1
|
Mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase-1 activation is involved in melanocortin-induced BDNF expression in Neuro2a neuronal cells. Neuroreport 2020; 31:1007-1014. [PMID: 32815825 PMCID: PMC7467152 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Melanocortins are neuropeptides exerting versatile functions in the nervous system. Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) is primarily expressed in the brain and is thought to be a major mediator for melanocortin. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be a crucial downstream molecule of MC4R activation, to yield neurite outgrowth, neuroregenerative, anorexigenic and other actions. In this study, we stimulated Neuro2a murine neuronal cells with an α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) analog, [Nle(4), D-Phe(7)]melanocyte-stimulating hormone (NDP-MSH). In Neuro2a cells, NDP-MSH promoted neurite outgrowth. Upon NDP-MSH administration, BDNF expression was greatly enhanced. Furthermore, this effect was effectively reversed by the MC4R antagonist, JKC-363. We found that NDP-MSH treatment activated the ERK cascade and its downstream kinase MSK1 (mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase-1). Antagonism of the MSK1 cascade by a specific inhibitor or overexpression of a defective MSK1 mutant interrupted the phosphorylation of the transcription factor cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), blocking BDNF upregulation. In addition, MSK1 activation triggered an epigenetic alteration in histone H3 (Ser10), facilitating the expression of the BDNF gene. Taken together, our results showed that MSK1 kinase positively activates MC4R-induced BDNF expression via modulating the phosphorylation of CREB and histone H3 in Neuro2a neuronal cells.
Collapse
|
2
|
Flores-Bastías O, Gómez GI, Orellana JA, Karahanian E. Activation of Melanocortin-4 Receptor by a Synthetic Agonist Inhibits Ethanolinduced Neuroinflammation in Rats. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 25:4799-4805. [PMID: 31840601 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666191216145153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High ethanol intake induces a neuroinflammatory response resulting in the subsequent maintenance of chronic alcohol consumption. The melanocortin system plays a pivotal role in the modulation of alcohol consumption. Interestingly, it has been shown that the activation of melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) in the brain decreases the neuroinflammatory response in models of brain damage other than alcohol consumption, such as LPS-induced neuroinflammation, cerebral ischemia, glutamate excitotoxicity, and spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVES In this work, we aimed to study whether MC4R activation by a synthetic MC4R-agonist peptide prevents ethanol-induced neuroinflammation, and if alcohol consumption produces changes in MC4R expression in the hippocampus and hypothalamus. METHODS Ethanol-preferring Sprague Dawley rats were selected offering access to 20% ethanol on alternate days for 4 weeks (intermittent access protocol). After this time, animals were i.p. administered an MC4R agonist peptide in the last 2 days of the protocol. Then, the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured in the hippocampus, hypothalamus and prefrontal cortex. It was also evaluated if ethanol intake produces alterations in the expression of MC4R in the hippocampus and the hypothalamus. RESULTS Alcohol consumption increased the expression of MC4R in the hippocampus and the hypothalamus. The administration of the MC4R agonist reduced IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α levels in hippocampus, hypothalamus and prefrontal cortex, to those observed in control rats that did not drink alcohol. CONCLUSION High ethanol consumption produces an increase in the expression of MC4R in the hippocampus and hypothalamus. The administration of a synthetic MC4R-agonist peptide prevents neuroinflammation induced by alcohol consumption in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, and prefrontal cortex. These results could explain the effect of α-MSH and other synthetic MC4R agonists in decreasing alcohol intake through the reduction of the ethanol-induced inflammatory response in the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Osvaldo Flores-Bastías
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Chile.,Research Center for the Study of Alcohol Drinking Behavior in Adolescents, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gonzalo I Gómez
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Chile.,Research Center for the Study of Alcohol Drinking Behavior in Adolescents, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan A Orellana
- Research Center for the Study of Alcohol Drinking Behavior in Adolescents, Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Neurología, Escuela de Medicina and Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Eduardo Karahanian
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Chile.,Research Center for the Study of Alcohol Drinking Behavior in Adolescents, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang Y, Wang J, Zhang D, Lu Z, Man J. Effects of RO27-3225 on neurogenesis, PDGFRβ + cells and neuroinflammation after cerebral infarction. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 81:106281. [PMID: 32058930 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106281] [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: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral infarction causes severe social and economic burdens to patients due to its high morbidity and mortality rates, and the available treatments are limited. RO27-3225 is a highly selective melanocortin receptor 4 agonist that alleviates damage in many nervous system diseases, such as cerebral hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury and chronic neurodegenerative diseases. However, the effect of RO27-3225 on cerebral infarction remains unclear. In this study, we used a mouse model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) and administered RO27-3225 or saline to the mice through intraperitoneal injection. RO27-3225 increased the number of Nestin+/BrdU+ cells and doublecortin (DCX)+/BrdU+ cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the number of DCX+/BrdU+ cells in the peri-infarct area on day 7 after tMCAO. Furthermore, RO27-3225 decreased the number of activated microglia (Iba1+ cells with a specific morphology) and the expression levels of Iba1, TNFα, IL6, and iNOS proteins and increased the number of PDGFRβ+ cells in the peri-infarct region on day 3 after tMCAO. Finally, RO27-3225-treated mice exhibited significantly decreased infarct volumes, brain water contents, and neurological deficits after cerebral infarction. Thus, RO27-3225 can improve the outcomes following cerebral infarction, partially by regulating neurogenesis in the SVZ, PDGFRβ+ cell survival and neuroinflammation in the peri-infarct zone. Our research reveals that RO27-3225 is a potential new treatment for cerebral infarction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongxin Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
| | - Jianping Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China.
| | - Di Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
| | - Zhengfang Lu
- Department of Neurology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
| | - Jiang Man
- Department of Neurology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen P, Tang H, Zhang Q, Xu L, Zhou W, Hu X, Deng Y, Zhang L. Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) Protects the Blood-Brain Barrier by Binding of FGFR1 and Activating the ERK Signaling Pathway After Intra-Abdominal Hypertension and Traumatic Brain Injury. Med Sci Monit 2020; 26:e922009. [PMID: 32036381 PMCID: PMC7029819 DOI: 10.12659/msm.922009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. IAH leads to intra-abdominal tissue damage and causes dysfunction in distal organs such as the brain. The effect of a combined injury due to IAH and traumatic brain injury (TBI) on the integrity of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) has not been investigated. Material/Methods Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring, brain water content, EB permeability detection, immunofluorescence staining, real-time PCR, and Western blot analysis were used to examine the effects of IAH and TBI on the BBB in rats, and to characterize the protective effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on combined injury-induced BBB damage. Results Combined injury from IAH and TBI to the BBB resulted in brain edema and increased intracranial pressure. The effects of bFGF on alleviating the rat BBB injuries were determined, indicating that bFGF regulated the expression levels of the tight junction (TJ), adhesion junction (AJ), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), and IL-1β, as well as reduced BBB permeability, brain edema, and intracranial pressure. Moreover, the FGFR1 antagonist PD 173074 and the ERK antagonist PD 98059 decreased the protective effects of bFGF. Conclusions bFGF effectively protected the BBB from damage caused by combined injury from IAH and TBI, and binding of FGFR1 and activation of the ERK signaling pathway was involved in these effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center of People's Liberation Army (PLA), Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland).,Department of Neurosurgery, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| | - Hao Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center of People's Liberation Army (PLA), Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| | - Qingtao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| | - Lei Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| | - Xi Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| | - Yongbing Deng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| | - Lianyang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center of People's Liberation Army (PLA), Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
da Silva AA, do Carmo JM, Wang Z, Hall JE. Melanocortin-4 Receptors and Sympathetic Nervous System Activation in Hypertension. Curr Hypertens Rep 2019; 21:46. [PMID: 31028563 DOI: 10.1007/s11906-019-0951-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To highlight the role of the brain melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) for sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation in hypertension. RECENT FINDINGS Hypertension is the most significant risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. Although excess weight gain is associated with at least two thirds of primary hypertension cases, the pathophysiological mechanisms involved remain the subject of intense investigation. Multiple studies demonstrate an important role for increased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity in development and maintenance of hypertension, and that the brain MC4R modulates SNS activity to thermogenic, cardiovascular, and kidney tissues. These studies also support the concept that MC4R activation is critical for obesity-induced hypertension as well as other forms of hypertension associated with increased SNS activity. MC4R is a potential target for antiobesity therapy, although there are challenges in using MC4R agonists to induce weight loss without evoking increases in SNS activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre A da Silva
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mississippi Center for Obesity Research, and Cardiovascular-Renal Research Center, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State St., Jackson, MS, 39216-4505, USA.
| | - Jussara M do Carmo
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mississippi Center for Obesity Research, and Cardiovascular-Renal Research Center, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State St., Jackson, MS, 39216-4505, USA
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mississippi Center for Obesity Research, and Cardiovascular-Renal Research Center, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State St., Jackson, MS, 39216-4505, USA
| | - John E Hall
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mississippi Center for Obesity Research, and Cardiovascular-Renal Research Center, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State St., Jackson, MS, 39216-4505, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chen S, Zhao L, Sherchan P, Ding Y, Yu J, Nowrangi D, Tang J, Xia Y, Zhang JH. Activation of melanocortin receptor 4 with RO27-3225 attenuates neuroinflammation through AMPK/JNK/p38 MAPK pathway after intracerebral hemorrhage in mice. J Neuroinflammation 2018; 15:106. [PMID: 29642894 PMCID: PMC5896146 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-018-1140-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neuroinflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)-induced secondary brain injury. Activation of melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) has been shown to elicit anti-inflammatory effects in many diseases. The objective of this study was to explore the role of MC4R activation on neuroinflammation in a mouse ICH model and to investigate the contribution of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) pathway in MC4R-mediated protection. Methods Adult male CD1 mice (n = 189) were subjected to intrastriatal injection of bacterial collagenase or sham surgery. The selective MC4R agonist RO27-3225 was administered by intraperitoneal injection at 1 h after collagenase injection. The specific MC4R antagonist HS024 and selective AMPK inhibitor dorsomorphin were administered prior to RO27-3225 treatment to elucidate potential mechanism. Short- and long-term neurobehavioral assessments, brain water content, immunofluorescence staining, and western blot were performed. Results The expression of MC4R and p-AMPK increased after ICH with a peak at 24 h. MC4R was expressed by microglia, neurons, and astrocytes. Activation of MC4R with RO27-3225 improved the neurobehavioral functions, decreased brain edema, and suppressed microglia/macrophage activation and neutrophil infiltration after ICH. RO27-3225 administration increased the expression of MC4R and p-AMPK while decreasing p-JNK, p-p38 MAPK, TNF-α, and IL-1β expression, which was reversed with inhibition of MC4R and AMPK. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that activation of MC4R with RO27-3225 attenuated neuroinflammation through AMPK-dependent inhibition of JNK and p38 MAPK signaling pathway, thereby reducing brain edema and improving neurobehavioral functions after experimental ICH in mice. Therefore, the activation of MC4R with RO27-3225 may be a potential therapeutic approach for ICH management. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12974-018-1140-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shengpan Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Haikou, 570208, China.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA
| | - Lianhua Zhao
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA.,Department of Neurology, Tianjin TEDA Hospital, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Prativa Sherchan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA
| | - Yan Ding
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA
| | - Jing Yu
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA
| | - Derek Nowrangi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA
| | - Jiping Tang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA
| | - Ying Xia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Haikou, 570208, China.
| | - John H Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA. .,Department of Neurosurgery and Anesthesiology, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Orellana JA, Cerpa W, Carvajal MF, Lerma-Cabrera JM, Karahanian E, Osorio-Fuentealba C, Quintanilla RA. New Implications for the Melanocortin System in Alcohol Drinking Behavior in Adolescents: The Glial Dysfunction Hypothesis. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:90. [PMID: 28424592 PMCID: PMC5380733 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol dependence causes physical, social, and moral harms and currently represents an important public health concern. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), alcoholism is the third leading cause of death worldwide, after tobacco consumption and hypertension. Recent epidemiologic studies have shown a growing trend in alcohol abuse among adolescents, characterized by the consumption of large doses of alcohol over a short time period. Since brain development is an ongoing process during adolescence, short- and long-term brain damage associated with drinking behavior could lead to serious consequences for health and wellbeing. Accumulating evidence indicates that alcohol impairs the function of different components of the melanocortin system, a major player involved in the consolidation of addictive behaviors during adolescence and adulthood. Here, we hypothesize the possible implications of melanocortins and glial cells in the onset and progression of alcohol addiction. In particular, we propose that alcohol-induced decrease in α-MSH levels may trigger a cascade of glial inflammatory pathways that culminate in altered gliotransmission in the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens (NAc). The latter might potentiate dopaminergic drive in the NAc, contributing to increase the vulnerability to alcohol dependence and addiction in the adolescence and adulthood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan A Orellana
- Centro de Investigación y Estudio del Consumo de Alcohol en AdolescentesSantiago, Chile.,Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Departamento de Neurología, Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiago, Chile
| | - Waldo Cerpa
- Centro de Investigación y Estudio del Consumo de Alcohol en AdolescentesSantiago, Chile.,Laboratorio de Función y Patología Neuronal, Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiago, Chile
| | - Maria F Carvajal
- Centro de Investigación y Estudio del Consumo de Alcohol en AdolescentesSantiago, Chile.,Unidad de Neurociencia, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad Autónoma de ChileSantiago, Chile
| | - José M Lerma-Cabrera
- Centro de Investigación y Estudio del Consumo de Alcohol en AdolescentesSantiago, Chile.,Unidad de Neurociencia, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad Autónoma de ChileSantiago, Chile
| | - Eduardo Karahanian
- Centro de Investigación y Estudio del Consumo de Alcohol en AdolescentesSantiago, Chile.,Unidad de Neurociencia, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad Autónoma de ChileSantiago, Chile
| | - Cesar Osorio-Fuentealba
- Centro de Investigación y Estudio del Consumo de Alcohol en AdolescentesSantiago, Chile.,Facultad de Kinesiología, Artes y Educación Física, Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la EducaciónSantiago, Chile
| | - Rodrigo A Quintanilla
- Centro de Investigación y Estudio del Consumo de Alcohol en AdolescentesSantiago, Chile.,Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Universidad Autónoma de ChileSantiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|