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Wang X, Cheng Z, Tai W, Shi M, Ayazi M, Liu Y, Sun L, Yu C, Fan Z, Guo B, He X, Sun D, Young W, Ren Y. Targeting foamy macrophages by manipulating ABCA1 expression to facilitate lesion healing in the injured spinal cord. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 119:431-453. [PMID: 38636566 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) triggers a complex cascade of events, including myelin loss, neuronal damage, neuroinflammation, and the accumulation of damaged cells and debris at the injury site. Infiltrating bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMϕ) migrate to the epicenter of the SCI lesion, where they engulf cell debris including abundant myelin debris to become pro-inflammatory foamy macrophages (foamy Mϕ), participate neuroinflammation, and facilitate the progression of SCI. This study aimed to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the functional changes in foamy Mϕ and their potential implications for SCI. Contusion at T10 level of the spinal cord was induced using a New York University (NYU) impactor (5 g rod from a height of 6.25 mm) in male mice. ABCA1, an ATP-binding cassette transporter expressed by Mϕ, plays a crucial role in lipid efflux from foamy cells. We observed that foamy Mϕ lacking ABCA1 exhibited increased lipid accumulation and a higher presence of lipid-accumulated foamy Mϕ as well as elevated pro-inflammatory response in vitro and in injured spinal cord. We also found that both genetic and pharmacological enhancement of ABCA1 expression accelerated lipid efflux from foamy Mϕ, reduced lipid accumulation and inhibited the pro-inflammatory response of foamy Mϕ, and accelerated clearance of cell debris and necrotic cells, which resulted in functional recovery. Our study highlights the importance of understanding the pathologic role of foamy Mϕ in SCI progression and the potential of ABCA1 as a therapeutic target for modulating the inflammatory response, promoting lipid metabolism, and facilitating functional recovery in SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Wang
- W. M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08854, USA; Institute of Neurosciences, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China; College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.
| | - Zhijian Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, 1115 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Wenjiao Tai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, 1115 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Mingjun Shi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, 1115 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Maryam Ayazi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, 1115 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, 1115 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Li Sun
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, 1115 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Caiyong Yu
- Institute of Neurosciences, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Zhongmin Fan
- Department of Critical Care Medicine and Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Bin Guo
- Department of Pathology, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Xijing He
- Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China
| | - Dongming Sun
- W. M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Wise Young
- W. M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Yi Ren
- W. M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08854, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, 1115 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
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Stewart AN, Gensel JC, Jones L, Fouad K. Challenges in Translating Regenerative Therapies for Spinal Cord Injury. Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil 2023; 29:23-43. [PMID: 38174141 PMCID: PMC10759906 DOI: 10.46292/sci23-00044s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Regenerating the injured spinal cord is a substantial challenge with many obstacles that need to be overcome to achieve robust functional benefits. This abundance of hurdles can partly explain the limited success when applying regenerative intervention treatments in animal models and/or people. In this article, we elaborate on a few of these obstacles, starting with the applicability of animal models and how they compare to the clinical setting. We then discuss the requirement for combinatorial interventions and the associated problems in experimental design, including the addition of rehabilitative training. The article expands on differences in lesion sizes and locations between humans and common animal models, and how this difference can determine the success or failure of an intervention. An additional and frequently overlooked problem in the translation of interventions that applies beyond the field of neuroregeneration is the reporting bias and the lack of transparency in reporting findings. New data mandates are tackling this problem and will eventually result in a more balanced view of the field. Finally, we will discuss strategies to negotiate the challenging course of successful translation to facilitate successful translation of regeneration promoting interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew N. Stewart
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - John C. Gensel
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Linda Jones
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Karim Fouad
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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3
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Haro Girón S, Monserrat Sanz J, Ortega MA, Garcia-Montero C, Fraile-Martínez O, Gómez-Lahoz AM, Boaru DL, de Leon-Oliva D, Guijarro LG, Atienza-Perez M, Diaz D, Lopez-Dolado E, Álvarez-Mon M. Prognostic Value of Malondialdehyde (MDA) in the Temporal Progression of Chronic Spinal Cord Injury. J Pers Med 2023; 13:jpm13040626. [PMID: 37109013 PMCID: PMC10144495 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13040626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Oxidative stress is a major signature of spinal cord injury (SCI). The altered levels of various oxidative stress markers have been demonstrated in acute and chronic SCI. However, the variation of these markers in patients with chronic SCI depending on the time since the initial injury has not been explored yet. Objective: Our aim was to measure plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation in patients with SCI stratified in different periods of suffering the injury (0–5 years, 5–10 years, and more than 10 years). Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled patients with SCI (N = 105) from different periods of the lesion and healthy control (HC) subjects (N = 38): short period (SCI SP, N = 31, time of evolution less than 5 years); early chronic (SCI ECP, N = 32, time of evolution 5–15 years); and late chronic (SCI LCP, N = 42, time of evolution more than 15 years). The plasma levels of MDA were measured using a commercially available colorimetric assay. Results: Patients with SCI had significantly higher plasma levels of MDA than HC subjects. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for plasma MDA levels in patients with SCI demonstrated areas under the curve (AUC) of 1 (HC vs. SCI-SP); 0.998 (HC vs. SCI-ECP); and 0.964 (HC vs. SCI-LCP). Additionally, three ROC curves were used to compare the different concentrations of MDA between the subgroups of patients with SCI, and the resulting AUCs were: 0.896 (SCI-SP vs. SCI-ECP); 0.840 (SCI-ECP vs. SCI-LCP); and 0.979 (SCI-SP vs. SCI-LCP). Conclusion: Plasma concentration of MDA can be considered as an oxidative stress biomarker to assess the prognosis of SCI in chronic stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Haro Girón
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Monserrat Sanz
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A. Ortega
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cielo Garcia-Montero
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar Fraile-Martínez
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana M. Gómez-Lahoz
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego Liviu Boaru
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego de Leon-Oliva
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis G. Guijarro
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of System Biology (CIBEREHD), University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain
| | - Mar Atienza-Perez
- Service of Rehabilitation, National Hospital for Paraplegic Patients, Carr. de la Peraleda, S/N, 45004 Toledo, Spain
| | - David Diaz
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Lopez-Dolado
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Service of Rehabilitation, National Hospital for Paraplegic Patients, Carr. de la Peraleda, S/N, 45004 Toledo, Spain
| | - Melchor Álvarez-Mon
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Service of Internal Medicine and Immune System Diseases-Rheumatology, University Hospital Príncipe de Asturias, (CIBEREHD), 28806 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
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4
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Cheng L, Cai B, Lu D, Zeng H. The role of mitochondrial energy metabolism in neuroprotection and axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury. Mitochondrion 2023; 69:57-63. [PMID: 36740158 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2023.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction occurs in the early stage of axonal degeneration after spinal cord injury and involves oxidative stress, energy deficiency, imbalance of mitochondrial dynamics, etc., which play a key role in axonal degeneration and regeneration under physiological and pathological conditions. Failure of axonal regeneration can lead to long-term structural and functional damage. Several recent studies have shown that improved mitochondrial energy metabolism provides conditions for axonal regeneration and central nervous system repair. Here, we describe the role of mitochondrial energy metabolism in neuroprotection and axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury and review recent advances in targeted mitochondrial therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Cheng
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Cai
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dezhi Lu
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Zeng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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5
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Stewart AN, Jones LAT, Gensel JC. Improving translatability of spinal cord injury research by including age as a demographic variable. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:1017153. [PMID: 36467608 PMCID: PMC9714671 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1017153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-clinical and clinical spinal cord injury (SCI) studies differ in study design, particularly in the demographic characteristics of the chosen population. In clinical study design, criteria such as such as motor scores, neurological level, and severity of injury are often key determinants for participant inclusion. Further, demographic variables in clinical trials often include individuals from a wide age range and typically include both sexes, albeit historically most cases of SCI occur in males. In contrast, pre-clinical SCI models predominately utilize young adult rodents and typically use only females. While it is often not feasible to power SCI clinical trials to test multi-variable designs such as contrasting different ages, recent pre-clinical findings in SCI animal models have emphasized the importance of considering age as a biological variable prior to human experiments. Emerging pre-clinical data have identified case examples of treatments that diverge in efficacy across different demographic variables and have elucidated several age-dependent effects in SCI. The extent to which these differing or diverging treatment responses manifest clinically can not only complicate statistical findings and trial interpretations but also may be predictive of worse outcomes in select clinical populations. This review highlights recent literature including age as a biological variable in pre-clinical studies and articulates the results with respect to implications for clinical trials. Based on emerging unpredictable treatment outcomes in older rodents, we argue for the importance of including age as a biological variable in pre-clinical animal models prior to clinical testing. We believe that careful analyses of how age interacts with SCI treatments and pathophysiology will help guide clinical trial design and may improve both the safety and outcomes of such important efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew N. Stewart
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States,Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Linda A. T. Jones
- Center for Outcomes and Measurement, Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - John C. Gensel
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States,Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States,*Correspondence: John C. Gensel,
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6
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Metzger C, Rau J, Stefanov A, Joseph RM, Allaway HC, Allen MR, Hook MA. Inflammaging and bone loss in a rat model of spinal cord injury. J Neurotrauma 2022; 40:901-917. [PMID: 36226413 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2022.0342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in significant loss of sublesional bone, adding to the comorbidity of SCI with an increased risk of fracture and post-fracture complications. Unfortunately, the effect of SCI on skeletal health is also likely to rise as the average age of SCI has increased and there are well-known negative effects of age on bone. To date, however, the impact of age and age-associated inflammation (inflammaging) on skeletal health after SCI remains largely unknown. To address this, we compared bone parameters in young (3 month) and middle-aged (9 month) male and female rats with a moderate thoracic contusion injury, to age and sex matched sham-operated controls. Skeletal parameters, locomotor function and serum cytokine levels were assessed at both subchronic (30 days) and chronic (180 days) time points post injury. We hypothesized that SCI would lead to a dramatic loss of bone immediately after injury in all SCI-groups, with inflammaging leading to greater loss in middle-aged SCI rats. We also predicted that while younger rats may re-establish bone properties in more chronic phases of SCI, middle-aged rats would not. Supporting these hypothesis, trabecular bone volume was significantly lower in male and young female SCI rats early after injury. Contrary to our hypothesis, however, there was greater loss of trabecular bone volume, relative to age-matched shams, in young compared to middle-aged SCI rats with no effects of SCI on trabecular bone volume in middle-aged female rats. Moreover, despite recovery of weight-supported locomotor activity, bone loss persisted into the chronic phase of injury for the young rats. Bone formation rates were lower in young male SCI rats, regardless of the time since injury, while both young and middle-aged female SCI rats had lower bone formation in the subchronic but not chronic phase of SCI. In middle-aged rats, SCI-induced higher osteoclast surfaces, which also persisted into the chronic phase of SCI in middle-aged females. Neither age nor SCI-induced increases in inflammation seemed to be associated with bone loss. In fact, SCI had more dramatic and persistent effects on bone in male rats, while aging and SCI elevated serum cytokines only in female rats. Overall, this study demonstrates SCI-induced loss of bone and altered bone turnover in male and female rats that persists into the chronic phase post-injury. The sex and age dependent variations in bone turnover and serum cytokines, however, underscore the need to further explore both mechanisms and potential therapeutics in multiple demographics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Metzger
- Indiana University School of Medicine, 12250, Anatomy Cell Biology Physiology, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States;
| | - Josephina Rau
- Texas A&M University Health Science Center Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, 205278, 8447 Riverside Parkway, Bryan, Texas, United States, 77807-3260;
| | - Alexander Stefanov
- Texas A&M University Health Science Center Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, 205278, 8447 Riverside Pkwy, Bryan, Texas, United States, 77807.,Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, 464968, College Station, Texas, United States;
| | - Rose M Joseph
- Texas A&M School of Medicine, Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Bryan, Texas, United States;
| | - Heather C Allaway
- Louisiana State University, 5779, School of Kinesiology, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States;
| | - Matthew R Allen
- Indiana University School of Medicine, 12250, Anatomy Cell Biology Physiology, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States;
| | - Michelle A Hook
- Texas A&M School of Medicine, Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Bryan, Texas, United States;
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Trehalose-Carnosine Prevents the Effects of Spinal Cord Injury Through Regulating Acute Inflammation and Zinc(II) Ion Homeostasis. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2022; 43:1637-1659. [PMID: 36121569 PMCID: PMC10079760 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-022-01273-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to long-term and permanent motor dysfunctions, and nervous system abnormalities. Injury to the spinal cord triggers a signaling cascade that results in activation of the inflammatory cascade, apoptosis, and Zn(II) ion homeostasis. Trehalose (Tre), a nonreducing disaccharide, and L-carnosine (Car), (β-alanyl-L-histidine), one of the endogenous histidine dipeptides have been recognized to suppress early inflammatory effects, oxidative stress and to possess neuroprotective effects. We report on the effects of the conjugation of Tre with Car (Tre-car) in reducing inflammation in in vitro and in vivo models. The in vitro study was performed using rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cell line). After 24 h, Tre-car, Car, Tre, and Tre + Car mixture treatments, cells were collected and used to investigate Zn2+ homeostasis. The in vivo model of SCI was induced by extradural compression of the spinal cord at the T6-T8 levels. After treatments with Tre, Car and Tre-Car conjugate 1 and 6 h after SCI, spinal cord tissue was collected for analysis. In vitro results demonstrated the ionophore effect and chelating features of L-carnosine and its conjugate. In vivo, the Tre-car conjugate treatment counteracted the activation of the early inflammatory cascade, oxidative stress and apoptosis after SCI. The Tre-car conjugate stimulated neurotrophic factors release, and influenced Zn2+ homeostasis. We demonstrated that Tre-car, Tre and Car treatments improved tissue recovery after SCI. Tre-car decreased proinflammatory, oxidative stress mediators release, upregulated neurotrophic factors and restored Zn2+ homeostasis, suggesting that Tre-car may represent a promising therapeutic agent for counteracting the consequences of SCI.
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8
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Melatonin Attenuates Spinal Cord Injury in Mice by Activating the Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathway to Inhibit the NLRP3 Inflammasome. Cells 2022; 11:cells11182809. [PMID: 36139384 PMCID: PMC9496911 DOI: 10.3390/cells11182809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a central nervous system (CNS) trauma involving inflammation and oxidative stress, which play important roles in this trauma’s pathogenesis. Therefore, controlling inflammation is an effective strategy for SCI treatment. As a hormone, melatonin is capable of producing antioxidation and anti-inflammation effects. In the meantime, it also causes a neuroprotective effect in various neurological diseases. Nrf2/ARE/NLRP3 is a well-known pathway in anti-inflammation and antioxidation, and Nrf2 can be positively regulated by melatonin. However, how melatonin regulates inflammation during SCI is poorly explored. Therefore, it was investigated in this study whether melatonin can inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome through the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway in a mouse SCI model. Methods: A model of SCI was established in C57BL/6 mice and PC12 cells. The motor function of mice was detected by performing an open field test, and Nissl staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling were carried out to evaluate the survival of neurons. Mitochondrial dysfunction was detected by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and by assessing the mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome and oxidative-stress-related proteins were detected through Western blot and immunofluorescence double staining. Results: By inhibiting neuroinflammation and reducing neuronal death, melatonin promotes the recovery of neuromotor function. Besides this, melatonin is able to reduce the damage that causes neuronal mitochondrial dysfunction, reduce the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde, and enhance the activity of superoxide dismutase and the production of glutathione peroxidase. Mechanically, melatonin inhibits the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes and reduces the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors through the Nrf2/ARE signaling. Conclusions: In conclusion, melatonin inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome through stimulation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway, thereby suppressing neuroinflammation, reducing mitochondrial dysfunction, and improving the recovery of nerve function after SCI.
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Sefiani A, Rusyn I, Geoffroy CG. Novel adult cortical neuron processing and screening method illustrates sex- and age-dependent effects of pharmaceutical compounds. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13125. [PMID: 35908049 PMCID: PMC9338961 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17389-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases and neurotraumatic injuries are typically age-associated disorders that can reduce neuron survival, neurite outgrowth, and synaptic plasticity leading to loss of cognitive capacity, executive function, and motor control. In pursuit of reducing the loss of said neurological functions, novel compounds are sought that promote neuron viability, neuritogenesis, and/or synaptic plasticity. Current high content in vitro screenings typically use cells that are iPSC-derived, embryonic, or originate from post-natal tissues; however, most patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases and neurotrauma are of middle-age and older. The chasm in maturity between the neurons used in drug screens and those in a target population is a barrier for translational success of in vitro results. It has been historically challenging to culture adult neurons let alone conduct screenings; therefore, age-appropriate drug screenings have previously not been plausible. We have modified Miltenyi's protocol to increase neuronal yield, neuron purity, and neural viability at a reduced cost to expand our capacity to screen compounds directly in primary adult neurons. To our knowledge, we developed the first morphology-based screening system using adult cortical neurons and the first to incorporate age and sex as biological variables in a screen using adult cortical neurons. By using primary adult cortical neurons from mice that were 4 to 48 weeks old for screening pharmaceutical agents, we have demonstrated age- and sex-dependent effects on neuritogenesis and neuron survival in vitro. Utilizing age- and sex-appropriate in vitro models to find novel compounds increasing neuron survival and neurite outgrowth, made possible by our modified adult neuron processing method, will greatly increase the relevance of in vitro screening for finding neuroprotective compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Sefiani
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Ivan Rusyn
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Cédric G Geoffroy
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA.
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Stewart A, Glaser E, Mott CA, Bailey WM, Sulllivan PG, Patel S, Gensel J. Advanced Age and Neurotrauma Diminish Glutathione and Impair Antioxidant Defense after Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurotrauma 2022; 39:1075-1089. [PMID: 35373589 PMCID: PMC9347421 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2022.0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Stewart
- University of Kentucky, Physiology, 741 S. Limestone Street, BBSRB B483, Lexington, Kentucky, United States, 40536-0509,
| | - Ethan Glaser
- University of Kentucky, Physiology, Lexington, Kentucky, United States,
| | - Caitlin A Mott
- University of Kentucky, Physiology, Lexington, Kentucky, United States,
| | - William M Bailey
- University of Kentucky, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, Physiology, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
| | - Patrick G Sulllivan
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Spinal Cord & Brain Injury Research Cent, 475 BBSRB, Lexington, United States, 40536-0509,
| | - Samir Patel
- University of Kentucky, 4530, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, Physiology, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
| | - John Gensel
- University of Kentucky, Physiology, 741 S. Limestone Street, B436 BBSRB, Lexington, Kentucky, United States, 40536-0509
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11
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Stewart A, Glaser E, Bailey WM, Gensel J. Immunoglobulin G is Increased in the Injured Spinal Cord in a Sex and Age Dependent Manner. J Neurotrauma 2022; 39:1090-1098. [PMID: 35373588 PMCID: PMC9347383 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2022.0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
There are limited studies examining age and sex as biological variables in the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury (SCI). The use of older animals and sex-balanced groups in SCI models is increasingly prioritized to better match clinical demographics. Including older animals in SCI studies is technically challenging, and outcomes are unpredictable with respect to biological and treatment responses. Incidental discoveries that are unrelated to the question under investigation often emerge while including age and sex as biological variables. When probing tissue homogenates on Western blots of 4- and 14-month-old (MO) mice, we identified a sex- and age-dependent increase in immunoglobulin G (IgG) within the spinal cords of older, 14-MO mice acutely after SCI, with females having more IgG compared with males. We further probed to determine whether differences in hemorrhage exist between sexes or ages by evaluating hemoglobin within spinal homogenates. Differences in hemoglobin between sexes and ages were not consistently observed. Because IgG was elevated in an age- and sex-dependent manner without of evidence of differences in hemorrhage, our findings point to potential pre-existing differences in IgG within mouse plasma in an age- and sex-dependent manner. This report has identified age- and sex-dependent differences in infiltrating IgG into the injured spinal cord environment that may affect injury and recovery processes. Our findings highlight that systemic contributions to SCI can be sex- and age-dependent and illustrate the value of reporting incidental discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Stewart
- University of Kentucky, Physiology, 741 S. Limestone Street, BBSRB B483, Lexington, Kentucky, United States, 40536-0509,
| | - Ethan Glaser
- University of Kentucky, Physiology, Lexington, Kentucky, United States,
| | - William M Bailey
- University of Kentucky, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, Physiology, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
| | - John Gensel
- University of Kentucky, Physiology, 741 S. Limestone Street, B436 BBSRB, Lexington, Kentucky, United States, 40536-0509
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Hassan MP, Abdollahifar MA, Aliaghaei A, Tabeie F, Vafaei-Nezhad S, Norouzian M, Abbaszadeh HA. Photobiomodulation therapy improved functional recovery and overexpression of interleukins-10 after contusion spinal cord injury in rats. J Chem Neuroanat 2021; 117:102010. [PMID: 34343596 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2021.102010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Following severe Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), regeneration is inadequate, and functional recovery is incomplete. The occurrence of oxidative stress and the spread of inflammation play a crucial role in the failure to regenerate the injury site. In this way, we explored the neuroprotective effects of PhotoBioModulation (PBM), as the main factor in controlling these two destructive factors, on SCI. fifty-four female adult Wistar rats divided into three groups: sham group (just eliminate vertebra lamina, n = 18), SCI group (n = 18), and SCI-PBM group which exposed to PBM (150 MW, 50 min/day, 14 days, n = 18). After SCI induction at the endpoint of the study (the end of 8 week), we took tissue samples from the spinal cord for evaluating the biochemical profiles that include Catalase (CAT), Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-PX) levels, immunohistochemistry for Caspase-3, gene expressions of Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), and Interleukin (IL-10). Also, stereological assessments evaluated the spinal cord, central cavity volumes, and numerical density of the glial and neural cells in the traumatic area. The open-field test, rotarod test, Narrow Beam Test (NBT), Electromyography recording (EMG) test and the Basso-Beattie-Bresnehan (BBB) evaluated the neurological functions. Our results showed that the stereological parameters, biochemical profiles (except MDA), and neurological functions were markedly greater in the SCI-PBM group in comparison with SCI group. The transcript for the IL-10 gene was seriously upregulated in the SCI-PBM group compared to the SCI group. This is while gene expression of TNF-α and IL-1β, also density of apoptosis cells in Caspase-3 evaluation decreased significantly more in the SCI-PBM group compared to the SCI group. Overall, using PBM treatment immediately after SCI has neuroprotective effects by controlling oxidative stress and inflammation and preventing the spread of damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahnaz Poor Hassan
- Department of Biology and Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Amin Abdollahifar
- Department of Biology and Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Laser Application in Medical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Aliaghaei
- Hearing Disorders Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faraj Tabeie
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Vafaei-Nezhad
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Mohsen Norouzian
- Department of Biology and Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Laser Application in Medical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hojjat Allah Abbaszadeh
- Laser Application in Medical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Hearing Disorders Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Stewart AN, Lowe JL, Glaser EP, Mott CA, Shahidehpour RK, McFarlane KE, Bailey WM, Zhang B, Gensel JC. Acute inflammatory profiles differ with sex and age after spinal cord injury. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:113. [PMID: 33985529 PMCID: PMC8120918 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02161-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sex and age are emerging as influential variables that affect spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery. Despite a changing demographic towards older age at the time of SCI, the effects of sex or age on inflammation remain to be elucidated. This study determined the sex- and age-dependency of the innate immune response acutely after SCI. Methods Male and female mice of ages 4- and 14-month-old received T9 contusion SCI and the proportion of microglia, monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM), and neutrophils surrounding the lesion were determined at 3- and 7-day post-injury (DPI) using flow cytometry. Cell counts of microglia and MDMs were obtained using immunohistochemistry to verify flow cytometry results at 3-DPI. Microglia and MDMs were separately isolated using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) at 3-day post-injury (DPI) to assess RNA expression of 27 genes associated with activation, redox, and debris metabolism/clearance. Results Flow cytometry revealed that being female and older at the time of injury significantly increased MDMs relative to other phagocytes, specifically increasing the ratio of MDMs to microglia at 3-DPI. Cell counts using immunohistochemistry revealed that male mice have more total microglia within SCI lesions that can account for a lower MDM/microglia ratio. With NanoString analyses of 27 genes, only 1 was differentially expressed between sexes in MDMs; specifically, complement protein C1qa was increased in males. No genes were affected by age in MDMs. Only 2 genes were differentially regulated in microglia between sexes after controlling for false discovery rate, specifically CYBB (NOX2) as a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-associated marker as well as MRC1 (CD206), a gene associated with reparative phenotypes. Both genes were increased in female microglia. No microglial genes were differentially regulated between ages. Differences between microglia and MDMs were found in 26 of 27 genes analyzed, all expressed higher in MDMs with three exceptions. Specifically, C1qa, cPLA2, and CD86 were expressed higher in microglia. Conclusions These findings indicate that inflammatory responses to SCI are sex-dependent at both the level of cellular recruitment and gene expression. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-021-02161-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew N Stewart
- Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - John L Lowe
- Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.,Science Honors Program of Georgetown College, Georgetown, KY, 40324, USA
| | - Ethan P Glaser
- Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Caitlin A Mott
- Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Ryan K Shahidehpour
- Department of Neuroscience, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Katelyn E McFarlane
- Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - William M Bailey
- Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Bei Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.,Present address: Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - John C Gensel
- Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
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