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Tripathi A, Bartosh A, Mata J, Jacks C, Madeshiya AK, Hussein U, Hong LE, Zhao Z, Pillai A. Microglial type I interferon signaling mediates chronic stress-induced synapse loss and social behavior deficits. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02675-6. [PMID: 39095477 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02675-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Inflammation and synapse loss have been associated with deficits in social behavior and are involved in pathophysiology of many neuropsychiatric disorders. Synapse loss, characterized by reduction in dendritic spines can significantly disrupt synaptic connectivity and neural circuitry underlying social behavior. Chronic stress is known to induce loss of spines and dendrites in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region implicated in social behavior. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In the present study, we investigated the role of type I Interferon (IFN-I) signaling in chronic unpredictable stress (CUS)-induced synapse loss and behavior deficits in mice. We found increased expression of type I IFN receptor (IFNAR) in microglia following CUS. Conditional knockout of microglial IFNAR in adult mice rescued CUS-induced social behavior deficits and synapse loss. Bulk RNA sequencing data show that microglial IFNAR deletion attenuated CUS-mediated changes in the expression of genes such as Keratin 20 (Krt20), Claudin-5 (Cldn5) and Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4 Group A Member 1 (Nr4a1) in the PFC. Cldn5 and Nr4a1 are known for their roles in synaptic plasticity. Krt20 is an intermediate filament protein responsible for the structural integrity of epithelial cells. The reduction in Krt20 following CUS presents a novel insight into the potential contribution of cytokeratin in stress-induced alterations in neuroplasticity. Overall, these results suggest that microglial IFNAR plays a critical role in regulating synaptic plasticity and social behavior deficits associated with chronic stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh Tripathi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alona Bartosh
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jocelyn Mata
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chale Jacks
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Amit Kumar Madeshiya
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Usama Hussein
- Center for Precision Health, McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - L Elliot Hong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Center for Precision Health, McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anilkumar Pillai
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA, USA.
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Carrier M, Robert MÈ, St-Pierre MK, Ibáñez FG, Gonçalves de Andrade E, Laroche A, Picard K, Vecchiarelli HA, Savage JC, Boilard É, Desjardins M, Tremblay MÈ. Bone marrow-derived myeloid cells transiently colonize the brain during postnatal development and interact with glutamatergic synapses. iScience 2024; 27:110037. [PMID: 39021809 PMCID: PMC11253522 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110037] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Although the roles of embryonic yolk sac-derived, resident microglia in neurodevelopment were extensively studied, the possible involvement of bone marrow-derived cells remains elusive. In this work, we used a fate-mapping strategy to selectively label bone marrow-derived cells and their progeny in the brain (FLT3+IBA1+). FLT3+IBA1+ cells were confirmed to be transiently present in the healthy brain during early postnatal development. FLT3+IBA1+ cells have a distinct morphology index at postnatal day(P)0, P7, and P14 compared with neighboring microglia. FLT3+IBA1+ cells also express the microglial markers P2RY12 and TMEM119 and interact with VGLUT1 synapses at P14. Scanning electron microscopy indeed showed that FLT3+ cells contact and engulf pre-synaptic elements. Our findings suggest FLT3+IBA1+ cells might assist microglia in their physiological functions in the developing brain including synaptic pruning which is performed using their purinergic sensors. Our findings stimulate further investigation on the involvement of peripheral macrophages during homeostatic and pathological development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaël Carrier
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Département de psychiatrie et de neurosciences, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 3E6, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Robert
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Marie-Kim St-Pierre
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 3E6, Canada
- Département de médecine moléculaire, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Fernando González Ibáñez
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 3E6, Canada
- Département de médecine moléculaire, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | | | - Audrée Laroche
- Département de microbiologie et immunologie, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Katherine Picard
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 3E6, Canada
| | | | - Julie C. Savage
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Éric Boilard
- Département de microbiologie et immunologie, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Michèle Desjardins
- Department of Physics, Physical Engineering and Optics, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Oncology Division, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 3E6, Canada
- Département de médecine moléculaire, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 0G4 Canada
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health (IALH), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
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Somelar-Duracz K, Jürgenson M, Viil J, Zharkovsky A, Jaako K. 'Unpredictable chronic mild stress does not exacerbate memory impairment or altered neuronal and glial plasticity in the hippocampus of middle-aged vitamin D deficient mice'. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:1696-1722. [PMID: 38269959 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16256] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide health concern, especially in the elderly population. Much remains unknown about the relationship between vitamin D deficiency (VDD), stress-induced cognitive dysfunctions and depressive-like behaviour. In this study, 4-month-old male C57Bl/6J mice were fed with control or vitamin D free diet for 6 months, followed by unpredictable chronic stress (UCMS) for 8 weeks. VDD induced cognitive impairment and reduced grooming behaviour, but did not induce depressive-like behaviour. While UCMS in vitamin D sufficient mice induced expected depressive-like phenotype and impairments in the contextual fear memory, chronic stress did not manifest as an additional risk factor for memory impairments and depressive-like behaviour in VDD mice. In fact, UCMS restored self-care behaviour in VDD mice. At the histopathological level, VDD mice exhibited cell loss in the granule cell layer, reduced survival of newly generated cells, accompanied with an increased number of apoptotic cells and alterations in glial morphology in the hippocampus; however, these effects were not exacerbated by UCMS. Interestingly, UCMS reversed VDD induced loss of microglial cells. Moreover, tyrosine hydroxylase levels decreased in the striatum of VDD mice, but not in stressed VDD mice. These findings indicate that long-term VDD in adulthood impairs cognition but does not augment behavioural response to UCMS in middle-aged mice. While VDD caused cell loss and altered glial response in the DG of the hippocampus, these effects were not exacerbated by UCMS and could contribute to mechanisms regulating altered stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelli Somelar-Duracz
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Monika Jürgenson
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Janeli Viil
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Alexander Zharkovsky
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Külli Jaako
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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Theoharides TC, Twahir A, Kempuraj D. Mast cells in the autonomic nervous system and potential role in disorders with dysautonomia and neuroinflammation. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2024; 132:440-454. [PMID: 37951572 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2023.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Mast cells (MC) are ubiquitous in the body, and they are critical for not only in allergic diseases but also in immunity and inflammation, including having potential involvement in the pathophysiology of dysautonomias and neuroinflammatory disorders. MC are located perivascularly close to nerve endings and sites such as the carotid bodies, heart, hypothalamus, the pineal gland, and the adrenal gland that would allow them not only to regulate but also to be affected by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). MC are stimulated not only by allergens but also many other triggers including some from the ANS that can affect MC release of neurosensitizing, proinflammatory, and vasoactive mediators. Hence, MC may be able to regulate homeostatic functions that seem to be dysfunctional in many conditions, such as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, and Long-COVID syndrome. The evidence indicates that there is a possible association between these conditions and diseases associated with MC activation. There is no effective treatment for any form of these conditions other than minimizing symptoms. Given the many ways MC could be activated and the numerous mediators released, it would be important to develop ways to inhibit stimulation of MC and the release of ANS-relevant mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theoharis C Theoharides
- Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Laboratory of Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery, Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Assma Twahir
- Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
| | - Duraisamy Kempuraj
- Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
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He SY, Zhang WS, Jiang CQ, Jin YL, Lam TH, Cheng KK, Xu L. Association of adverse childhood experiences with anemia in older Chinese: Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4729. [PMID: 38413624 PMCID: PMC10899217 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54378-1] [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: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
To examine the association of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with anemia among older people. 24,116 participants aged 50 years or above were recruited. Multivariable linear and logistic regression was used to assess the associations of self-reported ACEs number with hemoglobin concentrations (g/dL) and presence of anemia. Older individuals with two or more ACEs, versus no ACEs, showed lower hemoglobin concentrations (β = - 0.08 g/dL, 95% confidence intervals (CI) - 0.12 to - 0.03) and higher odds of anemia (odds ratio = 1.26, 95% CI 1.01-1.59). A more pronounced association between ACEs and anemia in the lower education group was found, while the association became non-significant in those with higher education (P for ACEs-education interaction = 0.02). ACEs was associated with anemia in older people, and the association was stronger in those with lower education, highlighting the significance of early-life psychological stressors assessment and consideration of education background in geriatric care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao Yi He
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 74, 2nd Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Greater Bay Area Public Health Research Collaboration, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Sen Zhang
- Guangzhou Twelfth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, 510620, China.
- Greater Bay Area Public Health Research Collaboration, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Chao Qiang Jiang
- Guangzhou Twelfth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, 510620, China
- Greater Bay Area Public Health Research Collaboration, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ya Li Jin
- Guangzhou Twelfth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, 510620, China
- Greater Bay Area Public Health Research Collaboration, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tai Hing Lam
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Greater Bay Area Public Health Research Collaboration, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kar Keung Cheng
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Greater Bay Area Public Health Research Collaboration, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lin Xu
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 74, 2nd Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
- Greater Bay Area Public Health Research Collaboration, Guangzhou, China.
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Yi L, Lin X, She X, Gao W, Wu M. Chronic stress as an emerging risk factor for the development and progression of glioma. Chin Med J (Engl) 2024; 137:394-407. [PMID: 38238191 PMCID: PMC10876262 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002976] [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: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Gliomas tend to have a poor prognosis and are the most common primary malignant tumors of the central nervous system. Compared with patients with other cancers, glioma patients often suffer from increased levels of psychological stress, such as anxiety and fear. Chronic stress (CS) is thought to impact glioma profoundly. However, because of the complex mechanisms underlying CS and variability in individual tolerance, the role of CS in glioma remains unclear. This review suggests a new proposal to redivide the stress system into two parts. Neuronal activity is dominant upstream. Stress-signaling molecules produced by the neuroendocrine system are dominant downstream. We discuss the underlying molecular mechanisms by which CS impacts glioma. Potential pharmacological treatments are also summarized from the therapeutic perspective of CS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Yi
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Xiang Lin
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Xiaoling She
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Minghua Wu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
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Bobotis BC, Halvorson T, Carrier M, Tremblay MÈ. Established and emerging techniques for the study of microglia: visualization, depletion, and fate mapping. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1317125. [PMID: 38425429 PMCID: PMC10902073 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1317125] [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: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) is an essential hub for neuronal communication. As a major component of the CNS, glial cells are vital in the maintenance and regulation of neuronal network dynamics. Research on microglia, the resident innate immune cells of the CNS, has advanced considerably in recent years, and our understanding of their diverse functions continues to grow. Microglia play critical roles in the formation and regulation of neuronal synapses, myelination, responses to injury, neurogenesis, inflammation, and many other physiological processes. In parallel with advances in microglial biology, cutting-edge techniques for the characterization of microglial properties have emerged with increasing depth and precision. Labeling tools and reporter models are important for the study of microglial morphology, ultrastructure, and dynamics, but also for microglial isolation, which is required to glean key phenotypic information through single-cell transcriptomics and other emerging approaches. Strategies for selective microglial depletion and modulation can provide novel insights into microglia-targeted treatment strategies in models of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions, cancer, and autoimmunity. Finally, fate mapping has emerged as an important tool to answer fundamental questions about microglial biology, including their origin, migration, and proliferation throughout the lifetime of an organism. This review aims to provide a comprehensive discussion of these established and emerging techniques, with applications to the study of microglia in development, homeostasis, and CNS pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Caroline Bobotis
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Torin Halvorson
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Micaël Carrier
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
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Carrier M, Hui CW, Watters V, Šimončičová E, Picard K, González Ibáñez F, Vernoux N, Droit A, Desjardins M, Tremblay MÈ. Behavioral as well as hippocampal transcriptomic and microglial responses differ across sexes in adult mouse offspring exposed to a dual genetic and environmental challenge. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 116:126-139. [PMID: 38016491 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.11.025] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A wide range of positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms compose the clinical presentation of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a multifactorial disorder in which genetic and environmental risk factors interact for a full emergence of the disorder. Infectious challenges during pregnancy are a well-known environmental risk factor for schizophrenia. Also, genetic variants affecting the function of fractalkine signaling between neurons and microglia were linked to schizophrenia. Translational animal models recapitulating these complex gene-environment associations have a great potential to untangle schizophrenia neurobiology and propose new therapeutic strategies. METHODS Given that genetic variants affecting the function of fractalkine signaling between neurons and microglia were linked to schizophrenia, we compared the outcomes of a well-characterized model of maternal immune activation induced using the viral mimetic polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) in wild-type versus fractalkine receptor knockout mice. Possible behavioral and immune alterations were assessed in male and female offspring during adulthood. Considering the role of the hippocampus in schizophrenia, microglial analyses and bulk RNA sequencing were performed within this region to assess the neuroimmune dynamics at play. Males and females were examined separately. RESULTS Offspring exposed to the dual challenge paradigm exhibited symptoms relevant to schizophrenia and unpredictably to mood disorders. Males displayed social and cognitive deficits related to schizophrenia, while females mainly presented anxiety-like behaviors related to mood disorders. Hippocampal microglia in females exposed to the dual challenge were hypertrophic, indicative of an increased surveillance, whereas those in males showed on the other end of the spectrum blunted morphologies with a reduced phagocytosis. Hippocampal bulk-RNA sequencing further revealed a downregulation in females of genes related to GABAergic transmission, which represents one of the main proposed causes of mood disorders. CONCLUSIONS Building on previous results, we identified in the current study distinctive behavioral phenotypes in female mice exposed to a dual genetic and environmental challenge, thus proposing a new model of neurodevelopmentally-associated mood and affective symptoms. This paves the way to future sex-specific investigations into the susceptibility to developmental challenges using animal models based on genetic and immune vulnerability as presented here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaël Carrier
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Chin W Hui
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Valérie Watters
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Eva Šimončičová
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Katherine Picard
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada; Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; Département de médecine moléculaire, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Fernando González Ibáñez
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada; Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; Département de médecine moléculaire, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Nathalie Vernoux
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Arnaud Droit
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; Département de médecine moléculaire, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Michèle Desjardins
- Department of Physics, Physical Engineering and Optics, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; Oncology Axis, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
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Du Y, Yan T, Wu B, He B, Jia Y. Research on the mechanism of antidepressive effect of Suanzaoren Decoction through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway and Wnt/β-catenin pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 319:117190. [PMID: 37739105 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Increased inflammatory response and disruption of neuroplasticity are important mechanisms in the hypothesis of the pathogenesis of depression. Thus, these two aspects are conducive to the development of treatments for depression. Suanzaoren Decoction (SZRD) is a classic traditional Chinese medicine compound for the treatment of insomnia, which can clinically relieve depression symptoms, but its antidepressant pharmacological mechanism remains to be elucidated. AIM OF THIS STUDY Based on the hypothesis of inflammation and neuroplasticity in depression, this study aimed to investigate the antidepressant effect of SZRD and its specific molecular mechanism through chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) induced SD rat model and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced BV2 cell neuroinflammation model. MATERIALS AND METHODS The body weight and behavioral indexes of CUMS model rats treated with orally or without oral SZRD for 4 weeks were detected. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe brain pathological damage. Terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl Transferase Mediated Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to observe neuronal apoptosis. Immunofluorescence, ELISA kit and Western blotting were used to detect the inflammatory index Iba-1 and inflammatory factors, as well as the important inflammatory pathway TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blotting were used to detect neuroplasticity indexes proteins-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), presynaptic membrane protein-synaptophysin (SYP), and postsynaptic protein- 95(PSD95), and the key pathway Wnt/β-catenin. The possible mechanism of SZRD antidepressant was further explored in LPS-induced BV2 cells. RESULTS In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that SZRD treatment significantly reversed the depression-like behaviors in rats, decreased the levels of inflammatory factors and increased the expression levels of BDNF, SYP, PSD95 in depression model rats. Furthermore, SZRD treatment inhibited the activation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin pathways and reduced the massive nuclear translocation of NF-κB and β-catenin. The addition of NF-κB pathway agonists could partially offset the inhibitory effect of SZRD on the Wnt pathway, and the addition of Wnt pathway agonists could also partially offset the inhibitory effect of SZRD on the TLR4 pathway. CONCLUSION This study suggestted that SZRD may exert its antidepressant effect by regulating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway and Wnt/β-catenin pathway in combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyang Du
- School of Functional Food and Wine, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Tingxu Yan
- School of Functional Food and Wine, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bo Wu
- School of Functional Food and Wine, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bosai He
- School of Functional Food and Wine, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Ying Jia
- School of Functional Food and Wine, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China.
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González Ibáñez F, Halvorson T, Sharma K, McKee C, Carrier M, Picard K, Vernoux N, Bisht K, Deslauriers J, Lalowski M, Tremblay MÈ. Ketogenic diet alters microglial morphology and changes the hippocampal lipidomic profile distinctively in stress susceptible versus resistant male mice upon repeated social defeat. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.28.555135. [PMID: 37693370 PMCID: PMC10491121 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.28.555135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Psychological stress confers an increased risk for several diseases including psychiatric conditions. The susceptibility to psychological stress is modulated by various factors, many of them being modifiable lifestyle choices. The ketogenic diet (KD) has emerged as a dietary regime that offers positive outcomes on mood and health status. Psychological stress and elevated inflammation are common features of neuropsychiatric disorders such as certain types of major depressive disorder. KD has been attributed anti-inflammatory properties that could underlie its beneficial consequences on the brain and behavior. Microglia are the main drivers of inflammation in the central nervous system. They are known to respond to both dietary changes and psychological stress, notably by modifying their production of cytokines and relationships among the brain parenchyma. To assess the interactions between KD and the stress response, including effects on microglia, we examined adult male mice on control diet (CD) versus KD that underwent 10 days of repeated social defeat (RSD) or remained non-stressed (controls; CTRLs). Through a social interaction test, stressed mice were classified as susceptible (SUS) or resistant (RES) to RSD. The mouse population fed a KD tended to have a higher proportion of individuals classified as RES following RSD. Microglial morphology and ultrastructure were then analyzed in the ventral hippocampus CA1, a brain region known to present structural alterations as a response to psychological stress. Distinct changes in microglial soma and arborization linked to the KD, SUS and RES phenotypes were revealed. Ultrastructural analysis by electron microscopy showed a clear reduction of cellular stress markers in microglia from KD fed animals. Furthermore, ultrastructural analysis showed that microglial contacts with synaptic elements were reduced in the SUS compared to the RES and CTRL groups. Hippocampal lipidomic analyses lastly identified a distinct lipid profile in SUS animals compared to CTRLs. These key differences, combined with the distinct microglial responses to diet and stress, indicate that unique metabolic changes may underlie the stress susceptibility phenotypes. Altogether, our results reveal novel mechanisms by which a KD might improve the resistance to psychological stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando González Ibáñez
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département de médecine moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Torin Halvorson
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kaushik Sharma
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département de médecine moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States of America
| | - Chloe McKee
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Micaël Carrier
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département de médecine moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Katherine Picard
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département de médecine moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Nathalie Vernoux
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Kanchan Bisht
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département de médecine moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States of America
| | | | - Maciej Lalowski
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
- Biochemistry/Developmental Biology, Meilahti Clinical Proteomics Core Facility, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département de médecine moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Neurology and Neurosurgery Department, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, BC, Canada
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11
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Ben-Azu B, del Re EC, VanderZwaag J, Carrier M, Keshavan M, Khakpour M, Tremblay MÈ. Emerging epigenetic dynamics in gut-microglia brain axis: experimental and clinical implications for accelerated brain aging in schizophrenia. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1139357. [PMID: 37256150 PMCID: PMC10225712 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1139357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain aging, which involves a progressive loss of neuronal functions, has been reported to be premature in probands affected by schizophrenia (SCZ). Evidence shows that SCZ and accelerated aging are linked to changes in epigenetic clocks. Recent cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging analyses have uncovered reduced brain reserves and connectivity in patients with SCZ compared to typically aging individuals. These data may indicate early abnormalities of neuronal function following cyto-architectural alterations in SCZ. The current mechanistic knowledge on brain aging, epigenetic changes, and their neuropsychiatric disease association remains incomplete. With this review, we explore and summarize evidence that the dynamics of gut-resident bacteria can modulate molecular brain function and contribute to age-related neurodegenerative disorders. It is known that environmental factors such as mode of birth, dietary habits, stress, pollution, and infections can modulate the microbiota system to regulate intrinsic neuronal activity and brain reserves through the vagus nerve and enteric nervous system. Microbiota-derived molecules can trigger continuous activation of the microglial sensome, groups of receptors and proteins that permit microglia to remodel the brain neurochemistry based on complex environmental activities. This remodeling causes aberrant brain plasticity as early as fetal developmental stages, and after the onset of first-episode psychosis. In the central nervous system, microglia, the resident immune surveillance cells, are involved in neurogenesis, phagocytosis of synapses and neurological dysfunction. Here, we review recent emerging experimental and clinical evidence regarding the gut-brain microglia axis involvement in SCZ pathology and etiology, the hypothesis of brain reserve and accelerated aging induced by dietary habits, stress, pollution, infections, and other factors. We also include in our review the possibilities and consequences of gut dysbiosis activities on microglial function and dysfunction, together with the effects of antipsychotics on the gut microbiome: therapeutic and adverse effects, role of fecal microbiota transplant and psychobiotics on microglial sensomes, brain reserves and SCZ-derived accelerated aging. We end the review with suggestions that may be applicable to the clinical setting. For example, we propose that psychobiotics might contribute to antipsychotic-induced therapeutic benefits or adverse effects, as well as reduce the aging process through the gut-brain microglia axis. Overall, we hope that this review will help increase the understanding of SCZ pathogenesis as related to chronobiology and the gut microbiome, as well as reveal new concepts that will serve as novel treatment targets for SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benneth Ben-Azu
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
| | - Elisabetta C. del Re
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Brockton, MA, United States
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jared VanderZwaag
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Micaël Carrier
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Matcheri Keshavan
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health (IALH), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
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12
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Javani G, Babri S, Farajdokht F, Ghaffari-Nasab A, Mohaddes G. Mitotherapy restores hippocampal mitochondrial function and cognitive impairment in aged male rats subjected to chronic mild stress. Biogerontology 2023; 24:257-273. [PMID: 36626036 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-022-10014-x] [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: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effects of mitotherapy on learning and memory and hippocampal kynurenine (Kyn) pathway, mitochondria function, and dendritic arborization and spines density in aged rats subjected to chronic mild stress. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats (22 months old( were randomly divided into Aged, Aged + Mit, Aged + Stress, and Aged + Stress + Mit groups. Aged rats in the stress groups were subjected to different stressors for 28 days. The Aged + Mit and Aged + stress + Mit groups were treated with intracerebroventricular injection (10 µl) of fresh mitochondria harvested from the young rats' brains, and other groups received 10 µl mitochondria storage buffer. Spatial and episodic-like memories were assessed via the Barnes maze and novel object recognition tests. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) expression and activity, Kyn, Tryptophan (TRY), ATP levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were measured in the hippocampus region. Golgi-Cox staining was also performed to assess the dendritic branching pattern and dendritic spines in the hippocampal CA1 subfield. The results showed that mitotherapy markedly improved both spatial and episodic memories in the Aged + Stress + Mit group compared to the Aged + Stress. Moreover, mitotherapy decreased IDO protein expression and activity and Kyn levels, while it increased ATP levels and improved MMP in the hippocampus of the Aged + Stress + Mit group. Besides, mitotherapy restored dendritic atrophy and loss of spine density in the hippocampal neurons of the stress-exposed aged rats. These findings provide evidence for the therapeutic effect of mitotherapy against stress-induced cognitive deterioration in aged rats by improving hippocampal mitochondrial function and modulation of the Kyn pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonja Javani
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Physiology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Shirin Babri
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Physiology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Farajdokht
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Physiology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | | | - Gisou Mohaddes
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Biomedical Education, California Health Sciences University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clovis, CA, USA.
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VanderZwaag J, Halvorson T, Dolhan K, Šimončičová E, Ben-Azu B, Tremblay MÈ. The Missing Piece? A Case for Microglia's Prominent Role in the Therapeutic Action of Anesthetics, Ketamine, and Psychedelics. Neurochem Res 2023; 48:1129-1166. [PMID: 36327017 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03772-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
There is much excitement surrounding recent research of promising, mechanistically novel psychotherapeutics - psychedelic, anesthetic, and dissociative agents - as they have demonstrated surprising efficacy in treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders, such as mood disorders and addiction. However, the mechanisms by which these drugs provide such profound psychological benefits are still to be fully elucidated. Microglia, the CNS's resident innate immune cells, are emerging as a cellular target for psychiatric disorders because of their critical role in regulating neuroplasticity and the inflammatory environment of the brain. The following paper is a review of recent literature surrounding these neuropharmacological therapies and their demonstrated or hypothesized interactions with microglia. Through investigating the mechanism of action of psychedelics, such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide, ketamine, and propofol, we demonstrate a largely under-investigated role for microglia in much of the emerging research surrounding these pharmacological agents. Among others, we detail sigma-1 receptors, serotonergic and γ-aminobutyric acid signalling, and tryptophan metabolism as pathways through which these agents modulate microglial phagocytic activity and inflammatory mediator release, inducing their therapeutic effects. The current review includes a discussion on future directions in the field of microglial pharmacology and covers bidirectional implications of microglia and these novel pharmacological agents in aging and age-related disease, glial cell heterogeneity, and state-of-the-art methodologies in microglial research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared VanderZwaag
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Torin Halvorson
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kira Dolhan
- Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Eva Šimončičová
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Benneth Ben-Azu
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
- Département de médecine moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.
- Neurology and Neurosurgery Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
- Institute for Aging and Lifelong Health, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
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14
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Hosseini E, Kianifard D. Effect of prenatal stress and extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on anxiety-like behavior in female rats: With an emphasis on prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e2949. [PMID: 36942730 PMCID: PMC10097060 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Prenatal stress (PS) is a problematic situation resulting in psychological implications such as social anxiety. Ubiquitous extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) have been confirmed as a potential physiological stressor; however, useful neuroregenerative effect of these types of electromagnetic fields has also frequently been reported. The aim of the present study was to survey the interaction of PS and ELF-EMF on anxiety-like behavior. METHOD A total of 24 female rats 40 days of age were distributed into four groups of 6 rats each: control, stress (their mothers were exposed to stress), EMF (their mothers underwent to ELF-EMF), and EMF/stress (their mothers concurrently underwent to stress and ELF-EMF). The rats were assayed using elevated plus-maze and open field tests. RESULTS Expressions of the hippocampus GAP-43, BDNF, and caspase-3 (cas-3) were detected by immunohistochemistry in Cornu Ammonis 1 (CA1) and dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Anxiety-like behavior increased in all treatment groups. Rats in the EMF/stress group presented more serious anxiety-like behavior. In all treatment groups, upregulated expression of cas-3 was seen in PFC, DG, and CA1 and downregulated expression of BDNF and GAP-43 was seen in PFC and DG and the CA1. Histomorphological study showed vast neurodegenerative changes in the hippocampus and PFC. CONCLUSION The results showed ,female rats that underwent PS or/and EMF exhibited critical anxiety-like behavior and this process may be attributed to neurodegeneration in PFC and DG of the hippocampus and possibly decreased synaptic plasticity so-called areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Hosseini
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Division of Physiology, Department of basic science, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Davoud Kianifard
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
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15
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Theoharides TC, Kempuraj D. Role of SARS-CoV-2 Spike-Protein-Induced Activation of Microglia and Mast Cells in the Pathogenesis of Neuro-COVID. Cells 2023; 12:688. [PMID: 36899824 PMCID: PMC10001285 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). About 45% of COVID-19 patients experience several symptoms a few months after the initial infection and develop post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), referred to as "Long-COVID," characterized by persistent physical and mental fatigue. However, the exact pathogenetic mechanisms affecting the brain are still not well-understood. There is increasing evidence of neurovascular inflammation in the brain. However, the precise role of the neuroinflammatory response that contributes to the disease severity of COVID-19 and long COVID pathogenesis is not clearly understood. Here, we review the reports that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein can cause blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and damage neurons either directly, or via activation of brain mast cells and microglia and the release of various neuroinflammatory molecules. Moreover, we provide recent evidence that the novel flavanol eriodictyol is particularly suited for development as an effective treatment alone or together with oleuropein and sulforaphane (ViralProtek®), all of which have potent anti-viral and anti-inflammatory actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theoharis C. Theoharides
- Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, USA
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery, Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Duraisamy Kempuraj
- Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, USA
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16
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Carrier M, Dolhan K, Bobotis BC, Desjardins M, Tremblay MÈ. The implication of a diversity of non-neuronal cells in disorders affecting brain networks. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:1015556. [PMID: 36439206 PMCID: PMC9693782 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1015556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the central nervous system (CNS) neurons are classically considered the functional unit of the brain. Analysis of the physical connections and co-activation of neurons, referred to as structural and functional connectivity, respectively, is a metric used to understand their interplay at a higher level. A myriad of glial cell types throughout the brain composed of microglia, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes are key players in the maintenance and regulation of neuronal network dynamics. Microglia are the central immune cells of the CNS, able to affect neuronal populations in number and connectivity, allowing for maturation and plasticity of the CNS. Microglia and astrocytes are part of the neurovascular unit, and together they are essential to protect and supply nutrients to the CNS. Oligodendrocytes are known for their canonical role in axonal myelination, but also contribute, with microglia and astrocytes, to CNS energy metabolism. Glial cells can achieve this variety of roles because of their heterogeneous populations comprised of different states. The neuroglial relationship can be compromised in various manners in case of pathologies affecting development and plasticity of the CNS, but also consciousness and mood. This review covers structural and functional connectivity alterations in schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and disorder of consciousness, as well as their correlation with vascular connectivity. These networks are further explored at the cellular scale by integrating the role of glial cell diversity across the CNS to explain how these networks are affected in pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaël Carrier
- Neurosciences Axis, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Kira Dolhan
- Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | | | - Michèle Desjardins
- Department of Physics, Physical Engineering and Optics, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Oncology Axis, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Neurosciences Axis, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Marie-Ève Tremblay,
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17
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Tremblay MÈ, Almsherqi ZA, Deng Y. Plasmalogens and platelet-activating factor roles in chronic inflammatory diseases. Biofactors 2022; 48:1203-1216. [PMID: 36370412 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1916] [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: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Fatty acids and phospholipid molecules are essential for determining the structure and function of cell membranes, and they hence participate in many biological processes. Platelet activating factor (PAF) and its precursor plasmalogen, which represent two subclasses of ether phospholipids, have attracted increasing research attention recently due to their association with multiple chronic inflammatory, neurodegenerative, and metabolic disorders. These pathophysiological conditions commonly involve inflammatory processes linked to an excess presence of PAF and/or decreased levels of plasmalogens. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the roles of plasmalogens in inflammation have remained largely elusive. While anti-inflammatory responses most likely involve the plasmalogen signal pathway; pro-inflammatory responses recruit arachidonic acid, a precursor of pro-inflammatory lipid mediators which is released from membrane phospholipids, notably derived from the hydrolysis of plasmalogens. Plasmalogens per se are vital membrane phospholipids in humans. Changes in their homeostatic levels may alter cell membrane properties, thus affecting key signaling pathways that mediate inflammatory cascades and immune responses. The plasmalogen analogs of PAF are also potentially important, considering that anti-PAF activity has strong anti-inflammatory effects. Plasmalogen replacement therapy was further identified as a promising anti-inflammatory strategy allowing for the relief of pathological hallmarks in patients affected by chronic diseases with an inflammatory component. The aim of this Short Review is to highlight the emerging roles and implications of plasmalogens in chronic inflammatory disorders, along with the promising outcomes of plasmalogen replacement therapy for the treatment of various PAF-related chronic inflammatory pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, Canada
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université de Laval, Québec City, Canada
- Neurology and Neurosurgery Department, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Zakaria A Almsherqi
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yuru Deng
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, China
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18
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Oshri A, Cui Z, Owens M, Carvalho C, Sweet L. Low-to-moderate level of perceived stress strengthens working memory: Testing the hormesis hypothesis through neural activation. Neuropsychologia 2022; 176:108354. [PMID: 36041501 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2022.108354] [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: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The negative impact of stress on neurocognitive functioning is extensively documented by empirical research. However, emerging reports suggest that stress may also confer positive neurocognitive effects. This hypothesis has been advanced by the hormesis model of psychosocial stress, in which low-moderate levels of stress are expected to result in neurocognitive benefits, such as improved working memory (WM), a central executive function. We tested the hormesis hypothesis, purporting an inverted U-shaped relation between stress and neurocognitive performance, in a large sample of young adults from the Human Connectome Project (n = 1000, Mage = 28.74, SD = 3.67, 54.3% female). In particular, we investigated whether neural response during a WM challenge is a potential intermediary through which low-moderate levels of stress confer beneficial effects on WM performance. Further, we tested whether the association between low-moderate prolonged stress and WM-related neural function was stronger in contexts with more psychosocial resources. Findings showed that low-moderate levels of perceived stress were associated with elevated WM-related neural activation, resulting in more optimal WM behavioral performance (α *β = -0.02, p = .046). The strength of this association tapered off at high-stress levels. Finally, we found that the benefit of low-moderate stress was stronger among individuals with access to higher levels of psychosocial resources (β = -0.06, p = .021). By drawing attention to the dose-dependent, nonlinear relation between stress and WM, this study highlights emerging evidence of a process by which mild stress induces neurocognitive benefits, and the psychosocial context under which benefits are most likely to manifest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assaf Oshri
- Youth Development Institute, Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia, Georgia; Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Georgia.
| | - Zehua Cui
- Youth Development Institute, Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia, Georgia; The Neuroscience Program, University of Georgia, Georgia
| | - Max Owens
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, McMaster University/ St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Cory Carvalho
- Youth Development Institute, Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia, Georgia
| | - Lawrence Sweet
- Youth Development Institute, Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia, Georgia; Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Georgia
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19
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Jiang X, Yi S, Liu Q, Su D, Li L, Xiao C, Zhang J. Asperosaponin VI ameliorates the CMS-induced depressive-like behaviors by inducing a neuroprotective microglial phenotype in hippocampus via PPAR-γ pathway. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:115. [PMID: 35610721 PMCID: PMC9131532 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02478-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The natural compound asperosaponin VI has shown potential as an antidepressant, but how it works is unclear. Here, we explored its effects on mice exposed to chronic mild stress (CMS) and the underlying molecular pathways. Methods Mice were exposed to CMS for 3 weeks followed by asperosaponin VI (40 mg/kg) or imipramine (20 mg/kg) for another 3 weeks. Depression-like behaviors were assessed in the forced swimming test (FST), sucrose preference test (SPT), tail suspension test (TST). Microglial phenotypes were evaluated using immunofluorescence staining, real-time quantitative PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in hippocampus of mice. In some experiments, stressed animals were treated with the PPAR-γ antagonist GW9662 to examine its involvement in the effects of asperosaponin VI. Blockade of PPAR-γ in asperosaponin VI-treated primary microglia in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was executed synchronously. The nuclear transfer of PPAR-γ in microglia was detected by immunofluorescence staining in vitro and in vivo. A co-cultured model of neuron and microglia was used for evaluating the regulation of ASA VI on the microglia–neuron crosstalk molecules. Results Asperosaponin VI ameliorated depression-like behaviors of CMS mice based on SPT, TST and FST, and this was associated with a switch of hippocampal microglia from a pro-inflammatory (iNOS+-Iba1+) to neuroprotective (Arg-1+-Iba1+) phenotype. CMS reduced the expression levels of PPAR-γ and phosphorylated PPAR-γ in hippocampus, which asperosaponin VI partially reversed. GW9662 treatment prevented the nuclear transfer of PPAR-γ in asperosaponin VI-treated microglia and inhibited the induction of Arg-1+ microglia. Blockade of PPAR-γ signaling also abolished the ability of asperosaponin VI to suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines while elevating anti-inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus of CMS mice. The asperosaponin VI also promoted interactions between hippocampal microglia and neurons by enhancing CX3CL1/CX3CR1 and CD200/CD200R, and preserved synaptic function based on PSD95, CamKII β and GluA levels, but not in the presence of GW9662. Blockade of PPAR-γ signaling also abolished the antidepressant effects of asperosaponin VI in the SPT, TST and FST. Conclusion CMS in mice induces a pro-inflammatory microglial phenotype that causes reduced crosstalk between microglia and neuron, inflammation and synaptic dysfunction in the hippocampus, ultimately leading to depression-like behaviors. Asperosaponin VI may ameliorate the effects of CMS by inducing microglia to adopt a PPAR-γ-dependent neuroprotective phenotype. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-022-02478-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Jiang
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Resource Institute for Chinese and Ethnic Materia Medica, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550025, China.,State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau, 999078, China
| | - Saini Yi
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Resource Institute for Chinese and Ethnic Materia Medica, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Qin Liu
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Resource Institute for Chinese and Ethnic Materia Medica, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Dapeng Su
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Resource Institute for Chinese and Ethnic Materia Medica, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Liangyuan Li
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Resource Institute for Chinese and Ethnic Materia Medica, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Chenghong Xiao
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Resource Institute for Chinese and Ethnic Materia Medica, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Jinqiang Zhang
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Resource Institute for Chinese and Ethnic Materia Medica, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550025, China.
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Bian H, Yan F, Li W, Tu W, Ji X. Tert-butylhydroquinone prevents neuroinflammation and relieves depression via regulation of NLRP3 signaling in mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 107:108723. [PMID: 35338961 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Depression is a common psychiatric disorder, which seriously affects people's health and quality of life. Current treatments, which mainly focus on neurotransmitter levels, are not effective in many patients. Recent studies have shown that neuroinflammation has certain correlation with the pathogenesis of depression. Tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) is an antioxidant with an anti-inflammatory effect. The present study evaluated the effects of TBHQ on the improvement of depression-like behaviors induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice and its possible mechanism. Behavioral test results showed that TBHQ treatment could significantly improve the depression-like behaviors of mice. Western blot results showed that TBHQ treatment inhibited the protein expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18, which induced by LPS. Immunofluorescence staining results showed that TBHQ treatment inhibited the activation of microglia induced by LPS. These results suggested that, by inhibiting LPS-induced neuroinflammation and microglia activation, TBHQ could effectively improve LPS-induced inflammation-related depression-like behavior through modulating the NLRP3 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hetao Bian
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Feng Yan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Weili Li
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Wenjun Tu
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Xunming Ji
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China.
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Staehr C, Bouzinova EV, Wiborg O, Matchkov VV. Stress adaptation in rats associate with reduced expression of cerebrovascular K v7.4 channels and biphasic neurovascular responses. Stress 2022; 25:227-234. [PMID: 35666099 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2022.2077099] [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] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurovascular coupling ensures rapid and precise delivery of O2 and nutrients to active brain regions. Chronic stress is known to disturb neurovascular signaling with grave effects on brain integrity. We hypothesized that stress-induced neurovascular disturbances depend on stress susceptibility. Wistar male rats were exposed to 8 weeks of chronic mild stress. Stressed rats with anhedonia-like behavior and with preserved hedonic state were identified from voluntary sucrose consumption. In brain slices from nonstressed, anhedonic, and hedonic rats, neurons and astrocytes showed similar intracellular Ca2+ responses to neuronal excitation. Parenchymal arterioles in brain slices from nonstressed, anhedonic, and hedonic rats showed vasodilation in response to neuronal excitation. This vasodilation was dependent on inward rectifying K+ channel (Kir2) activation. In hedonic rats, this vasodilation was transient and followed by vasoconstriction insensitive to Kir2 channel inhibition with 100 µM BaCl2. Isolated arteries from hedonic rats showed increased contractility. Elevation of bath K+ relaxed isolated middle cerebral arteries in a concentration-dependent and Kir2-dependent manner. The vasorelaxation to 20-24 mM K+ was reduced in arteries from hedonic rats. The expression of voltage-gated K+ channels, Kv7.4, was reduced in the cerebral arteries from hedonic rats, whereas the expression of arterial inward-rectifying K+ channels, Kir2.1 was similar to that of nonstressed and anhedonic rats. We propose that preserved hedonic state is associated with increased arterial contractility caused by reduced hyperpolarizing contribution of Kv7.4 channels leading to biphasic cerebrovascular responses to neuronal excitation. These findings reveal a novel potential coping mechanism associated with altered neurovascular signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Staehr
- Department of Biomedicine, Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Elena V Bouzinova
- Department of Biomedicine, Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ove Wiborg
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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