Neurochemical Research最新文献

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) plays a detrimental role in the brain during ischemic stroke, and TNF-α inhibition has been reported to reduce ischemic brain injury. This study aimed to investigate whether TNF-α contributes to neurovascular unit (NVU) damage by modulating the calpain/NF-κB inflammatory pathway following ischemic stroke. Rats were subjected to 1.5 h of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by reperfusion. A TNF-α neutralizing antibody (TNF-α Ab) was administered intracerebroventricularly 15 min before MCAO. The activation of calpain and NF-κB signaling, as well as NVU damage, was evaluated 24 h after MCAO. TNF-α Ab dose-dependently improved neurological function and reduced infarct volumes 24 h post-MCAO. It also attenuated apoptotic cell death, preserved the ultrastructural morphology of the NVU, and decreased blood-brain barrier permeability in the penumbra and core. Moreover, TNF-α Ab increased calpastatin levels, reduced the levels of calpain 1 and calpain 2, and suppressed calpain activity in the cytosol of both the penumbra and core. Additionally, it lowered the cytosolic levels of high mobility group box-1 and elevated cytosolic IκBα levels. TNF-α Ab also reduced cytosolic and nuclear NF-κB p65 levels. Furthermore, it down-regulated the levels of intracellular adhesion molecule-1, interleukin-1β, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and MMP-9, and suppressed myeloperoxidase activity in the penumbra and core. These findings demonstrate the protective effects of TNF-α Ab against NVU damage in the ischemic penumbra and core, and suggest that TNF-α contributes to NVU damage by upregulating the calpain/NF-κB inflammatory pathway during ischemic stroke.

Graphical Abstract

Contribution of TNF-α to neurovascular unit damage through up-regulating the calpain/NF-κB inflammatory pathway during ischemic stroke. The symbol “→” indicates a promoting or activating effect. The symbol “┫” indicates an inhibitory or blocking effect. TNF-α tumor necrosis factor-alpha, TNF-α Ab TNF-α neutralizing antibody, TNFRs TNF-α receptors, PRRs pattern recognition receptors, NF-κB nuclear factor-kappa B, IκBα inhibitor of kappa B alpha, HMGB1 high mobility group box-1.

Depression is a widespread neuropsychiatric disorder that significantly impacts emotional and cognitive function. Antidepressant medications are frequently accompanied by various adverse effects. C-phycocyanin has been previously shown to exert potent anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Therefore, this study evaluated the therapeutic effects of C-phycocyanin against anxiety and depressive-like behaviors, and memory dysfunction in an animal model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression and explored the underlying mechanisms. Rats were daily exposed for six weeks to CUMS, during which phycocyanin (100 mg/kg, orally) was administered in the final three weeks of the study. Following the assessment of anxiety/ depressive-like behaviors, and memory dysfunction by the open field test (OFT), tail suspension test (TST), elevated plus maze (EPM), and passive avoidance test (PAT), rats were euthanized by decapitation. Then, hippocampal TNF-α and IL-1β concentrations, and hippocampal protein expressions (Iba-1, CD86, NF-κβ, CREB, and BDNF) were determined by an ELISA assay, and western blots, respectively. C-phycocyanin significantly decreased immobility time in OFT and TST, increased open arm time in EPM, and step-through latency time in PAT. Furthermore, C-phycocyanin suppressed CUMS-induced the M1 microglia polarization and neuroinflammation by reducing hippocampal TNF-α and IL-1β concentrations, and the protein expression of Iba-1, CD86, and NF-κβ in the hippocampus of CUMS-exposed rats. It also increased the hippocampal protein expression of CREB and BDNF. C-phycocyanin improved CUMS-induced anxiety and depressive-like behaviors, and memory dysfunction, which could be explained, at least in part, by inhibition of M1 microglial polarization and neuroinflammation, and enhancement of CREB/BDNF signaling.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a promising approach for the treatment of psychiatric disorders including depression, and various targets have been tested for their usefulness. Among these lateral habenula (LHb), a critical site linked to depression, has attracted considerable attention in recent years. DBS at LHb produced antidepressant activity by modulating the monoamine levels. However, the precise circuitry that mediates the positive effects have not been clarified. Herein we employed chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) protocol to generate rats with depression-like phenotype. These animals showed (a) reduced sucrose intake and locomotion, (b) increased immobility in forced swim test, (c) reduction in GAD67 mRNA and increase in VGLUT2 mRNA in the LHb tissue, (d) an increase in glutamate and GABA level in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), and (e) reduction in dopamine in the microdialysates collected from nucleus accumbens shell (AcbSh). Application of DBS, targeted unilaterally at the LHb for 1 h each day for 14 days, resulted in reversal of almost all the above parameters suggesting anti-depressive like action. With a view to dissect the role of GABA in LHb, bicuculline (GABA-A receptor antagonist), administered intra-LHb to CUMS rats, reduced sucrose preference in spite of the application of DBS. We suggest that DBS at LHb may (a) upregulate GABAergic system in LHb, (b) reduce the control exercised by the LHb over VTA via glutamatergic system, and (c) upregulate VTA-Acb pathway. The series of changes finally leading to the increase in DA in Acb, may lead to anti-depressive action.

Microglial activation is a central component of neuroinflammation and contributes to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. However, most of our current understanding is derived from rodent models, which do not fully recapitulate human-specific responses. In this study, we employed a human primary microglial model isolated from astrocyte-enriched cultures to investigate the cellular and metabolic alterations induced by inflammatory stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The isolated human microglia were characterized by strong expression of canonical markers, including IBA-1, CD68, CD45, F4/80, and TMEM119. Upon LPS exposure, cells displayed a robust reactive phenotype with increased expression of activation markers and NF-κB. Functional validation showed preserved phagocytic activity, confirming the immunocompetent status of the cells. Importantly, this is the first study to demonstrate that human primary reactive microglia exhibit mitochondrial dysfunction in response to inflammatory stimuli. LPS treatment led to a significant reduction in mitochondrial mass (TOMM20), increase in mitochondria fragmentation. We observed that LPS increases the phosphorylation of DRP1, indicating enhanced mitochondrial fission and reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential (TMRE), accompanied by increased production of mitochondrial superoxide (MitoSOX), elevated levels of hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide. This effect was temporally associated with a decrease in intracellular ATP levels, followed by an increase in extracellular lactate production, suggesting a compensatory glycolytic shift in response to mitochondrial bioenergetic failure. Together, these findings highlight a previously uncharacterized vulnerability of human microglia to inflammatory mitochondrial stress and establish a robust and physiologically relevant platform for studying human-specific mechanisms of microglial activation and bioenergetic failure in neurodegenerative conditions.

Graphical Abstract

LPS-induced activation triggers mitochondrial dysfunction in primary human microglial cells. Control microglia exhibit elongated, interconnected mitochondria and high intracellular ATP content. After 24 h of LPS exposure, they transition into a reactive phenotype, characterized by increased mitochondrial fragmentation, reduced mitochondrial mass, decreased ATP levels and mitochondrial membrane potential, increased lactate release, and elevated mitochondrial ROS production.

Mild neonatal hypoxia (NH) can serve as a conditioning stimulus that persistently modulates stress systems. We tested whether brief neonatal hypobaric hypoxia induces long-term changes hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) regulation and adult behavior. Male Wistar rats received three 2 h hypobaric sessions on postnatal days 8–10. At 3 months, behavior was assessed. Biochemical measures included plasma/adrenal corticosterone (CORT), plasma ACTH, brain CORT, CRH/POMC/GR/11β-HSD2 protein, and HPA/steroidogenic gene expression. NH yielded a calmer, context-beneficial phenotype: startle latency increased, Morris water maze memory improved, whereas Barnes, recognition memory, and forced swim measures were unchanged. Hypothalamic CRH protein and pituitary/plasma ACTH were reduced, despite unchanged crh and Pomc mRNA, suggesting post-transcriptional control. Basal CORT in plasma and adrenals remained unchanged, but the CORT response to mild stress was larger and more sustained. In the adrenal glands, Cyp11b1 was selectively downregulated, whereas Mc2r, Cyp11a1, Hsd3b2, Cyp21a1 were unaffected. GR and 11β-HSD2 protein did not differ across tissues. In the brain, CORT decreased selectively in the amygdala. NH appears to act as developmental preconditioning, leading to persistent behavioral adaptations and altered HPA regulation in adulthood, characterized by reduced central drive at rest, preserved basal output, and efficient mobilization under challenge.

Preoperative anxiety is closely associated with postoperative hyperalgesia, but the underlying neural mechanisms remain incompletely understood. The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is a key hub for processing negative emotions and pain. Emerging evidence indicates that microglial activation and synaptic engulfment contribute to the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric and pain-related disorders. However, the role of BLA microglial activation-driven synaptic engulfment in preoperative anxiety-induced postoperative hyperalgesia remains unelucidated. A mouse model of preoperative anxiety-induced postoperative hyperalgesia was established by combining single prolonged stress (SPS) with plantar incision (I) surgery, designated as the SI model. Minocycline, a microglial inhibitor, was administered to investigate the role of microglial activation. The open field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze test (EPMT) were used to assess anxiety-like behaviors. Mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia tests were conducted to measure pain-related behaviors. Immunofluorescence (IF) staining for ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA1), IBA1 + cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68), and IBA1 + synaptophysin (SYN) was performed to examine microglial reactivity, phagocytic activation, and synaptic engulfment in the BLA. Golgi staining was employed to quantify dendritic spine density of BLA neurons. Western blotting (WB) was employed to measure the expression levels of synaptic proteins, including postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), SYN, and synapsin 1 (SYN1), in the BLA. SPS induced anxiety-like behaviors and exacerbated postoperative hyperalgesia in mice. Meanwhile, SI model mice exhibited increased microglial activation, phagocytic activity and synaptic engulfment in the BLA, accompanied by decreased dendritic spine density and reduced expression of synaptic proteins. Furthermore, minocycline treatment suppressed microglial activation and phagocytic activity, attenuated excessive synaptic engulfment, reversed the reductions in dendritic spine density and synaptic protein expression in the BLA, and ultimately alleviated both anxiety-like behaviors and postoperative hyperalgesia in SI mice. Our findings indicate that excessive microglial activation-mediated synaptic engulfment in the BLA is closely associated with preoperative anxiety-induced postoperative hyperalgesia. Targeting BLA microglial activation and associated synaptic engulfment may hold potential as a novel therapeutic strategy for mitigating preoperative anxiety-related postoperative hyperalgesia.

Differentiation therapy represents a standard therapeutic regimen for high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB), demonstrating significant efficacy in suppressing tumor recurrence and improving patient survival rates. Retinoic acid (RA) remains the sole clinically approved differentiation-inducing agent for HR-NB, yet its therapeutic application is substantially limited by inherent drug resistance. Here, we found that valproate (VPA) exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of tumorigenicity in NB cells SH-SY5Y, SK-N-BE and retinoic acid (RA)-resistant SK-N-AS, along with the induction of G1-phase arrest and extensive neuronal differentiation. Subsequently, the transcriptomic landscape revealed that the impact of VPA on the biological processes of NB cells was predominantly enriched in the cell cycle pathway and Cyclin Dependent Kinase 4 (CDK4) as the most central gene. Additionally, we found that dual treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) synergistically promotes NB cell differentiation, specifically in RA-resistant SK-N-AS cells. We therefore identify VPA as a therapeutic approach to dramatically enhance NB differentiation efficacy that could be used in combination with RA to improve patient outcomes, specifically for patients with RA-resistant HR-NB. These investigations will provide novel insights into cell cycle-mediated differentiation reprogramming in HR-NB.

Ferroptosis is a pathogenesis of stroke. Succinylation is a promising therapeutic target for stroke. This study aimed to investigate the impact of succinyltransferase HAT1 in the progression of ischemic stroke and the underlying mechanism. HT-22 cells were stimulated by oxygen glucose deprivation to induce cell death. Mice received middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) to generate a model. Ferroptosis was evaluated using propidium iodide staining and by measuring key indicators, including glutathione (GSH) levels, intracellular Fe²⁺ concentration, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and ferroptosis-related protein levels. Brain infarction was observed using 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium staining. The succinylation of transferrin receptor (TFRC) was measured using immunoprecipitation and western blotting. The results showed that HAT1 expression was downregulated in OGD-related HT-22 cell ferroptosis. Overexpression of HAT1 promoted the viability, as well as inhibited inflammatory response and ferroptosis of OGD-induced cells. Moreover, HAT1 ameliorated neurological dysfunction, brain infarction, and ferroptosis in the brain of MCAO mice. Additionally, we identified a novel mechanism whereby HAT1 interacted with TFRC and promoted its succinylation at K384 and K626 sites, establishing a previously unrecognized post-translational regulatory axis. Overexpression of TFRC or mutants of TFRC at succinylation sites abrogated the effect on cell phenotype induced by HAT1. In conclusion, HAT1 suppresses ferroptosis by promoting TFRC succinylation, thereby attenuating ischemic brain injury. These findings provide a potential therapeutic target for ischemic stroke.

Aging is associated with progressive synaptic deterioration and cognitive decline; however, therapeutic strategies capable of restoring both structural and functional deficits remain limited. This study evaluated the effects of aging on dendritic spine dynamics and recognition memory across multiple brain regions, and evaluated whether chronic treatment with cerebrolysin (CBL) could ameliorate age-related alterations (3, 6, 12 and 18 months of age). We additionally assessed the effects of CBL on key molecular markers of synaptic plasticity in aged (18-month) C57BL6 mice. Aging impaired locomotor activity (12- and 18-month groups) and produced deficits in short- and long-term recognition memory relative to young controls. Notably, CBL selectively enhanced locomotion in 18-month group and improved short-term memory in the 12-month group. At the structural level, aging reduced spine density and decreased the proportion of thin and mushroom spines in the prefrontal cortex and dorsal hippocampus, whereas CBL treatment increased spine density in the dorsal hippocampus and basolateral amygdala, and promoted the formation of mature mushroom spines in a region and age-dependent manner. Importantly, CBL elevated β-actin, synaptophysin and brain-derived nerve factor expression across multiple regions in the 18-month group. This study provides the first integrated demonstration that CBL enhances dendritic spine maturation and dendritic structural remodeling while concurrently improving cognitive outcomes within the same cohort of aged animals. Collectively, our findings position CBL as a promising therapeutic candidate to counteract age-related synaptic loss and cognitive decline, advancing current understanding of neuroprotective interventions in aging.

This study aims to investigate the regulatory role and molecular mechanism of the LINC00968/miR-194-5p axis in secondary neurological injury after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). A rat ICH model was established by injecting collagenase IV. In vitro, PC12 cells were treated with hemin to mimic the ICH environment. RT-qPCR was used to detect the levels of LINC00968 and miR-194-5p. Assessment of cell proliferation and apoptosis was performed with the CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. The levels of SOD, MDA, ROS, and inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10) were measured using commercially available detection kits. To assess neurological deficits, the mNSS, corner turn, and forelimb placement tests were employed. To evaluate brain edema, the dry-wet weight method was utilized. The direct binding between LINC00968 and miR-194-5p was verified by dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. In both in vivo and in vitro ICH models, LINC00968 expression was significantly upregulated. Knockdown of LINC00968 significantly enhanced cell proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in vitro. In rats, it significantly improved neurological deficits and reduced brain edema. Mechanistically, LINC00968 acts as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) that sponges miR-194-5p. Suppressing miR-194-5p eliminated the neuroprotection resulting from LINC00968 silencing. LINC00968 aggravates neurological deficits, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress after ICH by competitively binding to miR-194-5p.