1
|
Wei R, Wei P, Yuan H, Yi X, Aschner M, Jiang YM, Li SJ. Inflammation in Metal-Induced Neurological Disorders and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024; 202:4459-4481. [PMID: 38206494 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-04041-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Essential metals play critical roles in maintaining human health as they participate in various physiological activities. Nonetheless, both excessive accumulation and deficiency of these metals may result in neurotoxicity secondary to neuroinflammation and the activation of microglia and astrocytes. Activation of these cells can promote the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It is well known that neuroinflammation plays a critical role in metal-induced neurotoxicity as well as the development of neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Initially seen as a defense mechanism, persistent inflammatory responses are now considered harmful. Astrocytes and microglia are key regulators of neuroinflammation in the central nervous system, and their excessive activation may induce sustained neuroinflammation. Therefore, in this review, we aim to emphasize the important role and molecular mechanisms underlying metal-induced neurotoxicity. Our objective is to raise the awareness on metal-induced neuroinflammation in neurological disorders. However, it is not only just neuroinflammation that different metals could induce; they can also cause harm to the nervous system through oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy, to name a few. The primary pathophysiological mechanism by which these metals induce neurological disorders remains to be determined. In addition, given the various pathways through which individuals are exposed to metals, it is necessary to also consider the effects of co-exposure to multiple metals on neurological disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruokun Wei
- Toxicology Department, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environment and Health Research, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Peiqi Wei
- Toxicology Department, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environment and Health Research, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Haiyan Yuan
- Toxicology Department, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environment and Health Research, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiang Yi
- Toxicology Department, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environment and Health Research, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Michael Aschner
- The Department of Molecular Pharmacology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Yue-Ming Jiang
- Toxicology Department, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, China.
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environment and Health Research, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
| | - Shao-Jun Li
- Toxicology Department, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, China.
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environment and Health Research, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tang L, Ding J, Yang K, Zong Z, Wu R, Li H. New insights into the mechanisms and therapeutic strategies of chondrocyte autophagy in osteoarthritis. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00109-024-02473-1. [PMID: 39145815 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-024-02473-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease with an unclear cause characterized by secondary osteophytes and degenerative changes in the articular cartilage. More than 250 million people are expected to be affected by it by 2050, putting a tremendous socioeconomic strain on the entire world. OA cannot currently be treated with any effective medications that change the illness. Over time, chondrocytes undergo gradual metabolic, structural, and functional changes as a result of aging or abuse. The degenerative progression of osteoarthritis is significantly influenced by the imbalance of chondrocyte homeostasis. By continuously recycling and rebuilding macromolecules or organelles, autophagy functions as a crucial regulatory system to maintain homeostasis during an individual's growth and development. This review uses chondrocytes as its starting point and establishes a strong connection between autophagy and osteoarthritis in order to thoroughly examine the mechanisms behind chondrocyte autophagy in osteoarthritis. Biomarkers of chondrocyte autophagy will be identified, and prospective targeted medications and novel treatment approaches for slowing or preventing the course of OA will be developed based on chondrocyte senescence, autophagy, and apoptosis in OA. KEY MESSAGES: Currently, OA has not been treated with any drugs that can effectively cure it. We hope that by exploring specific targets in the course of osteoarthritis, we can promote the progress of treatment strategies. The degenerative progression of osteoarthritis is significantly influenced by the imbalance of chondrocyte balance. Through the continuous recovery and reconstruction of macromolecules or organelles, autophagy is an important regulatory system for maintaining homeostasis during individual growth and development. In this paper, the close relationship between autophagy and osteoarthritis was established with chondrocytes as the starting point, in order to further explore the mechanism of chondrocyte autophagy in osteoarthritis. The development process of osteoarthritis was studied from the perspective of chondrocytes, and the change of autophagy level had a significant impact on osteoarthritis. Chondrocyte autophagy is mainly determined by intracellular mitochondrial autophagy, so we are committed to finding relevant molecules. Through PI3K/AKT- and MAPK-related pathways, the biomarkers of chondrocyte autophagy were identified, and chondrocyte senescence, autophagy, and apoptosis based on osteoarthritis provided a constructive idea for the development of prospective targeted drugs and new therapies to slow down or prevent the progression of osteoarthritis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lujia Tang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- The Third Clinical Medicine School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jiatong Ding
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Kangping Yang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhen Zong
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Rui Wu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Xu T, Liu K, Fan J, Jia X, Guo X, Zhao X, Cao Y, Zhang H, Wang Q. Metformin mitigates osteoarthritis progression by modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and enhancing chondrocyte autophagy. Open Life Sci 2024; 19:20220922. [PMID: 39091625 PMCID: PMC11292032 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease characterized by overall joint tissue damage. Metformin (Met) has been shown to inhibit inflammatory reactions, though its potential protective mechanism on cartilage remains unclear. This study investigated Met's potential to protect cartilage in an OA rat model. Various morphological experiments were conducted to assess changes in cartilage tissue morphology before and after Met treatment. Protein and mRNA levels of cartilage-specific genes were measured using western blot, immunohistochemical staining, and RT-qPCR. Additionally, protein levels of autophagy-related and mTOR pathway-related proteins were measured. The results indicate an imbalance in the synthesis and degradation metabolism of chondrocytes, downregulation of cellular autophagy, and activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway after surgery. However, treatment with Met could upregulate the expression of synthetic metabolic factors, indicating its contribution to cartilage repair. Furthermore, analysis of autophagy and pathway protein levels indicated that Met effectively attenuated autophagic damage to osteoarthritic cartilage cells and abnormal activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. In conclusion, Met can inhibit the abnormal activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in cartilage tissue, promote the restoration of cartilage cell autophagic function, improve the balance of cartilage cell synthesis and degradation metabolism, and thus exert a protective effect on rat joint cartilage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianjie Xu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, 063000, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, Tangshan, Hebei, 063000, China
| | - Kainan Liu
- Department of Basic Medicine, Xingtai Medical College, Xingtai, Hebei, 054000, China
| | - Jiaxin Fan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, 063000, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, Tangshan, Hebei, 063000, China
| | - Xiang Jia
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, 063000, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, Tangshan, Hebei, 063000, China
| | - Xiaoling Guo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, 063000, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, Tangshan, Hebei, 063000, China
| | - Xingwang Zhao
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, 063000, China
| | - Yanhua Cao
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, 063000, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Joint Surgery 1, The Second Hospital of Tangshan, Tangshan, Hebei, 063000, China
| | - Qian Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, 063000, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, Tangshan, Hebei, 063000, China
| |
Collapse
|