Sulforaphane protects primary cultures of cortical neurons against injury induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation via antiapoptosis

Objective To determine whether sulforaphane (SFN) protects neurons against injury caused by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) and, if so, to investigate the possible mechanisms. Methods Primary cultures of neurons were prepared from the cerebral cortex of 1-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats. On days 5-6 in vitro, the neurons were exposed to OGD for 1 h, followed by reoxygenation for 24 h. Cells were treated with 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2.5, or 5 μmol/L SFN, with or without 10 μmol/L LY294002, a PI3K-specific inhibitor, during OGD/R (a total of 25 h). After 24-h reoxygenation, MTT was used to assess viability and injury was assessed by Hoechst 33258/propidium iodide (PI) staining; immunofluorescence staining and Western blot were performed to detect molecular events associated with apoptosis. Results The MTT assay showed that 1 μmol/L SFN significantly increased viability, and Hoechst 33258/PI staining showed that the numbers of injured neurons were reduced significantly in the SFN group. Furthermore, immunofluorescence staining and Western blot showed that SFN increased Bcl-2 and decreased cleaved caspase-3 levels. Moreover, LY294002 inhibited the phosphorylated-Akt expression evoked by SFN, decreased Bcl-2 expression and increased cleaved caspase-3 expression. Conclusion SFN protects neurons against injury from OGD/R and this effect may be partly associated with an anti-apoptosis pathway.     

CircTLK1通过miR-424-5p/FBXO3轴对氧糖剥夺/复氧诱导的神经细胞损伤的影响

目的 探讨环状RNA TLK1(CircRNA TLK1,CircTLK1)对氧糖剥夺/复氧(Oxygen glucose deprivation/Reoxygenation,OGD/R)诱导的神经元HT22损伤的影响以及对微小RNA(microRNA,miR)-424-5p/F-box蛋白3(F-box protein 3,FBXO3)的调控作用。方法 将HT22细胞分为对照组、OGD/R组、sh-NC组、沉默环状RNA TLK1(Silencing circular RNA tlk1,sh-circTLK1)组、sh-circTLK1+抑制剂NC组、sh-circTLK1+miR-424-5p抑制剂组、sh-circTLK1+miR-424-5p抑制剂+sh NC组、sh-circTLK1+miR-424-5p抑制剂+sh FBXO3组,除对照组外其余各组细胞均行OGD/R操作,细胞计数试剂盒8(Cell counting Kit 8,CCK-8)法测定HT22细胞活力; 脂连蛋白V-异硫氰酸荧光素(Adiponectin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate,Annexin V-FITC)细胞凋亡试剂盒测定HT22细胞凋亡; 测定HT22细胞乳酸脱氢酶(Lactate dehydrogenase,LDH)漏出率; 实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(Real time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction,RT-qRCR)法测定HT22细胞miR-424-5p,FBXO3 mRNA水平; 蛋白免疫印记法(Western Blot)检测B淋巴细胞瘤-2关联基因X(B lymphoma-2 gene association X,Bax)、活化半胱天冬酶-3(Cleaved caspase-3)、FBXO3水平; 双荧光素酶测定CircTLK1与miR-424-5p以及miR-424-5p与FBXO3靶向关系,并使用RNA下拉实验验证CircTLK1与miR-424-5p关系。结果 与对照组比较,OGD/R组miR-424-5p,HT22细胞活力降低(P<0.05),circTLK1,FBXO3 mRNA水平,HT22细胞凋亡率、Bax,Cleaved caspase-3水平、LDH漏出率升高(P<0.05); 与OGD/R组比较,sh-circTLK1组HT22细胞活力增加(P<0.05),HT22细胞凋亡率、Bax,Cleaved caspase-3水平,LDH漏出率降低(P<0.05); 与sh-circTLK1组比较,sh-circTLK1+miR-424-5p抑制剂组细胞活力降低(P<0.05),HT22细胞凋亡率、Bax,Cleaved caspase-3水平、LDH漏出率升高(P<0.05); 与sh-circTLK1+miR-424-5p抑制剂组比较,sh-circTLK1+miR-424-5p抑制剂+sh FBXO3组细胞活力升高(P<0.05),HT22细胞凋亡率、Bax,Cleaved caspase-3水平、LDH漏出率降低(P<0.05); CircTLK1与miR-424-5p以及miR-424-5p与FBXO3均存在靶向关系。结论 CircTLK1沉默可能通过调控miR-424-5p/FBXO3对OGD/R诱导的HT22细胞损伤来发挥保护作用。     

Proprotein convertase 1/3-mediated down-regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in cortical neurons induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)has robust effects on synaptogenesis,neuronal differentiation and synaptic transmission and plasticity.The maturation of BDNF is a complex process.Proprotein convertase 1/3(PC1/3)has a key role in the cleavage of protein precursors that are directed to regulated secretory pathways;however,it is not clear whether PC1/3 mediates the change in BDNF levels caused by ischemia.To clarify the role of PC1/3 in BDNF maturation in ischemic cortical neurons,primary cortical neurons from fetal rats were cultured in a humidified environment of 95%N_2 and 5%CO_2 in a glucose-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium at 37℃for3 hours.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and western blotting showed that after oxygen-glucose deprivation,the secreted and intracellular levels of BDNF were significantly reduced and the intracellular level of PC1/3 was decreased.Transient transfection of cortical neurons with a PC1/3 overexpression plasmid followed by oxygen-glucose deprivation resulted in increased PC1/3 levels and increased BDNF levels.When levels of the BDNF precursor protein were reduced,the concentration of BDNF in the culture medium was increased.These results indicate that PC 1/3 cleavage of BDNF is critical for the conversion of pro-BDNF in rat cortical neurons during ischemia.The study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences.     

巴豆生物碱通过ERK1/2通路对脑缺血再灌注大鼠海马神经元损伤及自噬的影响

目的 探讨巴豆生物碱(Croton alkaloids,CA)通过细胞外调节蛋白激酶1/2(Extracellular signal regulated kinase1/2,ERK1/2)通路对脑缺血再灌注大鼠海马神经元损伤及自噬的影响。方法 50只大鼠建立大脑中动脉闭塞(Middle cerebral artery occlusion,MCAO)再灌注模型,造模成功大鼠(48只),并随机分为模型组(12只)、CA低剂量组(12只)、CA中剂量组(12只)和CA高剂量组(12只),其余10只为对照组; CA低、中和高剂量组分别注射0.6、1.2、2.4 mg/kg的CA注射液,连续注射7 d; 对照组及模型组给予等量生理盐水注射; 应用神经功能评分法评定大鼠神经功能缺损和改善情况; 苏木精-伊红染色法(Hematoxylin eosin staining,HE)检测大鼠脑组织海马神经元的形态及数量; 原位末端转移酶标记法(Terminal uridine nick end labeling,TUNEL)检测大鼠脑组织细胞凋亡; 实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(Real time quantitative PCR,RT-qPCR)和免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测各组大鼠海马ERK1/2、哺乳动物同源蛋白(Mammalian homologous protein,Beclin-1)、微管相关蛋白1轻链3(Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3,LC3-Ⅱ)mRNA和蛋白表达水平。结果 与模型组比较,CA低、中、高剂量组神经功能评分、p-ERK1/2蛋白表达水平提高,神经细胞凋亡率、Beclin-1,LC3-Ⅱ mRNA和蛋白表达水平下降(P<0.05); 与CA低剂量组比较,CA中、高剂量组神经功能评分、p-ERK1/2蛋白表达水平提高,神经细胞凋亡率、Beclin-1,LC3-Ⅱ mRNA和蛋白表达水平下降(P<0.05); 与CA中剂量组比较,CA高剂量组神经功能评分、p-ERK1/2蛋白表达水平提高,神经细胞凋亡率、Beclin-1,LC3-Ⅱ mRNA和蛋白表达水平下降(P<0.05)。结论 CA可降低MCAO大鼠神经细胞凋亡率,在一定程度上修复MCAO大鼠神经功能,发挥神经保护作用,其机制可能与激活ERK1/2信号通路有关。     

Remote limb ischemic postconditioning protects mouse brain against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury via upregulating expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO-1 in mice

Remote ischemic postconditioning (RIPostC) is a promising therapeutic intervention, which has been discovered to reduce ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in heart, kidney, brain and skeletal muscle experimentally. However, its potential protective mechanisms have not been well elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of RIPostC in cerebral I/R injury and explore the new putative mechanisms of neuroprotection elicited by it. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in male CD1 mice. RIPostC was generated by three cycles of 5-min reperfusion/5-min occlusion of the bilateral femoral artery on the bilateral limbs at the onset of middle cerebral artery reperfusion. RIPostC significantly improved neurological outcome, lessened infarct volume and brain edema, upregulated the expression of Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO-1) and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and downregulaed the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.05). Taken together, these findings demonstrated that RIPostC protected the brain from I/R injury after focal cerebral ischemia by reducing oxidative stress and activating the Nrf2–ARE (antioxidant response element) pathway.     

Dynamic changes in proprotein convertase 2 activity in cortical neurons after ischemia/reperfusion and oxygen-glucose deprivation

In this study, a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischemia was established by performing 100 minutes of middle cerebral artery occlusion, and an in vitro model of experimental oxygen-glucose deprivation using cultured rat cortical neurons was established. Proprotein convertase 2 activity gradually decreased in the ischemic cortex with increasing duration of reperfusion. In cultured rat cortical neurons, the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated 2’-deoxyuridine 5’-triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling-positive neurons significantly increased and proprotein convertase 2 activity also decreased gradually with increasing duration of oxygen-glucose deprivation. These experimental findings indicate that proprotein convertase 2 activity decreases in ischemic rat cortex after reperfusion, as well as in cultured rat cortical neurons after oxygen-glucose deprivation. These changes in enzyme activity may play an important pathological role in brain injury.     

Activation of calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase IV and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator‐1α signaling pathway protects against neuronal injury and promotes mitochondrial biogenesis in the hippocampal CA1 subfield after transient global ischemia

Delayed neuronal cell death occurs in the vulnerable CA1 subfield of the hippocampus after transient global ischemia (TGI). We demonstrated previously, based on an experimental model of TGI, that the significantly increased content of oxidized proteins in hippocampal CA1 neuron was observed as early as 30 min after TGI, followed by augmentation of PGC‐1α expression at 1 hr, as well as up‐regulation of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) and superoxide dismutases 2 (SOD2). Using the same animal model, the present study investigated the role of calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase IV (CaMKIV) and PGC‐1α in delayed neuronal cell death and mitochondrial biogenesis in the hippocampus. In Sprague‐Dawley rats, significantly increased expression of nuclear CaMKIV was noted in the hippocampal CA1 subfield as early as 15 min after TGI. In addition, the index of mitochondrial biogenesis, including a mitochondrial DNA‐encoded polypeptide, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1), and mitochondrial number significantly increased in the hippocampal CA1 subfield 4 hr after TGI. Application bilaterally into the hippocampal CA1 subfield of an inhibitor of CaMKIV, KN‐93, 30 min before TGI attenuated both CaMKIV and PGC‐1α expression, followed by down‐regulation of UCP2 and SOD2, decrease of COX1 expression and mitochondrial number, heightened protein oxidation, and enhanced hippocampal CA1 neuronal damage. This study provides correlative evidence for the neuroprotective cascade of CaMKIV/PGC‐1α which implicates at least in part the mitochondrial antioxidants UCP2 and SOD2 as well as mitochondrial biogenesis in ischemic brain injury. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

重组人促红细胞生成素对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的 探讨重组人促红细胞生成素(EPO)对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤所致炎性反应的保护机制。方法采用线拴法制备大鼠局灶性大脑中动脉缺血再灌注模型,应用TTC染色法、干湿重法、常规HE染色法观察EPO治疗前后再灌注24h脑梗死体积、脑组织含水量以及组织学变化,应用RT- PCR方法检测EPO治疗前后再灌注lh、3h、6h、12 h、24h、72 h缺血侧脑皮质IL-1β、TNF-α基因表达的变化。结果与假手术组相比,EPO可显著缩小缺血再灌注24h所致的脑梗死体积(P＜0.01),降低梗死侧脑组织含水量(P＜0.01),减轻病理学变化。缺血再灌注各时相点缺血侧皮层IL -lβ mRNA和TNF -α mRNA表达均显著上调(P＜0.01),12 h达高峰。EPO治疗后lh、3h、6h缺血侧皮层IL - 13 mRNA表达显著下降,与病理组相应时间点相比,分别降低了63％、55％和84％(P＜0.01)。EPO治疗后lh、3h、6h缺血侧皮层TNF -α mRNA表达亦显著下降,与病理组相应时间点相比,分别降低了75％、76％和95％（P＜0.01）。结论EPO可能通过抑制IL - 1β、TNF-α的基因表达,降低缺血再灌注的炎性反应损伤而改善脑组织的结构和功能。     

Neuroprotective effect of the new thiadiazolidinone NP00111 against oxygen-glucose deprivation in rat hippocampal slices: implication of ERK1/2 and PPARgamma receptors

Thiadiazolidinones (TDZDs) are small molecules that inhibit glycogen synthase kinase 3-β (GSK3-β) activity in a non competitive manner to ATP. NP00111, a new TDZD, besides causing inhibition of GSK-3β, has also shown to be an agonist of PPARγ . Since phosphorylation and consequent inhibition of GSK-3β by PI-3K/Akt and agonism of PPARγ have shown to afford neuroprotection in several in vitro and in vivo models, we have studied the potential neuroprotective effect of NP00111 in an “in vitro” model of ischemia-reperfusion. NP00111, at the concentration of 10 μM, significantly protected adult rat hippocampal slices subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) for 1 h followed by 3 h re-oxygenation, measured as lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) released to the extracellular media. The protective effects of NP00111 were more pronounced during the re-oxygenation period in comparison to the OGD period. Other GSK-3β inhibitors like lithium or AR-A014418 did not afford protection in this model. However, the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone was protective at 3 μM. Protection afforded by NP00111 and rosiglitazone were prevented by the PPARγ antagonist GW9662, suggesting that both NP00111 and rosiglitazone were preventing cell death caused by oxygen-glucose deprivation via activation of PPARγ. NP00111 increased by two fold phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and its protective effects were lost when the hippocampal slices were co-incubated with the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor PD98059. In conclusion, the novel TDZD NP00111 was protective against OGD in rat hippocampal slices by a mechanism related to phosphorylation of ERK1/2 via activation of PPARγ.     

H2O2预处理通过ERK1/2和p38 MAPK信号通路上调14-3-3蛋白在PC12

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of hydrogen peroxide preconditioning (HPP) on the pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells treated with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)) and to explore the potential mechanisms. METHODS: The viability and apoptosis of PC12 cells were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and 4',6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, respectively. The expressions of 14-3-3 protein and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were determined by Western blot. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the activity of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). RESULTS: The cell viability decreased and the number of apoptotic cells increased dramatically in MPP(+) group compared with that in Control group. HPP induced a significant increase in cell viability and a marked decrease in population of apoptotic cells of the MPP(+)-treated PC12 cells, accompanied with up-regulation of 14-3-3 protein and increase of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK activities. The 14-3-3 protein expression was positively correlated with the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Furthermore, inhibition of the ERK1/2 with PD98059 abolished the 14-3-3 protein up-regulation in PC12 cells induced by HPP. CONCLUSION: HPP protects PC12 cells against MPP(+) toxicity by up-regulating 14-3-3 protein expression through the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.     

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。     

Resveratrol prevents CA1 neurons against ischemic injury by parallel modulation of both GSK‐3β and CREB through PI3‐K/Akt pathways

Accumulating evidence indicates that resveratrol potently protects against cerebral ischemia damage due to its oxygen free radicals scavenging and antioxidant properties. However, cellular mechanisms that may underlie the neuroprotective effects of resveratrol in brain ischemia are not fully understood yet. This study aimed to investigate the potential association between the neuroprotective effect of resveratrol and the apoptosis/survival signaling pathways, in particular the glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK‐3β) and cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB) through phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3‐K)‐dependent pathway. An experimental model of global cerebral ischemia was induced in rats by the four‐vessel occlusion method for 10 min and followed by different periods of reperfusion. Nissl staining indicated extensive neuronal death at 7 days after ischemia/reperfusion. Administration of resveratrol by i.p. injections (30 mg/kg) for 7 days before ischemia significantly attenuated neuronal death. Both GSK‐3β and CREB appear to play a critical role in resveratrol neuroprotection through the PI3‐K/Akt pathway, as resveratrol pretreatment increased the phosphorylation of Akt, GSK‐3β and CREB in 1 h in the CA1 hippocampus after ischemia/reperfusion. Furthermore, administration of LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3‐K, compromised the neuroprotective effect of resveratrol and decreased the level of p‐Akt, p‐GSK‐3β and p‐CREB after ischemic injury. Taken together, the results suggest that resveratrol protects against delayed neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 by maintaining the pro‐survival states of Akt, GSK‐3β and CREB pathways. These data suggest that the neuroprotective effect of resveratrol may be mediated through activation of the PI3‐K/Akt signaling pathway, subsequently downregulating expression of GSK‐3β and CREB, thereby leading to prevention of neuronal death after brain ischemia in rats.     

Involvement of the Wnt signaling pathway and cell apoptosis in the rat hippocampus following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

We investigated the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by examining β-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase-3β protein expression in the rat hippocampal CA1 region following acute cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Our results demonstrate that cell apoptosis increases in the CA1 region following ischemia/reperfusion. In addition, β-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase-3β protein expression gradually increases, peaking at 48 hours following reperfusion. Dickkopf-1 administration, after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, results in decreased cell apoptosis, and β-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase-3β expression, in the CA1 region. This suggests that β-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase-3β, both components of the Wnt signaling pathway, participate in cell apoptosis following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.     

Molecular regulation of dendritic spine dynamics and their potential impact on synaptic plasticity and neurological diseases

The structure and dynamics of dendritic spines reflect the strength of synapses, which are severely affected in different brain diseases. Therefore, understanding the ultra-structure, molecular signaling mechanism(s) regulating dendritic spine dynamics is crucial. Although, since last century, dynamics of spine have been explored by several investigators in different neurological diseases, but despite countless efforts, a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental etiology and molecular signaling pathways involved in spine pathology is lacking. The purpose of this review is to provide a contextual framework of our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of dendritic spine signaling, as well as their potential impact on different neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases, as a format for highlighting some commonalities in function, as well as providing a format for new insights and perspectives into this critical area of research. Additionally, the potential strategies to restore spine structure–function in different diseases are also pointed out. Overall, these informations should help researchers to design new drugs to restore the structure–function of dendritic spine, a “hot site” of synaptic plasticity.