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Verma AK, Singh S, Rizvi SI. Therapeutic potential of melatonin and its derivatives in aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Biogerontology 2023; 24:183-206. [PMID: 36550377 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-022-10006-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Aging is associated with increasing impairments in brain homeostasis and represents the main risk factor across most neurodegenerative disorders. Melatonin, a neuroendocrine hormone that regulates mammalian chronobiology and endocrine functions is well known for its antioxidant potential, exhibiting both cytoprotective and chronobiotic abilities. Age-related decline of melatonin disrupting mitochondrial homeostasis and cytosolic DNA-mediated inflammatory reactions in neurons is a major contributory factor in the emergence of neurological abnormalities. There is scattered literature on the possible use of melatonin against neurodegenerative mechanisms in the aging process and its associated diseases. We have searched PUBMED with many combinations of key words for available literature spanning two decades. Based on the vast number of experimental papers, we hereby review recent advancements concerning the potential impact of melatonin on cellular redox balance and mitochondrial dynamics in the context of neurodegeneration. Next, we discuss a broader explanation of the involvement of disrupted redox homeostasis in the pathophysiology of age-related diseases and its connection to circadian mechanisms. Our effort may result in the discovery of novel therapeutic approaches. Finally, we summarize the current knowledge on molecular and circadian regulatory mechanisms of melatonin to overcome neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, however, these findings need to be confirmed by larger, well-designed clinical trials. This review is also expected to uncover the associated molecular alterations in the aging brain and explain how melatonin-mediated circadian restoration of neuronal homeodynamics may increase healthy lifespan in age-related NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avnish Kumar Verma
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, 211002, India
| | - Sandeep Singh
- Biological Psychiatry Laboratory, Hadassah Medical Center - Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Syed Ibrahim Rizvi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, 211002, India.
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Jhan KY, Chang PK, Cheng CJ, Jung SM, Wang LC. Synaptic loss and progression in mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis in the early stage. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:85. [PMID: 35414007 PMCID: PMC9006624 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02436-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Angiostrongylus cantonensis is also known as rat lungworm. Infection with this parasite is a zoonosis that can cause eosinophilic meningitis and/or eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in humans and may lead to fatal outcomes in severe cases. In this study, we explored the mechanisms of the impairments in the cognitive functions of mice infected with A. cantonensis. Methods In infected mice with different infective intensities at different timepoint postinfection, loss and recovery of cognitive functions such as learning and memory abilities were determined. Neuronal death and damage to synaptic structures were analyzed by Western blotting and IHC in infected mice with different infection intensities at different timepoint postinfection. Results The results of behavioral tests, pathological examinations, and Golgi staining showed that nerve damage caused by infection in mice occurred earlier than pathological changes of the brain. BDNF was expressed on 14 day post-infection. Cleaved caspase-3 increased significantly in the late stage of infection. However, IHC on NeuN indicated that no significant changes in the number of neurons were found between the infected and uninfected groups. Conclusions The synaptic loss caused by the infection of A. cantonensis provides a possible explanation for the impairment of cognitive functions in mice. The loss of cognitive functions may occur before severe immunological and pathological changes in the infected host. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-022-02436-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Yuan Jhan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan
| | - Pi-Kai Chang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Ju Cheng
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Ming Jung
- Department of Pathology, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang-Gung Children Hospital at Linkou and Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan
| | - Lian-Chen Wang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan. .,Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan. .,Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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Chen KY, Chen YJ, Cheng CJ, Jhan KY, Wang LC. Excretory/secretory products of Angiostrongylus cantonensis fifth-stage larvae induce endoplasmic reticulum stress via the Sonic hedgehog pathway in mouse astrocytes. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:317. [PMID: 32552877 PMCID: PMC7301976 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04189-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Angiostrongylus cantonensis is an important food-borne zoonotic parasite. Humans are non-permissive hosts, and this parasite develops into fifth-stage larvae (L5) in the brain and subarachnoid cavity and then induces eosinophilic meningitis and eosinophilic meningoencephalitis. Excretory/secretory products (ESPs) are valuable targets for the investigation of host-parasite interactions. These products contain a wide range of molecules for penetrating defensive barriers and avoiding the immune response of the host. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been found to be associated with a wide range of parasitic infections and inflammation. ER stress can increase cell survival via the activation of downstream signalling. However, the mechanisms of ER stress in A. cantonensis infection have not yet been clarified. This study was designed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of ER stress in astrocytes after treatment with the ESPs of A. cantonensis L5. RESULTS The results demonstrated that A. cantonensis infection activated astrocytes in the mouse hippocampus and induced the expression of ER stress-related molecules. Next, the data showed that the expression of ER stress-related molecules and the Ca2+ concentration were significantly increased in activated astrocytes after treatment with the ESPs of L5 of A. cantonensis. Ultimately, we found that ESPs induced GRP78 expression via the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signalling pathway. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that in astrocytes, the ESPs of A. cantonensis L5 induce ER stress and that the Shh signalling pathway plays an important role in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuang-Yao Chen
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan.
| | - Yi-Ju Chen
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Ju Cheng
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Yuan Jhan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan
| | - Lian-Chen Wang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan. .,Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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4
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Chen KY, Cheng CJ, Cheng CC, Jhan KY, Chen YJ, Wang LC. The excretory/secretory products of fifth-stage larval Angiostrongylus cantonensis induces autophagy via the Sonic hedgehog pathway in mouse brain astrocytes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008290. [PMID: 32479527 PMCID: PMC7289448 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiostrongyliasis is induced by the nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis and leads to eosinophilic meningitis and meningoencephalitis in humans. Excretory-secretory products (ESPs) are important investigation targets for studying the relationship between hosts and nematodes. These products assist worms in penetrating the blood-brain barrier and avoiding the host immune response. Autophagy is a catabolic process that is responsible for digesting cytoplasmic organelles, proteins, and lipids and removing them through lysosomes. This process is essential to cell survival and homeostasis during nutritional deficiency, cell injury and stress. In this study, we investigated autophagy induction upon treatment with the ESPs of the fifth-stage larvae (L5) of A. cantonensis and observed the relationship between autophagy and the Shh pathway. First, the results showed that A. cantonensis infection induced blood-brain barrier dysfunction and pathological changes in the brain. Moreover, A. cantonensis L5 ESPs stimulated autophagosome formation and the expression of autophagy molecules, such as LC3B, Beclin, and p62. The data showed that upon ESPs treatment, rapamycin elevated cell viability through the activation of the autophagy mechanism in astrocytes. Finally, we found that ESPs induced the activation of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway and that the expression of autophagy molecules was increased through the Shh signaling pathway. Collectively, these results suggest that A. cantonensis L5 ESPs stimulate autophagy through the Shh signaling pathway and that autophagy has a protective effect in astrocytes. In helminthes, Excretory-secretory products (ESPs) contains a wide range of molecules, including proteins, lipids, glycans, and nucleic acids, that assist in the penetration of host defensive barriers, reduction of oxidative stress, and avoid the host immune attack. It has been known as a key factor for parasite development, including feeding, invasion and molting. Therefore, ESPs is a valuable target for the investigation of the host-parasite relationships. However, only a few researches about the function of Angiostrongyliasis cantonensis ESPs have been verified to date. Angiostrongyliasis cantonensis, a blood-feeding nematode, and it is an important causative agent of eosinophilic meningitis and meningoencephalitis in human. Recent our studies have demonstrated that the A. cantonensis ESPs can induce oxidative stress, apoptosis, and immune response. In this study, we will use a mouse astrocytes as a model to investigate the signaling mechanisms of autophagy induction by ESPs treatment. First, the Microarray, Western blotting, and Transmission electron microscopy data demonstrated that A. cantonensis ESPs can induce autophagy generation in astrocytes. Next, ESPs-induced autophagy was activated via Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling, and it has a protective potential for astrocytes. These finding will provide new insights into the mechanisms and effects of the A. cantonensis ESPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuang-Yao Chen
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Ju Cheng
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chieh Cheng
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Yuan Jhan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ju Chen
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Lian-Chen Wang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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Huang H, Yu H, Lin L, Chen J, Zhu P. Protective effect of sonic hedgehog against oxidized low‑density lipoprotein‑induced endothelial apoptosis: Involvement of NF‑κB and Bcl‑2 signaling. Int J Mol Med 2020; 45:1864-1874. [PMID: 32186749 PMCID: PMC7169656 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is pivotally important in embryonic and adult blood vessel development and homeostasis. However, whether Shh is involved in atherosclerosis and plays a role in endothelial apoptosis induced by oxidized low‑density lipoprotein (ox‑LDL) has not been reported. The present study used recombinant Shh‑N protein (rShh‑N) and a plasmid encoding the human Shh gene (phShh) to investigate the role of Shh in ox‑LDL‑mediated human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) apoptosis. The present study found that ox‑LDL was able to induce apoptosis in HUVECs and that Shh protein expression was downregulated. Furthermore, pretreatment with rShh‑N or transfection with phShh increased anti‑apoptosis protein Bcl‑2 expression and decreased cell apoptosis. These protective effects of rShh‑N could be abolished by cyclopamine, which is a hedgehog signaling inhibitor. Furthermore, a co‑immunoprecipitation assay was performed to demonstrate that Shh interacted with NF‑κB p65 in HUVECs. Additionally, ox‑LDL upregulated the phosphorylation of NF‑κB p65 and inhibitor of NF‑κB‑α (IκBα), and these effects decreased notably following rShh‑N and phShh treatment. Together, the present findings suggested that Shh serves an important protective role in alleviating ox‑LDL‑mediated endothelial apoptosis by inhibiting the NF‑κB signaling pathway phosphorylation and Bcl‑2 mediated mitochondrial signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huashan Huang
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China
| | - Huizhen Yu
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China
| | - Liang Lin
- Gynecology and Obstetrics, Fujian Provincial Hospital South Branch, Fuzhou, Fujian 350028, P.R. China
| | - Junming Chen
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China
| | - Pengli Zhu
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China
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Chen KY, Lu PJ, Cheng CJ, Jhan KY, Yeh SC, Wang LC. Proteomic analysis of excretory-secretory products from young adults of Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2019; 114:e180556. [PMID: 31241649 PMCID: PMC6594673 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760180556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Angiostrongyliasis is caused by the nematode Angiostrongylus
cantonensis and can lead to eosinophilic meningitis and
meningoencephalitis in humans. The young adult worms play central pathogenic
roles in the central nervous system (CNS); however, the underlying mechanism
is unclear. Excretory-secretory products (ESPs) are good investigation
targets for studying the relationship between a host and its parasite. OBJECTIVES We aimed to profile, identify, and characterise the proteins in the ESPs of
A. cantonensis young adults. METHODS The ESPs of young adult worms were collected from culture medium after
incubation ranging from 24 to 96 h. Proteomic and bioinformatics analyses
were performed to characterise the ESPs. FINDINGS A total of 51 spots were identified, and the highly expressed proteins
included two protein disulphide isomerases, one calreticulin, and three
uncharacterised proteins. Subsequently, approximately 254 proteins were
identified in the ESPs of A. cantonensis young adults via
liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, and these were
further classified according to their characteristics and biological
functions. Finally, we identified the immunoreactive proteins from a
reference map of ESPs from A. cantonensis young adults.
Approximately eight proteins were identified, including a protein disulphide
isomerase, a putative aspartic protease, annexin, and five uncharacterised
proteins. The study established and identified protein reference maps for
the ESPs of A. cantonensis young adults. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The identified proteins may be potential targets for the development of
diagnostic or therapeutic agents for human angiostrongyliasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuang-Yao Chen
- China Medical University, School of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Taichung, Taiwan.,Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Jhen Lu
- Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Ju Cheng
- Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Yuan Jhan
- Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chien Yeh
- Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Lian-Chen Wang
- Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Molecular Infectious Disease Research Centre, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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7
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Chen KY, Wang LC. Stimulation of IL-1β and IL-6 through NF-κB and sonic hedgehog-dependent pathways in mouse astrocytes by excretory/secretory products of fifth-stage larval Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:445. [PMID: 28950910 PMCID: PMC5615811 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2385-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Angiostrongylus cantonensis is an important causative agent of eosinophilic meningitis and eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in humans. Previous studies have shown that the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway may reduce cell apoptosis by inhibiting oxidative stress in A. cantonensis infection. In this study, we investigated the relationship between cytokine secretion and Shh pathway activation after treatment with excretory/secretory products (ESP) of fifth-stage larval A. cantonensis (L5). RESULTS The results showed that IL-1β and IL-6 levels in mouse astrocytes were increased. Moreover, ESP stimulated the protein expression of Shh pathway molecules, including Shh, Ptch, Smo and Gli-1, and induced IL-1β and IL-6 secretion. The transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) plays an important role in inflammation, and it regulates the expression of proinflammatory genes, including cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-1β and TNF-α. After ESP treatment, NF-κB induced IL-1β and IL-6 secretion in astrocytes by activating the Shh signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the data presented in this study showed that ESP of fifth-stage larval A. cantonensis stimulates astrocyte activation and cytokine generation through NF-κB and the Shh signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuang-Yao Chen
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan
| | - Lian-Chen Wang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan. .,Molecular Infectious Disease Research Centre, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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8
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Standing ASI, Yánez DC, Ross R, Crompton T, Furmanski AL. Frontline Science: Shh production and Gli signaling is activated in vivo in lung, enhancing the Th2 response during a murine model of allergic asthma. J Leukoc Biol 2017; 102:965-976. [PMID: 28235772 PMCID: PMC5597515 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.3hi1016-438rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hh/Gli signals are received by multiple pulmonary and immune cell types in response to allergen inhalation in vivo; this autocrine/paracrine activation enhances Th2 immune responses. The pathophysiology of allergic asthma is driven by Th2 immune responses after aeroallergen inhalation. The mechanisms that initiate, potentiate, and regulate airway allergy are incompletely characterized. We have shown that Hh signaling to T cells, via downstream Gli transcription factors, enhances T cell conversion to a Th2 phenotype. In this study, we showed for the first time, to our knowledge, that Gli-dependent transcription is activated in T cells in vivo during murine AAD, a model for the immunopathology of asthma, and that genetic repression of Gli signaling in T cells decreases the differentiation and recruitment of Th2 cells to the lung. T cells were not the only cells that expressed activated Gli during AAD. A substantial proportion of eosinophils and lung epithelial cells, both central mediators of the immunopathology of asthma, also underwent Hh/Gli signaling. Finally, Shh increased Il-4 expression in eosinophils. We therefore propose that Hh signaling during AAD is complex, involving multiple cell types, signaling in an auto- or paracrine fashion. Improved understanding of the role of this major morphogenetic pathway in asthma may give rise to new drug targets for this chronic condition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diana C Yánez
- Immunobiology Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Rosie Ross
- School of Life Sciences, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, UK; and
| | - Tessa Crompton
- Immunobiology Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Anna L Furmanski
- School of Life Sciences, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, UK; and.,Immunobiology Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
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Anti-apoptotic effects of Sonic hedgehog signalling through oxidative stress reduction in astrocytes co-cultured with excretory-secretory products of larval Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41574. [PMID: 28169282 PMCID: PMC5294578 DOI: 10.1038/srep41574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the rat lungworm, is an important aetiologic agent of eosinophilic meningitis and meningoencephalitis in humans. Co-culturing astrocytes with soluble antigens of A. cantonensis activated the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signalling pathway and inhibited the apoptosis of astrocytes via the activation of Bcl-2. This study was conducted to determine the roles of the Shh signalling pathway, apoptosis, and oxidative stress in astrocytes after treatment with excretory-secretory products (ESP) from A. cantonensis fifth-stage larvae. Although astrocyte viability was significantly decreased after ESP treatment, the expression of Shh signalling pathway related proteins (Shh, Ptch-1 and Gli-1) was significantly increased. However, apoptosis in astrocytes was significantly decreased after activation of the Shh signalling pathway. Moreover, superoxide and hydrogen superoxide levels in astrocytes were significantly reduced after the activation of Shh pathway signalling due to increasing levels of the antioxidants catalase and superoxide dismutase. These findings indicate that the anti-apoptotic effects of the Shh signalling pathway in the astrocytes of mice infected with A. cantonensis are due to reduced levels of oxidative stress caused by the activation of antioxidants.
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Hu Q, Li T, Wang L, Xie Y, Liu S, Bai X, Zhang T, Bo S, Xin D, Xue H, Li G, Wang Z. Neuroprotective Effects of a Smoothened Receptor Agonist against Early Brain Injury after Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 10:306. [PMID: 28149272 PMCID: PMC5241312 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway plays a fundamental role in the central nervous system (CNS) development, but its effects on neural cell survival and brain repair after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has not been well-investigated. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of an agonist of the Shh co-receptor Smoothened (Smo), purmorphamine (PUR), on early brain injury (EBI) as well as the underlying mechanisms after SAH. PUR was administered via an intraperitoneal injection with a dose of 0.5, 1, and 5 mg/kg at 2, 6, 24, and 46 h after SAH in rat model. The results showed that PUR treatment significantly ameliorated brain edema, improved neurobehavioral function, and attenuated neuronal cell death in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), associated with a decrease in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and suppression of caspase-3 activation at 48 h after SAH. PUR also promoted phospho-ERK levels. Additionally, PUR treatment markedly decreased MDA concentration accompanied with the elevation in the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and heme oxygenase-1 in PFC. Notably, PUR treatment significantly reversed the changes of Shh pathway mediators containing Patched, Gli1, and Shh by SAH insult, and the neuroprotection of PUR on SAH was blocked by Smo antagonist cyclopamine. These results indicated that PUR exerts neuroprotection against SAH-evoked injury in rats, mediated in part by anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidant mechanism, up-regulating phospho-ERK levels, mediating Shh signaling molecules in the PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and Brain Science Research Institute, Shandong UniversityJinan, China; Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of MedicineJinan, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Taian Central HospitalTaian, China
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and Brain Science Research Institute, Shandong UniversityJinan, China; Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of MedicineJinan, China
| | - Lingxiao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and Brain Science Research Institute, Shandong UniversityJinan, China; Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of MedicineJinan, China
| | - Yunkai Xie
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine Jinan, China
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine Jinan, China
| | - Xuemei Bai
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine Jinan, China
| | - Tiantian Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine Jinan, China
| | - Shishi Bo
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine Jinan, China
| | - Danqing Xin
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine Jinan, China
| | - Hao Xue
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and Brain Science Research Institute, Shandong University Jinan, China
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and Brain Science Research Institute, Shandong University Jinan, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine Jinan, China
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