针刺干预对肌萎缩侧索硬化症模型小鼠脑及脊髓中IBA-1和TNF-α表达的影响

目的:探讨电针治疗肌萎缩侧索硬化症(ALS)的机制。方法:将SOD1^G93A转基因小鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、针刺组及利鲁唑治疗组,每组各8-10只。小鼠日龄30 d后,针刺组选取双侧天枢穴(ST25)及足三里穴(ST36)予以电针治疗。利鲁唑治疗组按照30 mg/(kg·d)的剂量予以90 d日龄小鼠灌胃治疗,1次/d。模型组及对照组常规饲养,不予干预。于小鼠电针治疗前及治疗后分别对4组进行体质量记录及行为学观察。采用免疫组化法检测各组小鼠脑干及脊髓中IBA-1和TNF-α表达变化。结果:正常组小鼠精神状态及运动功能良好,针刺组及利鲁唑组小鼠较模型组精神状态及运动功能明显改善; 转棒实验结果显示针刺组及利鲁唑组小鼠潜伏期较模型组延长; 免疫组化检测结果表明在模型组脑干IBA-1阳性细胞表达高于正常组(P<0.05); 而利鲁唑组IBA-1阳性细胞表达虽有降低,但组间无统计学差异(P>0.05)。该结果与IBA-1阳性细胞在脊髓L_4-5节段表达趋于一致(P<0.05)。针刺治疗后脊髓中促炎因子TNF-α表达明显减少(P<0.05),但利鲁唑组较模型组无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论:电针治疗及利鲁唑灌胃治疗均可以改善小鼠运动功能及生存质量,但早期针刺干预明显减少脑干及脊髓中小胶质细胞的活化,抑制促炎因子TNF-α释放,表明电针治疗ALS有效,其机制可能与针刺抑制神经炎症产生有关。     

Histamine-4 receptor antagonist ameliorates Parkinson-like pathology in the striatum

Growing evidence indicates that microglia activation and a neuroinflammatory trigger contribute to dopaminergic cell loss in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Furthermore, increased density of histaminergic fibers and enhanced histamine levels have been observed in the substantia nigra of PD-postmortem brains. Histamine-induced microglial activation is mediated by the histamine-4 receptor (H₄R). In the current study, gene set enrichment and pathway analyses of a PD basal ganglia RNA-sequencing dataset revealed that upregulation of H₄R was in the top functional category for PD treatment targets. Interestingly, the H₄R antagonist JNJ7777120 normalized the number of nigrostriatal dopaminergic fibers and striatal dopamine levels in a rotenone-induced PD rat model. These improvements were accompanied by a reduction of α-synuclein-positive inclusions in the striatum. In addition, intracerebroventricular infusion of JNJ7777120 alleviated the morphological changes in Iba-1-positive microglia and resulted in a lower tumor necrosis factor-α release from this brain region, as well as in ameliorated apomorphine-induced rotation behaviour. Finally, JNJ7777120 also restored basal ganglia function by decreasing the levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the 5-hydroxyindoleactic acid to serotonin (5-HIAA/5-HT) concentration ratios in the striatum of the PD model. Our results highlight H₄R inhibition in microglia as a promising and specific therapeutic target to reduce or prevent neuroinflammation, and as such the development of PD pathology.     

Recent progress in therapeutic strategies for microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in neuropathologies

Introduction: Chronic activation of microglia is the hallmark of numerous neuropathologies such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. The activated microglia perpetuate inflammation by releasing an array of pro-inflammatory and neurotoxic factors, which eventually exacerbate neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration upon chronic activation of these cells. However, under acute conditions, activated microglia elicit pro-inflammatory as well as anti-inflammatory responses that are associated with neuroprotection. Given the role of microglia in neuroinflammation, recent studies have attempted to unravel the mechanisms that aid to establish microglial cell-based therapy.

Areas covered: While total suppression of microglial activation may compromise its beneficial role in tissue repair in the aftermath of an insult, the benefits of modulating microglial activation and promoting microglia polarization to a neuroprotective phenotype have been highlighted recently.

Expert opinion: So far, the therapeutic strategy focussed on neutralizing microglia-mediated neuroinflammation using drugs that block the release of pro-inflammatory mediators has limitations, such as unwarranted side effects. Recent advances reveal several alternative molecular targets and potential epi-drugs that are capable of modulating microglial function and promoting neuroprotection. This review discusses the recent progress made in understanding the mechanisms of microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in various neuropathologies, and the emerging anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies in this field.     

Neuroprotective effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the 6-OHDA model of Parkinson's disease is mediated by a reduction of inducible nitric oxide synthase

Objective: Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by deterioration of the nigrostriatal system and associated with chronic neuroinflammation. Glial activation has been associated with regulating the survival of dopaminergic neurons and is thought to contribute to PD through the release of proinflammatory and neurotoxic factors, such as reactive nitric oxide (NO) that triggers or exacerbates neurodegeneration in PD. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) exert protective effects, including antiinflammatory, antiapoptotic, and antioxidant activity, and may be promising for delaying or preventing PD by attenuating neuroinflammation and preserving dopaminergic neurons. The present study investigated the effects of fish oil supplementation that was rich in PUFAs on dopaminergic neuron loss, the density of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-immunoreactive cells, and microglia and astrocyte reactivity in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and striatal dopaminergic fibers.

Methods: The animals were supplemented with fish oil for 50 days and subjected to unilateral intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced lesions as a model of PD.

Results: Fish oil mitigated the loss of SNpc neurons and nerve terminals in the striatum that was caused by 6-OHDA. This protective effect was associated with reductions of the density of iNOS-immunoreactive cells and microglia and astrocyte reactivity.

Discussion: These results suggest that the antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties of fish oil supplementation are closely related to a decrease in dopaminergic damage that is caused by the 6-OHDA model of PD.     

Involvement of microglial activation in the brainstem in experimental dental injury and inflammation

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of dental injury and inflammation on microglia in the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc).

Methods

Pulp exposure (PX) was performed on the first maxillary molar of 35 rats. Specimens were collected at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after PX. Teeth were processed for H&E staining and immunohistochemical staining for OX-42, a marker of microgial activation, in the Vc.

Results

We observed that there was a progressive and persistent inflammation in the tooth. At 21-28 days after PX, the inflammation extended out into periodontal ligament. Simultaneously, significant microglial activation was observed which starting at 2 weeks and peaking at 4 weeks.

Conclusion

Dental injury and inflammation induced microglial activation in the Vc. The results indicate that activation of microglia may be implicated in the central mechanisms of pain that can be associated with dental inflammation.     

4-Hydroxy TEMPO Attenuates Dichlorvos Induced Microglial Activation and Apoptosis

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Src family kinases involved in CXCL12-induced loss of acute morphine analgesia

Functional interactions between the chemokine receptor CXCR4 and opioid receptors have been reported in the brain, leading to a decreased morphine analgesic activity. However the cellular mechanisms responsible for this loss of opioid analgesia are largely unknown. Here we examined whether Src family-kinases (SFK)-linked mechanisms induced by CXCR4 contributed to the loss of acute morphine analgesia and could represent a new physiological anti-opioid signaling pathway. In this way, we showed by immunohistochemistry and western blot that CXCL12 rapidly activated SFK phosphorylation in vitro in primary cultured lumbar rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) but also in vivo in the DRG and the spinal cord. We showed that SFK activation occurred in a sub population of sensory neurons, in spinal microglia but also in spinal nerve terminals expressing mu-(MOR) and delta-opioid (DOR) receptor. In addition we described that CXCR4 is detected in MOR- and DOR-immunoreactive neurons in the DRG and spinal cord. In vivo, we demonstrated that an intrathecal administration of CXCL12 (1 μg) significantly attenuated the subcutaneous morphine (4 mg/kg) analgesia. Conversely, pretreatment with a potent CXCR4 antagonist (5 μg) significantly enhanced morphine analgesia. Similar effects were obtained after an intrathecal injection of a specific SFK inhibitor, PP2 (10 μg). Furthermore, PP2 abrogated CXCL12-induced decrease in morphine analgesia by suppressing SFK activation in the spinal cord. In conclusion, our data highlight that CXCL12-induced loss of acute morphine analgesia is linked to Src family kinases activation.