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Hamad I, Van Broeckhoven J, Cardilli A, Hellings N, Strowig T, Lemmens S, Hendrix S, Kleinewietfeld M. Effects of Recombinant IL-13 Treatment on Gut Microbiota Composition and Functional Recovery after Hemisection Spinal Cord Injury in Mice. Nutrients 2023; 15:4184. [PMID: 37836468 PMCID: PMC10574124 DOI: 10.3390/nu15194184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the gut-central nervous system axis has emerged as a key factor in the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury (SCI). Interleukin-13 (IL-13) has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in SCI. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in microbiota composition after hemisection injury and to determine whether systemic recombinant (r)IL-13 treatment could alter the gut microbiome, indirectly promoting functional recovery. The gut microbiota composition was determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and correlations between gut microbiota alterations and functional recovery were assessed. Our results showed that there were no changes in alpha diversity between the groups before and after SCI, while PERMANOVA analysis for beta diversity showed significant differences in fecal microbial communities. Phylogenetic classification of bacterial families revealed a lower abundance of the Bacteroidales S24-7 group and a higher abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Lactobacillaceae in the post-SCI group. Systemic rIL-13 treatment improved functional recovery 28 days post-injury and microbiota analysis revealed increased relative abundance of Clostridiales vadin BB60 and Acetitomaculum and decreased Anaeroplasma, Ruminiclostridium_6, and Ruminococcus compared to controls. Functional assessment with PICRUSt showed that genes related to glyoxylate cycle and palmitoleate biosynthesis-I were the predominant signatures in the rIL-13-treated group, whereas sulfolactate degradation super pathway and formaldehyde assimilation-I were enriched in controls. In conclusion, our results indicate that rIL-13 treatment promotes changes in gut microbial communities and may thereby contribute indirectly to the improvement of functional recovery in mice, possibly having important implications for the development of novel treatment options for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Hamad
- VIB Laboratory of Translational Immunomodulation, Center for Inflammation Research (IRC), Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium (A.C.)
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; (J.V.B.); (N.H.)
| | - Jana Van Broeckhoven
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; (J.V.B.); (N.H.)
| | - Alessio Cardilli
- VIB Laboratory of Translational Immunomodulation, Center for Inflammation Research (IRC), Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium (A.C.)
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; (J.V.B.); (N.H.)
| | - Niels Hellings
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; (J.V.B.); (N.H.)
| | - Till Strowig
- Department of Microbial Immune Regulation, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Stefanie Lemmens
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; (J.V.B.); (N.H.)
| | - Sven Hendrix
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School Hamburg, 20457 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Kleinewietfeld
- VIB Laboratory of Translational Immunomodulation, Center for Inflammation Research (IRC), Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium (A.C.)
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; (J.V.B.); (N.H.)
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Vangansewinkel T, Lemmens S, Tiane A, Geurts N, Dooley D, Vanmierlo T, Pejler G, Hendrix S. Therapeutic administration of mouse mast cell protease 6 improves functional recovery after traumatic spinal cord injury in mice by promoting remyelination and reducing glial scar formation. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22939. [PMID: 37130013 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201942rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) most often leads to permanent paralysis due to the inability of axons to regenerate in the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS). In the past, we have shown that mast cells (MCs) improve the functional outcome after SCI by suppressing scar tissue formation at the lesion site via mouse mast cell protease 6 (mMCP6). In this study, we investigated whether recombinant mMCP6 can be used therapeutically to improve the functional outcome after SCI. Therefore, we applied mMCP6 locally via an intrathecal catheter in the subacute phase after a spinal cord hemisection injury in mice. Our findings showed that hind limb motor function was significantly improved in mice that received recombinant mMCP6 compared with the vehicle-treated group. In contrast to our previous findings in mMCP6 knockout mice, the lesion size and expression levels of the scar components fibronectin, laminin, and axon-growth-inhibitory chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans were not affected by the treatment with recombinant mMCP6. Surprisingly, no difference in infiltration of CD4+ T cells and reactivity of Iba-1+ microglia/macrophages at the lesion site was observed between the mMCP6-treated mice and control mice. Additionally, local protein levels of the pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFNγ, and MCP-1 were comparable between the two treatment groups, indicating that locally applied mMCP6 did not affect inflammatory processes after injury. However, the increase in locomotor performance in mMCP6-treated mice was accompanied by reduced demyelination and astrogliosis in the perilesional area after SCI. Consistently, we found that TNF-α/IL-1β-astrocyte activation was decreased and that oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) differentiation was increased after recombinant mMCP6 treatment in vitro. Mechanistically, this suggests effects of mMCP6 on reducing astrogliosis and improving (re)myelination in the spinal cord after injury. In conclusion, these data show for the first time that recombinant mMCP6 is therapeutically active in enhancing recovery after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Vangansewinkel
- Cardio and Organ Systems, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefanie Lemmens
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Assia Tiane
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt-Pelt, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Geurts
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Dearbhaile Dooley
- School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
- UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt-Pelt, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Gunnar Pejler
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sven Hendrix
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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Erens C, Van Broeckhoven J, Bronckaers A, Lemmens S, Hendrix S. The Dark Side of an Essential Amino Acid: L-Arginine in Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurotrauma 2023; 40:820-832. [PMID: 36503258 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2022.0271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
L-arginine is a semi-essential amino acid involved in a variety of physiological processes in the central nervous system (CNS). It is essential in the survival and functionality of neuronal cells. Nonetheless, L-arginine also has a dark side; it potentiates neuroinflammation and nitric oxide (NO) production, leading to secondary damage. Therefore, modulating the L-arginine metabolism is challenging because both detrimental and beneficial effects are dependent on this semi-essential amino acid. After spinal cord injury (SCI), L-arginine plays a crucial role in trauma-induced neuroinflammation and regenerative processes via the two key enzymes: nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and arginase (ARG). Studies on L-arginine metabolism using ARG and NOS inhibitors highlighted the conflicting role of this semi-essential amino acid. Similarly, L-arginine supplementation resulted in both negative and positive outcomes after SCI. However, new data indicate that arginine depletion substantially improves spinal cord regeneration after injury. Here, we review the challenging characteristics of L-arginine metabolism as a therapeutic target after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Erens
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Hasselt University, Biomedical Research Institute BIOMED, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Jana Van Broeckhoven
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Hasselt University, Biomedical Research Institute BIOMED, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Annelies Bronckaers
- Department of Cardio and Organ Systems, Hasselt University, Biomedical Research Institute BIOMED, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Stefanie Lemmens
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Hasselt University, Biomedical Research Institute BIOMED, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Sven Hendrix
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Hasselt University, Biomedical Research Institute BIOMED, Diepenbeek, Belgium.,Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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Van Broeckhoven J, Erens C, Sommer D, Scheijen E, Sanchez S, Vidal PM, Dooley D, Van Breedam E, Quarta A, Ponsaerts P, Hendrix S, Lemmens S. Macrophage-based delivery of interleukin-13 improves functional and histopathological outcomes following spinal cord injury. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:102. [PMID: 35488301 PMCID: PMC9052547 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02458-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal cord injury (SCI) elicits a robust neuroinflammatory reaction which, in turn, exacerbates the initial mechanical damage. Pivotal players orchestrating this response are macrophages (Mφs) and microglia. After SCI, the inflammatory environment is dominated by pro-inflammatory Mφs/microglia, which contribute to secondary cell death and prevent regeneration. Therefore, reprogramming Mφ/microglia towards a more anti-inflammatory and potentially neuroprotective phenotype has gained substantial therapeutic interest in recent years. Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is a potent inducer of such an anti-inflammatory phenotype. In this study, we used genetically modified Mφs as carriers to continuously secrete IL-13 (IL-13 Mφs) at the lesion site. METHODS Mφs were genetically modified to secrete IL-13 (IL-13 Mφs) and were phenotypically characterized using qPCR, western blot, and ELISA. To analyze the therapeutic potential, the IL-13 Mφs were intraspinally injected at the perilesional area after hemisection SCI in female mice. Functional recovery and histopathological improvements were evaluated using the Basso Mouse Scale score and immunohistochemistry. Neuroprotective effects of IL-13 were investigated using different cell viability assays in murine and human neuroblastoma cell lines, human neurospheroids, as well as murine organotypic brain slice cultures. RESULTS In contrast to Mφs prestimulated with recombinant IL-13, perilesional transplantation of IL-13 Mφs promoted functional recovery following SCI in mice. This improvement was accompanied by reduced lesion size and demyelinated area. The local anti-inflammatory shift induced by IL-13 Mφs resulted in reduced neuronal death and fewer contacts between dystrophic axons and Mφs/microglia, suggesting suppression of axonal dieback. Using IL-4Rα-deficient mice, we show that IL-13 signaling is required for these beneficial effects. Whereas direct neuroprotective effects of IL-13 on murine and human neuroblastoma cell lines or human neurospheroid cultures were absent, IL-13 rescued murine organotypic brain slices from cell death, probably by indirectly modulating the Mφ/microglia responses. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our data suggest that the IL-13-induced anti-inflammatory Mφ/microglia phenotype can preserve neuronal tissue and ameliorate axonal dieback, thereby promoting recovery after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Van Broeckhoven
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Céline Erens
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Daniela Sommer
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Elle Scheijen
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Selien Sanchez
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Pia M Vidal
- Neuroimmunology and Regeneration of the Central Nervous System Unit, Biomedical Science Research Laboratory, Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, 4090541, Concepción, Chile
| | - Dearbhaile Dooley
- School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.,UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Elise Van Breedam
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Alessandra Quarta
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Peter Ponsaerts
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Sven Hendrix
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium. .,Medical School Hamburg, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Stefanie Lemmens
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
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Erens C, Van Broeckhoven J, Hoeks C, Schabbauer G, Cheng PN, Chen L, Hellings N, Broux B, Lemmens S, Hendrix S. L-Arginine Depletion Improves Spinal Cord Injury via Immunomodulation and Nitric Oxide Reduction. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020205. [PMID: 35203413 PMCID: PMC8869469 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) elicits robust neuroinflammation that eventually exacerbates the initial damage to the spinal cord. L-arginine is critical for the responsiveness of T cells, which are important contributors to neuroinflammation after SCI. Furthermore, L-arginine is the substrate for nitric oxide (NO) production, which is a known inducer of secondary damage. Methods: To accomplish systemic L-arginine depletion, repetitive injections of recombinant arginase-1 (rArg-I) were performed. Functional recovery and histopathological parameters were analyzed. Splenic immune responses were evaluated by flow cytometry. Pro-inflammatory gene expression and nitrite concentrations were measured. Results: We show for the first time that systemic L-arginine depletion improves locomotor recovery. Flow cytometry and immunohistological analysis showed that intraspinal T-cell infiltration was reduced by 65%, and peripheral numbers of Th1 and Th17 cells were suppressed. Moreover, rArg-I treatment reduced the intraspinal NO production by 40%. Histopathological analyses revealed a 37% and 36% decrease in the number of apoptotic neurons and neuron-macrophage/microglia contacts in the spinal cord, respectively. Conclusions: Targeting detrimental T-cell responses and NO-production via rArg-I led to a reduced neuronal cell death and an improved functional recovery. These findings indicate that L-arginine depletion holds promise as a therapeutic strategy after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Erens
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; (C.E.); (J.V.B.); (C.H.); (N.H.); (B.B.); (S.L.)
| | - Jana Van Broeckhoven
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; (C.E.); (J.V.B.); (C.H.); (N.H.); (B.B.); (S.L.)
| | - Cindy Hoeks
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; (C.E.); (J.V.B.); (C.H.); (N.H.); (B.B.); (S.L.)
| | - Gernot Schabbauer
- Institute for Vascular Biology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria;
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Arginine Metabolism in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis, Centre of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Paul N. Cheng
- Department Research and Development, Bio-Cancer Treatment International Limited, Hong Kong 999077, China; (P.N.C.); (L.C.)
| | - Li Chen
- Department Research and Development, Bio-Cancer Treatment International Limited, Hong Kong 999077, China; (P.N.C.); (L.C.)
| | - Niels Hellings
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; (C.E.); (J.V.B.); (C.H.); (N.H.); (B.B.); (S.L.)
| | - Bieke Broux
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; (C.E.); (J.V.B.); (C.H.); (N.H.); (B.B.); (S.L.)
| | - Stefanie Lemmens
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; (C.E.); (J.V.B.); (C.H.); (N.H.); (B.B.); (S.L.)
| | - Sven Hendrix
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; (C.E.); (J.V.B.); (C.H.); (N.H.); (B.B.); (S.L.)
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School Hamburg, 20457 Hamburg, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Sommer D, Corstjens I, Sanchez S, Dooley D, Lemmens S, Van Broeckhoven J, Bogie J, Vanmierlo T, Vidal PM, Rose-John S, Gou-Fabregas M, Hendrix S. ADAM17-deficiency on microglia but not on macrophages promotes phagocytosis and functional recovery after spinal cord injury. Brain Behav Immun 2019; 80:129-145. [PMID: 30851378 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17) is the major sheddase involved in the cleavage of a plethora of cytokines, cytokine receptors and growth factors, thereby playing a substantial role in inflammatory and regenerative processes after central nervous system trauma. By making use of a hypomorphic ADAM17 knockin mouse model as well as pharmacological ADAM10/ADAM17 inhibitors, we showed that ADAM17-deficiency or inhibition significantly increases clearance of apoptotic cells, promotes axon growth and improves functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice. Microglia-specific ADAM17-knockout (ADAM17flox+/+-Cx3Cr1 Cre+/-) mice also showed improved functional recovery similar to hypomorphic ADAM17 mice. In contrast, endothelial-specific (ADAM17flox+/+-Cdh5Pacs Cre+/-) and macrophage-specific (ADAM17flox+/+-LysM Cre+/-) ADAM17-knockout mice or bone marrow chimera with transplanted ADAM17-deficient macrophages, displayed no functional improvement compared to wild type mice. These data indicate that ADAM17 expression on microglia cells (and not on macrophages or endothelial cells) plays a detrimental role in inflammation and functional recovery after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Sommer
- Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Inge Corstjens
- Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Selien Sanchez
- Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Dearbhaile Dooley
- Health Science Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Stefanie Lemmens
- Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
| | | | - Jeroen Bogie
- Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; Division of Translational Neuroscience, MHeNs, Maastricht University, 6229ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Pia M Vidal
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, 7780272 Santiago, Chile
| | - Stefan Rose-John
- Institute of Biochemistry, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, 24098 Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Sven Hendrix
- Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
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Lemmens S, Nelissen S, Dooley D, Geurts N, Peters EMJ, Hendrix S. Stress Pathway Modulation Is Detrimental or Ineffective for Functional Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury in Mice. J Neurotrauma 2019; 37:564-571. [PMID: 31210094 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2018.6211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A mounting body of evidence suggests that stress plays a major role in the injury progression after spinal cord injury (SCI). Injury activates the stress systems; this in turn may augment the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, stimulate pro-inflammatory immune cells, and alter the balance between the pro- and anti-inflammatory immune response. As a result, it is suggested that stress pathways may augment neuronal damage and loss after SCI. Considering these potential detrimental effects of stress after SCI, we hypothesized that inhibition of stress pathways immediately after SCI may offer protection from damage and improve recovery. To investigate the relevance of stress responses in SCI recovery, we investigated the effects of blocking three well-studied stress response axes in a mouse model of SCI. Propranolol, RU-486, and CP-99994 were administered to inhibit the sympathetic axis, the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, and the neuropeptide axis, respectively. Surprisingly, assessing functional recovery by the Basso Mouse Scale revealed that RU-486 and CP-99994 did not affect functional outcome, indicating that these pathways are dispensable for neuroprotection or repair after SCI. Moreover, the beta-blocker propranolol worsened functional outcome in the mouse SCI model. In conclusion, immediate inhibition of three major stress axes has no beneficial effects on functional recovery after SCI in mice. These results suggest that injury-induced stress responses do not interfere with the healing process and hence, pharmacological targeting of stress responses is not a recommended treatment option for SCI. These findings are of great importance for other researchers to avoid unnecessary and potentially futile animal experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Lemmens
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Sofie Nelissen
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Dearbhaile Dooley
- Health Science Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nathalie Geurts
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Eva Milena Johanne Peters
- Psychoneuroimmunology Laboratory, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Justus Liebig University and Charité Berlin, Germany
| | - Sven Hendrix
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
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8
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Sanchez S, Lemmens S, Baeten P, Sommer D, Dooley D, Hendrix S, Gou Fabregas M. HDAC3 Inhibition Promotes Alternative Activation of Macrophages but Does Not Affect Functional Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury. Exp Neurobiol 2018; 27:437-452. [PMID: 30429652 PMCID: PMC6221838 DOI: 10.5607/en.2018.27.5.437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
After spinal cord injury (SCI), monocyte derived macrophages play a detrimental role. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are central epigenetic regulators of macrophage-polarization. We hypothesized that HDAC3 inhibition suppresses the pro-inflammatory macrophage phenotype (M1), promotes the anti-inflammatory phenotype (M2) and improves functional recovery after SCI. Therefore, two inhibitors of HDAC3 were selected, namely scriptaid and RGFP966. The impact on macrophage polarization was studied by investigating the effect on gene and protein expression of selected M1 and M2 markers. We show that scriptaid differentially influences M1 and M2 markers. It increases CD86 and iNOS gene expression and decreases GPR18, CD38, FPR2 and Arg-1 gene expression as well as the production of IL-6 and NO. RGFP966 primarily increased the expression of the M2 markers Arg-1 and Ym1 and reduced the production of IL-6 (M1). RGFP966 and scriptaid reduced the formation of foamy macrophages. Finally, to investigate the impact of HDAC3 inhibition on functional recovery after SCI, we studied the effects of RGFP966 and scriptaid in an in vivo T-cut hemisection SCI model. Histological analyses were performed on spinal cord sections to determine lesion size and astrogliosis, demyelinated area and selected infiltrating immune cells. RGFP966 and scriptaid did not affect functional recovery or histopathological outcome after SCI. In conclusion, these results indicate that specific HDAC3 inhibition with RGFP966 promotes alternative activation of macrophages and reduces the formation of foamy macrophages, but does not lead to a better functional recovery after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selien Sanchez
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek BE3590, Belgium
| | - Stefanie Lemmens
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek BE3590, Belgium
| | - Paulien Baeten
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek BE3590, Belgium
| | - Daniela Sommer
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek BE3590, Belgium
| | - Dearbhaile Dooley
- Health Science Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - Sven Hendrix
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek BE3590, Belgium
| | - Myriam Gou Fabregas
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek BE3590, Belgium
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Lemmens S, Kusters L, Bronckaers A, Geurts N, Hendrix S. The β2-Adrenoceptor Agonist Terbutaline Stimulates Angiogenesis via Akt and ERK Signaling. J Cell Physiol 2016; 232:298-308. [PMID: 27403604 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is associated with changes in endothelial cell (EC) proliferation and tube formation, controlled by extracellular receptor-activated kinase (ERK)/mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Akt signaling. Important regulators of these systems include hormones acting on G-protein-coupled receptors, such as beta 2-adrenoceptors (β2-ARs). In central nervous system (CNS) trauma, the importance of β2-AR modulation has been highlighted, although the effects on revascularization remain unclear. Vascular protection and revascularization are, however, key to support regeneration. We have investigated the angiogenic capacity of the specific β2-AR agonist terbutaline on ECs derived from the CNS, namely bEnd.3-cells. As angiogenesis is a multistep process involving increased proliferation and tube formation of ECs, we investigated the effects of terbutaline on these processes. We show that terbutaline significantly induced bEnd.3 tube formation in a matrigel in vitro assay. Moreover, administration of specific inhibitors of ERK and Akt signaling both inhibited terbutaline-induced tube formation. The proliferation rate of the ECs was not affected. In order to investigate the general effects of terbutaline in an organotypic system, we have used the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM)-assay. Most importantly, terbutaline increased the number of blood vessels in this in ovo setting. Although we observed a positive trend, the systemic administration of terbutaline did not significantly improve the functional outcome, nor did it affect revascularization in our spinal cord injury model. In conclusion, these data indicate that terbutaline is promising to stimulate blood vessel formation, underscoring the importance of further research into the angiotherapeutic relevance of terbutaline and β2-AR signaling after CNS-trauma. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 298-308, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Lemmens
- Department of Morphology and Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Lauren Kusters
- Department of Morphology and Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Annelies Bronckaers
- Department of Morphology and Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Geurts
- Department of Morphology and Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Sven Hendrix
- Department of Morphology and Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
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Vangansewinkel T, Geurts N, Quanten K, Nelissen S, Lemmens S, Geboes L, Dooley D, Vidal PM, Pejler G, Hendrix S. Mast cells promote scar remodeling and functional recovery after spinal cord injury via mouse mast cell protease 6. FASEB J 2016; 30:2040-57. [PMID: 26917739 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201500114r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
An important barrier for axon regeneration and recovery after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is attributed to the scar that is formed at the lesion site. Here, we investigated the effect of mouse mast cell protease (mMCP) 6, a mast cell (MC)-specific tryptase, on scarring and functional recovery after a spinal cord hemisection injury. Functional recovery was significantly impaired in both MC-deficient and mMCP6-knockout (mMCP6(-/-)) mice after SCI compared with wild-type control mice. This decrease in locomotor performance was associated with an increased lesion size and excessive scarring at the injury site. Axon growth-inhibitory chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and the extracellular matrix components fibronectin, laminin, and collagen IV were significantly up-regulated in MC-deficient and mMCP6(-/-) mice, with an increase in scar volume between 23 and 32%. A degradation assay revealed that mMCP6 directly cleaves fibronectin and collagen IV in vitro In addition, gene expression levels of the scar components fibronectin, aggrecan, and collagen IV were increased up to 6.8-fold in mMCP6(-/-) mice in the subacute phase after injury. These data indicate that endogenous mMCP6 has scar-suppressing properties after SCI via indirect cleavage of axon growth-inhibitory scar components and alteration of the gene expression profile of these factors.-Vangansewinkel, T., Geurts, N., Quanten, K., Nelissen, S., Lemmens, S., Geboes, L., Dooley, D., Vidal, P. M., Pejler, G., Hendrix, S. Mast cells promote scar remodeling and functional recovery after spinal cord injury via mouse mast cell protease 6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Vangansewinkel
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Geurts
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Kirsten Quanten
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Sofie Nelissen
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Stefanie Lemmens
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Lies Geboes
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Dearbhaile Dooley
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Pia M Vidal
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Gunnar Pejler
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden; and Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sven Hendrix
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium;
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Geurts N, Vangansewinkel T, Lemmens S, Nelissen S, Geboes L, Schwartz C, Voehringer D, Hendrix S. Basophils are dispensable for the recovery of gross locomotion after spinal cord hemisection injury. J Leukoc Biol 2015; 99:579-82. [PMID: 26578647 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.3ab0815-370r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Basophils are the smallest population of granulocytes found in the circulation. They have crucial and nonredundant roles in allergic disorders, in protection from parasite infections, in autoimmunity, and in the regulation of type 2 immunity. They share phenotypic and functional properties with mast cells, which exert substantial protective effects after traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, although they are considered one of the most proinflammatory cell types in the body. In contrast, the in vivo functions of basophils in central nervous system trauma are still obscure and not well studied. In this study, we show that by comparing spinal cord injury in wild type vs. basophil-deficient Mcpt8Cre transgenic mice, the locomotor recovery is not affected in mice depleted in basophils. In addition, no substantial differences were observed in the lesion size and in the astrocytic and macrophage/microglia reaction between both mouse strains. Hence, despite the multiple properties shared with mast cells, these data show, for the first time, to our knowledge, that basophils are dispensable for the functional recovery process after hemisection injury to the spinal cord in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Geurts
- Departments of *Morphology and Cell Physiology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University Clinic Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany; and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nüremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tim Vangansewinkel
- Departments of *Morphology and Cell Physiology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University Clinic Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany; and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nüremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Lemmens
- Departments of *Morphology and Cell Physiology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University Clinic Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany; and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nüremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sofie Nelissen
- Departments of *Morphology and Cell Physiology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University Clinic Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany; and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nüremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lies Geboes
- Departments of *Morphology and Cell Physiology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University Clinic Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany; and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nüremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian Schwartz
- Departments of *Morphology and Cell Physiology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University Clinic Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany; and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nüremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - David Voehringer
- Departments of *Morphology and Cell Physiology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University Clinic Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany; and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nüremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sven Hendrix
- Departments of *Morphology and Cell Physiology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University Clinic Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany; and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nüremberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Lemmens S, Brône B, Dooley D, Hendrix S, Geurts N. Alpha-adrenoceptor modulation in central nervous system trauma: pain, spasms, and paralysis--an unlucky triad. Med Res Rev 2014; 35:653-77. [PMID: 25546087 DOI: 10.1002/med.21337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Many researchers have attempted to pharmacologically modulate the adrenergic system to control locomotion, pain, and spasms after central nervous system (CNS) trauma, although such efforts have led to conflicting results. Despite this, multiple studies highlight that α-adrenoceptors (α-ARs) are promising therapeutic targets because in the CNS, they are involved in reactivity to stressors and regulation of locomotion, pain, and spasms. These functions can be activated by direct modulation of these receptors on neuronal networks in the brain and the spinal cord. In addition, these multifunctional receptors are also broadly expressed on immune cells. This suggests that they might play a key role in modulating immunological responses, which may be crucial in treating spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury as both diseases are characterized by a strong inflammatory component. Reducing the proinflammatory response will create a more permissive environment for axon regeneration and may support neuromodulation in combination therapies. However, pharmacological interventions are hindered by adrenergic system complexity and the even more complicated anatomical and physiological changes in the CNS after trauma. This review is the first concise overview of the pros and cons of α-AR modulation in the context of CNS trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Lemmens
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Bert Brône
- Department of Physiology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Dearbhaile Dooley
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Sven Hendrix
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Geurts
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
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13
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Al-Nasiry S, Ghossein-Doha C, Polman SEJ, Lemmens S, Scholten RR, Heidema WM, Spaan JJ, Spaanderman MEA. Metabolic syndrome after pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia or small-for-gestational-age: a retrospective cohort. BJOG 2014; 122:1818-23. [DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.13117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S Al-Nasiry
- GROW; School for Oncology and Developmental Biology; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology; Maastricht University Medical Centre; Maastricht the Netherlands
| | - C Ghossein-Doha
- GROW; School for Oncology and Developmental Biology; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology; Maastricht University Medical Centre; Maastricht the Netherlands
| | - SEJ Polman
- GROW; School for Oncology and Developmental Biology; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology; Maastricht University Medical Centre; Maastricht the Netherlands
| | - S Lemmens
- GROW; School for Oncology and Developmental Biology; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology; Maastricht University Medical Centre; Maastricht the Netherlands
| | - RR Scholten
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Radboud University Medical Centre; Nijmegen the Netherlands
| | - WM Heidema
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Radboud University Medical Centre; Nijmegen the Netherlands
| | - JJ Spaan
- GROW; School for Oncology and Developmental Biology; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology; Maastricht University Medical Centre; Maastricht the Netherlands
| | - MEA Spaanderman
- GROW; School for Oncology and Developmental Biology; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology; Maastricht University Medical Centre; Maastricht the Netherlands
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Dooley D, Lemmens E, Vangansewinkel T, Lemmens S, De Vocht N, Le Blon D, Ponsaerts P, Hendrix S. Mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing IL-13 decrease lesion size and demyelination after spinal cord injury. J Neuroimmunol 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2014.08.429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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15
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Nelissen S, Vangansewinkel T, Geurts N, Geboes L, Lemmens E, Vidal PM, Lemmens S, Willems L, Boato F, Dooley D, Pehl D, Pejler G, Maurer M, Metz M, Hendrix S. Mast cells protect from post-traumatic spinal cord damage in mice by degrading inflammation-associated cytokines via mouse mast cell protease 4. Neurobiol Dis 2013; 62:260-72. [PMID: 24075853 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2013.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2013] [Revised: 08/23/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mast cells (MCs) are found abundantly in the central nervous system and play a complex role in neuroinflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis and stroke. In the present study, we show that MC-deficient Kit(W-sh/W-sh) mice display significantly increased astrogliosis and T cell infiltration as well as significantly reduced functional recovery after spinal cord injury compared to wildtype mice. In addition, MC-deficient mice show significantly increased levels of MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-13 protein levels in the spinal cord. Mice deficient in mouse mast cell protease 4 (mMCP4), an MC-specific chymase, also showed increased MCP-1, IL-6 and IL-13 protein levels in spinal cord samples and a decreased functional outcome after spinal cord injury. A degradation assay using supernatant from MCs derived from either mMCP4(-/-) mice or controls revealed that mMCP4 cleaves MCP-1, IL-6, and IL-13 suggesting a protective role for MC proteases in neuroinflammation. These data show for the first time that MCs may be protective after spinal cord injury and that they may reduce CNS damage by degrading inflammation-associated cytokines via the MC-specific chymase mMCP4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Nelissen
- Dept. of Morphology & Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Tim Vangansewinkel
- Dept. of Morphology & Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Geurts
- Dept. of Morphology & Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Lies Geboes
- Dept. of Morphology & Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Evi Lemmens
- Dept. of Morphology & Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Pia M Vidal
- Dept. of Morphology & Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Stefanie Lemmens
- Dept. of Morphology & Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Leen Willems
- Dept. of Morphology & Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Francesco Boato
- Dept. of Morphology & Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Dearbhaile Dooley
- Dept. of Morphology & Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Debora Pehl
- Dept. of Dermatology and Allergy, Allergie-Centrum-Charité, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Gunnar Pejler
- Dept. of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marcus Maurer
- Dept. of Dermatology and Allergy, Allergie-Centrum-Charité, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Metz
- Dept. of Dermatology and Allergy, Allergie-Centrum-Charité, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Sven Hendrix
- Dept. of Morphology & Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
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Lemmens S. Periphyton collectors as a tool to measure environmental performance of ocean outlets. Water Sci Technol 2003; 47:125-131. [PMID: 12793671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Brown and Root has participated in extensive investigations of the effects of the discharges from Perth's Ocean Outlets, as part of the Perth Long-Term Ocean Outlet Monitoring (PLOOM) Programme (1995 to 2001). The major environmental concern with these discharges is the potential for nutrients in the wastewater to stimulate excess primary production in the sea. PLOOM, and its predecessor, the Perth Coastal Waters Study, have been instrumental in developing parameters for the measurement of the performance of Perth's ocean outlets. These parameters are currently being integrated in the development of Environmental Quality Criteria (EQC) for the Perth region. EQC play an important role in the management framework by providing the quantitative benchmarks for measuring success in achieving the environmental quality objectives. PLOOM has monitored a range of environmental parameters in the Perth Metropolitan area, including water quality, nutrient levels, water circulation and plume dilution, levels of metals and pesticides present in the marine environment, and the environmental health of benthic communities, in particular of temperate reef systems. During the PLOOM studies, a valuable tool was being developed to monitor outlet performance. Artificial reef structures ("periphyton collectors") were placed in the plume trajectory. Here, periphyton is defined as: the microalgae (diatoms and microscopic filamentous forms), algal propagules, bacteria, microfauna and particulate material that are found in a mucous-like layer commonly coating seagrass leaves, and that initially colonise artificial surfaces. The advantage of periphyton collectors is that these largely remove the effects of natural variability, can be placed at any depth and distance from a potential nutrient source, provide an easy, cost effective measure of environmental impact, integrated over an extended period (one month), and produce tangible results which can be interpreted by the wider community, as well as legislative authorities and by outlet managers. In addition, outlet performance can be measured by means of these tools, and tested against accepted environmental criteria. Between 1995-2001, periphyton collectors, consisting of 15 x 15 cm PVC plates attached to moorings at fixed depths (2, 4 and 8 m), were deployed for one month during spring, summer and autumn, at increasing distance from the source (250 and 500 m distance to the north, east, west, and south, and at 1,000, 2,000, 4,000 m to the north and south only). After retrieval, the collectors were analysed for total biomass (g AFDW m(-2)), calcium carbonate content (% AFDW) and chlorophyll levels (chlorophyll a m(-2)). The results confirmed the predictions made by hydrodynamic modelling (e.g. Zic and Gondinoudis, 2002) and are in accordance with measured nutrient and chlorophyll a levels around the outlets, and demonstrated that the zone of influence was strongly determined by the prevailing currents (to the north), and largely restricted to surface layers (2-4 m depth). Both biomass and chlorophyll content proved reliable parameters, which have the potential to be used as Environmental Quality Criteria (EQC's) for the management of Perth's coastal waters. These EQC's were developed in collaboration with legislative authorities, as part of draft criteria, in accordance with national guidelines: ANZECC/ARMCANZ (2000) Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Lemmens
- Halliburton KBR Pty Ltd (formerly Brown and Root), 256 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000, Australia.
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