Distinct signaling pathways for induction of type II NOS by IFNγ and LPS in BV-2 microglial cells

Elderberry diet enhances motor performance and reduces neuroinflammation-induced cell death in cerebellar ataxia rat models

Cerebellar ataxia (CA) is a condition in which cerebellar dysfunction results in movement disorders such as dysmetria, synergy and dysdiadochokinesia. This study investigates the therapeutic effects of elderberry (EB) diet on the 3-acetylpyridine-induced (3-AP) CA rat model. First, CA rat models were generated by 3-AP administration followed by elderberry diet treatment containing 2 % EB for 8 consecutive weeks. Motor performance, electromyographic activity and gene expression were then evaluated. The number of Purkinje neurons were evaluated by stereological methods. Immunohistochemistry for the microgliosis, astrogliosis and apoptosis marker caspase-3 was also performed. In addition, the morphology of microglia and astrocytes was assessed using the Sholl analysis method. The results showed that EB diet administration in a 3-AP ataxia model improved motor coordination, locomotor activity and neuro-muscular function, prevented Purkinje neurons degeneration, increased microglia and astrocyte complexity and reduced cell soma size. Moreover, EB diet administration decreased apoptosis in cerebellum of 3-AP ataxic model. In addition, elderberry diet treatment decreased the expression of inflammatory, apoptotic and necroptotic genes and increased the expression of antioxidant-related genes. The results suggest that the EB diet attenuates 3-AP-induced neuroinflammation leading to cell death and improves motor performance. Thus, the EB diet could be used as a therapeutic procedure for CA due to its neuroprotective effects.

Cysteine Peptidase Cathepsin X as a Therapeutic Target for Simultaneous TLR3/4-mediated Microglia Activation

Microglia are resident macrophages in the central nervous system that are involved in immune responses driven by Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Microglia-mediated inflammation can lead to central nervous system disorders, and more than one TLR might be involved in these pathological processes. The cysteine peptidase cathepsin X has been recognized as a pathogenic factor for inflammation-induced neurodegeneration. Here, we hypothesized that simultaneous TLR3 and TLR4 activation induces synergized microglia responses and that these phenotype changes affect cathepsin X expression and activity. Murine microglia BV2 cells and primary murine microglia were exposed to the TLR3 ligand polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) and the TLR4 ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS), individually and simultaneously. TLR3 and TLR4 co-activation resulted in increased inflammatory responses compared to individual TLR activation, where poly(I:C) and LPS induced distinct patterns of proinflammatory factors together with different patterns of cathepsin X expression and activity. TLR co-activation decreased intracellular cathepsin X activity and increased cathepsin X localization at the plasma membrane with concomitant increased extracellular cathepsin X protein levels and activity. Inhibition of cathepsin X in BV2 cells by AMS36, cathepsin X inhibitor, significantly reduced the poly(I:C)- and LPS-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines as well as apoptosis. Additionally, inhibiting the TLR3 and TLR4 common signaling pathway, PI3K, with LY294002 reduced the inflammatory responses of the poly(I:C)- and LPS-activated microglia and recovered cathepsin X activity. We here provide evidence that microglial cathepsin X strengthens microglia activation and leads to subsequent inflammation-induced neurodegeneration. As such, cathepsin X represents a therapeutic target for treating neurodegenerative diseases related to excess inflammation.

Trichilia catigua and Turnera diffusa extracts: In vitro inhibition of tyrosinase, antiglycation activity and effects on enzymes and pathways engaged in the neuroinflammatory process

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Flavonoids interact with multiple targets in Central Nervous System resulting in a broad neuroprotection mediated by complementary processes and synergic interactions. Therefore, flavonoid-based therapies may input positive outcomes in the prevention and early management of neurodegenerative diseases. In Brazilian folk medicine Trichilia catigua is used for its neuroactive properties, such as neurostimulant, antioxidant and anti-neuroinflammatory, while Turnera diffusa is traditionally used as a tonic in neurasthenia. Both species are known to be rich in flavonoids.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To study aqueous extracts of T. catigua and T. diffusa in terms of their antioxidant and antiglycation effects, inhibition of tyrosinase activity, and interaction with enzymes and pathways engaged in neuroinflammation. Moreover, whenever possible, to establish a relationship between the studied activities and the traditional usage of the species.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The phenolic profiles of the aqueous extracts were validated by HPLC-DAD. The effect of the extracts over mushroom tyrosinase and 5-lipoxygenase activities, as well as their capacity to impair bovine serum albumin glycation, were assessed by in vitro assays. The anti-neuroinflammatory potential of the same extracts was evaluated by their capacity to mitigate the pro-inflammatory stimulus induced in BV-2 microglia cells by interferon-gamma.

RESULTS

T. catigua extract, a rich mixture of phenolic acids, catechins and flavonolignans, excels by its ability to decrease lipid peroxidation (EC₅₀ = 227.18 ± 9.04 μg/mL), and to work as anti-glycation agent, and inhibitor of both tyrosinase and 5-lipoxigenase (IC₅₀ = 358.84 ± 19.05 and 56.25 ± 14.53 μg/mL, respectively). However, only T. diffusa extract, mainly composed by luteolin derivatives, is able to lower NO production by BV-2 microglia cells stimulated with interferon-gamma, despite its lower activities in the other assays.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this work highlights the value of medicinal plant extracts as sources of bioactive flavonoid-rich extracts with neuroactive effects. Furthermore, these results support their application as alternative strategies to develop functional foods and therapeutics to fight chronic neurodegenerative disorders.

Cypermethrin Induces the Activation of Rat Primary Microglia and Expression of Inflammatory Proteins

Cypermethrin activates microglia, which is found to be decisive in neurodegeneration in the experimental rats. While the involvement of microglial activation in toxicant-induced neurodegeneration is reported, the effect of low concentration of cypermethrin on the expression of inflammatory proteins from the rat primary microglia is not yet properly understood. The study intended to delineate the effect of low concentration of cypermethrin on the expression and release of proteins from the microglia. Rat primary microglial cells were treated with cypermethrin to check the expression of inflammatory proteins. Cypermethrin-treated microglia conditioned media and cells were collected to measure the expression and release of inflammatory proteins. Cypermethrin augmented the protein kinase C-δ (PKC-δ), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 and p42/44, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, and MMP-9 levels in the cell lysate and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels in the microglia conditioned media. Pre-treatment with minocycline, a microglial activation inhibitor or rottlerin, a PKC-δ inhibitor, notably reduced the release of TNF-α in the conditioned media and expression of iNOS protein in the microglia. Minocycline reduced the expression of PKC-δ, phosphorylated p38 and p42/44 MAPKs, MMP-3, and MMP-9 proteins in the microglia. While cypermethrin-treated conditioned media induced the toxicity in the rat primary neurons, minocycline or rottlerin reduced the cypermethrin treated microglia conditioned media-induced toxicity. The outcomes of the present study suggest that cypermethrin activates microglia and releases TNF-α and IL-1β as well as up-regulates the expression of PKC-δ, iNOS, phosphorylated p38 and p42/44 MAPKs, MMP-3, and MMP-9 proteins, which could contribute to neurodegeneration.

Quantitative Proteomics Reveals Docosahexaenoic Acid-Mediated Neuroprotective Effects in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Microglial Cells

The high levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in cell membranes within the brain have led to a number of studies exploring its function. These studies have shown that DHA can reduce inflammatory responses in microglial cells. However, the method of action is poorly understood. Here, we report the effects of DHA on microglial cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPSs). Data were acquired using the parallel accumulation serial fragmentation method in a hybrid trapped ion mobility-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Over 2800 proteins are identified using label-free quantitative proteomics. Cells exposed to LPSs and/or DHA resulted in changes in cell morphology and expression of 49 proteins with differential abundance (greater than 1.5-fold change). The data provide details about pathways that are influenced in this system including the nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of the activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway. Western blots and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay studies are used to help confirm the proteomic results. The MS data are available at ProteomeXchange.

Harpagophytum procumbens Extract Ameliorates Allodynia and Modulates Oxidative and Antioxidant Stress Pathways in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a deliberating disorder with impairments in locomotor deficits and incapacitating sensory abnormalities. Harpagophytum procumbens (Hp) is a botanical widely used for treating inflammation and pain related to various inflammatory and musculoskeletal conditions. Using a modified rodent contusion model of SCI, we explored the effects of this botanical on locomotor function and responses to mechanical stimuli, and examined possible neurochemical changes associated with SCI-induced allodynia. Following spinal cord contusion at T10 level, Hp (300 mg/kg, p.o.) or vehicle (water) was administered daily starting 24 h post-surgery, and behavioral measurements made every-other day until sacrifice (Day 21). Hp treatment markedly ameliorated the contusion-induced decrease in locomotor function and increased sensitivity to mechanical stimuli. Determination of Iba1 expression in spinal cord tissues indicated microglial infiltration starting 3 days post-injury. SCI results in increased levels of 4-hydroxynonenal, an oxidative stress product and proalgesic, which was diminished at 7 days by treatment with Hp. SCI also enhanced antioxidant heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression. Concurrent studies of cultured murine BV-2 microglial cells revealed that Hp suppressed oxidative/nitrosative stress and inflammatory responses, including production of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species, phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipases A₂, and upregulation of the antioxidative stress pathway involving the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and HO-1. These results support the use of Hp for management of allodynia by providing resilience against the neuroinflammation and pain associated with SCI and other neuropathological conditions.

Enhancing biocompatibility and neuronal anti-inflammatory activity of polymyxin B through conjugation with gellan gum

Polymyxins, as strong antibiotics with high liposaccharide deactivation abilities, are rarely used as neuronal anti-inflammatory agent because of their high cytotoxicity. In this study, polymyxin B (PMB) was conjugated with deacylated gellan gum for the sustained release of PMB to reduce its cytotoxicity at high concentration without affecting the antibacterial and liposaccharide binding activities. For the conjugate of original PMB/GN ratio of 1.0 (GPC), the conjugating rate was 96.40%, and the releasing ratio of PMB was 30.12% within 60 h. The FT-IR spectra of GPC indicated that the amino groups of PMB were covalently bonded with the COOH groups of gellan and other PMB molecules. Most GPCs were micelle shaped regardless of whether they were under dry conditions or in an aqueous solution. The inhibition zones of PMB against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were small, but the half maximal inhibitory concentration value against BV-2 cells increased from 15.63 μg/mL to 2000.00 μg/mL after conjugation. GPC can also effectively depress the liposaccharide-stimulated overexpression of cytotoxic nitric oxide by BV-2 cells. This study revealed the possibility of using polymyxins for neuronal anti-inflammation and that this gellan/PMB conjugate can potentially be applied to wound healing and implants.

Quercetin Potentiates Docosahexaenoic Acid to Suppress Lipopolysaccharide-induced Oxidative/Inflammatory Responses, Alter Lipid Peroxidation Products, and Enhance the Adaptive Stress Pathways in BV-2 Microglial Cells

High levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the phospholipids of mammalian brain have generated increasing interest in the search for its role in regulating brain functions. Recent studies have provided evidence for enhanced protective effects when DHA is administered in combination with phytochemicals, such as quercetin. DHA and quercetin can individually suppress lipopolysaccharide (LPS)–induced oxidative/inflammatory responses and enhance the antioxidative stress pathway involving nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2). However, studies with BV-2 microglial cells indicated rather high concentrations of DHA (IC₅₀ in the range of 60–80 µM) were needed to produce protective effects. To determine whether quercetin combined with DHA can lower the levels of DHA needed to produce protective effects in these cells is the goal for this study. Results showed that low concentrations of quercetin (2.5 µM), in combination with DHA (10 µM), could more effectively enhance the expression of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and suppress LPS–induced nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, phospho-cytosolic phospholipase A₂, reactive oxygen species, and 4-hydroxynonenal, as compared to the same levels of DHA or quercetin alone. These results provide evidence for the beneficial effects of quercetin in combination with DHA, and further suggest their potential as nutraceuticals for improving health.

Role of protein kinase Cδ in dopaminergic neurotoxic events

The pro-apoptotic role of Protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ), a member of the novel PKC subfamily, has been well-documented in various pathological conditions. In the central nervous system, the possible role of PKCδ has been studied, mainly in the condition of dopaminergic loss. It has been suggested that the phosphorylation of PKCδ at tyrosine 311 residue (Tyr³¹¹) by redox-sensitive Src family kinases (SFKs) is critical for the caspase-3-mediated proteolytic cleavage, which produces the constitutively active cleaved form of PKCδ. Mitochondrial translocation of cleaved PKCδ has been suggested to facilitate mitochondria-derived apoptosis and oxidative burdens. Moreover, it has been suggested that PKCδ contribute to neuroinflammation through the transformation of microglia into the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype and the assembly of membrane NADPH oxidase in dopaminergic impairments. Interestingly, mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitors or neuroinflammogens have shown to induce PKCδ activation in dopaminergic systems. Thus, PKCδ activation may be one of the pivotal causes of neuropathologic events, and could amplify these processes further in a positive feedback manner. Furthermore, PKCδ may play an intermediary role in connecting each neuropathologic event. This review affords insight into the role of PKCδ in various dopaminergic neurotoxic models, which could provide a potential target for mitigating dopaminergic neurotoxicity.

Thymoquinone increases the expression of neuroprotective proteins while decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the gene expression NFκB pathway signaling targets in LPS/IFNγ -activated BV-2 microglia cells

Neuroinflammation and microglial activation are pathological markers of a number of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Chronic activation of microglia induces the release of excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, chronic microglial activation has been implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Thymoquinone (TQ) has been identified as one of the major active components of the natural product Nigella sativa seed oil. TQ has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and neuroprotective effects. In this study, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon gamma (IFNγ) activated BV-2 microglial cells were treated with TQ (12.5 μM for 24 h). We performed quantitative proteomic analysis using Orbitrap/Q-Exactive Proteomic LC-MS/MS (Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) to globally assess changes in protein expression between the treatment groups. Furthermore, we evaluated the ability of TQ to suppress the inflammatory response using ELISArray™ for Inflammatory Cytokines. We also assessed TQ's effect on the gene expression of NFκB signaling targets by profiling 84 key genes via real-time reverse transcription (RT2) PCR array. Our results indicated that TQ treatment of LPS/IFNγ-activated microglial cells significantly increased the expression of 4 antioxidant, neuroprotective proteins: glutaredoxin-3 (21 fold; p < 0.001), biliverdin reductase A (15 fold; p < 0.0001), 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (11 fold; p < 0.01), and mitochondrial lon protease (>8 fold; p < 0.001) compared to the untreated, activated cells. Furthermore, TQ treatment significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines, IL-2 = 38%, IL-4 = 19%, IL-6 = 83%, IL-10 = 237%, and IL-17a = 29%, in the activated microglia compared to the untreated, activated which expression levels were significantly elevated compared to the control microglia: IL-2 = 127%, IL-4 = 151%, IL-6 = 670%, IL-10 = 133%, IL-17a = 127%. Upon assessing the gene expression of NFκB signaling targets, this study also demonstrated that TQ treatment of activated microglia resulted in >7 fold down-regulation of several NFκB signaling targets genes, including interleukin 6 (IL6), complement factor B (CFB), chemokine (CC motif) ligand 3 (CXCL3), chemokine (CC) motif ligand 5 (CCL5) compared to the untreated, activated microglia. This modulation in gene expression counteracts the >10-fold upregulation of these same genes observed in the activated microglia compared to the controls. Our results show that TQ treatment of LPS/IFNγ-activated BV-2 microglial cells induce a significant increase in expression of neuroprotective proteins, a significant decrease in expression inflammatory cytokines, and a decrease in the expression of signaling target genes of the NFκB pathway. Our findings are the first to show that TQ treatment increased the expression of these neuroprotective proteins (biliverdin reductase-A, 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase, glutaredoxin-3, and mitochondrial lon protease) in the activated BV-2 microglial cells. Additionally, our results indicate that TQ treatment decreased the activation of the NFκB signaling pathway, which plays a key role in neuroinflammation. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that TQ treatment reduces the inflammatory response and modulates the expression of specific proteins and genes and hence potentially reduce neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration driven by microglial activation.

Unveiling anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of docosahexaenoic acid and its lipid peroxidation product on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells

BACKGROUND

Phospholipids in the central nervous system are enriched in n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA). These PUFA can undergo enzymatic reactions to produce lipid mediators, as well as reaction with oxygen free radicals to produce 4-hydroxyhexenal (4-HHE) from DHA and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) from ARA. Recent studies demonstrated pleiotropic properties of these peroxidation products through interaction with oxidative and anti-oxidant response pathways. In this study, BV-2 microglial cells were used to investigate ability for DHA, 4-HHE, and 4-HNE to stimulate the anti-oxidant stress responses involving the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway and synthesis of heme oxygenase (HO-1), as well as to mitigate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA₂). In addition, LC-MS/MS analysis was carried out to examine effects of exogenous DHA and LPS stimulation on endogenous 4-HHE and 4-HNE levels in BV-2 microglial cells.

METHODS

Effects of DHA, 4-HHE, and 4-HNE on LPS-induced NO production was determined using the Griess reagent. LPS-induced ROS production was measured using CM-H₂DCFDA. Western blots were used to analyze expression of p-cPLA₂, Nrf2, and HO-1. Cell viability and cytotoxicity were measured using the WST-1 assay, and cell protein concentrations were measured using the BCA protein assay kit. An ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis was used to determine levels of free 4-HHE and 4-HNE in cells.

RESULTS

DHA (12.5-100 μM), 4-HHE (1.25-10 μM), and 4-HNE (1.25-10 μM) dose dependently suppressed LPS-induced production of NO, ROS, and as p-cPLA₂ in BV-2 microglial cells. With the same concentrations, these compounds could enhance Nrf2 and HO-1 expression in these cells. Based on the estimated IC₅₀ values, 4-HHE and 4-HNE were five- to tenfold more potent than DHA in inhibiting LPS-induced NO, ROS, and p-cPLA₂. LC-MS/MS analysis indicated ability for DHA (10-50 μM) to increase levels of 4-HHE and attenuate levels of 4-HNE in BV-2 microglial cells. Stimulation of cells with LPS caused an increase in 4-HNE which could be abrogated by cPLA₂ inhibitor. In contrast, bromoenol lactone (BEL), a specific inhibitor for the Ca²⁺-independent phospholipase A₂ (iPLA₂), could only partially suppress levels of 4-HHE induced by DHA or DHA + LPS.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the ability of DHA and its lipid peroxidation products, namely, 4-HHE and 4-HNE at 1.25-10 μM, to enhance Nrf2/HO-1 and mitigate LPS-induced NO, ROS, and p-cPLA₂ in BV-2 microglial cells. In addition, LC-MS/MS analysis of the levels of 4-HHE and 4-HNE in microglial cells demonstrates that increases in production of 4-HHE from DHA and 4-HNE from LPS are mediated by different mechanisms.

The protective effect of fermented Curcuma longa L. on memory dysfunction in oxidative stress-induced C6 gliomal cells, proinflammatory-activated BV2 microglial cells, and scopolamine-induced amnesia model in mice

BACKGROUND

Curcuma longa L. is a well-known medicinal plant that has been used for its anti-cancer, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective effects. However, the neuroprotective effect of fermented C. longa (FCL) has not been reported. Therefore, in this study, the effectiveness of FCL for the regulation of memory dysfunction was investigated in two brain cell lines (rat glioma C6 and murine microglia BV2) and scopolamine-treated mice.

METHODS

C. longa powder was fermented by 5% Lactobacillus plantarum K154 containing 2% (w/v) yeast extract at 30 °C for 72 h followed by sterilization at 121 °C for 15 min. The protective effects of fermented C. longa (FCL) on oxidative stress induced cell death were analyzed by MTT assay in C6 cells. The anti-inflammatory effects of FCL were investigated by measuring the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) as well as the expression levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. The step-through passive avoidance test, Morris water maze test, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and expression of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) were employed to determine the effects of FCL on scopolamine-induced memory deficit in mice. The contents of curcuminoids were analyzed through LC/MS.

RESULTS

Pretreatment with FCL effectively prevented the cell death induced by oxidative stress in C6 cells. Moreover, FCL inhibited the production NO and PGE₂ via the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression in BV2 cells. FCL significantly attenuated scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice and prevented scopolamine-induced AChE activity in the hippocampus. Additionally, FCL reversed the reduction of CREB and BDNF expression. The curcuminoids content in FCL was 1.44%.

CONCLUSION

FCL pretreatment could alleviate scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice, as well as oxidative stress and inflammation in C6 and BV2 cells, respectively. Thus, FCL might be a useful material for preventing impairment of learning and memory.

Examination of Gelatinase Isoforms in Rodent Models of Acute Neurodegenerative Diseases Using Two-Dimensional Zymography

Pathological activation of gelatinases (matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9; MMP-2/-9) has been shown to cause a number of detrimental outcomes in neurodegenerative diseases. In gel gelatin zymography is a highly sensitive methodology commonly used in revealing levels of gelatinase activity and in separating the proform and active form of gelatinases, based on their different molecular weights. However, this methodology is inadequate in resolving complex enzyme isoforms, because gelatinase expression and activity can be regulated at transcriptional and/or post-translational levels under in vivo conditions resulting in alternation of their isoelectric focusing (IEF) points. In this chapter, we describe an advanced methodology, termed two-dimensional zymography, combining IEF with zymographic electrophoresis under non-reducing conditions to achieve significant improvement in separation of the gelatinase isoforms in both cell-based and in vivo models for acute brain injuries and neuroinflammation.

Effects of aged garlic extract and FruArg on gene expression and signaling pathways in lipopolysaccharide-activated microglial cells

Aged garlic extract (AGE) is widely used as a dietary supplement on account of its protective effects against oxidative stress and inflammation. But less is known about specific molecular targets of AGE and its bioactive components, including N-α-(1-deoxy-D-fructos-1-yl)-L-arginine (FruArg). Our recent study showed that both AGE and FruArg significantly attenuate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammatory responses in BV-2 microglial cells. This study aims to unveil effects of AGE and FruArg on gene expression regulation in LPS stimulated BV-2 cells. Results showed that LPS treatment significantly altered mRNA levels from 2563 genes. AGE reversed 67% of the transcriptome alteration induced by LPS, whereas FruArg accounted for the protective effect by reversing expression levels of 55% of genes altered by LPS. Key pro-inflammatory canonical pathways induced by the LPS stimulation included toll-like receptor signaling, IL-6 signaling, and Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress pathway, along with elevated expression levels of genes, such as Il6, Cd14, Casp3, Nfkb1, Hmox1, and Tnf. These effects could be modulated by treatment with both AGE and FruArg. These findings suggests that AGE and FruArg are capable of alleviating oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory responses stimulated by LPS in BV-2 cells.

Anti-inflammatory properties of tianeptine on lipopolysaccharide-induced changes in microglial cells involve toll-like receptor-related pathways

Accumulating evidence suggests that activation of microglia plays a key role in the pathogenesis of depression. Activated microglia produce a wide range of factors whose prolonged or excessive release may lead to brain disorders. Thus, the inhibition of microglial cells may be beneficial in the treatment of depressive diseases. Tianeptine is an atypical antidepressant drug with proven clinical efficacy, but its mechanism of action remains still not fully understood. In the present study, using microglial cultures we investigated whether tianeptine modifies microglial activation after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation and which intracellular pathways are involved in the activity of this antidepressant. Our study shows that tianeptine attenuated the LPS-evoked inflammatory activation of microglia by decreasing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-18, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), the release of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase. Analyses of signaling pathways demonstrate that tianeptine led to the suppression of LPS-induced TLR4 expression and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Furthermore, our study reveals the inhibitory impact of tianeptine on caspase-3-induced PKCδ degradation and consequently on the activation of NF-κB factor in microglial cells. Taken together, present results show anti-inflammatory properties of tianeptine in microglial cultures stimulated by LPS. This study provides evidence that the inhibition of microglial activation may underlie the therapeutic activity of tianeptine. Our findings show the anti-inflammatory effect of tianeptine (TIA) in lipopolisaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglial cells. The beneficial tianeptine action is mediated through the inhibition of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression as well as the TLR4-related pathways: extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), caspase-3-dependent protein kinase δ (PKCδ) cleavage and the expression of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). These findings may provide a new therapeutic strategy for treatment of disorders based on neuroinflammation, including depression.

Botanical Polyphenols Mitigate Microglial Activation and Microglia-Induced Neurotoxicity: Role of Cytosolic Phospholipase A2

Microglia play a significant role in the generation and propagation of oxidative/nitrosative stress, and are the basis of neuroinflammatory responses in the central nervous system. Upon stimulation by endotoxins such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), these cells release pro-inflammatory factors which can exert harmful effects on surrounding neurons, leading to secondary neuronal damage and cell death. Our previous studies demonstrated the effects of botanical polyphenols to mitigate inflammatory responses induced by LPS, and highlighted an important role for cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) upstream of the pro-inflammatory pathways (Chuang et al. in J Neuroinflammation 12(1):199, 2015. doi: 10.1186/s12974-015-0419-0 ). In this study, we investigate the action of botanical compounds and assess whether suppression of cPLA2 in microglia is involved in the neurotoxic effects on neurons. Differentiated SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were used to test the neurotoxicity of conditioned medium from stimulated microglial cells, and WST-1 assay was used to assess for the cell viability of SH-SY5Y cells. Botanicals such as quercetin and honokiol (but not cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, 3CG) were effective in inhibiting LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and phosphorylation of cPLA2. Conditioned medium from BV-2 cells stimulated with LPS or IFNγ caused neurotoxicity to SH-SY5Y cells. Decrease in cell viability could be ameliorated by pharmacological inhibitors for cPLA2 as well as by down-regulating cPLA2 with siRNA. Botanicals effective in inhibition of LPS-induced NO and cPLA2 phosphorylation were also effective in ameliorating microglial-induced neurotoxicity. Results demonstrated cytotoxic factors from activated microglial cells to cause damaging effects to neurons and potential use of botanical polyphenols to ameliorate the neurotoxic effects.

Fractalkine Attenuates Microglial Cell Activation Induced by Prenatal Stress

The potential contribution of inflammation to the development of neuropsychiatric diseases has recently received substantial attention. In the brain, the main immune cells are the microglia. As they are the main source of inflammatory factors, it is plausible that the regulation of their activation may be a potential therapeutic target. Fractalkine (CX3CL1) and its receptor CX3CR1 play a crucial role in the control of the biological activity of the microglia. In the present study, using microglial cultures we investigated whether fractalkine is able to reverse changes in microglia caused by a prenatal stress procedure. Our study found that the microglia do not express fractalkine. Prenatal stress decreases the expression of the fractalkine receptor, which in turn is enhanced by the administration of exogenous fractalkine. Moreover, treatment with fractalkine diminishes the prenatal stress-induced overproduction of proinflammatory factors such as IL-1β, IL-18, IL-6, TNF-α, CCL2, or NO in the microglial cells derived from prenatally stressed newborns. In conclusion, the present results revealed that the pathological activation of microglia in prenatally stressed newborns may be attenuated by fractalkine administration. Therefore, understanding of the role of the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 system may help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the neuron-microglia interaction and its role in pathological conditions in the brain.

Cytosolic phospholipase A2 plays a crucial role in ROS/NO signaling during microglial activation through the lipoxygenase pathway

Background

Oxidative stress and inflammation are important factors contributing to the pathophysiology of numerous neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, acute stroke, and infections of the brain. There is well-established evidence that proinflammatory cytokines and glutamate, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), are produced upon microglia activation, and these are important factors contributing to inflammatory responses and cytotoxic damage to surrounding neurons and neighboring cells. Microglial cells express relatively high levels of cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA₂), an enzyme known to regulate membrane phospholipid homeostasis and release of arachidonic acid (AA) for synthesis of eicosanoids. The goal for this study is to elucidate the role of cPLA₂IV in mediating the oxidative and inflammatory responses in microglial cells.

Methods

Experiments involved primary microglia cells isolated from transgenic mice deficient in cPLA₂α or iPLA₂β, as well as murine immortalized BV-2 microglial cells. Inhibitors of cPLA₂/iPLA₂/cyclooxygenase (COX)/lipoxygenase (LOX) were used in BV-2 microglial cell line. siRNA transfection was employed to knockdown cPLA₂ expression in BV-2 cells. Griess reaction protocol was used to determine NO concentration, and CM-H2DCF-DA was used to detect ROS production in primary microglia and BV-2 cells. WST-1 assay was used to assess cell viability. Western blotting was used to assess protein expression levels. Immunocytochemical staining for phalloidin against F-actin was used to demonstrate cell morphology.

Results

In both primary and BV-2 microglial cells, stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or interferon gamma (IFNγ) resulted in a time-dependent increase in phosphorylation of cPLA₂ together with ERK1/2. In BV-2 cells, LPS- and IFNγ-induced ROS and NO production was inhibited by arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone (AACOCF3) and pyrrophenone as well as RNA interference, but not BEL, suggesting a link between cPLA₂, and not iPLA₂, on LPS/IFNγ-induced nitrosative and oxidative stress in microglial cells. Primary microglial cells isolated from cPLA₂α-deficient mice generated significantly less NO and ROS as compared with the wild-type mice. Microglia isolated from iPLA₂β-deficient mice did not show a decrease in LPS-induced NO and ROS production. LPS/IFNγ induced morphological changes in primary microglia, and these changes were mitigated by AACOCF3. Interestingly, despite that LPS and IFNγ induced an increase in phospho-cPLA₂ and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release, LPS- and IFNγ-induced NO and ROS production were not altered by the COX-1/2 inhibitor but were suppressed by the LOX-12 and LOX-15 inhibitors instead.

Conclusions

In summary, the results in this study demonstrated the role of cPLA₂ in microglial activation with metabolic links to oxidative and inflammatory responses, and this was in part regulated by the AA metabolic pathways, namely the LOXs. Further studies with targeted inhibition of cPLA₂/LOX in microglia during neuroinflammatory conditions can be valuable to investigate the therapeutic potential in ameliorating neurological disease pathology.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12974-015-0419-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Quercetin Attenuates Inflammatory Responses in BV-2 Microglial Cells: Role of MAPKs on the Nrf2 Pathway and Induction of Heme Oxygenase-1

A large group of flavonoids found in fruits and vegetables have been suggested to elicit health benefits due mainly to their anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Recent studies with immune cells have demonstrated inhibition of these inflammatory responses through down-regulation of the pro-inflammatory pathway involving NF-κB and up-regulation of the anti-oxidative pathway involving Nrf2. In the present study, the murine BV-2 microglial cells were used to compare anti-inflammatory activity of quercetin and cyanidin, two flavonoids differing by their alpha, beta keto carbonyl group. Quercetin was 10 folds more potent than cyanidin in inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production as well as stimulation of Nrf2-induced heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expression. In addition, quercetin demonstrated enhanced ability to stimulate HO-1 protein expression when cells were treated with LPS. In an attempt to unveil mechanism(s) for quercetin to enhance Nrf2/HO-1 activity under endotoxic stress, results pointed to an increase in phospho-p38MAPK expression upon addition of quercetin to LPS. In addition, pharmacological inhibitors for phospho-p38MAPK and MEK1/2 for ERK1/2 further showed that these MAPKs target different sites of the Nrf2 pathway that regulates HO-1 expression. However, inhibition of LPS-induced NO by quercetin was not fully reversed by TinPPIX, a specific inhibitor for HO-1 activity. Taken together, results suggest an important role of quercetin to regulate inflammatory responses in microglial cells and its ability to upregulate HO-1 against endotoxic stress through involvement of MAPKs.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic Acid (DIDS) Ameliorates Ischemia-Hypoxia-Induced White Matter Damage in Neonatal Rats through Inhibition of the Voltage-Gated Chloride Channel ClC-2

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion is believed to cause white matter lesions (WMLs), leading to cognitive impairment. Previous studies have shown that inflammation and apoptosis of oligodendrocytes (OLs) are involved in the pathogenesis of WMLs, but effective treatments have not been studied. In this study, 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), a chloride (Cl⁻) channel blocker, was injected into chronic cerebral ischemia-hypoxia rat models at different time points. Our results showed that DIDS significantly reduced the elevated mRNA levels and protein expression of chloride channel 2 (ClC-2) in neonatal rats induced by ischemia-hypoxia. Meanwhile, DIDS application significantly decreased the concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS); and the mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha TNF-α in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic damage. Myelin staining was weaker in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic damage compared to normal controls in corpus callosum and other white matter, which was ameliorated by DIDS. Furthermore, the elevated number of caspase-3 and neural/glial antigen 2 (NG-2) double-labeled positive cells was attenuated by DIDS after ischemia anoxic injury. Administration of DIDS soon after injury alleviated damage to OLs much more effectively in white matter. In conclusion, our study suggests that early application of DIDS after ischemia-hypoxia injury may partially protect developing OLs.

Two-dimensional zymography differentiates gelatinase isoforms in stimulated microglial cells and in brain tissues of acute brain injuries

Excessive activation of gelatinases (MMP-2/-9) is a key cause of detrimental outcomes in neurodegenerative diseases. A single-dimension zymography has been widely used to determine gelatinase expression and activity, but this method is inadequate in resolving complex enzyme isoforms, because gelatinase expression and activity could be modified at transcriptional and posttranslational levels. In this study, we investigated gelatinase isoforms under in vitro and in vivo conditions using two-dimensional (2D) gelatin zymography electrophoresis, a protocol allowing separation of proteins based on isoelectric points (pI) and molecular weights. We observed organomercuric chemical 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate-induced activation of MMP-2 isoforms with variant pI values in the conditioned medium of human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells. Studies with murine BV-2 microglial cells indicated a series of proform MMP-9 spots separated by variant pI values due to stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The MMP-9 pI values were shifted after treatment with alkaline phosphatase, suggesting presence of phosphorylated isoforms due to the proinflammatory stimulation. Similar MMP-9 isoforms with variant pI values in the same molecular weight were also found in mouse brains after ischemic and traumatic brain injuries. In contrast, there was no detectable pI differentiation of MMP-9 in the brains of chronic Zucker obese rats. These results demonstrated effective use of 2D zymography to separate modified MMP isoforms with variant pI values and to detect posttranslational modifications under different pathological conditions.

Inhibition of microglial activation by elderberry extracts and its phenolic components

AIMS

Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) is one of the oldest medicinal plants noted for its cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory, and immune-stimulatory properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of the American elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis) pomace as well as some of the anthocyanins (cyanidin chloride and cyanidin 3-O-glucoside) and flavonols (quercetin and rutin) in bv-2 mouse microglial cells.

MAIN METHODS

The bv-2 cells were pretreated with elderberry pomace (extracted with ethanol or ethyl acetate) or its anthocyanins and flavonols and stimulated by either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or interferon-γ (IFNγ). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production (indicating oxidative stress and inflammatory response) were measured using the ROS detection reagent DCF-DA and the Griess reaction, respectively.

KEY FINDINGS

Analysis of total monomeric anthocyanin (as cyanidin 3-O-glucoside equivalents) indicated five-fold higher amount in the freeze-dried ethanol extract as compared to that of the oven-dried extract; anthocyanin was not detected in the ethyl acetate extracts. Elderberry ethanol extracts (freeze-dried or oven-dried) showed higher anti-oxidant activities and better ability to inhibit LPS or IFNγ-induced NO production as compared with the ethyl acetate extracts. The phenolic compounds strongly inhibited LPS or IFNγ-induced ROS production, but except for quercetin, they were relatively poor in inhibiting NO production.

SIGNIFICANCE

These results demonstrated differences in anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of elderberry extracts depending on solvents used. Results further identified quercetin as the most active component in suppressing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses on microglial cells.

Activation of murine microglial N9 cells is attenuated through cannabinoid receptor CB2 signaling

Inhibition of microglial activation is effective in treating various neurological disorders. Activation of microglial cannabinoid CB2 receptor induces anti-inflammatory effects, and the mechanism, however, is still elusive. Microglia could be activated into the classic activated state (M1 state) or the alternative activated state (M2 state), the former is cytotoxic, and the latter is neurotrophic. In this study, we used lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus interferon-γ (IFNγ) to activate N9 microglia and hypothesized the pretreatment with cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonist AM1241 attenuates microglial activation by shifting microglial M1 to M2 state. We found that pretreatment with 5 μM AM1241 at 1 h before microglia were exposed to LPS plus IFNγ decreased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the release of pro-inflammatory factors, increased the expression of arginase 1 (Arg-1) and the release of anti-inflammatory and neurotrophic factors in microglia. However, these effects induced by AM1241 pretreatment were significantly reversed in the presence of 10 μM cannabinoid CB2 receptor antagonist AM630 or 10 μM protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor chelerythrine. These findings indicated that AM1241 pretreatment attenuates microglial activation by shifting M1 to M2 activated state via CB2 receptor, and the AM1241-induced anti-inflammatory effects may be mediated by PKC.

Effects of Elderberry Juice from Different Genotypes on Oxidative and Inflammatory Responses in Microglial Cells

Many species of berries are nutritious food and offer health benefits. However, among the different types of berries, information on health effects of American elderberries (Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis) has been lacking and little is known about whether elderberry consumption can confer neuroprotective effects on the central nervous system. Microglial cells constitute a unique class of immune cells and exhibit characteristic properties to carry out multifunctional duties in the brain. Activation of microglial cells has been implicated in brain injury and in many types of neurodegenerative diseases. Our recent studies demonstrated the ability for endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and interferon gamma (IFNγ) to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) in murine microglial cells (BV-2) through activating NADPH oxidase and the MAPK pathways. In this study, BV-2 microglial cells were used to examine effects of elderberry juice obtained from different genotypes on oxidative and inflammatory responses induced by LPS and IFNγ. Results show that 'Wyldewood' extract demonstrated antioxidant properties by inhibiting IFNγ-induced ROS production and p-ERK1/2 expression. On the other hand, most juice extracts exerted small effects on LPS-induced NO production and some extracts showed an increase in NO production upon stimulation with IFNγ. The disparity of responses on ROS and NO production from different extracts suggests possible presence of unknown endogenous factor(s) in the extract in promoting the IFNγ-induced iNOS synthesis pathway.

Proteomic analysis of the effects of aged garlic extract and its FruArg component on lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammatory response in microglial cells

Aged garlic extract (AGE) is widely used as a dietary supplement, and is claimed to promote human health through anti-oxidant/anti-inflammatory activities with hypolipidemic, antiplatelet and neuroprotective effects. Prior studies of AGE have mainly focused on its organosulfur compounds, with little attention paid to its carbohydrate derivatives, such as N-α-(1-deoxy-D-fructos-1-yl)-L-arginine (FruArg). The goal of this study is to investigate actions of AGE and FruArg on antioxidative and neuroinflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated murine BV-2 microglial cells using a proteomic approach. Our data show that both AGE and FruArg can significantly inhibit LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in BV-2 cells. Quantitative proteomic analysis by combining two dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) with mass spectrometry revealed that expressions of 26 proteins were significantly altered upon LPS exposure, while levels of 20 and 21 proteins exhibited significant changes in response to AGE and FruArg treatments, respectively, in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells. Notably, approximate 78% of the proteins responding to AGE and FruArg treatments are in common, suggesting that FruArg is a major active component of AGE. MULTICOM-PDCN and Ingenuity Pathway Analyses indicate that the proteins differentially affected by treatment with AGE and FruArg are involved in inflammatory responses and the Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress response. Collectively, these results suggest that AGE and FruArg attenuate neuroinflammatory responses and promote resilience in LPS-activated BV-2 cells by suppressing NO production and by regulating expression of multiple protein targets associated with oxidative stress.

Proteomic quantification and site-mapping of S-nitrosylated proteins using isobaric iodoTMT reagents

S-Nitrosylation is a redox-based protein post-translational modification in response to nitric oxide signaling and is involved in a wide range of biological processes. Detection and quantification of protein S-nitrosylation have been challenging tasks due to instability and low abundance of the modification. Many studies have used mass spectrometry (MS)-based methods with different thiol-reactive reagents to label and identify proteins with S-nitrosylated cysteine (SNO-Cys). In this study, we developed a novel iodoTMT switch assay (ISA) using an isobaric set of thiol-reactive iodoTMTsixplex reagents to specifically detect and quantify protein S-nitrosylation. Irreversible labeling of SNO-Cys with the iodoTMTsixplex reagents enables immune-affinity detection of S-nitrosylated proteins, enrichment of iodoTMT-labeled peptides by anti-TMT resin, and importantly, unambiguous modification site-mapping and multiplex quantification by liquid chromatography–tandem MS. Additionally, we significantly improved anti-TMT peptide enrichment efficiency by competitive elution. Using ISA, we identified a set of SNO-Cys sites responding to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in murine BV-2 microglial cells and revealed effects of S-allyl cysteine from garlic on LPS-induced protein S-nitrosylation in antioxidative signaling and mitochondrial metabolic pathways. ISA proved to be an effective proteomic approach for quantitative analysis of S-nitrosylation in complex samples and will facilitate the elucidation of molecular mechanisms of nitrosative stress in disease.

Paroxetine ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced microglia activation via differential regulation of MAPK signaling

BACKGROUND

Paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor for counteracting depression, has been recently suggested as having a role in prevention of dopaminergic neuronal degeneration in substantia nigra, a hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). The pathogenesis of this type of neurological disorders often involves the activation of microglia and associated inflammatory processes. Thus in this study we aimed to understand the role of paroxetine in microglia activation and to elucidate the underlying mechanism(s).

METHODS

BV2 and primary microglial cells were pretreated with paroxetine and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cells were assessed for the responses of pro-inflammatory mediator and cytokines, and the related signaling pathways were evaluated and analyzed in BV2 cells.

RESULTS

Paroxetine significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β. Further analysis showed inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-1β were attenuated by paroxetine pretreatment. Analyses in signaling pathways demonstrated that paroxetine led to suppression of LPS-induced JNK1/2 activation and baseline ERK1/2 activity, but had little effect on the activation of p38 and p65/NF-κB. Interference with specific inhibitors revealed that paroxetine-mediated suppression of NO production was via JNK1/2 pathway while the cytokine suppression was via both JNK1/2 and ERK1/2 pathways. Furthermore, conditioned media culture showed that paroxetine suppressed the microglia-mediated neurotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Paroxetine inhibits LPS-stimulated microglia activation through collective regulation of JNK1/2 and ERK1/2 signaling. Our results indicate a potential role of paroxetine in neuroprotection via its anti-neuroinflammatory effect besides targeting for depression.

Sutherlandia frutescens ethanol extracts inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in neurons and microglial cells

Sutherlandia frutescens (L.) R.Br. (SF) is a medicinal plant indigenous to southern Africa and used in folk and contemporary remedies for stress, chronic diseases, cancer, and HIV/AIDS. While previous studies have focused on physiological effects of SF on cellular and systemic abnormalities associated with these diseases, little is known about its effects in the brain and immune cells in the central nervous system. Results of this study indicate that ethanol extracts of SF (SF-E) suppress NMDA-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in neurons, and LPS- and IFNγ-induced ROS and nitric oxide (NO) production in microglial cells. SF-E’s action on microglial cells appears to be mediated through inhibition of the IFNγ-induced p-ERK1/2 signaling pathway which is central to regulating a number of intracellular metabolic processes including enhancing STAT1α phosphorylation and filopodia formation. The involvement of SF in these pathways suggests the potential for novel therapeutics for stress and prevention, and/or treatment of HIV/AIDS as well as other inflammatory diseases in the brain.

NitroDIGE analysis reveals inhibition of protein S-nitrosylation by epigallocatechin gallates in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated microglial cells

Background

Nitric oxide (NO) is a signaling molecule regulating numerous cellular functions in development and disease. In the brain, neuronal injury or neuroinflammation can lead to microglial activation, which induces NO production. NO can react with critical cysteine thiols of target proteins forming S-nitroso-proteins. This modification, known as S-nitrosylation, is an evolutionarily conserved redox-based post-translational modification (PTM) of specific proteins analogous to phosphorylation. In this study, we describe a protocol for analyzing S-nitrosylation of proteins using a gel-based proteomic approach and use it to investigate the modes of action of a botanical compound found in green tea, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), on protein S-nitrosylation after microglial activation.

Methods/Results

To globally and quantitatively analyze NO-induced protein S-nitrosylation, the sensitive gel-based proteomic method, termed NitroDIGE, was developed by combining two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE) with the modified biotin switch technique (BST) using fluorescence-tagged CyDye™ thiol reactive agents to label S-nitrosothiols. The NitroDIGE method showed high specificity and sensitivity in detecting S-nitrosylated proteins (SNO-proteins). Using this approach, we identified a subset of SNO-proteins ex vivo by exposing immortalized murine BV-2 microglial cells to a physiological NO donor, or in vivo by exposing BV-2 cells to endotoxin lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to induce a proinflammatory response. Moreover, EGCG was shown to attenuate S-nitrosylation of proteins after LPS-induced activation of microglial cells primarily by modulation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated oxidative stress response.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that NitroDIGE is an effective proteomic strategy for “top-down” quantitative analysis of protein S-nitrosylation in multi-group samples in response to nitrosative stress due to excessive generation of NO in cells. Using this approach, we have revealed the ability of EGCG to down-regulate protein S-nitrosylation in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells, consistent with its known antioxidant effects.

Inflammation induces multinucleation of Microglia via PKC inhibition of cytokinesis, generating highly phagocytic multinucleated giant cells

Microglia are brain macrophages, which can undergo multinucleation to give rise to multinucleated giant cells that accumulate with ageing and some brain pathologies. However, the origin, regulation and function of multinucleate microglia remain unclear. We found that inflammatory stimuli, including lipopolysaccharide, amyloid β, α-synuclein, tumour necrosis factor-α and interferon γ, but not interleukin-4, induced multinucleation of cultured microglia: primary rat cortical microglia and the murine microglial cell line BV-2. Inflammation-induced multinucleation was prevented by a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor Gö6976 (100 nM) and replicated by a PKC activator phorbol myristate acetate (160 nM). Multinucleation was reversible and not because of cell fusion or phagocytosis, but rather failure of cytokinesis. Time-lapse imaging revealed that some dividing cells failed to abscise, even after formation of long cytoplasmic bridges, followed by retraction of bridge and reversal of cleavage furrow to form multinucleate cells. Multinucleate microglia were larger and 2-4 fold more likely to phagocytose large beads and both dead and live PC12 cells. We conclude that multinucleate microglia are reversibly generated by inflammation via PKC inhibition of cytokinesis, and may have specialized functions/dysfunctions including the phagocytosis of other cells. Inflammation resulted in the accumulation of multiple nuclei per cell in cultured microglia. This multinucleation was reversible and due to a PKC-dependent block of the last step of cell division. Multinucleate microglia were larger and had a greater capacity to phagocytose other cells, suggesting they might remove neurons in the brain.

Inhibition of ROS-activated p38MAPK pathway is involved in the protective effect of H2S against chemical hypoxia-induced inflammation in PC12 cells

We have demonstrated the neuroprotection of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) against chemical hypoxia-induced injury by inhibiting p38MAPK pathway. The present study attempts to evaluate the effect of H₂S on chemical hypoxia-induced inflammation responses and its mechanisms in PC12 cells. We found that treatment of PC12 cells with cobalt chloride (CoCl₂, a hypoxia mimetic agent) enhanced IL-6 secretion, nitric oxide (NO) generation and expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). L-canavanine, a selective iNOS inhibitor, partly blocked CoCl₂-induced cytotoxicity, apoptosis and mitochondrial insult. In addition, 7-Nitroindazole (7-NI), an inhibitor of nNOS, also partly attenuated the CoCl₂-induced cytotoxicity. The inhibition of p38MAPK by SB203580 (a selective p38MAPK inhibitor) or genetic silencing of p38MAPK by RNAi (Si-p38) depressed not only CoCl₂-induced iNOS expression, NO production, but also IL-6 secretion. In addition, N-acetyl-l-cysteine, a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, conferred a similar protective effect of SB203580 or Si-p38 against CoCl₂-induced inflammatory responses. Importantly, pretreatment of PC12 cells with exogenous application of sodium hydrosulfide (a H₂S donor, 400 μmol/l) for 30 min before exposure to CoCl₂ markedly attenuated chemical hypoxia-stimulated iNOS and nNOS expression, NO generation and IL-6 secretion as well as p38MAPK phosphorylation in PC12 cells. Taken together, we demonstrated that p38MAPK-iNOS pathway contributes to chemical hypoxia-induced inflammation and that H₂S produces an anti-inflammatory effect in chemical hypoxia-stimulated PC12 cells, which may be partly due to inhibition of ROS-activated p38MAPK-iNOS pathway.

Interferon-α induces nitric oxide synthase expression and haem oxygenase-1 down-regulation in microglia: implications of cellular mechanism of IFN-α-induced depression

Substantiating evidence for the inflammation theory of depression is that interferon-alpha (IFN-α) induces clinical depression. Despite numerous researches on neurochemical and neuroendocrinological mechanisms from human and animal studies, the direct mechanisms of IFN-α at cellular levels are still lacking. In this study, we aimed to identify the cellular mechanisms for IFN-α-induced neuroinflammatory response with the murine BV-2 microglia cell line. IFN-α potently induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) release and down-regulated haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression, which could be dampened by Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibition, respectively. IFN-α activated JAK1, JNK, signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)1 and STAT3, but not extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and phosphoinositide 3 (PI3) kinase, signal pathways. The transfection with STAT1 and STAT3 siRNA also inhibited IFN-α-induced iNOS/NO expression and HO-1 down-regulation. The HO-1 activator, CoppIX, reversed iNOS/NO up-regulation and HO-1 down-regulation induced by IFN-α. On the other hand, a knockdown of HO-1 expression enhanced IFN-α-induced iNOS/NO expression. The effects of IFN-α-induced iNOS/NO up-regulation and HO-1 down-regulation in microglia are associated with JAK1/JNK/STAT1 and STAT3 signalling pathways. The different effects between IFN-α and IFN-γ on HO-1 regulation and ERK phosphorylation might provide a possible explanation of different risk in their induction of neuropsychiatric adverse effects in clinical and animal studies. The results from this study add the missing part of direct cellular mechanisms for IFN-α-induced depression.

Chemokine fractalkine attenuates overactivation and apoptosis of BV-2 microglial cells induced by extracellular ATP

Microglia, the resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS), are activated by a myriad of signaling molecules including ATP, an excitatory neurotransmitter and neuron-glial signal with both neuroprotective and neurotoxic effects. The "microglial dysfunction hypothesis" of neurodegeneration posits that overactivated microglia have a reduced neuroprotective capacity and instead promote neurotoxicity. The chemokine fractalkine (FKN), one of only two chemokines constitutively expressed in the CNS, is neuroprotective in several in vivo and in vitro models of CNS pathology. It is possible, but not yet demonstrated, that high ATP concentrations induce microglial overactivation and apoptosis while FKN reduces ATP-mediated microglial overactivation and cytotoxicity. In the current study, we examined the effects of FKN on ATP-induced microglial apoptosis and the underlying mechanisms in the BV-2 microglial cell line. Exposure to ATP induced a dose-dependent reduction in BV-2 cell viability. Prolonged exposure to a high ATP concentration (3 mM for 2 h) transformed ramified (quiescent) BV-2 cells to the amoebic state, induced apoptosis, and reduced Akt phosphorylation. Pretreatment with FKN significantly inhibited ATP-induced microglial apoptosis and transformed amoebic microglia to ramified quiescent cells. These protective effects were blocked by chemical inhibition of PI3 K, strongly implicating the PI3 K/Akt signaling pathway in FKN-mediated protection of BV-2 cells from cytotoxic ATP concentrations. Prevention of ATP-induced microglial overactivation and apoptosis may enhance the neuroprotective capacity of these cells against both acute insults and chronic CNS diseases.

Magnolia polyphenols attenuate oxidative and inflammatory responses in neurons and microglial cells

Background

The bark of magnolia has been used in Oriental medicine to treat a variety of remedies, including some neurological disorders. Magnolol (Mag) and honokiol (Hon) are isomers of polyphenolic compounds from the bark of Magnolia officinalis, and have been identified as major active components exhibiting anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. In this study, we investigate the ability of these isomers to suppress oxidative stress in neurons stimulated by the ionotropic glutamate receptor agonist N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and oxidative and inflammatory responses in microglial cells activated by interferon-γ (IFNγ) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We also attempt to elucidate the mechanism and signaling pathways involved in cytokine-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in microglial cells.

Methods

Dihydroethidium (DHE) was used to assay superoxide production in neurons, while CM-H2DCF-DA was used to test for ROS production in murine (BV-2) and rat (HAPI) immortalized microglial cells. NADPH oxidase inhibitors (for example, diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), AEBSF, and apocynin) and immunocytochemistry targeting p47phox and gp91phox were used to assess the involvement of NADPH oxidase. Western blotting was used to assess iNOS and ERK1/2 expression, and the Griess reaction protocol was employed to determine nitric oxide (NO) concentration.

Results

Exposure of Hon and Mag (1–10 μM) to neurons for 24 h did not alter neuronal viability, but both compounds (10 μM) inhibited NMDA-stimulated superoxide production, a pathway known to involve NADPH oxidase. In microglial cells, Hon and Mag inhibited IFNγ±LPS-induced iNOS expression, NO, and ROS production. Studies with inhibitors and immunocytochemical assay further demonstrated the important role of IFNγ activating the NADPH oxidase through the p-ERK-dependent pathway. Hon and, to a lesser extent, Mag inhibited IFNγ-induced p-ERK1/2 and its downstream pathway for ROS and NO production.

Conclusion

This study highlights the important role of NADPH oxidase in mediating oxidative stress in neurons and microglial cells and has unveiled the role of IFNγ in stimulating the MAPK/ERK1/2 signaling pathway for activation of NADPH oxidase in microglial cells. Hon and Mag offer anti-oxidative or anti-inflammatory effects, at least in part, through suppressing IFNγ-induced p-ERK1/2 and its downstream pathway.

Therapeutic targeting of Krüppel-like factor 4 abrogates microglial activation

BACKGROUND

Neuroinflammation occurs as a result of microglial activation in response to invading micro-organisms or other inflammatory stimuli within the central nervous system. According to our earlier findings, Krüppel-like factor 4 (Klf4), a zinc finger transcription factor, is involved in microglial activation and subsequent release of proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor alpha, macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-6 as well as proinflammatory enzymes, inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in lipopolysaccharide-treated microglial cells. Our current study focuses on finding the molecular mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activities of honokiol in lipopolysaccharide-treated microglia with emphasis on the regulation of Klf4.

METHODS

For in vitro studies, mouse microglial BV-2 cell lines as well as primary microglia were treated with 500 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide as well as 1 μM and 10 μM of honokiol. We cloned full-length Klf4 cDNA in pcDNA3.1 expression vector and transfected BV-2 cells with this construct using lipofectamine for overexpression studies. For in vivo studies, brain tissues were isolated from BALB/c mice treated with 5 mg/kg body weight of lipopolysaccharide either with or without 2.5 or 5 mg/kg body weight of honokiol. Expression of Klf4, cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase and phospho-nuclear factor-kappa B was measured using immunoblotting. We also measured the levels of cytokines, reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide in different conditions.

RESULTS

Our findings suggest that honokiol can substantially downregulate the production of proinflammatory cytokines and inflammatory enzymes in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated microglia. In addition, honokiol downregulates lipopolysaccharide-induced upregulation of both Klf4 and phospho-nuclear factor-kappa B in these cells. We also found that overexpression of Klf4 in BV-2 cells suppresses the anti-inflammatory action of honokiol.

CONCLUSIONS

Honokiol potentially reduces inflammation in activated microglia in a Klf4-dependent manner.

Nitric oxide in neurodegeneration: potential benefits of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories

The cellular messenger nitric oxide (NO) has been linked to neurodegenerative disorders due to the increased expression of the enzymes that catalyze its synthesis in postmortem tissues derived from sufferers of these diseases. Nitrated proteins have also been detected in these samples, revealing that NO is biologically active in regions damaged during neurodegeneration. Modulation of NO levels has been reported not only in the neurons of the central nervous system, but also in the glial cells (microglia and astroglia) activated during the neuroinflammatory response. Neuroinflammation has been found in some neurodegenerative conditions, and inhibition of these neuroinflammatory signals has been shown to delay the progress of such disorders. Thus NO and the pathways triggering its release are emerging as an important research focus in the search for strategies to prevent, halt or cure neurodegenerative diseases.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines and lipopolysaccharide induce changes in cell morphology, and upregulation of ERK1/2, iNOS and sPLA₂-IIA expression in astrocytes and microglia

Background

Activation of glial cells, including astrocytes and microglia, has been implicated in the inflammatory responses underlying brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Although cultured astrocytes and microglia are capable of responding to pro-inflammatory cytokines and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the induction and release of inflammatory factors, no detailed analysis has been carried out to compare the induction of iNOS and sPLA2-IIA. In this study, we investigated the effects of cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IFN-gamma) and LPS + IFN-gamma to induce temporal changes in cell morphology and induction of p-ERK1/2, iNOS and sPLA₂-IIA expression in immortalized rat (HAPI) and mouse (BV-2) microglial cells, immortalized rat astrocytes (DITNC), and primary microglia and astrocytes.

Methods/Results

Cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IFN-gamma) and LPS + IFN-gamma induced a time-dependent increase in fine processes (filopodia) in microglial cells but not in astrocytes. Filopodia production was attributed to IFN-gamma and was dependent on ERK1/2 activation. Cytokines induced an early (15 min) and a delayed phase (1 ~ 4 h) increase in p-ERK1/2 expression in microglial cells, and the delayed phase increase corresponded to the increase in filopodia production. In general, microglial cells are more active in responding to cytokines and LPS than astrocytes in the induction of NO. Although IFN-gamma and LPS could individually induce NO, additive production was observed when IFN-gamma was added together with LPS. On the other hand, while TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and LPS could individually induce sPLA₂-IIA mRNA and protein expression, this induction process does not require IFN-gamma. Interestingly, neither rat immortalized nor primary microglial cells were capable of responding to cytokines and LPS in the induction of sPLA2-IIA expression.

Conclusion

These results demonstrated the utility of BV-2 and HAPI cells as models for investigation on cytokine and LPS induction of iNOS, and DITNC astrocytes for induction of sPLA2-IIA. In addition, results further demonstrated that cytokine-induced sPLA2-IIA is attributed mainly to astrocytes and not microglial cells.

The retinoid, 6-[3-adamantyl-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-napthalene carboxylic acid, controls proliferative, morphological, and inflammatory responses involved in microglial activation without cytotoxic effects

Activation of microglia is regulated by controlling both its population size (through modulation of proliferation/death) and the production of inflammatory mediators. Retinoids control cellular proliferation, differentiation, and death. Natural retinoids have been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory actions against activated microglia. However, the synthetic forms, which are regarded to be more stable in their actions, have not been explored for their capacity to modulate microglial activation, proliferation, and/or trigger cell death. The aim of the current study was to address these issues by using a model, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated primary cultures of rat microglia, and the stable synthetic retinoid, 6-[3-adamantyl-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-napthalene carboxylic acid (AHPN). Morphological observations of cluster of differentiation (CD) 11b (CD11b)-positive cells suggested that low concentration of AHPN (i.e. 5 μM) reduced LPS (1 μg/ml, 24 h)-activated morphology of microglia possibly toward a lower activated state, while attenuating nitrite production and the level of its synthesizing enzyme, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), as well as the chemokine, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). The mechanisms behind these anti-inflammatory actions likely involved decreased activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) as shown by the attenuated phosphorylation of its p65 subunit. In addition, fluorescence-activated cell sorting revealed that AHPN reduced the immunophenotypic marker of activation, CD68. LPS-mediated increase in cell number was reduced by low concentration AHPN, which resulted from inhibition of proliferation, based on decreased labeling for Ki-67 and reduced protein expression of cyclin D1, and not cell death. Higher concentrations of AHPN (50-100 μM) attenuated activation and cell number; however, the release of lactate dehydrogenase and appearance of annexin V and propidium iodide-positive cells suggested that cell death was its primary cause for reduced microglial activity. Overall, the current study shows that synthetic retinoids, such as AHPN, at low concentration attenuate microglial activation-associated responses, possibly via the inhibition of their cell proliferation without triggering cell death.

Specific PKC isoforms regulate LPS-stimulated iNOS induction in murine microglial cells

Background

Excessive production of nitric oxide (NO) by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in reactive microglia is a major contributor to initiation/exacerbation of inflammatory and degenerative neurological diseases. Previous studies have indicated that activation of protein kinase C (PKC) can lead to iNOS induction. Because of the existence of various PKC isoforms and the ambiguous specificity of PKC inhibitors, it is unclear whether all PKC isoforms or a specific subset are involved in the expression of iNOS by reactive microglia. In this study, we employed molecular approaches to characterize the role of each specific PKC isoform in the regulation of iNOS expression in murine microglia.

Methods

Induction of iNOS in response to bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was measured in BV-2 murine microglia treated with class-specific PKC inhibitors, or transfected with siRNA to silence specific PKC isoforms. iNOS expression and MAPK phosphorylation were evaluated by western blot. The role of NF-κB in activated microglia was examined by determining NF-κB transcriptional response element- (TRE-) driven, promoter-mediated luciferase activity.

Results

Murine microglia expressed high levels of nPKCs, and expressed relatively low levels of cPKCs and aPKCs. All PKC inhibitors attenuated induction of iNOS in LPS-activated microglia. Knockdown of PKC δ and PKC β attenuated ERK1/2 and p38 phosphorylation, respectively, and blocked NF-κB activation that leads to the expression of iNOS in reactive microglia.

Conclusions

Our results identify PKC δ and β as the major PKC isoforms regulating iNOS expression in reactive microglia. The signaling pathways mediated by PKC involve phosphorylation of distinct MAPKs and activation of NF-κB. These results may help in the design of novel and selective PKC inhibitors for the treatment of many inflammatory and neurological diseases in which production of NO plays a pathogenic role.

Krüppel-like factor 4, a novel transcription factor regulates microglial activation and subsequent neuroinflammation

BACKGROUND

Activation of microglia, the resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS), is the hallmark of neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases and other pathological conditions associated with CNS infection. The activation of microglia is often associated with bystander neuronal death. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is one of the important transcription factors known to be associated with microglial activation which upregulates the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) and other pro-inflammatory cytokines. Recent studies have focused on the role of Krüppel-like factor 4 (Klf4), one of the zinc-finger transcription factors, in mediating inflammation. However, these studies were limited to peripheral system and its role in CNS is not understood. Our studies focused on the possible role of Klf4 in mediating CNS inflammation.

METHODS

For in vitro studies, mouse microglial BV-2 cell lines were treated with 500 ng/ml Salmonella enterica lipopolysacchride (LPS). Brain tissues were isolated from BALB/c mice administered with 5 mg/kg body weight of LPS. Expressions of Klf4, Cox-2, iNOS and pNF-κB were evaluated using western blotting, quantitative real time PCR, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCRs). Klf4 knockdown was carried out using SiRNA specific for Klf4 mRNA and luciferase assays and electromobility shift assay (EMSA) were performed to study the interaction of Klf4 to iNOS promoter elements in vitro. Co-immunoprecipitation of Klf4 and pNF-κB was done in order to study a possible interaction between the two transcription factors.

RESULTS

LPS stimulation increased Klf4 expression in microglial cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Knockdown of Klf4 resulted in decreased levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, MCP-1 and IL-6, along with a significant decrease in iNOS and Cox-2 expression. NO production also decreased as a result of Klf4 knockdown. We found that Klf4 can potentially interact with pNF-κB and is important for iNOS and Cox-2 promoter activity in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies demonstrate the role of Klf4 in microglia in mediating neuroinflammation in response to the bacterial endotoxin LPS.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase Cdelta activation induces close homolog of adhesion molecule L1 (CHL1) expression in cultured astrocytes

Upregulation of expression of the close homolog of adhesion molecule L1 (CHL1) by reactive astrocytes in the glial scar reduces axonal regeneration and inhibits functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). Here, we investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying upregulation of CHL1 expression by analyzing the signal transduction pathways in vitro. We show that astrogliosis stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) upregulates CHL1 expression in primary cultures of mouse cerebral astrocytes, coinciding with elevated protein synthesis and translocation of protein kinase delta (PKCdelta) from cytosol to the membrane fraction. Blocking PKCdelta activity pharmacologically and genetically attenuates LPS-induced elevation of CHL1 protein expression through a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) dependent pathway. LPS induces extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) phosphorylation through PKCdelta and blockade of ERK1/2 activation abolishes upregulation of CHL1 expression. LPS-triggered upregulation of CHL1 expression mediated through translocation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) to the nucleus is blocked by a specific NF-kappaB inhibitor and by inhibition of PI3K, PKCdelta, and ERK1/2 activities, implicating NF-kappaB as a downstream target for upregulation of CHL1 expression. Furthermore, the LPS-mediated upregulation of CHL1 expression by reactive astrocytes is inhibitory for hippocampal neurite outgrowth in cocultures. Although the LPS-triggered NO-guanylate cyclase-cGMP pathway upregulates glial fibrillary acid protein expression in cultured astrocytes, we did not observe this pathway to mediate LPS-induced upregulation of CHL1 expression. Our results indicate that elevated CHL1 expression by reactive astrocytes requires activation of PI3K/PKCdelta-dependent pathways and suggest that reduction of PI3K/PKCdelta activity represents a therapeutic target to downregulate CHL1 expression and thus benefit axonal regeneration after SCI.

Targeting NADPH oxidase and phospholipases A2 in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is marked by an increase in the production of extracellular beta amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles associated with a decline in brain function. Increases in oxidative stress are regarded as an early sign of AD pathophysiology, although the source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the mechanism(s) whereby beta amyloid peptides (Abeta) impact oxidative stress have not been adequately investigated. Recent studies provide strong evidence for the involvement of NADPH oxidase and its downstream oxidative signaling pathways in the toxic effects elicited by Abeta. ROS produced by NADPH oxidase activate multiple signaling pathways leading to neuronal excitotoxicity and glial cell-mediated inflammation. This review describes recent studies demonstrating the neurotoxic effects of Abeta in conjunction with ROS produced by NADPH oxidase and the downstream pathways leading to activation of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) and secretory PLA(2). In addition, this review also describes recent studies using botanical antioxidants to protect against oxidative damage associated with AD. Investigating the metabolic and signaling pathways involving Abeta NADPH oxidase and PLA(2) can help understand the mechanisms underlying the neurodegenerative effects of oxidative stress in AD. This information should provide new therapeutic approaches for prevention of this debilitating disease.

Nargenicin attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in BV-2 cells

Microglia activation has been considered as a major factor associated with neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of nargenicin, a natural antibiotic from soil bacterium Nocardia, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory activation of microglia. Nargenicin significantly attenuated LPS-induced nitric oxide production in BV-2 microglial cells. Furthermore, nargenicin effectively suppressed the upregulation of interleukin-1beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and inducible nitric oxide synthase at both mRNA and protein levels in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia. In addition, nargenicin blocked LPS-induced degradation of IkappaB-alpha, indicating that the initial molecular target of nargenicin is the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB. These results suggest that nargenicin should be evaluated as a therapeutic agent for inflammatory neurodegenerative diseases.

Chloride channel blockers inhibit iNOS expression and NO production in IFNgamma-stimulated microglial BV2 cells

Microglial cells play an important role during neuroinflammation in the central nervous system. Among other factors, activated microglia produce nitric oxide (NO), which is toxic to neurons and excessive microglial activation and NO production contribute to the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases. Chloride channels have previously been shown to participate in microglial activation. Here we investigate the effects of established chloride channel blockers with different chemical structures on interferon-gamma (IFNgamma)-induced activation of the murine microglial cell line, BV2. IFNgamma-induced NO production was effectively reduced by NPPB, IAA-94, tamoxifen, NS3728 and NS1652, with NS1652 being the most potent. In contrast, DIDS reduced NO production only at cytotoxic concentrations. Furthermore, NS1652 reduced the protein and mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), without altering STAT1 phosphorylation. These observations suggest a microglial chloride conductance as a critical permissive factor downstream in the IFNgamma-induced iNOS cascade. The nature of the underlying channel is unknown, but the pharmacological profile appears incompatible with the involvement of the volume activated anion conductance (VRAC).

Complementary roles of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma in inducible microglial nitric oxide generation

Proinflammatory cytokines and pathogen components activate microglia to release several substances such as nitric oxide (NO) produced after the induction of type II nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The present study was designed to elucidate the interaction between the proinflammatory cytokines interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) on iNOS expression and NO production in microglial cells. In primary mouse microglial cells exposure to IFN-gamma (5 and 10 ng/ml; 48 h) or TNF-alpha (20 ng/ml; 48 h) alone were unable to induce iNOS expression; however, when cells were exposed to both cytokines together, the expression of this enzyme and the NO production in culture media were found significantly increased. In the BV-2 microglial cell line, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha were shown to cooperate in nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) activation, an essential transcription factor for iNOS gene transcription. Importantly, IFN-gamma induced NF-kappa B binding to DNA was totally dependent on the endogenous TNF-alpha released via MEK/ERK signalling pathway. Thus, exposure of BV-2 cells to IFN-gamma in the presence of the selective MEK inhibitor U0126 or a neutralizing anti-TNF-alpha antibody significantly reduced IFN-gamma dependent NF-kappa B activation and iNOs expression. In addition, by activating the Jak/STAT pathway IFN-gamma potentiated TNF-alpha induced NF-kappa B binding to DNA and activated additional transcription factors (i.e. IRF-1) known to be essential for iNOs gene expression. The present findings demonstrate that the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha have complementary roles on iNOS expression in microglial cells and this might be relevant to understand the molecular mechanisms of microglial activation associated with the pathogenesis of several neuroinflammatory disorders in which increased levels of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha have been reported.

Abnormal production of macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha by microglial cell lines derived from neonatal brains of Sandhoff disease model mice

Sandhoff disease (SD) is a lysosomal beta-hexosaminidase deficiency involving excessive accumulation of undegraded substrates, including terminal N-acetylglucosamine-oligosaccharides and GM2 ganglioside, and progressive neurodegeneration. Our previous study demonstrated remarkable induction of macrophage inflammatory factor-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) in microglia in the brains of SD model mice as a putative pathogenic factor for SD via microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. In this study, we established microglial cell lines (WT- and SD-Mg) from wild-type and SD mice, and first demonstrated the enhanced production of MIP-1alpha in SD-Mg. Inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) and Akt reduced the production of MIP-1alpha by SD-Mg. Elevated activation of Akt and partial translocation of PKC isozymes (alpha, betaI, betaII, and delta) from the cytoplasm to the membrane in SD-Mg were also revealed by means of immunoblotting. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that intracellular extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and phospholipase C (PLC), but not phosphoinositide 3-kinase, should contribute to the induction of MIP-1alpha in SD-Mg, and that PLC could independently regulate the activation of both PKC and Akt. We proposed here that the deregulated activation of PLC should cause the enhanced MIP-1alpha production via plural signaling pathways mediated by PKC and Akt, followed by extracellular signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase, in SD-Mg.

Black Cohosh: Insights into its Mechanism(s) of Action

The Women's Health Initiative found that combination estrogen and progesterone hormone replacement therapy increases breast cancer and cardiovascular disease risk, which compelled many women to seek herbal alternatives such as black cohosh extract (BCE) to relieve their menopausal symptoms. While several clinical trials document the efficacy of BCE in alleviating menopausal symptoms, preclinical studies to determine how BCE works have yielded conflicting results. Part of this is because there is not a universally accepted method to standardize the dose of black cohosh triterpenes, the presumed active ingredients in the extract. Although the mechanism by which BCE relieves symptoms is unknown, several hypotheses have been proposed: it acts 1) as a selective estrogen receptor modulator, 2) through serotonergic pathways, 3) as an antioxidant, or 4) on inflammatory pathways. We found that while the most prominent triterpene in BCE, 23-epi-26-deoxyactein, suppresses cytokine-induced nitric oxide production in brain microglial cells, the whole BCE extract actually enhanced this pathway. A variety of activities have been reported for black cohosh and its compounds, but the absorption and tissue distribution of these compounds is unknown.