LPS preconditioning redirects TLR signaling following stroke: TRIF-IRF3 plays a seminal role in mediating tolerance to ischemic injury

Central innate immunization induces tolerance against post-traumatic stress disorder-like behavior and neuroinflammatory responses in male mice

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe psychiatric disorder associated with abnormally elevated neuroinflammatory responses. Suppression of neuroinflammation is considered to be effective in ameliorating PTSD-like behaviors in rodents. Since pre-stimulation of microglia prior to stress exposure can prevent neuroinflammation, we hypothesized that pre-stimulation of microglia may prevent PTSD in animals. The results show that a single injection of a classical immune stimulant, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), at 50, 100 or 500, but not 10 μg/kg, one day before stress exposure, prevented the anxiety- and fear-like behaviors induced by modified single prolonged stress (mSPS). The time-dependent analysis shows that a single injection of LPS (100 μg/kg) either one or five, but not ten, days before stress prevented mSPS-induced anxiety- and fear-like behaviors. A second low-dose LPS injection 10 days after the first injection or a repeated LPS injection (4 × ) 10 days before stress induced tolerance to mSPS. Mechanistic studies show that a single injection of LPS one day before stress stimulation prevented mSPS-induced increases in levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-6 mRNA in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex. Inhibition of microglia by pretreatment with minocycline or depletion of microglia by PLX3397 abolished the preventive effect of low-dose LPS pre-injection on mSPS-induced anxiety- and fear-like behavior and neuroinflammatory responses. These results suggest that pre-stimulation of microglia may prevent the development of PTSD-like behaviors by attenuating the development of neuroinflammatory responses. This could help to develop new strategies to prevent the damaging effects of harmful stress on the brain.

The impact of cytokines in neuroinflammation-mediated stroke

Cerebral stroke is ranked as the third most common contributor to global mortality and disability. The involvement of inflammatory mechanisms, both peripherally and within the CNS, holds significance in the pathophysiological cascades following the initiation of stroke. After the onset of acute stroke, predominantly ischemic, a subsequent phase of neuroinflammation ensues. It is a dual-effect process that not only exacerbates injury, leading to cell death, but paradoxically, it also serves a shielding role in facilitating recovery. Cytokines serve as pivotal mediators within the inflammatory cascade, actively contributing to the progression of ischemic damage. Stroke is followed by increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, etc. leading to the recruitment and stimulation of glial cells and peripheral leukocytes at the site of injury, promoting neuroinflammation. Cytokines can directly induce neuronal injury and death through various mechanisms, including excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, HPA-axis activation, secretion of matrix metalloproteinase and apoptosis. They can also amplify the inflammatory response, leading to further neuronal damage. Therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating cytokine release, immune response and cytokine signalling or activity are being explored as potential interventions to mitigate neuroinflammation and its detrimental effects in stroke. In this review, we have given a concise summary of our current knowledge of the function of various cytokines, brain inflammation and various signalling and molecular pathways including JAK/STAT3, TGF-β/Smad, MAPK, HMGB1/TLR and NF-κB modulated cytokines regulation in stroke. Therapeutic agents such as MCC950, genistein, edaravone, minocycline, etc. targeting various cytokines-associated signalling pathways have shown efficacy in preclinical and clinical trials reducing the pathophysiology of the illness were also addressed in this study.

Repetitive Administration of Low-Dose Lipopolysaccharide Improves Repeated Social Defeat Stress-Induced Behavioral Abnormalities and Aberrant Immune Response

Repetitive exposure of innate immune cells to a subthreshold dosage of endotoxin components may modulate inflammatory responses. However, the regulatory mechanisms in the interactions between the central nervous system (CNS) and the immune system remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) preconditioning in repeated social defeat stress (RSDS)-induced abnormal immune responses and behavioral impairments. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms that underlie the protective effects of repeated administration of a subthreshold dose LPS on behavioral impairments using the RSDS paradigm. LPS preconditioning improved abnormal behaviors in RSDS-defeated mice, accompanied by decreased monoamine oxidases and increased glucocorticoid receptor expression in the hippocampus. In addition, pre-treated with LPS significantly decreased the recruited peripheral myeloid cells (CD11b+CD45hi), mainly circulating inflammatory monocytes (CD11b+CD45hiLy6ChiCCR2+) into the brain in response to RSDS challenge. Importantly, we found that LPS preconditioning exerts its protective properties by regulating lipocalin-2 (LCN2) expression in microglia, which subsequently induces expressions of chemokine CCL2 and pro-inflammatory cytokine. Subsequently, LPS-preconditioning lessened the resident microglia population (CD11b+CD45intCCL2+) in the brains of the RSDS-defeated mice. Moreover, RSDS-associated expressions of leukocytes (CD11b+CD45+CCR2+) and neutrophils (CD11b+CD45+Ly6G+) in the bone marrow, spleen, and blood were also attenuated by LPS-preconditioning. In particular, LPS preconditioning also promoted the expression of endogenous antioxidants and anti-inflammatory proteins in the hippocampus. Our results demonstrate that LPS preconditioning ameliorates lipocalin 2-associated microglial activation and aberrant immune response and promotes the expression of endogenous antioxidants and anti-inflammatory protein, thereby maintaining the homeostasis of pro-inflammation/anti-inflammation in both the brain and immune system, ultimately protecting the mice from RSDS-induced aberrant immune response and behavioral changes.

Long-Term Alcohol Exposure Aggravates Ischemic Stroke-Induced Damage by Promoting Pericyte NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation via Pre-Activating the TLR4/NF-κB Pathway in Rats

Background

Ischemic stroke (IS) is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world, and alcohol consumption has been gaining attention as an independent risk factor for IS. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and neuroinflammation are the core of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, and pericytes play a crucial role in the structure and function. This study is to explore the effects of long-term alcohol consumption on IS and the potential mechanisms of pericytes.

Methods

Rat models of long-term alcohol intake followed by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion stroke (EtOH+tMCAO) and cell models of oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) with alcohol pre-treatment were constructed.

Results

Worsened infarct volume, neurological scores, and BBB disruption were observed in the EtOH+tMCAO group compared with the tMCAO group, and immunofluorescence staining showed increased pericytes NLPR3 inflammasome activation at the ischemic penumbra. In vitro, pericyte mortality and LDH release elevated pre-treated by alcohol after OGD/R, and amplified expression of NLRP3 inflammasome was detected by Western blotting and qPCR. Alcohol pre-treatment activated the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, and transfecting pericytes with TLR4-small interfering RNA (siRNA) to block TLR4 signaling markedly restrained NLRP3 inflammasome over-activation. Injecting TAK-242 in rats alleviated neurological impairment caused by alcohol.

Conclusion

Long-term alcohol pre-treatment aggravated ischemic stroke-induced brain damage by activating NLRP3 inflammasome via TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in the pericytes.

The Involvement of Immune Cells Between Ischemic Stroke and Gut Microbiota

Ischemic stroke, a disease with high mortality and disability rate worldwide, currently has no effective treatment. The systemic inflammation response to the ischemic stroke, followed by immunosuppression in focal neurologic deficits and other inflammatory damage, reduces the circulating immune cell counts and multiorgan infectious complications such as intestinal and gut dysfunction dysbiosis. Evidence showed that microbiota dysbiosis plays a role in neuroinflammation and peripheral immune response after stroke, changing the lymphocyte populations. Multiple immune cells, including lymphocytes, engage in complex and dynamic immune responses in all stages of stroke and may be a pivotal moderator in the bidirectional immunomodulation between ischemic stroke and gut microbiota. This review discusses the role of lymphocytes and other immune cells, the immunological processes in the bidirectional immunomodulation between gut microbiota and ischemic stroke, and its potential as a therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke.

Immunization with a low dose of zymosan A confers resistance to depression-like behavior and neuroinflammatory responses in chronically stressed mice

Stimulation of the innate immune system prior to stress exposure is a possible strategy to prevent depression under stressful conditions. Based on the innate immune system stimulating activities of zymosan A, we hypothesize that zymosan A may prevent the development of chronic stress-induced depression-like behavior. Our results showed that a single injection of zymosan A 1 day before stress exposure at a dose of 2 or 4 mg/kg, but not at a dose of 1 mg/kg, prevented the development of depression-like behaviors in mice treated with chronic social defeat stress (CSDS). The prophylactic effect of a single zymosan A injection (2 mg/kg) on CSDS-induced depression-like behaviors disappeared when the time interval between zymosan A and stress exposure was extended from 1 day or 5 days to 10 days, which was rescued by a second zymosan A injection 10 days after the first zymosan A injection and 4 days (4×, once daily) of zymosan A injections 10 days before stress exposure. Further analysis showed that a single zymosan A injection (2 mg/kg) 1 day before stress exposure could prevent the CSDS-induced increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Inhibition of the innate immune system by pretreatment with minocycline (40 mg/kg) abolished the preventive effect of zymosan A on CSDS-induced depression-like behaviors and CSDS-induced increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines in the brain. These results suggest that activation of the innate immune system triggered by zymosan A prevents the depression-like behaviors and neuroinflammatory responses in the brain induced by chronic stress.

LPS priming-induced immune tolerance mitigates LPS-stimulated microglial activation and social avoidance behaviors in mice

In this study, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms underlying the effects of LPS tolerance on the inflammatory homeostasis of immune cells. LPS priming-induced immune tolerance downregulated cyclooxygenase-2, and lowered the production of prostaglandin-E2 in microglial cells. In addition, LPS tolerance downregulated the expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3, and inducible nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide; suppressed the LPS-mediated induction of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1; and reduced reactive oxygen species production in microglial cells. LPS stimulation increased the levels of the adaptive response-related proteins heme oxygenase-1 and superoxide dismutase 2, and the levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) enhanced after LPS priming. Systemic administration of low-dose LPS (0.5 mg/kg) to mice for 4 consecutive days attenuated high-dose LPS (5 mg/kg)-induced inflammatory response, microglial activation, and proinflammatory cytokine expression. Moreover, repeated exposure to low-dose LPS suppressed the recruitment of peripheral monocytes or macrophages to brain regions and downregulated the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Notably, LPS-induced social avoidance behaviors in mice were mitigated by immune tolerance. In conclusion, immune tolerance may reduce proinflammatory cytokine expression and reactive oxygen species production. Our findings provide insights into the effects of endotoxin tolerance on innate immune cells and social behaviors.

Deplete and repeat: microglial CSF1R inhibition and traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a public health burden affecting millions of people. Sustained neuroinflammation after TBI is often associated with poor outcome. As a result, increased attention has been placed on the role of immune cells in post-injury recovery. Microglia are highly dynamic after TBI and play a key role in the post-injury neuroinflammatory response. Therefore, microglia represent a malleable post-injury target that could substantially influence long-term outcome after TBI. This review highlights the cell specific role of microglia in TBI pathophysiology. Microglia have been manipulated via genetic deletion, drug inhibition, and pharmacological depletion in various pre-clinical TBI models. Notably, colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) and its receptor (CSF1R) have gained much traction in recent years as a pharmacological target on microglia. CSF1R is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor that is essential for microglia proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Small molecule inhibitors targeting CSF1R result in a swift and effective depletion of microglia in rodents. Moreover, discontinuation of the inhibitors is sufficient for microglia repopulation. Attention is placed on summarizing studies that incorporate CSF1R inhibition of microglia. Indeed, microglia depletion affects multiple aspects of TBI pathophysiology, including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and functional recovery with measurable influence on astrocytes, peripheral immune cells, and neurons. Taken together, the data highlight an important role for microglia in sustaining neuroinflammation and increasing risk of oxidative stress, which lends to neuronal damage and behavioral deficits chronically after TBI. Ultimately, the insights gained from CSF1R depletion of microglia are critical for understanding the temporospatial role that microglia develop in mediating TBI pathophysiology and recovery.

Research hotspots and frontiers of preconditioning in cerebral ischemia: A bibliometric analysis

Background

Preconditioning is a promising strategy against ischemic brain injury, and numerous studies in vitro and in vivo have demonstrated its neuroprotective effects. However, at present there is no bibliometric analysis of preconditioning in cerebral ischemia. Therefore, a comprehensive overview of the current status, hot spots, and emerging trends in this research field is necessary.

Materials and methods

Studies on preconditioning in cerebral ischemia from January 1999-December 2022 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database. CiteSpace was used for data mining and visual analysis.

Results

A total of 1738 papers on preconditioning in cerebral ischemia were included in the study. The annual publications showed an upwards and then downwards trend but currently remain high in terms of annual publications. The US was the leading country, followed by China, the most active country in recent years. Capital Medical University published the largest number of articles. Perez-Pinzon, Miguel A contributed the most publications, while KITAGAWA K was the most cited author. The focus of the study covered three areas: (1) relevant diseases and experimental models, (2) types of preconditioning and stimuli, and (3) mechanisms of ischemic tolerance. Remote ischemic preconditioning, preconditioning of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and inflammation are the frontiers of research in this field.

Conclusion

Our study provides a visual and scientific overview of research on preconditioning in cerebral ischemia, providing valuable information and new directions for researchers.

Mobilization of the innate immune response by a specific immunostimulant β-glucan confers resistance to chronic stress-induced depression-like behavior by preventing neuroinflammatory responses

Pre-stimulation of the innate immune response is an effective strategy to prevent depression-like phenotypes in animals. However, the use of conventional immunostimulants may cause adverse effects. Therefore, the search for agents that stimulate the innate immune response but do not induce a pro-inflammatory response could be a new research direction for the prevention of depression. β-glucan is a polysaccharide from Saccharomyces cerevisiae with unique immunomodulatory activity in microglia without eliciting a pro-inflammatory response that could lead to tissue damage. This suggests that β-glucan may be a suitable drug that can be used to prevent depression-like phenotypes. Our results showed that a single injection of β-glucan 1 day before stress exposure at a dose of 10 or 20 mg/kg, but notat a dose of 5 mg/kg, prevented depression-like behavior in mice treated with chronic unpredictable stress (CUS). This effect of β-glucan disappeared when the time interval between β-glucan and stress was extended from 1 day or 5 days to 10 days, which was rescued by a second injection 10 days after the first injection or by a repeated injection (4×, once daily) 10 days before stress exposure. A single β-glucan injection (20 mg/kg) 1 day before stress exposure prevented the CUS-induced increase in brain pro-inflammatory cytokines, and inhibition of the innate immune response by minocycline (40 mg/kg) abolished the preventive effect of β-glucan on CUS-induced depression-like behaviors and neuroinflammatory responses. These results suggest that β-glucan may prevent chronic stress-induced depression-like phenotypes and neuroinflammatory responses by stimulating the innate immune response.

Neurosteroid [3α,5α]-3-hydroxy-pregnan-20-one enhances IL-10 production via endosomal TRIF-dependent TLR4 signaling pathway

Background

Previous studies demonstrated the inhibitory effect of allopregnanolone (3α,5α-THP) on the activation of inflammatory toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signals in RAW264.7 macrophages and the brains of selectively bred alcohol-preferring (P) rats. In the current study, we investigated the impact of 3α,5α-THP on the levels of IL-10 and activation of the TRIF-dependent endosomal TLR4 pathway.

Methods

The amygdala and nucleus accumbens (NAc) of P rats, which exhibit innately activated TLR4 pathways as well as RAW264.7 cells, were used. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and immunoblotting assays were used to ascertain the effects of 3α,5α-THP on the TRIF-dependent endosomal TLR4 pathway and endosomes were isolated to examine translocation of TLR4 and TRIF. Additionally, we investigated the effects of 3α,5α-THP and 3α,5α-THDOC (0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 µM) on the levels of IL-10 in RAW264.7 macrophages. Finally, we examined whether inhibiting TRIF (using TRIF siRNA) in RAW264.7 cells altered the levels of IL-10.

Results

3α,5α-THP administration facilitated activation of the endosomal TRIF-dependent TLR4 pathway in males, but not female P rats. 3α,5α-THP increased IL-10 levels (+13.2 ± 6.5%) and BDNF levels (+21.1 ± 11.5%) in the male amygdala. These effects were associated with increases in pTRAM (+86.4 ± 28.4%), SP1 (+122.2 ± 74.9%), and PI(3)K-p110δ (+61.6 ± 21.6%), and a reduction of TIRAP (-13.7 ± 6.0%), indicating the activation of the endosomal TRIF-dependent TLR4 signaling pathway. Comparable effects were observed in NAc of these animals. Furthermore, 3α,5α-THP enhanced the accumulation of TLR4 (+43.9 ± 11.3%) and TRIF (+64.8 ± 32.8%) in endosomes, with no significant effect on TLR3 accumulation. Additionally, 3α,5α-THP facilitated the transition from early endosomes to late endosomes (increasing Rab7 levels: +35.8 ± 18.4%). In RAW264.7 cells, imiquimod (30 µg/mL) reduced IL-10 while 3α,5α-THP and 3α,5α-THDOC (0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 µM) restored IL-10 levels. To determine the role of the TRIF-dependent TLR4 signaling pathway in IL-10 production, the downregulation of TRIF (-62.9 ± 28.2%) in RAW264.7 cells led to a reduction in IL-10 levels (-42.3 ± 8.4%). TRIF (-62.9 ± 28.2%) in RAW264.7 cells led to a reduction in IL-10 levels (-42.3 ± 8.4%) and 3α,5α-THP (1.0 µM) no longer restored the reduced IL-10 levels.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate 3α,5α-THP enhancement of the endosomal TLR4-TRIF anti-inflammatory signals and elevations of IL-10 in male P rat brain that were not detected in female P rat brain. These effects hold significant implications for controlling inflammatory responses in both the brain and peripheral immune cells.

Naotaifang III Protects Against Cerebral Ischemia Injury Through LPS/TLR4 Signaling Pathway in the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis

Background

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Naotaifang III is a new Chinese herbal formula to treat IS. Previous studies have shown that Astragali Radix, Puerariae Lobatae Radix, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, and Rhei Radix Et Rhizoma in Naotaifang III were able to regulate the imbalance of intestinal microbiota during cerebral ischemia injury.

Methods

Rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, normal control group, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) group, intestinal microbiota imbalance MCAO group, Naotaifang III group, and normal bacteria transplantation group, with 15 rats in each group. Then, neurological function scores and cerebral infarction volume were detected; haematoxylin and eosin staining and Golgi silver staining were used to observe morphological changes in brain tissue. Meanwhile, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cerebral cortex interleukin (IL)-1β were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the expressions of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) proteins were detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot. The cecal flora was detected by 16S rDNA. The results showed that gut dysbiosis aggravated cerebral ischemic injury and significantly increased the expression of LPS, TLR4, NF-κB, and IL-1β, which could be significantly reversed by Naotaifang III or normal bacterial transplantation. Naotaifang III may exert a protective effect on neuroinflammatory injury after MCAO through the LPS/TLR4 signaling pathway in the microbe-gut-brain axis. In summary, Naotaifang III may induce anti-neuroinflammatory molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways through the microbe-gut-brain axis.

Results

The results showed that gut dysbiosis aggravated cerebral ischemic injury and significantly increased the expression of LPS, TLR4, NF-κB, and IL-1β, which could be significantly reversed by Naotaifang III or normal bacterial transplantation. Naotaifang III may exert a protective effect on neuroinflammatory injury after MCAO through the LPS/TLR4 signaling pathway in the microbe-gut-brain axis.

Conclusion

Naotaifang III may induce anti-neuroinflammatory molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways through the microbe-gut-brain axis.

Translatome analysis reveals microglia and astrocytes to be distinct regulators of inflammation in the hyperacute and acute phases after stroke

Neuroinflammation is a hallmark of ischemic stroke, which is a leading cause of death and long-term disability. Understanding the exact cellular signaling pathways that initiate and propagate neuroinflammation after stroke will be critical for developing immunomodulatory stroke therapies. In particular, the precise mechanisms of inflammatory signaling in the clinically relevant hyperacute period, hours after stroke, have not been elucidated. We used the RiboTag technique to obtain microglia and astrocyte-derived mRNA transcripts in a hyperacute (4 h) and acute (3 days) period after stroke, as these two cell types are key modulators of acute neuroinflammation. Microglia initiated a rapid response to stroke at 4 h by adopting an inflammatory profile associated with the recruitment of immune cells. The hyperacute astrocyte profile was marked by stress response genes and transcription factors, such as Fos and Jun, involved in pro-inflammatory pathways such as TNF-α. By 3 days, microglia shift to a proliferative state and astrocytes strengthen their inflammatory response. The astrocyte pro-inflammatory response at 3 days is partially driven by the upregulation of the transcription factors C/EBPβ, Spi1, and Rel, which comprise 25% of upregulated transcription factor-target interactions. Surprisingly, few sex differences across all groups were observed. Expression and log2 fold data for all sequenced genes are available on a user-friendly website for researchers to examine gene changes and generate hypotheses for stroke targets. Taken together, our data comprehensively describe the microglia and astrocyte-specific translatome response in the hyperacute and acute period after stroke and identify pathways critical for initiating neuroinflammation.

Toll-like Receptors as Pro-Thrombotic Drivers in Viral Infections: A Narrative Review

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have a critical role in the pathogenesis and disease course of viral infections. The induced pro-inflammatory responses result in the disturbance of the endovascular surface layer and impair vascular homeostasis. The injury of the vessel wall further promotes pro-thrombotic and pro-coagulatory processes, eventually leading to micro-vessel plugging and tissue necrosis. Moreover, TLRs have a direct role in the sensing of viruses and platelet activation. TLR-mediated upregulation of von Willebrand factor release and neutrophil, as well as macrophage extra-cellular trap formation, further contribute to (micro-) thrombotic processes during inflammation. The following review focuses on TLR signaling pathways of TLRs expressed in humans provoking pro-thrombotic responses, which determine patient outcome during viral infections, especially in those with cardiovascular diseases.

Bioinformatic identification of hub genes Myd88 and Ccl3 and TWS-119 as a potential agent for the treatment of massive cerebral infarction

Background

Massive cerebral infarction (MCI) causes severe neurological deficits, coma and can even result in death. Here, we identified hub genes and pathways after MCI by analyzing microarray data from a murine model of ischemic stroke and identified potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of MCI.

Methods

Microarray expression profiling was performed using the GSE28731 and GSE32529 datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Data from a sham group (n = 6 mice) and a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) group (n = 7 mice) were extracted to identify common differentially expressed genes (DEGs). After identifying gene interactions, we generated a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network with Cytoscape software. Then, the MCODE plug-in in Cytoscape was used to determine key sub-modules according to MCODE scores. Enrichment analyses were then conducted on DEGs in the key sub-modules to evaluate their biological functions. Furthermore, hub genes were identified by generating the intersections of several algorithms in the cytohubba plug-in; these genes were then verified in other datasets. Finally, we used Connectivity MAP (CMap) to identify potential agents for MCI therapy.

Results

A total of 215 common DEGs were identified and a PPI network was generated with 154 nodes and 947 edges. The most significant key sub-module had 24 nodes and 221 edges. Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that the DEGs in this sub-module showed enrichment in inflammatory response, extracellular space and cytokine activity in terms of biological process, cellular component and molecular function, respectively. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that TNF signaling was the most enriched pathway. Myd88 and Ccl3 were identified as hub genes and TWS-119 was identified as the most potential therapeutic agent by CMap.

Conclusions

Bioinformatic analysis identified two hub genes (Myd88 and Ccl3) for ischemic injury. Further analysis identified TWS-119 as the best potential candidate for MCI therapy and that this target may be associated with TLR/MyD88 signaling.

Preeclamptic programming unevenly perturbs inflammatory and renal vasodilatory outcomes of endotoxemia in rat offspring: modulation by losartan and pioglitazone

Introduction: Preeclampsia (PE) enhances the vulnerability of adult offspring to serious illnesses. The current study investigated whether preeclamptic fetal programming impacts hemodynamic and renal vasodilatory disturbances in endotoxic adult offspring and whether these interactions are influenced by antenatal therapy with pioglitazone and/or losartan. Methods: PE was induced by oral administration of L-NAME (50 mg/kg/day) for the last 7 days of pregnancy. Adult offspring was treated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS, 5 mg/kg) followed 4-h later by hemodynamic and renovascular studies. Results: Tail-cuff measurements showed that LPS decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP) in male, but not female, offspring of PE dams. Moreover, PE or LPS reduced vasodilations elicited by acetylcholine (ACh, 0.01-7.29 nmol) or N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA, 1.6-100 nmol) in perfused kidneys of male rats only. The latter effects disappeared in LPS/PE preparations, suggesting a postconditioning action for LPS against renal manifestation of PE. Likewise, elevations caused by LPS in serum creatinine and inflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IL-1β) as well as in renal protein expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and AT1 receptors were attenuated by the dual PE/LPS challenge. Gestational pioglitazone or losartan reversed the attenuated ACh/NECA vasodilations in male rats but failed to modify LPS hypotension or inflammation. The combined gestational pioglitazone/losartan therapy improved ACh/NECA vasodilations and eliminated the rises in serum IL-1β and renal MCP-1 and AT1 receptor expressions. Conclusion: Preeclamptic fetal programming of endotoxic hemodynamic and renal manifestations in adult offspring depends on animal sex and specific biological activity and are reprogrammed by antenatal pioglitazone/losartan therapy.

Integrative Analysis of Single-Cell and Bulk Sequencing Data Depicting the Expression and Function of P2ry12 in Microglia Post Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury

P2ry12 is a microglial marker gene. Recently, increasing evidence has demonstrated that its expression levels can vary in response to different CNS disorders and can affect microglial functions, such as polarization, plasticity, and migration. However, the expression and function of P2ry12 in microglia during ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) remain unclear. Here, we developed a computational method to obtain microglia-specific P2ry12 genes (MSPGs) using sequencing data associated with IRI. We evaluated the change in comprehensive expression levels of MSPGs during IRI and compared it to the expression of P2ry12 to determine similarity. Subsequently, the MSPGs were used to explore the P2ry12 functions in microglia through bioinformatics. Moreover, several animal experiments were also conducted to confirm the reliability of the results. The expression of P2ry12 was observed to decrease gradually within 24 h post injury. In response, microglia with reduced P2ry12 expression showed an increase in the expression of one receptor-encoding gene (Flt1) and three ligand-encoding genes (Nampt, Igf1, and Cxcl2). Furthermore, double-labeling immunofluorescence staining revealed that inhibition of P2ry12 blocked microglial migration towards vessels during IRI. Overall, we employ a combined computational and experimental approach to successfully explore P2ry12 expression and function in microglia during IRI.

Ischemic Tolerance—A Way to Reduce the Extent of Ischemia–Reperfusion Damage

Individual tissues have significantly different resistance to ischemia–reperfusion damage. There is still no adequate treatment for the consequences of ischemia–reperfusion damage. By utilizing ischemic tolerance, it is possible to achieve a significant reduction in the extent of the cell damage due to ischemia–reperfusion injury. Since ischemia–reperfusion damage usually occurs unexpectedly, the use of preconditioning is extremely limited. In contrast, postconditioning has wider possibilities for use in practice. In both cases, the activation of ischemic tolerance can also be achieved by the application of sublethal stress on a remote organ. Despite very encouraging and successful results in animal experiments, the clinical results have been disappointing so far. To avoid the factors that prevent the activation of ischemic tolerance, the solution has been to use blood plasma containing tolerance effectors. This plasma is taken from healthy donors in which, after exposure to two sublethal stresses within 48 h, effectors of ischemic tolerance occur in the plasma. Application of this activated plasma to recipient animals after the end of lethal ischemia prevents cell death and significantly reduces the consequences of ischemia–reperfusion damage. Until there is a clear chemical identification of the end products of ischemic tolerance, the simplest way of enhancing ischemic tolerance will be the preparation of activated plasma from young healthy donors with the possibility of its immediate use in recipients during the initial treatment.

Translatome analysis reveals microglia and astrocytes to be distinct regulators of inflammation in the hyperacute and acute phases after stroke

Neuroinflammation is a hallmark of ischemic stroke, which is a leading cause of death and long-term disability. Understanding the exact cellular signaling pathways that initiate and propagate neuroinflammation after stroke will be critical for developing immunomodulatory stroke therapies. In particular, the precise mechanisms of inflammatory signaling in the clinically relevant hyperacute period, hours after stroke, have not been elucidated. We used the RiboTag technique to obtain astrocyte and microglia-derived mRNA transcripts in a hyperacute (4 hours) and acute (3 days) period after stroke, as these two cell types are key modulators of acute neuroinflammation. Microglia initiated a rapid response to stroke at 4 hours by adopting an inflammatory profile associated with the recruitment of immune cells. The hyperacute astrocyte profile was marked by stress response genes and transcription factors, such as Fos and Jun , involved in pro-inflammatory pathways such as TNF-α. By 3 days, microglia shift to a proliferative state and astrocytes strengthen their inflammatory response. The astrocyte pro-inflammatory response at 3 days is partially driven by the upregulation of the transcription factors C/EBPβ, Spi1 , and Rel , which comprise 25% of upregulated transcription factor-target interactions. Surprisingly, few sex differences across all groups were observed. Expression and log ₂ fold data for all sequenced genes are available on a user-friendly website for researchers to examine gene changes and generate hypotheses for stroke targets. Taken together our data comprehensively describe the astrocyte and microglia-specific translatome response in the hyperacute and acute period after stroke and identify pathways critical for initiating neuroinflammation.

Prothymosin α Plays Role as a Brain Guardian through Ecto-F1 ATPase-P2Y12 Complex and TLR4/MD2

Prothymosin alpha (ProTα) was discovered to be a necrosis inhibitor from the conditioned medium of a primary culture of rat cortical neurons under starved conditions. This protein carries out a neuronal cell-death-mode switch from necrosis to apoptosis, which is, in turn, suppressed by a variety of neurotrophic factors (NTFs). This type of NTF-assisted survival action of ProTα is reproduced in cerebral and retinal ischemia-reperfusion models. Further studies that used a retinal ischemia-reperfusion model revealed that ProTα protects retinal cells via ecto-F₁ ATPase coupled with the G_i-coupled P2Y₁₂ receptor and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/MD2 coupled with a Toll-IL-1 receptor domain-containing adaptor inducing IFN-β (TRIF). In cerebral ischemia-reperfusion models, ProTα has additional survival mechanisms via an inhibition of matrix metalloproteases in microglia and vascular endothelial cells. Heterozygous or conditional ProTα knockout mice show phenotypes of anxiety, memory learning impairment, and a loss of neurogenesis. There are many reports that ProTα has multiple intracellular functions for cell survival and proliferation through a variety of protein-protein interactions. Overall, it is suggested that ProTα plays a key role as a brain guardian against ischemia stress through a cell-death-mode switch assisted by NTFs and a role of neurogenesis.

Gut-brain axis: Mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies for ischemic stroke through immune functions

After an ischemic stroke (IS) occurs, immune cells begin traveling to the brain and immune system from the gut and gastrointestinal tract, where most of them typically reside. Because the majority of the body's macrophages and more than 70% of the total immune cell pool are typically found within the gut and gastrointestinal tract, inflammation and immune responses in the brain and immune organs require the mobilization of a large number of immune cells. The bidirectional communication pathway between the brain and gut is often referred to as the gut-brain axis. IS usually leads to intestinal motility disorders, dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota, and a leaky gut, which are often associated with poor prognosis in patients with IS. In recent years, several studies have suggested that intestinal inflammation and immune responses play key roles in the development of IS, and thus may become potential therapeutic targets that can drive new therapeutic strategies. However, research on gut inflammation and immune responses after stroke remains in its infancy. A better understanding of gut inflammation and immune responses after stroke may be important for developing effective therapies. This review discusses the immune-related mechanisms of the gut-brain axis after IS and compiles potential therapeutic targets to provide new ideas and strategies for the future effective treatment of IS.

The renin-angiotensin system modulates endotoxic postconditioning of exacerbated renal vasoconstriction in preeclamptic offspring

We recently reported exacerbated endotoxic signs of neuroinflammation and autonomic defects in offspring of preeclamptic (PE) dams. Here, we investigated whether PE programming similarly modifies hemodynamic and renal vasoconstrictor responsiveness to endotoxemia in PE offspring and whether this interaction is modulated by gestational angiotensin 1-7 (Ang1-7). Preeclampsia was induced by gestational treatment with L-NAME. Adult offspring was challenged with lipopolysaccharides (LPS, 5 mg/kg) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) and renal vasoconstrictions were assessed 4 h later. Male, but not female, offspring of PE rats exhibited SBP elevations that were blunted by LPS. Renal vasoconstrictions induced by angiotensin II (Ang II), but not phenylephrine, were intensified in perfused kidneys of either sex. LPS blunted the heightened Ang II responses in male, but not female, kidneys. While renal expressions of AT1-receptors and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) were increased in PE offspring of both sexes, ACE2 was upregulated in female offspring only. These molecular effects were diminished by LPS in male offspring. Gestational Ang1-7 caused sex-unrelated attenuation of phenylephrine vasoconstrictions and preferentially downregulated Ang II responses and AT1-receptor and nuclear factor-kB (NFkB) expressions in females. Together, endotoxemia and Ang1-7 offset in sexually-related manners imbalances in renal vasoconstriction and AT1/ACE/ACE2 signaling in PE offspring.

Innate immune stimulation prevents chronic stress-induced depressive and anxiogenic-like behaviors in female mice

It has been reported that pre-stimulation of the innate immune system can prevent depressive and anxiogenic-like behaviors in chronically stressed male mice. However, it is unclear whether similar effects can be observed in female animals. In the present study, we investigated this question in female mice. Our results showed that a single injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 100 μg/kg) one day before stress exposure prevented increased immobility time in the tail suspension test and forced swimming test and decreased sucrose intake in the sucrose preference test in chronic unpredictable stress (CUS)-treated female mice. The single LPS pre-injection (100 μg/kg) prevented the CUS-induced decrease in (i) time spent in open arms and number of entries into open arms in the elevated plus maze test, (ii) time spent in lit side in the light-dark test, and (iii) time spent in the central region of the open field in the open field test, along with no changes in locomotor activity. It was also found that the single LPS pre-injection in female mice prevented the CUS-induced increase in the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 mRNA in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex. Inhibition of innate immune system stimulation by minocycline pretreatment abrogated the preventive effect of LPS on CUS-induced depressive and anxiogenic-like behaviors and neuroinflammatory responses in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex in female mice. These results suggest that pre-stimulation of the innate immune system by LPS injection may prevent the development of behavioral abnormalities in female mice.

Therapeutic and Prophylactic Effects of Amphotericin B Liposomes on Chronic Social Defeat Stress-Induced Behavioral Abnormalities in Mice

Recently, innate immune system stimulants, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), were reported to prevent and reverse chronic stress-induced behavioral abnormalities, suggesting that innate immune stimulation could be a potential strategy for the treatment and prevention of mental disorders. Amphotericin B liposome is a clinically available antifungal medication that can stimulate macrophages and microglia. We hypothesize that amphotericin B liposome may be used to prevent and reverse behavioral abnormalities triggered by chronic stress. As expected, our results showed that a single injection of amphotericin B liposome (1 mg/kg) immediately after stress cessation reversed the decrease in time spent in the interaction zone in the social interaction test (SIT) and the increase in immobility time in the tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST) in mice caused by chronic social defeat stress (CSDS). In addition, a single injection of amphotericin B liposomes (1 mg/kg) 1 day before stress exposure was found to prevent the CSDS-induced decrease in time spent in the interaction zone in the SIT and the increase in immobility time in the TST and FST in mice. Pretreatment with minocycline to inhibit the innate immune response was able to abolish the reversal effect of post-stress injection of amphotericin B liposomes on CSDS-induced behavioral abnormalities and the prophylactic effect of pre-stress injection of amphotericin B liposomes on CSDS-induced behavioral abnormalities. These results demonstrate that amphotericin B liposomes have both therapeutic and prophylactic effects on chronic stress-induced behavioral abnormalities in mice by mobilizing the innate immune response.

Signaling pathways involved in ischemic stroke: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic interventions

Ischemic stroke is caused primarily by an interruption in cerebral blood flow, which induces severe neural injuries, and is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Thus, it is of great necessity to further detailly elucidate the mechanisms of ischemic stroke and find out new therapies against the disease. In recent years, efforts have been made to understand the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke, including cellular excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, cell death processes, and neuroinflammation. In the meantime, a plethora of signaling pathways, either detrimental or neuroprotective, are also highly involved in the forementioned pathophysiology. These pathways are closely intertwined and form a complex signaling network. Also, these signaling pathways reveal therapeutic potential, as targeting these signaling pathways could possibly serve as therapeutic approaches against ischemic stroke. In this review, we describe the signaling pathways involved in ischemic stroke and categorize them based on the pathophysiological processes they participate in. Therapeutic approaches targeting these signaling pathways, which are associated with the pathophysiology mentioned above, are also discussed. Meanwhile, clinical trials regarding ischemic stroke, which potentially target the pathophysiology and the signaling pathways involved, are summarized in details. Conclusively, this review elucidated potential molecular mechanisms and related signaling pathways underlying ischemic stroke, and summarize the therapeutic approaches targeted various pathophysiology, with particular reference to clinical trials and future prospects for treating ischemic stroke.

A STING agonist preconditions against ischaemic stroke via an adaptive antiviral Type 1 interferon response

Converging lines of inquiry have highlighted the importance of the Type I Antiviral Response not only in defending against viruses but also in preconditioning the brain against ischaemic stroke. Despite this understanding, treatments that foster brain resilience by driving antiviral interferon responses have yet to be developed for human use. Studies from our lab showed that tilorone, the first human antiviral immunomodulatory agent to be developed, robustly preconditioned against stroke in mice and rats. Tilorone is a DNA intercalator; therefore, we hypothesized that it stabilizes cytosolic DNA (released from the mitochondria or the nucleus), thereby activating cGAS (Cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase), a homeostatic DNA sensor, and its downstream pathway. This pathway involves STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes), TBK1 (Tank Binding Kinase 1), and IRF-3 (Interferon Regulatory Protein-3) and culminates in a protective Type I Interferon Response. We tested this hypothesis by examining the ability of structurally diverse small molecule agonists of STING to protect against oxygen/glucose deprivation in vitro in mouse cortical cultures and in vivo against transient ischaemia in mice. The STING agonists significantly reduced cell death both in vitro and in vivo but failed to do so in STING knockout mice. As expected, STING agonist-induced protection was associated with the induction of interferon related genes and the effects could be abrogated in vitro by a TBK1 inhibitor. Taken together, these findings in mice identify STING as a therapeutic target for preconditioning the brain against ischaemic stroke in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, they suggest that clinically approved STING agonists such as Ganciclovir or α-Mangostin are candidate drugs that could be tested in humans as a prophylactic treatment to alleviate brain injury associated with ischemic stroke.

Ischemic Preconditioning Modulates the Peripheral Innate Immune System to Promote Anti-Inflammatory and Protective Responses in Mice Subjected to Focal Cerebral Ischemia

The development of tolerance triggered by a sublethal ischemic episode (preconditioning, PC) involves a complex crosstalk between neurons, astrocytes and microglia, although the role of the peripheral immune system in this context is largely unexplored. Here, we report that severe cerebral ischemia caused by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) in adult male mice elevates blood counts of inflammatory neutrophils and monocytes, and plasma levels of miRNA-329-5p. These inflammatory responses are prevented by ischemic PC induced by 15 min MCAo, 72h before the severe insult (1h MCAo). As compared with sham-operated animals, mice subjected to either ischemic PC, MCAo or a combination of both (PC+MCAo) display spleen contraction. However, protein levels of Ym1 (a marker of polarization of myeloid cells towards M2/N2 protective phenotypes) are elevated only in spleen from the experimental groups PC and PC+MCAo, but not MCAo. Conversely, Ym1 protein levels only increase in circulating leukocytes from mice subjected to 1h MCAo, but not in preconditioned animals, which is coincident with a dramatic elevation of Ym1 expression in the ipsilateral cortex. By immunofluorescence analysis, we observe that expression of Ym1 occurs in amoeboid-shaped myeloid cells, mainly representing inflammatory monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils. As a result of its immune-regulatory functions, ischemic PC prevents elevation of mRNA levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β in the ipsilateral cortex, while not affecting IL-10 mRNA increase induced by MCAo. Overall, the elevated anti-inflammatory/pro-inflammatory ratio observed in the brain of mice pre-exposed to PC is associated with reduced brain infarct volume and ischemic edema, and with amelioration of functional outcome. These findings reaffirm the crucial and dualistic role of the innate immune system in ischemic stroke pathobiology, extending these concepts to the context of ischemic tolerance and underscoring their relevance for the identification of novel therapeutic targets for effective stroke treatment.

Dynamic Interleukin-1 Receptor Type 1 Signaling Mediates Microglia-Vasculature Interactions Following Repeated Systemic LPS

Introduction

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) preconditioning involves repeated, systemic, and sub-threshold doses of LPS, which induces a neuroprotective state within the CNS, thus preventing neuronal death and functional losses. Recently, proinflammatory cytokine, Interleukin-1 (IL-1), and its primary signaling partner, interleukin-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R1), have been associated with neuroprotection in the CNS. However, it is still unknown how IL-1/IL-1R1 signaling impacts the processes associated with neuroprotection.

Methods

Using our IL-1R1 restore genetic mouse model, mouse lines were generated to restrict IL-1R1 expression either to endothelia (Tie2-Cre-Il1r1^r/r) or microglia (Cx3Cr1-Cre-Il1r1 ^r/r), in addition to either global ablation (Il1r1 ^r/r) or global restoration of IL-1R1 (Il1r1 ^GR/GR). The LPS preconditioning paradigm consisted of four daily i.p. injections of LPS at 1 mg/kg (4d LPS). 24 hrs following the final i.p. LPS injection, tissue was collected for qPCR analysis, immunohistochemistry, or FAC sorting.

Results

Following 4d LPS, we found multiple phenotypes that are dependent on IL-1R1 signaling such as microglia morphology alterations, increased microglial M2-like gene expression, and clustering of microglia onto the brain vasculature. We determined that 4d LPS induces microglial morphological changes, clustering at the vasculature, and gene expression changes are dependent on endothelial IL-1R1, but not microglial IL-1R1. A novel observation was the induction of microglial IL-1R1 (mIL-1R1) following 4d LPS. The induced mIL-1R1 permits a unique response to central IL-1β: the mIL-1R1 dependent induction of IL-1R1 antagonist (IL-1RA) and IL-1β gene expression. Analysis of RNA sequencing datasets revealed that mIL-1R1 is also induced in neurodegenerative diseases.

Discussion

Here, we have identified cell type-specific IL-1R1 mediated mechanisms, which may contribute to the neuroprotection observed in LPS preconditioning. These findings identify key cellular and molecular contributors in LPS-induced neuroprotection.

Induction of Endotoxin Tolerance Delays Acute Rejection in a Hindlimb Transplantation Model in Rats

BACKGROUND

Acute rejection is seen in 85 percent of composite vascular allogeneic transplants despite long-term immunosuppression. Recently, it was reported that the induction of endotoxin tolerance prolonged heart allograft survival in mice. However, it produced side effects in all the animals secondary to the inflammatory reaction. Galactomannan has shown endotoxin tolerance without this side effect in vitro. The authors hypothesized that galactomannan-induced endotoxin tolerance delays acute rejection in vascular allogeneic transplantation without the side effects produced by lipopolysaccharide.

METHODS

Twenty-four rat hindlimb transplants were divided into four groups according to the preconditioning received: control, lipopolysaccharide (0.16 ml/kg), galactomannan 72 hours before (galactomannan-72) (8 ml/kg), and galactomannan 24 hours before (galactomannan-24) (8 ml/kg). Median acute rejection time, weight loss, and diarrheal episodes were monitored. Blood samples were collected at 0, 7, 21, 30, 45, and 60 days. Plasma cytokines (i.e., tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma), peripheral chimerism, and lymphocyte percentages were analyzed.

RESULTS

Median allograft survival was 40 days (range, 40 to 44 days) in the control group, 68 days (range, 61 to 71 days) in the lipopolysaccharide group, and 70 days (range, 69 to 73 days) in both galactomannan groups (p = 0.001). Weight loss was higher in the lipopolysaccharide group (p < 0.001), as was the 83.3 percent rate of diarrheal episodes (control, 0 percent, p = 0.015; galactomannan-72, 0 percent, p = 0.015; and galactomannan-24, 16.7 percent, p = 0.02). Preconditioned rats had higher peripheral blood chimerism (lipopolysaccharide, 2.30 ± 0.13 percent; galactomannan-72, 2.63 ±1.46 percent; and galactomannan-24, 2.47 ± 0.19 percent) compared to the control group (2.06 ± 0.36 percent) (lipopolysaccharide, p = 0.04; galactomannan-72, p = 0.002; and galactomannan-24, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Induction of endotoxin tolerance delays acute rejection in the rat hindlimb transplantation model. Galactomannan preconditioning has no lipopolysaccharide side effects and was equally effective in delaying acute rejection.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

The contributions of this experimental work are very incipient. Although the use of galactomannan in clinical practice requires more studies to assess its safety, there is no doubt that immunomodulation may be one of the responses that solve the problem of long-term immunosuppression.

Innate immune stimulation prevents the development of anxiety-like behaviors in chronically stressed mice

Anxiety is a common psychological disease which can induce severe social burdens. Searching methods that prevent the onset of anxiety is of great significance for ameliorating the social and individual problems induced by this type of disease. In this study, we investigated how innate immune pre-stimulation influences the anxiety-like behaviors in chronically stressed mice. Our results showed that a single injection of an innate immune stimulant lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at the dose of 50, 100, and 500 μg/kg 1 day before stress exposure prevented chronic social defeat stress (CSDS)-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice. A single injection of LPS (100 μg/kg) 5 days before stress exposure produced similar preventive effects on CSDS-induced anxiety-like behaviors, while similar effects were not observed at the condition of 10-days interval between LPS injection and stress exposure. A second LPS injection 10 days after the first LPS injection or a 4 × LPS injection 10 days before stress exposure also prevented CSDS-induced anxiety-like behaviors. Moreover, a single injection of LPS (100 μg/kg) 1 day before stress exposure prevented the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of CSDS mice. Suppression of innate immune stimulation by minocycline pretreatment simultaneously abrogated the preventive effect of LPS pre-injection (100 μg/kg) on CSDS-induced anxiety-like behaviors and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in the brain. Our results demonstrated that the pre-stimulation of the innate immune system can prevent the development of anxiety-like behaviors and the progression of the neuroinflammatory responses in the brain in chronically stressed mice.

A Levee to the Flood: Pre-injury Neuroinflammation and Immune Stress Influence Traumatic Brain Injury Outcome

Increasing evidence demonstrates that aging influences the brain's response to traumatic brain injury (TBI), setting the stage for neurodegenerative pathology like Alzheimer's disease (AD). This topic is often dominated by discussions of post-injury aging and inflammation, which can diminish the consideration of those same factors before TBI. In fact, pre-TBI aging and inflammation may be just as critical in mediating outcomes. For example, elderly individuals suffer from the highest rates of TBI of all severities. Additionally, pre-injury immune challenges or stressors may alter pathology and outcome independent of age. The inflammatory response to TBI is malleable and influenced by previous, coincident, and subsequent immune insults. Therefore, pre-existing conditions that elicit or include an inflammatory response could substantially influence the brain's ability to respond to traumatic injury and ultimately affect chronic outcome. The purpose of this review is to detail how age-related cellular and molecular changes, as well as genetic risk variants for AD affect the neuroinflammatory response to TBI. First, we will review the sources and pathology of neuroinflammation following TBI. Then, we will highlight the significance of age-related, endogenous sources of inflammation, including changes in cytokine expression, reactive oxygen species processing, and mitochondrial function. Heightened focus is placed on the mitochondria as an integral link between inflammation and various genetic risk factors for AD. Together, this review will compile current clinical and experimental research to highlight how pre-existing inflammatory changes associated with infection and stress, aging, and genetic risk factors can alter response to TBI.

The Gut Microbiome as a Regulator of the Neuroimmune Landscape

The gut microbiome influences many host physiologies, spanning gastrointestinal function, metabolism, immune homeostasis, neuroactivity, and behavior. Many microbial effects on the host are orchestrated by bidirectional interactions between the microbiome and immune system. Imbalances in this dialogue can lead to immune dysfunction and immune-mediated conditions in distal organs including the brain. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiome and dysregulated neuroimmune responses are common comorbidities of neurodevelopmental, neuropsychiatric, and neurological disorders, highlighting the importance of the gut microbiome–neuroimmune axis as a regulator of central nervous system homeostasis. In this review, we discuss recent evidence supporting a role for the gut microbiome in regulating the neuroimmune landscape in health and disease.

Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Immunology, Volume 40 is April 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

TLR Signaling in Brain Immunity

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) comprise a group of transmembrane proteins with crucial roles in pathogen recognition, immune responses, and signal transduction. This family represented the first line of immune homeostasis in an evolutionarily conserved manner. Extensive researches in the past two decades had emphasized their structural and functional characteristics under both healthy and pathological conditions. In this review, we summarized the current understanding of TLR signaling in the central nervous system (CNS), which had been viewed as a previously "immune-privileged" but now "immune-specialized" area, with major implications for further investigation of pathological nature as well as potential therapeutic manipulation of TLR signaling in various neurological disorders.

Low-dose lipopolysaccharide as an immune regulator for homeostasis maintenance in the central nervous system through transformation to neuroprotective microglia

Microglia, which are tissue-resident macrophages in the brain, play a central role in the brain innate immunity and contribute to the maintenance of brain homeostasis. Lipopolysaccharide is a component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria, and activates immune cells including microglia via Toll-like receptor 4 signaling. Lipopolysaccharide is generally known as an endotoxin, as administration of high-dose lipopolysaccharide induces potent systemic inflammation. Also, it has long been recognized that lipopolysaccharide exacerbates neuroinflammation. In contrast, our study revealed that oral administration of lipopolysaccharide ameliorates Alzheimer's disease pathology and suggested that neuroprotective microglia are involved in this phenomenon. Additionally, other recent studies have accumulated evidence demonstrating that controlled immune training with low-dose lipopolysaccharide prevents neuronal damage by transforming the microglia into a neuroprotective phenotype. Therefore, lipopolysaccharide may not a mere inflammatory inducer, but an immunomodulator that can lead to neuroprotective effects in the brain. In this review, we summarized current studies regarding neuroprotective microglia transformed by immune training with lipopolysaccharide. We state that microglia transformed by lipopolysaccharide preconditioning cannot simply be characterized by their general suppression of proinflammatory mediators and general promotion of anti-inflammatory mediators, but instead must be described by their complex profile comprising various molecules related to inflammatory regulation, phagocytosis, neuroprotection, anti-apoptosis, and antioxidation. In addition, microglial transformation seems to depend on the dose of lipopolysaccharide used during immune training. Immune training of neuroprotective microglia using low-dose lipopolysaccharide, especially through oral lipopolysaccharide administration, may represent an innovative prevention or treatment for neurological diseases; however more vigorous studies are still required to properly modulate these treatments.

Toll-Like Receptor Signaling Pathways: Novel Therapeutic Targets for Cerebrovascular Disorders

Toll-like receptors (TLRs), a class of pattern recognition proteins, play an integral role in the modulation of systemic inflammatory responses. Cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of pathological conditions that temporarily or permanently affect the brain tissue mostly via the decrease of oxygen and glucose supply. TLRs have a critical role in the activation of inflammatory cascades following hypoxic-ischemic events and subsequently contribute to neuroprotective or detrimental effects of CVD-induced neuroinflammation. The TLR signaling pathway and downstream cascades trigger immune responses via the production and release of various inflammatory mediators. The present review describes the modulatory role of the TLR signaling pathway in the inflammatory responses developed following various CVDs and discusses the potential benefits of the modulation of different TLRs in the improvement of functional outcomes after brain ischemia.

A prophylactic effect of macrophage-colony stimulating factor on chronic stress-induced depression-like behaviors in mice

Innate immune activation has been shown to reduce the severity of nervous system disorders such as brain ischemia and traumatic brain damage. Macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), a drug that is used to treat hematological system disease, is an enhancer of the innate immune response. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of M-CSF preconditioning on chronic social defeat stress (CSDS)-induced depression-like behaviors in mice. Results showed that a single M-CSF injection 1 day before stress exposure at the dose of 100 and 500 μg/kg, or a single M-CSF injection (100 μg/kg) 1 or 5 days but not 10 days before stress exposure prevented CSDS-induced depression-like behaviors in mice. Further analysis showed that a second M-CSF injection 10 days after the first M-CSF injection and a 2 × or 4 × M-CSF injections 10 days before stress exposure also prevented CSDS-induced depression-like behaviors. Molecular studies revealed that a single M-CSF injection prior to stress exposure skewed the neuroinflammatory responses in the brain in CSDS-exposed mice towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype. These behavioral and molecular actions of M-CSF were correlated with innate immune stimulation, as pre-inhibiting the innate immune activation by minocycline pretreatment (40 mg/kg) abrogated the preventive effect of M-CSF on CSDS-induced depression-like behaviors and neuroinflammatory responses. These results provide evidence to show that innate immune activation by M-CSF pretreatment may prevent chronic stress-induced depression-like behaviors via preventing the development of neuroinflammatory response in the brain, which may help to develop novel strategies for the prevention of depression.

Preconditioning increases brain resistance against acute brain injury via neuroinflammation modulation

Acute brain injury (ABI) is a broad concept mainly comprised of sudden parenchymal brain injury. Acute brain injury outcomes are dependent not only on the severity of the primary injury, but the delayed secondary injury that subsequently follows as well. These are both taken into consideration when determining the patient's prognosis. Growing clinical and experimental evidence demonstrates that "preconditioning," a prophylactic approach in which the brain is exposed to various pre-injury stressors, can induce varying degrees of "tolerance" against the impact of the ABI by modulating neuroinflammation. In this review, we will summarize the pathophysiology of ABI, and discuss the involved mechanisms of neuroinflammation in ABI, as well as existing experimental and clinical studies demonstrating the efficacy of preconditioning methods in various types of ABI by modulating neuroinflammation.

Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction Participates in the Pathophysiology of Ischemic Stroke

The gastrointestinal tract is a major organ for the body to absorb nutrients, water and electrolytes. At the same time, it is a tight barrier to resist the invasion of harmful substances and maintain the homeostasis of the internal environment. Destruction of the intestinal barrier is linked to the digestive system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system and other systemic diseases. Mounting evidence suggests that ischemic stroke not only changes the intestinal microbes, but also increases the permeability of the intestinal barrier, leading to bacterial translocation, infection, and even sepsis. The intestinal barrier, as part of the gut-brain axis, has also been proven to participate in the pathophysiological process of ischemic stroke. However, little attention has been paid to it. Since ischemic stroke is a major public health issue worldwide, there is an urgent need to know more about the disease for better prevention, treatment and prognosis. Therefore, understanding the pathophysiological relationship between ischemic stroke and the intestinal barrier will help researchers further uncover the pathophysiological mechanism of ischemic stroke and provide a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of ischemic stroke. Here, we review the physiology and pathology between ischemic stroke and intestinal barrier based on related articles published in the past ten years about the relationship between ischemic stroke, stroke risk factors and intestinal flora, intestinal barrier, and discuss the following parts: the intestinal barrier; possible mechanisms of intestinal barrier destruction in ischemic stroke; intestinal barrier destruction caused by stroke-related risk factors; intestinal barrier dysfunction in ischemic stroke; targeting the intestinal barrier to improve stroke; conclusions and perspectives.

Neurosteroid allopregnanolone (3α,5α-THP) inhibits inflammatory signals induced by activated MyD88-dependent toll-like receptors

We have shown that endogenous neurosteroids, including pregnenolone and 3α,5α-THP inhibit toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signal activation in mouse macrophages and the brain of alcohol-preferring (P) rat, which exhibits innate TLR4 signal activation. The current studies were designed to examine whether other activated TLR signals are similarly inhibited by 3α,5α-THP. We report that 3α,5α-THP inhibits selective agonist-mediated activation of TLR2 and TLR7, but not TLR3 signaling in the RAW246.7 macrophage cell line. The TLR4 and TLR7 signals are innately activated in the amygdala and NAc from P rat brains and inhibited by 3α,5α-THP. The TLR2 and TLR3 signals are not activated in P rat brain and they are not affected by 3α,5α-THP. Co-immunoprecipitation studies indicate that 3α,5α-THP inhibits the binding of MyD88 with TLR4 or TLR7 in P rat brain, but the levels of TLR4 co-precipitating with TRIF are not altered by 3α,5α-THP treatment. Collectively, the data indicate that 3α,5α-THP inhibits MyD88- but not TRIF-dependent TLR signal activation and the production of pro-inflammatory mediators through its ability to block TLR-MyD88 binding. These results have applicability to many conditions involving pro-inflammatory TLR activation of cytokines, chemokines, and interferons and support the use of 3α,5α-THP as a therapeutic for inflammatory disease.

Microglia as target for anti-inflammatory approaches to prevent secondary brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)

Background

Microglia-driven cerebral spreading inflammation is a key contributor to secondary brain injury after SAH. Genetic depletion or deactivation of microglia has been shown to ameliorate neuronal cell death. Therefore, clinically feasible anti-inflammatory approaches counteracting microglia accumulation or activation are interesting targets for SAH treatment. Here, we tested two different methods of interference with microglia-driven cerebral inflammation in a murine SAH model: (i) inflammatory preconditioning and (ii) pharmacological deactivation.

Methods

7T-MRI-controlled SAH was induced by endovascular perforation in four groups of C57Bl/6 mice: (i) Sham-operation, (ii) SAH naïve, (iii) SAH followed by inflammatory preconditioning (LPS intraperitoneally), and (iv) SAH followed by pharmacological microglia deactivation (colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor-antagonist PLX3397 intraperitoneally). Microglia accumulation and neuronal cell death (immuno-fluorescence), as well as activation status (RT-PCR for inflammation-associated molecules from isolated microglia) were recorded at day 4 and 14. Toll-like receptor4 (TLR4) status was analyzed using FACS.

Results

Following SAH, significant cerebral spreading inflammation occurred. Microglia accumulation and pro-inflammatory gene expression were accompanied by neuronal cell death with a maximum on day 14 after SAH. Inflammatory preconditioning as well as PLX3397-treatment resulted in significantly reduced microglia accumulation and activation as well as neuronal cell death. TLR4 surface expression in preconditioned animals was diminished as a sign for receptor activation and internalization.

Conclusions

Microglia-driven cerebral spreading inflammation following SAH contributes to secondary brain injury. Two microglia-focused treatment strategies, (i) inflammatory preconditioning with LPS and (ii) pharmacological deactivation with PLX3397, led to significant reduction of neuronal cell death. Increased internalization of inflammation-driving TLR4 after preconditioning leaves less receptor molecules on the cell surface, providing a probable explanation for significantly reduced microglia activation. Our findings support microglia-focused treatment strategies to overcome secondary brain injury after SAH. Delayed inflammation onset provides a valuable clinical window of opportunity.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-021-02085-3.

New Mechanistic Insights, Novel Treatment Paradigms, and Clinical Progress in Cerebrovascular Diseases

The past decade has brought tremendous progress in diagnostic and therapeutic options for cerebrovascular diseases as exemplified by the advent of thrombectomy in ischemic stroke, benefitting a steeply increasing number of stroke patients and potentially paving the way for a renaissance of neuroprotectants. Progress in basic science has been equally impressive. Based on a deeper understanding of pathomechanisms underlying cerebrovascular diseases, new therapeutic targets have been identified and novel treatment strategies such as pre- and post-conditioning methods were developed. Moreover, translationally relevant aspects are increasingly recognized in basic science studies, which is believed to increase their predictive value and the relevance of obtained findings for clinical application.This review reports key results from some of the most remarkable and encouraging achievements in neurovascular research that have been reported at the 10th International Symposium on Neuroprotection and Neurorepair. Basic science topics discussed herein focus on aspects such as neuroinflammation, extracellular vesicles, and the role of sex and age on stroke recovery. Translational reports highlighted endovascular techniques and targeted delivery methods, neurorehabilitation, advanced functional testing approaches for experimental studies, pre-and post-conditioning approaches as well as novel imaging and treatment strategies. Beyond ischemic stroke, particular emphasis was given on activities in the fields of traumatic brain injury and cerebral hemorrhage in which promising preclinical and clinical results have been reported. Although the number of neutral outcomes in clinical trials is still remarkably high when targeting cerebrovascular diseases, we begin to evidence stepwise but continuous progress towards novel treatment options. Advances in preclinical and translational research as reported herein are believed to have formed a solid foundation for this progress.

Lipopolysaccharide Pre-conditioning Attenuates Pro-inflammatory Responses and Promotes Cytoprotective Effect in Differentiated PC12 Cell Lines via Pre-activation of Toll-Like Receptor-4 Signaling Pathway Leading to the Inhibition of Caspase-3/Nuclear Factor-κappa B Pathway

Lipopolysacharide (LPS) pre-conditioning (PC), has been shown to exert protective effects against cytotoxic effects. Therefore, we hypothesized, the tolerance produced by LPS PC will be resulted by the alterations and modifications in gene and protein expression. With reference to the results of MTT assays, AO/PI staining, and Annexin V-FITC analyses of LPS concentration (0.7815-50 μg/mL) and time-dependent (12-72 h) experiments, the pre-exposure to 3 μg/mL LPS for 12 h protected the differentiated PC12 cells against 0.75 mg/mL LPS apoptotic concentration. LPS-treated cells secreted more inflammatory cytokines like IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, IFN-γ, and TNF-α than LPS-PC cells. The production of inflammatory mediators ROS and NO was also higher in the LPS-induced cells compared to LPS-PC cells. Conversely, anti-inflammatory cytokines (like IL-10, IL-13, CNTF, and IL-1Ra) were upregulated in the LPS-PC cells but not in the LPS-induced cells. Meanwhile, the LPS initiated caspase-8 which in turn activates effector caspase 3/7. When the activities of caspases in the LPS-induced cells were inhibited using z-VADfmk and z-DEVDfmk, the expressions of c-MYC and Hsp70 were increased, but p53 was reduced. The potential molecules associated with protective and destructive effect was measured by RT² Profiler PCR array to elucidate the signaling pathways and suggested inhibition NF-κB/caspase-3 signaling pathway regulates the cytoprotective genes and proto-oncogenes. In conclusion, this study provides a basis for future research to better understand the molecular mechanism underlying LPS pre-conditioning /TLR4 pre-activation and its functional role in offering cytoprotective response in neuronal environment.

Microbiome and ischemic stroke: A systematic review

Background

Ischemic stroke is one of the non-communicable diseases that contribute to the significant number of deaths worldwide. However, the relationship between microbiome and ischemic stroke remained unknown. Hence, the objective of this study was to perform systematic review on the relationship between human microbiome and ischemic stroke.

Methods

A systematic review on ischemic stroke was carried out for all articles obtained from databases until 22^nd October 2020. Main findings were extracted from all the eligible studies.

Results

Eighteen eligible studies were included in the systematic review. These studies suggested that aging, inflammation, and different microbial compositions could contribute to ischemic stroke. Phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes also appeared to manipulate post-stroke outcome. The important role of microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids and trimethylamine N-oxide in ischemic stroke were also highlighted.

Conclusions

This is the first systematic review that investigates the relationship between microbiome and ischemic stroke. Aging and inflammation contribute to differential microbial compositions and predispose individuals to ischemic stroke.

LPS Preconditioning Attenuates Apoptosis Mechanism by Inhibiting NF-κB and Caspase-3 Activity: TLR4 Pre-activation in the Signaling Pathway of LPS-Induced Neuroprotection

Neuroinflammation, an inflammatory response within the nervous system, has been shown to be implicated in the progression of various neurodegenerative diseases. Recent in vivo studies showed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) preconditioning provides neuroprotection by activating Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), one of the members for pattern recognition receptor (PRR) family that play critical role in host response to tissue injury, infection, and inflammation. Pre-exposure to low dose of LPS could confer a protective state against cellular apoptosis following subsequent stimulation with LPS at higher concentration, suggesting a role for TLR4 pre-activation in the signaling pathway of LPS-induced neuroprotection. However, the precise molecular mechanism associated with this protective effect is not well understood. In this article, we provide an overall review of the current state of our knowledge about LPS preconditioning in attenuating apoptosis mechanism and conferring neuroprotection via TLR4 signaling pathway.

Atorvastatin alleviates microglia-mediated neuroinflammation via modulating the microbial composition and the intestinal barrier function in ischemic stroke mice

Our previous work has shown that atorvastatin exerts anti-inflammatory properties in ischemic stroke, and recent studies have revealed that intestinal microbiota plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of stroke. However, it is not clear whether the anti-inflammatory effects of atorvastatin against ischemic stroke is related to gut function and microbiota. We report herein that atorvastatin significantly ameliorated the defects in sensorimotor behaviors and reduced microglia-mediated neuroinflammation by inhibiting proinflammatory polarization of microglia in the peri-infarct cortex of the mice with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO). Moreover, atorvastatin reversed microbial composition (characterized by increased abundance of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus and decreased Bacteroidetes abundance), increased fecal butyrate level, promoted intestinal barrier function (elevated protein levels of claudin-1, occludin and mucoprotein 2), as well as regulated intestinal immune function (decreased MCP-1, TNF-α and increased IL-10). Atorvastatin also significantly reduced the level of circulating endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide-binding protein), which is a biomarker of leaky gut. Transplantation of fecal microbiota collected from atorvastatin treated mice potently attenuated neuroinflammation in pMCAO mice, and the anti-inflammatory effects of fecal microbiota transplantation were similar to those of oral atorvastatin administration. These results suggested that the atorvastatin-mediated restoration of gut microbiota, improvement of intestinal barrier function and regulation of intestinal immunity were involved in the anti-inflammatory function in stroke mice.

CNS and peripheral immunity in cerebral ischemia: partition and interaction

Stroke elicits excessive immune activation in the injured brain tissue. This well-recognized neural inflammation in the brain is not just an intrinsic organ response but also a result of additional intricate interactions between infiltrating peripheral immune cells and the resident immune cells in the affected areas. Given that there is a finite number of immune cells in the organism at the time of stroke, the partitioned immune systems of the central nervous system (CNS) and periphery must appropriately distribute the limited pool of immune cells between the two domains, mounting a necessary post-stroke inflammatory response by supplying a sufficient number of immune cells into the brain while maintaining peripheral immunity. Stroke pathophysiology has mainly been neurocentric in focus, but understanding the distinct roles of the CNS and peripheral immunity in their concerted action against ischemic insults is crucial. This review will discuss stroke-induced influences of the peripheral immune system on CNS injury/repair and of neural inflammation on peripheral immunity, and how comorbidity influences each.

Tolerance-inducing effect and properties of innate immune stimulation on chronic stress-induced behavioral abnormalities in mice

Over-activation of the innate immune system constitutes a risk factor for the development of nervous system disorders but may reduce the severity of these disorders by inducing tolerance effect. Here, we studied the tolerance-inducing effect and properties of innate immune stimulation on chronic social defeat stress (CSDS)-induced behavioral abnormalities in mice. A single injection of the innate immune enhancer lipopolysaccharide (LPS) one day before stress exposure prevented CSDS-induced impairment in social interaction and increased immobility time in the tail suspension test and forced swimming test. This effect was observed at varying doses (100, 500, and 1000 μg/kg) and peaked at 100 μg/kg. A single LPS injection (100 μg/kg) either one or five but not ten days before stress exposure prevented CSDS-induced behavioral abnormalities. A second LPS injection ten days after the first LPS injection, or a 2 × or 4 × LPS injections ten days before stress exposure also induced tolerance against stress-induced behavioral abnormalities. Our results furthermore showed that a single LPS injection one day before stress exposure skewed the neuroinflammatory response in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of CSDS-exposed mice toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Inhibiting the central innate immune response by pretreatment with minocycline or PLX3397 abrogated the tolerance-inducing effect of LPS preconditioning on CSDS-induced behavioral abnormalities and neuroinflammatory responses in the brain. These results provide evidence for a prophylactic effect of innate immune stimulation on stress-induced behavioral abnormalities via changes in microglial activation, which may help develop novel strategies for the prevention of stress-induced psychological disorders.