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Das S, Shaw AK, Das Sarma S, Koval M, Das Sarma J, Maulik M. Neurotropic Murine β-Coronavirus Infection Causes Differential Expression of Connexin 47 in Oligodendrocyte Subpopulations Associated with Demyelination. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04482-0. [PMID: 39292341 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04482-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
Gap junctions (GJs) play a crucial role in the survival of oligodendrocytes and myelination of the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, we investigated the spatiotemporal changes in the expression of oligodendroglial GJ protein connexin 47 (Cx47), its primary astroglial coupling partner, Cx43, and their association with demyelination following intracerebral infection with mouse hepatitis virus (MHV). Neurotropic strains of MHV, a β-coronavirus, induce an acute encephalomyelitis followed by a chronic demyelinating disease that shares similarities with the human disease multiple sclerosis (MS). Our results reveal that Cx47 GJs are persistently lost in mature oligodendrocytes, not only in demyelinating lesions but also in surrounding normal appearing white and gray matter areas, following an initial loss of astroglial Cx43 GJs during acute infection. At later stages after viral clearance, astroglial Cx43 GJs re-emerge but mature oligodendrocytes fail to fully re-establish GJs with astrocytes due to lack of Cx47 GJ expression. In contrast, at this later demyelinating stage, the increased oligodendrocyte precursor cells appear to exhibit Cx47 GJs. Our findings further highlight varying degrees of demyelination in distinct spinal cord regions, with the thoracic cord showing the most pronounced demyelination. The regional difference in demyelination correlates well with dynamic changes in the proportion of different oligodendrocyte lineage cells exhibiting differential Cx47 GJ expression, suggesting an important mechanism of progressive demyelination even after viral clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soubhik Das
- Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council - National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (BRIC-NIBMG), Kalyani, 741251, West Bengal, India
| | - Archana Kumari Shaw
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, 741246, West Bengal, India
| | - Subhajit Das Sarma
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, 741246, West Bengal, India
| | - Michael Koval
- Departments of Medicine and Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Jayasri Das Sarma
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, 741246, West Bengal, India
| | - Mahua Maulik
- Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council - National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (BRIC-NIBMG), Kalyani, 741251, West Bengal, India.
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Theophanous S, Sargiannidou I, Kleopa KA. Glial Cells as Key Regulators in Neuroinflammatory Mechanisms Associated with Multiple Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9588. [PMID: 39273535 PMCID: PMC11395575 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25179588] [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: 07/31/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Even though several highly effective treatments have been developed for multiple sclerosis (MS), the underlying pathological mechanisms and drivers of the disease have not been fully elucidated. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in studying neuroinflammation in the context of glial cell involvement as there is increasing evidence of their central role in disease progression. Although glial cell communication and proper function underlies brain homeostasis and maintenance, their multiple effects in an MS brain remain complex and controversial. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the contribution of glial cells, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and microglia in the pathology of MS during both the activation and orchestration of inflammatory mechanisms, as well as of their synergistic effects during the repair and restoration of function. Additionally, we discuss how the understanding of glial cell involvement in MS may provide new therapeutic targets either to limit disease progression or to facilitate repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Styliani Theophanous
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Irene Sargiannidou
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Kleopas A Kleopa
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus
- Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus
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Guan D, Li Y, Zhao X, Wang K, Guo Y, Dong N, Cui Y, Gao Y, Wang M, Wang J, Ren Y, Shang P, Liu Y. Hederagenol improves multiple sclerosis by modulating Th17 cell differentiation. IUBMB Life 2024. [PMID: 38838376 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common autoimmune illness that is difficult to treat. The upregulation of Th17 cells is critical in the pathological process of MS. Hederagenol (Hed) has been shown to lower IL-17 levels, although its role in MS pathophysiology is uncertain. In this study, we explore whether Hed could ameliorate MS by modulating Th17 cell differentiation, with the goal of identifying new treatment targets for MS. The experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model was conducted and Hed was intraperitoneally injected into mice. The weight was recorded and the clinical symptom grade was assessed. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was carried out to determine the extent of inflammation in the spinal cord and liver. The luxol Fast Blue staining was performed to detect the pathological changes in the myelin sheath. Nerve damage was detected using NeuN immunofluorescence staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling staining. Immunohistology approaches were used to study alterations in immune cells in the spinal cord. The proportions of T cell subsets in the spleens were analyzed by flow cytometry. RORγt levels were measured using quantitative real-time PCR or Western blot. The activity of the RORγt promoter was analyzed by Chromatin immunoprecipitation. Hed administration reduced the clinical symptom grade of EAE mice, as well as the inflammatory infiltration, demyelination, and cell disorder of the spinal cord, while having no discernible effect on the mouse weight. In addition, Hed treatment significantly reduced the number of T cells, particularly Th17 cells in the spinal cord and spleen-isolated CD4+ T cells. Hed lowered the RORγt levels in spleens and CD4+ T cells and overexpression of RORγt reversed the inhibitory effect of Hed on Th17 differentiation. Hed decreased nerve injury by modulating Th17 differentiation through the RORγt promoter. Hed regulates Th17 differentiation by reducing RORγt promoter activity, which reduces nerve injury and alleviates EAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongsheng Guan
- Department of Neurology, the Second Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yingxia Li
- The College of Basic Medicine, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xu Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanke Guo
- Department of Neurology, the Second Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ning Dong
- Department of Neurology, the Second Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yinglin Cui
- Department of Neurology, the Second Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yinghe Gao
- Department of Neurology, the Second Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mengmeng Wang
- Department of Neurology, the Second Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Neurology, the Second Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yihan Ren
- Department of Neurology, the Second Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Penghui Shang
- Department of Neurology, the Second Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuxuan Liu
- Department of Neurology, the Second Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
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Takase EO, Yamasaki R, Nagata S, Watanabe M, Masaki K, Yamaguchi H, Kira JI, Takeuchi H, Isobe N. Astroglial connexin 43 is a novel therapeutic target for chronic multiple sclerosis model. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10877. [PMID: 38740862 PMCID: PMC11091090 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61508-2] [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: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In chronic stages of multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE), connexin (Cx)43 gap junction channel proteins are overexpressed because of astrogliosis. To elucidate the role of increased Cx43, the central nervous system (CNS)-permeable Cx blocker INI-0602 was therapeutically administered. C57BL6 mice with chronic EAE initiated by MOG35-55 received INI-0602 (40 mg/kg) or saline intraperitoneally every other day from days post-immunization (dpi) 17-50. Primary astroglia were employed to observe calcein efflux responses. In INI-0602-treated mice, EAE clinical signs improved significantly in the chronic phase, with reduced demyelination and decreased CD3+ T cells, Iba-1+ and F4/80+ microglia/macrophages, and C3+GFAP+ reactive astroglia infiltration in spinal cord lesions. Flow cytometry analysis of CD4+ T cells from CNS tissues revealed significantly reduced Th17 and Th17/Th1 cells (dpi 24) and Th1 cells (dpi 50). Multiplex array of cerebrospinal fluid showed significantly suppressed IL-6 and significantly increased IL-10 on dpi 24 in INI-0602-treated mice, and significantly suppressed IFN-γ and MCP-1 on dpi 50 in the same group. In vitro INI-0602 treatment inhibited ATP-induced calcium propagations of Cx43+/+ astroglial cells to similar levels of those of Cx43-/- cells. Astroglial Cx43 hemichannels represent a novel therapeutic target for chronic EAE and MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezgi Ozdemir Takase
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Ryo Yamasaki
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
| | - Satoshi Nagata
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Watanabe
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Katsuhisa Masaki
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Hiroo Yamaguchi
- School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Reiwa Health Sciences University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Jun-Ichi Kira
- Translational Neuroscience Center, Graduate School of Medicine, and School of Pharmacy at Fukuoka, International University of Health and Welfare, Ookawa, Japan
- Department of Neurology, Brain and Nerve Center, Fukuoka Central Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Takeuchi
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan.
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Narita, Japan.
- Center for Intractable Neurological Diseases and Dementia, International University of Health and Welfare Atami Hospital, Atami, Japan.
| | - Noriko Isobe
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
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5
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Gong B, Li M, Wang Z, Hao G, Sun L, Zhang J, Yuan L. Integrated analysis of circRNA- related ceRNA network targeting neuroinflammation in medial temporal lobe epilepsy. Brain Res Bull 2024; 209:110908. [PMID: 38402995 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.110908] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND medial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) is among the most common types of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) ,it is generally resistant to drug treatment, which significantly impacts the quality of life and treatment. Research on novel therapeutic approaches for mTLE has become a current focus. Our study aims to construct and analyze a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network that targets neuroinflammation using publicly available data, which may offer a novel therapeutic approach for mTLE. METHODS we utilized the R package to analyze GSE186334 downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database, subsequently constructing and identifying hub network within the ceRNA network using public databases. Lastly, we validated the expressions and interactions of some nodes within the hub ceRNA network in Sombati cell model. RESULTS our transcriptome analysis identified 649 differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs (273 up-regulated, 376 down-regulated) and 36 DE circRNAs (11 up-regulated, 25 down-regulated) among mTLE patients. A total of 23 candidate DE mRNAs associated with neuroinflammation were screened, and two ceRNA networks were constructed. A hub network was further screened which included 3 mRNAs, 22 miRNAs, and 11 circRNAs. Finally, we confirmed the hsa-miR-149-5p is crucial in the regulatory effect of hsa_circ_0005145 on IL - 1α in the hub network. CONCLUSIONS In summary, our study identified a hub ceRNA network and validated a potential circRNA-miRNA-mRNA axis targeting neuroinflammation. The results of our research may serve as a potential therapeutic target for mTLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingzheng Gong
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271000, China
| | - Mian Li
- Biomedical Sciences College & Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology Centre, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Ziru Wang
- School of Clinical Medicine and Basic Medical Science, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Gulingyue Hao
- School of Clinical Medicine and Basic Medical Science, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Liang Sun
- College of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data for Medical Science, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250000, China.
| | - Jingjun Zhang
- School of Clinical Medicine and Basic Medical Science, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250000, China.
| | - Liangjie Yuan
- School of Clinical Medicine and Basic Medical Science, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250000, China.
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Mei B, Xu X, Weng J, Yang Y, Wang P, Qiu G, Zhang C, Zhang Q, Lu Y, Liu X. Activating astrocytic α2A adrenoceptors in hippocampus reduces glutamate toxicity to attenuate sepsis-associated encephalopathy in mice. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 117:376-398. [PMID: 38320682 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.02.005] [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: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glutamate metabolism disorder is an important mechanism of sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). Astrocytes regulate glutamate metabolism. In septic mice, α2A adrenoceptor (α2A-AR) activation in the central nervous system provides neuroprotection. α2A-ARs are expressed abundantly in hippocampal astrocytes. This study was performed to determine whether hippocampal astrocytic α2A-AR activation confers neuroprotection against SAE and whether this protective effect is astrocyte specific and achieved by the modulation of glutamate metabolism. METHODS Male C57BL/6 mice with and without α2A-AR knockdown were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). They were treated with intrahippocampal guanfacine (an α2A-AR agonist) or intraperitoneal dexmedetomidine in the presence or absence of dihydrokainic acid [DHK; a glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1) antagonist] and/or UCPH-101 [a glutamate/aspartate transporter (GLAST) antagonist]. Hippocampal tissue was collected for the measurement of astrocyte reactivity, GLT-1 and GLAST expression, and glutamate receptor subunit 2B (GluN2B) phosphorylation. In vivo real-time extracellular glutamate concentrations in the hippocampus were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry combined with microdialysis, and in vivo real-time hippocampal glutamatergic neuron excitability was assessed by calcium imaging. The mice were subjected to the Barnes maze and fear conditioning tests to assess their learning and memory. Golgi staining was performed to assess changes in the hippocampal synaptic structure. In vitro, primary astrocytes with and without α2A-AR knockdown were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and treated with guanfacine or dexmedetomidine in the presence or absence of 8-bromo- cyclic adenosine monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP, a cAMP analog). LPS-treated primary and BV2 microglia were also treated with guanfacine or dexmedetomidine. Astrocyte reactivity, PKA catalytic subunit, GLT-1 an GLAST expression were determined in primary astrocytes. Interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the medium of microglia culture were measured. RESULTS CLP induced synaptic injury, impaired neurocognitive function, increased astrocyte reactivity and reduced GLT-1 and GLAST expression in the hippocampus of mice. The extracellular glutamate concentration, phosphorylation of GluN2B at Tyr-1472 and glutamatergic neuron excitability in the hippocampus were increased in the hippocampus of septic mice. Intraperitoneal dexmedetomidine or intrahippocampal guanfacine administration attenuated these effects. Hippocampal astrocytes expressed abundant α2A-ARs; expression was also detected in neurons but not microglia. Specific knockdown of α2A-ARs in hippocampal astrocytes and simultaneous intrahippocampal DHK and UCPH-101 administration blocked the neuroprotective effects of dexmedetomidine and guanfacine. Intrahippocampal administration of DHK or UCPH-101 alone had no such effect. In vitro, guanfacine or dexmedetomidine inhibited astrocyte reactivity, reduced PKA catalytic subunit expression, and increased GLT-1 and GLAST expression in primary astrocytes but not in primary astrocytes that received α2A-AR knockdown or were treated with 8-Br-cAMP. Guanfacine or dexmedetomidine inhibited microglial reactivity in BV2 but not primary microglia. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that neurocognitive protection against SAE after hippocampal α2A-AR activation is astrocyte specific. This protection may involve the inhibition of astrocyte reactivity and alleviation of glutamate neurotoxicity, thereby reducing synaptic injury. The cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway is a potential cellular mechanism by which activating α2A-AR modulates astrocytic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Mei
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230022, China.
| | - Xiaoxia Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230022, China
| | - Juntao Weng
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230022, China
| | - Yueyue Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230022, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230022, China
| | - Gaolin Qiu
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230022, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230001, China
| | - Qunlin Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230001, China
| | - Yao Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230022, China
| | - Xuesheng Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230022, China.
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7
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Perrier S, Gauquelin L, Bernard G. Inherited white matter disorders: Hypomyelination (myelin disorders). HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2024; 204:197-223. [PMID: 39322379 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-99209-1.00014-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Hypomyelinating leukodystrophies are a subset of genetic white matter diseases characterized by insufficient myelin deposition during development. MRI patterns are used to identify hypomyelinating disorders, and genetic testing is used to determine the causal genes implicated in individual disease forms. Clinical course can range from severe, with patients manifesting neurologic symptoms in infancy or early childhood, to mild, with onset in adolescence or adulthood. This chapter discusses the most common hypomyelinating leukodystrophies, including X-linked Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease and other PLP1-related disorders, autosomal recessive Pelizaeus-Merzbacher-like disease, and POLR3-related leukodystrophy. PLP1-related disorders are caused by hemizygous pathogenic variants in the proteolipid protein 1 (PLP1) gene, and encompass classic Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, the severe connatal form, PLP1-null syndrome, spastic paraplegia type 2, and hypomyelination of early myelinating structures. Pelizaeus-Merzbacher-like disease presents a similar clinical picture to Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, however, it is caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in the GJC2 gene, which encodes for the gap junction protein Connexin-47. POLR3-related leukodystrophy, or 4H leukodystrophy (hypomyelination, hypodontia, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism), is caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in genes encoding specific subunits of the transcription enzyme RNA polymerase III. In this chapter, the clinical features, disease pathophysiology and genetics, imaging patterns, as well as supportive and future therapies are discussed for each disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Perrier
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Laurence Gauquelin
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, CHUL et Centre Mère-Enfant Soleil du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Geneviève Bernard
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada; Departments of Pediatrics and Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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8
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Yamasaki R. Connexins Control Glial Inflammation in Various Neurological Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16879. [PMID: 38069203 PMCID: PMC10706219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Connexins (Cxs) form gap junctions through homotypic/heterotypic oligomerization. Cxs are initially synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum, then assembled as hexamers in the Golgi apparatus before being integrated into the cell membrane as hemichannels. These hemichannels remain closed until they combine to create gap junctions, directly connecting neighboring cells. Changes in the intracellular or extracellular environment are believed to trigger the opening of hemichannels, creating a passage between the inside and outside of the cell. The size of the channel pore depends on the Cx isoform and cellular context-specific effects such as posttranslational modifications. Hemichannels allow various bioactive molecules, under ~1 kDa, to move in and out of the host cell in the direction of the electrochemical gradient. In this review, we explore the fundamental roles of Cxs and their clinical implications in various neurological dysfunctions, including hereditary diseases, ischemic brain disorders, degenerative conditions, demyelinating disorders, and psychiatric illnesses. The influence of Cxs on the pathomechanisms of different neurological disorders varies depending on the circumstances. Hemichannels are hypothesized to contribute to proinflammatory effects by releasing ATP, adenosine, glutamate, and other bioactive molecules, leading to neuroglial inflammation. Modulating Cxs' hemichannels has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Yamasaki
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
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9
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Wang H, Yang X, Lai H, Sun Y, Yan X, Ai Q, Lin M, Yang S, Yang Y, Chu S, Wang Z, Chen N. Novel antidepressant mechanism of hypericin: Role of connexin 43-based gap junctions. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115545. [PMID: 37734259 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115545] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypericin is widely utilized for its precise antidepressant properties, but its exact antidepressant mechanism remains unclear. Gap junctions, which were predominantly expressed in astrocytes in the central nervous system, are concerned with the pathogenesis of depression. However, the role of hypericin in gap junctional dysfunction in depression has rarely been investigated. Here, we found that gap junctions were ultra-structurally broadened in the chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) rat model of depression, while hypericin repaired the dysfunction of gap junctions. Suppression of gap junctions by bilateral injection of carbenoxolone (CBX) in the prefrontal cortex of rats significantly inhibited the restoration of gap junctional dysfunction in depression by hypericin. Meanwhile, hypericin failed to show antidepressant benefits. Furthermore, in corticosterone (CORT)-stimulated primary astrocytes derived from neonatal rats, hypericin dramatically reversed the phosphorylation of connexin 43 (Cx43), normalizing the expression of Cx43 and thereby ameliorating gap junctional dysfunction. Comparatively, CBX inhibited the remission of hypericin on gap junctional intercellular communication function. Gap junctional function might be a novel therapeutic target for hypericin in the treatment of depression and provide potential novel insights into the antidepressant mechanism of other herbal ingredients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiqin Wang
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine & Hunan Engineering Technology Center of Standardization and Function of Chinese Herbal Decoction Pieces, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China; State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xueying Yang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Huaqing Lai
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong, China
| | - Yang Sun
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine & Hunan Engineering Technology Center of Standardization and Function of Chinese Herbal Decoction Pieces, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
| | - Xu Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Qidi Ai
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine & Hunan Engineering Technology Center of Standardization and Function of Chinese Herbal Decoction Pieces, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
| | - Meiyu Lin
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine & Hunan Engineering Technology Center of Standardization and Function of Chinese Herbal Decoction Pieces, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
| | - Songwei Yang
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine & Hunan Engineering Technology Center of Standardization and Function of Chinese Herbal Decoction Pieces, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
| | - Yantao Yang
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine & Hunan Engineering Technology Center of Standardization and Function of Chinese Herbal Decoction Pieces, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
| | - Shifeng Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Zhenzhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Naihong Chen
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine & Hunan Engineering Technology Center of Standardization and Function of Chinese Herbal Decoction Pieces, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China; State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
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10
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Nagata S, Yamasaki R, Takase EO, Iida K, Watanabe M, Masaki K, Wijering MHC, Yamaguchi H, Kira JI, Isobe N. Iguratimod Ameliorates the Severity of Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis in Model Mice by Directly Inhibiting IL-6 Production and Th17 Cell Migration via Mitigation of Glial Inflammation. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1217. [PMID: 37759616 PMCID: PMC10525689 DOI: 10.3390/biology12091217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
We previously reported a novel secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) model, progressive experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (pEAE), in oligodendroglia-specific Cx47-inducible conditional knockout (Cx47 icKO) mice. Based on our prior study showing the efficacy of iguratimod (IGU), an antirheumatic drug, for acute EAE treatment, we aimed to elucidate the effect of IGU on the SPMS animal model. We induced pEAE by immunizing Cx47 icKO mice with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide 35-55. IGU was orally administered from 17 to 50 days post-immunization. We also prepared a primary mixed glial cell culture and measured cytokine levels in the culture supernatant after stimulation with designated cytokines (IL-1α, C1q, TNF-α) and lipopolysaccharide. A migration assay was performed to evaluate the effect of IGU on the migration ability of T cells toward mixed glial cell cultures. IGU treatment ameliorated the clinical signs of pEAE, decreased the demyelinated area, and attenuated glial inflammation on immunohistochemical analysis. Additionally, IGU decreased the intrathecal IL-6 level and infiltrating Th17 cells. The migration assay revealed reduced Th17 cell migration and IL-6 levels in the culture supernatant after IGU treatment. Collectively, IGU successfully mitigated the clinical signs of pEAE by suppressing Th17 migration through inhibition of IL-6 production by proinflammatory-activated glial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Nagata
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Ryo Yamasaki
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Ezgi Ozdemir Takase
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Kotaro Iida
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Watanabe
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Katsuhisa Masaki
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Marion Heleen Cathérine Wijering
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Section Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), MS Center Noord Nederland, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hiroo Yamaguchi
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Reiwa Health Sciences University, Fukuoka 811-0213, Japan
| | - Jun-ichi Kira
- Translational Neuroscience Center, Graduate School of Medicine, and School of Pharmacy at Fukuoka, International University of Health and Welfare, Fukuoka 831-8501, Japan
- Department of Neurology, Brain and Nerve Center, Fukuoka Central Hospital, Fukuoka 810-0022, Japan
| | - Noriko Isobe
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
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11
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Dustin E, McQuiston AR, Honke K, Palavicini JP, Han X, Dupree JL. Adult-onset depletion of sulfatide leads to axonal degeneration with relative myelin sparing. Glia 2023; 71:2285-2303. [PMID: 37283058 PMCID: PMC11007682 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24423] [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: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
3-O-sulfogalactosylceramide (sulfatide) constitutes a class of sphingolipids that comprise about 4% of myelin lipids in the central nervous system. Previously, our group characterized a mouse with sulfatide's synthesizing enzyme, cerebroside sulfotransferase (CST), constitutively disrupted. Using these mice, we demonstrated that sulfatide is required for establishment and maintenance of myelin, axoglial junctions, and axonal domains and that sulfatide depletion results in structural pathologies commonly observed in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Interestingly, sulfatide is reduced in regions of normal appearing white matter (NAWM) of MS patients. Sulfatide reduction in NAWM suggests depletion occurs early in disease development and consistent with functioning as a driving force of disease progression. To closely model MS, an adult-onset disease, our lab generated a "floxed" CST mouse and mated it against the PLP-creERT mouse, resulting in a double transgenic mouse that provides temporal and cell-type specific ablation of the Cst gene (Gal3st1). Using this mouse, we demonstrate adult-onset sulfatide depletion has limited effects on myelin structure but results in the loss of axonal integrity including deterioration of domain organization accompanied by axonal degeneration. Moreover, structurally preserved myelinated axons progressively lose the ability to function as myelinated axons, indicated by the loss of the N1 peak. Together, our findings indicate that sulfatide depletion, which occurs in the early stages of MS progression, is sufficient to drive the loss of axonal function independent of demyelination and that axonal pathology, which is responsible for the irreversible loss of neuronal function that is prevalent in MS, may occur earlier than previously recognized.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Dustin
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Research Service, Central Virginia Veterans Affairs Health Care Systems, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - A R McQuiston
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - K Honke
- Department of Biochemistry, Kochi University Medical School, Kochi, Japan
| | - J P Palavicini
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - X Han
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - J L Dupree
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Research Service, Central Virginia Veterans Affairs Health Care Systems, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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12
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Yu C, Ruan Y, Sun X, Chen C, Shen T, Liu C, Qiu W, Lu Z, Chan SO, Wang L. rTMS ameliorates depression/anxiety-like behaviors in experimental autoimmune encephalitis by inhibiting neurotoxic reactive astrocytes. J Affect Disord 2023; 331:352-361. [PMID: 36958487 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.03.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
One third of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) suffered from depressive symptoms. The pathogenesis of depression in MS patients has been related to innate immune activation in certain regions of the brain such as hippocampus. However, pharmacotherapy lacks sufficient evidence for beneficial effects on depression in MS patients, urging for a novel treatment modality for this mental disorder. Treatment effects of rTMS on depression/anxiety-like behaviors in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) were assessed by behavioral tests. The role of innate immune response was examined by RNA sequencing, quantitative RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence techniques. Depressive symptom severity and astroglial activation in patients with MS were assessed by Beck Depression Inventory and serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), respectively. EAE mice displayed depression/anxiety-like behaviors, which were ameliorated by rTMS. Transcriptome and gene-specific expression analysis of the hippocampus showed significant reduction in transcript levels associated with neurotoxic reactive astrocytes in EAE mice after rTMS treatment. This was confirmed by immunofluorescence studies. Complement component 3d, a marker of neurotoxic reactive astrocytes, was highly expressed in EAE hippocampus, but was reduced to a basal level after rTMS treatment. In patients with MS, astroglial activation, indicated by serum GFAP levels, was significantly elevated in those with moderate or major depressive symptoms. These findings support that the suppression of neurotoxic reactive astrocytes might be a potential target for treatment of depression in patients with MS, and suggest the potential of using rTMS as a potential therapeutic treatment for this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Yu
- Department of Neurology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China; Medical Examination Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Yiwen Ruan
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Xiaobo Sun
- Department of Neurology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Neurology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Ting Shen
- Department of Neurology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Chunxin Liu
- Department of Neurology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Wei Qiu
- Department of Neurology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Zhengqi Lu
- Department of Neurology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Sun On Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Liqing Wang
- Department of Neurology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China.
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13
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Lawrence JM, Schardien K, Wigdahl B, Nonnemacher MR. Roles of neuropathology-associated reactive astrocytes: a systematic review. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:42. [PMID: 36915214 PMCID: PMC10009953 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01526-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 80.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In the contexts of aging, injury, or neuroinflammation, activated microglia signaling with TNF-α, IL-1α, and C1q induces a neurotoxic astrocytic phenotype, classified as A1, A1-like, or neuroinflammatory reactive astrocytes. In contrast to typical astrocytes, which promote neuronal survival, support synapses, and maintain blood-brain barrier integrity, these reactive astrocytes downregulate supportive functions and begin to secrete neurotoxic factors, complement components like C3, and chemokines like CXCL10, which may facilitate recruitment of immune cells across the BBB into the CNS. The proportion of pro-inflammatory reactive astrocytes increases with age through associated microglia activation, and these pro-inflammatory reactive astrocytes are particularly abundant in neurodegenerative disorders. As the identification of astrocyte phenotypes progress, their molecular and cellular effects are characterized in a growing array of neuropathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill M Lawrence
- Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics Graduate Program, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kayla Schardien
- Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics Graduate Program, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brian Wigdahl
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael R Nonnemacher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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14
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Zlomuzica A, Plank L, Kodzaga I, Dere E. A fatal alliance: Glial connexins, myelin pathology and mental disorders. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 159:97-115. [PMID: 36701970 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Mature oligodendrocytes are myelin forming glial cells which are responsible for myelination of neuronal axons in the white matter of the central nervous system. Myelin pathology is a major feature of severe neurological disorders. Oligodendrocyte-specific gene mutations and/or white matter alterations have also been addressed in a variety of mental disorders. Breakdown of myelin integrity and demyelination is associated with severe symptoms, including impairments in motor coordination, breathing, dysarthria, perception (vision and hearing), and cognition. Furthermore, there is evidence indicating that myelin sheath defects and white matter pathology contributes to the affective and cognitive symptoms of patients with mental disorders. Oligodendrocytes express the connexins GJC2; mCx47 [human (GJC2) and mouse (mCx47) connexin gene nomenclature according to Söhl and Willecke (2003)], GJB1; mCx32, and GJD1; mCx29 in both white and gray matter. Preclinical findings indicate that alterations in connexin expression in oligodendrocytes and astrocytes can induce myelin defects. GJC2; mCx47 is expressed at early embryonic stages in oligodendrocyte precursors cells which precedes central nervous system myelination. In adult humans and animals GJC2, respectively mCx47 expression is essential for oligodendrocyte function and ensures adequate myelination as well as myelin maintenance in the central nervous system. In the past decade, evidence has accumulated suggesting that mental disorders can be accompanied by changes in connexin expression, myelin sheath defects and corresponding white matter alterations. This dual pathology could compromise inter-neuronal information transfer, processing and communication and eventually contribute to behavioral, sensory-motor, affective and cognitive symptoms in patients with mental disorders. The induction of myelin repair and remyelination in the central nervous system of patients with mental disorders could help to restore normal neuronal information propagation and ameliorate behavioral and cognitive symptoms in individuals with mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armin Zlomuzica
- Department of Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Massenbergstraße 9-13, D-44787, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Laurin Plank
- Department of Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Massenbergstraße 9-13, D-44787, Bochum, Germany
| | - Iris Kodzaga
- Department of Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Massenbergstraße 9-13, D-44787, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ekrem Dere
- Department of Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Massenbergstraße 9-13, D-44787, Bochum, Germany; Sorbonne Université, UFR des Sciences de la Vie, 9 quai Saint Bernard, F-75005, Paris, France.
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15
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Interactions Between Astrocytes and Oligodendroglia in Myelin Development and Related Brain Diseases. Neurosci Bull 2022; 39:541-552. [PMID: 36370324 PMCID: PMC10043111 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-00981-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractAstrocytes (ASTs) and oligodendroglial lineage cells (OLGs) are major macroglial cells in the central nervous system. ASTs communicate with each other through connexin (Cx) and Cx-based network structures, both of which allow for quick transport of nutrients and signals. Moreover, ASTs interact with OLGs through connexin (Cx)-mediated networks to modulate various physiological processes in the brain. In this article, following a brief description of the infrastructural basis of the glial networks and exocrine factors by which ASTs and OLGs may crosstalk, we focus on recapitulating how the interactions between these two types of glial cells modulate myelination, and how the AST-OLG interactions are involved in protecting the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and regulating synaptogenesis and neural activity. Recent studies further suggest that AST-OLG interactions are associated with myelin-related diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. A better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying AST-OLG interactions may inspire the development of novel therapeutic strategies for related brain diseases.
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16
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Li H, Xie L, Zhu L, Li Z, Wang R, Liu X, Huang Z, Chen B, Gao Y, Wei L, He C, Ju R, Liu Y, Liu X, Zheng Y, Su W. Multicellular immune dynamics implicate PIM1 as a potential therapeutic target for uveitis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5866. [PMID: 36195600 PMCID: PMC9532430 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33502-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveitis is a severe autoimmune disease, and a common cause of blindness; however, its individual cellular dynamics and pathogenic mechanism remain poorly understood. Herein, by performing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), we identify disease-associated alterations in cell composition and transcriptional regulation as the disease progressed, as well as a disease-related molecule, PIM1. Inhibiting PIM1 reduces the Th17 cell proportion and increases the Treg cell proportion, likely due to regulation of PIM1 to the protein kinase B (AKT)/Forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) pathway. Moreover, inhibiting PIM1 reduces Th17 cell pathogenicity and reduces plasma cell differentiation. Importantly, the upregulation of PIM1 in CD4+ T cells and plasma cells is conserved in a human uveitis, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH), and inhibition of PIM1 reduces CD4+ T and B cell expansion. Collectively, a dynamic immune cellular atlas during uveitis is developed and implicate that PIM1 may be a potential therapeutic target for VKH. Uveitis is a complex autoimmune inflammatory disease of the eye and defining molecules involved is a priority. Here the authors use scRNA sequencing in mouse experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) and show PIM1 promotes the imbalance of Th17 and Treg cells, and find elevated PIM-1 in human uveitis disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Lihui Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Zhaohuai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Rong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Xiuxing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Zhaohao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Binyao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yuehan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Lai Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Chang He
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Rong Ju
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yizhi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China.,Research Unit of Ocular Development and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Xialin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Yingfeng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China. .,Research Unit of Ocular Development and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China.
| | - Wenru Su
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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17
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GJA1/CX43 High Expression Levels in the Cervical Spinal Cord of ALS Patients Correlate to Microglia-Mediated Neuroinflammatory Profile. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092246. [PMID: 36140348 PMCID: PMC9496195 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092246] [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: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting motoneurons (MNs) with a fatal outcome. The typical degeneration of cortico-spinal, spinal, and bulbar MNs, observed in post-mortem biopsies, is associated with the activation of neuroimmune cells. GJA1, a member of the connexins (Cxs) gene family, encodes for connexin 43 (Cx43), a core gap junctions (GJs)- and hemichannels (HCs)-forming protein, involved in cell death, proliferation, and differentiation. Recently, Cx43 expression was found to play a role in ALS pathogenesis. Here, we used microarray and RNA-seq datasets from the NCBI of the spinal cord of control (NDC) and ALS patients, which were stratified according to the GJA1 gene expression. Genes that positively or negatively correlated to GJA1 expression were used to perform a genomic deconvolution analysis (GDA) using neuroimmune signatures. Expression analysis revealed a significantly higher GJA1 expression in the MNs of ALS patients as compared to NDC. Gene deconvolution analysis revealed that positively correlated genes were associated with microglia activation, whereas negatively correlated genes were associated with neuronal activation profiles. Moreover, gene ontology analysis, performed on genes characterizing either microglia or neuronal signature, indicated immune activation or neurogenesis as main biological processes. Finally, using a synthetic analysis of drugs able to revert the GJA1 transcriptomic signatures, we found a specific drug profile for ALS patients with high GJA1 expression levels, composed of amlodipine, sertraline, and prednisolone. In conclusion, our exploratory study suggests GJA1 as a new neuro-immunological gene correlated to microglial cellular profile in the spinal cord of ALS patients. Further studies are warranted to confirm these results and to evaluate the therapeutic potential of drugs able to revert typical GJA1/CX43 signature in ALS patients
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18
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Jiang J, Li J, Zhang Y, Zhou C, Guo C, Zhou Z, Ming Y. The Protective Effect of the Soluble Egg Antigen of Schistosoma japonicum in A Mouse Skin Transplantation Model. Front Immunol 2022; 13:884006. [PMID: 35911717 PMCID: PMC9332893 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.884006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Organ transplantation is currently an effective method for treating organ failure. Long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs has huge side effects, which severely restricts the long-term survival of patients. Schistosoma can affect the host’s immune system by synthesizing, secreting, or excreting a variety of immunomodulatory molecules, but its role in transplantation was not well defined. In order to explore whether Schistosoma-related products can suppress rejection and induce long-term survival of the transplant, we used soluble egg antigen (SEA) of Schistosoma japonicum in mouse skin transplantation models. Materials and methods Each mouse was intraperitoneally injected with 100 μg of SEA three times a week for four consecutive weeks before allogenic skin transplant. Skin transplants were performed on day 0 to observe graft survival. Pathological examination of skin grafts was conducted 7 days post transplantation. The skin grafts were subjected to mRNA sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted and the expression of hub genes was verified by qPCR. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to evaluate the immune status and validate the results from bioinformatic analysis. Results The mean survival time (MST) of mouse skin grafts in the SEA-treated group was 11.67 ± 0.69 days, while that of the control group was 8.00 ± 0.36 days. Pathological analysis showed that Sj SEA treatment led to reduced inflammatory infiltration within skin grafts 7 days after allogenic skin transplantation. Bioinformatics analysis identified 86 DEGs between the Sj SEA treatment group and the control group, including 39 upregulated genes and 47 downregulated genes. Further analysis revealed that Sj SEA mediated regulation on cellular response to interferon-γ, activation of IL-17 signaling and chemokine signaling pathways, as well as cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction. Flow cytometry analysis showed that SEA treatment led to higher percentages of CD4+IL-4+ T cells and CD4+Foxp3+ T cells and decreased CD4+IFN-γ+ T cells in skin transplantation. Conclusion Sj SEA treatment suppressed rejection and prolonged skin graft survival by regulating immune responses. Sj SEA treatment might be a potential new therapeutic strategy to facilitate anti-rejection therapy and even to induce tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Jiang
- Center for Organ Transplantation, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Research Center of National Health Ministry on Transplantation Medicine Engineering and Technology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Junhui Li
- Center for Organ Transplantation, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Research Center of National Health Ministry on Transplantation Medicine Engineering and Technology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Center for Organ Transplantation, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Research Center of National Health Ministry on Transplantation Medicine Engineering and Technology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chen Zhou
- Center for Organ Transplantation, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Research Center of National Health Ministry on Transplantation Medicine Engineering and Technology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chen Guo
- Center for Organ Transplantation, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Research Center of National Health Ministry on Transplantation Medicine Engineering and Technology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhaoqin Zhou
- Center for Organ Transplantation, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Research Center of National Health Ministry on Transplantation Medicine Engineering and Technology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yingzi Ming
- Center for Organ Transplantation, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Research Center of National Health Ministry on Transplantation Medicine Engineering and Technology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Yingzi Ming,
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Huang ZX, Qu P, Wang KK, Zheng J, Pan M, Zhu HQ. Transcriptomic profiling of pemphigus lesion infiltrating mononuclear cells reveals a distinct local immune microenvironment and novel lncRNA regulators. J Transl Med 2022; 20:182. [PMID: 35449056 PMCID: PMC9027862 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03387-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Pemphigus is an autoimmune skin disease. Ectopic lymphoid-like structures (ELSs) were found to be commonly present in the pemphigus lesions, presumably supporting in situ desmoglein (Dsg)-specific antibody production. Yet functional phenotypes and the regulators of Lymphoid aggregates in pemphigus lesions remain largely unknown. Herein, we used microarray technology to profile the gene expression in skin lesion infiltrating mononuclear cells (SIMC) from pemphigus patients. On top of that, we compared SIMC dataset to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) dataset to characterize the unique role of SIMC. Functional enrichment results showed that mononuclear cells in skin lesions and peripheral blood both had over-represented IL-17 signaling pathways while neither was characterized by an activation of type I Interferon signaling pathways. Cell-type identification with relative subsets of known RNA transcripts (CIBERSORT) results showed that naïve natural killer cells (NK cells) were significantly more abundant in pemphigus lesions, and their relative abundance positively correlated with B cells abundance. Meanwhile, plasma cells population highly correlated with type 1 macrophages (M1) abundance. In addition, we also identified a lncRNA LINC01588 which might epigenetically regulate T helper 17 cells (Th17)/regulatory T cells (Treg) balance via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway. Here, we provide the first transcriptomic characterization of lesion infiltrating immune cells which illustrates a distinct interplay network between adaptive and innate immune cells. It helps discover new regulators of local immune response, which potentially will provide a novel path forward to further uncover pemphigus pathological mechanisms and develop targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Xuan Huang
- Department of Dermatology, Rui Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Peng Qu
- Department of Dermatology, Rui Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Kan-Kan Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Dermatology, Rui Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Meng Pan
- Department of Dermatology, Rui Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Hai-Qin Zhu
- Department of Dermatology, Rui Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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20
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The Efficacy of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis: Transcriptome and Gut Microbiota Profiling. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:4400428. [PMID: 34938813 PMCID: PMC8687821 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4400428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To study the protective effect of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and reveal its potential intestinal microflora-dependent mechanism through analyses of the intestinal microbiota and spinal cord transcriptome in mice. Method We measured the severity of disease by clinical EAE scores and H&E staining. Gut microbiota alteration in the gut and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the spinal cord were analyzed through 16S rRNA and transcriptome sequencing. Finally, we analyzed associations between the relative abundance of intestinal microbiota constituents and DEGs. Results We observed that clinical EAE scores were lower in the EAE+FMT group than in the EAE group. Meanwhile, mice in the EAE+FMT group also had a lower number of infiltrating cells. The results of 16S rRNA sequence analysis showed that FMT increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria and reduced the abundance of Bacteroides and Actinobacteria. Meanwhile, FMT could modulate gut microbiota balance, especially via increasing the relative abundance of g_Adlercreutzia, g_Sutterella, g_Prevotella_9, and g_Tyzzerella_3 and decreasing the relative abundance of g_Turicibacter. Next, we analyzed the transcriptome of mouse spinal cord tissue and found that 1476 genes were differentially expressed between the EAE and FMT groups. The analysis of these genes showed that FMT mainly participated in the inflammatory response. Correlation analysis between gut microbes and transcriptome revealed that the relative abundance of Adlercreutzia was correlated with the expression of inflammation-related genes negatively, including Casp6, IL1RL2 (IL-36R), IL-17RA, TNF, CCL3, CCR5, and CCL8, and correlated with the expression of neuroprotection-related genes positively, including Snap25, Edil3, Nrn1, Cpeb3, and Gpr37. Conclusion Altogether, FMT may selectively regulate gene expression to improve inflammation and maintain the stability of the intestinal environment in a gut microbiota-dependent manner.
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Li H, Zhu L, Wang R, Xie L, Chen Y, Duan R, Liu X, Huang Z, Chen B, Li Z, Wang X, Su W. Therapeutic Effect of IL-38 on Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis: Reprogrammed Immune Cell Landscape and Reduced Th17 Cell Pathogenicity. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:31. [PMID: 34967854 PMCID: PMC8727319 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.15.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of interleukin (IL)-38 on experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) and its underlying mechanisms. Methods Mice with EAU were treated with IL-38, and the retinas and cervical draining lymph nodes (CDLNs) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was conducted to analyze the immune cell profiles of CDLNs from normal, EAU, and IL-38-treated mice. Results Administration of IL-38 attenuated EAU symptoms and reduced the proportion of T helper 17 (Th17) and T helper 1 (Th1) cells in the retinas and CDLNs. In scRNA-seq analysis, IL-38 downregulated the IL-17 signaling pathway and reduced the expression of Th17 cell pathogenicity-related genes (Csf2 and Il23r), findings which were also confirmed by flow cytometry. In vitro, IL-38 reduced the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) stimulation function of IL-23 and inhibited IL-23R expression in Th17 cells. Moreover, when co-cultured with Th17 cells, IL-38 prevented IL-23 production in antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Conclusions Our data demonstrate the therapeutic effect of IL-38 on EAU, and suggest that the effect of IL-38 may be caused by dampening of the GM-CSF/IL-23R/IL-23 feedback loop between Th17 cells and APCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lihui Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuxi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Runping Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiuxing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaohao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Binyao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaohuai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianggui Wang
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenru Su
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
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Tittarelli A. Connexin channels modulation in pathophysiology and treatment of immune and inflammatory disorders. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021; 1867:166258. [PMID: 34450245 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Connexin-mediated intercellular communication mechanisms include bidirectional cell-to-cell coupling by gap junctions and release/influx of molecules by hemichannels. These intercellular communications have relevant roles in numerous immune system activities. Here, we review the current knowledge about the function of connexin channels, mainly those formed by connexin-43, on immunity and inflammation. Focusing on those evidence that support the design and development of therapeutic tools to modulate connexin expression and/or channel activities with treatment potential for infections, wounds, cancer, and other inflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Tittarelli
- Programa Institucional de Fomento a la Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación, Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana, Santiago 8940577, Chile.
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Aging weakens Th17 cell pathogenicity and ameliorates experimental autoimmune uveitis in mice. Protein Cell 2021; 13:422-445. [PMID: 34748200 PMCID: PMC9095810 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-021-00882-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging-induced changes in the immune system are associated with a higher incidence of infection and vaccination failure. Lymph nodes, which filter the lymph to identify and fight infections, play a central role in this process. However, careful characterization of the impact of aging on lymph nodes and associated autoimmune diseases is lacking. We combined single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) with flow cytometry to delineate the immune cell atlas of cervical draining lymph nodes (CDLNs) of both young and old mice with or without experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). We found extensive and complicated changes in the cellular constituents of CDLNs during aging. When confronted with autoimmune challenges, old mice developed milder EAU compared to young mice. Within this EAU process, we highlighted that the pathogenicity of T helper 17 cells (Th17) was dampened, as shown by reduced GM-CSF secretion in old mice. The mitigated secretion of GM-CSF contributed to alleviation of IL-23 secretion by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and may, in turn, weaken APCs’ effects on facilitating the pathogenicity of Th17 cells. Meanwhile, our study further unveiled that aging downregulated GM-CSF secretion through reducing both the transcript and protein levels of IL-23R in Th17 cells from CDLNs. Overall, aging altered immune cell responses, especially through toning down Th17 cells, counteracting EAU challenge in old mice.
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Stavropoulos F, Georgiou E, Sargiannidou I, Kleopa KA. Dysregulation of Blood-Brain Barrier and Exacerbated Inflammatory Response in Cx47-Deficient Mice after Induction of EAE. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14070621. [PMID: 34203192 PMCID: PMC8308522 DOI: 10.3390/ph14070621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), in connexin 32 (Cx32) or Cx47 knockout (KO) mice with deficiency in oligodendrocyte gap junctions (GJs) results in a more severe disease course. In particular, Cx47 KO EAE mice experience an earlier EAE onset and more pronounced disease severity, accompanied by dysregulated pro-inflammatory responses preceding the disease manifestations. In this study, analysis of relevant pro-inflammatory cytokines in wild type EAE, Cx32 KO EAE, and Cx47 KO EAE mice revealed altered expression of Vcam-1 preceding EAE [7 days post injection (dpi)], of Ccl2 at the onset of EAE (12 dpi), and of Gm-csf at the peak of EAE (24 dpi) in Cx47 KO EAE mice. Moreover, Cx47 KO EAE mice exhibited more severe blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) disruption, enhanced astrogliosis with defects in tight junction formation at the glia limitans, and increased T-cell infiltration prior to disease onset. Thus, Cx47 deficiency appears to cause dysregulation of the inflammatory profile and BSCB integrity, promoting early astrocyte responses in Cx47 KO EAE mice that lead to a more severe EAE outcome. Further investigation into the role of oligodendrocytic Cx47 in EAE and multiple sclerosis pathology is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippos Stavropoulos
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (F.S.); (E.G.); (I.S.)
| | - Elena Georgiou
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (F.S.); (E.G.); (I.S.)
| | - Irene Sargiannidou
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (F.S.); (E.G.); (I.S.)
| | - Kleopas A. Kleopa
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (F.S.); (E.G.); (I.S.)
- Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +357-22-358600; Fax: +357-22-392786
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Une H, Yamasaki R, Nagata S, Yamaguchi H, Nakamuta Y, Indiasari UC, Cui Y, Shinoda K, Masaki K, Götz M, Kira JI. Brain gray matter astroglia-specific connexin 43 ablation attenuates spinal cord inflammatory demyelination. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:126. [PMID: 34090477 PMCID: PMC8180177 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02176-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Brain astroglia are activated preceding the onset of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). We characterized the effects of brain astroglia on spinal cord inflammation, focusing on astroglial connexin (Cx)43, because we recently reported that Cx43 has a critical role in regulating neuroinflammation. Methods Because glutamate aspartate transporter (GLAST)+ astroglia are enriched in the brain gray matter, we generated Cx43fl/fl;GLAST-CreERT2/+ mice that were brain gray matter astroglia-specific Cx43 conditional knockouts (Cx43 icKO). EAE was induced by immunization with myelin oligodendroglia glycoprotein (MOG) 35–55 peptide 10 days after tamoxifen injection. Cx43fl/fl mice were used as controls. Results Acute and chronic EAE signs were significantly milder in Cx43 icKO mice than in controls whereas splenocyte MOG-specific responses were unaltered. Histologically, Cx43 icKO mice showed significantly less demyelination and fewer CD45+ infiltrating immunocytes, including F4/80+ macrophages, and Iba1+ microglia in the spinal cord than controls. Microarray analysis of the whole cerebellum revealed marked upregulation of anti-inflammatory A2-specific astroglia gene sets in the pre-immunized phase and decreased proinflammatory A1-specific and pan-reactive astroglial gene expression in the onset phase in Cx43 icKO mice compared with controls. Astroglia expressing C3, a representative A1 marker, were significantly decreased in the cerebrum, cerebellum, and spinal cord of Cx43 icKO mice compared with controls in the peak phase. Isolated Cx43 icKO spinal microglia showed more anti-inflammatory and less proinflammatory gene expression than control microglia in the pre-immunized phase. In particular, microglial expression of Ccl2, Ccl5, Ccl7, and Ccl8 in the pre-immunized phase and of Cxcl9 at the peak phase was lower in Cx43 icKO than in controls. Spinal microglia circularity was significantly lower in Cx43 icKO than in controls in the peak phase. Significantly lower interleukin (IL)-6, interferon-γ, and IL-10 levels were present in cerebrospinal fluid from Cx43 icKO mice in the onset phase compared with controls. Conclusions The ablation of Cx43 in brain gray matter astroglia attenuates EAE by promoting astroglia toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype and suppressing proinflammatory activation of spinal microglia partly through depressed cerebrospinal fluid proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine levels. Brain astroglial Cx43 might be a novel therapeutic target for MS. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-021-02176-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayato Une
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Ryo Yamasaki
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nagata
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Hiroo Yamaguchi
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yuko Nakamuta
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Ulfa Camelia Indiasari
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yiwen Cui
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Koji Shinoda
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Katsuhisa Masaki
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Magdalena Götz
- Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jun-Ichi Kira
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan. .,Translational Neuroscience Center, Graduate School of Medicine, and School of Pharmacy at Fukuoka, International University of Health and Welfare, 137-1 Enokizu, Ookawa, Fukuoka, 831-8501, Japan. .,Department of Neurology, Brain and Nerve Center, Fukuoka Central Hospital, International University of Health and Welfare, 2-6-11 Yakuin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka, 810-0022, Japan.
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The Adjuvants Polyphosphazene (PCEP) and a Combination of Curdlan Plus Leptin Promote a Th17-Type Immune Response to an Intramuscular Vaccine in Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9050507. [PMID: 34069081 PMCID: PMC8156850 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9050507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Our aim was to determine whether polyphosphazene (PCEP), Curdlan (β-glucan, a dectin-1 agonist), and Leptin could act as adjuvants to promote a Th17-type adaptive immune response in mice. Mice were vaccinated via the intramuscular route then boosted three weeks later with Ovalbumin plus: PCEP, Leptin, Curdlan, PCEP+Curdlan, Curdlan+Leptin, or saline. Mice vaccinated with OVA+PCEP and OVA+Curdlan+Leptin showed significantly higher frequency of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells secreting IL-17 relative to OVA-vaccinated mice. No formulation increased the frequency of CD4+ T cells secreting IL-4 or IFNγ. Since activation of innate immunity precedes the development of adaptive immunity, we wished to establish whether induction of Th17-type immunity could be predicted from in vitro experiments and/or from the local cytokine environment after immunization with adjuvants alone. Elevated IL-6 and TGFβ with reduced secretion of IL-12 is a cytokine milieu known to promote differentiation of Th17-type immunity. We injected the immunostimulants or saline buffer into murine thigh muscles and measured acute local cytokine production. PCEP induced significant production of IL-6 and reduced IL-12 production in muscle but it did not lead to elevated TGFβ production. Curdlan+Leptin injected into muscle induced significant production of TGFβ and IL-17 but not IL-6 or IL-12. We also stimulated splenocytes with media or PCEP, Leptin, Curdlan, PCEP+Curdlan, Curdlan+Leptin, PCEP+Leptin, and PCEP+Curdlan+Leptin and measured cytokine production. PCEP stimulation of splenocytes failed to induce significant production of IL-6, IL-12, TGFβ, or IL-17 and therefore ex vivo splenocyte stimulation failed to predict the increased frequency of Th17-type T cells in response to the vaccine. Curdlan-stimulated splenocytes produced Th1-type, inducing cytokine, IL-12. Curdlan+/-PCEP stimulated TGF-β production and Curdlan+Leptin+/- PCEP induced secretion of IL-17. We conclude that PCEP as well as Curdlan+Leptin are Th17-type vaccine adjuvants in mice but that cytokines produced in response to these adjuvants in muscle after injection or in ex vivo cultured splenocytes did not predict their role as a Th17-type adjuvant. Together, these data suggest that the cytokine environments induced by these immunostimulants did not predict induction of an antigen-specific Th17-type adaptive immune response. This is the first report of these adjuvants inducing a Th17-type adaptive immune response.
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Collagen I Modifies Connexin-43 Hemichannel Activity via Integrin α2β1 Binding in TGFβ1-Evoked Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073644. [PMID: 33807408 PMCID: PMC8038016 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is associated with sustained inflammation and progressive fibrosis, changes that have been linked to altered connexin hemichannel-mediated release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Kidney fibrosis develops in response to increased deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), and up-regulation of collagen I is an early marker of renal disease. With ECM remodeling known to promote a loss of epithelial stability, in the current study we used a clonal human kidney (HK2) model of proximal tubular epithelial cells to determine if collagen I modulates changes in cell function, via connexin-43 (Cx43) hemichannel ATP release. HK2 cells were cultured on collagen I and treated with the beta 1 isoform of the pro-fibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor (TGFβ1) ± the Cx43 mimetic Peptide 5 and/or an anti-integrin α2β1 neutralizing antibody. Phase microscopy and immunocytochemistry observed changes in cell morphology and cytoskeletal reorganization, whilst immunoblotting and ELISA identified changes in protein expression and secretion. Carboxyfluorescein dye uptake and biosensing measured hemichannel activity and ATP release. A Cytoselect extracellular matrix adhesion assay assessed changes in cell-substrate interactions. Collagen I and TGFβ1 synergistically evoked increased hemichannel activity and ATP release. This was paralleled by changes to markers of tubular injury, partly mediated by integrin α2β1/integrin-like kinase signaling. The co-incubation of the hemichannel blocker Peptide 5, reduced collagen I/TGFβ1 induced alterations and inhibited a positive feedforward loop between Cx43/ATP release/collagen I. This study highlights a role for collagen I in regulating connexin-mediated hemichannel activity through integrin α2β1 signaling, ahead of establishing Peptide 5 as a potential intervention.
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Squires PE, Price GW, Mouritzen U, Potter JA, Williams BM, Hills CE. Danegaptide Prevents TGFβ1-Induced Damage in Human Proximal Tubule Epithelial Cells of the Kidney. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2809. [PMID: 33802083 PMCID: PMC7999212 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22062809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health problem associated with a number of comorbidities. Recent evidence implicates increased hemichannel-mediated release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis, the main underlying pathology of CKD. Here, we evaluate the effect of danegaptide on blocking hemichannel-mediated changes in the expression and function of proteins associated with disease progression in tubular epithelial kidney cells. Primary human proximal tubule epithelial cells (hPTECs) were treated with the beta1 isoform of the pro-fibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor (TGFβ1) ± danegaptide. qRT-PCR and immunoblotting confirmed mRNA and protein expression, whilst a cytokine antibody array assessed the expression/secretion of proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines. Carboxyfluorescein dye uptake and ATP biosensing measured hemichannel activity and ATP release, whilst transepithelial electrical resistance was used to assess paracellular permeability. Danegaptide negated carboxyfluorescein dye uptake and ATP release and protected against protein changes associated with tubular injury. Blocking Cx43-mediated ATP release was paralleled by partial restoration of the expression of cell cycle inhibitors, adherens and tight junction proteins and decreased paracellular permeability. Furthermore, danegaptide inhibited TGFβ1-induced changes in the expression and secretion of key adipokines, cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and interleukins. The data suggest that as a gap junction modulator and hemichannel blocker, danegaptide has potential in the future treatment of CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E. Squires
- School of Life Sciences, Joseph Banks Laboratories, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7DL, UK; (P.E.S.); (G.W.P.); (J.A.P.); (B.M.W.)
| | - Gareth W. Price
- School of Life Sciences, Joseph Banks Laboratories, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7DL, UK; (P.E.S.); (G.W.P.); (J.A.P.); (B.M.W.)
| | - Ulrik Mouritzen
- Ciana Therapeutics, Ved Hegnet 2, 2960 Rungsted Kyst, Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Joe A. Potter
- School of Life Sciences, Joseph Banks Laboratories, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7DL, UK; (P.E.S.); (G.W.P.); (J.A.P.); (B.M.W.)
| | - Bethany M. Williams
- School of Life Sciences, Joseph Banks Laboratories, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7DL, UK; (P.E.S.); (G.W.P.); (J.A.P.); (B.M.W.)
| | - Claire E. Hills
- School of Life Sciences, Joseph Banks Laboratories, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7DL, UK; (P.E.S.); (G.W.P.); (J.A.P.); (B.M.W.)
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29
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Mei B, Li J, Zuo Z. Dexmedetomidine attenuates sepsis-associated inflammation and encephalopathy via central α2A adrenoceptor. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 91:296-314. [PMID: 33039659 PMCID: PMC7749843 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a significant clinical issue that is associated with increased mortality and cost of health care. Dexmedetomidine, an α2 adrenoceptor agonist that is used to provide sedation, has been shown to induce neuroprotection under various conditions. This study was designed to determine whether dexmedetomidine protects against SAE and whether α2 adrenoceptor plays a role in this protection. Six- to eight-week old CD-1 male mice were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). They were treated with intraperitoneal injection of dexmedetomidine in the presence or absence of α2 adrenoceptor antagonists, atipamezole or yohimbine, or an α2A adrenoceptor antagonist, BRL-44408. Hippocampus and blood were harvested for measuring cytokines. Mice were subjected to Barnes maze and fear conditioning 14 days after CLP to evaluate their learning and memory. CLP significantly increased the proinflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β in the blood and hippocampus. CLP also increased the permeability of blood-brain barrier (BBB) and impaired learning and memory. These CLP detrimental effects were attenuated by dexmedetomidine. Intracerebroventricular application of atipamezole, yohimbine or BRL-44408 blocked the protection of dexmedetomidine on the brain but not on the systemic inflammation. Astrocytes but not microglia expressed α2A adrenoceptors. Microglial depletion did not abolish the protective effects of dexmedetomidine. These results suggest that dexmedetomidine reduces systemic inflammation, neuroinflammation, injury of BBB and cognitive dysfunction in septic mice. The protective effects of dexmedetomidine on the brain may be mediated by α2A adrenoceptors in the astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Mei
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22901, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, Anhui Province, PR China.
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22901, USA.
| | - Zhiyi Zuo
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22901, USA.
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30
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Mozafari S, Deboux C, Laterza C, Ehrlich M, Kuhlmann T, Martino G, Baron-Van Evercooren A. Beneficial contribution of induced pluripotent stem cell-progeny to Connexin 47 dynamics during demyelination-remyelination. Glia 2020; 69:1094-1109. [PMID: 33301181 PMCID: PMC7984339 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Oligodendrocytes are extensively coupled to astrocytes, a phenomenon ensuring glial homeostasis and maintenance of central nervous system myelin. Molecular disruption of this communication occurs in demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Less is known about the vulnerability and reconstruction of the panglial network during adult demyelination‐remyelination. Here, we took advantage of lysolcithin‐induced demyelination to investigate the expression dynamics of the oligodendrocyte specific connexin 47 (Cx47) and to some extent that of astrocyte Cx43, and whether this dynamic could be modulated by grafted induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)‐neural progeny. Our data show that disruption of Cx43‐Cx47 mediated hetero‐cellular gap‐junction intercellular communication following demyelination is larger in size than demyelination. Loss of Cx47 expression is timely rescued during remyelination and accelerated by the grafted neural precursors. Moreover, mouse and human iPSC‐derived oligodendrocytes express Cx47, which co‐labels with astrocyte Cx43, indicating their integration into the panglial network. These data suggest that in rodents, full lesion repair following transplantation occurs by panglial reconstruction in addition to remyelination. Targeting panglial elements by cell therapy or pharmacological compounds may help accelerating or stabilizing re/myelination in myelin disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabah Mozafari
- INSERM, U1127, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 7225, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université UPMC Paris 06, UM-75, Paris, France.,ICM-GH Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Cyrille Deboux
- INSERM, U1127, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 7225, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université UPMC Paris 06, UM-75, Paris, France.,ICM-GH Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Cecilia Laterza
- Institute of Experimental Neurology-DIBIT 2, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital and Vita San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.,Industrial Engineering Department, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Marc Ehrlich
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany.,Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Tanja Kuhlmann
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Gianvito Martino
- Institute of Experimental Neurology-DIBIT 2, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital and Vita San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Anne Baron-Van Evercooren
- INSERM, U1127, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 7225, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université UPMC Paris 06, UM-75, Paris, France.,ICM-GH Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
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31
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Moreno-García Á, Bernal-Chico A, Colomer T, Rodríguez-Antigüedad A, Matute C, Mato S. Gene Expression Analysis of Astrocyte and Microglia Endocannabinoid Signaling during Autoimmune Demyelination. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10091228. [PMID: 32846891 PMCID: PMC7563448 DOI: 10.3390/biom10091228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is associated with protective effects in multiple sclerosis (MS) that involve attenuated innate immune cell responses. Astrocytes and microglia are modulated by endocannabinoids and participate in the biosynthesis and metabolism of these compounds. However, the role of neuroglial cells as targets and mediators of endocannabinoid signaling in MS is poorly understood. Here we used a microfluidic RT-qPCR screen to assess changes in the expression of the main endocannabinoid signaling genes in astrocytes and microglia purified from female mice during the time-course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We show that astrocytes and microglia upregulate the expression of genes encoding neurotoxic A1 and pro-inflammatory molecules at the acute disease with many of these transcripts remaining elevated during the recovery phase. Both cell populations exhibited an early onset decrease in the gene expression levels of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) hydrolytic enzymes that persisted during EAE progression as well as cell-type-specific changes in the transcript levels for genes encoding cannabinoid receptors and molecules involved in anandamide (AEA) signaling. Our results demonstrate that astrocytes and microglia responses to autoimmune demyelination involve alterations in the expression of multiple endocannabinoid signaling-associated genes and suggest that this system may regulate the induction of neurotoxic and pro-inflammatory transcriptional programs in both cell types during MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Moreno-García
- Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, E-48940 Leioa, Spain; (Á.M.-G.); (A.B.-C.); (A.R.-A.); (C.M.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, E-48940 Leioa, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), E-28031 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Bernal-Chico
- Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, E-48940 Leioa, Spain; (Á.M.-G.); (A.B.-C.); (A.R.-A.); (C.M.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, E-48940 Leioa, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), E-28031 Madrid, Spain
| | - Teresa Colomer
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, E-48940 Leioa, Spain;
| | - Alfredo Rodríguez-Antigüedad
- Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, E-48940 Leioa, Spain; (Á.M.-G.); (A.B.-C.); (A.R.-A.); (C.M.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), E-28031 Madrid, Spain
- Biocruces, Bizkaia, E-48903 Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Carlos Matute
- Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, E-48940 Leioa, Spain; (Á.M.-G.); (A.B.-C.); (A.R.-A.); (C.M.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, E-48940 Leioa, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), E-28031 Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Mato
- Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, E-48940 Leioa, Spain; (Á.M.-G.); (A.B.-C.); (A.R.-A.); (C.M.)
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, E-48940 Leioa, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), E-28031 Madrid, Spain
- Biocruces, Bizkaia, E-48903 Barakaldo, Spain
- Correspondence:
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