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Bjørklund G, Dadar M, Aaseth J, Chirumbolo S. Thymosin β4: A Multi-Faceted Tissue Repair Stimulating Protein in Heart Injury. Curr Med Chem 2021; 27:6294-6305. [PMID: 31333080 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190716125456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Thymosin Beta-4 (Tβ4) is known as a major pleiotropic actin-sequestering protein that is involved in tumorigenesis. Tβ4 is a water-soluble protein that has different promising clinical applications in the remodeling and ulcerated tissues repair following myocardial infarction, stroke, plasticity and neurovascular remodeling of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) and the Central Nervous System (CNS). On the other hand, similar effects have been observed for Tβ4 in other kinds of tissues, including cardiac muscle tissue. In recent reports, as it activates resident epicardial progenitor cells and modulates inflammatory-caused injuries, Tβ4 has been suggested as a promoter of the survival of cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, Tβ4 may act in skeletal muscle and different organs in association/synergism with numerous other tissue repair stimulating factors, including melatonin and C-fiber-derived peptides. For these reasons, the present review highlights the promising role of Tβ4 in cardiac healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway
| | - Maryam Dadar
- Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - Jan Aaseth
- Research Department, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway,Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, Norway
| | - Salvatore Chirumbolo
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences,
University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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2
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Zhang GH, Murthy KD, Binti Pare R, Qian YH. Protective effect of Tβ4 on central nervous system tissues and its developmental prospects. EUR J INFLAMM 2020. [DOI: 10.1177/2058739220934559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue repair and regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS) remains a serious medical problem. CNS diseases such as traumatic and neurological brain injuries have a high mortality and disability rate, thereby bringing a considerable amount of economic burden to society and families. How to treat traumatic and neurological brain injuries has always been a serious issue faced by neurosurgeons. The global incidence of traumatic and neurological brain injuries has gradually increased and become a global challenge. Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is the main G-actin variant molecule in eukaryotic cells. During the development of the CNS, Tβ4 regulates neurogenesis, tangential expansion, tissue growth, and cerebral hemisphere folding. In addition, Tβ4 has anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties. It promotes angiogenesis, wound healing, stem/progenitor cell differentiation, and other characteristics of cell migration and survival, providing a scientific basis for the repair and regeneration of injured nerve tissue. This review provides evidence to support the role of Tβ4 in the protection and repair of nervous tissue in CNS diseases, especially with the potential to control brain inflammatory processes, and thus open up new therapeutic applications for a series of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-hong Zhang
- School of Medicine, Xi’an International University, Xi’an, China
- Department of Biomedical Science and Therapeutic, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FPSK), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Krishna Dilip Murthy
- Department of Biomedical Science and Therapeutic, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FPSK), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Rahmawati Binti Pare
- Department of Biomedical Science and Therapeutic, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FPSK), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Yi-hua Qian
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, China
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3
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Shomali N, Baradaran B, Deljavanghodrati M, Akbari M, Hemmatzadeh M, Mohammadi H, Jang Y, Xu H, Sandoghchian Shotorbani S. A new insight into thymosin β4, a promising therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative disorders. J Cell Physiol 2019; 235:3270-3279. [PMID: 31612500 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Thymosin β4 (Tβ4), a G-actin-sequestering secreted peptide, improves neurovascular remodeling and central nervous system plasticity, which leads to neurological recovery in many neurological diseases. Inflammatory response adjustment and tissue inflammation consequences from neurological injury are vital for neurological recovery. The innate or nonspecific immune system is made of different components. The Toll-like receptor pro-inflammatory signaling pathway, which is one of these components, regulates tissue injury. The main component of the Toll-like/IL-1 receptor signaling pathway, which is known as IRAK1, can be regulated by miR-146a and regulates NF-κB expression. Due to the significant role of Tβ4 in oligodendrocytes, neurons, and microglial cells in neurological recovery, it is suggested that Tβ4 regulates the Toll-like receptor (TLR) pro-inflammatory signaling pathway by upregulating miR-146a in neurological disorders. However, further investigations on the role of Tβ4 in regulating the expression of miR146a and TLR signaling pathway in the immune response adjustment in neurological disorders provides an insight into mechanisms of action and the possibility of Tβ4 therapeutic effect enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navid Shomali
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Morteza Akbari
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Maryam Hemmatzadeh
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hamed Mohammadi
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Yue Jang
- Department of Immunology, Center of Clinical Medicine and Laboratory, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Huaxi Xu
- Department of Immunology, Center of Clinical Medicine and Laboratory, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Siamak Sandoghchian Shotorbani
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Immunology, Center of Clinical Medicine and Laboratory, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
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4
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Takase H, Washida K, Hayakawa K, Arai K, Wang X, Lo EH, Lok J. Oligodendrogenesis after traumatic brain injury. Behav Brain Res 2016; 340:205-211. [PMID: 27829126 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.10.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
White matter injury is an important contributor to long term motor and cognitive dysfunction after traumatic brain injury. During brain trauma, acceleration, deceleration, torsion, and compression forces often cause direct damage to the axon tracts, and pathways that are triggered by the initial injury can trigger molecular events that result in secondary axon degeneration. White matter injury is often associated with altered mental status, memory deficits, motor or autonomic dysfunction, and contribute to the development of chronic neurodegenerative diseases. The presence and proper functioning of oligodendrocyte precursor cells offer the potential for repair and recovery of injured white matter. The process of the proliferation, maturation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells and their migration to the site of injury to replace injured or lost oligodendrocytes is know as oligodendrogenesis. The process of oligodendrogenesis, as well as the interaction of oligodendrocyte precursor cells with other elements of the neurovascular unit, will be discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajime Takase
- Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Neurosurgery, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kazuo Washida
- Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Division of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kazuhide Hayakawa
- Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ken Arai
- Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xiaoying Wang
- Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Eng H Lo
- Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Josephine Lok
- Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.
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5
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Marks ED, Kumar A. Thymosin β4: Roles in Development, Repair, and Engineering of the Cardiovascular System. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2016; 102:227-49. [PMID: 27450737 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2016.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The burden of cardiovascular disease is a growing worldwide issue that demands attention. While many clinical trials are ongoing to test therapies for treating the heart after myocardial infarction (MI) and heart failure, there are few options doctors able to currently give patients to repair the heart. This eventually leads to decreased ventricular contractility and increased systemic disease, including vascular disorders that could result in stroke. Small peptides such as thymosin β4 (Tβ4) are upregulated in the cardiovascular niche during fetal development and after injuries such as MI, providing increased neovasculogenesis and paracrine signals for endogenous stem cell recruitment to aid in wound repair. New research is looking into the effects of in vivo administration of Tβ4 through injections and coatings on implants, as well as its effect on cell differentiation. Results so far demonstrate Tβ4 administration leads to robust increases in angiogenesis and wound healing in the heart after MI and the brain after stroke, and can differentiate adult stem cells toward the cardiac lineage for implantation to the heart to increase contractility and survival. Future work, some of which is currently in clinical trials, will demonstrate the in vivo effect of these therapies on human patients, with the goal of helping the millions of people worldwide affected by cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- E D Marks
- Nanomedicine Research Laboratory, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - A Kumar
- Nanomedicine Research Laboratory, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States.
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Santra M, Chopp M, Santra S, Nallani A, Vyas S, Zhang ZG, Morris DC. Thymosin beta 4 up-regulates miR-200a expression and induces differentiation and survival of rat brain progenitor cells. J Neurochem 2015; 136:118-32. [PMID: 26466330 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Revised: 09/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4), a secreted 43 amino acid peptide, promotes oligodendrogenesis, and improves neurological outcome in rat models of neurologic injury. We demonstrated that exogenous Tβ4 treatment up-regulated the expression of the miR-200a in vitro in rat brain progenitor cells and in vivo in the peri-infarct area of rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The up-regulation of miR-200a down-regulated the expression of the following targets in vitro and in vivo models: (i) growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2), an adaptor protein involved in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/Grb2/Ras/MEK/ERK1/c-Jun signaling pathway, which negatively regulates the expression of myelin basic protein (MBP), a marker of mature oligodendrocyte; (ii) ERRFI-1/Mig-6, an endogenous potent kinase inhibitor of EGFR, which resulted in activation/phosphorylation of EGFR; (iii) friend of GATA 2, and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted in chromosome 10 (PTEN), which are potent inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway, and resulted in marked activation of AKT; and (iv) transcription factor, p53, which induces pro-apoptotic genes, and possibly reduced apoptosis of the progenitor cells subjected to oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD). Anti-miR-200a transfection reversed all the effects of Tβ4 treatment in vitro. Thus, Tβ4 up-regulated MBP synthesis, and inhibited OGD-induced apoptosis in a novel miR-200a dependent EGFR signaling pathway. Our findings of miR-200a-mediated protection of progenitor cells may provide a new therapeutic importance for the treatment of neurologic injury. Tβ4-induced micro-RNA-200a (miR-200a) regulates EGFR signaling pathways for MBP synthesis and apoptosis: up-regulation of miR-200a after Tβ4 treatment, increases MBP synthesis after targeting Grb2 and thereby inactivating c-Jun from inhibition of MBP synthesis; and also inhibits OGD-mediated apoptosis after targeting EGFR inhibitor (Mig-6), PI3K inhibitors (FOG2 and Pten) and an inducer (p53) of pro-apoptotic genes, for AKT activation and down-regulation of p53. These findings may contribute the therapeutic benefits for stroke and other neuronal diseases associated with demyelination disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoranjan Santra
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Michael Chopp
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Physics, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, USA
| | - Sutapa Santra
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Ankita Nallani
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Shivam Vyas
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Zheng Gang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Daniel C Morris
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
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Kim DH, Moon EY, Yi JH, Lee HE, Park SJ, Ryu YK, Kim HC, Lee S, Ryu JH. Peptide fragment of thymosin β4 increases hippocampal neurogenesis and facilitates spatial memory. Neuroscience 2015; 310:51-62. [PMID: 26363149 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Revised: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Although several studies have suggested the neuroprotective effect of thymosin β4 (TB4), a major actin-sequestering protein, on the central nervous system, little is understood regarding the action of N-acetyl-serylaspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP), a peptide fragment of TB4 on brain function. Here, we examined neurogenesis-stimulative effect of Ac-SDKP. Intrahippocampal infusion of Ac-SDKP facilitated the generation of new neurons in the hippocampus. Ac-SDKP-treated mouse hippocampus showed an increase in β-catenin stability with reduction of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) activity. Moreover, inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling blocked Ac-SDKP-facilitated neural proliferation. Subchronic intrahippocampal infusion of Ac-SDKP also increased spatial memory. Taken together, these data demonstrate that Ac-SDKP functions as a regulator of neural proliferation and indicate that Ac-SDKP may be a therapeutic candidate for diseases characterized by neuronal loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- D H Kim
- Department of Medicinal Biotechnology, College of Natural Resources and Life Science, Dong-A University, Busan 604-714, Republic of Korea; Dong-A Anti-Aging Research Center, Dong-A University, Busan 604-714, Republic of Korea
| | - E-Y Moon
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul 143-747, Republic of Korea.
| | - J H Yi
- School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - H E Lee
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea; Kyung Hee East-West Pharmaceutical Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea
| | - S J Park
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea; Kyung Hee East-West Pharmaceutical Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Y-K Ryu
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul 143-747, Republic of Korea
| | - H-C Kim
- Biomedical Mouse Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Taejeon 305-806, Republic of Korea
| | - S Lee
- Faculty of Marine Biomedical Science, Cheju National University, Jeju 690-756, Republic of Korea
| | - J H Ryu
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea; Department of Oriental Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea; Kyung Hee East-West Pharmaceutical Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
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Xiong Y, Zhang Y, Mahmood A, Chopp M. Investigational agents for treatment of traumatic brain injury. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2015; 24:743-60. [PMID: 25727893 PMCID: PMC4433440 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.2015.1021919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. To date, there are no pharmacologic agents proven to improve outcomes from TBI because all the Phase III clinical trials in TBI have failed. Thus, there is a compelling need to develop treatments for TBI. AREAS COVERED The following article provides an overview of select cell-based and pharmacological therapies under early development for the treatment of TBI. These therapies seek to enhance cognitive and neurological functional recovery through neuroprotective and neurorestorative strategies. EXPERT OPINION TBI elicits both complex degenerative and regenerative tissue responses in the brain. TBI can lead to cognitive, behavioral, and motor deficits. Although numerous promising neuroprotective treatment options have emerged from preclinical studies that mainly target the lesion, translation of preclinical effective neuroprotective drugs to clinical trials has proven challenging. Accumulating evidence indicates that the mammalian brain has a significant, albeit limited, capacity for both structural and functional plasticity, as well as regeneration essential for spontaneous functional recovery after injury. A new therapeutic approach is to stimulate neurovascular remodeling by enhancing angiogenesis, neurogenesis, oligodendrogenesis, and axonal sprouting, which in concert, may improve neurological functional recovery after TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Xiong
- Henry Ford Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery , Education and Research Building, Room 3096, 2799 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202 , USA +1 313 916 4743 ; +1 313 916 9855 ;
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Ishrat T, Pillai B, Soliman S, Fouda AY, Kozak A, Johnson MH, Ergul A, Fagan SC. Low-dose candesartan enhances molecular mediators of neuroplasticity and subsequent functional recovery after ischemic stroke in rats. Mol Neurobiol 2014; 51:1542-53. [PMID: 25084762 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-014-8830-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
We have previously reported that angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) blockade with candesartan exerts neurovascular protection after experimental cerebral ischemia. Here, we tested the hypothesis that a low, subhypotensive dose of candesartan enhances neuroplasticity and subsequent functional recovery through enhanced neurotrophic factor expression in rats subjected to ischemia reperfusion injury. Male Wistar rats (290-300 g) underwent 90 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and received candesartan (0.3 mg/kg) or saline at reperfusion and then once every 24 h for 7 days. Functional deficits were assessed in a blinded manner at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after MCAO. Animals were sacrificed 14-day post-stroke and the brains perfused for infarct size by cresyl violet. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the expression of growth factors and synaptic proteins. Candesartan-treated animals showed a significant reduction in the infarct size [t (13) = -5.5, P = 0.0001] accompanied by functional recovery in Bederson [F (1, 13) = 7.9, P = 0.015], beam walk [F (1, 13) = 6.7, P = 0.023], grip strength [F (1, 13) = 15.2, P = 0.0031], and rotarod performance [F (1, 14) = 29.8, P < 0.0001]. In addition, candesartan-treated animals showed significantly higher expression of active metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), laminin, and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1). The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor was significantly increased in the animals treated with candesartan. Also, we observed significant increases in neuroplasticity markers, synaptophysin, and PSD-95. These results indicate that low-dose candesartan had a large and enduring effect on measures of plasticity, and this accompanied the functional recovery after ischemic stroke.
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Santra M, Zhang ZG, Yang J, Santra S, Santra S, Chopp M, Morris DC. Thymosin β4 up-regulation of microRNA-146a promotes oligodendrocyte differentiation and suppression of the Toll-like proinflammatory pathway. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:19508-18. [PMID: 24828499 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.529966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymosin β4 (Tβ4), a G-actin-sequestering peptide, improves neurological outcome in rat models of neurological injury. Tissue inflammation results from neurological injury, and regulation of the inflammatory response is vital for neurological recovery. The innate immune response system, which includes the Toll-like receptor (TLR) proinflammatory signaling pathway, regulates tissue injury. We hypothesized that Tβ4 regulates the TLR proinflammatory signaling pathway. Because oligodendrogenesis plays an important role in neurological recovery, we employed an in vitro primary rat embryonic cell model of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) and a mouse N20.1 OPC cell line to measure the effects of Tβ4 on the TLR pathway. Cells were grown in the presence of Tβ4, ranging from 25 to 100 ng/ml (RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals Inc., Rockville, MD), for 4 days. Quantitative real-time PCR data demonstrated that Tβ4 treatment increased expression of microRNA-146a (miR-146a), a negative regulator the TLR signaling pathway, in these two cell models. Western blot analysis showed that Tβ4 treatment suppressed expression of IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), two proinflammatory cytokines of the TLR signaling pathway. Transfection of miR-146a into both primary rat embryonic OPCs and mouse N20.1 OPCs treated with Tβ4 demonstrated an amplification of myelin basic protein (MBP) expression and differentiation of OPC into mature MBP-expressing oligodendrocytes. Transfection of anti-miR-146a nucleotides reversed the inhibitory effect of Tβ4 on IRAK1 and TRAF6 and decreased expression of MBP. These data suggest that Tβ4 suppresses the TLR proinflammatory pathway by up-regulating miR-146a.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Michael Chopp
- From the Departments of Neurology, the Department of Physics, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48309
| | - Daniel C Morris
- Emergency Medicine, Henry Ford Health Systems, Detroit, Michigan 48202 and
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Kozaczuk A, Selmi A, Bednarek R. Bacterial expression, purification and angiogenesis-promoting activity of human thymosin β4. Protein Expr Purif 2013; 90:142-52. [PMID: 23769831 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2013.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2013] [Revised: 05/31/2013] [Accepted: 06/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is an actin-binding peptide involved in tissue regeneration and angiogenesis. This 43-amino acid peptide is chemically synthesized for research or clinical trials. To overcome the high costs of solid phase synthesis, we developed a genetic engineering procedure of Tβ4 expression in a protease-deficient host strain, Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), transformed with different expression vectors (pRSETA, pET-15b and pEcoli-Cterm6 × HN). The recombinant, non-glycosylated peptide was overexpressed in soluble form and purified by two-step immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography. Use of the pET vector expression system allowed for easy removal of the polyhistidine tag by thrombin. Functional studies revealed that recombinant Tβ4 stimulated angiogenesis via activation of the endothelial proteolytic systems, inhibition of endothelial cell adhesion, promotion of migration and capillary tube formation in Matrigel, and that its activity was similar to that observed for the synthetic peptide. The presented study comprises the first evidence that recombinant Tβ4 promotes angiogenesis in an in vitro endothelial cell model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kozaczuk
- Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Science, Lodz, Poland
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Romanova EV, Lee JE, Kelleher NL, Sweedler JV, Gulley JM. Comparative peptidomics analysis of neural adaptations in rats repeatedly exposed to amphetamine. J Neurochem 2012; 123:276-87. [PMID: 22860605 PMCID: PMC3463764 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2012.07912.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2012] [Revised: 08/02/2012] [Accepted: 08/03/2012] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Repeated exposure to amphetamine (AMPH) induces long-lasting behavioral changes, referred to as sensitization, that are accompanied by various neuroadaptations in the brain. To investigate the chemical changes that occur during behavioral sensitization, we applied a comparative proteomics approach to screen for neuropeptide changes in a rodent model of AMPH-induced sensitization. By measuring peptide profiles with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and comparing signal intensities using principal component analysis and variance statistics, subsets of peptides are found with significant differences in the dorsal striatum, nucleus accumbens, and medial prefrontal cortex of AMPH-sensitized male Sprague-Dawley rats. These biomarker peptides, identified in follow-up analyses using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry, suggest that behavioral sensitization to AMPH is associated with complex chemical adaptations that regulate energy/metabolism, neurotransmission, apoptosis, neuroprotection, and neuritogenesis, as well as cytoskeleton integrity and neuronal morphology. Our data contribute to a growing number of reports showing that in addition to the mesolimbic dopamine system, which is the best known signaling pathway involved with reinforcing the effect of psychostimulants, concomitant chemical changes in other pathways and in neuronal organization may play a part in the overall effect of chronic AMPH exposure on behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena V. Romanova
- Department of Chemistry and the Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Ji Eun Lee
- Department of Chemistry and the Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Neil L. Kelleher
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, and The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd., Evanston, IL USA
| | - Jonathan V. Sweedler
- Department of Chemistry and the Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 505 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Joshua M. Gulley
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 505 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 603 E. Daniel St., Champaign, IL 61820, USA
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Buller B, Chopp M, Ueno Y, Zhang L, Zhang RL, Morris D, Zhang Y, Zhang ZG. Regulation of serum response factor by miRNA-200 and miRNA-9 modulates oligodendrocyte progenitor cell differentiation. Glia 2012; 60:1906-14. [PMID: 22907787 DOI: 10.1002/glia.22406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2012] [Accepted: 07/24/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Serum response factor (SRF) is a transcription factor that transactivates actin-associated genes and has been implicated in oligodendrocyte (OL) differentiation. To date, it has not been investigated in cerebral ischemia. We investigated the dynamics of SRF expression after stroke in vivo and the role of SRF in OL differentiation in vitro. Using immunohistochemistry, we found that SRF was upregulated in OLs and OL precursor cells (OPCs) after stroke. Moreover, upregulation of SRF was concurrent with downregulation of the micro-RNAs (miRNAs) miR-9 and the miR-200 family in the ischemic white matter region, the corpus callosum. Inhibition of SRF activation by CCG-1423, a specific inhibitor of SRF function, blocked OPCs from differentiating into OLs. Overexpression of miR-9 and miR-200 in cultured OPCs suppressed SRF expression and inhibited OPC differentiation. Moreover, co-expression of miR-9 and miR-200 attenuated activity of a luciferase reporter assay containing the Srf 3' untranslated region. Collectively, this study is the first to show that stroke upregulates SRF expression in OPCs and OLs, and that SRF levels are mediated by miRNAs and regulate OPC differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Buller
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA
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Xiong Y, Zhang Y, Mahmood A, Meng Y, Zhang ZG, Morris DC, Chopp M. Neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects of thymosin β4 treatment initiated 6 hours after traumatic brain injury in rats. J Neurosurg 2012; 116:1081-92. [PMID: 22324420 PMCID: PMC3392183 DOI: 10.3171/2012.1.jns111729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECT Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is a regenerative multifunctional peptide. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that Tβ4 treatment initiated 6 hours postinjury reduces brain damage and improves functional recovery in rats subjected to traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS Traumatic brain injury was induced by controlled cortical impact over the left parietal cortex in young adult male Wistar rats. The rats were randomly divided into the following groups: 1) saline group (n = 7); 2) 6 mg/kg Tβ4 group (n = 8); and 3) 30 mg/kg Tβ4 group (n = 8). Thymosin β4 or saline was administered intraperitoneally starting at 6 hours postinjury and again at 24 and 48 hours. An additional group of 6 animals underwent surgery without TBI (sham-injury group). Sensorimotor function and spatial learning were assessed using the modified Neurological Severity Score and the Morris water maze test, respectively. Animals were euthanized 35 days after injury, and brain sections were processed to assess lesion volume, hippocampal cell loss, cell proliferation, and neurogenesis after Tβ4 treatment. RESULTS Compared with saline administration, Tβ4 treatment initiated 6 hours postinjury significantly improved sensorimotor functional recovery and spatial learning, reduced cortical lesion volume and hippocampal cell loss, and enhanced cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the injured hippocampus. The high dose of Tβ4 showed better beneficial effects compared with the low-dose treatment. CONCLUSIONS Thymosin β4 treatment initiated 6 hours postinjury provides both neuroprotection and neurorestoration after TBI, indicating that Tβ4 has promising therapeutic potential in patients with TBI. These data warrant further investigation of the optimal dose and therapeutic window of Tβ4 treatment for TBI and the associated underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Xiong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA.
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Goldstein AL, Hannappel E, Sosne G, Kleinman HK. Thymosin β4: a multi-functional regenerative peptide. Basic properties and clinical applications. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2011; 12:37-51. [DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2012.634793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Paulussen M, Arckens L. Striking neuronal thymosin beta 4 expression in the deep layers of the mouse superior colliculus after monocular deprivation. Brain Struct Funct 2011; 217:81-91. [DOI: 10.1007/s00429-011-0330-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2011] [Accepted: 05/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Xiong Y, Mahmood A, Chopp M. Neurorestorative treatments for traumatic brain injury. DISCOVERY MEDICINE 2010; 10:434-42. [PMID: 21122475 PMCID: PMC3122155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a major cause of death and permanent disability worldwide, especially in children and young adults. A total of 1.5 million people experience head trauma each year in the United States, with an annual economic cost exceeding $56 billion. Unfortunately, almost all Phase III TBI clinical trials have yet to yield a safe and effective neuroprotective treatment, raising questions regarding the use of neuroprotective strategies as the primary therapy for acute brain injuries. Recent preclinical data suggest that neurorestorative strategies that promote angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing endothelial cells), axonal remodeling (axonal sprouting and pruning), neurogenesis (generation of new neurons) and synaptogenesis (formation of new synapses) provide promising opportunities for the treatment of TBI. This review discusses select cell-based and pharmacological therapies that activate and amplify these endogenous restorative brain plasticity processes to promote both repair and regeneration of injured brain tissue and functional recovery after TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Xiong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Henry Ford Health System, 2799 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Asim Mahmood
- Department of Neurosurgery, Henry Ford Health System, 2799 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Michael Chopp
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health System, 2799 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
- Department of Physics, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, USA
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