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Schreiner TG, Schreiner OD, Ciobanu RC. Spinal Cord Injury Management Based on Microglia-Targeting Therapies. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2773. [PMID: 38792314 PMCID: PMC11122315 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13102773] [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: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury is a complicated medical condition both from the clinician's point of view in terms of management and from the patient's perspective in terms of unsatisfactory recovery. Depending on the severity, this disorder can be devastating despite the rapid and appropriate use of modern imaging techniques and convenient surgical spinal cord decompression and stabilization. In this context, there is a mandatory need for novel adjunctive therapeutic approaches to classical treatments to improve rehabilitation chances and clinical outcomes. This review offers a new and original perspective on therapies targeting the microglia, one of the most relevant immune cells implicated in spinal cord disorders. The first part of the manuscript reviews the anatomical and pathophysiological importance of the blood-spinal cord barrier components, including the role of microglia in post-acute neuroinflammation. Subsequently, the authors present the emerging therapies based on microglia modulation, such as cytokines modulators, stem cell, microRNA, and nanoparticle-based treatments that could positively impact spinal cord injury management. Finally, future perspectives and challenges are also highlighted based on the ongoing clinical trials related to medications targeting microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Gabriel Schreiner
- Department of Medical Specialties III, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
- First Neurology Clinic, “Prof. Dr. N. Oblu” Clinical Emergency Hospital, 700309 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Electrical Measurements and Materials, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi, 700050 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Oliver Daniel Schreiner
- Department of Electrical Measurements and Materials, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi, 700050 Iasi, Romania;
- Medical Oncology Department, Regional Institute of Oncology, 700483 Iasi, Romania
| | - Romeo Cristian Ciobanu
- Department of Electrical Measurements and Materials, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi, 700050 Iasi, Romania;
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2
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Cogut V, Goris M, Jansma A, van der Staaij M, Henning RH. Hippocampal neuroimmune response in mice undergoing serial daily torpor induced by calorie restriction. Front Neuroanat 2024; 18:1334206. [PMID: 38686173 PMCID: PMC11056553 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2024.1334206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Hibernating animals demonstrate a remarkable ability to withstand extreme physiological brain changes without triggering adverse neuroinflammatory responses. While hibernators may offer valuable insights into the neuroprotective mechanisms inherent to hibernation, studies using such species are constrained by the limited availability of molecular tools. Laboratory mice may serve as an alternative, entering states of hypometabolism and hypothermia similar to the torpor observed in hibernation when faced with energy shortage. Notably, prolonged calorie restriction (CR) induces serial daily torpor patterns in mice, comparable to species that utilize daily hibernation. Here, we examined the neuroinflammatory response in the hippocampus of male C57BL/6 mice undergoing serial daily torpor induced by a 30% CR for 4 weeks. During daily torpor episodes, CR mice exhibited transient increases in TNF-α mRNA expression, which normalized upon arousal. Concurrently, the CA1 region of the hippocampus showed persistent morphological changes in microglia, characterized by reduced cell branching, decreased cell complexity and altered shape. Importantly, these morphological changes were not accompanied by evident signs of astrogliosis or oxidative stress, typically associated with detrimental neuroinflammation. Collectively, the adaptive nature of the brain's inflammatory response to CR-induced torpor in mice parallels observations in hibernators, highlighting its value for studying the mechanisms of brain resilience during torpor. Such insights could pave the way for novel therapeutic interventions in stroke and neurodegenerative disorders in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Cogut
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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Zhang Z, Sun L, Guo Y, Zhao J, Li J, Pan X, Li Z. Bavachin ameliorates neuroinflammation and depressive-like behaviors in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice through the inhibition of PKCδ. Free Radic Biol Med 2024; 213:52-64. [PMID: 38215890 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Depression and diabetes are closely linked; however, the pathogenesis of depression associated with diabetes is unclear, and there are no clinically effective antidepressant drugs for diabetic patients with depression. Bavachin is an important active ingredient in Fructus Psoraleae. In this study, we evaluated the anti-neuroinflammatory and antidepressant effects associated with diabetes and the molecular mechanisms of bavachin in a streptozotocin-induced diabetes mouse model. We found that bavachin clearly decreased streptozotocin (STZ)-induced depressive-like behaviors in mice. It was further found that bavachin significantly inhibited microglia activation and the phosphorylation level of PKCδ and inhibited the activation of the NF-κB pathway in vivo and in vitro. Knockdown of PKCδ with siRNA-PKCδ partially reversed the inhibitory effect of bavachin on the NF-κB pathway and the level of pro-inflammatory factors. We further found that PKCδ directly bound to bavachin based on molecular docking and pull-down assays. We also found that bavachin improved neuroinflammation-induced neuronal survival and functional impairment and that this effect may be related to activation of the ERK and Akt pathways mediated by the BDNF pathway. Taken together, these data suggested that bavachin, by targeting inhibition PKCδ to inhibit the NF-κB pathway, further reduced the inflammatory response and oxidative stress and subsequently improved diabetic neuronal survival and function and finally ameliorated diabetes-induced depressive-like behaviors in mice. For the first time, we found that bavachin is a potential agent for the treatment of diabetes-associated neuroinflammation and depression and that PKCδ is a potential target for the treatment of diabetes-associated neuroinflammation, including depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Liyan Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Yaping Guo
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Jiaqi Li
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaohong Pan
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Zhipeng Li
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China.
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Maliar NL, Talbot EJ, Edwards AR, Khoronenkova SV. Microglial inflammation in genome instability: A neurodegenerative perspective. DNA Repair (Amst) 2024; 135:103634. [PMID: 38290197 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2024.103634] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The maintenance of genome stability is crucial for cell homeostasis and tissue integrity. Numerous human neuropathologies display chronic inflammation in the central nervous system, set against a backdrop of genome instability, implying a close interplay between the DNA damage and immune responses in the context of neurological disease. Dissecting the molecular mechanisms of this crosstalk is essential for holistic understanding of neuroinflammatory pathways in genome instability disorders. Non-neuronal cell types, specifically microglia, are major drivers of neuroinflammation in the central nervous system with neuro-protective and -toxic capabilities. Here, we discuss how persistent DNA damage affects microglial homeostasis, zooming in on the cytosolic DNA sensing cGAS-STING pathway and the downstream inflammatory response, which can drive neurotoxic outcomes in the context of genome instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina L Maliar
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Emily J Talbot
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Abigail R Edwards
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, UK
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Liang G, Kow ASF, Yusof R, Tham CL, Ho YC, Lee MT. Menopause-Associated Depression: Impact of Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation on the Central Nervous System-A Review. Biomedicines 2024; 12:184. [PMID: 38255289 PMCID: PMC10813042 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Perimenopausal depression, occurring shortly before or after menopause, is characterized by symptoms such as emotional depression, anxiety, and stress, often accompanied by endocrine dysfunction, particularly hypogonadism and senescence. Current treatments for perimenopausal depression primarily provide symptomatic relief but often come with undesirable side effects. The development of agents targeting the specific pathologies of perimenopausal depression has been relatively slow. The erratic fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels during the perimenopausal stage expose women to the risk of developing perimenopausal-associated depression. These hormonal changes trigger the production of proinflammatory mediators and induce oxidative stress, leading to progressive neuronal damage. This review serves as a comprehensive overview of the underlying mechanisms contributing to perimenopausal depression. It aims to shed light on the complex relationship between perimenopausal hormones, neurotransmitters, brain-derived neurotrophic factors, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and perimenopausal depression. By summarizing the intricate interplay between hormonal fluctuations, neurotransmitter activity, brain-derived neurotrophic factors, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and perimenopausal depression, this review aims to stimulate further research in this field. The hope is that an increased understanding of these mechanisms will pave the way for the development of more effective therapeutic targets, ultimately reducing the risk of depression during the menopausal stage for the betterment of psychological wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gengfan Liang
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | | | - Rohana Yusof
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Chau Ling Tham
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory (NaturMeds), Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yu-Cheng Ho
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City 82445, Taiwan
| | - Ming Tatt Lee
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
- Centre of Research for Mental Health and Well-Being, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
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Paciello F, Pisani A, Rolesi R, Montuoro R, Mohamed-Hizam V, Boni G, Ripoli C, Galli J, Sisto R, Fetoni AR, Grassi C. Oxidative stress and inflammation cause auditory system damage via glial cell activation and dysregulated expression of gap junction proteins in an experimental model of styrene-induced oto/neurotoxicity. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:4. [PMID: 38178142 PMCID: PMC10765700 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02996-3] [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: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Redox imbalance and inflammation have been proposed as the principal mechanisms of damage in the auditory system, resulting in functional alterations and hearing loss. Microglia and astrocytes play a crucial role in mediating oxidative/inflammatory injury in the central nervous system; however, the role of glial cells in the auditory damage is still elusive. OBJECTIVES Here we investigated glial-mediated responses to toxic injury in peripheral and central structures of the auditory pathway, i.e., the cochlea and the auditory cortex (ACx), in rats exposed to styrene, a volatile compound with well-known oto/neurotoxic properties. METHODS Male adult Wistar rats were treated with styrene (400 mg/kg daily for 3 weeks, 5/days a week). Electrophysiological, morphological, immunofluorescence and molecular analyses were performed in both the cochlea and the ACx to evaluate the mechanisms underlying styrene-induced oto/neurotoxicity in the auditory system. RESULTS We showed that the oto/neurotoxic insult induced by styrene increases oxidative stress in both cochlea and ACx. This was associated with macrophages and glial cell activation, increased expression of inflammatory markers (i.e., pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokine receptors) and alterations in connexin (Cxs) and pannexin (Panx) expression, likely responsible for dysregulation of the microglia/astrocyte network. Specifically, we found downregulation of Cx26 and Cx30 in the cochlea, and high level of Cx43 and Panx1 in the ACx. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our results provide novel evidence on the role of immune and glial cell activation in the oxidative/inflammatory damage induced by styrene in the auditory system at both peripheral and central levels, also involving alterations of gap junction networks. Our data suggest that targeting glial cells and connexin/pannexin expression might be useful to attenuate oxidative/inflammatory damage in the auditory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Paciello
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Pisani
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Rolando Rolesi
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele Montuoro
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giammarco Boni
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristian Ripoli
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Jacopo Galli
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Renata Sisto
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), Monte Porzio Catone, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Fetoni
- Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Audiology, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
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Yu M, Wang Z, Wang D, Aierxi M, Ma Z, Wang Y. Oxidative stress following spinal cord injury: From molecular mechanisms to therapeutic targets. J Neurosci Res 2023; 101:1538-1554. [PMID: 37272728 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a medical condition that results from severe trauma to the central nervous system; it imposes great psychological and economic burdens on affected patients and their families. The dynamic balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants is essential for maintaining normal cellular physiological functions. As important intracellular signaling molecules, ROS regulate numerous physiological activities, including vascular reactivity and neuronal function. However, excessive ROS can cause damage to cellular macromolecules, including DNA, lipids, and proteins; this damage eventually leads to cell death. This review discusses the mechanisms of oxidative stress in SCI and describes some signaling pathways that regulate oxidative injury after injury, with the aim of providing guidance for the development of novel SCI treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengsi Yu
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhiying Wang
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Dongmin Wang
- Medical College of Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Milikemu Aierxi
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhanjun Ma
- Louvain Drug Research Institute, Advanced Drug Delivery and Biomaterials, Université Catholique de Louvain, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yonggang Wang
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
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Smolen P, Dash PK, Redell JB. Traumatic brain injury-associated epigenetic changes and the risk for neurodegenerative diseases. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1259405. [PMID: 37795186 PMCID: PMC10546067 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1259405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have shown that traumatic brain injury (TBI) increases the risk for developing neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). However, molecular mechanisms that underlie this risk are largely unidentified. TBI triggers widespread epigenetic modifications. Similarly, NDs such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's are associated with numerous epigenetic changes. Although epigenetic changes can persist after TBI, it is unresolved if these modifications increase the risk of later ND development and/or dementia. We briefly review TBI-related epigenetic changes, and point out putative feedback loops that might contribute to long-term persistence of some modifications. We then focus on evidence suggesting persistent TBI-associated epigenetic changes may contribute to pathological processes (e.g., neuroinflammation) which may facilitate the development of specific NDs - Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Finally, we discuss possible directions for TBI therapies that may help prevent or delay development of NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Smolen
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
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Brand J, McDonald SJ, Gawryluk JR, Christie BR, Shultz SR. Stress and traumatic brain injury: An inherent bi-directional relationship with temporal and synergistic complexities. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 151:105242. [PMID: 37225064 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stress are prevalent worldwide and can both result in life-altering health problems. While stress often occurs in the absence of TBI, TBI inherently involves some element of stress. Furthermore, because there is pathophysiological overlap between stress and TBI, it is likely that stress influences TBI outcomes. However, there are temporal complexities in this relationship (e.g., when the stress occurs) that have been understudied despite their potential importance. This paper begins by introducing TBI and stress and highlighting some of their possible synergistic mechanisms including inflammation, excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction. We next describe different temporal scenarios involving TBI and stress and review the available literature on this topic. In doing so we find initial evidence that in some contexts stress is a highly influential factor in TBI pathophysiology and recovery, and vice versa. We also identify important knowledge gaps and suggest future research avenues that will increase our understanding of this inherent bidirectional relationship and could one day result in improved patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Brand
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Stuart J McDonald
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jodie R Gawryluk
- Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Brian R Christie
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sandy R Shultz
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Health Sciences, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada.
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