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Mairinger E, Wessolly M, Buderath P, Borchert S, Henrich L, Mach P, Steinborn J, Kimming R, Jasani B, Schmid KW, Bankfalvi A, Mairinger FD. Tumor cell cytoplasmic metallothionein expression associates with differential tumor immunogenicity and prognostic outcome in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1252700. [PMID: 38023247 PMCID: PMC10663300 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1252700] [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: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The underlying mechanism of high T-cell presence as a favorable prognostic factor in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is not yet understood. In addition to immune cells, various cofactors are essential for immune processes. One of those are metallothioneins (MTs), metal-binding proteins comprising various isoforms. MTs play a role in tumor development and drug resistance. Moreover, MTs influence inflammatory processes by regulating zinc homeostasis. In particular, T-cell function and polarization are particularly susceptible to changes in zinc status. The aim of the present study was to investigate a possible role of MT-mediated immune response and its association with prognostic outcome in ovarian cancer. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on a clinically well-characterized cohort of 24 patients with HGSOC treated at the University Hospital of Essen. Gene expression patterns for anti-cancer immunogenicity-related targets were performed using the NanoString nCounter platform for digital gene expression analysis with the appurtenant PanCancer Immune Profiling panel, consisting of 770 targets and 30 reference genes. Tumor-associated immunohistochemical MT protein expression was evaluated using a semi-quantitative four-tier Immunohistochemistry (IHC) scoring. Results MT immunoexpression was detected in 43% (10/23) of all HGSOC samples. MT immunoexpression levels showed a significant association to survival, leading to prolonged progression-free and overall survival in positively stained tumors. Furthermore, T-cell receptor signaling gene signature showed a strong activation in MT-positive tumors. Activated downstream signaling cascades resulting in elevated interferon-gamma expression with a shift in the balance between T helper cells (TH1 and TH2) could be observed in the MT-positive subgroup. In addition, a higher expression pattern of perforin and several granzymes could be detected, overall suggestive of acute, targeted anti-cancer immune response in MT-positive samples. Conclusion This is the first study combining broad, digital mRNA screening of anti-tumor immune response-associated genes and their relation to MT-I/II in ovarian cancer. MT overexpression is associated with molecular characteristics of an anti-cancer immune response and is a strong prognostic marker in ovarian HGSOC. The observed immune cell activation associated with tumor MT expression comprises but is not limited to T cells and natural killer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Mairinger
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Michael Wessolly
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Paul Buderath
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sabrina Borchert
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Larissa Henrich
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Pawel Mach
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Julia Steinborn
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Rainer Kimming
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Bharat Jasani
- Department of Pathology, Targos - A Discovery Life Sciences Company, Kassel, Germany
| | | | - Agnes Bankfalvi
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
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2
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Choo XY, Liddell JR, Huuskonen MT, Grubman A, Moujalled D, Roberts J, Kysenius K, Patten L, Quek H, Oikari LE, Duncan C, James SA, McInnes LE, Hayne DJ, Donnelly PS, Pollari E, Vähätalo S, Lejavová K, Kettunen MI, Malm T, Koistinaho J, White AR, Kanninen KM. Cu II(atsm) Attenuates Neuroinflammation. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:668. [PMID: 30319344 PMCID: PMC6165894 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Neuroinflammation and biometal dyshomeostasis are key pathological features of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Inflammation and biometals are linked at the molecular level through regulation of metal buffering proteins such as the metallothioneins. Even though the molecular connections between metals and inflammation have been demonstrated, little information exists on the effect of copper modulation on brain inflammation. Methods: We demonstrate the immunomodulatory potential of the copper bis(thiosemicarbazone) complex CuII(atsm) in an neuroinflammatory model in vivo and describe its anti-inflammatory effects on microglia and astrocytes in vitro. Results: By using a sophisticated in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach, we report the efficacy of CuII(atsm) in reducing acute cerebrovascular inflammation caused by peripheral administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). CuII(atsm) also induced anti-inflammatory outcomes in primary microglia [significant reductions in nitric oxide (NO), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)] and astrocytes [significantly reduced NO, MCP-1, and interleukin 6 (IL-6)] in vitro. These anti-inflammatory actions were associated with increased cellular copper levels and increased the neuroprotective protein metallothionein-1 (MT1) in microglia and astrocytes. Conclusion: The beneficial effects of CuII(atsm) on the neuroimmune system suggest copper complexes are potential therapeutics for the treatment of neuroinflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yi Choo
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jeffrey R Liddell
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mikko T Huuskonen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Alexandra Grubman
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Diane Moujalled
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jessica Roberts
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kai Kysenius
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Lauren Patten
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Hazel Quek
- Cell and Molecular Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Lotta E Oikari
- Cell and Molecular Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Clare Duncan
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Simon A James
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Australian Synchrotron, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Lachlan E McInnes
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute for Molecular Science and Biotechnology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David J Hayne
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute for Molecular Science and Biotechnology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul S Donnelly
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute for Molecular Science and Biotechnology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Eveliina Pollari
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Suvi Vähätalo
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Katarína Lejavová
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mikko I Kettunen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tarja Malm
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jari Koistinaho
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anthony R White
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Cell and Molecular Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Katja M Kanninen
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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3
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Comes G, Manso Y, Escrig A, Fernandez-Gayol O, Sanchis P, Molinero A, Giralt M, Carrasco J, Hidalgo J. Influence of Transgenic Metallothionein-1 on Gliosis, CA1 Neuronal Loss, and Brain Metal Levels of the Tg2576 Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18020251. [PMID: 28134760 PMCID: PMC5343787 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18020251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Tg2576 mice (APP), has provided valuable information, such as the role of the metallothionein (MT) family in their behavioral and amyloidosis phenotypes. In this study, we further characterize the role of MT-1 by crossing Mt1-overexpressing mice with Tg2576 mice (APPTgMT). In 14-month-old mice, MT-1(/2) protein levels were dramatically increased by Mt1 overexpression throughout the cortex (Cx), which showed a prominent caudal-rostral gradient, and the hippocampus (HC). There was a trend for MT-1(/2) immunostaining to be increased in the areas surrounding the amyloid plaques in control male mice but not in Mt1-overexpressing mice. Gliosis was elicited by the amyloid plaques, but the effects of Mt1 overexpression were modest. However, in hippocampal western blots the microglial marker Iba-1 was increased in old male APPTgMT mice compared to APP-wild type (APPWT) mice, and the opposite was observed in young mice. Hippocampal CA1 neuronal loss was observed in Tg2576 mice, but was unaffected by Mt1 overexpression. Aging increased Zn and Cu levels differently depending on brain area, sex, and genotype. Thus, the effects of Mt1 overexpression on the phenotype of Tg2576 mice here studied are modest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Comes
- Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology, and Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Yasmina Manso
- Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology, and Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Anna Escrig
- Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology, and Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Olaya Fernandez-Gayol
- Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology, and Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Paula Sanchis
- Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology, and Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Amalia Molinero
- Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology, and Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Mercedes Giralt
- Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology, and Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Javier Carrasco
- Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology, and Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Juan Hidalgo
- Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology, and Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
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Pankhurst MW, Gell DA, Butler CW, Kirkcaldie MTK, West AK, Chung RS. Metallothionein (MT) -I and MT-II expression are induced and cause zinc sequestration in the liver after brain injury. PLoS One 2012; 7:e31185. [PMID: 22363575 PMCID: PMC3281953 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2011] [Accepted: 01/04/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Experiments with transgenic over-expressing, and null mutant mice have determined that metallothionein-I and -II (MT-I/II) are protective after brain injury. MT-I/II is primarily a zinc-binding protein and it is not known how it provides neuroprotection to the injured brain or where MT-I/II acts to have its effects. MT-I/II is often expressed in the liver under stressful conditions but to date, measurement of MT-I/II expression after brain injury has focused primarily on the injured brain itself. In the present study we measured MT-I/II expression in the liver of mice after cryolesion brain injury by quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with the UC1MT antibody. Displacement curves constructed using MT-I/II knockout (MT-I/II(-/-)) mouse tissues were used to validate the ELISA. Hepatic MT-I and MT-II mRNA levels were significantly increased within 24 hours of brain injury but hepatic MT-I/II protein levels were not significantly increased until 3 days post injury (DPI) and were maximal at the end of the experimental period, 7 DPI. Hepatic zinc content was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy and was found to decrease at 1 and 3 DPI but returned to normal by 7DPI. Zinc in the livers of MT-I/II(-/-) mice did not show a return to normal at 7 DPI which suggests that after brain injury, MT-I/II is responsible for sequestering elevated levels of zinc to the liver. CONCLUSION MT-I/II is up-regulated in the liver after brain injury and modulates the amount of zinc that is sequestered to the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Pankhurst
- Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
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Pankhurst MW, Bennett W, Kirkcaldie MTK, West AK, Chung RS. Increased circulating leukocyte numbers and altered macrophage phenotype correlate with the altered immune response to brain injury in metallothionein (MT)-I/II null mutant mice. J Neuroinflammation 2011; 8:172. [PMID: 22152221 PMCID: PMC3251619 DOI: 10.1186/1742-2094-8-172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2011] [Accepted: 12/07/2011] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metallothionein-I and -II (MT-I/II) is produced by reactive astrocytes in the injured brain and has been shown to have neuroprotective effects. The neuroprotective effects of MT-I/II can be replicated in vitro which suggests that MT-I/II may act directly on injured neurons. However, MT-I/II is also known to modulate the immune system and inflammatory processes mediated by the immune system can exacerbate brain injury. The present study tests the hypothesis that MT-I/II may have an indirect neuroprotective action via modulation of the immune system. METHODS Wild type and MT-I/II(-/-) mice were administered cryolesion brain injury and the progression of brain injury was compared by immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR. The levels of circulating leukocytes in the two strains were compared by flow cytometry and plasma cytokines were assayed by immunoassay. RESULTS Comparison of MT-I/II(-/-) mice with wild type controls following cryolesion brain injury revealed that the MT-I/II(-/-) mice only showed increased rates of neuron death after 7 days post-injury (DPI). This coincided with increases in numbers of T cells in the injury site, increased IL-2 levels in plasma and increased circulating leukocyte numbers in MT-I/II(-/-) mice which were only significant at 7 DPI relative to wild type mice. Examination of mRNA for the marker of alternatively activated macrophages, Ym1, revealed a decreased expression level in circulating monocytes and brain of MT-I/II(-/-) mice that was independent of brain injury. CONCLUSIONS These results contribute to the evidence that MT-I/II(-/-) mice have altered immune system function and provide a new hypothesis that this alteration is partly responsible for the differences observed in MT-I/II(-/-) mice after brain injury relative to wild type mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Pankhurst
- Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, 270 Great King St, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - William Bennett
- Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Matthew TK Kirkcaldie
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Adrian K West
- Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Roger S Chung
- Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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6
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Michael GJ, Esmailzadeh S, Moran LB, Christian L, Pearce RKB, Graeber MB. Up-regulation of metallothionein gene expression in parkinsonian astrocytes. Neurogenetics 2011; 12:295-305. [PMID: 21800131 DOI: 10.1007/s10048-011-0294-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2011] [Accepted: 07/12/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The role of glial cells in Parkinson's disease (PD) is unclear. We have previously reported a striking up-regulation of DnaJB6 heat shock protein in PD substantia nigra astrocytes. Whole genome transcriptome analysis also indicated increased expression of metallothionein genes in substantia nigra and cortex of sporadic PD cases. Metallothioneins are metal-binding proteins in the CNS that are released by astrocytes and associated with neuroprotection. Metallothionein expression was investigated in 18 PD cases and 15 non-PD controls using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), in situ hybridisation (ISH) and immunocytochemistry (ICC). We observed a strong increase in the expression of metallothioneins MT1E, MT1F, MT1G, MT1H, MT1M, MT1X and MT2A in both PD nigra and frontal cortex. Expression of LRP2 (megalin), the neuronal metallothionein receptor was also significantly increased. qRT-PCR confirmed metallothionein up-regulation. Astrocytes were found to be the main source of metallothioneins 1 and 2 based on ISH results, and this finding was confirmed by ICC. Our findings demonstrate metallothionein expression by reactive astrocytes in PD nigra and support a neuroprotective role for these cells. The traditional view that nigral astrocytes are non-reactive in PD is clearly incorrect. However, it is possible that astrocytes are themselves affected by the disease process which may explain their comparatively modest and previously overlooked response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory J Michael
- Centre for Neuroscience and Trauma, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Whitechapel, London E1 2AT, UK
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7
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DeBoy CA, Rus H, Tegla C, Cudrici C, Jones MV, Pardo CA, Small D, Whartenby KA, Calabresi PA. FLT-3 expression and function on microglia in multiple sclerosis. Exp Mol Pathol 2010; 89:109-16. [PMID: 20566414 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2010.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2010] [Accepted: 05/20/2010] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory cell infiltration and resident microglial activation within the central nervous system (CNS) are pathological events in multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). While MS therapies target the peripheral immune system, no treatment is currently known to also modulate microglia. FMS-like tyrosine-3 (FLT-3) is expressed on hematopoietic and dendritic cells. We reported that FLT-3 inhibition ameliorates early actively induced EAE by predominantly modulating dendritic cell function as compared to microglia. We demonstrate in this report that FLT-3 is expressed in perivascular cuffs, brain parenchyma and in non-lesioned gray and white matter within MS brain but not in these regions within control brain. Furthermore, we demonstrate that FLT-3 is expressed on two populations of cells within MS brain; one which expresses the dendritic cell marker CD209, and the other which does not, suggesting that FLT-3 within MS brain is expressed on infiltrating dendritic cells and a non-dendritic cell such as microglia. Additionally, we report that FLT-3 inhibition in murine microglia blocks, in a dose-dependent manner, IFN-γ-induced expression of MHC class II and CD86, and LPS-induced secretion of IL-6. These data suggest that FLT-3 is involved in microglial cells' capacity to respond to environmental cues to function as antigen presenting cells and mediate CNS inflammation. Furthermore these data suggest that FLT-3 may be a therapeutic target on microglia to mitigate CNS inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia A DeBoy
- Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Pathology 627, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287,USA
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8
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Potter EG, Cheng Y, Natale JE. Deleterious effects of minocycline after in vivo target deprivation of thalamocortical neurons in the immature, metallothionein-deficient mouse brain. J Neurosci Res 2009; 87:1356-68. [PMID: 19115404 PMCID: PMC4333151 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.21963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Compared with adults, immature metallothionein I and II knockout (MT(-/-)) mice incur greater neuronal loss and a more rapid rate of microglia accumulation after target deprivation-induced injury. Because minocycline has been proposed to inhibit microglial activation and associated production of neuroinflammatory factors, we investigated its ability to promote neuronal survival in the immature, metallothionein-deficient brain. After ablation of the visual cortex, 10-day-old MT(-/-) mice were treated with minocycline or saline and killed 24 or 48 hr after injury. By means of stereological methods, the number of microglia and neurons were estimated in the ipsilateral dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) by an investigator blinded to the treatment. No effect on neuronal survival was observed at 24 hr, but 48 hr after injury, an unanticipated but significant minocycline-mediated increase in neuronal loss was detected. Further, while failing to inhibit microglial accumulation, minocycline treatment increased the proportion of amoeboid microglia in the ipsilateral dLGN. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying this neurotoxic response, we identified minocycline-mediated changes in the expression of three potentially proapoptotic/inflammatory genes: growth arrest- and DNA damage-inducible gene 45gamma (GADD45gamma); interferon-inducible protein 1 (IFI1), and cytokine-induced growth factor. We also observed increased mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 phosphorylation with minocycline treatment. Although minocycline inhibited calpain activity at 12 hr after injury, this effect was not sustained at 24 hr. Together, these results help to explain how minocycline has a deleterious effect on neuronal survival in this injury model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily G Potter
- Research Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
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Yoshida M, Shimizu N, Suzuki M, Watanabe C, Satoh M, Mori K, Yasutake A. Emergence of delayed methylmercury toxicity after perinatal exposure in metallothionein-null and wild-type C57BL mice. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2008; 116:746-51. [PMID: 18560530 PMCID: PMC2430230 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.10906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2007] [Accepted: 02/25/2008] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although a long latency period of toxicity after exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) is known to exist in humans, few animal studies have addressed this issue. Substantiation of delayed MeHg toxicity in animals would affect the risk evaluation of MeHg. OBJECTIVES Our goal in this study was to demonstrate the existence of a latency period in a rodent model in which the toxicity of perinatal MeHg exposure becomes apparent only later in life. Our study included metallothionein (MT) knockout mice because studies have suggested the potential susceptibility of this strain to the neurodevelopmental toxicity of MeHg. METHODS Pregnant MT-null and wild-type C57Bl/6J mice were exposed to MeHg through their diet containing 5 mug Hg/g during gestation and early lactation. We examined behavioral functions of the offspring using frequently used paradigms, including open field behavior (OPF), passive avoidance (PA), and the Morris water maze (MM), at ages of 12-13 and 52-53 weeks. RESULTS At 12 weeks of age, behavioral effects of MeHg were not detected, except for OPF performance in MeHg-exposed MT-null females. At 52 weeks of age, the MeHg-exposed groups showed poorer performance both in PA and MM, and their OPF activity differed from controls. These effects of MeHg appeared exaggerated in the MT-null strain. The brain Hg concentration had leveled off by 13 weeks of age. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest the existence of a long latency period after perinatal exposure to low-level MeHg, in which the behavioral effects emerged long after the leveling-off of brain Hg levels. Hence, the initial toxicologic event responsible for the late effects should have occurred before this leveling-off of brain Hg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoru Yoshida
- Faculty of Human Health Sciences, Hachinohe University, Hachinohe, Japan
| | - Natsuki Shimizu
- Department of Chemistry, Meisei University, Hino, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Megumi Suzuki
- Department of Chemistry, Meisei University, Hino, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chiho Watanabe
- Department of Human Ecology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Address correspondence to C. Watanabe, Department of Human Ecology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Hongo 7–3-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113–0033, Japan. Telephone: 81358413531. Fax: 81358413395. E-mail:
| | - Masahiko Satoh
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Aichi Gakuin University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kouki Mori
- Division of Nephrology, Endocrinology and Vascular Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Akira Yasutake
- Biochemistry Section, National Institute for Minamata Disease, Minamata, Kumamoto, Japan
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McAuliffe JJ, Joseph B, Hughes E, Miles L, Vorhees CV. Metallothionein I,II deficient mice do not exhibit significantly worse long-term behavioral outcomes following neonatal hypoxia-ischemia: MT-I,II deficient mice have inherent behavioral impairments. Brain Res 2007; 1190:175-85. [PMID: 18083145 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2007.11.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2007] [Revised: 11/09/2007] [Accepted: 11/13/2007] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Metallothionein I and II are small metal binding proteins with a high affinity for zinc. They are found in the CNS and are thought to play a role in modulating the effects of free zinc. We hypothesized that MT-I,II deficient mice would have more neurological deficits both functionally and anatomically following a neonatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) insult than wild-type mice subjected to the same insult. Forty wild-type and 40 MT-I,II deficient C57 X 129T2 F1 P10 mice were randomized to either 45 min of HI or sham HI. Beginning on P50, the mice were given a series of behavioral tests including locomotor activity, novel object recognition, Morris water maze (cued, hidden platform, reduced platform), a 2-week-delayed probe trial and an apomorphine-induced rotation test. At the conclusion of testing, the brains were removed for histological analysis including staining with NeuN and GFAP to assess neuronal loss and reactive gliosis. There were no significant differences in functional or anatomic measures between the wild-type HI mice and the MT-I,II deficient HI mice. The MT-I,II deficient mice exhibited an impaired rate of learning in the spatially oriented mazes but once learned retained the information as well as the wild-type mice. The absence of functional MT-I,II proteins does not result in significantly worse injury following 45 min of HI on P10. The MT-I,II deficient mice have baseline impairments in spatial learning but not retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J McAuliffe
- Department of Anesthesia, Cincinnati Children's, Hospital Medical Center and The University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati OH 45229, USA.
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Kochanek PM, Berger RP, Margulies SS, Jenkins LW. Inflicted Childhood Neurotrauma: New Insight into The Detection, Pathobiology, Prevention, and Treatment of Our Youngest Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neurotrauma 2007. [DOI: 10.1089/neu.2006.0209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick M. Kochanek
- Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
| | | | | | - Larry W. Jenkins
- Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
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