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Daga KR, Larey AM, Morfin MG, Chen K, Bitarafan S, Carpenter JM, Hynds HM, Hines KM, Wood LB, Marklein RA. Microglia Morphological Response to Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Extracellular Vesicles Demonstrates EV Therapeutic Potential for Modulating Neuroinflammation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.01.601612. [PMID: 39005342 PMCID: PMC11245023 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.01.601612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Background Mesenchymal stromal cell derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) are a promising therapeutic for neuroinflammation. MSC-EVs can interact with microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, to exert their immunomodulatory effects. In response to inflammatory cues, such as cytokines, microglia undergo phenotypic changes indicative of their function e.g. morphology and secretion. However, these changes in response to MSC-EVs are not well understood. Additionally, no disease-relevant screening tools to assess MSC-EV bioactivity exist, which has further impeded clinical translation. Here, we developed a quantitative, high throughput morphological profiling approach to assess the response of microglia to neuroinflammation-relevant signals and whether this morphological response can be used to indicate the bioactivity of MSC-EVs. Results Using an immortalized human microglia cell-line, we observed increased size (perimeter, major axis length) and complexity (form factor) upon stimulation with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Upon treatment with MSC-EVs, the overall morphological score (determined using principal component analysis) shifted towards the unstimulated morphology, indicating that MSC-EVs are bioactive and modulate microglia. The morphological effects of MSC-EVs in TNF-γ/IFN-α stimulated cells were concomitant with reduced secretion of 14 chemokines/cytokines (e.g. CXCL6, CXCL9) and increased secretion of 12 chemokines/cytokines (e.g. CXCL8, CXCL10). Proteomic analysis of cell lysates revealed significant increases in 192 proteins (e.g. HIBADH, MEAK7, LAMC1) and decreases in 257 proteins (e.g. PTEN, TOM1, MFF) with MSC-EV treatment. Of note, many of these proteins are involved in regulation of cell morphology and migration. Gene Set Variation Analysis revealed upregulation of pathways associated with immune response, such as regulation of cytokine production, immune cell infiltration (e.g. T cells, NK cells) and morphological changes (e.g. Semaphorin, RHO/Rac signaling). Additionally, changes in microglia mitochondrial morphology were measured suggesting that MSC-EV modulate mitochondrial metabolism. Conclusion This study comprehensively demonstrates the effects of MSC-EVs on human microglial morphology, cytokine secretion, cellular proteome, and mitochondrial content. Our high-throughput, rapid, low-cost morphological approach enables screening of MSC-EV batches and manufacturing conditions to enhance EV function and mitigate EV functional heterogeneity in a disease relevant manner. This approach is highly generalizable and can be further adapted and refined based on selection of the disease-relevant signal, target cell, and therapeutic product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanupriya R Daga
- School of Chemical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Andrew M Larey
- School of Chemical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Maria G Morfin
- School of Chemical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Kailin Chen
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Sara Bitarafan
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Hannah M Hynds
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Kelly M Hines
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Levi B Wood
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ross A Marklein
- School of Chemical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
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Wu J, Li Y, Huang Y, Liu L, Zhang H, Nagy C, Tan X, Cheng K, Liu Y, Pu J, Wang H, Wu Q, Perry SW, Turecki G, Wong ML, Licinio J, Zheng P, Xie P. Integrating spatial and single-nucleus transcriptomic data elucidates microglial-specific responses in female cynomolgus macaques with depressive-like behaviors. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:1352-1364. [PMID: 37443281 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01379-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder represents a serious public health challenge worldwide; however, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are mostly unknown. Here, we profile the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of female cynomolgus macaques with social stress-associated depressive-like behaviors using single-nucleus RNA-sequencing and spatial transcriptomics. We find gene expression changes associated with depressive-like behaviors mostly in microglia, and we report a pro-inflammatory microglia subpopulation enriched in the depressive-like condition. Single-nucleus RNA-sequencing data result in the identification of six enriched gene modules associated with depressive-like behaviors, and these modules are further resolved by spatial transcriptomics. Gene modules associated with huddle and sit alone behaviors are expressed in neurons and oligodendrocytes of the superficial cortical layer, while gene modules associated with locomotion and amicable behaviors are enriched in microglia and astrocytes in mid-to-deep cortical layers. The depressive-like behavior associated microglia subpopulation is enriched in deep cortical layers. In summary, our findings show cell-type and cortical layer-specific gene expression changes and identify one microglia subpopulation associated with depressive-like behaviors in female non-human primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China
| | - Yifan Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Huang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China
| | - Lanxiang Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China
- Department of Neurology, Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hanping Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China
| | - Corina Nagy
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Xunmin Tan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China
| | - Ke Cheng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yiyun Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China
| | - Juncai Pu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Haiyang Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingyuan Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Neurology, Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Seth W Perry
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ma-Li Wong
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Julio Licinio
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Peng Zheng
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China.
| | - Peng Xie
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China.
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Yasuoka A, Nagai T, Lee S, Miyaguchi H, Saito Y, Abe K, Asakura T. Mastication stimuli enhance the learning ability of weaning-stage rats, altering the hippocampal neuron transcriptome and micromorphology. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:1006359. [PMID: 36263297 PMCID: PMC9574334 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1006359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mastication stimuli are known to relieve senile dementia in human and animal studies. However, few studies have focused on its effect on weaning-stage animals and the underlying molecular processes. In this study, 3-week-old male rats were raised on a powdered (P-group) or chow (C-group) diet for 8 days, and their behavior was examined using the Y-maze and novel object recognition tests. In the Y-maze test, the C-group rats showed a larger alternation ratio than the P-group rats. In the novel object recognition test, the C-group rats exhibited a significantly larger discrimination index for novel objects than for familiar objects, but the P-group rats did not. We then compared the hippocampal neuron morphology and transcriptome between the groups. C-group rats exhibited larger dendrite branch numbers in the apical dendrites of pyramidal cells in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) region and a larger spine density in the basal dendrites of CA1 neurons than the P-group rats. Using DNA microarray analysis, we identified 621 (P < C) and 96 (P > C) genes that were differentially expressed between the groups. These genes were enriched in functional terms related to dendrite growth and included the Igf2, RhoA, and Rho GEF genes, most of which were upregulated in the C-group. These results suggest that the mastication stimuli during the weaning period can enhance the learning ability of rats by increasing the dendrite branches of hippocampal CA1 neurons and by regulating genes related to dendrite growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihito Yasuoka
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Human Nutrition, Seitoku University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Toshitada Nagai
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Takasaki University of Health and Welfare, Takasaki, Japan
| | - Seonmi Lee
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hitonari Miyaguchi
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Saito
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiko Abe
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Tomiko Asakura
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Tomiko Asakura,
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Yang W, Guo R, Pi A, Ding Q, Hao L, Song Q, Chen L, Dou X, Na L, Li S. Long non-coding RNA-EN_181 potentially contributes to the protective effects of N-acetylcysteine against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice. Br J Nutr 2022; 129:1-15. [PMID: 35710106 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114522001829] [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: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) possesses a strong capability to ameliorate high-fat diet (HFD)-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice, but the underlying mechanism is still unknown. Our study aimed to clarify the involvement of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in the beneficial effects of NAC on HFD-induced NAFLD. C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal-fat diet (10 % fat), a HFD (45 % fat) or a HFD plus NAC (2 g/l). After 14-week of intervention, NAC rescued the deleterious alterations induced by HFD, including the changes in body and liver weights, hepatic TAG, plasma alanine aminotransferase, plasma aspartate transaminase and liver histomorphology (haematoxylin and eosin and Oil red O staining). Through whole-transcriptome sequencing, 52 167 (50 758 known and 1409 novel) hepatic lncRNA were detected. Our cross-comparison data revealed the expression of 175 lncRNA was changed by HFD but reversed by NAC. Five of those lncRNA, lncRNA-NONMMUT148902·1 (NO_902·1), lncRNA-XR_001781798·1 (XR_798·1), lncRNA-NONMMUT141720·1 (NO_720·1), lncRNA-XR_869907·1 (XR_907·1), and lncRNA-ENSMUST00000132181 (EN_181), were selected based on an absolute log2 fold change value of greater than 4, P-value < 0·01 and P-adjusted value < 0·01. Further qRT-PCR analysis showed the levels of lncRNA-NO_902·1, lncRNA-XR_798·1, and lncRNA-EN_181 were decreased by HFD but restored by NAC, consistent with the RNA sequencing. Finally, we constructed a ceRNA network containing lncRNA-EN_181, 3 miRNA, and 13 mRNA, which was associated with the NAC-ameliorated NAFLD. Overall, lncRNA-EN_181 might be a potential target in NAC-ameliorated NAFLD. This finding enhanced our understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying the beneficial role of NAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Yang
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Guo
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
- Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Aiwen Pi
- School of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinchao Ding
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
- Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Liuyi Hao
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
- Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Song
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Chen
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaobing Dou
- School of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Lixin Na
- Public Health College, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai201318, People's Republic of China
| | - Songtao Li
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
- Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310053, People's Republic of China
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Wu Z, Wang Z, Xie Z, Zhu H, Li C, Xie S, Zhou W, Zhang Z, Li M. Glycyrrhizic Acid Attenuates the Inflammatory Response After Spinal Cord Injury by Inhibiting High Mobility Group Box-1 Protein Through the p38/Jun N-Terminal Kinase Signaling Pathway. World Neurosurg 2021; 158:e856-e864. [PMID: 34838764 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.11.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroinflammation is an important secondary aggravating factor in spinal cord injury (SCI). Inhibition of the inflammatory response is critical for SCI treatment. Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) is an anti-inflammatory drug, but its utility for SCI is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of GA on inflammation after SCI and the underlying mechanism. METHODS Cell counting kit-8 assays were performed to assess the viability of highly aggressively proliferating immortalized cells that had been treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and/or GA. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were performed to assess expression of high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1), ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1, and inflammatory factors in vitro and in vivo. GA (100 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected into rats. Anti-inflammatory effects of GA were analyzed in SCI tissues. p38/Jun N-terminal kinase signaling pathway proteins were analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS Cell counting kit-8 assay results showed that treatment with 100 ng/mL LPS for 12 hours was optimal. After LPS treatment, highly aggressively proliferating immortalized cells were activated; messenger RNA expression levels of HMGB1 and inflammatory factors were increased. GA significantly inhibited LPS-induced HMGB1 expression and inflammatory responses, as determined by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Transfection with an HMGB1-overexpression plasmid reversed the anti-inflammatory effects of GA. In addition, intraperitoneal injection of GA (100 mg/kg) into rats for 3 days significantly reduced expression levels of HMGB1 and inflammatory factors after SCI in vivo. GA reduced phosphorylation, but not levels, of p38 and Jun N-terminal kinase proteins. CONCLUSIONS GA attenuates the inflammatory response after SCI by inhibiting HMGB1 through the p38/JNK signaling pathway and thus has therapeutic potential for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwu Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery and Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhihua Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhiping Xie
- Department of Neurosurgery and Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Huaxin Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery and Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Chengcai Li
- Department of Neurosurgery and Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Shenke Xie
- Department of Neurosurgery and Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wu Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery and Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhixiong Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Meihua Li
- Department of Neurosurgery and Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
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Kimura T, Horikoshi Y, Kuriyagawa C, Niiyama Y. Rho/ROCK Pathway and Noncoding RNAs: Implications in Ischemic Stroke and Spinal Cord Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111573. [PMID: 34769004 PMCID: PMC8584200 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Ischemic strokes (IS) and spinal cord injuries (SCI) are major causes of disability. RhoA is a small GTPase protein that activates a downstream effector, ROCK. The up-regulation of the RhoA/ROCK pathway contributes to neuronal apoptosis, neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, astrogliosis, and axon growth inhibition in IS and SCI. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), were previously considered to be non-functional. However, they have attracted much attention because they play an essential role in regulating gene expression in physiological and pathological conditions. There is growing evidence that ROCK inhibitors, such as fasudil and VX-210, can reduce injury in IS and SCI in animal models and clinical trials. Recently, it has been reported that miRNAs are decreased in IS and SCI, while lncRNAs are increased. Inhibiting the Rho/ROCK pathway with miRNAs alleviates apoptosis, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and axon growth inhibition in IS and SCI. Further studies are required to explore the significance of ncRNAs in IS and SCI and to establish new strategies for preventing and treating these devastating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsu Kimura
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-18-884-6175; Fax: +81-18-884-6448
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