D-Ribose-LCysteine attenuates manganese-induced cognitive and motor deficit,oxidative damage,and reactive microglia activation

Due to overexposure, manganese (Mn) accumulation in the brain can trigger the inhibition of glutathione synthesis and lead to increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress. D-Ribose-L-Cysteine (RibCys) has been demonstrated to effectively support glutathione synthesis to scavenge ROS and protect cells from oxidative damage. In the present study, we examined the effects of RibCys on weight changes, cognitive and motor associated activities, oxidative stress markers, striatal and cortical histology, and microglia activation following Mn exposure. Rats were exposed to either saline, Mn or/and RibCys for two weeks. The Mn exposed rats received RibCys either as pre-, co-, or post-treatments. Mn caused a significant decrease in weight, memory and motor activities, increased lactate dehydrogenase level, overexpression of IBA1 reflecting microglia activation, and distortion of the neuronal cytoarchitecture of the striatum and motor cortex, respectively. Interventions with RibCys mitigated Mn-induced neurotoxic events. Our novel study demonstrates that RibCys effectively ameliorates the neurotoxicity following Mn treatment and maybe a therapeutic strategy against the neurological consequences of Mn overexposurec     

首发儿童精神分裂症患者脑源性神经营养因子水平及神经元凋亡研究

目的探讨首发儿童精神分裂症患者脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)、β-微管蛋白III(Tuj-1)、胱天蛋白酶3(Caspase-3)的变化,为揭示儿童精神分裂症的病因和发病机制提供参考。方法以2015年8月-2018年3月在大理州第二人民医院就诊的符合《精神障碍诊断与统计手册(第4版)》(DSM-IV)诊断标准的儿童精神分裂症患者(n=35)为研究组,同期在大理州第二人民医院的体检儿童中随机选取健康儿童为对照组(n=30)。通过实时荧光定量逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)测定两组儿童血液中BDNF、Caspase-3和Tuj-1的mRNA表达水平。结果与对照组相比,研究组BDNF和Tuj-1 mRNA表达低(P0.05或0.01),Caspase-3 mRNA表达高(P0.01)。结论儿童精神分裂症患者的BDNF mRNA和Tuj-1 mRNA表达少,Caspase-3 mRNA表达多,BDNF mRNA、Tuj-1 mRNA和Caspase-3 mRNA可能与儿童精神分裂症相关。     

针刺治疗PTSD神经生物学研究进展

近年来，随着经济社会的快速发展与社会关系的复杂化和多元化，诸如自然灾害、暴力犯罪、性侵害等创伤性事件频频发生，创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）的关注度正在逐年上升，如何防治PTSD成为重要的研究课题。针灸作为我国传统医学的瑰宝，在精神疾病的预防和治疗方面有着丰富的经验和独特的优势，临床研究证实，针刺能有效改善PTSD的相关症状，然而其神经生物学机制到底为何，至今仍无定论。基于此，本文综述了近些年发表的相关研究，企图初步揭示针刺治疗PTSD内在的神经生物学机制，为临床治疗提供参考。     

超极化激活环核苷酸门控阳离子通道亚型在大鼠脊髓背角浅层的特异性表达

目的:探讨超极化激活环核苷酸门控阳离子通道(hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channels,HCN通道)4种亚型在大鼠脊髓背角浅层的表达与分布特点。方法:选取3~5周龄SD大鼠,雌雄不拘,制作L4~L5段脊髓横切片,应用免疫组织化学技术及激光共聚焦成像技术,观察HCN通道的4种亚型在脊髓背角浅层神经元、胶质细胞及神经元亚细胞结构中的分布。结果:HCN通道不同亚型在正常SD大鼠脊髓背角中的表达和分布具有特异性:(1)HCN1主要与神经元标志物[神经元核抗原(neuronal nuclei,NeuN)]和星形胶质细胞标志物[胶质细胞原纤维酸性蛋白(glial fibrillary acidic protein,GFAP)]共存,HCN2和HCN3主要与NeuN共定位;(2)HCN2主要与肽能初级传入神经末梢标志物[降钙素基因相关肽(calcitonin gene-related peptide,CGRP)]共存,HCN4主要与非肽能初级传入神经末梢标志物[异凝集素B4(isolectin B4,IB4)]共存;(3)HCN1和HCN4主要与神经元树突标志物[微管相关蛋白2(microtubule-associated protein 2,MAP2)]共存;(4)HCN4主要与抑制性中间神经元轴突末梢标志物[囊泡γ-氨基丁酸转运体(vesicularγ-aminobutyric acid transporter,VGAT)]共存。结论:HCN1~4主要分布在大鼠脊髓背角浅层,且在神经元、胶质细胞及神经元亚细胞结构中呈特异性分布。     

α-突触核蛋白聚集及传播模型的构建

目的 建立α-突触核蛋白(α-synuclein,α-syn)聚集及传播的细胞和动物模型,为帕金森病的发病机制研究提供基础。方法 亲和层析法纯化α-syn蛋白,体外诱导其聚集成为α-syn纤维(Preformed fibrils,PFFs); 培养稳定表达GFP-α-syn的HEK293细胞系及原代神经元,转导α-synPFFs后免疫荧光染色法观察细胞内α-syn聚集情况; 小鼠立体定位注射α-syn PFFs,免疫组织化学法检测内源性α-syn的聚集及传播情况。结果 纯化的α-syn可在体外聚集形成聚集体; 在细胞及动物水平观察到α-syn PFFs可诱导内源性蛋白的聚集和传播。结论 本研究建立了α-syn聚集及传播的细胞和动物模型,为帕金森病的相关研究打下了基础。     

Graphene oxide-induced neurotoxicity on neurotransmitters,AFD neurons and locomotive behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans

Graphene oxide (GO) and graphene-based nanomaterials have been widely applied in recent years, but their potential health risk and neurotoxic potentials remain poorly understood. In this study, neurotoxic potential of GO and its underlying molecular and cellular mechanism were investigated using the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. Deposition of GO in the head region and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed in C. elegans after exposure to GO. The neurotoxic potential of GO was then investigated, focusing on neurotransmitters contents and neuronal activity using AFD sensory neurons. The contents of all neurotransmitters, such as, tyrosine, tryptophan, dopamine, tyramine, and GABA, decreased significantly by GO exposure. Decreased fluorescence of Pgcy-8:GFP, a marker of AFD sensory neuron, by GO exposure suggested GO could cause neuronal damage on AFD neuron. GO exposure led decreased expression of ttx-1 and ceh-14, genes required for the function of AFD neurons also confirmed possible detrimental effect of GO to AFD neuron. To understand physiological meaning of AFD neuronal damage by GO exposure, locomotive behavior was then investigated in wild-type as well as in loss-of-function mutants of ttx-1 and ceh-14. GO exposure significantly altered locomotor behavior markers, such as, speed, acceleration, stop time, etc., in wild-type C. elegans, which were mostly rescued in AFD neuron mutants. The present study suggested the GO possesses neurotoxic potential, especially on neurotransmitters and AFD neuron in C. elegans. These findings provide useful information to understand the neurotoxic potential of GO and other graphene-based nanomaterials, which will guide their safe application.     

自噬及其抑制剂对脑损伤后脑细胞的作用

自噬是溶酶体清除并利用降解产物的过程,有助于保持蛋白代谢平衡及维持细胞环境的稳定,广泛参与多种病理生理过程.虽然近年在自噬的调控和分子机制等方面取得了一些进展,但是对细胞自噬与神经系统疾病的研究才刚刚开始.有研究发现,当癫(癎)发作时,将自噬抑制剂注入大鼠体内,可使抽搐的程度降低.故提出自噬可能与脑损伤及其信号转导有关,自噬通过某些信号通路加重脑损伤的假说.该文概述自噬及其抑制剂的新进展并进一步探讨对神经系统的作用.     

Insights on the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease: The crosstalk between amyloid pathology,neuroinflammation and the peripheral immune system

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, whose prevalence is growing along with the increased life expectancy. Although the accumulation and deposition of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides in the brain is viewed as one of the pathological hallmarks of AD and underlies, at least in part, brain cell dysfunction and behavior alterations, the etiology of this neurodegenerative disease is still poorly understood. Noticeably, increased amyloid load is accompanied by marked inflammatory alterations, both at the level of the brain parenchyma and at the barriers of the brain. However, it is debatable whether the neuroinflammation observed in aging and in AD, together with alterations in the peripheral immune system, are responsible for increased amyloidogenesis, decreased clearance of Aβ out of the brain and/or the marked deficits in memory and cognition manifested by AD patients. Herein, we scrutinize some important traits of the pathophysiology of aging and AD, focusing on the interplay between the amyloidogenic pathway, neuroinflammation and the peripheral immune system.     

Neuroprotective role of prostaglandin PGE2 EP2 receptor in hemin-mediated toxicity

Heme (Fe²⁺ protoporphyrin IX) and hemin (Fe³⁺), the prosthetic group of hemoprotein, are cytotoxic due to their ability to contribute to the production of reactive oxygen species, increased intracellular calcium levels, and stimulate glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity. Previous work by our group showed that blockade of the prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂)-EP1 receptor reduced hemin-induced cytotoxicity in primary cortical neuronal cultures. However, the role of the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-EP2 receptor in hemin neurotoxicity remains unclear. Activation of the EP2 receptor in neurons results in increased cyclic AMP (cAMP) and protein kinase A signaling; therefore, we hypothesized that the activation of the EP2 receptor decreases hemin neurotoxicity. Using postnatal primary cortical neurons cultured from wildtype-control (WT) and EP2^−/− mice, we investigated the role of the EP2 receptor in hemin neurotoxicity by monitoring cell survival with the Calcein-AM live-cell and lactate dehydrogenase assays. MitoTracker staining was also performed to determine how mitochondria were affected by hemin. Hemin neurotoxicity in EP2^−/− neurons was 37.2 ± 17.0% greater compared to WT neurons. Of interest, cotreatment with the EP2 receptor agonist, butaprost (1 and 10 μM), significantly attenuated hemin neurotoxicity by 55.7 ± 21.1% and 60.1 ± 14.8%, respectively. To further investigate signaling mechanisms related to EP2 receptor mediating cytoprotection, neurons were cotreated with hemin and activators/inhibitors of both the cAMP-protein kinase A/exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) pathways. Forskolin, a cAMP activator, and 8-pCPT-cAMP, an Epac activator, both attenuated hemin neurotoxicity by 78.8 ± 22.2% and 58.4 ± 9.8%, respectively, as measured using the lactate dehydrogenase assay. Together, the results reveal that activation of the EP2 receptor is protective against hemin neurotoxicity in vitro and these findings suggest that neuroprotection occurs through the cAMP-Epac pathway in neuronal cultures. Therefore, activation of the EP2 receptor could be used to minimize neuronal damage following exposure to supraphysiological levels of hemin.     

氧葡萄糖剥夺-再恢复后抑制小胶质细胞TLR9激活对神经元的保护作用

目的:观察氧葡萄糖剥夺-再恢复(OGDR)后小胶质细胞BV-2 Toll样受体9(TLR9)激活对神经元凋亡的影响。方法:对BV-2细胞或TLR9-siRNA转染的BV-2细胞进行OGDR处理4 h后,将细胞上清添加至OGDR处理4 h的小鼠原代皮层神经元中,继续正常培养24 h后,倒置显微镜下观察神经元形态变化,TUNEL染色检测神经元凋亡,Western blotting检测神经元caspase-3蛋白的表达。实验分为正常BV-2组、negative control-siRNA组、TLR9-siRNA组、OGDR组、OGDR+NC-siRNA组、OGDR+TLR9-siRNA组和对照组(神经元OGDR后不添加BV-2细胞上清)。结果:OGDR后神经元胞体肿胀,折光性下降,出现空泡样变,轴突变细、扭曲、断裂。TUNEL染色各组均可见绿染凋亡小体。与对照组比较,其它组的caspase-3蛋白表达升高(P0.05);与正常BV-2组比较,OGDR组和TLR9-siRNA组的caspase-3蛋白表达升高(P0.05);OGDR+TLR9-siRNA转染组与TLR9-siRNA转染组和OGDR组比较,caspase-3蛋白表达下降(P0.05)。结论:OGDR后BV-2细胞TLR9激活致神经元凋亡增多,caspase-3蛋白表达升高;抑制TLR9表达后,神经元损伤减轻。