastatin. Cell viability, inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, nitric oxide (NO) production and cell apoptosis were then measured by using Cell Conting Kit-8, ELISA, commercial corresponding kits and TUNEL staining, respectively. Western blotting was also used to determine the protein expression of endothelial NO synthase and endothelin 1, and the proteins involved in apoptosis. Results of the present study demonstrated that the expression levels of MAPK7 in Ang II-induced endothelial cells were decreased, which was reversed following treatment with pitavastatin. Pitavastatin reversed the Ang II-induced reduction in cell viability and reversed the Ang II-induced increase in inflammatory factor and ROS levels and apoptosis in HUVECs by activating MAPK7. Treatment with pitavastatin also increased the production of NO in addition to increasing the expression of endothelial NO synthase and endothelin-1 in Ang II-induced HUVECs through MAPK7 activation. Collectively, results from the present study demonstrated that treatment with pitavastatin preserves MAPK7 expression to alleviate Ang II-induced vascular endothelial cell inflammation and injury. Therefore, findings of the present study may help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effects of pitavastatin on vascular endothelial cell inflammation and injury.

Parecoxib ameliorates renal toxicity and injury in sepsis-induced mouse model and LPS-induced HK-2 cells

Parecoxib is a selective COX-2-specific inhibitor, which has been demonstrated to inhibit sepsis-induced systemic inflammation, but its role in sepsis-induced acute kidney injury has not been studied. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Parecoxib on sepsis-induced acute kidney injury. In this study, the mice sepsis model was established using an internationally recognized cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to examine kidney injury. Biochemical kit was used to detect the expression of BUN and Cre in serum, and ELISA was used to detect the expression of inflammatory factors in renal tissue. Tunel staining was used to detect tissue apoptosis. Furthermore, CCK-8 assay was used to detect the cell viability of HK-2 cells and RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of LPS-induced inflammatory factors in HK-2 cells.TUNEL staining was used to detect the level of cell apoptosis. Finally, the expressions of COX-2, p-NF-kB P65, p-IKKβ, NF-kB P65, IKKβ, Kim1, NGAL, iNOS, VEGF, VEGFR2, CD31 and apoptosis-related proteins in renal tissues and HK-2 cells were detected by Western blot. We discovered that parecoxib could alleviate renal pathological changes, reduce renal function injury, and inhibit renal pathology to inhibit the release of inflammatory factors in renal tissue. Parecoxib inhibited sepsis induced microvascular damage and apoptosis in renal tissue. Parecoxib reduced the inflammation and apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells induced by LPS. Our data suggest that Parecoxib ameliorates sepsis-induced kidney injury, and may have potential as a novel therapeutic method for treating sepsis-induced kidney injury.

Infliximab and tocilizumab reduce anxiety-like behavior, improve cognitive performance and reverse neuropathological alterations in juvenile rats with severe autoimmune arthritis

Several studies have demonstrated that rheumatic diseases, including Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), are associated with anxiety-like behavior and a cognitive decline. Infliximab, a Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-a) inhibitor, and tocilizumab, an antibody against Interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor, are commonly used in the treatment of JIA. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effects of infliximab and tocilizumab on anxiety symptoms and cognitive function in a juvenile model of severe autoimmune arthritis. We found that both infliximab and tocilizumab improved anxiety-like behavior in the elevated-plus and elevated-zero maze tests. Tocilizumab, also, improved cognitive performance in the passive avoidance and olfactory social memory tests. Histological examination showed that anti-cytokine treatment reversed the histopathological alterations in the brain induced by arthritis. Further, infliximab and tocilizumab treatment increased Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) expression in the hippocampal and amygdaloid area of rat brain. In summary, our findings provide evidence that infliximab and tocilizumab have a beneficial effect on anxiety-like behavior and cognitive function and alleviate neuropathological alterations in a juvenile rat model of severe arthritis, suggesting that inhibition of TNF-a and IL-6 in the periphery, may be associated with a mood and memory enhancement in JIA patients.

Infliximab and Tocilizumab Reduce Anxiety-Like Behaviour and Improve Cognitive Performance in a Juvenile Collagen-Induced Arthritis Rat Model

Anxiety disorders and cognitive decline are highly prevalent in rheumatic diseases, including Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). In this study, we investigated the effect of long-term treatment with infliximab and tocilizumab on anxiety-like behaviour and cognitive performance in a juvenile collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model. Forty-nine rats with established moderate arthritis were randomly allocated into 7 equal groups: negative control, vehicle, methotrexate, infliximab, tocilizumab, methotrexate + infliximab and methotrexate + tocilizumab groups. Behavioural tests were performed to evaluate anxiety-like behaviour and cognitive function. Neuropathological changes were investigated by histological examination at the level of the hippocampus, the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex. Also, the expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a biomarker associated with neuronal survival and plasticity, was determined in the hippocampus and the amygdala by RT-qPCR. We found that both infliximab and tocilizumab reduced anxiety-like behaviour in the elevated-plus and elevated-zero maze tests. Tocilizumab, also, improved cognitive function in the olfactory social memory and passive avoidance tests. Anti-cytokine treatment reversed the histopathological changes in the brain induced by CIA. BDNF expression was higher in all treatment groups and especially those receiving monoclonal antibodies combined with methotrexate. Our data provide evidence that chronic infliximab and tocilizumab treatment reduces anxiety-like behaviour, improves cognitive function, reverses neuropathological changes and increases central BDNF expression in a juvenile arthritis rat model. These findings may be translated to humans to address behavioural comorbidities associated with JIA.

miR-100 alleviates the inflammatory damage and apoptosis of H2O2-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells via inactivation of Notch signaling by targeting MMP9

OBJECTIVE

Thromboangiitis obliterans is a nonatherosclerotic segmental inflammatory disease, and miR-100 plays an anti-inflammatory role in chronic inflammation. Therefore, we hypothesized that miR-100 might alleviate the inflammatory damage and apoptosis of H₂O₂-induced ECV304 cells and aimed to investigate the relationship between miR-100 and thromboangiitis obliterans and the related molecular mechanism.

METHODS

Cell counting kit-8 was used to detect cell viability, and the expression of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress was measured by ELISA. TUNEL assay was used to detect the apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells after induction by H₂O₂. Furthermore, the interaction between miR-100 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 was verified by dual-luciferase assay. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot were used to detect the expression of the adhesion factors, apoptosis-related proteins and Notch pathway-related protein.

RESULTS

The results revealed that miR-100 was decreased in H₂O₂-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Overexpression of miR-100 attenuated inflammatory response and cell apoptosis in H₂O₂-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The overexpression of miR-100 inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in H₂O₂-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells. miR-100 inhibited H₂O₂-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis via inactivation of Notch signaling by targeting matrix metalloproteinase.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated that miR-100 reduced the inflammatory damage and apoptosis of H₂O₂-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells via inactivation of Notch signaling by targeting matrix metalloproteinase. These findings suggested that miR-100 might be a novel therapeutic target for the prevention of thromboangiitis obliterans.