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Jansen MI, Thomas Broome S, Castorina A. Exploring the Pro-Phagocytic and Anti-Inflammatory Functions of PACAP and VIP in Microglia: Implications for Multiple Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094788. [PMID: 35563181 PMCID: PMC9104531 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neuroinflammatory and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), characterised by the infiltration of peripheral immune cells, multifocal white-matter lesions, and neurodegeneration. In recent years, microglia have emerged as key contributors to MS pathology, acting as scavengers of toxic myelin/cell debris and modulating the inflammatory microenvironment to promote myelin repair. In this review, we explore the role of two neuropeptides, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), as important regulators of microglial functioning during demyelination, myelin phagocytosis, and remyelination, emphasising the potential of these neuropeptides as therapeutic targets for the treatment of MS.
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Neuropeptides and Microglial Activation in Inflammation, Pain, and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Mediators Inflamm 2017; 2017:5048616. [PMID: 28154473 PMCID: PMC5244030 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5048616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Revised: 11/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglial cells are responsible for immune surveillance within the CNS. They respond to noxious stimuli by releasing inflammatory mediators and mounting an effective inflammatory response. This is followed by release of anti-inflammatory mediators and resolution of the inflammatory response. Alterations to this delicate process may lead to tissue damage, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. Chronic pain, such as inflammatory or neuropathic pain, is accompanied by neuroimmune activation, and the role of glial cells in the initiation and maintenance of chronic pain has been the subject of increasing research over the last two decades. Neuropeptides are small amino acidic molecules with the ability to regulate neuronal activity and thereby affect various functions such as thermoregulation, reproductive behavior, food and water intake, and circadian rhythms. Neuropeptides can also affect inflammatory responses and pain sensitivity by modulating the activity of glial cells. The last decade has witnessed growing interest in the study of microglial activation and its modulation by neuropeptides in the hope of developing new therapeutics for treating neurodegenerative diseases and chronic pain. This review summarizes the current literature on the way in which several neuropeptides modulate microglial activity and response to tissue damage and how this modulation may affect pain sensitivity.
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Kasica N, Podlasz P, Sundvik M, Tamas A, Reglodi D, Kaleczyc J. Protective Effects of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) Against Oxidative Stress in Zebrafish Hair Cells. Neurotox Res 2016; 30:633-647. [PMID: 27557978 PMCID: PMC5047952 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-016-9659-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a pleiotropic neuropeptide, with known antiapoptotic functions. Our previous in vitro study has demonstrated the ameliorative role of PACAP-38 in chicken hair cells under oxidative stress conditions, but its effects on living hair cells is now yet known. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate in vivo the protective role of PACAP-38 in hair cells found in zebrafish (Danio rerio) sense organs-neuromasts. To induce oxidative stress the 5-day postfertilization (dpf) zebrafish larvae were exposed to 1.5 mM H2O2 for 15 min or 1 h. This resulted in an increase in caspase-3 and p-38 MAPK level in the hair cells as well as in an impairment of the larvae basic behavior. To investigate the ameliorative role of PACAP-38, the larvae were incubated with a mixture of 1.5 mM H2O2 and 100 nM PACAP-38 following 1 h preincubation with 100 nM PACAP-38 only. PACAP-38 abilities to prevent hair cells from apoptosis were investigated. Whole-mount immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy analyses revealed that PACAP-38 treatment decreased the cleaved caspase-3 level in the hair cells, but had no influence on p-38 MAPK. The analyses of basic locomotor activity supported the protective role of PACAP-38 by demonstrating the improvement of the fish behavior after PACAP-38 treatment. In summary, our in vivo findings demonstrate that PACAP-38 protects zebrafish hair cells from oxidative stress by attenuating oxidative stress-induced apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Kasica
- Department of Animal Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Oczapowskiego 13, box 105J, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Piotr Podlasz
- Department of Pathophysiology, Forensic Veterinary and Administration, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Oczapowskiego 13, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Maria Sundvik
- Department of Anatomy, Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8 (Biomedicum Helsinki), 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Andrea Tamas
- Department of Anatomy, University of Pecs, Szigeti 12, 7624, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Dora Reglodi
- Department of Anatomy, University of Pecs, Szigeti 12, 7624, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Jerzy Kaleczyc
- Department of Animal Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Oczapowskiego 13, box 105J, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
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Paco S, Hummel M, Plá V, Sumoy L, Aguado F. Cyclic AMP signaling restricts activation and promotes maturation and antioxidant defenses in astrocytes. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:304. [PMID: 27108081 PMCID: PMC4842285 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2623-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background cAMP signaling produces dramatic changes in astrocyte morphology and physiology. However, its involvement in phenotype acquisition and the transcriptionally mediated mechanisms of action are largely unknown. Results Here we analyzed the global transcriptome of cultured astroglial cells incubated with activators of cAMP pathways. A bulk of astroglial transcripts, 6221 annotated genes, were differentially regulated by cAMP signaling. cAMP analogs strongly upregulated genes involved in typical functions of mature astrocytes, such as homeostatic control, metabolic and structural support to neurons, antioxidant defense and communication, whereas they downregulated a considerable number of proliferating and immaturity-related transcripts. Moreover, numerous genes typically activated in reactive cells, such as scar components and immunological mediators, were repressed by cAMP. GSEA analysis contrasting gene expression profiles with transcriptome signatures of acutely isolated astrocytes and in situ evaluation of protein levels in these cells showed that cAMP signaling conferred mature and in vivo–like transcriptional features to cultured astrocytes. Conclusions These results indicate that cAMP signaling is a key pathway promoting astrocyte maturation and restricting their developmental and activation features. Therefore, a positive modulation of cAMP signaling may promote the normal state of differentiated astrocytes and favor the protection and function of neuronal networks. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2623-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Paco
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 645, Barcelona, E-08028, Spain.,Present address: Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Esplugues de Llobregat, E-08950, Spain
| | - Manuela Hummel
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, E-08003, Spain.,Present address: Division of Biostatistics, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 581, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Virginia Plá
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 645, Barcelona, E-08028, Spain.,Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, E-08035, Spain
| | - Lauro Sumoy
- Institute for Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer, Badalona, E-08916, Spain.,Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Research Institute, E-08916, Badalona, Spain
| | - Fernando Aguado
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 645, Barcelona, E-08028, Spain. .,Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, E-08035, Spain.
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Fabian E, Reglodi D, Mester L, Szabo A, Szabadfi K, Tamas A, Toth G, Kovacs K. Effects of PACAP on intracellular signaling pathways in human retinal pigment epithelial cells exposed to oxidative stress. J Mol Neurosci 2012; 48:493-500. [PMID: 22644900 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-012-9812-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2012] [Accepted: 05/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The integrity of retinal pigment epithelial cells is critical for photoreceptor survival and vision. Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) exerts retinoprotective effects against several types of injuries in vivo, including optic nerve transection, retinal ischemia, excitotoxic injuries, UVA-induced lesion, and diabetic retinopathy. In a recent study, we have proven that PACAP is also protective in oxidative stress-induced injury in human pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19 cells). The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible mechanisms of this protection. ARPE cells were exposed to a 24-h hydrogen peroxide treatment. Expressions of kinases and apoptotic markers were studied by complex array kits and Western blot. Oxidative stress induced the activation of several apoptotic markers, including Bad, Bax, HIF-1α, several heat shock proteins, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, and Fas-associated protein with death domain, while PACAP treatment decreased them. The changes in the expression of MAP kinases showed that PACAP activated the protective ERK1/2 and downstream CREB, and decreased the activation of the pro-apoptotic p38MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase, an effect opposite to that observed with only oxidative stress. Furthermore, PACAP increased the activation of the protective Akt pathway. In addition, the effects of oxidative stress on several other signaling molecules were counteracted by PACAP treatment (Chk2, Yes, Lyn, paxillin, p53, PLC, STAT4, RSK). These play a role in cell death, cell cycle, inflammation, adhesion, differentiation and proliferation. In summary, PACAP, acting at several levels, influences the balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic factors in favor of anti-apoptosis, thereby providing protection in oxidative stress-induced injury of human retinal pigment epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Fabian
- Department of Anatomy, PTE-MTA Lendulet PACAP Research Team, University of Pecs, 7624 Pecs, Szigeti u 12, Hungary
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Liu J, Zhao X, Cao J, Xue Q, Feng X, Liu X, Zhang F, Yu B. Differential roles of PKA and Epac on the production of cytokines in the endotoxin-stimulated primary cultured microglia. J Mol Neurosci 2010; 45:186-93. [PMID: 20640531 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-010-9426-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2010] [Accepted: 06/22/2010] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
To further understand the anti-inflammatory effect of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP), we examined the effect of protein kinase A (PKA) and cAMP-responsive guanine nucleotide exchange factor (Epac) on the transcription and production of cytokines and on the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) p38 and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) in endotoxin-treated rat primary cultured microglia. The PKA specific agonist N6-benzoyladenosine-3,5-cAMP (6-Bnz-cAMP) not only inhibited the transcription and production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) but also enhanced the transcription and expression of IL-10, while the Epac selective analog 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-2-O-methyladenosine-3,5-cAMP (8-pCPT-2'-O-Me-cAMP) merely repressed the TNF-α expression. Western blots assays indicated that 6-Bnz-cAMP significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of both p38 and GSK-3β in a dose-dependent manner; in contrast, 8-pCPT-2'-O-Me-cAMP only slightly repressed GSK-3β activity at large doses. Pretreatment with H-89, a specific PKA antagonist, could completely reverse the effect of 6-Bnz-cAMP on cytokines expressions and kinases activities but had no effect on the performance of 8-pCPT-2'-O-Me-cAMP. Our findings indicate that PKA and Epac exert differential effect on the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-10, possibly owing to the different effects on the downstream effectors, MAPK p38, and GSK-3β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
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Vaudry D, Falluel-Morel A, Bourgault S, Basille M, Burel D, Wurtz O, Fournier A, Chow BKC, Hashimoto H, Galas L, Vaudry H. Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide and Its Receptors: 20 Years after the Discovery. Pharmacol Rev 2009; 61:283-357. [DOI: 10.1124/pr.109.001370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 829] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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Rácz B, Gasz B, Borsiczky B, Gallyas F, Tamás A, Józsa R, Lubics A, Kiss P, Roth E, Ferencz A, Tóth G, Hegyi O, Wittmann I, Lengvári I, Somogyvári-Vigh A, Reglodi D. Protective effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide in endothelial cells against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2007; 153:115-23. [PMID: 17270184 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2006.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2006] [Revised: 11/15/2006] [Accepted: 12/18/2006] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a widely distributed neuropeptide that has various different functions in the nervous system and in non-neural tissues. Little is known about the effects of PACAP in endothelial cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of PACAP on endothelial cell survival and apoptotic signaling pathways under oxidative stress. Mouse hemangioendothelioma (EOMA) cells were exposed to 0.5mM H(2)O(2) which resulted in a marked reduction of cell viability and a parallel increase of apoptotic cells assessed by MTT test and flow cytometry. Co-incubation with 20nM PACAP1-38 increased cell viability and reduced the percentage of apoptotic cells. Flow cytometry analysis showed that oxidative stress reduced the phosphorylation of the anti-apoptotic ERK and increased the phosphorylation of the pro-apoptotic JNK and p38 MAP kinases. PACAP1-38 treatment ameliorated these changes: levels of phospho-ERK were elevated and those of phospho-JNK and p38 were decreased. All these effects were abolished by simultaneous treatment with the PACAP antagonist PACAP6-38. In summary, our results show that PACAP effectively protects endothelial cells against the apoptosis-inducing effects of oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Rácz
- Department of Surgical Research and Techniques, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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Atlasz T, Babai N, Kiss P, Reglodi D, Tamás A, Szabadfi K, Tóth G, Hegyi O, Lubics A, Gábriel R. Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide is protective in bilateral carotid occlusion-induced retinal lesion in rats. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2007; 153:108-14. [PMID: 17289046 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2006.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2006] [Revised: 12/21/2006] [Accepted: 12/25/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating popypeptide (PACAP) is a pleiotropic neuropeptide, exerting neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects in numerous models of in vitro and in vivo nervous injuries. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether PACAP is neuroprotective in ischemic retinal damage. Adult male Wistar rats underwent bilateral carotid occlusion and PACAP was administered unilaterally into the vitreous body immediately following carotid occlusion. Retinas were analyzed three weeks after the injury. It was found that bilateral carotid occlusion led to a severe degeneration of all retinal layers. PACAP treatment significantly ameliorated the carotid occlusion-induced retinal damage: the overall thickness of the retina was significantly more than in control carotid occluded animals and the morphological characteristics of the photoreceptors showed nearly normal appearance. The outer plexiform layer remained discernible and the inner and outer nuclear layers were significantly thicker than in control animals. In summary, our present study provides evidence, for the first time, that PACAP attenuates ischemic retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Atlasz
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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Ock J, Jeong J, Choi WS, Lee WH, Kim SH, Kim IK, Suk K. Regulation of Toll-like receptor 4 expression and its signaling by hypoxia in cultured microglia. J Neurosci Res 2007; 85:1989-95. [PMID: 17461416 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.21322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia is an important biological signal that regulates a wide variety of physiological responses. At the same time, hypoxia is involved in multiple pathological situations. In particular, hypoxia is closely associated with neural injury in the brain. Hypoxia has been recently proposed as a neuroinflammatogen, as it can induce the inflammatory activation of microglia, a major cellular source of inflammatory mediators in the brain. In this article, we present evidence that hypoxia enhances Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression in cultured microglia and differentially regulates the downstream signaling pathways of TLR4. Hypoxia up-regulated TLR4 expression at the mRNA and protein levels in a microglia cell line, as well as in primary microglia cultures. Hypoxia, however, differentially regulated MyD88-dependent and -independent pathways of TLR4 signaling: Hypoxia enhanced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced interferon regulatory factor-3 (IRF-3) activation and the subsequent expression of IFNbeta (MyD88-independent pathway), whereas it suppressed LPS-induced NF-kappaB activation (MyD88-dependent pathway). Hypoxia did not affect IFNgamma signaling, which was represented by signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) activation and interferon-regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) induction. Taken together, although hypoxia up-regulates TLR4 expression, its downstream signaling pathways appear to be differentially modulated by hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyeon Ock
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
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Choi DK, Lee H, Jeong J, Lim B, Suk K. Differential effects of ethanol on glial signal transduction initiated by lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma. J Neurosci Res 2006; 82:225-31. [PMID: 16175582 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.20647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Although the pathogenic effects of alcohol abuse on brain are well established, its specific effects on the intracellular signal transduction pathways of glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS) are poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated how ethanol affects the glial signal transduction associated with inflammatory activation. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), gangliosides, and interferon (IFN)-gamma induced the inflammatory activation of glia, which was differentially influenced by ethanol: 1) ethanol inhibited LPS- or gangliosides-induced, but not IFNgamma-induced, glial activation as demonstrated by the production of nitric oxide and the expression of inflammatory genes such as interleukin-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IP-10, and CD86; 2) nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB or JAK/STAT1 pathway was necessary for LPS- or IFNgamma-induced glial activation, respectively; 3) ethanol inhibited LPS-induced NF-kappaB activation; and 4) ethanol did not significantly affect IFNgamma-induced STAT1/IRF-1 activation. Based on these results, ethanol seems to inhibit selectively some parts of the glial signal transduction pathways that are associated with inflammatory activation, which may lead to the deregulation of CNS inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Kug Choi
- Department of Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Chungju, Korea
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Han P, Lucero MT. Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide reduces A-type K+ currents and caspase activity in cultured adult mouse olfactory neurons. Neuroscience 2005; 134:745-56. [PMID: 16019148 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2005.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2005] [Revised: 03/24/2005] [Accepted: 05/07/2005] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide has been shown to reduce apoptosis in neonatal cerebellar and olfactory receptor neurons, however the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated. In addition, the neuroprotective effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide have not been examined in adult tissues. To study the effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide on neurons in apoptosis, we measured caspase activation in adult olfactory receptor neurons in vitro. Interestingly, we found that the protective effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide were related to the absence of a 4-aminopyridine (IC50=144 microM) sensitive rapidly inactivating potassium current often referred to as A-type current. In the presence of 40 nM pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide 38, both A-type current and activated caspases were significantly reduced. A-type current reduction by pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide was blocked by inhibiting the phospholipase C pathway, but not the adenylyl cyclase pathway. Our observation that 5 mM 4-aminopyridine mimicked the caspase inhibiting effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide indicates that A-type current is involved in apoptosis. This work contributes to our growing understanding that potassium currents are involved with the activation of caspases to affect the balance between cell life and death.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Han
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
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Suk K, Park JH, Lee WH. Neuropeptide PACAP inhibits hypoxic activation of brain microglia: a protective mechanism against microglial neurotoxicity in ischemia. Brain Res 2004; 1026:151-6. [PMID: 15476707 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2004.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/19/2004] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Hypoxia is one of the important physiological stimuli that are often associated with a variety of pathological states such as ischemia, respiratory diseases, and tumorigenesis. In the central nervous system, hypoxia that is accompanied by cerebral ischemia not only causes neuronal cell injury, but may also induce pathological microglial activation. We have previously shown that hypoxia induces inflammatory activation of cultured microglia and their inducible nitric oxide synthase induction via p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, and a neuropeptide PACAP selectively inhibits microglial signal transduction. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that the neuropeptide may inhibit the hypoxic activation of microglia, and this may provide a neuroprotection against inflammation-induced neuronal injury. When this possibility was tested using cultured microglia and PC12 cells, we found that PACAP attenuates inflammatory activation of microglia under hypoxic condition, and protects cocultured PC12 cells from microglial neurotoxicity. In addition, the neuropeptide reduced the hypoxia-induced activation of p38 MAPK, indicating that the p38 MAPK is a molecular target of the PACAP action in microglia. The neuroprotective effects of PACAP in animal models of cerebral hypoxia/ischemia may be partly due to its direct actions on brain microglia and neurotoxic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoungho Suk
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 101 Dong-In, Joong-gu, Daegu, 700-422 South Korea.
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