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Li E, Yan R, Qiao H, Sun J, Zou P, Chang J, Li S, Ma Q, Zhang R, Liao B. Combined transcriptomics and proteomics studies on the effect of electrical stimulation on spinal cord injury in rats. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23960. [PMID: 38226269 PMCID: PMC10788535 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Electrical stimulation (ES) of the spinal cord is a promising therapy for functional rehabilitation after spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the specific mechanism of action is poorly understood. We designed and applied an implanted ES device in the SCI area in rats and determined the effect of ES on the treatment of motor dysfunction after SCI using behavioral scores. Additionally, we examined the molecular characteristics of the samples using proteomic and transcriptomic sequencing. The differential molecules between groups were identified using statistical analyses. Molecular, network, and pathway-based analyses were used to identify group-specific biological features. ES (0.5 mA, 0.1 ms, 50 Hz) had a positive effect on motor dysfunction and neuronal regeneration in rats after SCI. Six samples (three independent replicates in each group) were used for transcriptome sequencing; we obtained 1026 differential genes, comprising 274 upregulated genes and 752 downregulated genes. A total of 10 samples were obtained: four samples in the ES group and six samples in the SCI group; for the proteome sequencing, 48 differential proteins were identified, including 45 up-regulated and three down-regulated proteins. Combined transcriptomic and proteomic studies have shown that the main enrichment pathway is the hedgehog signaling pathway. Western blot results showed that the expression levels of Sonic hedgehog (SHH) (P < 0.001), Smoothened (SMO) (P = 0.0338), and GLI-1 (P < 0.01) proteins in the ES treatment group were significantly higher than those in the SCI group. The immunofluorescence results showed significantly increased expression of SHH (P = 0.0181), SMO (P = 0.021), and GLI-1 (P = 0.0126) in the ES group compared with that in the SCI group. In conclusion, ES after SCI had a positive effect on motor dysfunction and anti-inflammatory effects in rats. Moreover, transcriptomic and proteomic sequencing also provided unique perspectives on the complex relationships between ES on SCI, where the SHH signaling pathway plays a critical role. Our study provides a significant theoretical foundation for the clinical implementation of ES therapy in patients with SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erliang Li
- Department of Joint Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Rongbao Yan
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Huanhuan Qiao
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jin Sun
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Peng Zou
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiaqi Chang
- School of Automation Science and Electrical Engineering, Beihang University, 37th Xueyuan Road, Beijing, China
| | - Shuang Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qiong Ma
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Bo Liao
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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Zeng H, Cheng L, Lu DZ, Fan S, Wang KX, Xu LL, Cai B, Zhou MW, Wang JW. Unbiased multitissue transcriptomic analysis reveals complex neuroendocrine regulatory networks mediated by spinal cord injury-induced immunodeficiency. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:219. [PMID: 37775760 PMCID: PMC10543323 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02906-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal cord injury (SCI), which causes loss of sensory and motor function in the body below the level of injury, is a devastating disease of the central nervous system. SCI leads to severe secondary immunosuppression, called SCI-induced immunodeficiency syndrome (SCI-IDS), which is characterized by increased susceptibility to infection and further exacerbates neurological dysfunction. Several studies have suggested that SCI-IDS is an independent risk factor for poor neurological prognosis. SCI-IDS predominantly occurs following injury above the T5 levels and eventually leads to systemic immune failure, possibly via the sympathetic-adrenal medullary axis and the hypothalamic‒pituitary‒adrenal (HPA) axis. However, the mechanism remains unclear. METHODS AND OBJECTIVES The concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol in plasma, as well as changes in sympathetic activity (blood pressure and catecholamine levels in plasma), were assessed in rats in the high-level (T3) spinal cord injury (T3-SCI) group and the low-level (T10) spinal cord injury (T10-SCI) group. Second, the differential regulation of the gene network between the sympathetic-adrenal medullary axis and the HPA axis was explored by histology and multitissue transcriptomics, and the neuroendocrine-immune network associated with SCI-IDS was further elucidated. RESULTS The spleen and thymus gland, which are secondary immune organs, were significantly atrophied in rats in the T3-SCI group, and the white pulp of the spleen was significantly atrophied. The level of cortisol, which is mediated by the adrenal glands, was markedly elevated, but norepinephrine levels were markedly decreased. There was no difference in adrenocorticotropic hormone expression between any of the groups. The transcriptome analysis results showed that the downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the T3-SCI group were enriched in the GO term immunoregulation, indicating that splenic immune function was markedly impaired after high-level SCI. The upregulated DEGs in the hypothalamus (hub genes: Nod2, Serpine1, Cebpb, Nfkbil1, Ripk2, Zfp36, Traf6, Akap8, Gfer, Cxcl10, Tnfaip3, Icam1, Fcgr2b, Ager, Dusp10, and Mapkapk2) were significantly enriched in inflammatory pathways, and the downregulated genes (hub genes: Grm4, Nmu, P2ry12, rt1-bb1, Oprm1, Zfhx2, Gpr83, and Chrm2) were enriched in pathways related to inhibitory Gi-mediated G protein-coupled receptor (Gi-GPCR) neurons and neuropeptide changes. The upregulated genes in the adrenal glands (hub genes: Ciart, per2, per3, cry1, and cry2) were enriched in cortisol secretion and circadian rhythm changes, and the downregulated genes (hub genes: IL7r, rt1-bb, rt1-bb1, rt1-da, rt1-ba, cd74, cxcr3, vcam1, ccl5, bin1, and IL8) were significantly enriched in MHC-mediated immune responses. CONCLUSIONS To explore the possible mechanism underlying SCI-IDS, this study assessed the differential regulation of the gene network associated with neuroendocrine immunity after SCI. Progressive neuroinflammation spreads after injury, and neurotransmission through Gi-mediated G protein-coupled receptors in the HPA axis and neuropeptide production by the hypothalamus are inhibited. Disruption of the connection between the hypothalamus and the adrenal glands causes autonomous regulation of the adrenal glands, disturbance of circadian rhythm and finally hypercortisolemia, leading to general suppression of peripheral adaptive immunity. Neuraxial nerve inflammation caused by SCI persists indefinitely, blocking nerve repair; persistent system-wide immunosuppression in the periphery results in increased susceptibility to infection, leading to poor neurological prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zeng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 500 Quxi Road, Shanghai, 200011 China
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011 China
| | - Li Cheng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 500 Quxi Road, Shanghai, 200011 China
| | - De-zhi Lu
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444 China
| | - Shuai Fan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 500 Quxi Road, Shanghai, 200011 China
| | - Ke-xin Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 500 Quxi Road, Shanghai, 200011 China
| | - Li-li Xu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 500 Quxi Road, Shanghai, 200011 China
| | - Bin Cai
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 500 Quxi Road, Shanghai, 200011 China
| | - Mou-wang Zhou
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, 100191 China
| | - Jin-wu Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011 China
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Hao C, Han M, Wang W, Yang C, Wang J, Guo Y, Xu T, Zhang L, Li C. The neuroprotective effects of peracetylated chitosan oligosaccharides against β-amyloid-induced cognitive deficits in rats. MARINE LIFE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 5:211-222. [PMID: 37275539 PMCID: PMC10232394 DOI: 10.1007/s42995-023-00172-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Chitosan oligosaccharides (COSs) have been reported to possess a broad range of activities such as antitumor, antioxidant and neuroprotective activities. In this study, the protective effects and mechanisms of peracetylated chitosan oligosaccharides (PACOs) against Aβ-induced cognitive deficits were investigated in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. PACOs treatment significantly improved the learning and memory function of Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats and attenuated the neuron cell damage caused by Aβ. PACOs also markedly reduced the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased the phosphorylation of Tau protein to inhibit oxidative injury and inflammatory responses in AD rats. Further studies indicated that PACOs may promote the repair of Aβ induced nerve damage and inhibit neuronal apoptosis mainly through regulating PI3K/Akt/GSK3β signaling pathway. Consistently, the transcriptome analysis verified that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly involved in neuron development and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Taken together, peracetylated chitosan oligosaccharides (PACOs) have the potential to be developed into novel anti-AD agents targeting the cellular PI3K/Akt/GSK3β signaling pathway. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-023-00172-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui Hao
- Medical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003 China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
- Center of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Minmin Han
- Medical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003 China
- Center of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003 China
- Qingdao Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Wei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Cheng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Jigang Wang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Yunliang Guo
- Medical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003 China
- Center of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Tao Xu
- Center of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003 China
- Qingdao Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Lijuan Zhang
- Medical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Chunxia Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
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Alpha-synuclein increases in rodent and human spinal cord injury and promotes inflammation and tissue loss. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11720. [PMID: 34083630 PMCID: PMC8175699 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91116-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are neurodegenerative diseases in which α-synuclein protein accumulates in neurons and glia. In these diseases, α-synuclein forms dense intracellular aggregates that are disease hallmarks and actively contribute to tissue pathology. Interestingly, many pathological mechanisms, including iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation, are shared between classical synucleinopathies such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). However, to date, no studies have determined if α-synuclein accumulation occurs after human SCI. To examine this, cross-sections from injured and non-injured human spinal cords were immunolabeled for α-synuclein. This showed robust α-synuclein accumulation in profiles resembling axons and astrocytes in tissue surrounding the injury, revealing that α-synuclein markedly aggregates in traumatically injured human spinal cords. We also detected significant iron deposition in the injury site, a known catalyst for α-synuclein aggregation. Next a rodent SCI model mimicking the histological features of human SCI revealed aggregates and structurally altered monomers of α-synuclein are present after SCI. To determine if α-synuclein exacerbates SCI pathology, α-synuclein knockout mice were tested. Compared to wild type mice, α-synuclein knockout mice had significantly more spared axons and neurons and lower pro-inflammatory mediators, macrophage accumulation, and iron deposition in the injured spinal cord. Interestingly, locomotor analysis revealed that α-synuclein may be essential for dopamine-mediated hindlimb function after SCI. Collectively, the marked upregulation and long-lasting accumulation of α-synuclein and iron suggests that SCI may fit within the family of synucleinopathies and offer new therapeutic targets for promoting neuron preservation and improving function after spinal trauma.
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Zeng H, Liu N, Liu XX, Yang YY, Zhou MW. α-Synuclein in traumatic and vascular diseases of the central nervous system. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:22313-22334. [PMID: 33188159 PMCID: PMC7695413 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-Syn) is a small, soluble, disordered protein that is widely expressed in the nervous system. Although its physiological functions are not yet fully understood, it is mainly involved in synaptic vesicle transport, neurotransmitter synthesis and release, cell membrane homeostasis, lipid synthesis, mitochondrial and lysosomal activities, and heavy metal removal. The complex and inconsistent pathological manifestations of α-Syn are attributed to its structural instability, mutational complexity, misfolding, and diverse posttranslational modifications. These effects trigger mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammatory responses, resulting in neuronal death and neurodegeneration. Several recent studies have discovered the pathogenic roles of α-Syn in traumatic and vascular central nervous system diseases, such as traumatic spinal cord injury, brain injury, and stroke, and in aggravating the processes of neurodegeneration. This review aims to highlight the structural and pathophysiological changes in α-Syn and its mechanism of action in traumatic and vascular diseases of the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zeng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Nan Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiao-Xie Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yan-Yan Yang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Mou-Wang Zhou
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
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