1
|
Quantification of Neurite Degeneration with Enhanced Accuracy and Efficiency in an In Vitro Model of Parkinson's Disease. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0327-21.2022. [PMID: 35210286 PMCID: PMC8938979 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0327-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurite degeneration is associated with early stages of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. One method that is commonly used to analyze neurite degeneration involves calculation of a Degeneration Index (DI) following utilization of the Analyze Particles tool of ImageJ to detect neurite fragments in micrographs of cultured cells. However, DI analyses are prone to several types of measurement error, can be time consuming to perform, and are limited in application. Here, we describe an improved method for performing DI analyses. Accuracy of measurements was enhanced through modification of selection criteria for detecting neurite fragments, removal of image artifacts and non-neurite materials from images, and optimization of image contrast. Such enhancements were implemented into an ImageJ macro that enables rapid and fully automated DI analysis of multiple images. The macro features operations for automated removal of cell bodies from micrographs, thus expanding the application of DI analyses to use in experiments involving dissociated cultures. We present experimental findings supporting that, compared with the conventional method, the enhanced analysis method yields measurements with increased accuracy and requires significantly less time to perform. Furthermore, we demonstrate the utility of the method to investigate neurite degeneration in a cell culture model of PD by conducting an experiment revealing the effects of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) on neurite degeneration induced by oxidative stress in human mesencephalic cells. This improved analysis method may be used to gain novel insight into factors underlying neurite degeneration and the progression of neurodegenerative disorders.
Collapse
|
2
|
Cheng Q, Wang YX, Yu J, Yi S. Critical signaling pathways during Wallerian degeneration of peripheral nerve. Neural Regen Res 2017; 12:995-1002. [PMID: 28761435 PMCID: PMC5514877 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.208596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Wallerian degeneration is a critical biological process that occurs in distal nerve stumps after nerve injury. To systematically investigate molecular changes underlying Wallerian degeneration, we used a rat sciatic nerve transection model to examine microarray analysis outcomes and investigate significantly involved Kyoto Enrichment of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways in injured distal nerve stumps at 0, 0.5, 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours, 4 days, 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after peripheral nerve injury. Bioinformatic analysis showed that only one KEGG pathway (cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction) was significantly enriched at an early time point (1 hour post-sciatic nerve transection). At later time points, the number of enriched KEGG pathways initially increased and then decreased. Three KEGG pathways were studied in further detail: cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, and axon guidance. Moreover, temporal expression patterns of representative differentially expressed genes in these KEGG pathways were validated by real time-polymerase chain reaction. Taken together, the above three signaling pathways are important after sciatic nerve injury, and may increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying Wallerian degeneration
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ya-Xian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jun Yu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Sheng Yi
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Law V, Dong S, Rosales JL, Jeong MY, Zochodne D, Lee KY. Enhancement of Peripheral Nerve Regrowth by the Purine Nucleoside Analog and Cell Cycle Inhibitor, Roscovitine. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:238. [PMID: 27799897 PMCID: PMC5066473 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nerve regeneration is a slow process that can be associated with limited outcomes and thus a search for novel and effective therapy for peripheral nerve injury and disease is crucial. Here, we found that roscovitine, a synthetic purine nucleoside analog, enhances neurite outgrowth in neuronal-like PC12 cells. Furthermore, ex vivo analysis of pre-injured adult rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons showed that roscovitine enhances neurite regrowth in these cells. Likewise, in vivo transected sciatic nerves in rats locally perfused with roscovitine had augmented repopulation of new myelinated axons beyond the transection zone. By mass spectrometry, we found that roscovitine interacts with tubulin and actin. It interacts directly with tubulin and causes a dose-dependent induction of tubulin polymerization as well as enhances Guanosine-5′-triphosphate (GTP)-dependent tubulin polymerization. Conversely, roscovitine interacts indirectly with actin and counteracts the inhibitory effect of cyclin-dependent kinases 5 (Cdk5) on Actin-Related Proteins 2/3 (Arp2/3)-dependent actin polymerization, and thus, causes actin polymerization. Moreover, in the presence of neurotrophic factors such as nerve growth factor (NGF), roscovitine-enhanced neurite outgrowth is mediated by increased activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Since microtubule and F-actin dynamics are critical for axonal regrowth, the ability of roscovitine to activate the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK pathways and support polymerization of tubulin and actin indicate a major role for this purine nucleoside analog in the promotion of axonal regeneration. Together, our findings demonstrate a therapeutic potential for the purine nucleoside analog, roscovitine, in peripheral nerve injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Law
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sophie Dong
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jesusa L Rosales
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Myung-Yung Jeong
- Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Pusan National University Pusan, South Korea
| | - Douglas Zochodne
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Ki-Young Lee
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary Calgary, AB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Di Liberto V, Mudò G, Garozzo R, Frinchi M, Fernandez-Dueñas V, Di Iorio P, Ciccarelli R, Caciagli F, Condorelli DF, Ciruela F, Belluardo N. The Guanine-Based Purinergic System: The Tale of An Orphan Neuromodulation. Front Pharmacol 2016; 7:158. [PMID: 27378923 PMCID: PMC4911385 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Guanine-based purines (GBPs) have been recently proposed to be not only metabolic agents but also extracellular signaling molecules that regulate important functions in the central nervous system. In such way, GBPs-mediated neuroprotection, behavioral responses and neuronal plasticity have been broadly described in the literature. However, while a number of these functions (i.e., GBPs neurothophic effects) have been well-established, the molecular mechanisms behind these GBPs-dependent effects are still unknown. Furthermore, no plasma membrane receptors for GBPs have been described so far, thus GBPs are still considered orphan neuromodulators. Interestingly, an intricate and controversial functional interplay between GBPs effects and adenosine receptors activity has been recently described, thus triggering the hypothesis that GBPs mechanism of action might somehow involve adenosine receptors. Here, we review recent data describing the GBPs role in the brain. We focus on the involvement of GBPs regulating neuronal plasticity, and on the new hypothesis based on putative GBPs receptors. Overall, we expect to shed some light on the GBPs world since although these molecules might represent excellent candidates for certain neurological diseases management, the lack of putative GBPs receptors precludes any high throughput screening intent for the search of effective GBPs-based drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Di Liberto
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Palermo Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Mudò
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Palermo Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberta Garozzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Unit of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania Catania, Italy
| | - Monica Frinchi
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Palermo Palermo, Italy
| | - Víctor Fernandez-Dueñas
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patrizia Di Iorio
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotecnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara Chieti, Italy
| | - Renata Ciccarelli
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotecnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara Chieti, Italy
| | - Francesco Caciagli
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotecnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara Chieti, Italy
| | - Daniele F Condorelli
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Unit of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania Catania, Italy
| | - Francisco Ciruela
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona Barcelona, Spain
| | - Natale Belluardo
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Palermo Palermo, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Thauerer B, Zur Nedden S, Baier-Bitterlich G. Purine nucleosides: endogenous neuroprotectants in hypoxic brain. J Neurochem 2012; 121:329-42. [PMID: 22335456 PMCID: PMC3499684 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2012.07692.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Even a short blockade of oxygen flow in brain may lead to the inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation and depletion of cellular ATP, which results in profound deficiencies in cellular function. Following ischemia, dying, injured, and hypoxic cells release soluble purine-nucleotide and -nucleoside pools. Growing evidence suggests that purine nucleosides might act as trophic factors in the CNS and PNS. In addition to equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs) regulating purine nucleoside concentrations intra- and extracellularly, specific extracellular receptor subtypes for these compounds are expressed on neurons, glia, and endothelial cells, mediating stunningly diverse effects. Such effects range from induction of cell differentiation, apoptosis, mitogenesis, and morphogenetic changes, to stimulation of synthesis and/or release of cytokines and neurotrophic factors under both physiological and pathological conditions. Multiple signaling pathways regulate the critical balance between cell death and survival in hypoxia-ischemia. A convergent pathway for the regulation of multiple modalities involved in O₂ sensing is the mitogen activated protein kinase (p42/44 MAPK) or (ERK1/2 extracellular signal-regulated kinases) pathway terminating in a variety of transcription factors, for example, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α. In this review, the coherence of purine nucleoside-related pathways and MAPK activation in the endogenous neuroprotective regulation of the nervous system's development and neuroplasticity under hypoxic stress will be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Thauerer
- Division of Neurobiochemistry, Biocenter Department, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | | |
Collapse
|