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Li C, Wu C, Ji C, Xu G, Chen J, Zhang J, Hong H, Liu Y, Cui Z. The pathogenesis of DLD-mediated cuproptosis induced spinal cord injury and its regulation on immune microenvironment. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1132015. [PMID: 37228705 PMCID: PMC10203164 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1132015] [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: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe central nervous system injury that leads to significant sensory and motor impairment. Copper, an essential trace element in the human body, plays a vital role in various biological functions and is strictly regulated by copper chaperones and transporters. Cuproptosis, a novel type of metal ion-induced cell death, is distinct from iron deprivation. Copper deprivation is closely associated with mitochondrial metabolism and mediated by protein fatty acid acylation. Methods In this study, we investigated the effects of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) on disease progression and the immune microenvironment in acute spinal cord injury (ASCI) patients. We obtained the gene expression profiles of peripheral blood leukocytes from ASCI patients using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. We performed differential gene analysis, constructed protein-protein interaction networks, conducted weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and built a risk model. Results Our analysis revealed that dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD), a regulator of copper toxicity, was significantly associated with ASCI, and DLD expression was significantly upregulated after ASCI. Furthermore, gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and gene set variation analysis (GSVA) showed abnormal activation of metabolism-related processes. Immune infiltration analysis indicated a significant decrease in T cell numbers in ASCI patients, while M2 macrophage numbers were significantly increased and positively correlated with DLD expression. Discussion In summary, our study demonstrated that DLD affects the ASCI immune microenvironment by promoting copper toxicity, leading to increased peripheral M2 macrophage polarization and systemic immunosuppression. Thus, DLD has potential as a promising biomarker for ASCI, providing a foundation for future clinical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaochen Li
- The Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, Nantong University, The First People’s Hospital of Nantong, Nantong, China
- Key Laboratory for Restoration Mechanism and Clinical Translation of Spinal Cord Injury, Nantong, China
- Research Institute for Spine and Spinal Cord Disease of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Chunshuai Wu
- The Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, Nantong University, The First People’s Hospital of Nantong, Nantong, China
- Key Laboratory for Restoration Mechanism and Clinical Translation of Spinal Cord Injury, Nantong, China
- Research Institute for Spine and Spinal Cord Disease of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Chunyan Ji
- The Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, Nantong University, The First People’s Hospital of Nantong, Nantong, China
- Key Laboratory for Restoration Mechanism and Clinical Translation of Spinal Cord Injury, Nantong, China
- Research Institute for Spine and Spinal Cord Disease of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Guanhua Xu
- The Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, Nantong University, The First People’s Hospital of Nantong, Nantong, China
| | - Jiajia Chen
- The Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, Nantong University, The First People’s Hospital of Nantong, Nantong, China
| | - Jinlong Zhang
- The Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, Nantong University, The First People’s Hospital of Nantong, Nantong, China
| | - Hongxiang Hong
- The Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, Nantong University, The First People’s Hospital of Nantong, Nantong, China
| | - Yang Liu
- The Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, Nantong University, The First People’s Hospital of Nantong, Nantong, China
| | - Zhiming Cui
- The Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, Nantong University, The First People’s Hospital of Nantong, Nantong, China
- Key Laboratory for Restoration Mechanism and Clinical Translation of Spinal Cord Injury, Nantong, China
- Research Institute for Spine and Spinal Cord Disease of Nantong University, Nantong, China
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Perkins ME, Girard BM, Campbell SE, Vizzard MA. Imatinib Mesylate Reduces Voiding Frequency in Female Mice With Acute Cyclophosphamide-Induced Cystitis. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:867875. [PMID: 35645740 PMCID: PMC9135974 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.867875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Lamina propria interstitial cells that express the tyrosine kinase receptor, platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) may play a role in urinary sensory signaling. Imatinib mesylate, also referred to as imatinib, is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that can inhibit PDGFRα and has been widely used in urological research. We evaluated the functional effects of imatinib administration (via oral gavage or intravesical infusion) with two different experimental designs (prevention and treatment), in a cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced cystitis (acute, intermediate, and chronic), male and female rodent model using conscious cystometry and somatic sensitivity testing. Imatinib significantly (0.0001 ≤ p ≤ 0.05) decreased voiding frequency and increased bladder capacity in acute CYP-induced cystitis, by the prevention (females) and treatment (females and males) designs. Imatinib was not effective in preventing or treating intermediate or chronic CYP-induced cystitis in either sex. Interestingly, in the prevention experiments, imatinib administration increased (0.0001 ≤ p ≤ 0.01) voiding frequency and decreased bladder capacity in control mice. However, in the treatment experiments, imatinib administration decreased (0.01 ≤ p ≤ 0.05) voiding frequency and increased bladder capacity in control mice. Bladder function improvements observed with imatinib treatment in acute CYP-induced cystitis mice remained and additionally improved with a second dose of imatinib 24 hours after CYP treatment. Imatinib administration did not affect pelvic somatic sensitivity in female mice with acute CYP-induced cystitis. Our studies suggest that (1) imatinib improves bladder function in mice with acute CYP-induced cystitis with a prevention and treatment design and (2) interstitial cells may be a useful target to improve bladder function in cystitis.
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Perkins M, Girard BM, Campbell SE, Hennig GW, Vizzard MA. Imatinib Mesylate Reduces Neurotrophic Factors and pERK and pAKT Expression in Urinary Bladder of Female Mice With Cyclophosphamide-Induced Cystitis. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:884260. [PMID: 35528149 PMCID: PMC9072830 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.884260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Imatinib mesylate is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-α, -β, stem cell factor receptor (c-KIT), and BCR-ABL. PDGFRα is expressed in a subset of interstitial cells in the lamina propria (LP) and detrusor muscle of the urinary bladder. PDGFRα + interstitial cells may contribute to bladder dysfunction conditions such as interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) or overactive bladder (OAB). We have previously demonstrated that imatinib prevention via oral gavage or treatment via intravesical infusion improves urinary bladder function in mice with acute (4 hour, h) cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced cystitis. Here, we investigate potential underlying mechanisms mediating the bladder functional improvement by imatinib using a prevention or treatment experimental design. Using qRT-PCR and ELISAs, we examined inflammatory mediators (NGF, VEGF, BDNF, CCL2, IL-6) previously shown to affect bladder function in CYP-induced cystitis. We also examined the distribution of phosphorylated (p) ERK and pAKT expression in the LP with immunohistochemistry. Imatinib prevention significantly (0.0001 ≤ p ≤ 0.05) reduced expression for all mediators examined except NGF, whereas imatinib treatment was without effect. Imatinib prevention and treatment significantly (0.0001 ≤ p ≤ 0.05) reduced pERK and pAKT expression in the upper LP (U. LP) and deeper LP (D. LP) in female mice with 4 h CYP-induced cystitis. Although we have previously demonstrated that imatinib prevention or treatment improves bladder function in mice with cystitis, the current studies suggest that reductions in inflammatory mediators contribute to prevention benefits of imatinib but not the treatment benefits of imatinib. Differential effects of imatinib prevention or treatment on inflammatory mediators may be influenced by the route and frequency of imatinib administration and may also suggest other mechanisms (e.g., changes in transepithelial resistance of the urothelium) through which imatinib may affect urinary bladder function following CYP-induced cystitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Perkins
- Department of Neurological Sciences, The Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Beatrice M. Girard
- Department of Neurological Sciences, The Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Susan E. Campbell
- Department of Neurological Sciences, The Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Grant W. Hennig
- Department of Pharmacology, The Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Margaret A. Vizzard
- Department of Neurological Sciences, The Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
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Inhibition of Bruton Tyrosine Kinase Reduces Neuroimmune Cascade and Promotes Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010355. [PMID: 35008785 PMCID: PMC8745213 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia/astrocyte and B cell neuroimmune responses are major contributors to the neurological deficits after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) activation mechanistically links these neuroimmune mechanisms. Our objective is to use Ibrutinib, an FDA-approved BTK inhibitor, to inhibit the neuroimmune cascade thereby improving locomotor recovery after SCI. Rat models of contusive SCI, Western blot, immunofluorescence staining imaging, flow cytometry analysis, histological staining, and behavioral assessment were used to evaluate BTK activity, neuroimmune cascades, and functional outcomes. Both BTK expression and phosphorylation were increased at the lesion site at 2, 7, 14, and 28 days after SCI. Ibrutinib treatment (6 mg/kg/day, IP, starting 3 h post-injury for 7 or 14 days) reduced BTK activation and total BTK levels, attenuated the injury-induced elevations in Iba1, GFAP, CD138, and IgG at 7 or 14 days post-injury without reduction in CD45RA B cells, improved locomotor function (BBB scores), and resulted in a significant reduction in lesion volume and significant improvement in tissue-sparing 11 weeks post-injury. These results indicate that Ibrutinib exhibits neuroprotective effects by blocking excessive neuroimmune responses through BTK-mediated microglia/astroglial activation and B cell/antibody response in rat models of SCI. These data identify BTK as a potential therapeutic target for SCI.
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Zhai X, Chen K, Yang H, Li B, Zhou T, Wang H, Zhou H, Chen S, Zhou X, Wei X, Bai Y, Li M. Extracellular vesicles derived from CD73 modified human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate inflammation after spinal cord injury. J Nanobiotechnology 2021; 19:274. [PMID: 34496892 PMCID: PMC8425042 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-021-01022-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal cord injury (SCI) is an inflammatory condition, and excessive adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is released into the extracellular space, which can be catabolized into adenosine by CD73. Extracellular vesicles have been designed as nano drug carriers in many diseases. However, their impacts on delivery of CD73 after SCI are not yet known. We aimed to construct CD73 modified extracellular vesicles and explore the anti-inflammatory effects after SCI. METHODS CD73 engineered extracellular vesicles (CD73+ hucMSC-EVs) were firstly established, which were derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hucMSCs) transduced by lentiviral vectors to upregulate the expression of CD73. Effects of CD73+ hucMSC-EVs on hydrolyzing ATP into adenosine were detected. The polarization of M2/M1 was verified by immunofluorescence. Furthermore, A2aR and A2bR inhibitors and A2bR knockdown cells were used to investigate the activated adenosine receptor. Biomarkers of microglia and levels of cAMP/PKA were also detected. Repetitively in vivo study, morphology staining, flow cytometry, cytokine analysis, and ELISA assay, were also applied for verifications. RESULTS CD73+ hucMSC-EVs reduced concentration of ATP and promoted the level of adenosine. In vitro experiments, CD73+ hucMSC-EVs increased macrophages/microglia M2:M1 polarization, activated adenosine 2b receptor (A2bR), and then promoted cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. In mice using model of thoracic spinal cord contusion injury, CD73+ hucMSC-EVs improved the functional recovery after SCI through decreasing the content of ATP in cerebrospinal fluid and improving the polarization from M1 to M2 phenotype. Thus, the cascaded pro-inflammatory cytokines were downregulated, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, while the anti-inflammatory cytokines were upregulated, such as IL-10 and IL-4. CONCLUSIONS CD73+ hucMSC-EVs ameliorated inflammation after spinal cord injury by reducing extracellular ATP, promoting A2bR/cAMP/PKA pathway and M2/M1 polarization. CD73+ hucMSC-EVs might be promising nano drugs for clinical application in SCI therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhai
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Kai Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Huan Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Tianjunke Zhou
- Basic Medicine College, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Haojue Wang
- Basic Medicine College, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Huipeng Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Shaofeng Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xiaoyi Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xiaozhao Wei
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Yushu Bai
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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Valproic Acid Ameliorates Locomotor Function in the Rat Model of Contusion via Alteration of Mst1, Bcl-2, and Nrf2 Gene Expression. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2021; 25:303-7. [PMID: 34217161 PMCID: PMC8334391 DOI: 10.52547/ibj.25.4.303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background: In animal models of inflammatory diseases, Mst1 facilitates the programmed cell death as a novel pro-apoptotic kinase. This research aimed to determine the expression level of Mst1 gene in a rat model of SCI treated with VPA. Methods: Severe rat model contusion was used for evaluation of the neuroprotective effect of valproic acid. The BBB test, was performed to determine locomotor functions. H&E staining and TUNEL assay were performed to detect cavity formation and apoptosis, respectively. The mRNA levels of the genes Mst1, Nrf2, and Bcl-2 were evaluated, using quantitative RT-PCR. Results: The results revealed that Mst1 gene expression and TUNEL-positive cells in the VPA-treated group were significantly reduced as compared to the untreated group (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that VPA has therapeutic potential and can be a candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and traumatic injury as a promising drug.
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Guan B, Jiang C. Design and development of 1,3,5-triazine derivatives as protective agent against spinal cord injury in rat via inhibition of NF-ĸB. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 41:127964. [PMID: 33744436 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.127964] [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: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a chronic disease causing motor and sensory loss in the affected individuals. The SCI has a huge impact on the lives of patients that makes them susceptible to life-long disability. However, the current clinical modalities are ineffective to cope the aftermath of SCI. Thus, in the present study, we aimed to develop a series of 1,3,5-triazine derivatives as a protective agent against SCI. The molecules were developed by facile synthetic route and obtained in excellent yield. The compounds were tested for their efficacy to inhibit the transcription of NF-κB in RAW 264.7 cells, where they displayed mild to potent activity. Compound 8a was identified as most potent NF-κB inhibitor among the tested analogues. The effect of compound 8a was further scrutinized against the SCI injury in rats induced by contusion injury. It has been found that compound 8a improves motor function of rats together with reduction in inflammation and edema in spinal cord of rats. It also showed to inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation in the SCI rats. In a western blot analysis, after SCI induction, compound 8a inhibited NF-κB and its upstream regulator TLR4 in a dose-dependent manner. Collectively, our study provides a novel class of agent that provide protective action against SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binggang Guan
- Department of Spine Surgery, Tian Jin Hospital, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Chang Jiang
- Department of Bone Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University , Dalian, Liaoning 116011, China.
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Potts EM, Coppotelli G, Ross JM. Histological-Based Stainings using Free-Floating Tissue Sections. J Vis Exp 2020:10.3791/61622. [PMID: 32925894 PMCID: PMC7743918 DOI: 10.3791/61622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunohistochemistry is a widely used technique to visualize specific tissue structures as well as protein expression and localization. Two alternative approaches are widely used to handle the tissue sections during the staining procedure, one approach consists of mounting the sections directly on glass slides, while a second approach, the free-floating, allows for fixed sections to be maintained and stained while suspended in solution. Although slide-mounted and free-floating approaches may yield similar results, the free-floating technique allows for better antibody penetration and thus should be the method of choice when thicker sections are to be used for 3D reconstruction of the tissues, for example when the focus of the experiment is to gain information on dendritic and axonal projections in brain regions. In addition, since the sections are kept in solution, a single aliquot can easily accommodate 30 to 40 sections, handling of which is less laborious, particularly in large-scale biomedical studies. Here, we illustrate how to apply the free-floating method to fluorescent immunohistochemistry staining, with a major focus on brain sections. We will also discuss how the free-floating technique can easily be modified to fit the individual needs of researchers and adapted to other tissues as well as other histochemical-based stainings, such as hematoxylin and eosin and cresyl violet, as long as tissue samples are properly fixed, typically with paraformaldehyde or formalin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Potts
- George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, College of Pharmacy, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island
| | - Giuseppe Coppotelli
- George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, College of Pharmacy, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island
| | - Jaime M Ross
- George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, College of Pharmacy, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island; Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet;
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Abdanipour A, Moradi F, Fakheri F, Ghorbanlou M, Nejatbakhsh R. The effect of lithium chloride on BDNF, NT3, and their receptor mRNA levels in the spinal contusion rat models. Neurol Res 2019; 41:577-583. [DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2019.1588507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Abdanipour
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS), Zanjan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Moradi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS), Zanjan, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Fakheri
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Ghorbanlou
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS), Zanjan, Iran
| | - Reza Nejatbakhsh
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS), Zanjan, Iran
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Lankford KL, Arroyo EJ, Nazimek K, Bryniarski K, Askenase PW, Kocsis JD. Intravenously delivered mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes target M2-type macrophages in the injured spinal cord. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190358. [PMID: 29293592 PMCID: PMC5749801 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In a previous report we showed that intravenous infusion of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) improved functional recovery after contusive spinal cord injury (SCI) in the non-immunosuppressed rat, although the MSCs themselves were not detected at the spinal cord injury (SCI) site [1]. Rather, the MSCs lodged transiently in the lungs for about two days post-infusion. Preliminary studies and a recent report [2] suggest that the effects of intravenous (IV) infusion of MSCs could be mimicked by IV infusion of exosomes isolated from conditioned media of MSC cultures (MSCexos). In this study, we assessed the possible mechanism of MSCexos action on SCI by investigating the tissue distribution and cellular targeting of DiR fluorescent labeled MSCexos at 3 hours and 24 hours after IV infusion in rats with SCI. The IV delivered MSCexos were detected in contused regions of the spinal cord, but not in the noninjured region of the spinal cord, and were also detected in the spleen, which was notably reduced in weight in the SCI rat, compared to control animals. DiR "hotspots" were specifically associated with CD206-expressing M2 macrophages in the spinal cord and this was confirmed by co-localization with anti-CD63 antibodies labeling a tetraspanin characteristically expressed on exosomes. Our findings that MSCexos specifically target M2-type macrophages at the site of SCI, support the idea that extracellular vesicles, released by MSCs, may mediate at least some of the therapeutic effects of IV MSC administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L. Lankford
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Center for Neuroscience Regeneration Research, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Edgardo J. Arroyo
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Center for Neuroscience Regeneration Research, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Katarzyna Nazimek
- Department of Immunology, Jagiellonian University College of Medicine, Krakow; Poland
- Section of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Krzysztof Bryniarski
- Department of Immunology, Jagiellonian University College of Medicine, Krakow; Poland
- Section of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Philip W. Askenase
- Section of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Jeffery D. Kocsis
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Center for Neuroscience Regeneration Research, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
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Kjell J, Olson L. Rat models of spinal cord injury: from pathology to potential therapies. Dis Model Mech 2017; 9:1125-1137. [PMID: 27736748 PMCID: PMC5087825 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.025833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 237] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A long-standing goal of spinal cord injury research is to develop effective spinal cord repair strategies for the clinic. Rat models of spinal cord injury provide an important mammalian model in which to evaluate treatment strategies and to understand the pathological basis of spinal cord injuries. These models have facilitated the development of robust tests for assessing the recovery of locomotor and sensory functions. Rat models have also allowed us to understand how neuronal circuitry changes following spinal cord injury and how recovery could be promoted by enhancing spontaneous regenerative mechanisms and by counteracting intrinsic inhibitory factors. Rat studies have also revealed possible routes to rescuing circuitry and cells in the acute stage of injury. Spatiotemporal and functional studies in these models highlight the therapeutic potential of manipulating inflammation, scarring and myelination. In addition, potential replacement therapies for spinal cord injury, including grafts and bridges, stem primarily from rat studies. Here, we discuss advantages and disadvantages of rat experimental spinal cord injury models and summarize knowledge gained from these models. We also discuss how an emerging understanding of different forms of injury, their pathology and degree of recovery has inspired numerous treatment strategies, some of which have led to clinical trials. Summary: In this Review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the rat for studies of experimental spinal cord injury and summarize the knowledge gained from such studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Kjell
- Department of Physiological Genomics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 80336, Germany
| | - Lars Olson
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden
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Microglial-mediated PDGF-CC activation increases cerebrovascular permeability during ischemic stroke. Acta Neuropathol 2017; 134:585-604. [PMID: 28725968 PMCID: PMC5587628 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-017-1749-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Revised: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of acute ischemic stroke with the thrombolytic tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can significantly improve neurological outcomes; however, thrombolytic therapy is associated with an increased risk of intra-cerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Previously, we demonstrated that during stroke tPA acting on the parenchymal side of the neurovascular unit (NVU) can increase blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability and ICH through activation of latent platelet-derived growth factor-CC (PDGF-CC) and signaling by the PDGF receptor-α (PDGFRα). However, in vitro, activation of PDGF-CC by tPA is very inefficient and the mechanism of PDGF-CC activation in the NVU is not known. Here, we show that the integrin Mac-1, expressed on brain microglia/macrophages (denoted microglia throughout), acts together with the endocytic receptor LRP1 in the NVU to promote tPA-mediated activation of PDGF-CC. Mac-1-deficient mice (Mac-1−/−) are protected from tPA-induced BBB permeability but not from permeability induced by intracerebroventricular injection of active PDGF-CC. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrates that Mac-1, LRP1, and the PDGFRα all localize to the NVU of arterioles, and following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) Mac-1−/− mice show significantly less PDGFRα phosphorylation, BBB permeability, and infarct volume compared to wild-type mice. Bone-marrow transplantation studies indicate that resident CD11b+ cells, but not bone-marrow-derived leukocytes, mediate the early activation of PDGF-CC by tPA after MCAO. Finally, using a model of thrombotic stroke with late thrombolysis, we show that wild-type mice have an increased incidence of spontaneous ICH following thrombolysis with tPA 5 h after MCAO, whereas Mac-1−/− mice are resistant to the development of ICH even with late tPA treatment. Together, these results indicate that Mac-1 and LRP1 act as co-factors for the activation of PDGF-CC by tPA in the NVU, and suggest a novel mechanism for tightly regulating PDGFRα signaling in the NVU and controlling BBB permeability.
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Chen H, Du J, Zhang Y, Barnes K, Jia X. Establishing a reliable gait evaluation method for rodent studies. J Neurosci Methods 2017; 283:92-100. [PMID: 28351803 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2016] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CatWalk is one of the most popular tools for evaluating gait recovery in preclinical research, however, there is currently no consensus on which of the many gait parameters captured by CatWalk can reliably model recovery. There are conflicting interpretations of results, along with many common but seldom reported problems such as heel walking and poor compliance. NEW METHOD We developed a systematic manual classification method that overcomes common problems such as heel walking and poor compliance. By correcting automation errors and removing inconsistent gait cycles, we isolated stretches of recordings that are more reliable for analysis. Recovery outcome was also assessed by quantitative histomorphometric analysis of myelinated axons. RESULTS While 40-60% of runs were erroneously classified without manual intervention, we corrected all errors with our new method, and showed that Stand Time, Duty Cycle, and Swing Speed are able to track significant differences over time and between experimental groups (all p<0.05). The usability of print area and intensity parameters requires further validation beyond the capabilities of CatWalk. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S) There is currently no strategy that addresses problems such as heel walking and poor compliance, and therefore no standard set of parameters that researchers can rely on to report their findings. CONCLUSION Manual classification is a crucial step to generate reliable CatWalk data, and Stand Time, Duty Cycle, and Swing Speed are suitable parameters for evaluating gait recovery. Static parameters such as print area and intensity should be used with extreme caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanwen Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Jian Du
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kevin Barnes
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Jia
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Orthopedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Kjell
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Olson
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Tyagi P, Kadekawa K, Kashyap M, Pore S, Yoshimura N. Spontaneous Recovery of Reflex Voiding Following Spinal Cord Injury Mediated by Anti-inflammatory and Neuroprotective Factors. Urology 2015; 88:57-65. [PMID: 26522973 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2015.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the time-dependent changes in expression of cytokines that characterizes the spontaneous recovery of reflex voiding after spinal cord injury (SCI). SCI is known to reorganize the neural circuitry of micturition reflex after injury. METHODS Under isoflurane anesthesia, spinal cord of 18 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats was completely transected at the Th9-10 level. Awake cystometry was performed at each time point on controls and 6 SCI animals, and bladder was then harvested for analysis of 29 proteins Millipore kit or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Prophylactic dose of ampicillin 100 mg/kg was administered periodically to all SCI animals. RESULTS Spontaneous recovery of voiding after SCI at 12 weeks was evident from increased intercontractile interval and voiding efficiency during cystometry. Expression of proinflammatory interleukins ([IL] IL-1α and IL-1β, IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]) and CXC chemokines (CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL10), CX3CL1, and CCL2 showed significant elevation at 4 and at 8 weeks with slight decrease at 12 weeks. In contrast, expression of anti-inflammatory IL-10 and neuroprotective factors, CXCL-5, and leptin, was elevated at 8 and at 12 weeks (P < .05). In contrast, expression of CCL3, CCL5, and growth factors (vascular endothelial growth factor, nerve growth factor, epidermal growth factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor) did not show any significant temporal change after SCI. CONCLUSION Spontaneous recovery of reflex voiding at 12 weeks was marked by increased endogenous expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and neuroprotective factors, CXCL-5, and leptin, which suggests that pharmacological suppression of inflammation, can hasten the emergence of reflex voiding after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Tyagi
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
| | | | | | - Subrata Pore
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Naoki Yoshimura
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
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