Formyl peptide receptors promotes neural differentiation in mouse neural stem cells by ROS generation and regulation of PI3K-AKT signaling

Functional N-Formyl Peptide Receptor 2 (FPR2) Antagonists Based on the Ureidopropanamide Scaffold Have Potential To Protect Against Inflammation-Associated Oxidative Stress

Formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) is a G protein coupled receptor belonging to the N-formyl peptide receptor (FPR) family that plays critical roles in peripheral and brain inflammatory responses. FPR2 has been proposed as a target for the development of drugs that could facilitate the resolution of chronic inflammatory reactions by enhancing endogenous anti-inflammation systems. Starting from lead compounds previously identified in our laboratories, we designed a new series of ureidopropanamide derivatives with the goal of converting functional activity from agonism into antagonism and to develop new FPR2 antagonists. Although none of the compounds behaved as antagonists, some of the compounds were able to induce receptor desensitization and, thus, functionally behaved as antagonists. Evaluation of these compounds in an in vitro model of neuroinflammation showed that they decreased the production of reactive oxygen species in mouse microglial N9 cells after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. These FPR2 ligands may protect cells from damage due to inflammation-associated oxidative stress.

Lipoxin A4 protects against spinal cord injury via regulating Akt/nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2/heme oxygenase-1 signaling

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating physical trauma worldwide. The mechanisms of SCI are still not clear and the effective treatment is limited. Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) possesses anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. The present study was designed to further evaluate the molecular mechanisms of LXA4-induced protective effects in a rat model of SCI. We found that LXA4 increased Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scores, increased mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) to a radiant heat, reduced the lesion volume, decreased Bax mRNA expression and increased Bcl-2 expression after SCI. The phosphorylation of Akt and protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 were reduced after SCI. LXA4 treatment significantly inhibited the reduction of Akt phosphorylation and Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression. Injection of LY294002 notably inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt, and the expression of total Akt and Nrf2 and HO-1 after SCI in LXA4-treated rats. LY294002 prohibited LXA4-induced effects after SCI. shNrf2 injection markedly decreased both Nrf2 and HO-1 expression in LXA4-treated rats after SCI. ZnPP notably decreased HO-1 expression but did not markedly affect Nrf2 expression. shNrf2 and ZnPP prohibited LXA4-induced increase of BBB scores, and PWT and PWL, decrease of lesion volume of spinal cord, reduction of Bax expression and increase of Bcl-2 expression. The results indicate that LXA4 protects against SCI through Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling. The data provide novel insights into the mechanisms of LXA4-mediated neuprotective effects against SCI and suggest that LXA4 may be a potential therapeutic agent for SCI and its associated complications.