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Chen J, Wei X, Wu X, Zhang Q, Xia G, Xia H, Shang H, Lin S. Disorder of neuroplasticity aggravates cognitive impairment via neuroinflammation associated with intestinal flora dysbiosis in chronic heart failure. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:10882-10904. [PMID: 38968172 PMCID: PMC11272129 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic heart failure (CHF) impairs cognitive function, yet its effects on brain structure and underlying mechanisms remain elusive. This study aims to explore the mechanisms behind cognitive impairment. METHODS CHF models in rats were induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Cardiac function was analyzed by cardiac ultrasound and hemodynamics. ELISA, immunofluorescence, Western blot, Golgi staining and transmission electron microscopy were performed on hippocampal tissues. The alterations of intestinal flora under the morbid state were investigated via 16S rRNA sequencing. The connection between neuroinflammation and synapses is confirmed by a co-culture system of BV2 microglia and HT22 cells in vitro. Results: CHF rats exhibited deteriorated cognitive behaviors. CHF induced neuronal structural disruption, loss of Nissl bodies, and synaptic damage, exhibiting alterations in multiple parameters. CHF rats showed increased hippocampal levels of inflammatory cytokines and activated microglia and astrocytes. Furthermore, the study highlights dysregulated PDE4-dependent cAMP signaling and intestinal flora dysbiosis, closely associated with neuroinflammation, and altered synaptic proteins. In vitro, microglial neuroinflammation impaired synaptic plasticity via PDE4-dependent cAMP signaling. CONCLUSIONS Neuroinflammation worsens CHF-related cognitive impairment through neuroplasticity disorder, tied to intestinal flora dysbiosis. PDE4 emerges as a potential therapeutic target. These findings provide insightful perspectives on the heart-gut-brain axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Chen
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Xiaohong Wei
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Xuefen Wu
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Guiyang Xia
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Huan Xia
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Hongcai Shang
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Sheng Lin
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
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Li H, Wang X, Hu C, Cui J, Li H, Luo X, Hao Y. IL-6 Enhances the Activation of PI3K-AKT/mTOR-GSK-3β by Upregulating GRPR in Hippocampal Neurons of Autistic Mice. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2024; 19:12. [PMID: 38536552 PMCID: PMC10972920 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-024-10111-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder associated with brain inflammation. The underlying mechanisms could be attributed to the activation of PI3K signaling in the inflamed brain of ASD. Multiple studies highlight the role of GRPR in regulating ASD like abnormal behavior and enhancing the PI3K signaling. However, the molecular mechanism by which GRPR regulates PI3K signaling in neurons of individuals with ASD is still unclear. In this study, we utilized a maternal immune activation model to investigate the effects of GRPR on PI3K signaling in the inflamed brain of ASD mice. We used HT22 cells with and without GRPR to examine the impact of GRP-GRPR on the PI3K-AKT pathway with IL-6 treatment. We analyzed a dataset of hippocampus samples from ASD mice to identify hub genes. Our results demonstrated increased expression of IL-6, GRPR, and PI3K-AKT signaling in the hippocampus of ASD mice. Additionally, we observed increased GRPR expression and PI3K-AKT/mTOR activation in HT22 cells after IL-6 treatment, but decreased expression in HT22 cells with GRPR knockdown. NetworkAnalyst identified GSK-3β as the most crucial gene in the PI3K-AKT/mTOR pathway in the hippocampus of ASD. Furthermore, we found that IL-6 upregulated the expression of GSK-3β in HT22 cells by upregulating GRP-GRPR. Our findings suggest that IL-6 can enhance the activation of PI3K-AKT/mTOR-GSK-3β in hippocampal neurons of ASD mice by upregulating GRPR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heli Li
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xinyuan Wang
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Cong Hu
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jinru Cui
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hao Li
- Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xiaoping Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yan Hao
- Division of Child Healthcare, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Virijevic K, Spasojevic N, Stefanovic B, Ferizovic H, Jankovic M, Vasiljevic P, Dronjak S. Chronic mild stress-induced dysregulation of MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex of WKY female rats. Neurosci Lett 2024; 825:137709. [PMID: 38431038 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats subjected to chronic mild stress (CMS) represent a valid model of treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Considering that depression is more prevalent in women than in men, in the present study, female rats were used. We investigated the effect of CMS on behavior and different factors involved in neuroinflammatory processes and neuroplasticity in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of WKY female rats. The results show that unstressed WKY females exhibited hypolocomotion, decreased exploratory behavior, and an increase in the total grooming time. After exposure to CMS, WKY females displayed intensified grooming. To investigate potential neural mechanisms underlying these behavioral changes, we analyzed signaling and inflammatory pathways in the hippocampus and mPFC. The findings indicate reduced BDNF and elevated levels levels of IL-1β in both brain structures and NLRP3 in the mPFC of unstressed WKY female rats. WKY rats subjected to CMS showed a further decrease in BDNF levels and increased IL-1β and NLRP3 in these brain structures. WKY showed reduced pERK1/2 and increased pp38 levels in both brain structures, while CMS revealed a further increase of pp38 in WKY in these brain structures. Expressions of p110β and pAKT were decreased in the hippocampus and mPFC of WKY rats. The CMS further suppressed p110 and the downstream AKT phosphorylation in the hippocampus, but did not affect the p110 and pAKT in the mPFC. Our findings indicate behavioral and molecular differences in genetically vulnerable WKY female rats and in their response to CMS that may be involved in TRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Virijevic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Institute of Nuclear Sciences "Vinca", National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Natasa Spasojevic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Institute of Nuclear Sciences "Vinca", National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Bojana Stefanovic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Institute of Nuclear Sciences "Vinca", National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Harisa Ferizovic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Institute of Nuclear Sciences "Vinca", National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milica Jankovic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Institute of Nuclear Sciences "Vinca", National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Perica Vasiljevic
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Nis, Niš, Serbia
| | - Sladjana Dronjak
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Institute of Nuclear Sciences "Vinca", National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
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Zhang R, Tao X, Sun R, Dai T, Xi X, Sun W, Song L, Gong W. Cognitive-exercise dual-task promotes cognitive function recovery in chronic cerebral ischemia male rats through regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway via inhibition of EphrinA3/EphA4. J Neurosci Res 2024; 102. [PMID: 38284844 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Chronic cerebral ischemia (CCI) can lead to vascular cognitive impairment, but therapeutic options are limited. Cognitive-exercise dual-task (CEDT), as a potential rehabilitation intervention, can attenuate cognitive impairment. However, the related mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, 2-vessel occlusion (2-VO) in male SD rats was performed to establish the CCI model. The rats were treated with cognitive, exercise, or CEDT intervention for 21 days. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to assess cognitive ability. TUNEL staining was used to detect the neuronal apoptosis. Immunofluorescence, RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the protein or mRNA levels of EphrinA3, EphA4, p-PI3K, and p-Akt. The results showed that CEDT could improve performance in the MWM test, reverse the increased expression of EphrinA3 and EphA4, and the reduced expression of p-PI3K and p-Akt in CCI rats, which was superior to exercise and cognitive interventions. In vitro, oxygenglucose deprivation (OGD) challenge of astrocytes and neuronal cells were used to mimic cerebral ischemia. Immunofluorescence assay revealed that the levels of MAP-2, p-PI3K, and p-Akt were reduced in EphrinA3 overexpressed cells after OGD stimulation. Finally, the knock-down of EphrinA3 by shRNA significantly promoted the recovery of cognitive function and activation of PI3K/Akt after CEDT treatment in CCI rats. In conclusion, our study suggests that CEDT promotes cognitive function recovery after CCI by regulating the signaling axis of EphrinA3/EphA4/PI3K/Akt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Zhang
- Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Rehabilitation Medicine Academy, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Xue Tao
- Department of Research, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruifeng Sun
- Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Rehabilitation Medicine Academy, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tengteng Dai
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - XiaoShuang Xi
- Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Rehabilitation Medicine Academy, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Weishuang Sun
- Rehabilitation Medicine Academy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Li Song
- Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Rehabilitation Medicine Academy, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Weijun Gong
- Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Ripoli C, Dagliyan O, Renna P, Pastore F, Paciello F, Sollazzo R, Rinaudo M, Battistoni M, Martini S, Tramutola A, Sattin A, Barone E, Saneyoshi T, Fellin T, Hayashi Y, Grassi C. Engineering memory with an extrinsically disordered kinase. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh1110. [PMID: 37967196 PMCID: PMC10651130 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh1110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity plays a crucial role in memory formation by regulating the communication between neurons. Although actin polymerization has been linked to synaptic plasticity and dendritic spine stability, the causal link between actin polymerization and memory encoding has not been identified yet. It is not clear whether actin polymerization and structural changes in dendritic spines are a driver or a consequence of learning and memory. Using an extrinsically disordered form of the protein kinase LIMK1, which rapidly and precisely acts on ADF/cofilin, a direct modifier of actin, we induced long-term enlargement of dendritic spines and enhancement of synaptic transmission in the hippocampus on command. The activation of extrinsically disordered LIMK1 in vivo improved memory encoding and slowed cognitive decline in aged mice exhibiting reduced cofilin phosphorylation. The engineered memory by an extrinsically disordered LIMK1 supports a direct causal link between actin-mediated synaptic transmission and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Ripoli
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Onur Dagliyan
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pietro Renna
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Pastore
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabiola Paciello
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Raimondo Sollazzo
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Rinaudo
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Battistoni
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Martini
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Tramutola
- Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi-Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Sattin
- Optical Approaches to Brain Function Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Eugenio Barone
- Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi-Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Takeo Saneyoshi
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Tommaso Fellin
- Optical Approaches to Brain Function Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Yasunori Hayashi
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Davies RA, Barbee BR, Garcia-Sifuentes Y, Butkovich LM, Gourley SL. Subunit-selective PI3-kinase control of action strategies in the medial prefrontal cortex. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2023; 203:107789. [PMID: 37328026 PMCID: PMC10527156 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
PI3-kinase (PI3K) is an intracellular signaling complex that is stimulated upon cocaine exposure and linked with the behavioral consequences of cocaine. We recently genetically silenced the PI3K p110β subunit in the medial prefrontal cortex following repeated cocaine in mice, reinstating the capacity of these mice to engage in prospective goal-seeking behavior. In the present short report, we address two follow-up hypotheses: 1) The control of decision-making behavior by PI3K p110β is attributable to neuronal signaling, and 2) PI3K p110β in the healthy (i.e., drug-naïve) medial prefrontal cortex has functional consequences in the control of reward-related decision-making strategies. In Experiment 1, we found that silencing neuronal p110β improved action flexibility following cocaine. In Experiment 2, we reduced PI3K p110β in drug-naïve mice that were extensively trained to respond for food reinforcers. Gene silencing caused mice to abandon goal-seeking strategies, unmasking habit-based behaviors that were propelled by interactions with the nucleus accumbens. Thus, PI3K control of goal-directed action strategies appears to act in accordance with an inverted U-shaped function, with "too much" (following cocaine) or "too little" (following p110β subunit silencing) obstructing goal seeking and causing mice to defer to habit-like response sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Davies
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, USA
| | - Britton R Barbee
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, USA; Graduate Program in Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Emory University, USA
| | - Yesenia Garcia-Sifuentes
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, USA
| | - Laura M Butkovich
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, USA
| | - Shannon L Gourley
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, USA; Graduate Program in Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Emory University, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, USA.
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