Central nervous system-infiltrated immune cells induce calcium increase in astrocytes via astroglial purinergic signaling

Interaction between autoreactive immune cells and astroglia is an important part of the pathologic processes that fuel neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis. In this inflammatory disease, immune cells enter into the central nervous system (CNS) and they spread through CNS parenchyma, but the impact of these autoreactive immune cells on the activity pattern of astrocytes has not been defined. By exploiting naïve astrocytes in culture and CNS-infiltrated immune cells (CNS IICs) isolated from rat with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), here we demonstrate previously unrecognized properties of immune cell–astrocyte interaction. We show that CNS IICs but not the peripheral immune cell application, evokes a rapid and vigorous intracellular Ca²⁺ increase in astrocytes by promoting glial release of ATP. ATP propagated Ca²⁺ elevation through glial purinergic P2X7 receptor activation by the hemichannel-dependent nucleotide release mechanism. Astrocyte Ca²⁺ increase is specifically triggered by the autoreactive CD4⁺ T-cell application and these two cell types exhibit close spatial interaction in EAE. Therefore, Ca²⁺ signals may mediate a rapid astroglial response to the autoreactive immune cells in their local environment. This property of immune cell–astrocyte interaction may be important to consider in studies interrogating CNS autoimmune disease.     

The effects of melatonin on signaling pathways and molecules involved in glioma

Glioblastoma is one of the most common brain tumors with high invasion and malignancy. Despite extensive research in this area and the use of new and advanced therapies, the survival rate in this disease is very low. In addition, resistance to treatment has also been observed in this disease. One of the reasons for rapid progression and failure in treatment for this disease is the presence of a class of cells with high proliferation and high differentiation, a class called glioblastoma stem-like cells shown as being the source of glioblastoma tumors. It has been reported that several oncogenes are expressed in this disease. One important issue in recognizing the pathogenesis of this disease, and which could improve the treatment process, is the identification of involved oncogenes as well as molecules that affect the reduction of the expression of these oncogenes. Melatonin regulates the biological rhythm and inhibits the proliferation of malignant glioma cells due to antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects. Melatonin has been considered in biological processes and in signaling pathways involved in the development of glioma. The aim of this review is to investigate the effects of melatonin on signaling pathways and molecules involved in the progression of glioma.     

黄连碱上调miR-146a-5p后通过PI3K/AKT通路减轻由MPP+诱导的帕金森病细胞模型损伤

目的探讨黄连碱对1-甲基-4-苯基吡啶离子(MPP+)诱导的帕金森病(PD)细胞损伤的影响及其机制。方法用0.3 mmol/L的MPP+处理SK-N-SH细胞作为PD细胞模型,记为MPP+组,以正常培养的细胞作为空白对照组。用浓度分别为10μmol/L、20μmol/L、40μmol/L的黄连碱预处理4h后再用0.3 mmol/L的MPP+处理作为不同浓度黄连碱处理组。将miR-con、miR-146a-5p转染至SK-N-SH细胞后再用0.3 mmol/L的MPP+处理记为MPP++miR-con组、MPP++miR-146a-5p组;将anti-miR-con、anti-miR-146a-5p转染至SK-N-SH细胞后用20μmol/L的黄连碱预处理4h及0.3 mmol/L的MPP+处理记为MPP++Cop+anti-miR-con组、MPP++Cop+anti-miR-146a-5p组。四甲基偶氮唑盐比色法(MTT)检测细胞存活率;Western blotting实验检测活化的半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶-3(caspase-3)、细胞周期蛋白D1(Cyclin D1)、磷酸化蛋白激酶B(p-AKT)、磷酸化磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(p-PI3K)蛋白表达水平;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡;实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)检测miR-146a-5p表达水平。结果与空白对照组比较,MPP+处理后SK-N-SH细胞存活率显著降低,活化caspase-3表达水平显著升高,细胞凋亡率显著升高,CyclinD1、miR-146a-5p表达水平显著降低,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。黄连碱处理及miR-146a-5p过表达后MPP+诱导的SK-N-SH细胞中细胞存活率显著升高,活化caspase-3表达水平显著降低,细胞凋亡率显著降低,CyclinD1、miR-146a-5p表达水平显著升高,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。低表达miR-146a-5p逆转了黄连碱对SK-N-SH细胞增殖促进和凋亡抑制的作用。黄连碱处理后MPP+诱导的SK-N-SH细胞中p-AKT、p-PI3K表达水平显著升高,低表达miR-146a-5p逆转了黄连碱对p-AKT、p-PI3K表达水平的促进作用。结论黄连碱可促进细胞存活,抑制MPP+诱导的细胞凋亡,其机制可能与miR-146a-5p及PI3K/AKT信号通路有关。     

虾青素对过氧化氢诱导胎盘滋养细胞HTR-8/SVneo的影响

目的观察虾青素通过烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸磷酸(NADPH)氧化酶/活性氧(ROS)信号通路对过氧化氢(H2O2)诱导人胎盘滋养细胞HTR-8/SVneo的影响。方法实验分为空白组、模型组和实验组,每组8个复孔;实验组HTR-8/SVneo细胞预先以10 nmol·L^-1虾青素处理24 h,之后实验组和模型组细胞均以250μmol·L-1H2O2作用24 h;空白组未进行任何药物干预。以噻唑蓝(MTT)法检测各组HTR-8/SVneo细胞增殖情况,以DCF-DA荧光染色检测各组HTR-8/SVneo细胞内ROS水平,检测各组HTR-8/SVneo细胞培养上清中乳酸(LDH)及氧化应激指标含量,以蛋白质印迹法检测各组细胞NADPH氧化酶4(NOX4)、p22phox蛋白表达情况。结果干预后24 h,空白组、模型组及实验组HTR-8/SVneo细胞内ROS荧光强度值分别为2.76±0.43,34.15±2.34,15.61±1.85,LDH分别为(756.24±31.05),(1785.46±34.69),(1235.26±26.75)U·L^-1,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)分别为(23.56±2.24),(10.04±2.02),(15.16±3.08)U·mg^-1,丙二醛(MDA)分别为(0.46±0.14),(0.96±0.21),(0.68±0.13)U·mg^-1,Nox4蛋白相对表达量分别为0.32±0.04,0.89±0.06,0.64±0.03,p22phox蛋白相对表达量分别为0.15±0.03,0.75±0.04,0.49±0.02,模型组分别与空白组和实验组比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。结论虾青素对H2O2诱导人胎盘滋养细胞HTR-8/SVneo氧化应激损伤具有保护作用,可能与干扰NADPH氧化酶/ROS信号通路活性有关。     

Bioinformatic identification of key candidate genes and pathways in axon regeneration after spinal cord injury in zebrafish

Zebrafish and human genomes are highly homologous;however,despite this genomic similarity,adult zebrafish can achieve neuronal proliferation,regeneration and functional restoration within 6–8 weeks after spinal cord injury,whereas humans cannot.To analyze differentially expressed zebrafish genes between axon-regenerated neurons and axon-non-regenerated neurons after spinal cord injury,and to explore the key genes and pathways of axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury,microarray GSE56842 was analyzed using the online tool,GEO2R,in the Gene Expression Omnibus database.Gene ontology and protein-protein interaction networks were used to analyze the identified differentially expressed genes.Finally,we screened for genes and pathways that may play a role in spinal cord injury repair in zebrafish and mammals.A total of 636 differentially expressed genes were obtained,including 255 up-regulated and 381 down-regulated differentially expressed genes in axon-regenerated neurons.Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment results were also obtained.A protein-protein interaction network contained 480 node genes and 1976 node connections.We also obtained the 10 hub genes with the highest correlation and the two modules with the highest score.The results showed that spectrin may promote axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury in zebrafish.Transforming growth factor beta signaling may inhibit repair after spinal cord injury in zebrafish.Focal adhesion or tight junctions may play an important role in the migration and proliferation of some cells,such as Schwann cells or neural progenitor cells,after spinal cord injury in zebrafish.Bioinformatic analysis identified key candidate genes and pathways in axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury in zebrafish,providing targets for treatment of spinal cord injury in mammals.     

基于PI3K/Akt通路探讨氯吡格雷对脑缺血再灌注损伤大鼠的神经保护作用

目的基于磷酯酰激醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶B(PI3K/Akt)通路探讨氯吡格雷对脑缺血再灌注损伤大鼠的神经保护作用.方法建立脑缺血再灌注大鼠模型,随机分为模型组、氯吡格雷组、LY294002(PI3K抑制剂)组、氯吡格雷+LY294002组,每组12只,另取12只SD大鼠设为假手术组.分组处理后,所有大鼠进行神经功能缺损评分并尾静脉取血,处死大鼠,HE染色检测各组大鼠神经元病理情况;三苯基氯化四氮唑(TTC)染色检测各组大鼠脑组织梗死面积;ELISA检测血清中中枢神经特异性蛋白(S100β)、神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平;蛋白免疫印迹法检测脑组织中PI3K/Akt通路蛋白表达情况.结果与假手术组相比,模型组大鼠脑组织神经元出现坏死、核收缩变小等病理变化,神经功能缺损评分、脑梗死面积、血清中S100β、NSE、IL-6及TNF-α水平均明显升高(P<0.05),脑组织中p-PI3K/PI3K、p-Akt/Akt明显降低(P<0.05);与模型组相比,氯吡格雷组大鼠神经元病理损伤减轻,神经功能缺损评分、脑梗死面积、血清中S100β、NSE、IL-6及TNF-α水平均降低(P<0.05),脑组织中p-PI3K/PI3K、p-Akt/Akt升高(P<0.05);LY294002组大鼠神经元病理损伤加重,神经功能缺损评分、脑梗死面积、血清中S100β、NSE、IL-6及TNF-α水平均升高(P<0.05),脑组织中p-PI3K/PI3K、p-Akt/Akt降低(P<0.05).与LY294002组相比,氯吡格雷+LY294002组大鼠神经元病理损伤减轻,神经功能缺损评分、脑梗死面积、血清中S100β、NSE、IL-6及TNF-α水平均降低(P<0.05),脑组织中p-PI3K/PI3K、p-Akt/Akt升高(P<0.05).与氯吡格雷组相比,氯吡格雷+LY294002组大鼠神经元病理损伤加重,神经功能缺损评分、脑梗死面积、血清中S100β、NSE、IL-6及TNF-α水平均升高(P<0.05),脑组织中p-PI3K/PI3K、p-Akt/Akt降低(P<0.05).结论氯吡格雷可通过激活PI3K/Akt通路减轻大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤,保护脑组织.     

Schwann cell-derived CXCL1 contributes to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120-induced neuropathic pain by modulating macrophage infiltration in mice

The neuroinflammatory responses to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coat proteins, such as glycoprotein 120 (gp120), are considered to be responsible for the HIV-associated distal sensory neuropathy. Accumulating evidences suggest that T-cell line tropic X4 gp120 increases macrophage infiltration into the peripheral nerves, and thereby induces neuroinflammation leading to pain. However, the mechanisms underlying X4 gp120-induced macrophage recruitment to the peripheral nervous systems remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated that perineural application of X4 gp120 from HIV-1 strains IIIB and MN elicited mechanical hypersensitivity and spontaneous pain-like behaviors in mice. Furthermore, flow cytometry and immunohistochemical studies revealed increased infiltration of bone marrow-derived macrophages into the parenchyma of sciatic nerves and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) 7 days after gp120 IIIB or MN application. Chemical deletion of circulating macrophages using clodronate liposomes markedly suppressed gp120 IIIB-induced pain-like behaviors. In in vitro cell infiltration analysis, RAW 264.7 cell (a murine macrophage cell line) was chemoattracted to conditioned medium from gp120 IIIB- or MN-treated cultured Schwann cells, but not to conditioned medium from these gp120-treated DRG neurons, suggesting possible involvement of Schwann cell-derived soluble factors in macrophage infiltration. We identified using a gene expression array that CXCL1, a chemoattractant of macrophages and neutrophils, was increased in gp120 IIIB-treated cultured Schwann cells. Similar to gp120 IIIB or MN, perineural application of recombinant CXCL1 elicited pain-like behaviors accompanied by macrophage infiltration to the peripheral nerves. Furthermore, the repeated injection of CXCR2 (receptor for CXCL1) antagonist or CXCL1 neutralizing antibody prevented both pain-like behaviors and macrophage infiltration in gp120 IIIB-treated mice. Thus, the present study newly defines that Schwann cell-derived CXCL1, secreted in response to X4 gp120 exposure, is responsible for macrophage infiltration into peripheral nerves, and is thereby associated with pain-like behaviors in mice. We propose herein that communication between Schwann cells and macrophages may play a prominent role in the induction of X4 HIV-1-associated pain.     

A patent update on PDK1 inhibitors (2015-present)

Introduction: 3-Phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1), the ‘master kinase of the AGC protein kinase family’, plays a key role in cancer development and progression. Although it has been rather overlooked, in the last decades a growing number of molecules have been developed to effectively modulate the PDK1 enzyme.

Areas covered: This review collects different PDK1 inhibitors patented from October 2014 to December 2018. The molecules have been classified on the basis of the chemical structure/type of inhibition, and for each general structure, examples have been discussed in extenso.

Expert opinion: The role of PDK1 in cancer development and progression as well as in metastasis formation and in chemoresistance has been confirmed by many studies. Therefore, the pharmaceutical discovery in both public and private institutions is still ongoing despite the plentiful molecules already published. The majority of the new molecules synthetized interact with binding sites different from the ATP binding site (i.e. PIF pocket or DFG-out conformation). However, many researchers are still looking for innovative PDK1 modulation strategy such as combination of well-known inhibitory agents or multitarget ligands, aiming to block, together with PDK1, other different critical players in the wide panorama of proteins involved in tumor pathways.