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Zha X, Zheng G, Skutella T, Kiening K, Unterberg A, Younsi A. Microglia: a promising therapeutic target in spinal cord injury. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:454-463. [PMID: 38819048 PMCID: PMC11317945 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-02044] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Microglia are present throughout the central nervous system and are vital in neural repair, nutrition, phagocytosis, immunological regulation, and maintaining neuronal function. In a healthy spinal cord, microglia are accountable for immune surveillance, however, when a spinal cord injury occurs, the microenvironment drastically changes, leading to glial scars and failed axonal regeneration. In this context, microglia vary their gene and protein expression during activation, and proliferation in reaction to the injury, influencing injury responses both favorably and unfavorably. A dynamic and multifaceted injury response is mediated by microglia, which interact directly with neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and neural stem/progenitor cells. Despite a clear understanding of their essential nature and origin, the mechanisms of action and new functions of microglia in spinal cord injury require extensive research. This review summarizes current studies on microglial genesis, physiological function, and pathological state, highlights their crucial roles in spinal cord injury, and proposes microglia as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Zha
- Department of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Guoli Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Skutella
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karl Kiening
- Department of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Unterberg
- Department of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Younsi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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2
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Yao D, Li S, You M, Chen Y, Yan S, Li B, Wang Y. Developmental exposure to nonylphenol leads to depletion of the neural precursor cell pool in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Chem Biol Interact 2024; 401:111187. [PMID: 39111523 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2024.111187] [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: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Developmental exposure to nonylphenol (NP) results in irreversible impairments of the central nervous system (CNS). The neural precursor cell (NPC) pool located in the subgranular zone (SGZ), a substructure of the hippocampal dentate gyrus, is critical for the development of hippocampal circuits and some hippocampal functions such as learning and memory. However, the effects of developmental exposure to NP on this pool remain unclear. Thus, our aim was to clarify the impacts of developmental exposure to NP on this pool and to explore the potential mechanisms. Animal models of developmental exposure to NP were created by treating Wistar rats with NP during pregnancy and lactation. Our data showed that developmental exposure to NP decreased Sox2-and Ki67-positive cells in the SGZ of offspring. Inhibited activation of Shh signaling and decreased levels of its downstream mediators, E2F1 and cyclins, were also observed in pups developmentally exposed to NP. Moreover, we established the in vitro model in the NE-4C cells, a neural precursor cell line, to further investigate the effect of NP exposure on NPCs and the underlying mechanisms. Purmorphamine, a small purine-derived hedgehog agonist, was used to specifically modulate the Shh signaling. Consistent with the in vivo results, exposure to NP reduced cell proliferation by inhibiting the Shh signaling in NE-4C cells, and purmorphamine alleviated this reduction in cell proliferation by restoring this signaling. Altogether, our findings support the idea that developmental exposure to NP leads to inhibition of the NPC proliferation and the NPC pool depletion in the SGZ located in the dentate gyrus. Furthermore, we also provided the evidence that suppressed activation of Shh signaling may contribute to the effects of developmental exposure to NP on the NPC pool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianqi Yao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control & Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Siyao Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control & Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Mingdan You
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China; School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, PR China
| | - Yin Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Siyu Yan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Bing Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control & Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China.
| | - Yi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control & Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China.
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Sharma M, Pal P, Gupta SK. Microglial mediators in autoimmune Uveitis: Bridging neuroprotection and neurotoxicity. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 136:112309. [PMID: 38810304 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112309] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Autoimmune uveitis, a severe inflammatory condition of the eye, poses significant challenges due to its complex pathophysiology and the critical balance between protective and detrimental immune responses. Central to this balance are microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, whose roles in autoimmune uveitis are multifaceted and dynamic. This review article delves into the dual nature of microglial functions, oscillating between neuroprotective and neurotoxic outcomes in the context of autoimmune uveitis. Initially, we explore the fundamental aspects of microglia, including their activation states and basic functions, setting the stage for a deeper understanding of their involvement in autoimmune uveitis. The review then navigates through the intricate mechanisms by which microglia contribute to disease onset and progression, highlighting both their protective actions in immune regulation and tissue repair, and their shift towards a pro-inflammatory, neurotoxic profile. Special emphasis is placed on the detailed pathways and cellular interactions underpinning these dual roles. Additionally, the review examines the potential of microglial markers as diagnostic and prognostic indicators, offering insights into their clinical relevance. The article culminates in discussing future research directions, and the ongoing challenges in translating these findings into effective clinical applications. By providing a comprehensive overview of microglial mechanisms in autoimmune uveitis, this review underscores the critical balance of microglial activities and its implications for disease management and therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Pankaj Pal
- Department of Pharmacy, Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan, India.
| | - Sukesh Kumar Gupta
- KIET School of Pharmacy, KIET Group of Institutions, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India; Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences (OVAS), School of Medicine, Wayne State University, USA.
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Pramanik S, Devi M H, Chakrabarty S, Paylar B, Pradhan A, Thaker M, Ayyadhury S, Manavalan A, Olsson PE, Pramanik G, Heese K. Microglia signaling in health and disease - Implications in sex-specific brain development and plasticity. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 165:105834. [PMID: 39084583 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105834] [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: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 07/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Microglia, the intrinsic neuroimmune cells residing in the central nervous system (CNS), exert a pivotal influence on brain development, homeostasis, and functionality, encompassing critical roles during both aging and pathological states. Recent advancements in comprehending brain plasticity and functions have spotlighted conspicuous variances between male and female brains, notably in neurogenesis, neuronal myelination, axon fasciculation, and synaptogenesis. Nevertheless, the precise impact of microglia on sex-specific brain cell plasticity, sculpting diverse neural network architectures and circuits, remains largely unexplored. This article seeks to unravel the present understanding of microglial involvement in brain development, plasticity, and function, with a specific emphasis on microglial signaling in brain sex polymorphism. Commencing with an overview of microglia in the CNS and their associated signaling cascades, we subsequently probe recent revelations regarding molecular signaling by microglia in sex-dependent brain developmental plasticity, functions, and diseases. Notably, C-X3-C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1), triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), calcium (Ca2+), and apolipoprotein E (APOE) emerge as molecular candidates significantly contributing to sex-dependent brain development and plasticity. In conclusion, we address burgeoning inquiries surrounding microglia's pivotal role in the functional diversity of developing and aging brains, contemplating their potential implications for gender-tailored therapeutic strategies in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subrata Pramanik
- Jyoti and Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India.
| | - Harini Devi M
- Jyoti and Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Saswata Chakrabarty
- Jyoti and Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Berkay Paylar
- Biology, The Life Science Center, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro 70182, Sweden
| | - Ajay Pradhan
- Biology, The Life Science Center, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro 70182, Sweden
| | - Manisha Thaker
- Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories, Inc., 2425 New Holland Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601, USA
| | - Shamini Ayyadhury
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Arulmani Manavalan
- Department of Cariology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600077, India
| | - Per-Erik Olsson
- Biology, The Life Science Center, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro 70182, Sweden
| | - Gopal Pramanik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, Jharkhand 835215, India.
| | - Klaus Heese
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 133791, the Republic of Korea.
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Muraleedharan A, Ray SK. Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate and Genistein for Decreasing Gut Dysbiosis, Inhibiting Inflammasomes, and Aiding Autophagy in Alzheimer's Disease. Brain Sci 2024; 14:96. [PMID: 38275516 PMCID: PMC10813550 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14010096] [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: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
There are approximately 24 million cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD) worldwide, and the number of cases is expected to increase four-fold by 2050. AD is a neurodegenerative disease that leads to severe dementia in most patients. There are several neuropathological signs of AD, such as deposition of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques, formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), neuronal loss, activation of inflammasomes, and declining autophagy. Several of these hallmarks are linked to the gut microbiome. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract contains microbial diversity, which is important in regulating several functions in the brain via the gut-brain axis (GBA). The disruption of the balance in the gut microbiota is known as gut dysbiosis. Recent studies strongly support that targeting gut dysbiosis with selective bioflavonoids is a highly plausible solution to attenuate activation of inflammasomes (contributing to neuroinflammation) and resume autophagy (a cellular mechanism for lysosomal degradation of the damaged components and recycling of building blocks) to stop AD pathogenesis. This review is focused on two bioflavonoids, specifically epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and genistein (GS), as a possible new paradigm of treatment for maintaining healthy gut microbiota in AD due to their implications in modulating crucial AD signaling pathways. The combination of EGCG and GS has a higher potential than either agent alone to attenuate the signaling pathways implicated in AD pathogenesis. The effects of EGCG and GS on altering gut microbiota and GBA were also explored, along with conclusions from various delivery methods to increase the bioavailability of these bioflavonoids in the body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahalya Muraleedharan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA;
| | - Swapan K. Ray
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA
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Angst G, Tang X, Wang C. Functional Analysis of a Novel Immortalized Murine Microglia Cell Line in 3D Spheroid Model. Neurochem Res 2023; 48:2857-2869. [PMID: 37195378 PMCID: PMC10694847 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-03952-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Microglia are the residential immune cells of central nervous system and they are crucial for brain development and homeostasis, as well as the progression of inflammatory brain diseases. To study microglia's physiological and pathological functions, one of the most widely used models is primary microglia culture from neonatal rodents. However, primary microglia culture is time consuming and needs a great number of animals. In our microglia culture, we found a strain of spontaneously immortalized microglia that continued to divide without any known genetic intervention. We confirmed the immortalization of these cells for uninterrupted thirty passages and we named them as immortalized microglia like-1 cells (iMG-1). The iMG-1 cells kept their microglia morphology, and they expressed macrophage/microglia-specific proteins of CD11b, CD68, P2RY12, and IBA1 in vitro. iMG-1 cells were responsive to inflammatory stimulations with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (pIpC), triggering increased mRNA/protein levels of IL1-β, IL-6, TNF-α, and interferons. LPS and pIpC treated iMG-1 cells also significantly increased their accumulation of lipid droplets (LDs). We also generated a 3D spheroid model using immortalized neural progenitor cells and iMG-1 cells with defined percentages to study neuroinflammation. The iMG-1 cells distributed evenly in spheroids, and they regulated the basal mRNA levels of cytokines of neural progenitors in 3D spheroid. iMG-1 cells were responsive to LPS by increased expression of IL-6 and IL1-β in spheroids. Together, this study indicated the reliability of iMG-1 which could be readily available to study the physiological and pathological functions of microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Angst
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Xin Tang
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Chenran Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.
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Wu X, Li Z, Wang ZQ, Xu X. The neurological and non-neurological roles of the primary microcephaly-associated protein ASPM. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1242448. [PMID: 37599996 PMCID: PMC10436222 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1242448] [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: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary microcephaly (MCPH), is a neurological disorder characterized by small brain size that results in numerous developmental problems, including intellectual disability, motor and speech delays, and seizures. Hitherto, over 30 MCPH causing genes (MCPHs) have been identified. Among these MCPHs, MCPH5, which encodes abnormal spindle-like microcephaly-associated protein (ASPM), is the most frequently mutated gene. ASPM regulates mitotic events, cell proliferation, replication stress response, DNA repair, and tumorigenesis. Moreover, using a data mining approach, we have confirmed that high levels of expression of ASPM correlate with poor prognosis in several types of tumors. Here, we summarize the neurological and non-neurological functions of ASPM and provide insight into its implications for the diagnosis and treatment of MCPH and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingxuan Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Genome Stability and Disease Prevention and Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen University-Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena Joint PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Laboratory of Genome Stability, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Zheng Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Genome Stability and Disease Prevention and Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhao-Qi Wang
- Shenzhen University-Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena Joint PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Laboratory of Genome Stability, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Xingzhi Xu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Genome Stability and Disease Prevention and Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen University-Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena Joint PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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Denninger JK, Miller LN, Walters AE, Hosawi M, Sebring G, Rieskamp JD, Ding T, Rindani R, Chen KS, Senthilvelan S, Volk A, Zhao F, Askwith C, Kirby ED. Neural stem and progenitor cells support and protect adult hippocampal function via vascular endothelial growth factor secretion. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.24.537801. [PMID: 37163097 PMCID: PMC10168272 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.24.537801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Adult neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) reside in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus throughout the lifespan of most mammalian species. In addition to generating new neurons, NSPCs may alter their niche via secretion of growth factors and cytokines. We recently showed that adult DG NSPCs secrete vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is critical for maintaining adult neurogenesis. Here, we asked whether NSPC-derived VEGF alters hippocampal function independent of adult neurogenesis. We found that loss of NSPC-derived VEGF acutely impaired hippocampal memory, caused neuronal hyperexcitability and exacerbated excitotoxic injury. We also found that NSPCs generate substantial proportions of total DG VEGF and VEGF disperses broadly throughout the DG, both of which help explain how this anatomically-restricted cell population could modulate function broadly. These findings suggest that NSPCs actively support and protect DG function via secreted VEGF, thereby providing a non-neurogenic functional dimension to endogenous NSPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lisa N. Miller
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ashley E. Walters
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Manal Hosawi
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Gwendolyn Sebring
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Tianli Ding
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Raina Rindani
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Current affiliation: UC Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kelly S. Chen
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Abigail Volk
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Fangli Zhao
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Candice Askwith
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Elizabeth D. Kirby
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Chronic Brain Injury Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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