{"title":"Peripheral MC1R Activation Modulates Immune Responses and is Neuroprotective in a Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease","authors":"","doi":"10.1007/s11481-023-10094-7","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<h3>Abstract</h3> <span> <h3>Background</h3> <p>Melanocortin 1 receptor (<em>MC1R</em>) is a key pigmentation gene, and loss-of-function of <em>MC1R</em> variants that produce red hair may be associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD). We previously reported compromised dopaminergic neuron survival in <em>Mc1r</em> mutant mice and dopaminergic neuroprotective effects of local injection of a MC1R agonist to the brain or a systemically administered MC1R agonist with appreciable central nervous system (CNS) permeability. Beyond melanocytes and dopaminergic neurons, MC1R is expressed in other peripheral tissues and cell types, including immune cells. The present study investigates the impact of NDP-MSH, a synthetic melanocortin receptor (MCR) agonist that does not cross BBB, on the immune system and the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system in mouse model of PD.</p> </span> <span> <h3>Methods</h3> <p>C57BL/6 mice were treated systemically with MPTP.HCl (20 mg/kg) and LPS (1 mg/kg) from day 1 to day 4 and NDP-MSH (400 µg/kg) or vehicle from day 1 to day 12 following which the mice were sacrificed. Peripheral and CNS immune cells were phenotyped and inflammatory markers were measured. The nigrostriatal dopaminergic system was assessed behaviorally, chemically, immunologically, and pathologically. To understand the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in this model, CD25 monoclonal antibody was used to deplete CD25 + Tregs.</p> </span> <span> <h3>Results</h3> <p>Systemic NDP-MSH administration significantly attenuated striatal dopamine depletion and nigral dopaminergic neuron loss induced by MPTP + LPS. It improved the behavioral outcomes in the pole test. <em>Mc1r</em> mutant mice injected with NDP-MSH in the MPTP and LPS paradigm showed no changes in striatal dopamine levels suggesting that the NDP-MSH acts through the MC1R pathway. Although no NDP-MSH was detected in the brain, peripheral, NDP-MSH attenuated neuroinflammation as observed by diminished microglial activation in the nigral region, along with reduced TNF-α and IL1β levels in the ventral midbrain. Depletion of Tregs was associated with diminished neuroprotective effects of NDP-MSH.</p> </span> <span> <h3>Conclusions</h3> <p>Our study demonstrates that peripherally acting NDP-MSH confers protection on dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons and reduces hyperactivated microglia. NDP-MSH modulates peripheral immune responses, and Tregs may be involved in the neuroprotective effect of NDP-MSH.</p> </span>","PeriodicalId":16500,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":5.2000,"publicationDate":"2023-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11481-023-10094-7","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"NEUROSCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) is a key pigmentation gene, and loss-of-function of MC1R variants that produce red hair may be associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD). We previously reported compromised dopaminergic neuron survival in Mc1r mutant mice and dopaminergic neuroprotective effects of local injection of a MC1R agonist to the brain or a systemically administered MC1R agonist with appreciable central nervous system (CNS) permeability. Beyond melanocytes and dopaminergic neurons, MC1R is expressed in other peripheral tissues and cell types, including immune cells. The present study investigates the impact of NDP-MSH, a synthetic melanocortin receptor (MCR) agonist that does not cross BBB, on the immune system and the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system in mouse model of PD.
Methods
C57BL/6 mice were treated systemically with MPTP.HCl (20 mg/kg) and LPS (1 mg/kg) from day 1 to day 4 and NDP-MSH (400 µg/kg) or vehicle from day 1 to day 12 following which the mice were sacrificed. Peripheral and CNS immune cells were phenotyped and inflammatory markers were measured. The nigrostriatal dopaminergic system was assessed behaviorally, chemically, immunologically, and pathologically. To understand the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in this model, CD25 monoclonal antibody was used to deplete CD25 + Tregs.
Results
Systemic NDP-MSH administration significantly attenuated striatal dopamine depletion and nigral dopaminergic neuron loss induced by MPTP + LPS. It improved the behavioral outcomes in the pole test. Mc1r mutant mice injected with NDP-MSH in the MPTP and LPS paradigm showed no changes in striatal dopamine levels suggesting that the NDP-MSH acts through the MC1R pathway. Although no NDP-MSH was detected in the brain, peripheral, NDP-MSH attenuated neuroinflammation as observed by diminished microglial activation in the nigral region, along with reduced TNF-α and IL1β levels in the ventral midbrain. Depletion of Tregs was associated with diminished neuroprotective effects of NDP-MSH.
Conclusions
Our study demonstrates that peripherally acting NDP-MSH confers protection on dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons and reduces hyperactivated microglia. NDP-MSH modulates peripheral immune responses, and Tregs may be involved in the neuroprotective effect of NDP-MSH.
期刊介绍:
The aims of the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology are to promote the dissemination, interest, and exchange of new and important discoveries for the pharmacology and immunology of the nervous system. The aims parallel that of the Society on NeuroImmune Pharmacology by increasing the fundamental understanding of neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders affected by the immune system or vice versa and towards pharmacologic measures that lead, either to a better understanding of disease mechanisms, or by improving disease outcomes. The scope of JNIP includes all primary works and reviews into the etiology, prevention, and treatment of neuroimmune and nervous system diseases affected by disordered immunity. Original studies serving to define neuroimmune modulation of environmental or endogenous cues such as toxins and drugs of abuse, hormones, and cytokines are welcome. JNIP will serve as a reliable source of interdisciplinary information bridging the fields of pharmacology, immunology, and neuroscience.