Neuronal SH2B1 attenuates apoptosis in an MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease via promoting PLIN4 degradation

Intestinal microbiota distribution and changes in different stages of Parkinson's disease: A meta-analysis, bioinformatics analysis and in vivo simulation

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive disease that requires effective staging management. The role of intestinal microbiota in PD has been studied, but its changes at different stages are not clear. In this study, meta- analysis, bioinformatics analysis and in vivo simulation were used to explore the intestinal microbiota distribution of PD patients and models at different stages. Two PD models at different stages were established in rotenone-treated rats and MPTP-induced mice. The differences in the intestinal microbiota among the different stages of PD patients or models were compared and analyzed. There were significant differences between PD patients and controls, including Actinobacteriota, Deltaproteobacteria, Clostridiales, Lachnospiraceae, Parabacteroides, etc. Through bioinformatics analysis, we revealed significant differences between PD patients at different stages and controls, including Actinobacteriota, Methanobacteria, Erysipelotrichales, Prevotellaceae, Parabacteroides, Parabacteroides gordonii, etc. Through meta-analysis, we found that Actinobacteriota and Erysipelotrichaceae had significantly increased in the chronic MPTP model, while Prevotellaceae had significantly decreased. PD rats and mice presented significant damage to motor function, coordination, autonomous activity ability and gastrointestinal function, and the damage in the late group was greater than that in the early group. There were significant differences in intestinal microbiota between PD patients or models at different stages and the control groups. In the early stage, the dominant microbiota are Akkermansia, Alistipes, Anaerotruncus, Bilophila, Rikenellaceae, Verrucomicrobia and Verrucomicrobiae, whereas in the late stage, the dominant microbiota are Actinobacteriota and Erysipelotrichaceae. These differences can lay a foundation for subsequent research on the treatment and mechanism of PD at different stages.

Lipid droplets in central nervous system and functional profiles of brain cells containing lipid droplets in various diseases

Lipid droplets (LDs), serving as the convergence point of energy metabolism and multiple signaling pathways, have garnered increasing attention in recent years. Different cell types within the central nervous system (CNS) can regulate energy metabolism to generate or degrade LDs in response to diverse pathological stimuli. This article provides a comprehensive review on the composition of LDs in CNS, their generation and degradation processes, their interaction mechanisms with mitochondria, the distribution among different cell types, and the roles played by these cells-particularly microglia and astrocytes-in various prevalent neurological disorders. Additionally, we also emphasize the paradoxical role of LDs in post-cerebral ischemia inflammation and explore potential underlying mechanisms, aiming to identify novel therapeutic targets for this disease.

Chronic unpredictable stress induces anxiety-like behavior and oxidative stress, leading to diminished ovarian reserve

Chronic stress can adversely affect the female reproductive endocrine system, potentially leading to disorders and impairments in ovarian function. However, current research lacks comprehensive understanding regarding the biochemical characteristics and underlying mechanisms of ovarian damage induced by chronic stress. We established a stable chronic unpredictable stress (CUS)-induced diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) animal model. Our findings demonstrated that prolonged CUS treatment over eight weeks resulted in increased atresia follicles in female mice. This atresia was accompanied by decreased AMH and increased FSH levels. Furthermore, we observed elevated levels of corticosterone both in the peripheral blood and within the ovary. Additionally, we detected abnormalities in ATP metabolism within the ovarian tissue. CUS exposure led to oxidative stress in the ovaries, fostering a microenvironment characterized by oxidative damage to mouse ovarian granulosa cells (mGCs) and heightened levels of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, CUS prompted mGCs to undergo apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway. These findings indicate a direct association between the fundamental physiological alterations leading to DOR and the oxidative phosphorylation processes within mGCs. The diminished ATP production by mGCs, triggered by CUS, emerges as a pivotal indicator of CUS-induced DOR. Our study establishes an animal model to investigate the impact of chronic stress on ovarian reserve function and sheds light on potential mechanisms underlying this phenomenon.

Exploring heat shock proteins as therapeutic targets for Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein (α-syn). Promoting the degradation of misfolded proteins has been shown to be an effective approach to alleviate PD. This review highlights the roles of specific heat shock proteins (HSPs) in modulating α-syn aggregation and neuronal survival. HSP27 prevents glycosylation-induced α-syn aggregation, disrupts copper ion interactions, inhibits mitochondrial apoptosis, and prevents dopaminergic neuronal cell death. HSP70 alleviates dopaminergic neuronal damage by promoting mitophagy and preventing neuronal apoptosis. HSC70 plays a critical role in chaperone-mediated autophagy and facilitates lysosomal degradation. GRP78 mitigates abnormal protein aggregation. The HSP70-HSP40-HSP110 system is capable of degrading α-syn amyloid fibers. Inhibition of HSP90 expression protects neurons. Further research should prioritize developing regulators of HSPs as treatments for PD. While HSPs offer promise in PD management, their complex roles necessitate cautious therapeutic development to harness their potential. Understanding the specific roles of different HSPs will be essential to developing effective therapies for α-syn clearance.

Selective Covalent Inhibiting JNK3 by Small Molecules for Parkinson's Diseases

c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) including JNK1/2/3 are key members of mitogen-activated protein kinase family. Wherein JNK3 is specifically expressed in brain and emerges as therapeutic target, especially for neurodegenerative diseases. However, developing JNK3 selective inhibitors as chemical probes to investigate its therapeutic potential in diseases remains challenging. Here, we adopted the covalent strategy for identifying JNK3-selective covalent inhibitor JC16I, with high inhibitory activity against JNK3. Despite targeting a conserved cysteine in the vicinity of ATP pocket in JNK family, JC16I exerted a greater than 160-fold selectivity for JNK3 over JNK1/2. Importantly, even at low concentration, JC16I showed enhanced and long-lasting inhibition against cellular JNK3. In addition, its alkyne-containing probe JC-P1 could label JNK3 in SH-SY5Y cell lysate and living cells, with good proteome-wide selectivity. JC16I selectively suppressed the abnormal activation of JNK3 signaling and sufficiently exhibited neuroprotective effect in Parkinson's diseases (PD) models. Overall, our findings highlight the potential of developing isoform-selective and cell-active JNK3 inhibitors by covalent drug design strategy targeting a conserved cysteine. This work not only provides a valuable chemical probe for JNK3-targeted investigations in vitro and in vivo but also opens new avenues for the treatment of PD.

A prediction model based on high serum SH2B1 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Identifying a specific biomarker will facilitate the diagnosis and prediction of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study was to investigate the serum SH2B1 in patients with NSCLC and healthy volunteers and establish a novel prediction model.

METHODS

A total 103 NSCLC patients and 108 healthy volunteers were selected from December 2019 to December 2020. Their serum and important clinical data were collected. Serum SH2B1 concentration was determined by ELISA. A novel prediction model for NSCLC was established according to these significant factors.

RESULTS

Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the chronic pulmonary diseases; NLR ≥ 2.07; hemoglobin level ≥ 136.56 g/L; albumin level ≥ 42.59 g/L and serum SH2B1 concentration ≥615.28 pg/mL were considered as statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). A comprehensive nomogram was established based on serum SH2B1 concentration combined with significant clinical indicators to predict an individual's probability of NSCLC.

CONCLUSION

The serum SH2B1 concentration ≥ 615.28 pg/mL is a significant predictive factor for NSCLC. Significantly, the prediction model based on serum SH2B1 has good stability and accuracy, which provides new insights of prediction assessment for NSCLC.

Early B Cell Factor 3 (EBF3) attenuates Parkinson's disease through directly regulating contactin-associated protein-like 4 (CNTNAP4) transcription: An experimental study

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a gradually debilitating neurodegenerative syndrome. Here, we analyzed GSE7621 chip data obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to explore the pathogenesis of PD. Early B Cell Factor 3 (EBF3), a member of the highly evolutionarily conserved EBF-transcription factor family, is involved in neuronal development. EBF3 expression is low in the substantia nigra of patients with PD. However, whether EBF3 is implicated in dopaminergic neuron death during PD has not yet been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to reveal the potential anti-apoptotic effect and molecular mechanism of EBF3 in PD. We established a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD mouse model in vivo and a 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP+)-induced SH-SY5Y cell model in vitro. EBF3 was downregulated in the substantia nigra of PD mice and SH-SY5Y cells treated with MPP+, and the m6A methylation modification level was low. Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) siRNA upregulated m6A methylation modification of EBF3 and extended the EBF3 mRNA half-life. Functionally, as demonstrated by the results of the open-field test, pole test and gait analysis, EBF3 overexpression ameliorated MPTP-induced behavioral disorder. Further, EBF3 overexpression suppressed neuronal apoptosis in vivo, as evidenced by decreased TUNEL+ cells, and the increased activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9. Similar results were obtained in vitro, as reflected by increased cell viability, decreased LDH activity and restored mitochondrial function, collectively protecting SH-SY5Y cells from MPP+-induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, the results of luciferase reporter, ch-IP and DNA pull-down assays confirmed that, as a transcription factor, EBF3 bound to the promoter of CNTNAP4 (a protein associated with neuronal differentiation) and directly regulated CNTNAP4 transcription. Strikingly, CNTNAP4 knockdown markedly abolished the effect of EBF3 on cell apoptosis, thus aggravating PD. In conclusion, the low level of m6A methylation modification may contribute to the low expression of EBF3 during PD. Additionally, EBF3 attenuates PD by activating CNTNAP4 transcription, suggesting that EBF3 may be a novel therapeutic target in PD.

Icariside II suppresses ferroptosis to protect against MPP+-Induced Parkinson's disease through Keap1/Nrf2/GPX4 signaling

Parkinson's disease (PD) is recognized as a degenerative and debilitating neurodegenerative disorder. The novel protective role of icariside II (ICS II) as a plant-derived flavonoid compound in neurodegenerative diseases has aroused much attention. Herein, the definite impacts of ICS II on the process of PD and the relevant action mechanism were studied. Human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells were challenged with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) to construct the PD cell model. MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis, respectively, appraised cell viability and apoptosis. Caspase 3 Activity Assay examined caspase 3 activity. Corresponding kits examined oxidative stress levels. BODIPY 581/591 C11 assay evaluated lipid reactive oxygen species. Iron Assay Kit assessed iron content. Western blot tested the expression of apoptosis-, ferroptosis- and Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling-associated proteins. Molecular docking verified the binding of ICS II with Keap1. The existing experimental results unveiled that ICS II elevated the viability whereas reduced the apoptosis, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis in MPP+-treated SK-N-SH cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, ICS II declined Keap1 expression while raised Nrf2, heme oxygenase 1, and GPX4 expression. In addition, ICS II had a strong binding with Keap1 and Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 partially abolished the suppressive role of ICS II in MPP+-triggered apoptosis, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis in SK-N-SH cells. To summarize, ICS II might inhibit apoptosis, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis in the MPP+-stimulated PD cell model, which might be due to the activation of Keap1/Nrf2/GPX4 signaling.

Mitochondrial glutamine transporter SLC1A5_var, a potential target to suppress astrocyte reactivity in Parkinson's Disease

SLC1A5 variant (SLC1A5_var) is identified as a mitochondrial glutamine transporter in cancer cells recently. However, the role of SLC1A5_var in Parkinson's disease (PD) is completely unknown. Here, we found the significant downregulation of SLC1A5_var in astrocytes and midbrain of mice treated with MPTP/MPP⁺ and LPS. Importantly, overexpression of SLC1A5_var ameliorated but knockdown of SLC1A5_var exacerbated MPTP/MPP⁺- and LPS-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Consequently, SLC1A5_var provided beneficial effects on PD pathology including improvement of PD-like motor symptoms and rescue of dopaminergic (DA) neuron degeneration through maintaining mitochondrial energy metabolism. Moreover, SLC1A5_var reduced astrocyte reactivity via inhibition of A1 astrocyte conversion. Further investigation demonstrated that SLC1A5_var restrained the secretion of astrocytic pro-inflammatory cytokines by blunting TLR4-mediated downstream pathways. This is the first study to prove that astrocytic SLC1A5_var inhibits neuroinflammation, and rescues the loss of DA neurons and motor symptoms involved in PD progression, which provides a novel target for PD treatment.