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Nuszkiewicz J, Kukulska-Pawluczuk B, Piec K, Jarek DJ, Motolko K, Szewczyk-Golec K, Woźniak A. Intersecting Pathways: The Role of Metabolic Dysregulation, Gastrointestinal Microbiome, and Inflammation in Acute Ischemic Stroke Pathogenesis and Outcomes. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4258. [PMID: 39064298 PMCID: PMC11278353 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13144258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) remains a major cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide, driven by complex and multifaceted etiological factors. Metabolic dysregulation, gastrointestinal microbiome alterations, and systemic inflammation are emerging as significant contributors to AIS pathogenesis. This review addresses the critical need to understand how these factors interact to influence AIS risk and outcomes. We aim to elucidate the roles of dysregulated adipokines in obesity, the impact of gut microbiota disruptions, and the neuroinflammatory cascade initiated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in AIS. Dysregulated adipokines in obesity exacerbate inflammatory responses, increasing AIS risk and severity. Disruptions in the gut microbiota and subsequent LPS-induced neuroinflammation further link systemic inflammation to AIS. Advances in neuroimaging and biomarker development have improved diagnostic precision. Here, we highlight the need for a multifaceted approach to AIS management, integrating metabolic, microbiota, and inflammatory insights. Potential therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways could significantly improve AIS prevention and treatment. Future research should focus on further elucidating these pathways and developing targeted interventions to mitigate the impacts of metabolic dysregulation, microbiome imbalances, and inflammation on AIS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarosław Nuszkiewicz
- Department of Medical Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 24 Karłowicza St., 85-092 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Beata Kukulska-Pawluczuk
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 9 M. Skłodowskiej—Curie St., 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (B.K.-P.); (K.P.)
| | - Katarzyna Piec
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 9 M. Skłodowskiej—Curie St., 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (B.K.-P.); (K.P.)
| | - Dorian Julian Jarek
- Student Research Club of Medical Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Medical Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 24 Karłowicza St., 85-092 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Karina Motolko
- Student Research Club of Neurology, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 9 M. Skłodowskiej—Curie St., 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Karolina Szewczyk-Golec
- Department of Medical Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 24 Karłowicza St., 85-092 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Alina Woźniak
- Department of Medical Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 24 Karłowicza St., 85-092 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
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Larochelle J, Howell JA, Yang C, Liu L, Gunraj RE, Stansbury SM, de Oliveira ACP, Baksh S, Candelario-Jalil E. Pharmacological inhibition of receptor-interacting protein kinase 2 (RIPK2) elicits neuroprotective effects following experimental ischemic stroke. Exp Neurol 2024; 377:114812. [PMID: 38729551 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke induces a debilitating neurological insult, where inflammatory processes contribute greatly to the expansion and growth of the injury. Receptor-interacting protein kinase 2 (RIPK2) is most well-known for its role as the obligate kinase for NOD1/2 pattern recognition receptor signaling and is implicated in the pathology of various inflammatory conditions. Compared to a sham-operated control, ischemic stroke resulted in a dramatic increase in the active, phosphorylated form of RIPK2, indicating that RIPK2 may be implicated in the response to stroke injury. Here, we assessed the effects of pharmacological inhibition of RIPK2 to improve post-stroke outcomes in mice subjected to experimental ischemic stroke. We found that treatment at the onset of reperfusion with a RIPK2 inhibitor, which inhibits the phosphorylation and activation of RIPK2, resulted in marked improvements in post-stroke behavioral outcomes compared to the vehicle-administered group assessed 24 h after stroke. RIPK2 inhibitor-treated mice exhibited dramatic reductions in infarct volume, concurrent with reduced damage to the blood-brain barrier, as evidenced by reduced levels of active matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and leakage of blood-borne albumin in the ipsilateral cortex. To explore the protective mechanism of RIPK2 inhibition, we next pretreated mice with RIPK2 inhibitor or vehicle and examined transcriptomic alterations occurring in the ischemic brain 6 h after stroke. We observed a dramatic reduction in neuroinflammatory markers in the ipsilateral cortex of the inhibitor-treated group while also attaining a comprehensive view of the vast transcriptomic alterations occurring in the brain with inhibitor treatment through bulk RNA-sequencing of the injured cortex. Overall, we provide significant novel evidence that RIPK2 may represent a viable target for post-stroke pharmacotherapy and potentially other neuroinflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Larochelle
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - John Aaron Howell
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Changjun Yang
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Rachel E Gunraj
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Sofia M Stansbury
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Shairaz Baksh
- BioImmuno Designs, Inc., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Bio-Stream Diagnostics, Inc., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Eduardo Candelario-Jalil
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Bustin SA. Improving the quality of quantitative polymerase chain reaction experiments: 15 years of MIQE. Mol Aspects Med 2024; 96:101249. [PMID: 38290180 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2024.101249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is fundamental to molecular biology. It is not just a laboratory technique, qPCR is a bridge between research and clinical practice. Its theoretical foundations guide the design of experiments, while its practical implications extend to diagnostics, treatment, and research advancements in the life sciences, human and veterinary medicine, agriculture, and forensics. However, the accuracy, reliability and reproducibility of qPCR data face challenges arising from various factors associated with experimental design, execution, data analysis and inadequate reporting details. Addressing these concerns, the Minimum Information for the Publication of Quantitative Real-Time PCR Experiments (MIQE) guidelines have emerged as a cohesive framework offering a standardised set of recommendations that describe the essential information required for assessing qPCR experiments. By emphasising the importance of methodological rigour, the MIQE guidelines have made a major contribution to improving the trustworthiness, consistency, and transparency of many published qPCR results. However, major challenges related to awareness, resources, and publication pressures continue to affect their consistent application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Bustin
- Medical Technology Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1SQ, UK.
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