Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced microglial activation by preexposure to neurotrophin-3

Microglia activated by neural injuries produce proinflammatory mediators, but activated microglia also appear in developing neural tissue to phagocytose cell debris resulting from programmed cell death without inducing tissue damage. Thus, factors associated with the developing CNS may modulate microglial activities. Previously we reported that pretreatment with neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), a factor known to regulate neural development, inhibits the production of proinflammatory mediators, nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-1beta, in BV2 activated by inflammagen lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In this study, the inhibition of proinflammatory mediators by NT-3 pretreatment (preNT-3) in primary microglia with LPS stimulation was corroborated. Moreover, pretreatment of LPS-activated microglia with NT-3 induced a trend of reduction in phagocytotic ability. By using LPS-activated BV2 cells, we further found that reduced expression of inducible NO synthetase by preNT-3 was mediated by MAP kinase and PI3 kinase signaling pathways. Moreover, pretreatment of BV2 cells with NT-3 led to reduced levels of the p65 subunit of nucleus factor-kappaB (NFkappaB) and its DNA binding activity. Accordingly, our results indicate that preexposure of microglia to NT-3 leads to a reduced production of proinflammatory mediators in activated microglia by the induction of MAP kinase and PI3 kinase signaling, which in turn may reduce NFkappaB DNA binding activity. This suggests that an NT-enriched microenvironment may be favorable for preventing the inflammatory reaction of microglia.     

Suppressed microglial E prostanoid receptor 1 signaling selectively reduces tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6 secretion from toll-like receptor 3 activation

Activation of innate immunity via toll-like receptors (TLRs) is associated with neurodegenerative diseases, and some effectors, like tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), directly contribute to neurodegeneration. We tested the hypothesis that prostaglandin (PG) E(2) receptor subtype 1 (EP1) was necessary for the induction of microglial cytokines following the activation of innate immunity. Primary murine microglia had cytokine secretion by activators of TLR3 > TLR9 > TLR4 > TLR2. TLR3 activation induced early expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) and delayed expression of membranous PGE synthase and secretion of PGE(2) . Nonselective and COX2-selective inhibitors blocked TLR3 induction of TNFα and IL-6. Moreover, of the nine of twenty cytokines and chemokines induced by TLR3 activation, only TNFα and IL-6 were significantly dependent on EP1 signaling as determined using microglia from mice homozygous deficient for EP1 gene or wild-type microglia coincubated with an EP1 antagonist. These results were confirmed by blocking intracellular Ca(2+) release with 2-aminoethoxy-diphenyl borate or Xestospongin C, inhibitors of IP3 receptors. Our results show that suppression of microglial EP1 signaling achieves much of the desired effect of COX inhibitors by selectively blocking TLR3-induced microglial secretion of two major effectors of paracrine neuron damage. In combination with the ability of EP1 suppression to ameliorate excitotoxicity, these data point to blockade of EP1 as an attractive candidate therapeutic for neurodegenerative diseases.     

Activated protein C inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by inhibiting activation of both nuclear factor-kappa B and activator protein-1 in human monocytes

Activated protein C (APC), an important natural anticoagulant, inhibits tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production and attenuates various deleterious events induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), contributing thereby to a significant reduction of mortality in patients with severe sepsis. In this study, we investigated the mechanism(s) by which APC inhibits TNF-alpha production by LPS-stimulated human monocytes in vitro. Although APC inhibited LPS-induced TNF-alpha production in a concentration-dependent fashion, diisopropyl fluorophosphate-treated APC, an active-site-blocked APC, had no effect. APC inhibited both the binding of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) to target sites and the degradation of I kappa B alpha. APC also inhibited both the binding of activator protein-1 (AP-1) to target sites and the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. These observations strongly suggest that APC inhibited LPS-induced TNF-alpha production by inhibiting the activation of both NF-kappa B and AP-1 and that the inhibitory activity of APC might depend on its serine protease activity. These results would at least partly explain the mechanism(s) by which APC reduces the tissue injury seen in animal models of sepsis and in patients with sepsis.     

CD40-CD40 ligand interactions in human microglia induce CXCL8 (interleukin-8) secretion by a mechanism dependent on activation of ERK1/2 and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NFkappaB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1)

CXCL8 is a CXC chemokine that recruits leukocytes to sites of inflammation. Expression of CXCL8 in the CNS has been demonstrated in neuroinflammatory diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) encephalitis, but the mechanism of secretion of this chemokine is not fully understood. CD40 is a 50-kDa protein on the surface of microglia, and we have previously shown that it is increased in expression in HIV-1-infected brain tissue as well as by interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) in tissue culture. We examined the expression and regulation of CXCL8 in cultured human fetal microglia after ligation of CD40 with soluble trimeric CD40 ligand (sCD40L) as well as the expression of CXCL8 on microglia in HIV encephalitic brain tissue sections. Treatment of cultured microglia with IFNgamma + sCD40L resulted in significant induction of CXCL8. This expression was mediated by activation of the ERK1/2 MAPK pathway, as demonstrated by ELISA and Western blot using a specific inhibitor (U0126). Gel shift analyses demonstrated that NFkappaB and AP-1, but not C/EBPbeta, mediate microglial CXCL8 production. We also found increased colocalization of CXCL8 with CD68/CD40-positive cells in HIV encephalitic brain tissue compared with HIV-infected nonencephalitic and normal tissue. Thus, CD40-CD40L interactions facilitate chemokine expression, leading to the influx of inflammatory cells into the CNS. These events can lead to the pathology that is associated with neuroinflammatory diseases.     

Nurr1对小胶质细胞联合神经干细胞共培养促进神经干细胞向多巴胺神经元分化作用研究

目的探讨联合过表达核受体相关因子1(Nurr1)基因的小胶质细胞(MG)和神经干细胞(NSC)共培养对神经干细胞向多巴胺神经元分化的影响。方法原代培养SD大鼠神经干细胞和小胶质细胞,并过表达Nurr1基因。CCK-8法检测Nurr1过表达对神经干细胞以及小胶质细胞活率的影响。Transwell系统共培养神经干细胞和小胶质细胞,实验分为NSC组、NSC+MG组和N(NSC+MG)组。ELISA检测共培养后第3天、第6天和第9天各组脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)、血小板源性神经营养因子(PDNF)和胶质细胞源性神经营养因子(GDNF)表达变化;RT-PCR和Western Blot检测各组第9天酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)、多巴胺转运蛋白(DAT)DAT和Nurr1的表达变化;细胞免疫荧光鉴定神经干细胞的分化,并对TH和DAT阳性细胞计数,计算各组神经干细胞向多巴胺神经元的分化效率。结果原代培养小胶质细胞以及神经干细胞并成功过表达Nurr1基因。CCK-8法检测结果表明,Nurr1过表达对神经干细胞以及小胶质细胞活率无明显影响。ELISA检测结果表明,N(NSC+MG)组在不同时间点神经营养因子(BDNF、PDNF和GDNF)表达量明显高于其他各组(P0.05)。RT-PCR和Westen Blot检测结果表明,N(NSC+MG)组TH、DAT和Nurr1的表达水平明显高于其他各组(P0.05)。细胞免疫荧光鉴定结果表明,N(NSC+MG)组TH阳性细胞率明显高于其他各组(P0.05)。结论Nurr1基因可促进神经干细胞和小胶质细胞共培养系统神经营养因子的分泌。过表达Nurr1基因的神经干细胞和小胶质细胞共培养可促进神经干细胞向多巴胺神经元的分化。     

Induction of serum soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II (sTNF-RII) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) by interferon beta-1b in patients with progressive multiple sclerosis

Background   Cytokine inhibitors, such as soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II (sTNFRII) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) are possible regulators of proinflammatory cytokine activity. Although previous studies have shown induction of sTNF-RII and IL-1ra by interferon-beta (IFNβ) in patients with relapse-onset forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to date no studies of these cytokine inhibitors have been performed in patients with essentially progressive forms of MS. Objective   To address the effects of IFNβ on serum levels of sTNF-RII and IL-1ra in a cohort of progressive MS patients and to assess the relationship between levels and changes of sTNF-RII and IL-1ra and clinical and radiological variables. Methods Serial blood samples were obtained from a cohort of 73 patients with progressive MS who participated in a placebo-controlled clinical trial with IFNβ-1b. Serum levels of sTNF-RII and IL-1ra were measured by multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline and after 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. EDSS and MSFC scores were recorded at the time of blood sampling, and MR scans were obtained at baseline and after 12 and 24 months. Results   Treatment with IFNβ was associated with significant increases of sTNF-RII and IL-1ra serum levels during the followup period. A strong correlation at 24 months was observed between levels of sTNF-RII and EDSS scores in the placebo group. Finally, a trend for negative association was found between changes in sTNFRII and percentage change in T2-weighted lesion load at 24 months in the IFNβ treated group. Conclusions   sTNF-RII and IL-1ra levels are increased in the serum of progressive MS patients during IFNβ therapy and may be one mechanism by which IFNβ mediates its effects in the treatment of MS.     

Effects of antalarmin,a CRF type 1 receptor antagonist,on anxiety-like behavior and motor activation in the rat

Molecular studies point to a role for the type 1 corticotropin-releasing factor receptor (CRF(1)) in anxiogenic-like and activating effects of CRF and stress. However, CP-154,526, a selective CRF(1) antagonist, has yielded mixed results in such tests. Few studies have examined the behavioral effects of other CRF(1) antagonists. Therefore, we examined the effects of antalarmin, a structurally related analog of CP-154,526, on anxiety-like behavior and motor activation. Antalarmin blocked the anxiogenic-like effect of CRF in the elevated plus maze, without affecting anxiety-like behavior in vehicle-treated animals. Antalarmin decreased spontaneous defensive withdrawal behavior in a novel, brightly illuminated open field. Finally, antalarmin blocked the activating effects of CRF, but not D-amphetamine, without producing motor sedation. These findings indicate that the CRF(1) receptor mediates anxiogenic-like effects of novelty stress and the anxiogenic-like and activating effects of CRF and support the hypothesis that CRF(1) antagonists may be useful for the pharmacotherapy of pathological anxiety.     

Carbon monoxide (CO)-releasing molecule-derived CO regulates tissue factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 in human endothelial cells

Introduction

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is the rate limiting enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of heme into biliverdin, free iron, and carbon monoxide (CO). The first human case of HO-1 deficiency showed abnormalities in blood coagulation and the fibrinolytic system. Thus, HO-1 or HO-1 products, such as CO, might regulate coagulation and the fibrinolytic system. This study examined whether tricarbonyldichlororuthenium (II) dimer (CORM-2), which liberates CO, modulates the expression of tissue factor (TF) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and TF expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Additionally, we examined the mechanism by which CO exerts its effects.

Materials and Methods

HUVECs were pretreated with 50 μM CORM-2 for 3 hours, and stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α, 10 ng/ml) for an additional 0-5 hours. PBMCs were pretreated with 50-100 μM CORM-2 for 1hour followed by stimulating with lipopolysaccharid (LPS, 10 ng/ml) for additional 0-9 hours. The mRNA and protein levels were determined by RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively.

Results

Pretreatment with CORM-2 significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced TF and PAI-1 up-regulation in HUVECs, and LPS-induced TF expression in PBMCs. CORM-2 inhibited TNF-α-induced activation of p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, JNK, and NF-κB signaling pathways in HUVECs.

Conclusions

CORM-2 suppresses TNF-α-induced TF and PAI-1 up-regulation, and MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways activation by TNF-α in HUVECs. CORM-2 suppresses LPS-induced TF up-regulation in PBMCs. Therefore, we envision that the antithrombotic activity of CORM-2 might be used as a pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of various inflammatory conditions.     

RNA干涉抑制破骨细胞分化因子表达对骨髓基质细胞成骨成脂分化的影响

背景：RNA干涉是目前分子生物学研究领域重要的基因下调技术,护骨素/κB受体活化因子/破骨细胞分化因子偶联系统是目前骨改建平衡研究中的热点。 目的：应用RNA干涉特异性抑制大鼠骨髓基质细胞内破骨细胞分化因子基因的表达,研究破骨细胞分化因子表达下调后对骨髓基质细胞成骨成脂分化的影响。 方法：获取骨髓基质细胞,转染前24 h按5×105/孔接种于6 孔培养板中,分为实验组、阴性对照组和空白对照组,前2组细胞分别转染针对破骨细胞分化因子的siRNA或阴性对照siRNA。观察骨髓基质细胞增殖活性、碱性磷酸酶活性及Real-Time PCR检测成骨成脂基因mRNA的表达。 结果与结论：实验组碱性磷酸酶活性降低,RunX-2,骨形态发生蛋白2,4表达降低,而PPAR-γ和C/EBP-α的表达升高(P < 0.05)。提示,通过RNA干涉使骨髓基质细胞的破骨细胞分化因子表达下调对骨髓基质细胞成骨分化有抑制作用,而对成脂分化有促进作用。     

HMG CoA reductase inhibitor suppresses the expression of tissue factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 induced by angiotensin II in cultured rat aortic endothelial cells

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (HRIs) reduce the incidence of acute cardiovascular events in patients with hyperlipidemia. Recent reports have shown that the protective effects of these drugs against cardiovascular events are also observed in patients without hyperlipidemia, but the mechanism of this favorable effect still remains unclear. In this study, the effects of HRIs on the endothelial regulation of thrombus formation were elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression of tissue factor (TF) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) were evaluated in cultured rat aortic endothelial cells. Pretreatment with simvastatin (0.03-3 microg/ml) significantly inhibited TF and PAI-1 induction by Ang II in a dose- and time-dependent manner. These inhibitions were significantly attenuated by mevalonic acid or geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate. Both Rho inhibitor, C3 exoenzyme, and Rho kinase inhibitor, Y-27632, mimicked the inhibitory effects of simvastatin against TF and PAI-1 induced by Ang II. This result suggested that the Rho/Rho kinase pathway is related to the TF and PAI-1 induction by Ang II. CONCLUSION: It was indicated that simvastatin maintains endothelial cells to be antithrombotic by inhibiting TF and PAI-1 expression via the Rho/Rho kinase pathways in which AngII induces TF and PAI-1 expression. These observations explain, at least partly, the mechanism of the favorable effects of simvastatin in reducing the thrombotic events.     

Activation of caspase-8 by tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 is necessary for caspase-3 activation and apoptosis in oxygen–glucose deprived cultured cortical cells

TNF-α has been reported to be relevant in stroke-induced neuronal death. However the precise function of TNF-α in brain ischemia remains controversial since there are data supporting either a detrimental or a protective effect. Here we show that TNF-α is released after oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) of cortical cultures and is a major contributor to the apoptotic death observed without affecting the OGD-mediated necrotic cell death. In this paradigm, apoptosis depends on TNF-α-induced activation of caspase-8 and -3 without affecting the activation of caspase-9. By using knock-out mice for TNF-α receptor 1, we show that the activation of both caspase-3 and -8 by TNF-α is mediated by TNF-α receptor 1. The pro-apoptotic role of TNF-α in OGD is restricted to neurons and microglia, since astrocytes do not express either TNF-α or TNF-α receptor 1. Altogether, these results show that apoptosis of cortical neurons after OGD is mediated by TNF-α/TNF-α receptor 1.