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Bae SH, Park HR, Lim H, Kim HY, Cheon T, Jung J, Hyun YM. The functional and biological effects of systemic dexamethasone on mice with facial nerve crushing injury. Head Neck 2024. [PMID: 38924195 DOI: 10.1002/hed.27855] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Corticosteroid therapy is commonly recommended for acute facial nerve weakness; however, its effectiveness in treating traumatic nerve injuries remains controversial. This study investigated the functional recovery and cellular effects of systemic dexamethasone administration after facial nerve injury. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were assigned to two groups by intraperitoneal injection: the phosphate-buffered saline group and the dexamethasone group. Facial nerve crush injury was induced, followed by the functional grading of recovery. Cellular effects were investigated using transmission electron microscopy, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and intravital imaging. RESULTS Macrophage infiltration into the facial nerves was significantly inhibited by systemic dexamethasone administration. However, dexamethasone group slightly delayed the functional recovery of the facial nerve compared to the PBS group. In addition, the morphological changes in the nerve were not significantly different between the two groups at 14 days post-injury. Macrophage migration analysis in the intravital imaging also showed no difference between groups. CONCLUSIONS In summary, systemic dexamethasone successfully inhibited leukocyte infiltration; however, functional recovery was delayed compared to the PBS control group. Clinically, these findings indicate that more evidence and research are required to use steroid pulse therapy for the treatment of traumatic facial nerve injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Hoon Bae
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Haeng Ran Park
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyunseo Lim
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyo Yeol Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Taeuk Cheon
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jinsei Jung
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young-Min Hyun
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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Hu R, He K, Chen B, Chen Y, Zhang J, Wu X, Shi M, Wu L, Ma R. Electroacupuncture promotes the repair of the damaged spinal cord in mice by mediating neurocan-perineuronal net. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14468. [PMID: 37950551 PMCID: PMC10805400 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14468] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS This study aimed to investigate the effect of perineuronal net (PNN) and neurocan (NCAN) on spinal inhibitory parvalbumin interneuron (PV-IN), and the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in promoting spinal cord injury (SCI) repair through neurocan in PNN. METHODS A mouse model of SCI was established. Sham-operated mice or SCI model mice were treated with chondroitin sulfate ABC (ChABC) enzyme or control vehicle for 2 weeks (i.e., sham+veh group, sham+ChABC group, SCI+veh group, and SCI+ChABC group, respectively), and then spinal cord tissues were taken from the T10 lesion epicenter for RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). MSigDB Hallmark and C5 databases for functional analysis, analysis strategies such as differential expression gene analysis (DEG), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and protein-protein interaction (PPI). According to the results of RNA-seq analysis, the expression of NCAN was knocked down or overexpressed by virus intervention, or/and EA intervention. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunofluorescence, western blot, electrophysiological, and behavioral tests were performed. RESULTS After the successful establishment of SCI model, the motor dysfunction of lower limbs, and the expression of PNN core glycan protein at the epicenter of SCI were reduced. RNA-seq and PCR showed that PNN core proteoglycans except NCAN showed the same expression trend in normal and injured spinal cord treated with ChABC. KEGG and GSEA showed that PNN is mainly associated with inhibitory GABA neuronal function in injured spinal cord tissue, and PPI showed that NCAN in PNN can be associated with inhibitory neuronal function through parvalbumin (PV). Calcium imaging showed that local parvalbumin interneuron (PV-IN) activity decreased after PNN destruction, whether due to ChABC treatment or surgical bruising of the spinal cord. Overexpression of neurocan in injured spinal cord can enhance local PV-IN activity. PCR and western blot suggested that overexpression or knockdown of neurocan could up-regulate or down-regulate the expression of GAD. At the same time, the activity of PV-IN in the primary motor cortex (M1) and the primary sensory cortex of lower (S1HL) extremity changed synchronously. In addition, overexpression of neurocan improved the electrical activity of the lower limb and promoted functional repair of the paralyzed hind limb. EA intervention reversed the down-regulation of neurocan, enhanced the expression of PNN in the lesioned area, M1 and S1HL. CONCLUSION Neurocan in PNN can regulate the activity of PV-IN, and EA can promote functional recovery of mice with SCI by upregulating neurocan expression in PNN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Hu
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang ProvinceZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityZhejiangChina
| | - Kelin He
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang ProvinceZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityZhejiangChina
- Department of Acupuncture and MoxibustionThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityZhejiangChina
| | - Bowen Chen
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang ProvinceZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityZhejiangChina
| | - Yi Chen
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang ProvinceZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityZhejiangChina
| | - Jieqi Zhang
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang ProvinceZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityZhejiangChina
| | - Xingying Wu
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang ProvinceZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityZhejiangChina
| | - Mengting Shi
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang ProvinceZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityZhejiangChina
| | - Lei Wu
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang ProvinceZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityZhejiangChina
- Department of Acupuncture and MoxibustionThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityZhejiangChina
| | - Ruijie Ma
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang ProvinceZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityZhejiangChina
- Department of Acupuncture and MoxibustionThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityZhejiangChina
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Lin Y, Gan L, Ren L, Ma C, Dai M, Qian K, Ye Q, Lin X. Acupuncture with specific mode electro-stimulation effectively and transiently opens the BBB through Shh signaling pathway. Neuroreport 2023; 34:873-886. [PMID: 37942738 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
To explore a new method that patients with brain diseases such as stroke sequelae are hindered by blood-brain barrier (BBB) in clinical treatment. Research preliminarily found that acupuncture with specific mode electro-stimulation (EA) to open BBB-assisted drug delivery may be is an effective means to improve the clinical efficacy of brain disease patients. So here we further explore the features and mechanism. Middle cerebral artery occlusion/R recovery rats were employed as the animal model. Laser Doppler monitoring cerebral blood flow decreased to 45 ± 10% of the baseline value as modeling criteria and TTC staining observed infarcted areas of brain tissue. The permeability of FITC-Dextran and EB in the frontal lobe of rats was observed by microscope. After that, Western blot and Immunofluorescence staining for the detection of the shh and Gli1 signal molecule, Claudin-5 Occludin ZO-1 tight junction (TJ) proteins. EA can open the BBB stably and effectively, and has the characteristics of starting to close soon after the end of EA; EA inhibits the Shh-Gli1 signaling pathway, and downregulates Occludin ZO-1 TJ proteins. These results suggest that EA is safe and reversible in opening the BBB, and its mechanism is related to the inhibition of Shh signaling pathway to down-regulate the expression of TJ proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubo Lin
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
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Ding LLQ, Hu SF, He XW, Zhang P, Zhao FF, Cheng LH, Huang BL, Liu TP, Zhang Q, He F, Hu SS, Zhang YJ, Yu Y, Xiong P, Wang CK. Warm acupuncture therapy alleviates neuronal apoptosis after spinal cord injury via inhibition of the ERK signaling pathway. J Spinal Cord Med 2023; 46:798-806. [PMID: 35792817 PMCID: PMC10446778 DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2022.2088498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Warm acupuncture (WA) therapy has been applied to treat spinal cord injury (SCI), but the underlying mechanism is unclear. The current study attempted to explore the WA therapy on neuronal apoptosis of SCI and the relationship with the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. METHODS The rat SCI models were established by the impact method. SCI rat models were subjected to WA treatment at Dazhui (GV14) and Jiaji points (T10), Yaoyangguan (GV3), Zusanli (ST36), and Ciliao (BL32). The rat SCI models were established by the impact method. WA and U0126 treatments were performed on the SCI rats. Motor function and neuronal apoptosis were detected. The relative mRNA of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), the phosphorylation level of ERK 1/2 and levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), BCL2-Associated X (Bax), and caspase-3 in spinal cord tissue were tested. RESULTS After WA treatment, the Basso, Beattie & Bresnahan locomotor rating scale (BBB scale) of SCI rats in the WA treatment was significantly raised from 7 to 14 days after SCI. WA and U0126 treatment significantly diminished apoptotic cells and preserved the neurons in the injured spinal cord. WA and U0126 treatment alleviated the production of inflammatory cytokines in the spinal cord. The distinct increase of p-ERK 1/2 induced by SCI was reversed in WA and U0126 treatment groups. WA and U0126 treatment augmented the level of Bcl-2 and reversed the elevated cleaved caspase-3 protein level after SCI. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that WA might be associated with the downregulation of the ERK signaling pathway. In summary, our findings indicated that WA promotes the recovery of SCI via the protection of nerve cells and the prevention of apoptosis. Meanwhile, the anti-apoptotic effect of WA might be associated with the downregulation of the ERK signaling pathway, which could be one of the mechanisms of WA in the treatment of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Li-Qiang Ding
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Hypertension, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Song-Feng Hu
- Department of Acupuncture, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xing-Wei He
- Department of Acupuncture, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Acupuncture, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fen-Fen Zhao
- Department of Acupuncture, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li-Hong Cheng
- Department of Acupuncture, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bing-Lin Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ting-Ping Liu
- Graduate School, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Graduate School, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fan He
- Graduate School, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sha-Sha Hu
- Graduate School, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ya-Jing Zhang
- Graduate School, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ying Yu
- Department of Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, NanchangPeople’s Republic of China
| | - Peng Xiong
- Department of Acupuncture, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chang-Kang Wang
- Department of Acupuncture, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China
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Zheng JH, Yuan N, Zhang P, Liu DF, Lin W, Miao J. Acupuncture combined with moxibustion mitigates spinal cord injury-induced motor dysfunction in mice by NLRP3-IL-18 signaling pathway inhibition. J Orthop Surg Res 2023; 18:419. [PMID: 37296436 DOI: 10.1186/s13018-023-03902-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal cord injury (SCI), which reportedly induces severe motor dysfunction, imposes a significant social and financial burden on affected individuals, families, communities, and nations. Acupuncture combined with moxibustion (AM) therapy has been widely used for motor dysfunction treatment, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In this work, we aimed to determine whether AM therapy could alleviate motor impairment post-SCI and, if so, the potential mechanism. METHODS A SCI model was established in mice through impact methods. AM treatment was performed in SCI model mice at Dazhui (GV14) and Jiaji points (T7-T12), Mingmen (GV4), Zusanli (ST36), and Ciliao (BL32) on both sides for 30 min once per day for 28 days. The Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan score was used to assess motor function in mice. A series of experiments including astrocytes activation detected by immunofluorescence, the roles of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3)-IL-18 signaling pathway with the application of astrocyte-specific NLRP3 knockout mice, and western blot were performed to explore the specific mechanism of AM treatment in SCI. RESULTS Our data indicated that mice with SCI exposure exhibited motor dysfunction, a significant decrease of neuronal cells, a remarkable activation of astrocytes and microglia, an increase of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-18 expression, and an elevation of IL-18 colocalized with astrocytes, while astrocytes-specific NLRP3 knockout heavily reversed these changes. Besides, AM treatment simulated the neuroprotective effects of astrocyte-specific NLRP3 knockout, whereas an activator of NLRP3 nigericin partially reversed the AM neuroprotective effects. CONCLUSION AM treatment mitigates SCI-induced motor dysfunction in mice; this protective mechanism may be related to the NLRP3-IL18 signaling pathway inhibition in astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hui Zheng
- Department of OrthopaedicsThe Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Osteoarthrosis Research (Preparing), Cangzhou, China
| | - Na Yuan
- Department of Orthopaedics, Hebei Province Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Cangzhou, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Hebei Province Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Cangzhou, China
| | - De-Feng Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Hebei Province Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Cangzhou, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Department of Orthopaedics, Hebei Province Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Cangzhou, China
| | - Jun Miao
- Department of OrthopaedicsTianjin Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
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Zhang B, Guo X. Electroacupuncture promotes nerve regeneration and functional recovery in rats with spinal cord contusion through the coordinate interaction of CD4 and BDNF. IBRAIN 2022; 8:285-301. [PMID: 37786738 PMCID: PMC10529162 DOI: 10.1002/ibra.12055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
To explore the effect of electroacupuncture on spinal cord injury (SCI) involving immune-related factors and regeneration-related factors in rats. The model of spinal cord contusion was established by PCI 3000 instrument. Two types of acupuncture points were selected for electroacupuncture treatment on rats. The rats were tested once a week, and the fiber remodeling was detected by magnetic resonance imaging. Transcriptome sequencing was performed on spinal scar samples. Using Python to write code, statistical analysis and bioinformatics analysis of the correlation between transcriptome sequencing data and fiber reconstruction results are carried out. Lastly, the expression of CD4 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in spinal cord scar was verified by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Electroacupuncture exhibited a positive effect on the recovery of motor function in rats after SCI. Bioinformatics analysis found a direct interaction between CD4 and BDNF. Transcriptome sequencing and PCR results verified that electroacupuncture significantly reduced the expression of CD4, and increased significantly the expression of BDNF, simultaneously corresponding to nerve regeneration in rats with SCI. Our results showed that electroacupuncture intervention in SCI rats improves neural behavior via inhibiting the expression of CD4 and increasing the expression of BDNF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao‐Lei Zhang
- Department of AnatomyJinzhou Medical UniversityJinzhouLiaoningChina
- Department of Experimental ZoologyKunming Medical UniversityKunmingYunnanChina
| | - Xi‐Liang Guo
- Department of Experimental ZoologyKunming Medical UniversityKunmingYunnanChina
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Jiang K, Sun Y, Chen X. Mechanism Underlying Acupuncture Therapy in Spinal Cord Injury: A Narrative Overview of Preclinical Studies. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:875103. [PMID: 35462893 PMCID: PMC9021644 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.875103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results from various pathogenic factors that destroy the normal structure and function of the spinal cord, subsequently causing sensory, motor, and autonomic nerve dysfunction. SCI is one of the most common causes of disability and death globally. It leads to severe physical and mental injury to patients and causes a substantial economic burden on families and the society. The pathological changes and underlying mechanisms within SCI involve oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, etc. As a traditional therapy, acupuncture has a positive effect promoting the recovery of SCI. Acupuncture-induced neuroprotection includes several mechanisms such as reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting the inflammatory response and neuronal apoptosis, alleviating glial scar formation, promoting neural stem cell differentiation, and improving microcirculation within the injured area. Therefore, the recent studies exploring the mechanism of acupuncture therapy in SCI will help provide a theoretical basis for applying acupuncture and seeking a better treatment target and acupuncture approach for SCI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunpeng Jiang
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, Zhejiang Rongjun Hospital, Jiaxing, China
| | - Yulin Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Rongjun Hospital, Jiaxing, China
| | - Xinle Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Rongjun Hospital, Jiaxing, China
- *Correspondence: Xinle Chen,
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Chen Y, Wu L, Shi M, Zeng D, Hu R, Wu X, Han S, He K, Xu H, Shao X, Ma R. Electroacupuncture Inhibits NLRP3 Activation by Regulating CMPK2 After Spinal Cord Injury. Front Immunol 2022; 13:788556. [PMID: 35401582 PMCID: PMC8987202 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.788556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the expression of cytosine monophosphate kinase 2 (CMPK2) and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to characterize the effects of electroacupuncture on CMPK2-associated regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Methods An SCI model was established in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. The expression levels of NLRP3 and CMPK2 were measured at different time points following induction of SCI. The rats were randomly divided into a sham group (Sham), a model group (Model), an electroacupuncture group (EA), an adeno-associated virus (AAV) CMPK2 group, and an AAV NC group. Electroacupuncture was performed at jiaji points on both sides of T9 and T11 for 20 min each day for 3 consecutive days. In the AAV CMPK2 and AAV NC groups, the viruses were injected into the T9 spinal cord via a microneedle using a microscope and a stereotactic syringe. The Basso–Beattie–Bresnahan (BBB) score was used to evaluate the motor function of rats in each group. Histopathological changes in spinal cord tissue were detected using H&E staining, and the expression levels of NLRP3, CMPK2, ASC, caspase-1, IL-18, and IL-1β were quantified using Western blotting (WB), immunofluorescence (IF), and RT-PCR. Results The expression levels of NLRP3 and CMPK2 in the spinal cords of the model group were significantly increased at day 1 compared with those in the sham group (p < 0.05). The expression levels of NLRP3 and CMPK2 decreased gradually over time and remained low at 14 days post-SCI. We successfully constructed AAV CMPK2 and showed that CMPK2 was significantly knocked down following 2 dilutions. Finally, treatment with EA or AAV CMPK2 resulted in significantly increased BBB scores compared to those in the model group and the AAV NC group (p < 0.05). The histomorphology of the spinal cord in the EA and AAV CMPK2 groups was significantly different than that in the model and AAV NC groups. WB, IF, and PCR analyses showed that the expression levels of CMPK2, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-18, and IL-1β were significantly lower in the EA and AAV CMPK2 groups compared with those in the model and AAV NC groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion Our study showed that CMPK2 regulated NLRP3 expression in rats with SCI. Activation of NLRP3 is a critical mechanism of inflammasome activation and the inflammatory response following SCI. Electroacupuncture downregulated the expression of CMPK2 and inhibited activation of NLRP3, which could improve motor function in rats with SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Chen
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lei Wu
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Acupuncture, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengting Shi
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Danyi Zeng
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Rong Hu
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xingying Wu
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shijun Han
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kelin He
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Acupuncture, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haipeng Xu
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - XiaoMei Shao
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ruijie Ma
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Acupuncture, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Ruijie Ma,
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The mechanism of AMPA receptor subunit GluR1 in electroacupuncture treatment of acute spinal cord injury in rats. Brain Res 2022; 1783:147848. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2022.147848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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10
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Chi OZ, Theis T, Kumar S, Chiricolo A, Liu X, Farooq S, Trivedi N, Young W, Schachner M, Weiss HR. Adhesion molecule L1 inhibition increases infarct size in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion without change in blood-brain barrier disruption. Neurol Res 2021; 43:751-759. [PMID: 34057049 DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2021.1934311] [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: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neural cell adhesion molecule L1CAM (L1) is involved in neuroprotection. To investigate a possible neuroprotective effect of L1 during ischemia, we determined whether blocking L1 with an antagonistic antibody would worsen the outcome of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion and increase blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption. METHODS Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed in anesthetized rats. Five µg of antagonistic mouse IgG monoclonal L1 antibody 324 or non-immune control mouse IgG was applied on the ischemic-reperfused cortex during one hour of MCAO and two hours of reperfusion. At two hours of reperfusion, BBB permeability, size of infarct using tetrazolium staining, number of TUNEL-labeled apoptotic cells, and immunohistochemistry for expression of PTEN and p53 were studied. RESULTS The antagonistic L1 antibody 324 increased the percentage of cortical infarct area (+36%), but did not affect BBB permeability in the ischemic-reperfused cortex. The antagonistic L1 antibody increased number of apoptotic neurons and p53 expression, but decreased PTEN expression. CONCLUSION Functional antagonism of L1 increases infarct size by increasing numbers of apoptotic neurons without affecting BBB permeability during the early stage of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Our data suggest that L1 affects primarily the brain parenchyma rather than BBB during early stages of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion and that endogenous brain L1 may be neuroprotective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oak Z Chi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Thomas Theis
- Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience and Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Suneel Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Antonio Chiricolo
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Saad Farooq
- Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience and Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Nishta Trivedi
- Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience and Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Wise Young
- Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience and Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Melitta Schachner
- Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience and Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Harvey R Weiss
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA
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11
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Yang Y, Xu HY, Deng QW, Wu GH, Zeng X, Jin H, Wang LJ, Lai BQ, Li G, Ma YH, Jiang B, Ruan JW, Wang YQ, Ding Y, Zeng YS. Electroacupuncture facilitates the integration of a grafted TrkC-modified mesenchymal stem cell-derived neural network into transected spinal cord in rats via increasing neurotrophin-3. CNS Neurosci Ther 2021; 27:776-791. [PMID: 33763978 PMCID: PMC8193704 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims This study was aimed to investigate whether electroacupuncture (EA) would increase the secretion of neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) from injured spinal cord tissue, and, if so, whether the increased NT‐3 would promote the survival, differentiation, and migration of grafted tyrosine kinase C (TrkC)‐modified mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)‐derived neural network cells. We next sought to determine if the latter would integrate with the host spinal cord neural circuit to improve the neurological function of injured spinal cord. Methods After NT‐3‐modified Schwann cells (SCs) and TrkC‐modified MSCs were co‐cultured in a gelatin sponge scaffold for 14 days, the MSCs differentiated into neuron‐like cells that formed a MSC‐derived neural network (MN) implant. On this basis, we combined the MN implantation with EA in a rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI) and performed immunohistochemical staining, neural tracing, electrophysiology, and behavioral testing after 8 weeks. Results Electroacupuncture application enhanced the production of endogenous NT‐3 in damaged spinal cord tissues. The increase in local NT‐3 production promoted the survival, migration, and maintenance of the grafted MN, which expressed NT‐3 high‐affinity TrkC. The combination of MN implantation and EA application improved cortical motor‐evoked potential relay and facilitated the locomotor performance of the paralyzed hindlimb compared with those of controls. These results suggest that the MN was better integrated into the host spinal cord neural network after EA treatment compared with control treatment. Conclusions Electroacupuncture as an adjuvant therapy for TrkC‐modified MSC‐derived MN, acted by increasing the local production of NT‐3, which accelerated neural network reconstruction and restoration of spinal cord function following SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao-Yu Xu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing-Wen Deng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guo-Hui Wu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Jin
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lai-Jian Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bi-Qin Lai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Ge Li
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan-Huan Ma
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing-Wen Ruan
- Department of Acupuncture, The 1st Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ya-Qiong Wang
- Department of Electron Microscope, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Ding
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan-Shan Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China.,Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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12
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Xu H, Yang Y, Deng QW, Zhang BB, Ruan JW, Jin H, Wang JH, Ren J, Jiang B, Sun JH, Zeng YS, Ding Y. Governor Vessel Electro-Acupuncture Promotes the Intrinsic Growth Ability of Spinal Neurons through Activating Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide/α-Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase/Neurotrophin-3 Pathway after Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurotrauma 2020; 38:734-745. [PMID: 33121345 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2020.7155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) invariably results in neuronal death and failure of axonal regeneration. This is attributed mainly to the hostile microenvironment and the poor intrinsic regrowth capacity of the injured spinal neurons. We have reported previously that electro-acupuncture on Governor Vessel acupoints (GV-EA) can promote neuronal survival and axonal regeneration of injured spinal cord. However, the underlying mechanism for this has remained uncertain. The present study aimed to explore the neural afferent pathway of GV-EA stimulation and the possible mechanism by which GV-EA can activate the intrinsic growth ability of injured spinal neurons. By cholera toxin B (CTB) retrograde labeling, immunostaining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we showed here that GV-EA could stimulate the spinal nerve branches of the dorsal root ganglion cells. This would then increase the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) from the afferent terminals in the spinal cord. It is of note that the effect was abrogated after dorsal rhizotomy. Additionally, both in vivo and in vitro results showed that CGRP would act on the post-synaptic spinal cord neurons and triggered the synthesis and secretion of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) by activating the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)/ receptor activity-modifying protein (RAMP)1/calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (αCaMKII) pathway. Remarkably, the observed effect was prevented by the dorsal rhizotomy and the blockers of the CGRP/RAMP1/αCaMKII pathway. More importantly, increase in NT-3 promoted the survival, axonal regrowth, and synaptic maintenance of spinal cord neurons in the injured spinal cord. Therefore, it is concluded that increase in NT-3 production is one of the mechanisms by which GV-EA can activate the intrinsic growth ability of spinal neurons after SCI. The experimental results have reinforced the theoretical basis of GV-EA for its clinical efficacy in patients with SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyu Xu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, the 1st Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Ministry of Education, the 1st Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing-Wen Deng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, the 1st Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bao-Bao Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, the 1st Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing-Wen Ruan
- Department of Acupuncture, the 1st Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Jin
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Ministry of Education, the 1st Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun-Hua Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, the 1st Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiale Ren
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, the 1st Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Jiang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, the 1st Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Hui Sun
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Ministry of Education, the 1st Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan-Shan Zeng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, the 1st Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Ministry of Education, the 1st Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, the 1st Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Ying Ding
- Department of Histology and Embryology, the 1st Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Ministry of Education, the 1st Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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13
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Valproic Acid: A Potential Therapeutic for Spinal Cord Injury. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2020; 41:1441-1452. [DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-00929-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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