Disruption of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Accelerates Age-Related Neurogenesis Decline and Abolishes Stroke-Induced Neurogenesis and Leads to Increased Anxiety Behavior in Stroke Mice

Investigation of the effects of Periplaneta americana (L.) extract on ischemic stroke based on combined multi-omics of gut microbiota

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a highly lethal type of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. Improving survival rates and promoting recovery in patients with IS pose significant challenges, however, recent research has identified the gut-brain axis as a therapeutic target. In this study, we evaluated the regulatory effect of Periplaneta americana (L.) extract (PAS840), which has established anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects, on the gut microbiota using a rat model of temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). We evaluated the protective effects of PAS840 on brain damage in IS rats through TTC (triphenyltetrazolium chloride), Nissl staining, and pathological section analysis. Additionally, we investigated the impact of PAS840 on the gut microbiota and metabolites using 16S rRNA sequencing, untargeted metabolomics of gut contents, and transcriptomics analyses of brain tissues to explore its mechanism of action. PAS840 intervention resulted in significant changes in the gut microbiota, including an increase in the abundance of probiotic flora, decrease in the abundance of harmful flora, and significant changes in metabolite profiles. It also attenuated brain damage, decreased platelet activity, inhibited oxidative stress and genes related to inflammation, and improved neurological function in rats. These findings suggest that PAS840 has preventive and therapeutic effects against IS via the gut-brain axis by regulating the gut microbiota and related metabolites. Accordingly, PAS840 is a candidate therapeutic drug for further research.

Purmorphamine Alters Anxiety-Like Behavior and Expression of Hedgehog Cascade Components in Rat Brain after Alcohol Withdrawal

Disturbances in the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling play an important role in dysmorphogenesis of bone tissue and central nervous system during prenatal alcohol exposure, which underlies development of fetal alcohol syndrome. The involvement of Hh proteins in the mechanisms of alcohol intake in adults remains obscure. We investigated the role of the Hh cascade in voluntary ethanol drinking and development of anxiety-like behavior (ALB) during early abstinence and assessed changes in the expression of Hh pathway components in different brain regions of male Wistar rats in a model of voluntary alcohol drinking using the intermittent access to 20% ethanol in a two-bottle choice procedure. Purmorphamine (Hh cascade activator and Smoothened receptor agonist) was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight prior to 16-20 sessions of alcohol access. Purmorphamine had no effect on the ethanol preference; however, rats exposed to ethanol and receiving purmorphamine demonstrated changes in the ALB during the early abstinence period. Alcohol drinking affected the content of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) and Patched mRNAs only in the amygdala. In rats exposed to ethanol and receiving purmorphamine, the level of Shh mRNA in the amygdala correlated negatively with the time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze. Therefore, we demonstrated for the first time that alterations in the Hh cascade induced by administration of purmorphamine did not affect alcohol preference in voluntary alcohol drinking. It was suggested that Hh cascade is involved in the development of anxiety after alcohol withdrawal through specific changes in the Hh cascade components in the amygdala.

Developmental exposure to nonylphenol leads to depletion of the neural precursor cell pool in the hippocampal dentate gyrus

Developmental exposure to nonylphenol (NP) results in irreversible impairments of the central nervous system (CNS). The neural precursor cell (NPC) pool located in the subgranular zone (SGZ), a substructure of the hippocampal dentate gyrus, is critical for the development of hippocampal circuits and some hippocampal functions such as learning and memory. However, the effects of developmental exposure to NP on this pool remain unclear. Thus, our aim was to clarify the impacts of developmental exposure to NP on this pool and to explore the potential mechanisms. Animal models of developmental exposure to NP were created by treating Wistar rats with NP during pregnancy and lactation. Our data showed that developmental exposure to NP decreased Sox2-and Ki67-positive cells in the SGZ of offspring. Inhibited activation of Shh signaling and decreased levels of its downstream mediators, E2F1 and cyclins, were also observed in pups developmentally exposed to NP. Moreover, we established the in vitro model in the NE-4C cells, a neural precursor cell line, to further investigate the effect of NP exposure on NPCs and the underlying mechanisms. Purmorphamine, a small purine-derived hedgehog agonist, was used to specifically modulate the Shh signaling. Consistent with the in vivo results, exposure to NP reduced cell proliferation by inhibiting the Shh signaling in NE-4C cells, and purmorphamine alleviated this reduction in cell proliferation by restoring this signaling. Altogether, our findings support the idea that developmental exposure to NP leads to inhibition of the NPC proliferation and the NPC pool depletion in the SGZ located in the dentate gyrus. Furthermore, we also provided the evidence that suppressed activation of Shh signaling may contribute to the effects of developmental exposure to NP on the NPC pool.

Brain morphological analysis in mice with hyperactivation of the hedgehog signaling pathway

Hedgehog signaling is a highly conserved pathway that plays pivotal roles in morphogenesis, tumorigenesis, osteogenesis, and wound healing. Previous investigations in patients with Gorlin syndrome found low harm avoidance traits, and increased volumes in the cerebrum, cerebellum, and cerebral ventricles, suggesting the association between brain morphology and the constitutive hyperactivation of hedgehog signaling, while the changes of regional brain volumes in upregulated hedgehog signaling pathway remains unclear so far. Herein, we investigated comprehensive brain regional volumes using quantitative structural brain MRI, and identified increased volumes of amygdala, striatum, and pallidum on the global segmentation, and increased volumes of the lateral and medial parts of the central nucleus of the amygdala on the detail segmentation in Ptch heterozygous deletion mice. Our data may enhance comprehension of the association between brain morphogenic changes and hyperactivity in hedgehog signaling.

Expression and Functional Analysis of the Smo Protein in Apis mellifera

Smoothened (Smo) is a critical component regulating the Hedgehog signaling pathway. However, whether Smo is associated with the modulation of olfactory recognition capabilities of bees remains unclear. In this study, we amplified Smo from Apis mellifera. The coding sequence of Smo was 2952 bp long, encoded 983 amino acids. Smo was most highly expressed in the antennae. Cyclopamine (200 μg/mL) significantly reduced but purmorphamine (800 μg/mL) significantly increased Smo expression (p < 0.05). OR152 and OR2 expression in the cyclopamine group significantly decreased, whereas OR152 expression in the purmorphamine group significantly increased (p < 0.05). A significant decrease in the relative values of electroantennography was observed in the cyclopamine group exposed to neral. Behavioral tests indicated a significant decrease in the attractive rates of neral, VUAA1, linalool, and methyl heptenone in the cyclopamine group. Conversely, the selection rates of linalool and methyl heptenone in the purmorphamine group significantly increased. Our findings indicate that Smo may play a role in modulating olfactory receptors in bees.

Generation of a Deep Mouse Brain Spectral Library for Transmembrane Proteome Profiling in Mental Disease Models

Transmembrane (TM) proteins constitute over 30% of the mammalian proteome and play essential roles in mediating cell-cell communication, synaptic transmission, and plasticity in the central nervous system. Many of these proteins, especially the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), are validated or candidate drug targets for therapeutic development for mental diseases, yet their expression profiles are underrepresented in most global proteomic studies. Herein, we establish a brain TM protein-enriched spectral library based on 136 data-dependent acquisition runs acquired from various brain regions of both naïve mice and mental disease models. This spectral library comprises 3043 TM proteins including 171 GPCRs, 231 ion channels, and 598 transporters. Leveraging this library, we analyzed the data-independent acquisition data from different brain regions of two mouse models exhibiting depression- or anxiety-like behaviors. By integrating multiple informatics workflows and library sources, our study significantly expanded the mental stress-perturbed TM proteome landscape, from which a new GPCR regulator of depression was verified by in vivo pharmacological testing. In summary, we provide a high-quality mouse brain TM protein spectral library to largely increase the TM proteome coverage in specific brain regions, which would catalyze the discovery of new potential drug targets for the treatment of mental disorders.

Adult neurogenesis: a real hope or a delusion?

Adult neurogenesis, the process of creating new neurons, involves the coordinated division, migration, and differentiation of neural stem cells. This process is restricted to neurogenic niches located in two distinct areas of the brain: the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle, where new neurons are generated and then migrate to the olfactory bulb. Neurogenesis has been thought to occur only during the embryonic and early postnatal stages and to decline with age due to a continuous depletion of neural stem cells. Interestingly, recent years have seen tremendous progress in our understanding of adult brain neurogenesis, bridging the knowledge gap between embryonic and adult neurogenesis. Here, we discuss the current status of adult brain neurogenesis in light of what we know about neural stem cells. In this notion, we talk about the importance of intracellular signaling molecules in mobilizing endogenous neural stem cell proliferation. Based on the current understanding, we can declare that these molecules play a role in targeting neurogenesis in the mature brain. However, to achieve this goal, we need to avoid the undesired proliferation of neural stem cells by controlling the necessary checkpoints, which can lead to tumorigenesis and prove to be a curse instead of a blessing or hope.

Olfactory bulb neurogenesis depending on signaling in the subventricular zone

Olfaction is a crucial sense that is essential for the well-being and survival of individuals. Olfactory bulb (OB) is the first olfactory relay station, and its function depends on newly generated neurons from the subventricular zone (SVZ). These newly born neurons constantly migrate through the rostral migratory stream to integrate into existing neural networks within the OB, thereby contributing to olfactory information processing. However, the mechanisms underlying the contribution of SVZ adult neurogenesis to OB neurogenesis remain largely elusive. Adult neurogenesis is a finely regulated multistep process involving the proliferation of adult neural stem cells (aNSCs) and neural precursor cells, as well as the migration and differentiation of neuroblasts, and integration of newly generated neurons into preexisting neuronal circuitries. Recently, extensive studies have explored the mechanism of SVZ and OB neurogenesis. This review focused on elucidating various molecules and signaling pathways associated with OB neurogenesis dependent on the SVZ function. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the OB neurogenesis on the adult brain is an attractive prospect to induce aNSCs in SVZ to generate new neurons to ameliorate olfactory dysfunction that is involved in various diseases. It will also contribute to developing new strategies for the human aNSCs-based therapies.

Role of sonic hedgehog signaling pathway in the regulation of ion channels: focus on its association with cardio-cerebrovascular diseases

Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling is vital for cell differentiation and proliferation during embryonic development, yet its role in cardiac, cerebral, and vascular pathophysiology is under debate. Recent studies have demonstrated that several compounds of SHH signaling regulate ion channels, which in turn affect the behavior of target cells. Some of these ion channels are involved in the cardio-cerebrovascular system. Here, we first reviewed the SHH signaling cascades, then its interaction with ion channels, and their impact on cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. Considering the complex cross talk of SHH signaling with other pathways that also affect ion channels and their potential impact on the cardio-cerebrovascular system, we highlight the necessity of thoroughly studying the effect of SHH signaling on ion homeostasis, which could serve as a novel mechanism for cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. Activation of SHH signaling influence ion channels activity, which in turn influence ion homeostasis, membrane potential, and electrophysiology, could serve as a novel strategy for cardio-cerebrovascular diseases.

Endogenous Neural Stem Cell-induced Neurogenesis after Ischemic Stroke: Processes for Brain Repair and Perspectives

Ischemic stroke is a very common cerebrovascular accident that occurred in adults and causes higher risk of neural deficits. After ischemic stroke, patients are often left with severe neurological deficits. Therapeutic strategies for ischemic stroke might mitigate neuronal loss due to delayed neural cell death in the penumbra or seek to replace dead neural cells in the ischemic core. Currently, stem cell therapy is the most promising approach for inducing neurogenesis for neural repair after ischemic stroke. Stem cell treatments include transplantation of exogenous stem cells but also stimulating endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) proliferation and differentiation into neural cells. In this review, we will discuss endogenous NSCs-induced neurogenesis after ischemic stroke and provide perspectives for the therapeutic effects of endogenous NSCs in ischemic stroke. Our review would inform future therapeutic development not only for patients with ischemic stroke but also with other neurological deficits.

Gli1 depletion induces oxidative stress and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells via Fos in intervertebral disc degeneration

Background

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the most common chronic disease. Oxidative stress and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells disrupt intervertebral disc (IVD) homeostasis, which is the main cause of IDD. Glioma-associated oncogene 1 (Gli1) is an important transcription factor in the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway. Depletion of Gli1 accelerates the occurrence and development of degenerative diseases. This study aimed to explore the role of aging related Gli1 depletion in the progression of IDD.

Methods

The relationship between aging related Gli1 depletion and IDD was studied in the NP tissues of human and rats of different ages, and the levels of oxidative stress and NP cell apoptosis during IDD were explored. Gli1 depletion of NP cells were established by targeting inhibitor GANT61 or lentivirus-coated Gli1 sh-RNA (sh-Gli1) to explore the role of Gli1 in NP cells and underlying mechanism. Exogenous Gli1 depletion induced IDD of rats was established by intraperitoneal injection of GANT61. Also, the roles of Fos in the Gli1 depletion induced NP cell oxidative stress, apoptosis and IDD were investigated.

Results

Gli1 was down-regulated in the tissues of degenerative NP, and the level of Gli1 was negatively correlated with the severity of aging related IDD in human and rats. Furthermore, we found enhanced oxidative stress and apoptosis in degenerative NP tissues. Gli1 depletion promoted oxidative stress and apoptosis of NP cells and resulted in the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and decreased ECM synthesis. Transcriptome sequencing showed that Gli1 depletion caused Fos activation in NP cells. the effect of Gli1 depletion on the oxidative stress and apoptosis of NP cells were retarded by Fos inhibitor. In vivo, Fos inhibition alleviated the IDD induced by exogenous Gli1 depletion.

Conclusions

This study revealed for the first time that Gli1 is gradually depleted in NP with IDD progression. Exogenous Gli1 depletion causes oxidative stress and apoptosis of NP cells both in vivo and in vitro. Fos suppression effectively retards the destructive effects of Gli1 depletion on IVD homoeostasis.The translational potential of this article: This study may provide new potential targets for preventing and reversing IDD. Maintaining Gli1 expression in NP and suppressing Fos activation may be an effective treatment strategy for IDD.

The role of Hedgehog and Notch signaling pathway in cancer

Notch and Hedgehog signaling are involved in cancer biology and pathology, including the maintenance of tumor cell proliferation, cancer stem-like cells, and the tumor microenvironment. Given the complexity of Notch signaling in tumors, its role as both a tumor promoter and suppressor, and the crosstalk between pathways, the goal of developing clinically safe, effective, tumor-specific Notch-targeted drugs has remained intractable. Drugs developed against the Hedgehog signaling pathway have affirmed definitive therapeutic effects in basal cell carcinoma; however, in some contexts, the challenges of tumor resistance and recurrence leap to the forefront. The efficacy is very limited for other tumor types. In recent years, we have witnessed an exponential increase in the investigation and recognition of the critical roles of the Notch and Hedgehog signaling pathways in cancers, and the crosstalk between these pathways has vast space and value to explore. A series of clinical trials targeting signaling have been launched continually. In this review, we introduce current advances in the understanding of Notch and Hedgehog signaling and the crosstalk between pathways in specific tumor cell populations and microenvironments. Moreover, we also discuss the potential of targeting Notch and Hedgehog for cancer therapy, intending to promote the leap from bench to bedside.

Dopaminergic neurons are not a major Sonic hedgehog ligand source for striatal cholinergic or PV interneurons

A model was previously proposed that DA neurons provide SHH ligand to striatal interneurons, which in turn support the survival of DA neurons through the release of trophic factors such as Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). However, some key clinical observations do not support this proposed model, and a recent independent study shows that striatal cholinergic neuron survival does not rely on intact DA neuron projections. To resolve this discrepancy, we generated several independent mouse lines to examine the exact role of DA neuron-derived Shh signaling in the maintenance of the basal ganglia circuit and to identify the Shh-producing cells in the adult brain. Our data suggest that the deletion of Shh in DA neurons does not affect DA neuron survival or locomotive function in cKO mice during aging, nor does it affect the long-term survival of cholinergic or FS PV + interneurons in the striatum (STR).