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Luo X, Yang X, Tan S, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Tian X, Huang Y, Zhou Y, He C, Yin K, Xu D, Li X, Sun F, Tang R, Cao J, Zheng K, Yu Y, Pan W. Gut microbiota mediates anxiety-like behaviors induced by chronic infection of Toxoplasma gondii in mice. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2391535. [PMID: 39182245 PMCID: PMC11346544 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2391535] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic infection with the neurotropic parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) can cause anxiety and gut microbiota dysbiosis in hosts. However, the potential role of gut microbiota in anxiety induced by the parasite remains unclear. METHODS C57BL/6J mice were infected with 10 cysts of T. gondii. Antibiotic depletion of gut microbiota and fecal microbiota transplantation experiments were utilized to investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and anxiety. Anxiety-like behaviors were examined by the elevated plus maze test and the open field test; blood, feces, colon and amygdala were collected to evaluate the profiles of serum endotoxin (Lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), gut microbiota composition, metabolomics, global transcriptome and neuroinflammation in the amygdala. Furthermore, the effects of Diethyl butylmalonate (DBM, an inhibitor of mitochondrial succinate transporter, which causes the accumulation of endogenous succinate) on the disorders of the gut-brain axis were evaluated. RESULTS Here, we found that T. gondii chronic infection induced anxiety-like behaviors and disturbed the composition of the gut microbiota in mice. In the amygdala, T. gondii infection triggered the microglial activation and neuroinflammation. In the colon, T. gondii infection caused the intestinal dyshomeostasis including elevated colonic inflammation, enhanced bacterial endotoxin translocation to blood and compromised intestinal barrier. In the serum, T. gondii infection increased the LPS levels and decreased the 5-HT levels. Interestingly, antibiotics ablation of gut microbiota alleviated the anxiety-like behaviors induced by T. gondii infection. More importantly, transplantation of the fecal microbiota from T. gondii-infected mice resulted in anxiety and the transcriptomic alteration in the amygdala of the antibiotic-pretreated mice. Notably, the decreased abundance of succinate-producing bacteria and the decreased production of succinate were observed in the feces of the T. gondii-infected mice. Moreover, DBM administration ameliorated the anxiety and gut barrier impairment induced by T. gondii infection. CONCLUSIONS The present study uncovers a novel role of gut microbiota in mediating the anxiety-like behaviors induced by chronic T. gondii infection. Moreover, we show that DBM supplementation has a beneficial effect on anxiety. Overall, these findings provide new insights into the treatment of T. gondii-related mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Luo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Science Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoying Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shimin Tan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Science Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yongsheng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Science Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yunqiu Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaokang Tian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Science Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yingting Huang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Science Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuying Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Science Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Cheng He
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kun Yin
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Daxiang Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiangyang Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fenfen Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Science Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Renxian Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Science Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianping Cao
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Kuiyang Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Science Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yinghua Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Pan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Science Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China
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He Y, Xu D, Yan Z, Wu Y, Zhang Y, Tian X, Zhu J, Liu Z, Cheng W, Zheng K, Yang X, Yu Y, Pan W. A metabolite attenuates neuroinflammation, synaptic loss and cognitive deficits induced by chronic infection of Toxoplasma gondii. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1043572. [PMID: 36618398 PMCID: PMC9815861 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1043572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neurodegenerative diseases including AD is currently one of intractable problems globally due to the insufficiency of intervention strategies. Long-term infection of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) can induce cognitive impairment in hosts, which is closely implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Aconitate decarboxylase 1 (Acod1) and its produced metabolite itaconate (termed Acod1/itaconate axis), have recently attracted extensive interests due to its anti-inflammatory role in macrophages. However, whether the axis can influence cognitive function remains unknown. Methods A chronic T. gondii-infected mice (C57BL/6J) model was established via administration of cysts by gavage. Novel location (NL), novel object recognition (NOR), Y-maze spatial memory and nest building tests were used to evaluate the behavior performance. Transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, western-blotting and RNA sequencing were utilized to determine the pathological changes, neuroinflammation and transcription profile in hippocampus tissues post infection, respectively. Moreover, the protective effect of Acod1/itaconate axis in T. gondii-induced cognitive deficits was evaluated. Results We found that the latent infection of the parasite impaired the cognitive function, which was assessed behaviorally by novel location (NL), novel object recognition (NOR), Y-maze spatial memory and nest building tests. RNA sequencing of hippocampus showed that the infection downregulated the expression of genes related to synaptic plasticity, transmission and cognitive behavior. To our attention, the infection robustly upregulated the expression of genes associated with pro-inflammatory responses, which was characterized by microglia activation and disorder of Acod1/itaconate axis. Interestingly, administration of dimethyl itaconate (DI, an itaconate derivative with cell membrane permeability) could significantly ameliorate the cognitive deficits induced by T. gondii, which was proved by improvement of behavior performance and synaptic ultrastructure impairment, and lower accumulation of pro-inflammatory microglia. Notably, DI administration had a potential therapeutic effect on the cognitive deficits and synaptic impairment induced by the parasitic infection. Conclusions Overall, these findings provide a novel insight for the pathogenesis of T. gondii-related cognitive deficits in hosts, and also provide a novel clue for the potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan He
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,The First Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Basic Medicine (Xuzhou Medical University), Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Daxiang Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ziyi Yan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,The First Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Basic Medicine (Xuzhou Medical University), Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yongshuai Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,The First Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Basic Medicine (Xuzhou Medical University), Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yongsheng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,The First Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Basic Medicine (Xuzhou Medical University), Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaokang Tian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,The First Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Basic Medicine (Xuzhou Medical University), Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinhang Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Basic Medicine (Xuzhou Medical University), Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,The Second Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhuanzhuan Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wanpeng Cheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kuiyang Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoying Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,*Correspondence: Wei Pan, ; Yinghua Yu, ; Xiaoying Yang,
| | - Yinghua Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,*Correspondence: Wei Pan, ; Yinghua Yu, ; Xiaoying Yang,
| | - Wei Pan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,*Correspondence: Wei Pan, ; Yinghua Yu, ; Xiaoying Yang,
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Li C, Ma X, Ni C, Xu J, Xie Y, Kan J, Wei X. LncRNA NEAT1 promotes nucleus pulposus cell matrix degradation through regulating Nrf2/ARE axis. Eur J Med Res 2021; 26:11. [PMID: 33478594 PMCID: PMC7818737 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-021-00481-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed to assess the role and mechanism of lncRNA NEAT1 in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVD). Methods LncRNA profile (GSE56081) between IVD and healthy control was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and analyzes differential lncRNA expression. Expression of lncRNA NEAT1 in IVD tissue and TNF-α/IL-1β-stimulated nucleus pulposus cells were further measured by RT-PCR. The lncRNA NEAT1 overexpression plasmids (pcDNA-NEAT1) were constructed and transfected into nucleus pulposus cells. Catabolic biomarkers (MMP-3 and MMP-13), anabolic biomarkers (Col II and Aggrecan) and Nrf2 expression were further measured. To further investigate the function of Nrf2, nucleus pulposus cells were pretreated with or without 25 μM tert-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), a Nrf2 activator, for 18 h and subsequently cotreated with pcDNA-NEAT1. Results A total of 1432 lncRNAs were differentially expressed in GSE56081. Bioinformatic analysis found that these lncRNAs mainly enriched in Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway. LncRNA NEAT1 was highly expressed in IVD tissues than that of healthy control. Moreover, TNF-α/IL-1β induced a time- and dose-dependent increase in the mRNA expression of lncRNA NEAT1 in the nucleus pulposus cells. Overexpression of lncRNA NEAT1 abates promotes nucleus pulposus cells proliferation but induces matrix degradation. Meanwhile, nucleus and cytoplasm Nrf2 expression was significantly down-regulated by lncRNA NEAT1 upregulation. Nrf2 activator (TBHQ) could partially reverse the inhibitory effects of overexpression of lncRNA NEAT1 on matrix degradation. Conclusion Collectively, our data unveiled the lncRNA NEAT1 promotes matrix degradation by regulating Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway, suggesting a potential therapeutic for IVD in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214041, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinjian Ma
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuxi Guangrui and Tongjiang Community Health Service Center, Wuxi, 214000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chenfei Ni
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214041, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jingyan Xu
- Department of Acupuncture, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University (Formerly the Third People's Hospital), No.585 Xingyuan North Road, Liangxi District, Wuxi, 214041, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yinfei Xie
- Department of Acupuncture, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University (Formerly the Third People's Hospital), No.585 Xingyuan North Road, Liangxi District, Wuxi, 214041, Jiangsu, China
| | - Junwei Kan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214041, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoli Wei
- Department of Acupuncture, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University (Formerly the Third People's Hospital), No.585 Xingyuan North Road, Liangxi District, Wuxi, 214041, Jiangsu, China.
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