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Pavlou A, Mulenge F, Gern OL, Busker LM, Greimel E, Waltl I, Kalinke U. Orchestration of antiviral responses within the infected central nervous system. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:943-958. [PMID: 38997413 PMCID: PMC11364666 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01181-7] [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: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Many newly emerging and re-emerging viruses have neuroinvasive potential, underscoring viral encephalitis as a global research priority. Upon entry of the virus into the CNS, severe neurological life-threatening conditions may manifest that are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The currently available therapeutic arsenal against viral encephalitis is rather limited, emphasizing the need to better understand the conditions of local antiviral immunity within the infected CNS. In this review, we discuss new insights into the pathophysiology of viral encephalitis, with a focus on myeloid cells and CD8+ T cells, which critically contribute to protection against viral CNS infection. By illuminating the prerequisites of myeloid and T cell activation, discussing new discoveries regarding their transcriptional signatures, and dissecting the mechanisms of their recruitment to sites of viral replication within the CNS, we aim to further delineate the complexity of antiviral responses within the infected CNS. Moreover, we summarize the current knowledge in the field of virus infection and neurodegeneration and discuss the potential links of some neurotropic viruses with certain pathological hallmarks observed in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Pavlou
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Felix Mulenge
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Olivia Luise Gern
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lena Mareike Busker
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Greimel
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Inken Waltl
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ulrich Kalinke
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
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2
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Hwang M, Bergmann CC. Neurotropic murine coronavirus mediated demyelination: Factors dampening pathogenesis. J Neuroimmunol 2024; 393:578382. [PMID: 38850674 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2024.578382] [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: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Virus infections and autoimmune responses are implicated as primary triggers of demyelinating diseases. Specifically, the association of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection with development of multiple sclerosis (MS) has re-ignited an interest in virus induced autoimmune responses to CNS antigens. Nevertheless, demyelination may also be caused by immune mediated bystander pathology in an attempt to control direct infection in the CNS. Tissue damage as a result of anti-viral responses or low level viral persistence may lead to immune activation manifesting in demyelinating lesions, axonal damage and clinical symptoms. This review focuses on the neurotropic mouse coronavirus induced demyelination model to highlight how immune responses activated during the acute phase pave the way to dampen pathology and promote repair. We specifically discuss the role of immune dampening factors programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and interleukin (IL)-10, as well as microglia and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2), in limiting demyelination independent of viral persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihyun Hwang
- Department of Neurosciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA; Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Cornelia C Bergmann
- Department of Neurosciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA; Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Zhou X, Wang J, Yu L, Qiao G, Qin D, Yuen-Kwan Law B, Ren F, Wu J, Wu A. Mitophagy and cGAS-STING crosstalk in neuroinflammation. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:3327-3361. [PMID: 39220869 PMCID: PMC11365416 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Mitophagy, essential for mitochondrial health, selectively degrades damaged mitochondria. It is intricately linked to the cGAS-STING pathway, which is crucial for innate immunity. This pathway responds to mitochondrial DNA and is associated with cellular stress response. Our review explores the molecular details and regulatory mechanisms of mitophagy and the cGAS-STING pathway. We critically evaluate the literature demonstrating how dysfunctional mitophagy leads to neuroinflammatory conditions, primarily through the accumulation of damaged mitochondria, which activates the cGAS-STING pathway. This activation prompts the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, exacerbating neuroinflammation. This review emphasizes the interaction between mitophagy and the cGAS-STING pathways. Effective mitophagy may suppress the cGAS-STING pathway, offering protection against neuroinflammation. Conversely, impaired mitophagy may activate the cGAS-STING pathway, leading to chronic neuroinflammation. Additionally, we explored how this interaction influences neurodegenerative disorders, suggesting a common mechanism underlying these diseases. In conclusion, there is a need for additional targeted research to unravel the complexities of mitophagy-cGAS-STING interactions and their role in neurodegeneration. This review highlights potential therapies targeting these pathways, potentially leading to new treatments for neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions. This synthesis enhances our understanding of the cellular and molecular foundations of neuroinflammation and opens new therapeutic avenues for neurodegenerative disease research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaogang Zhou
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Drugability Evaluation, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Drugability Evaluation, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Lu Yu
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Drugability Evaluation, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Gan Qiao
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Drugability Evaluation, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Dalian Qin
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Drugability Evaluation, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Betty Yuen-Kwan Law
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Fang Ren
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing 400021, China
| | - Jianming Wu
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Drugability Evaluation, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Anguo Wu
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Drugability Evaluation, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
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Bharadwaj S, Groza Y, Mierzwicka JM, Malý P. Current understanding on TREM-2 molecular biology and physiopathological functions. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 134:112042. [PMID: 38703564 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112042] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM-2), a glycosylated receptor belonging to the immunoglobin superfamily and especially expressed in the myeloid cell lineage, is frequently explained as a reminiscent receptor for both adaptive and innate immunity regulation. TREM-2 is also acknowledged to influence NK cell differentiation via the PI3K and PLCγ signaling pathways, as well as the partial activation or direct inhibition of T cells. Additionally, TREM-2 overexpression is substantially linked to cell-specific functions, such as enhanced phagocytosis, reduced toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated inflammatory cytokine production, increased transcription of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and reshaped T cell function. Whereas TREM-2-deficient cells exhibit diminished phagocytic function and enhanced proinflammatory cytokines production, proceeding to inflammatory injuries and an immunosuppressive environment for disease progression. Despite the growing literature supporting TREM-2+ cells in various diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders and cancer, substantial facets of TREM-2-mediated signaling remain inadequately understood relevant to pathophysiology conditions. In this direction, herein, we have summarized the current knowledge on TREM-2 biology and cell-specific TREM-2 expression, particularly in the modulation of pivotal TREM-2-dependent functions under physiopathological conditions. Furthermore, molecular regulation and generic biological relevance of TREM-2 are also discussed, which might provide an alternative approach for preventing or reducing TREM-2-associated deformities. At last, we discussed the TREM-2 function in supporting an immunosuppressive cancer environment and as a potential drug target for cancer immunotherapy. Hence, summarized knowledge of TREM-2 might provide a window to overcome challenges in clinically effective therapies for TREM-2-induced diseases in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiv Bharadwaj
- Laboratory of Ligand Engineering, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV Research Center, Průmyslová 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic.
| | - Yaroslava Groza
- Laboratory of Ligand Engineering, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV Research Center, Průmyslová 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Joanna M Mierzwicka
- Laboratory of Ligand Engineering, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV Research Center, Průmyslová 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Malý
- Laboratory of Ligand Engineering, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV Research Center, Průmyslová 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic.
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Kettunen P, Koistinaho J, Rolova T. Contribution of CNS and extra-CNS infections to neurodegeneration: a narrative review. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:152. [PMID: 38845026 PMCID: PMC11157808 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03139-y] [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: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system infections have been suggested as a possible cause for neurodegenerative diseases, particularly sporadic cases. They trigger neuroinflammation which is considered integrally involved in neurodegenerative processes. In this review, we will look at data linking a variety of viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoan infections to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis and unspecified dementia. This narrative review aims to bring together a broad range of data currently supporting the involvement of central nervous system infections in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. The idea that no single pathogen or pathogen group is responsible for neurodegenerative diseases will be discussed. Instead, we suggest that a wide range of susceptibility factors may make individuals differentially vulnerable to different infectious pathogens and subsequent pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinja Kettunen
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jari Koistinaho
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Taisia Rolova
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Ukraintseva S, Yashkin AP, Akushevich I, Arbeev K, Duan H, Gorbunova G, Stallard E, Yashin A. Associations of infections and vaccines with Alzheimer's disease point to a role of compromised immunity rather than specific pathogen in AD. Exp Gerontol 2024; 190:112411. [PMID: 38548241 PMCID: PMC11060001 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2024.112411] [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: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diverse pathogens (viral, bacterial, fungal) have been associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related traits in various studies. This suggests that compromised immunity, rather than specific microbes, may play a role in AD by increasing an individual's vulnerability to various infections, which could contribute to neurodegeneration. If true, then vaccines that have heterologous effects on immunity, extending beyond protection against the targeted disease, may hold a potential for AD prevention. METHODS We evaluated the associations of common adult infections (herpes simplex, zoster (shingles), pneumonia, and recurrent mycoses), and vaccinations against shingles and pneumonia, with the risks of AD and other dementias in a pseudorandomized sample of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). RESULTS Shingles, pneumonia and mycoses, diagnosed between ages 65 and 75, were all associated with significantly increased risk of AD later in life, by 16 %-42 %. Pneumococcal and shingles vaccines administered between ages 65-75 were both associated with a significantly lower risk of AD, by 15 %-21 %. These effects became less pronounced when AD was combined with other dementias. DISCUSSION Our findings suggest that both the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine and the live attenuated zoster vaccine can offer significant protection against AD. It remains to be determined if non-live shingles vaccine has a similar beneficial effect on AD. This study also found significant associations of various infections with the risk of AD, but not with the risks of other dementias. This indicates that vulnerability to infections may play a more significant role in AD than in other types of dementia, which warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Ukraintseva
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Arseniy P Yashkin
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Igor Akushevich
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Konstantin Arbeev
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Hongzhe Duan
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Galina Gorbunova
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Eric Stallard
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Anatoliy Yashin
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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Fruhwürth S, Zetterberg H, Paludan SR. Microglia and amyloid plaque formation in Alzheimer's disease - Evidence, possible mechanisms, and future challenges. J Neuroimmunol 2024; 390:578342. [PMID: 38640827 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2024.578342] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by cognitive decline that severely affects patients and their families. Genetic and environmental risk factors, such as viral infections, synergize to accelerate the aging-associated neurodegeneration. Genetic risk factors for late-onset AD (LOAD), which accounts for most AD cases, are predominantly implicated in microglial and immune cell functions. As such, microglia play a major role in formation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques, the major pathological hallmark of AD. This review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge regarding the role of microglia in Aβ plaque formation, as well as their impact on morphological and functional diversity of Aβ plaques. Based on this discussion, we seek to identify challenges and opportunities in this field with potential therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Fruhwürth
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden; Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London Queen Square, London, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK; Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China; Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA
| | - Søren R Paludan
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammatory Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
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Gentile JE, Heiss C, Corridon TL, Mortberg MA, Fruhwürth S, Guzman K, Grötschel L, Chan K, Herring NC, Janicki T, Nhass R, Sarathy JM, Erickson B, Kunz R, Erickson A, Braun C, Henry KT, Bry L, Arnold SE, Minikel EV, Zetterberg H, Vallabh SM. Evidence that minocycline treatment confounds the interpretation of neurofilament as a biomarker. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.05.01.24306384. [PMID: 38746398 PMCID: PMC11092701 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.01.24306384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Neurofilament light (NfL) concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood serves as an important biomarker in neurology drug development. Changes in NfL are generally assumed to reflect changes in neuronal damage, while little is known about the clearance of NfL from biofluids. We observed an NfL increase of 3.5-fold in plasma and 5.7-fold in CSF in an asymptomatic individual at risk for genetic prion disease following 6 weeks' treatment with oral minocycline for a dermatologic indication. Other biomarkers remained normal, and proteomic analysis of CSF revealed that the spike was exquisitely specific to neurofilaments. NfL dropped nearly to normal levels 5 weeks after minocycline cessation, and the individual remained free of disease 2 years later. Plasma NfL in dermatology patients was not elevated above normal controls. Dramatically high plasma NfL (>500 pg/mL) was variably observed in some hospitalized individuals receiving minocycline. In mice, treatment with minocycline resulted in variable increases of 1.3- to 4.0-fold in plasma NfL, with complete washout 2 weeks after cessation. In neuron-microglia co-cultures, minocycline increased NfL concentration in conditioned media by 3.0-fold without any visually obvious impact on neuronal health. We hypothesize that minocycline does not cause or exacerbate neuronal damage, but instead impacts the clearance of NfL from biofluids, a potential confounder for interpretation of this biomarker.
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Suptela AJ, Radwan Y, Richardson C, Yan S, Afonin KA, Marriott I. cGAS Mediates the Inflammatory Responses of Human Microglial Cells to Genotoxic DNA Damage. Inflammation 2024; 47:822-836. [PMID: 38148453 PMCID: PMC11073916 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-023-01946-8] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Genomic instability is a key driving force for the development and progression of many age-related neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system (CNS) cancers. Recently, the cytosolic DNA sensor, cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), has been shown to detect and respond to self-DNA accumulation resulting from DNA damaging insults in peripheral cell types. cGAS has been shown to be important in the responses of microglia to DNA viruses and amyloid beta, and we have reported that it underlies the responses of human microglia to exogenous DNA. However, the role of this cytosolic sensor in the detection of self-DNA by glia is poorly understood and its ability to mediate the cellular responses of human microglia to genotoxic DNA damage has not been established. Here, we describe the ability of ionizing radiation and oxidative stress to elicit genomic DNA damage in human microglial cells and to stimulate the production of key inflammatory mediators by these cells in an NF-kB dependent manner. Importantly, we have utilized CRISPR/Cas9 and siRNA-mediated knockdown approaches and a pharmacological inhibitor of the cGAS adaptor protein stimulator of interferon genes (STING) to demonstrate that the cGAS-STING pathway plays a critical role in the generation of these microglial immune responses to such genotoxic insults. Together, these studies support the notion that cGAS mediates the detection of cytosolic self-DNA by microglia, providing a potential mechanism linking genomic instability to the development of CNS cancers and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Suptela
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Yasmine Radwan
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Christine Richardson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Shan Yan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Kirill A Afonin
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Ian Marriott
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA.
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