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Xu XF, Chen J, Long LH, Zhang AM, Yang JW, Li YJ, Chen L, Zhong XL, Xu Y, Cao WY. Chronic social isolation leads to abnormal behavior in male mice through the hippocampal METTL14 mediated epitranscriptomic RNA m6A modifications. J Affect Disord 2024; 366:262-272. [PMID: 39209273 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.08.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social isolation not only increases the risk of mortality in later life but also causes depressive symptoms, cognitive and physical disabilities. Although RNA m6A modifications are suggested to play key roles in brain development, neuronal signaling and neurological disorders, both the roles of m6A and the enzymes that regulate RNA m6A modification in social isolation induced abnormal behavior is unknown. The present study aims to explore the possible epitranscriptomic role of RNA m6A modifications and its enzymes in social isolation induced impaired behavior. METHODS 3-4 weeks mice experiencing 8 weeks social isolation stress (SI) were used in the present study. We quantified m6A levels in brain regions related to mood and cognitive behavior. And the expression of hippocampal m6A enzymes was also determined. The role of hippocampal m6A and its enzymes in SI induced abnormal behavior was further verified by the virus tool. RESULTS SI led to not only depressive and anxiety-like behaviors but also cognitive impairment, with corresponding decreases in hippocampal m6A and METTL14. Hippocampal over-expression METTL14 with lentivirus not only rescued these behaviors but also enhanced the hippocampal m6A level. Hippocampal over-expression METTL14 resulted in increased synaptic related genes. CONCLUSIONS We provide the first evidence that post-weaning social isolation reduces hippocampal m6A level and causes altered expression of m6A enzyme in mice. Importantly, hippocampal METTL14 over-expression alleviated the SI-induced depression/anxiety-like and impaired cognitive behaviors and enhanced m6A level and synaptic related genes expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Fan Xu
- Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng 252000, Shandong, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Lu Hong Long
- Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Ao Mei Zhang
- Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Jing Wen Yang
- Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Yu Jia Li
- Institute of Neuroscience, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Xiao Lin Zhong
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China.
| | - Wen Yu Cao
- Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
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Farinha-Ferreira M, Magalhães DM, Neuparth-Sottomayor M, Rafael H, Miranda-Lourenço C, Sebastião AM. Unmoving and uninflamed: Characterizing neuroinflammatory dysfunction in the Wistar-Kyoto rat model of depression. J Neurochem 2024; 168:2443-2460. [PMID: 38430009 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Reductionistic research on depressive disorders has been hampered by the limitations of animal models. Recently, it has been hypothesized that neuroinflammation is a key player in depressive disorders. The Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat is an often-used animal model of depression, but no information so far exists on its neuroinflammatory profile. As such, we compared male young adult WKY rats to Wistar (WS) controls, with regard to both behavioral performance and brain levels of key neuroinflammatory markers. We first assessed anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in a battery consisting of the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), the Novelty Suppressed Feeding (NSFT), Open Field (OFT), Social Interaction (SIT), Forced Swim (FST), Sucrose Preference (SPT), and Splash tests (ST). We found that WKY rats displayed increased NSFT feeding latency, decreased OFT center zone permanence, decreased EPM open arm permanence, decreased SIT interaction time, and increased immobility in the FST. However, WKY rats also evidenced marked hypolocomotion, which is likely to confound performance in such tests. Interestingly, WKY rats performed similarly, or even above, to WS levels in the SPT and ST, in which altered locomotion is not a significant confound. In a separate cohort, we assessed prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus and amygdala levels of markers of astrocytic (GFAP, S100A10) and microglial (Iba1, CD86, Ym1) activation status, as well as of three key proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α). There were no significant differences between strains in any of these markers, in any of the regions assessed. Overall, results highlight that behavioral data obtained with WKY rats as a model of depression must be carefully interpreted, considering the marked locomotor activity deficits displayed. Furthermore, our data suggest that, despite WKY rats replicating many depression-associated neurobiological alterations, as shown by others, this is not the case for neuroinflammation-related alterations, thus representing a novel limitation of this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Farinha-Ferreira
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Daniela M Magalhães
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mariana Neuparth-Sottomayor
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Hugo Rafael
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Catarina Miranda-Lourenço
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana M Sebastião
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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Zimmermann S, Mathew A, Bondareva O, Elwakiel A, Waldmann K, Jiang S, Rana R, Singh K, Kohli S, Shahzad K, Biemann R, Roskoden T, Storsberg SD, Mawrin C, Krügel U, Bechmann I, Goldschmidt J, Sheikh BN, Isermann B. Chronic kidney disease leads to microglial potassium efflux and inflammasome activation in the brain. Kidney Int 2024:S0085-2538(24)00535-0. [PMID: 39089576 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2024.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is common in extracerebral diseases such as chronic kidney disease (CKD). Kidney transplantation reverses cognitive impairment, indicating that cognitive impairment driven by CKD is therapeutically amendable. However, we lack mechanistic insights allowing development of targeted therapies. Using a combination of mouse models (including mice with neuron-specific IL-1R1 deficiency), single cell analyses (single-nuclei RNA-sequencing and single-cell thallium autometallography), human samples and in vitro experiments we demonstrate that microglia activation impairs neuronal potassium homeostasis and cognition in CKD. CKD disrupts the barrier of brain endothelial cells in vitro and the blood-brain barrier in vivo, establishing that the uremic state modifies vascular permeability in the brain. Exposure to uremic conditions impairs calcium homeostasis in microglia, enhances microglial potassium efflux via the calcium-dependent channel KCa3.1, and induces p38-MAPK associated IL-1β maturation in microglia. Restoring potassium homeostasis in microglia using a KCa3.1-specific inhibitor (TRAM34) improves CKD-triggered cognitive impairment. Likewise, inhibition of the IL-1β receptor 1 (IL-1R1) using anakinra or genetically abolishing neuronal IL-1R1 expression in neurons prevent CKD-mediated reduced neuronal potassium turnover and CKD-induced impaired cognition. Accordingly, in CKD mice, impaired cognition can be ameliorated by either preventing microglia activation or inhibiting IL-1R-signaling in neurons. Thus, our data suggest that potassium efflux from microglia triggers their activation, which promotes microglia IL-1β release and IL-1R1-mediated neuronal dysfunction in CKD. Hence, our study provides new mechanistic insight into cognitive impairment in association with CKD and identifies possible new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Zimmermann
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital; Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Akash Mathew
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital; Leipzig, Germany
| | - Olga Bondareva
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (Hl-MAG) of the Helmholtz Center Munich, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ahmed Elwakiel
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital; Leipzig, Germany
| | - Klarina Waldmann
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Shihai Jiang
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital; Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rajiv Rana
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital; Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kunal Singh
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital; Leipzig, Germany
| | - Shrey Kohli
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital; Leipzig, Germany
| | - Khurrum Shahzad
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital; Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ronald Biemann
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital; Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Roskoden
- Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | - Christian Mawrin
- Department of Neuropathology and Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ute Krügel
- Rudolf Boehm Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ingo Bechmann
- Institute of Anatomy, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Bilal N Sheikh
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (Hl-MAG) of the Helmholtz Center Munich, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Berend Isermann
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital; Leipzig, Germany.
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Magalhães DM, Mampay M, Sebastião AM, Sheridan GK, Valente CA. Age-related impact of social isolation in mice: Young vs middle-aged. Neurochem Int 2024; 174:105678. [PMID: 38266657 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2024.105678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Social isolation is a chronic mild stressor and a significant risk factor for mental health disorders. Herein we explored the impact of social isolation on depression- and anxiety-like behaviours, as well as spatial memory impairments, in middle-aged male mice compared to post-weaning mice. We aimed to quantify and correlate social isolation-induced behaviour discrepancies with changes in hippocampal glial cell reactivity and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Post-weaning and middle-aged C57BL7/J6 male mice were socially isolated for a 3-week period and behavioural tests were performed on the last five days of isolation. We found that 3 weeks of social isolation led to depressive-like behaviour in the forced swim test, anxiety-like behaviour in the open field test, and spatial memory impairment in the Morris water maze paradigm in middle-aged male mice. These behavioural alterations were not observed in male mice after post-weaning social isolation, indicating resilience to isolation-mediated stress. Increased Iba-1 expression and NLRP3 priming were both observed in the hippocampus of socially isolated middle-aged mice, suggesting a role for microglia and NLRP3 pathway in the detrimental effects of social isolation on cognition and behaviour. Young socially isolated mice also demonstrated elevated NLRP3 priming compared to controls, but no differences in Iba-1 levels and no significant changes in behaviour. Ageing-induced microglia activation and enhancement of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 proinflammatory cytokines, known signs of a chronic low-grade inflammatory state, were also detected. Altogether, data suggest that social isolation, in addition to inflammaging, contributes to stress-related cognitive impairment in middle-aged mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela M Magalhães
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK
| | - Myrthe Mampay
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK
| | - Ana M Sebastião
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Cláudia A Valente
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
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Shi MM, Xu XF, Sun QM, Luo M, Liu DD, Guo DM, Chen L, Zhong XL, Xu Y, Cao WY. Betaine prevents cognitive dysfunction by suppressing hippocampal microglial activation in chronic social isolated male mice. Phytother Res 2023; 37:4755-4770. [PMID: 37846157 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Chronic social isolation (SI) stress, which became more prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributes to abnormal behavior, including mood changes and cognitive impairment. Known as a functional nutrient, betaine has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in vivo. However, whether betaine can alleviate the abnormal behavior induced by chronic SI in mice remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of betaine in the treatment of behavioral changes and its underlying mechanism. Three-week-old male mice were randomly housed for 8 weeks in either group housing (GH) or SI. The animals were divided into normal saline-treated GH, normal saline-treated SI, and betaine-treated SI groups in the sixth week. The cognitive and depression-like behavior was determined in the eighth week. We found that long-term betaine administration improved cognitive behavior in SI mice but failed to prevent depression-like behavior. Moreover, long-term betaine administration inhibited hippocampal microglia over-activation and polarized microglia toward the M2 phenotype, which effectively inhibited the expression of inflammatory factors in SI mice. Finally, the protective effect of betaine treatment in SI mice might not be due to altered activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Collectively, our findings reveal that betaine can improve SI-induced cognitive impairment, thus providing an alternative natural source for the prevention of memory loss caused by SI or loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Meng Shi
- Clinical Anatomy and Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Xiao Fan Xu
- Clinical Anatomy and Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Qiu Min Sun
- Department of Nursing, Yiyang Medical College, Yiyang, Hunan, China
| | - Mingying Luo
- Department of Anatomy and Histology and Embryology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Dan Dan Liu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of the University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Dong Min Guo
- Clinical Anatomy and Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of the University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Xiao Lin Zhong
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of the University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Wen Yu Cao
- Clinical Anatomy and Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
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Li SJ, Ma MH, Li JM, Lu XY, Lu CB, Zhou SF, Zhang LX, Li MQ, Shao TZ, Bai SP, Yan XX, Li F, Li CQ. CNTN1 Aggravates Neuroinflammation and Triggers Cognitive Deficits in Male Mice by Boosting Crosstalk between Microglia and Astrocytes. Aging Dis 2023; 14:1853-1869. [PMID: 37196127 PMCID: PMC10529752 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
A wealth of knowledge regarding glial cell-mediated neuroinflammation, which contributes to cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has emerged in recent years. Contactin 1(CNTN1), a member of the cell adhesion molecule and immunoglobulin supergene family, is centrally involved in axonal growth regulation and is also a key player in inflammation-associated disorders. However, whether CNTN1 plays a role in inflammation-related cognitive deficits and how this process is triggered and orchestrated remain to be fully elucidated. In this study, we examined postmortem brains with AD. CNTN1 immunoreactivity was markedly increased, particularly in the CA3 subregion, as compared with non-AD brains. Furthermore, by applying an adeno-associated virus-based approach to overexpress CNTN1 directly via stereotactic injection in mice, we demonstrated that hippocampal CNTN1 overexpression triggered cognitive deficits detected by novel object-recognition, novel place-recognition and social cognition tests. The mechanisms underlying these cognitive deficits could be attributed to hippocampal microglia and astrocyte activation, which led to aberrant expression of excitatory amino acid transporters (EAAT)1/EAAT2. This resulted in long-term potentiation (LTP) impairment that could be reversed by minocyline, an antibiotic and the best-known inhibitor of microglial activation. Taken together, our results identified Cntn1 as a susceptibility factor involved in regulating cognitive deficits via functional actions in the hippocampus. This factor correlated with microglial activation and triggered astrocyte activation with abnormal EAAT1/EAAT2 expression and LTP impairment. Overall, these findings may significantly advance our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the risk of neuroinflammation related cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song-Ji Li
- The International-Joint Lab for Non-invasive Neural Modulation/Key Laboratory for the Brain Research of Henan Province, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China.
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China.
| | - Min-Hui Ma
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Jun-Mei Li
- The International-Joint Lab for Non-invasive Neural Modulation/Key Laboratory for the Brain Research of Henan Province, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China.
- College of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Lu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Cheng-Biao Lu
- The International-Joint Lab for Non-invasive Neural Modulation/Key Laboratory for the Brain Research of Henan Province, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China.
| | - Shi-Fen Zhou
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Lin-Xuan Zhang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Meng-Qing Li
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Tong-Ze Shao
- 5-year Clinical Medicine Program, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China.
| | - Su-Ping Bai
- College of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Xiao-Xin Yan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Chang-Qi Li
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Asraf K, Zaidan H, Natoor B, Gaisler-Salomon I. Synergistic, long-term effects of glutamate dehydrogenase 1 deficiency and mild stress on cognitive function and mPFC gene and miRNA expression. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:248. [PMID: 37419882 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02534-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamate abnormalities in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) are associated with cognitive deficits. We previously showed that homozygous deletion of CNS glutamate dehydrogenase 1 (Glud1), a metabolic enzyme critical for glutamate metabolism, leads to schizophrenia-like behavioral abnormalities and increased mPFC glutamate; mice heterozygous for CNS Glud1 deletion (C-Glud1+/- mice) showed no cognitive or molecular abnormalities. Here, we examined the protracted behavioral and molecular effects of mild injection stress on C-Glud1+/- mice. We found spatial and reversal learning deficits, as well as large-scale mPFC transcriptional changes in pathways associated with glutamate and GABA signaling, in stress-exposed C-Glud1+/- mice, but not in their stress-naïve or C-Glud1+/+ littermates. These effects were observed several weeks following stress exposure, and the expression levels of specific glutamatergic and GABAergic genes differentiated between high and low reversal learning performance. An increase in miR203-5p expression immediately following stress may provide a translational regulatory mechanism to account for the delayed effect of stress exposure on cognitive function. Our findings show that chronic glutamate abnormalities interact with acute stress to induce cognitive deficits, and resonate with gene x environment theories of schizophrenia. Stress-exposed C-Glud1+/- mice may model a schizophrenia high-risk population, which is uniquely sensitive to stress-related 'trigger' events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kfir Asraf
- School of Psychological Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
- The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Hiba Zaidan
- School of Psychological Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
- The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Baylasan Natoor
- School of Psychological Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
- The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Inna Gaisler-Salomon
- School of Psychological Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel.
- The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel.
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Zhang H, Wang L, Zhu B, Yang Y, Cai C, Wang X, Deng L, He B, Cui Y, Zhou W. A comparative study of the neuroprotective effects of dl-3-n-butylphthalide and edaravone dexborneol on cerebral ischemic stroke rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 951:175801. [PMID: 37207969 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION DL-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) and edaravone dexborneol (Eda-Dex) are two promising reagents for stroke treatment. However, the impacts of NBP and Eda-Dex on poststroke mental deficits are still poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate and compare the influences of NBP and Eda-Dex on neurological function and cognitive behavior in rats with ischemic stroke. METHODS An ischemic stroke model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). After peritoneal administration of the drugs, the rats were subjected to neurological deficit evaluation, cerebral blood flow (CBF) assays, cerebral infarct area evaluations or behavioral tests. Brain tissues were collected and further analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blotting or immunohistochemistry. RESULTS NBP and Eda-Dex significantly decreased the neurological score, reduced the cerebral infarct area and improved CBF. Behavioral changes as assessed in the sucrose preference test, novel object recognition test, and social interaction test were significantly alleviated by NBP and Eda-Dex in rats with ischemic stroke. Moreover, NBP and Eda-Dex significantly suppressed inflammation by targeting the nuclear factor kappa-B/inducible nitric oxide synthase (NF-κB/iNOS) pathway and significantly inhibited oxidative stress by targeting the kelch-1ike ECH-associated protein l/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Keap1/Nrf2) pathway. In addition, NBP and Eda-Dex distinctly suppressed the activation of microglia and astrocytes and improved neuronal viability in the ischemic brain. CONCLUSIONS NBP and Eda-Dex improved neurological function and alleviated cognitive disorders in rats with ischemic stroke by synergistically inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- The Hunan Provincial University Key Laboratory of the Fundamental and Clinical Research on Functional Nucleic Acid, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410000, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of the Research and Development of Novel Pharmaceutical Preparations, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Laifa Wang
- The Hunan Provincial University Key Laboratory of the Fundamental and Clinical Research on Functional Nucleic Acid, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410000, China; Wuzhou Medical College, Wuzhou, 543199, China
| | - Bi Zhu
- Class 2011 Clinical Medicine Eight-year Program of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Yongping Yang
- The Hunan Provincial University Key Laboratory of the Fundamental and Clinical Research on Functional Nucleic Acid, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Chuanhai Cai
- The Hunan Provincial University Key Laboratory of the Fundamental and Clinical Research on Functional Nucleic Acid, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Xueqin Wang
- The Hunan Provincial University Key Laboratory of the Fundamental and Clinical Research on Functional Nucleic Acid, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410000, China; Wuzhou Medical College, Wuzhou, 543199, China
| | - Ling Deng
- The Hunan Provincial University Key Laboratory of the Fundamental and Clinical Research on Functional Nucleic Acid, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410000, China; Wuzhou Medical College, Wuzhou, 543199, China
| | - Binsheng He
- The Hunan Provincial University Key Laboratory of the Fundamental and Clinical Research on Functional Nucleic Acid, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410000, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of the Research and Development of Novel Pharmaceutical Preparations, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Yanhui Cui
- The Hunan Provincial University Key Laboratory of the Fundamental and Clinical Research on Functional Nucleic Acid, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410000, China; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China.
| | - Wenhu Zhou
- The Hunan Provincial University Key Laboratory of the Fundamental and Clinical Research on Functional Nucleic Acid, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410000, China; Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China.
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9
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Xu Y, Li W, Shi M, Xu X, Guo D, Liu Z, Chen L, Zhong X, Cao W. Systemic treatment with GnRH agonist produces antidepressant-like effects in LPS induced depression male mouse model. Neuropharmacology 2023; 233:109560. [PMID: 37094770 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is at the head of the neuroendocrine reproductive axis. However, the non-reproductive functions of GnRH expressed in various tissues, including hippocampus, are still not known. Here, we unveil a previously unknown effect of GnRH, which mediates depression-like behaviors through the modulation of microglia function during immune challenge. Specifically, we found that either systemic treatment with GnRH agonist or over-expression of endogenous hippocampal GnRH via viral tool abolished the depression-like behavior after LPS challenges in mice. And the anti-depressant of GnRH was dependent on the hippocampal GnRHR signaling, since antagonizing GnRHR by drug treatment or by hippocampal GnRHR knockdown could block the antidepressant-effect of GnRH agonist. Interestingly, we found that the peripheral GnRH treatment prevented the microglia activation mediated inflammation in the hippocampus of mice. In light of the research findings presented here, we propose that, at least in the hippocampus, GnRH appears to act on GnRHR to regulate higher order non-reproductive functions associated with the microglia mediated neuroinflammation. These findings also provide insights into the function and cross-talk of GnRH, a known neuropeptide hormone, in neuro-immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Xu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Mengmeng Shi
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaofan Xu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Dongmin Guo
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Zhenghai Liu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaolin Zhong
- Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China.
| | - Wenyu Cao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China.
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10
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Vu AP, Lam D, Denney C, Lee KV, Plemel JR, Jackson J. Social isolation produces a sex- and brain region-specific alteration of microglia state. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 57:1481-1497. [PMID: 36918398 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Social isolation is a profound form of psychological stress that impacts the mental health of a large proportion of society. Other experimental models of stress have demonstrated a microglia response that serves either a protective or pathological function. However, the effect of adult social isolation on microglia has not been thoroughly investigated. We measured microglia territory, branching, end points and phagocytic-lysosomal activity in group housed C57Bl/6 mice and mice that were socially isolated for 2 weeks. Our results show that the dorsomedial hypothalamus and hippocampal CA2 region of adult male mice undergo increased microglia volume, territory and endpoints following social isolation, whereas females exhibit this increase in the hypothalamus only. Males exhibited decreases in the phagocytic-lysosomal marker CD68 in microglia in these regions, whereas females showed an increase in CD68 in the hypothalamus suggesting sexually dimorphic and brain region-specific change in microglia state in response to social isolation. The prefrontal cortex, central amygdala, nucleus accumbens shell and visual cortex did not exhibit changes in microglia structure in either male or female mice. These data show that microglia in different brain regions undergo a distinct response to social isolation which may account for changes in cognition and behaviour associated with this prevalent form of psychological stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex P Vu
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - David Lam
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Cayla Denney
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kelly V Lee
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jason R Plemel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jesse Jackson
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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11
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Guo D, Xu Y, Liu Z, Wang Y, Xu X, Li C, Li S, Zhang J, Xiong T, Cao W, Liang J. IGF2 inhibits hippocampal over-activated microglia and alleviates depression-like behavior in LPS- treated male mice. Brain Res Bull 2023; 194:1-12. [PMID: 36603794 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Over-activated microglia and inflammatory mediators are found in patients with depression, while manipulation of the microglia function might represent a potential therapeutic strategy. Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) has been implicated in bacterial infections and autoimmune disorders, but the role of IGF2 on the active phenotype of microglia and neuroinflammation has not been well established. IGF2 influences in modulating microglia responding to neuroinflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)challenge will be carefully examined. In the current study, we verified that systemic IGF2 treatment could produce an anti-depression effect in LPS-treated mice. Particularly, we found that systemic IGF2 treatment inhibited microglia over-activation and prevented its transformation to a pro-inflammatory phenotype, thereby protecting hippocampal neurogenesis. Since microglia reactive to neuroinflammation is a common feature of neuropsychiatric disorders, the discoveries from the present study may provide therapeutic innovation for these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongming Guo
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China; Department of Human Anatomy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Zhenghai Liu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yingge Wang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaofan Xu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Cai Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Suyun Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Jingwen Zhang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tianqing Xiong
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - WenYu Cao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China.
| | - Jingyan Liang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China..
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12
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Guo D, Xu Y, Wang Y, Zhong X, Liu Z, Li S, Xu X, Zhang J, Xiong T, Cao W, Liang J. Hyperactivation of TRPV4 causes the hippocampal pyroptosis pathway and results in cognitive impairment in LPS-treated mice. Behav Brain Res 2023; 439:114223. [PMID: 36427589 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Pyroptosis, a newly discovered proinflammatory programmed cell death, is involved in the regulation of cognitive dysfunction, such as Alzheimer's disease. Exploring potential drug targets that prevent pyroptotic procedures might benefit the development of a cure for these diseases. In the present study, we explored whether the transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) blocker HC067047 and knockdown of TRPV4 in the hippocampus could improve cognitive behavior through the inhibition of pyroptosis in a mouse model developed using systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We found that systemic administration of HC067047 or knockdown of hippocampal TRPV4 prevented the activation of canonical and noncanonical pyroptosis in the hippocampus of LPS-treated mice. Consistent with the inhibition of the hippocampal pyroptosis pathway, a knockdown of hippocampal TRPV4 lowered expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-6. Furthermore, we verified that the main pyroptosis cell type might be a neuron, indicated by reduced neuronal marker expression. Mechanically, we also found that knockdown of hippocampal TRPV4 might inhibit phosphorylation of CamkⅡα which results in NFκb mediated inflammasome reduction in the hippocampus of LPS-treated mice. More interestingly, mice intraperitoneally injected with HC067047 or the hippocampus injected with TRPV4 shRNA showed improved cognitive behavior, as indicated by the enhanced discrimination ratio in the NORT, NOPT, and SNPT. Collectively, we consider that HC067047 might be a small molecular drug that prevents pyroptosis, and TRPV4 could be an effective therapeutic target for preventing pyroptosis-induced cognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongming Guo
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China; Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yingge Wang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaolin Zhong
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Zhenghai Liu
- Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Suyun Li
- Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaofan Xu
- Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Jingwen Zhang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tianqing Xiong
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenyu Cao
- Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China.
| | - Jingyan Liang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China.
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13
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Xia CY, Guo YX, Lian WW, Yan Y, Ma BZ, Cheng YC, Xu JK, He J, Zhang WK. The NLRP3 inflammasome in depression: Potential mechanisms and therapies. Pharmacol Res 2023; 187:106625. [PMID: 36563870 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that the failure of clinical antidepressants may be related with neuroinflammation. The NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is an intracellular multiprotein complex, and has been considered as a key contributor to the development of neuroinflammation. Inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome is an effective method for depression treatment. In this review, we summarized current researches highlighting the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathology of depression. Firstly, we discussed NLRP3 inflammasome activation in patients with depression and animal models. Secondly, we outlined the possible mechanisms driving the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Thirdly, we discussed the pathogenetic role of NLRP3 inflammasome in depression. Finally, we overviewed the current and potential antidepressants targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome. Overall, the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation may be a potential therapeutic strategy for inflammation-related depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong-Yuan Xia
- Department of Pharmacy & Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, PR China
| | - Yu-Xuan Guo
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, PR China
| | - Wen-Wen Lian
- Department of Pharmacy & Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, PR China
| | - Yu Yan
- Department of Pharmacy & Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, PR China
| | - Bing-Zhi Ma
- Department of Pharmacy & Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, PR China
| | - Yung-Chi Cheng
- School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Jie-Kun Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, PR China.
| | - Jun He
- Department of Pharmacy & Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, PR China.
| | - Wei-Ku Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy & Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, PR China.
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14
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Pexidartinib (PLX3397) through restoring hippocampal synaptic plasticity ameliorates social isolation-induced mood disorders. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 113:109436. [PMID: 36395673 PMCID: PMC9661988 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Social behavior is essential for the well-being and survival of individuals. However, social isolation is a serious public health issue, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting a significant number of people worldwide, and can lead to serious psychological crises. Microglia, innate immune cells in the brain, are strongly implicated in the development of psychiatry. Although many microglial inhibitors have been used to treat depression, there is no literature report on pexidartinib (PLX3397) and social isolation. Herein, we adopted PLX3397 to investigate the role of microglia in the modulation of social isolation. Our results found that social isolation during adolescence caused depressive-like, but not anxiety-like behavior in mice in adulthood, with enhanced expression of the microglial marker Iba1 in the hippocampus. In addition, treatment with PLX3397 reduced the expression of the microglial marker Iba1, decreased the mRNA expression of IL-1β, increased the mRNA expression of Arg1, elevated the protein levels of DCX and GluR1 and restored the dendritic spine branches and density, ultimately mitigating depressive-like behavior in mice. These findings suggest that inhibition of microglia in the hippocampus could ameliorate mood disorders in mice, providing a new perspective for the treatment of psychiatric disorders such as depression.
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15
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Liu G, Nie Y, Huang C, Zhu G, Zhang X, Hu C, Li Z, Gao Y, Ma Z. Ferulic acid produces neuroprotection against radiation-induced neuroinflammation by affecting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Int J Radiat Biol 2022; 98:1442-1451. [PMID: 35445640 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2022.2055798] [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: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE After radiation therapy of brain tumors, radiation-induced cognitive impairment is a common and severe complication. Neuroinflammation mediated by microglia is a critical event that accelerates cognitive or functional decline. Ferulic acid (FA), a phenolic plant component, possesses multiple pharmacological effects, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-radiation. The current research attempts to ascertain the protection of FA on radiation-induced neuroinflammation and the mechanism of this effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS C57BL/6 mice were irradiated with 60Co γ-ray to establish a brain injury model. The Morris water maze experiment was used to observe the effects of FA on the spatial learning and memory impairment of irradiated mice. The pathological changes of hippocampal tissue were observed by HE staining. Besides, microglia BV-2 cell lines were used to study the anti-neuroinflammatory impacts of FA on radiation-induced microglial activation and further elucidate the potential mechanisms influencing FA-mediated neuroprotective properties. The cell morphological changes were observed using an optical microscope. The cytotoxicity of FA and radiation to BV-2 cells was determined using the CCK-8 assay. Additionally, Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR detected the expression and transcription of NLRP3 inflammasome and pro-inflammatory cytokines in hippocampus and BV-2 cells. RESULTS FA could enhance learning and memory capacity and ameliorate pathological changes in the hippocampal tissues of irradiated mice. The cell radiation injury model was established by 8 Gy 60Co γ-ray, and the concentration of subsequent administration was determined to be 2.5, 5, and 10 μmol/L. Furthermore, FA could suppress the transcription and expression of NLRP3 in hippocampal tissue and microglia, and also the increased secretion of pro-inflammatory factors. CONCLUSION This study established that FA targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome has a neuroprotective effect against radiation-induced nerve damage, implying that FA might have some potential in the treatment of radiation-induced cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guifang Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Nie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Congshu Huang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Guihua Zhu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China.,Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Changkun Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihui Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zengchun Ma
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
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16
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Causal Biological Network Model for Inflammasome Signaling Applied for Interpreting Transcriptomic Changes in Various Inflammatory States. Int J Inflam 2022; 2022:4071472. [PMID: 35126992 PMCID: PMC8813300 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4071472] [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: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Virtually any stressor that alters the cellular homeostatic state may result in an inflammatory response. As a critical component of innate immunity, inflammasomes play a prominent role in the inflammatory response. The information on inflammasome biology is rapidly growing, thus creating the need for structuring it into a model that can help visualize and enhance the understanding of underlying biological processes. Causal biological network (CBN) models provide predictive power for novel disease mechanisms and treatment outcomes. We assembled the available literature information on inflammasome activation into the CBN model and scored it with publicly available transcriptomic datasets that address viral infection of the lungs, osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and aging. The scoring inferred pathway activation leading to NLRP3 inflammasome activation in these diverse conditions, demonstrating that the CBN model provides a platform for interpreting transcriptomic data in the context of inflammasome activation.
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Abstract
The overarching objective is to review how early exposure to adversity interacts with inflammation to alter brain maturation. Both adversity and inflammation are significant risk factors for psychopathology. Literature relevant to the effects of adversity in children and adolescents on brain development is reviewed. These studies are supported by research in animals exposed to species-relevant stressors during development. While it is known that exposure to adversity at any age increases inflammation, the effects of inflammation are exacerbated at developmental stages when the immature brain is uniquely sensitive to experiences. Microglia play a vital role in this process, as they scavenge cellular debris and prune synapses to optimize performance. In essence, microglia modify the synapse to match environmental demands, which is necessary for someone with a history of adversity. Overall, by piecing together clinical and preclinical research areas, what emerges is a picture of how adversity uniquely sculpts the brain. Microglia interactions with the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (specifically, the subtype expressing parvalbumin) are discussed within contexts of development and adversity. A review of inflammation markers in individuals with a history of abuse is combined with preclinical studies to describe their effects on maturation. Inconsistencies within the literature are discussed, with a call for standardizing methodologies relating to the age of assessing adversity effects, measures to quantify stress and inflammation, and more brain-based measures of biochemistry. Preclinical studies pave the way for interventions using anti-inflammation-based agents (COX-2 inhibitors, CB2 agonists, meditation/yoga) by identifying where, when, and how the developmental trajectory goes awry.
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18
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Taheri Zadeh Z, Rahmani S, Alidadi F, Joushi S, Esmaeilpour K. Depresssion, anxiety and other cognitive consequences of social isolation: Drug and non-drug treatments. Int J Clin Pract 2021; 75:e14949. [PMID: 34614276 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.14949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE During the COVID-19 pandemic, quarantine and staying at home is advised. The social relationship between people has become deficient, and human social isolation (SI) has become the consequence of this situation. It was shown that SI has made changes in hippocampal neuroplasticity, which will lead to poor cognitive function and behavioural abnormalities. There is a connection between SI, learning, and memory impairments. In addition, anxiety-like behaviour and increased aggressive mood in long-term isolation have been revealed during the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS Term searches was done in Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and PubMed databases as well as hand searching in key resource journals from 1979 to 2020. RESULTS Studies have shown that some drug administrations may positively affect or even prevent social isolation consequences in animal models. These drug treatments have included opioid drugs, anti-depressants, Antioxidants, and herbal medications. In addition to drug interventions, there are non-drug treatments that include an enriched environment, regular exercise, and music. CONCLUSION This manuscript aims to review improved cognitive impairments induced by SI during COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Taheri Zadeh
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Shayan Rahmani
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Sara Joushi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Esmaeilpour
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
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19
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NLRP3 Inflammasome Is Involved in Cocaine-Mediated Potentiation on Behavioral Changes in CX3CR1-Deficient Mice. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11100963. [PMID: 34683104 PMCID: PMC8540128 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11100963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia, the primary immunocompetent cells of the brain, are suggested to play a role in the development of drug addiction. Previous studies have identified the microglia-derived pro-inflammatory factor IL1β can promote the progression of cocaine addiction. Additionally, the activation status of microglia and “two-hit hypothesis” have been proposed in the field of drug addiction to explain how early life stress (ELS) could significantly increase the incidence of drug addiction in later life. However, the mechanisms underlying microglia prime and full activation and their roles in drug addiction remain greatly unexplored. Here, we employed CX3CR1-GFP mice (CX3CR1 functional deficiency, CX3CR1−/−) to explore whether primed microglia could potentiate cocaine-mediated behavioral changes and the possible underlying mechanisms. CX3CR1−/− mice revealed higher hyperlocomotion activity and conditional place preference than wild-type (WT) mice did under cocaine administration. In parallel, CX3CR1−/− mice showed higher activity of NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome than WT mice. Interestingly, CX3CR1 deficiency itself could prime NLRP3 signaling by increasing the expression of NLPR3 and affect lysosome biogenesis under basal conditions. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that the functional status of microglia could have an impact on cocaine-mediated reward effects, and NLRP3 inflammasome activity was associated with this phenomenon. This study was consistent with the two-hit hypothesis and provided solid evidence to support the involvement of microglia in drug addiction. Targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome may represent a novel therapeutic approach for ameliorating or blocking the development of drug addiction.
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20
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Parker KN, Donovan MH, Smith K, Noble-Haeusslein LJ. Traumatic Injury to the Developing Brain: Emerging Relationship to Early Life Stress. Front Neurol 2021; 12:708800. [PMID: 34484104 PMCID: PMC8416304 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.708800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the high incidence of brain injuries in children, we have yet to fully understand the unique vulnerability of a young brain to an injury and key determinants of long-term recovery. Here we consider how early life stress may influence recovery after an early age brain injury. Studies of early life stress alone reveal persistent structural and functional impairments at adulthood. We consider the interacting pathologies imposed by early life stress and subsequent brain injuries during early brain development as well as at adulthood. This review outlines how early life stress primes the immune cells of the brain and periphery to elicit a heightened response to injury. While the focus of this review is on early age traumatic brain injuries, there is also a consideration of preclinical models of neonatal hypoxia and stroke, as each further speaks to the vulnerability of the brain and reinforces those characteristics that are common across each of these injuries. Lastly, we identify a common mechanistic trend; namely, early life stress worsens outcomes independent of its temporal proximity to a brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaila N. Parker
- Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Department of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Michael H. Donovan
- Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Department of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Kylee Smith
- Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Department of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Linda J. Noble-Haeusslein
- Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Department of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
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Corcoran SE, Halai R, Cooper MA. Pharmacological Inhibition of the Nod-Like Receptor Family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 Inflammasome with MCC950. Pharmacol Rev 2021; 73:968-1000. [PMID: 34117094 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.120.000171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of the Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome drives release of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 and induces pyroptosis (lytic cell death). These events drive chronic inflammation, and as such, NLRP3 has been implicated in a large number of human diseases. These range from autoimmune conditions, the simplest of which is NLRP3 gain-of-function mutations leading to an orphan disease, cryopyrin-associated period syndrome, to large disease burden indications, such as atherosclerosis, heart failure, stroke, neurodegeneration, asthma, ulcerative colitis, and arthritis. The potential clinical utility of NLRP3 inhibitors is substantiated by an expanding list of indications in which NLRP3 activation has been shown to play a detrimental role. Studies of pharmacological inhibition of NLRP3 in nonclinical models of disease using MCC950 in combination with human genetics, epigenetics, and analyses of the efficacy of biologic inhibitors of IL-1β, such as anakinra and canakinumab, can help to prioritize clinical trials of NLRP3-directed therapeutics. Although MCC950 shows excellent (nanomolar) potency and high target selectivity, its pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic properties limited its therapeutic development in the clinic. Several improved, next-generation inhibitors are now in clinical trials. Hence the body of research in a plethora of conditions reviewed herein may inform analysis of the potential translational value of NLRP3 inhibition in diseases with significant unmet medical need. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is one of the most widely studied and best validated biological targets in innate immunity. Activation of NLRP3 can be inhibited with MCC950, resulting in efficacy in more than 100 nonclinical models of inflammatory diseases. As several next-generation NLRP3 inhibitors are entering proof-of-concept clinical trials in 2020, a review of the pharmacology of MCC950 is timely and significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Corcoran
- Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland (S.E.C.); Inflazome, D6 Grain House, Mill Court, Great Shelford, Cambridge, United Kingdom (R.H., M.A.C.); and Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia (M.A.C.)
| | - Reena Halai
- Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland (S.E.C.); Inflazome, D6 Grain House, Mill Court, Great Shelford, Cambridge, United Kingdom (R.H., M.A.C.); and Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia (M.A.C.)
| | - Matthew A Cooper
- Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland (S.E.C.); Inflazome, D6 Grain House, Mill Court, Great Shelford, Cambridge, United Kingdom (R.H., M.A.C.); and Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia (M.A.C.)
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