Neuroprotection by rAAV-mediated gene transfer of bone morphogenic protein 7

Differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into neurons induced by bone morphogenetic protein 7 in vitro

OBJECTIVES

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is caused by external direct or indirect factors with high disability rate, which may even endanger the life of patients. To explore the role of bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7) in the differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into neurons in vitro.

METHODS

BMSCs were isolated and cultured by whole bone marrow adherence method. Adipogenic induction and osteogenic differentiation were used to test the multi⁃directional differentiation ability of BMSCs.

RESULTS

After 28 days of adipogenic induction, BMSCs showed lipid droplets in the cytoplasm. After osteogenic induction, there were opaque lumps of mineral nodules in BMSCs. There were also orange-red or red mineral nodules in the extracellular matrix. The BMSCs in the 75 ng/ml BMP-7 group were morphologically similar to the neurons. After induction with BMP-7 for 2 h, the NF200 mRNA expression was higher, mRNA expression levels of SYN1, MAP2 and GFAP were higher. Positive rate of immunofluorescence staining in the BMP-7 group was notably increased. The positive rate of NSE immunofluorescence staining in the BMP-7 group was higher.

CONCLUSION

BMP-7 can induce rat BMSCs to differentiate into neurons in vitro.

Insulin signalling in tanycytes gates hypothalamic insulin uptake and regulation of AgRP neuron activity

Insulin acts on neurons and glial cells to regulate systemic glucose metabolism and feeding. However, the mechanisms of insulin access in discrete brain regions are incompletely defined. Here we show that insulin receptors in tanycytes, but not in brain endothelial cells, are required to regulate insulin access to the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. Mice lacking insulin receptors in tanycytes (IR^∆Tan mice) exhibit systemic insulin resistance, while displaying normal food intake and energy expenditure. Tanycytic insulin receptors are also necessary for the orexigenic effects of ghrelin, but not for the anorexic effects of leptin. IR^∆Tan mice exhibit increased agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neuronal activity, while displaying blunted AgRP neuronal adaptations to feeding-related stimuli. Lastly, a highly palatable food decreases tanycytic and arcuate nucleus insulin signalling to levels comparable to those seen in IR^∆Tan mice. These changes are rooted in modifications of cellular stress responses and of mitochondrial protein quality control in tanycytes. Conclusively, we reveal a critical role of tanycyte insulin receptors in gating feeding-state-dependent regulation of AgRP neurons and systemic insulin sensitivity, and show that insulin resistance in tanycytes contributes to the pleiotropic manifestations of obesity-associated insulin resistance.

TGF-β Pathway in Salivary Gland Fibrosis

Fibrosis is presented in various physiologic and pathologic conditions of the salivary gland. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) pathway has a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of fibrosis in several organs, including the salivary glands. Among the TGF-β superfamily members, TGF-β1 and 2 are pro-fibrotic ligands, whereas TGF-β3 and some bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are anti-fibrotic ligands. TGF-β1 is thought to be associated with the pro-fibrotic pathogenesis of sialadenitis, post-radiation salivary gland dysfunction, and Sjögren’s syndrome. Potential therapeutic strategies that target multiple levels in the TGF-β pathway are under preclinical and clinical research for fibrosis. Despite the anti-fibrotic effect of BMPs, their in vivo delivery poses a challenge in terms of adequate clinical efficacy. In this article, we will review the relevance of TGF-β signaling in salivary gland fibrosis and advances of potential therapeutic options in the field.

Regulation of gene expression in ischemic preconditioning in the brain

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of long-term disability, with very few effective treatments and limited progress in the effort to search for novel therapeutic approaches. The phenomenon that a sublethal ischemic insult induces protection against a subsequent severe ischemia, termed ischemic preconditioning (IPC), represents an endogenous protective approach against ischemic brain injury, and may direct a breakthrough to future therapeutic strategies. It is broadly accepted that new protein synthesis is required for IPC-mediated long-term neuroprotection; however, their relative regulatory mechanisms are poorly understood. In the present review, we summarize genomic-based studies on alterations in gene expression and protein synthesis, particularly categorizing potential pathways regulated by IPC. We also review the role of epigenetics, an inheritable genetic regulatory mechanism without changes in DNA sequence, in IPC-mediated neuroprotection.

Tanycytes control the hormonal output of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis

The hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axis maintains circulating thyroid hormone levels in a narrow physiological range. As axons containing thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) terminate on hypothalamic tanycytes, these specialized glial cells have been suggested to influence the activity of the HPT axis, but their exact role remained enigmatic. Here, we demonstrate that stimulation of the TRH receptor 1 increases intracellular calcium in tanycytes of the median eminence via Gα_q/11 proteins. Activation of Gα_q/11 pathways increases the size of tanycyte endfeet that shield pituitary vessels and induces the activity of the TRH-degrading ectoenzyme. Both mechanisms may limit the TRH release to the pituitary. Indeed, blocking TRH signaling in tanycytes by deleting Gα_q/11 proteins in vivo enhances the response of the HPT axis to the chemogenetic activation of TRH neurons. In conclusion, we identify new TRH- and Gα_q/11-dependent mechanisms in the median eminence by which tanycytes control the activity of the HPT axis.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis regulates a wide range of physiological processes. Here the authors show that hypothalamic tanycytes play a role in the homeostatic regulation of the HPT axis; activation of TRH signaling in tanycytes elevates their intracellular Ca²⁺ via Gα_q/11 pathway, ultimately resulting in reduced TRH release into the pituitary vessels.

A brain microvasculature endothelial cell-specific viral vector with the potential to treat neurovascular and neurological diseases

Gene therapy critically relies on vectors that combine high transduction efficiency with a high degree of target specificity and that can be administered through a safe intravenous route. The lack of suitable vectors, especially for gene therapy of brain disorders, represents a major obstacle. Therefore, we applied an in vivo screening system of random ligand libraries displayed on adeno‐associated viral capsids to select brain‐targeted vectors for the treatment of neurovascular diseases. We identified a capsid variant showing an unprecedented degree of specificity and long‐lasting transduction efficiency for brain microvasculature endothelial cells as the primary target of selection. A therapeutic vector based on this selected viral capsid was used to markedly attenuate the severe cerebrovascular pathology of mice with incontinentia pigmenti after a single intravenous injection. Furthermore, the versatility of this selection system will make it possible to select ligands for additional in vivo targets without requiring previous identification of potential target‐specific receptors.

Pre-existing interleukin 10 in cerebral arteries attenuates subsequent brain injury caused by ischemia/reperfusion

Recurrent stroke is difficult to treat and life threatening. Transfer of anti-inflammatory gene is a potential gene therapy strategy for ischemic stroke. Using recombinant adeno-associated viral vector 1 (rAAV1)-mediated interleukin 10 (IL-10), we investigated whether transfer of beneficial gene into the rat cerebral vessels during interventional treatment for initial stroke could attenuate brain injury caused by recurrent stroke. Male Wistar rats were administered rAAV1-IL-10, rAAV1-YFP, or saline into the left cerebral artery. Three weeks after gene transfer, rats were subjected to occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery (MCAO) for 45 min followed by reperfusion for 24 h. IL-10 levels in serum were significantly elevated 3 weeks after rAAV1-IL-10 injection, and virus in the cerebral vessels was confirmed by in situ hybridization. Pre-existing IL-10 but not YFP decreased the neurological dysfunction scores, brain infarction volume, and the number of injured neuronal cells. AAV1-IL-10 transduction increased heme oxygenase (HO-1) mRNA and protein levels in the infarct boundary zone of the brain. Thus, transduction of the IL-10 gene in the cerebral artery prior to ischemia attenuates brain injury caused by ischemia/reperfusion in rats. This preventive approach for recurrent stroke can be achieved during interventional treatment for initial stroke.

Post-hypoxic and ischemic neuroprotection of BMP-7 in the cerebral cortex and caudate-putamen tissue of rat

Previous reports have indicated that exogenous bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) has a neuroprotective effect after cerebral ischemia injury and promotes motor function recovery, but the appropriate BMP-7 concentration and time course are unclear. Here, we assessed endogenous BMP-7 expression in hypoxia and ischemia-damaged brain tissues and investigated the effects of different BMP-7 concentrations in pre- and post-hypoxic primary rat neurons. The results showed that BMP-7 expression was significantly higher in the ischemic hemisphere. The expressions of BMP-7 and caspase-3 were localized in the cytoplasm of the primary cerebral cortical and caudate-putamen neurons 24h after hypoxia/reoxygenation. After BMP-7 treatment, the number of caspase-3 positive neurons began to decrease with increasing BMP-7 concentrations up to 80ng/ml, but not beyond. Although the numbers of caspase-3-positive neurons between pre- and post-hypoxia/reoxygenation were not significantly different, more dendrites were observed in the groups treated prior to hypoxia/reoxygenation. These results suggest that increased BMP-7 expression can be induced in the cerebral cortex and caudate-putamen both in vivo and in vitro in hypoxic-ischemic states. The neuroprotective mechanism of BMP-7 may include apoptosis suppression, and its effect was enhanced from 40 to 80ng/ml. Pre-hypoxic BMP-7 treatment may be useful to stimulate dendrite sprouting in non-injured neurons.