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Huo J, Feng L, Cheng Y, Miao YL, Liu W, Hou MM, Zhang HF, Yang CH, Li Y, Zhang MS, Fan YY. Delayed simvastatin treatment improves neurological recovery after cryogenic traumatic brain injury through downregulation of ELOVL1 by inhibiting mTOR signaling. Brain Res Bull 2024; 217:111072. [PMID: 39243948 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.111072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
Statins are well-tolerated and widely available lipid-lowering medications with neuroprotective effects against traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, whether delayed statin therapy starting in the subacute phase promotes recovery after TBI is unknown. Elongation of the very long-chain fatty acid protein 1 (ELOVL1) is involved in astrocyte-mediated neurotoxicity, but its role in TBI and the relationship between ELOVL1 and statins are unclear. We hypothesized that delayed simvastatin treatment promotes neurological functional recovery after TBI by regulating the ELOVL1-mediated production of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). ICR male mice received daily intragastric administration of 1, 2 or 5mg/kg simvastatin on Days 1-14, 3-14, 5-14, or 7-14 after cryogenic TBI (cTBI). The results showed that simvastatin promoted motor functional recovery in a dose-dependent manner, with a wide therapeutic window of at least 7 days postinjury. Meanwhile, simvastatin inhibited astrocyte and microglial overactivation and glial scar formation, and increased total dendritic length, neuronal complexity and spine density on day 14 after cTBI. The up-regulation of ELOVL1 expression and saturated VLCFAs concentrations in the cortex surrounding the lesion caused by cTBI was inhibited by simvastatin, which was related to the inhibition of the mTOR signaling. Overexpression of ELOVL1 in astrocytes surrounding the lesion using HBAAV2/9-GFAP-m-ELOVL1-3xFlag-EGFP partially attenuated the benefits of simvastatin. These results showed that delayed simvastatin treatment promoted functional recovery and brain tissue repair after TBI through the downregulation of ELOVL1 expression by inhibiting mTOR signaling. Astrocytic ELOVL1 may be a potential target for rehabilitation after TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Huo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, China
| | - Lin Feng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, China
| | - Yao Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, China
| | - Yu-Lu Miao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Wen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Miao-Miao Hou
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, 030032, China
| | - Hui-Feng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, China
| | - Cai-Hong Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China.
| | - Ming-Sheng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, China.
| | - Yan-Ying Fan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, 030600, Shanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China.
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Qin L, Song CZ, Yuan FY, Wang XF, Yang Y, Ma YF, Chen ZL. ELOVL1 is upregulated and promotes tumor growth in hepatocellular carcinoma through regulating PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling. Heliyon 2024; 10:e34961. [PMID: 39144963 PMCID: PMC11320299 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The functions of the ELOVLs are mainly involved in the elongation of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, thus influencing the metabolism of fatty acids. Abnormal lipid metabolism may result in NAFLD and NASH, which may lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. These results suggest that ELOVLs-mediated metabolism might be involved in the development of HCC. The purpose of this study was to study the expression and function of ELOVL1 in human liver cancer. Method Using TCGA, GEPIA and other databases, we analyzed the relationship between the expression of ELOVL1 and liver cancer. The expression of ELOVL1 was detected by immunohistochemical method and Western blot method in hepatic carcinoma and hepatic carcinoma cells. Then, the effects of ELOVL1 on proliferation, apoptosis and invasion in vitro and in vivo were investigated by means of different methods. Result Our results indicate that ELOVL1 is more highly expressed in liver cancer than in normal tissues. Survival analysis showed that OS and DSS were shorter in patients with high ELOVL1 expression than in those with low expression. Multivariate Cox analysis further demonstrated that over-expression of ELOVL1 was an independent risk factor for overall survival in HCC. The results of ROC also confirmed the value of ELOVL1 in the diagnosis of liver cancer. The results of KEGG enrichment and GSEA indicate that ELOVL1 is associated with lipid metabolism and NAFLD, as well as PPAR, PI3K-AKT-mTOR. Compared with the control group, it was found that silencing ELOVL1 in Huh7 and HepG2 cells could inhibit the growth of cells, promote the apoptosis and decrease the metastasis and invasion. Changes in ELOVL1 induced cell proliferation and metastasis may be related to PI3K/AKT/mTOR. Low expression of ELOVL1 inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors in hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft model. Conclusion Our data indicate that the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in HCC may contribute to the promotion of cancer. Thus, ELOVL1 may be a promising therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Qin
- Clinical Medicine School of Surgery, Guizhou Medical University, No.9 Beijing Road, Yunyan District, Guiyang, 550000, China
| | - Cheng-ze Song
- Clinical Medicine School of Surgery, Guizhou Medical University, No.9 Beijing Road, Yunyan District, Guiyang, 550000, China
| | - Fa-yang Yuan
- Clinical Medicine School of Surgery, Guizhou Medical University, No.9 Beijing Road, Yunyan District, Guiyang, 550000, China
| | - Xue-fa Wang
- Clinical Medicine School of Surgery, Guizhou Medical University, No.9 Beijing Road, Yunyan District, Guiyang, 550000, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Clinical Medicine School of Surgery, Guizhou Medical University, No.9 Beijing Road, Yunyan District, Guiyang, 550000, China
| | - Yi-fei Ma
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, NO.28 Gui Yi Street, Guiyang, 550000, China
| | - Zi-li Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, NO.28 Gui Yi Street, Guiyang, 550000, China
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Yang J, Dong J, Li H, Gong Z, Wang B, Du K, Zhang C, Bi H, Wang J, Tian X, Chen L. Circular RNA HIPK2 Promotes A1 Astrocyte Activation after Spinal Cord Injury through Autophagy and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress by Modulating miR-124-3p-Mediated Smad2 Repression. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:781-797. [PMID: 38222662 PMCID: PMC10785321 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c06679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Glial scarring formed by reactive astrocytes after spinal cord injury (SCI) is the primary obstacle to neuronal regeneration within the central nervous system, making them a promising target for SCI treatment. Our previous studies have demonstrated the positive impact of miR-124-3p on neuronal repair, but it remains unclear how miR-124-3p is involved in autophagy or ER stress in astrocyte activation. To answer this question, the expression of A1 astrocyte-related markers at the transcriptional and protein levels after SCI was checked in RNA-sequencing data and verified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blotting in vitro and in vivo. The potential interactions among circHIPK2, miR-124-3p, and Smad2 were analyzed and confirmed by bioinformatics analyses and a luciferase reporter assay. In the end, the role of miR-124-3p in autophagy, ER stress, and SCI was investigated by using Western blotting to measure key biomarkers (C3, LC3, and Chop) in the absence or presence of corresponding selective inhibitors (siRNA, 4-PBA, TG). As a result, SCI caused the increase of A1 astrocyte markers, in which the upregulated circHIPK2 directly targeted miR-124-3p, and the direct downregulating effect of Smad2 by miR-124-3p was abolished, while Agomir-124 treatment reversed this effect. Injury caused a significant change of markers for ER stress and autophagy through the circHIPK2/miR-124-3p/Smad2 pathway, which might activate the A1 phenotype, and ER stress might promote autophagy in astrocytes. In conclusion, circHIPK2 may play a functional role in sequestering miR-124-3p and facilitating the activation of A1 astrocytes through regulating Smad2-mediated downstream autophagy and ER stress pathways, providing a new perspective on potential targets for functional recovery after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Haotian Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhiqiang Gong
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Bing Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Kaili Du
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Chunqiang Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Hangchuan Bi
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Junfei Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Xinpeng Tian
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Lingqiang Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
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Basak I, Harfoot R, Palmer JE, Kumar A, Quiñones-Mateu ME, Schweitzer L, Hughes SM. Neuroproteomic Analysis after SARS-CoV-2 Infection Reveals Overrepresented Neurodegeneration Pathways and Disrupted Metabolic Pathways. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1597. [PMID: 38002279 PMCID: PMC10669333 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Besides respiratory illness, SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, leads to neurological symptoms. The molecular mechanisms leading to neuropathology after SARS-CoV-2 infection are sparsely explored. SARS-CoV-2 enters human cells via different receptors, including ACE-2, TMPRSS2, and TMEM106B. In this study, we used a human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neuronal model, which expresses ACE-2, TMPRSS2, TMEM106B, and other possible SARS-CoV-2 receptors, to evaluate its susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The neurons were exposed to SARS-CoV-2, followed by RT-qPCR, immunocytochemistry, and proteomic analyses of the infected neurons. Our findings showed that SARS-CoV-2 infects neurons at a lower rate than other human cells; however, the virus could not replicate or produce infectious virions in this neuronal model. Despite the aborted SARS-CoV-2 replication, the infected neuronal nuclei showed irregular morphology compared to other human cells. Since cytokine storm is a significant effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection in COVID-19 patients, in addition to the direct neuronal infection, the neurons were treated with pre-conditioned media from SARS-CoV-2-infected lung cells, and the neuroproteomic changes were investigated. The limited SARS-CoV-2 infection in the neurons and the neurons treated with the pre-conditioned media showed changes in the neuroproteomic profile, particularly affecting mitochondrial proteins and apoptotic and metabolic pathways, which may lead to the development of neurological complications. The findings from our study uncover a possible mechanism behind SARS-CoV-2-mediated neuropathology that might contribute to the lingering effects of the virus on the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indranil Basak
- Brain Health Research Centre, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Rhodri Harfoot
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand (M.E.Q.-M.)
| | - Jennifer E. Palmer
- Brain Health Research Centre, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Abhishek Kumar
- Centre for Protein Research, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Miguel E. Quiñones-Mateu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand (M.E.Q.-M.)
| | - Lucia Schweitzer
- Brain Health Research Centre, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Stephanie M. Hughes
- Brain Health Research Centre, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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