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Mounissamy P, Premraj A, Chanadrashekar S, Jeyaraman N, Ramasubramanian S, Jeyaraman M. Effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in functional outcome of acute spinal cord injury patients: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial. J Orthop 2025; 64:97-101. [PMID: 39691645 PMCID: PMC11648636 DOI: 10.1016/j.jor.2024.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2024] [Accepted: 11/24/2024] [Indexed: 12/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a major public health issue causing significant disability and economic burden. Current treatments primarily focus on mitigating secondary injury, with limited effective therapies available. This study explores the efficacy of the Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) in improving functional outcomes in acute SCI patients. Materials and methods This single-blinded randomized control trial was conducted at JIPMER's orthopedic department. Patients with acute spinal cord injury (SCI) were enrolled based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants were divided into two groups: Group A (n = 16) received a G-CSF injection whereas Group B (n = 18) received a placebo (normal saline) injection. The primary evaluation was based on the changes in the ASIA impairment scale at 1-, 3-, and 6-months post-injury. Results The study involved 34 participants, predominantly male. Initial assessments showed significant differences in ASIA scores between the groups. Group A demonstrated marked improvement in neurological status at 1, 3, and 6 months post-treatment compared to Group B. The frequency of adverse events was comparable between the two groups. Conclusion G-CSF showed significant improvement in ASIA scores at various time points post-administration compared to placebo. These findings suggest G-CSF as a potential therapeutic agent in acute SCI treatment. However, due to the small sample size, further research is necessary to confirm these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabu Mounissamy
- Department of Orthopaedics, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry, 605006, India
| | - A.C. Premraj
- Department of Orthopaedics, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry, 605006, India
| | - Sushma Chanadrashekar
- Department of Orthopaedics, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry, 605006, India
| | - Naveen Jeyaraman
- Department of Orthopaedics, ACS Medical College and Hospital, Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, 600077, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Swaminathan Ramasubramanian
- Department of Orthopaedics, Government Medical College, Omandurar Government Estate, 600002, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Madhan Jeyaraman
- Department of Orthopaedics, ACS Medical College and Hospital, Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, 600077, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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Sen S, Parihar N, Patil PM, Upadhyayula SM, Pemmaraju DB. Revisiting the Emerging Role of Light-Based Therapies in the Management of Spinal Cord Injuries. Mol Neurobiol 2025; 62:5891-5916. [PMID: 39658774 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04658-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 12/02/2024] [Indexed: 12/12/2024]
Abstract
The surge in spinal cord injuries (SCI) attracted many neurobiologists to explore the underlying complex pathophysiology and to offer better therapeutic outcomes. The multimodal approaches to therapy in SCI have proven to be effective but to a limited extent. The clinical basics involve invasive procedures and limited therapeutic interventions, and most preclinical studies and formulations are yet to be translated due to numerous factors. In recent years, photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has found many applications in various medical fields. In most PBMT, studies on SCI have employed laser sources in experimental animal models as a non-invasive source. PBMT has been applied in numerous facets of SCI pathophysiology, especially attenuation of neuroinflammatory cascades, enhanced neuronal regeneration, reduced apoptosis and gliosis, and increased behavioral recovery within a short span. Although PBMT is specific in modulating mitochondrial bioenergetics, innumerous molecular pathways such as JAK-STAT, PI3K-AKT, NF-κB, MAPK, JNK/TLR/MYD88, ERK/CREB, TGF-β/SMAD, GSK3β-AKT-β-catenin, and AMPK/PGC-1α/TFAM signaling pathways have been or are yet to be exploited. PMBT has been effective not only in cell-specific actions in SCI such as astrocyte activation or microglial polarization or alterations in neuronal pathology but also modulated overall pathobiology in SCI animals such as rapid behavioral recovery. The goal of this review is to summarize research that has used PBMT for various models of SCI in different animals, including clarifying its mechanisms and prospective molecular pathways that may be utilized for better therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santimoy Sen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Nidhi Parihar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Prathamesh Mahadev Patil
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Suryanarayana Murty Upadhyayula
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Deepak B Pemmaraju
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Guwahati, Assam, India.
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Long H, Chen F, Deng Y, Zhou W, Wang Y, Xiong W, Zhang Y, Chen P. Role of bFGF on astrocytes to expression of protein molecules of blood-brain barrier via PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway after TBI. Int J Biol Macromol 2025; 307:142077. [PMID: 40086548 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.142077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2025] [Revised: 03/03/2025] [Accepted: 03/11/2025] [Indexed: 03/16/2025]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which can exacerbate brain damage. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has a neuroprotective effect, but its effect on BBB integrity after TBI and its underlying mechanism remain unclear. To investigate the changes of BBB-related protein expression in TBI model rat astrocytes under bFGF intervention, and the regulatory role of PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway in this process. The study used animal models to simulate TBI and administered different doses of bFGF intervention. The integrity of BBB was assessed by measuring cerebral water content (BWC) and histological observation. Western blot results showed that bFGF treatment up-regulated BBB-related protein expression in astrocytes and activated PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway. bFGF promotes the expression of BBB-related protein molecules in astrocytes after TBI by activating PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway, thereby improving the integrity of BBB and playing a neuroprotective role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Long
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Feng Chen
- Pre-hospital Emergency Department, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Yongbing Deng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Weiduo Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanglingxi Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Weiming Xiong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, China.
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4
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Zhou M, Xu Z, Feng L, Zhong H, Yang H, Ning G, Feng S. 50 years of methylprednisolone application in spinal cord injury: a bibliometric analysis. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2025; 167:38. [PMID: 39915313 PMCID: PMC11802693 DOI: 10.1007/s00701-025-06443-5] [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: 11/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2025] [Indexed: 02/09/2025]
Abstract
PURPOSE Methylprednisolone (MP) is a synthetic glucocorticoid known for its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, yet its application in global spinal cord injury (SCI) research has not been thoroughly summarized. This study aims to assess the current status and trends of methylprednisolone research in SCI, providing insights for future scholarly work. METHODS Articles on methylprednisolone in SCI published from 1975 to 2023 were retrieved from the Web of Science database. Metrics such as publication counts, H-index values, and data on countries, institutions, authors, and journals were analyzed. Co-citation, collaboration, and co-occurrence analyses of keywords were performed using CiteSpace. RESULTS A total of 1,651 articles were identified, and publication numbers showed a consistent annual increase. The United States and Canada led in publication counts, H-index values, and citations, with the University of Toronto and the Veterans Health Administration being significant contributors. Bracken M.B. was the leading author. The most frequent keywords included 'trauma,' 'lipid peroxidation,' 'dose response,' 'ischemia,' and 'methylprednisolone.' A co-occurrence analysis classified 225 keywords into three clusters, highlighting key research areas in SCI. CONCLUSIONS These findings offer valuable insights into authors, countries, institutions, keywords, and research hotspots in SCI over the past 50 years, guiding future research directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhengyu Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China
| | - Lei Feng
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China
| | - Hao Zhong
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongjiang Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China
| | - Guangzhi Ning
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China.
| | - Shiqing Feng
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China.
- Department of Orthopedics, Advanced Medical Research Institute, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Shandong University Centre for Orthopedics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
- Orthopedic Research Center of Shandong University & Advanced Medical Research Institute, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
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Mohajer M, Asefnejad A, Jameie SB, Khanmohammadi M, Hassanzadeh S. Effectiveness of Insolubilized Poly(vinyl alcohol)-Based Electrospun Fiber-Loaded Methylprednisolone by Enzyme-Catalyzed Cross-Linking in a Rat Spinal Cord Injury Model. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:7466-7482. [PMID: 39436827 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c01069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2024]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) has been implicated in neural loss and, consequently, motor/sensory impairment. Here, we propose an improved formation for fibrous mat fabrication from the derivatives of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and gelatin (Gela) through horseradish peroxidase-mediated cross-linking, providing a sustained release of methylprednisolone (MP) for SCI repair. After 28 days, the animals were evaluated in terms of remyelination and apoptosis and underwent behavioral tests. The mechanical properties, hydrophobicity, and degradation rate of PVAPh/GelaPh fibrous mats were significantly improved as compared with those of PVAPh samples. This could provide the desired structure for a sustained MP release. The seeded cells could adhere and proliferate to the composite fibers, which indicates the cytocompatibility of the resultant PVAPh/GelaPh fibrous mat. The results showed significant reductions in the number of apoptotic neurons and a substantial improvement in remyelination in the SCI+ PVAPh/GelaPh + MP group. The behavioral tests confirmed improvement in locomotor hindlimb function following treatment. The MP-loaded PVAPh/GelaPh mat developed through the long-term release of MP and the biocompatible fabricated mat could inhibit axonal demyelination, attenuate apoptosis, and improve the functional outcome, which verified the potential of PVAPh/GelaPh + MP nanocomposites as a bioactive scaffold for SCI regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Mohajer
- Faculty of Tissue Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 1477893855, Iran
| | - Azadeh Asefnejad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 1477893855, Iran
| | - Seyed Behnamedin Jameie
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran
- Neuroscience Research Center (NRC), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran
| | - Mehdi Khanmohammadi
- Biomaterials Group, Materials Design Division, Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Wołoska 141, Warsaw 02-507, Poland
| | - Sajad Hassanzadeh
- Neuroscience Research Center (NRC), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran
- Eye Research Center, The Five Senses Health Institute, Rassoul Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1445613131, Iran
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Li H, Liu Y, Sun Y, Guo H, Lv S, Guo W, Ren J, Wang Y, Zu J, Yan J, Wang N. Targeting astrocytes polarization after spinal cord injury: a promising direction. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1478741. [PMID: 39479524 PMCID: PMC11521873 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1478741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2024] [Accepted: 10/07/2024] [Indexed: 11/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious neurological injury that causes severe trauma to motor and sensory functions. Although long considered incurable, recent research has brought new hope for functional recovery from SCI. After SCI, astrocytes are activated into many polarization states. Here we discuss the two most important classical phenotypes: the 'A1' neurotoxic phenotype and the 'A2' neuroprotective phenotype, with A1 astrocytes being neurotoxic and impeding neurorecovery, and A2 astrocytes being neuroprotective. This paper discusses the changes in astrocyte responsiveness after SCI and the pros and cons of their polarization in SCI. It also elucidates the feasibility of astrocyte polarization as a therapeutic target for neuroprotection. In the future, multiple intervention strategies targeting astrocyte polarization are expected to gain wider clinical application, ultimately improving motor-sensory function and quality of life in SCI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helin Li
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yucao Sun
- Department of Ultrasound, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Hangyu Guo
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shiyan Lv
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Wenhui Guo
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jiyu Ren
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yufu Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jianing Zu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jinglong Yan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Nanxiang Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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7
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Ganesan S, Dharmarajan A, Sudhir G, Perumalsamy LR. Unravelling the Road to Recovery: Mechanisms of Wnt Signalling in Spinal Cord Injury. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:7661-7679. [PMID: 38421469 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04055-1] [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: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex neurodegenerative pathology that consistently harbours a poor prognostic outcome. At present, there are few therapeutic strategies that can halt neuronal cell death and facilitate functional motor recovery. However, recent studies have highlighted the Wnt pathway as a key promoter of axon regeneration following central nervous system (CNS) injuries. Emerging evidence also suggests that the temporal dysregulation of Wnt may drive cell death post-SCI. A major challenge in SCI treatment resides in developing therapeutics that can effectively target inflammation and facilitate glial scar repair. Before Wnt signalling is exploited for SCI therapy, further research is needed to clarify the implications of Wnt on neuroinflammation during chronic stages of injury. In this review, an attempt is made to dissect the impact of canonical and non-canonical Wnt pathways in relation to individual aspects of glial and fibrotic scar formation. Furthermore, it is also highlighted how modulating Wnt activity at chronic time points may aid in limiting lesion expansion and promoting axonal repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suchita Ganesan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - Arun Dharmarajan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Clinical Research, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - G Sudhir
- Department of Orthopedics and Spine Surgery, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India.
| | - Lakshmi R Perumalsamy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India.
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Liu X, Xu Y, Wang Y, Peng X, Jian J, Wang X, Wang T. RETRACTED ARTICLE: Administration of methylprednisolone do not affect the spinal scar component of spinal cord injury. J Spinal Cord Med 2024:1-10. [PMID: 39167368 DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2024.2352929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
We, the Editors and Publisher of the journal The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, have retracted the following article:Liu, X., Xu, Y., Wang, Y., Peng, X., Jian, J., Wang, X., & Wang, T. (2024). Administration of methylprednisolone do not affect the spinal scar component of spinal cord injury. The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/10790268.2024.2352929Following publication, in November 2024, the authors notified the journal that they had identified areas in the article which required improvement, and requested retraction.Upon investigation by the journal, significant concerns were identified regarding the animal model and the integrity of Figure(s) 2 and 4.When approached for an explanation following their request to retract the article, the authors did not respond.As verifying the validity of published work is core to the integrity of the scholarly record, we are therefore retracting the article. The corresponding author listed in this publication has been informed. The author(s) agree with the retraction.We have been informed in our decision-making by our editorial policies and the COPE guidelines.The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as 'Retracted'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- Institute of Base Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Xu
- Institute of Neurological Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University & The Research Units of West China, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- Institute of Neurological Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University & The Research Units of West China, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xia Peng
- Institute of Neuroscience, Laboratory Zoology Department, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiao Jian
- Institute of Neuroscience, Laboratory Zoology Department, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuefang Wang
- Institute of Neurological Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University & The Research Units of West China, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Tinghua Wang
- Institute of Base Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Neurological Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University & The Research Units of West China, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Laboratory Zoology Department, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, People's Republic of China
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Tsimpolis A, Kalafatakis K, Charalampopoulos I. Recent advances in the crosstalk between the brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glucocorticoids. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1362573. [PMID: 38645426 PMCID: PMC11027069 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1362573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a key neurotrophin within the brain, by selectively activating the TrkB receptor, exerts multimodal effects on neurodevelopment, synaptic plasticity, cellular integrity and neural network dynamics. In parallel, glucocorticoids (GCs), vital steroid hormones, which are secreted by adrenal glands and rapidly diffused across the mammalian body (including the brain), activate two different groups of intracellular receptors, the mineralocorticoid and the glucocorticoid receptors, modulating a wide range of genomic, epigenomic and postgenomic events, also expressed in the neural tissue and implicated in neurodevelopment, synaptic plasticity, cellular homeostasis, cognitive and emotional processing. Recent research evidences indicate that these two major regulatory systems interact at various levels: they share common intracellular downstream pathways, GCs differentially regulate BDNF expression, under certain conditions BDNF antagonises the GC-induced effects on long-term potentiation, neuritic outgrowth and cellular death, while GCs regulate the intraneuronal transportation and the lysosomal degradation of BDNF. Currently, the BDNF-GC crosstalk features have been mainly studied in neurons, although initial findings show that this crosstalk could be equally important for other brain cell types, such as astrocytes. Elucidating the precise neurobiological significance of BDNF-GC interactions in a tempospatial manner, is crucial for understanding the subtleties of brain function and dysfunction, with implications for neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases, mood disorders and cognitive enhancement strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros Tsimpolis
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (IMBB-FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Kalafatakis
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (Malta Campus), Queen Mary University of London, Victoria, Malta
| | - Ioannis Charalampopoulos
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (IMBB-FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
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10
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Mao J, Guo Y, Li H, Ge H, Zhang C, Feng H, Zhong J, Hu R, Wang X. Modulation of GPER1 alleviates early brain injury via inhibition of A1 reactive astrocytes activation after intracerebral hemorrhage in mice. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26909. [PMID: 38439827 PMCID: PMC10909704 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26909] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Early brain injury (EBI) caused by inflammatory responses in acute phase of Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) plays a vital role in the pathological progression of ICH. Increasing evidences demonstrate A1 reactive astrocytes are associated with the severity of EBI. G-protein coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) has been proved mediating the neuroprotective effects of estrogen in central nervous system (CNS) disease. However, whether GPER1 plays a protective effect on ICH and A1 reactive astrocytes activation is not well studied. Methods ICH model was established by infused the autologous whole blood into the right basal ganglia in wild type and GPER1 knockout mice. GPER1 specific agonist G1 and antagonist G15 were administered by intraperitoneal injection at 1 h or 0.5 h after ICH. Neurological function was detected on day 1 and day 3 by open field test and corner turn test following ICH. Besides, A1 reactive astrocytes were determined by immunofluorescence staining after ICH on day 3. To further identify the possible mechanism of GPER1 mediated neuroprotective effect, Western blot assays was performed after ICH on day 3. Results After ICH, G1 treatment alleviated mice neurobehavior deficits on day 1 and day 3. Meanwhile, G1 treatment also significantly reduced the GFAP positive astrocytes and the C3 positive cells after ICH. Interestingly, G15 reversed the protective effect of G1 on the neurobehavior of ICH mice. Meanwhile, the expression of GFAP+C3+ A1 reactive astrocytes were also reduced by activation of GPER1. Mechanistic studies indicated TLR4 and NF-κB mediated the neuroprotective effect of GPER1. Conclusion Generally, activation of GPER1 alleviated the EBI through inhibiting A1 reactive astrocytes activation via TLR4/NF-κB pathway after ICH in mice. Additionally, GPER1may be a promising target for ICH treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianchao Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, The Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yongkun Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Huanhuan Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, The Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Hongfei Ge
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, The Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, The Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Hua Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, The Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jun Zhong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, The Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Rong Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, The Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xinjun Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
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11
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Chen H, Wu L, Zhang Y, Ding W, Xiaofan Y. Steroid inhibited Serpina3n expression which was positively correlated with the degrees of spinal cord injury. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26649. [PMID: 38449654 PMCID: PMC10915347 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26649] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Aims The aim of our project was to identify proteins associated with the extent of spinal cord injury (SCI) and subsequent long-term neurological recovery. Methods Through proteomic analysis, we identified proteins that are differentially expressed specifically in the acute phase of injury. We analyzed the concentrations of differentially expressed proteins in serum and the injured spinal cord segment by ELISA. Results Serpina3n protein expression in the injured spinal cord segment was increased 101-fold at 12 h after severe SCI and 89-fold at 12 h after mild SCI, as determined by LC‒MS/MS. In the mild and severe SCI groups, serum Serpina3n levels began to increase at 12 h and peaked at 24 h. At 12 h, 24 h and 3 d after injury, serum Serpina3n protein levels were significantly correlated with the severity of injury (12 h: r = 0.6034, P = 0.008; 24 h: r = 0.7542, P = 0.0003; 3 d: r = 0.862, P < 0.001). Serum Serpina3n levels at 2 h, 24 h and 3 d post injury were significantly correlated with long-term neurological recovery at 28 d after SCI (2 h: r = -0.5781, P = 0.012; 24 h: r = -0.5912, P = 0.0098; 3 d: r = -0.7792, P < 0.0001). Methylprednisolone treatment would decrease the serum Serpina3n levels in mice with mild and severe SCI compared with those in placebo-group mice at 12 h and 24 h after SCI. The serum Serpina3n concentration in the severe SCI group was significantly reduced on the third day after steroid treatment. Conclusion Taken together, these data suggest that serpina3n may be a circulating biomarker of acute SCI and may be closely associated with injury severity and long-term motor function recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haihong Chen
- Orthopaedic Department, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201199, China
| | - Liang Wu
- Orthopaedic Department, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201199, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Rehabilitation Department, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201199, China
| | - Wang Ding
- Orthopaedic Department, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201199, China
| | - Yin Xiaofan
- Orthopaedic Department, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201199, China
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12
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Roy A, Pathak Z, Kumar H. Investigating LIM (Lin-11, Isl-1, and Mec-3) Kinases and Their Correlation with Pathological Events and Microtubule Dynamics in an Experimental Model of Spinal Cord Injury in Rats. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:667-679. [PMID: 38481685 PMCID: PMC10928889 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2025]
Abstract
The spinal cord injury (SCI) and the neurodegenerative processes accompanying it follow an intricate pathway with very limited options for treatment strategies until now. Microtubules, essential for the growth and maintenance of neurons, are mostly disorganized and destabilized due to neurodegeneration. Regeneration or plasticity is restricted to the adult central nervous system (CNS) due to several intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms. Some fundamental or injury-induced expressions of specific molecules can be inhibited or antagonized pharmacologically to protect neurons to a certain extent after neurodegeneration. Accordingly, these molecules offer an excellent target as a therapeutic approach to promote neuroprotection. LIM kinases (LIMKs) are one of these molecules that phosphorylates members of the actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin family of actin-binding and filament-severing proteins. The individual role of LIMKs has not yet been studied in the pathology of SCI. In this study, we targeted LIMK and checked its role in microtubule destabilization in vitro. LIMK1 was found to be upregulated after microtubule depolymerization and inhibition of LIMK with specific inhibitor-protected neurons. Then, we checked the expressions of individual LIMKs throughout different time points across SCI in a rat contusion model, correlating with established pathophysiological markers. The phosphorylated form of LIMK1 was found to be elevated at chronic time points after injury, where scar formation and diminution of neurons prevail. Finally, we targeted the LIMK pathway with its specific inhibitor BMS-5, which showed neuroprotection after SCI. Overall, our results provided a concept concerning how a small-molecule inhibitor of LIMK may offer a strategy to treat SCI-associated neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Roy
- Department of Pharmacology
and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical
Education and Research (NIPER)-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar 382355, Gujarat, India
| | - Zarna Pathak
- Department of Pharmacology
and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical
Education and Research (NIPER)-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar 382355, Gujarat, India
| | - Hemant Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology
and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical
Education and Research (NIPER)-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar 382355, Gujarat, India
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13
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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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14
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Mousavi SR, Farrokhi MR, Ghaffari MK, Karimi F, Keshavarz S, Dehghanian AR, Naseh M. The combination treatment of methylprednisolone and growth factor-rich serum ameliorates the structural and functional changes after spinal cord injury in rat. Spinal Cord 2024; 62:17-25. [PMID: 38001173 DOI: 10.1038/s41393-023-00942-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Preclinical pharmacology. OBJECTIVES Our study aims to evaluate the combined effect of Methylprednisolone (MP) and growth factor-rich serum (GFRS) on structural and functional recovery in rats following spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups: sham group (laminectomy); SCI group (the spinal cord clip compression model); SCI-MP group (30 mg/kg MP was administrated intraperitoneally (IP) immediately after SCI); SCI-GFRS group (GFRS (200 µl, IP) was administrated for six consecutive days); and SCI-MP + GFRS group (the rats received MP (30 mg/kg, IP) immediately after SCI, and GFRS (200 µl, IP) for six consecutive days). Motor function was assessed weekly using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scale. After 4 weeks, we conducted the rotarod test, then removed and prepared the spinal cords (including the epicenter of injury) for stereological and histological estimation, and biochemical assays. RESULTS The results showed that MP and GFRS combining treatment enhanced functional recovery, which was associated with a decrement in lesion volume, increased spared white and gray matter volume, reduced neuronal loss, as well as decreased necrosis and hemorrhage after SCI. Moreover, administration of MP and GFRS inhibited lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde (MDA) content), and increased antioxidant enzymes including glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) after rat SCI. CONCLUSIONS We suggests that the combination treatment of MP and GFRS may ameliorate the structure and functional changes following SCI by reducing oxidative stress, and increasing the level of antioxidants enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Reza Mousavi
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Majid Reza Farrokhi
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mahdi Khorsand Ghaffari
- Histomorphometry and Stereology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Physiology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Karimi
- Histomorphometry and Stereology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Anatomy Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Somaye Keshavarz
- Histomorphometry and Stereology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Physiology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Maryam Naseh
- Histomorphometry and Stereology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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15
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Zare L, Rezaei S, Esmaeili E, Khajeh K, Javan M. Targeted drug delivery into glial scar using CAQK peptide in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad325. [PMID: 38107502 PMCID: PMC10724044 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In multiple sclerosis, lesions are formed in various areas of the CNS, which are characterized by reactive gliosis, immune cell infiltration, extracellular matrix changes and demyelination. CAQK peptide (peptide sequence: cysteine-alanine-glutamine-lysine) was previously introduced as a targeting peptide for the injured site of the brain. In the present study, we aimed to develop a multifunctional system using nanoparticles coated by CAQK peptide, to target the demyelinated lesions in animal model of multiple sclerosis. We investigated the binding of fluorescein amidite-labelled CAQK and fluorescein amidite-labelled CGGK (as control) on mouse brain sections. Then, the porous silicon nanoparticles were synthesized and coupled with fluorescein amidite-labelled CAQK. Five days after lysolecithin-induced demyelination, male mice were intravenously injected with methylprednisolone-loaded porous silicon nanoparticles conjugated to CAQK or the same amount of free methylprednisolone. Our results showed that fluorescein amidite-labelled CAQK recognizes demyelinated lesions in brain sections of animal brains injected with lysolecithin. In addition, intravenous application of methylprednisolone-loaded nanoparticle porous silicon conjugated to CAQK at a single dose of 0.24 mg reduced the levels of microglial activation and astrocyte reactivation in the lesions of mouse corpus callosum after 24 and 48 h. No significant effect was observed following the injection of the same dose of free methylprednisolone. CAQK seems a potential targeting peptide for delivering drugs or other biologically active chemicals/reagents to the CNS of patients with multiple sclerosis. Low-dose methylprednisolone in this targeted drug delivery system showed significant beneficial effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Zare
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-331, Tehran, Iran
- Institute for Brain and Cognition, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-331, Tehran, Iran
| | - Safoura Rezaei
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-154, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elaheh Esmaeili
- Institute for Brain and Cognition, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-331, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khosro Khajeh
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-154, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-154, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javan
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-331, Tehran, Iran
- Institute for Brain and Cognition, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-331, Tehran, Iran
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T1Z4, British Columbia, Canada
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16
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Zhang Z, Cheng N, Liang J, Deng Y, Xiang P, Hei Z, Li X. Gut microbiota changes in animal models of spinal cord injury: a preclinical systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Med 2023; 55:2269379. [PMID: 37851840 PMCID: PMC10586076 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2269379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An increasing number of studies show that the intestinal flora is closely related to spinal cord injury. Many researchers are exploring the changes in the richness, diversity, and evenness of intestinal flora in spinal cord injury animal models to identify the characteristic bacteria. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted using three databases: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. A meta-analysis was performed using R 4.3.1 to evaluate the comparison of microbiota diversity, richness, and evenness and the relative abundance of intestinal microbiota in animals with spinal cord injury and blank controls. RESULTS Fifteen studies were included in the meta-analysis, of which 12 involved gut microbiota distribution indicators and 11 included intestinal microflora relative abundance indicators. Meta-analysis of high-dimensional indicators describing the distribution of the gut microbiota identified a substantial decline in the evenness and richness of the intestinal flora. In addition, the Actinobacteria phylum and Erysipelotrichales and Clostridiales orders were significantly different between the spinal cord injury and sham groups; therefore, they may be the characteristic bacteria in spinal cord injury models. CONCLUSION Our meta-analysis suggested that the gut microbiota in the spinal cord injury animal model group was altered compared with that in the control group, with varying degrees of changes in richness and evenness and potentially pathogenic characteristic flora. More rigorous methodological studies are needed because of the high heterogeneity and limited sample size. Further research is needed to clinically apply intestinal microbiota and potentially guide fecal microbiota transplantation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenye Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nan Cheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianfen Liang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yifan Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ping Xiang
- Department of Medical Quality Management, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziqing Hei
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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17
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Baltin M, Smirnova V, Khamatnurova R, Sabirova D, Samigullin B, Sachenkov O, Baltina T. Functional State of the Motor Centers of the Lumbar Spine after Contusion (Th8-Th9) with Application of Methylprednisolone-Copolymer at the Site of Injury. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2026. [PMID: 37509665 PMCID: PMC10377350 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11072026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injuries must be treated as soon as possible. Studies of NASCIS protocols have questioned the use of methylprednisolone therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of local delivery of methylprednisolone succinate in combination with a tri-block copolymer in rats with spinal cord injury. The experiments were conducted in accordance with the bioethical guidelines. We evaluated the state of the motor centers below the level of injury by assessing the amplitude of evoked motor responses in the hind limb muscles of rats during epidural stimulation. Kinematic analysis was performed to examine the stepping cycle in each rat. Trajectories of foot movements were plotted to determine the range of limb motion, maximum foot lift height, and lateral deviation of the foot in rats on the 21st day after spinal cord injury. We have shown that the local application of methylprednisolone succinate in combination with block copolymer leads to recovery of center excitability by 21 days after injury. In rats, they recovered weight-supported locomotion, directional control of walking, and balance. The proposed assessment method provides valuable information on gait disturbances following injury and can be utilized to evaluate the quality of therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Baltin
- Research Laboratory "Mechanobiology", Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420015 Kazan, Russia
- Research Institute of Sports Reserve Training Technologies, Volga State University of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism, Universiade Village, 35, 420010 Kazan, Russia
| | - Victoriya Smirnova
- N.I. Lobachevsky Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Regina Khamatnurova
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Faculty, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Diana Sabirova
- N.I. Lobachevsky Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
- Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 76 K. Marx St., 420015 Kazan, Russia
| | - Bulat Samigullin
- Research Laboratory "Mechanobiology", Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420015 Kazan, Russia
- NeuroStart Medical Center, 420049 Kazan, Russia
| | - Oskar Sachenkov
- N.I. Lobachevsky Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
- Department Machines Science and Engineering Graphics, Tupolev Kazan National Research Technical University, 420111 Kazan, Russia
| | - Tatyana Baltina
- Research Laboratory "Mechanobiology", Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420015 Kazan, Russia
- Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 76 K. Marx St., 420015 Kazan, Russia
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18
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Stork L, Haupts M, Kruse N, Spill-Askeridis P, Kutllovci A, Weber MS, Brück W, Metz I. Serum neurofilament light chains in progressive multiple sclerosis patients treated with repeated cycles of high-dose intravenous steroids. FREE NEUROPATHOLOGY 2023; 4:15. [PMID: 37859628 PMCID: PMC10583007 DOI: 10.17879/freeneuropathology-2023-5049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Background and objectives: In progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, CNS inflammation trapped behind a closed blood brain barrier drives continuous neuroaxonal degeneration, thus leading to deterioration of neurological function. Therapeutics in progressive MS are limited. High-dose intravenous glucocorticosteroids (HDCS) can cross the blood-brain barrier and may reduce inflammation within the CNS. However, the treatment efficacy of HDCS in progressive MS remains controversial. Serum neurofilament light chains (sNfL) are an established biomarker of neuroaxonal degeneration and are used to monitor treatment responses. We aimed to investigate whether repeated cycles of intravenous HDCS reduce the level of sNfL in progressive MS patients. Methods: We performed a monocentric observational study of 25 patients recruited during ongoing clinical routine care who were treated with repeated cycles of intravenous HDCS as long-term therapy for their progressive MS. sNfL were measured in 103 repeated blood samples (median time interval from baseline 28 weeks, range 2-55 weeks) with the Single Molecular Array (SiMoA) technology. The Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS) was documented at baseline and follow-up. Results: The median age of patients was 55 years (range 46-77 years) with a median disease duration of 26 years (range 11-42 years). sNfL baseline levels at study inclusion were significantly higher in progressive MS patients compared to age-matched healthy controls (median 16.7 pg/ml vs 11.5 pg/ml, p=0.002). sNfL levels showed a positive correlation with patient age (r=0.2, p=0.003). The majority of patients (72%, 16/23) showed reduced sNfL levels ≥20 weeks after HDCS compared to baseline (median 13.3 pg/ml, p=0.03). sNfL levels correlated negatively with the time interval from baseline HDCS therapy (r=-0.2, p=0.03). This association was also evident after correction for treatment with disease-modifying drugs (adjusted R2=0.10, p=0.001). The EDSS remained stable (median 6.5) within a median treatment duration of 26 weeks (range 13-51 weeks). Conclusion: Although larger studies are needed to confirm our findings, we were able to demonstrate that HDCS treatment reduces sNfL levels and therefore may slow down neuroaxonal damage in a subgroup of patients with progressive MS. Moreover, a stable EDSS was observed during therapy. Findings suggest that HDCS may be beneficial for the treatment of progressive MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Stork
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michael Haupts
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Niels Kruse
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Adriane Kutllovci
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
| | - Martin S. Weber
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Translational Neuroinflammation and Automated Microscopy, Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Brück
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
| | - Imke Metz
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
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19
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Jin Y, Song Y, Lin J, Liu T, Li G, Lai B, Gu Y, Chen G, Xing L. Role of inflammation in neurological damage and regeneration following spinal cord injury and its therapeutic implications. BURNS & TRAUMA 2023; 11:tkac054. [PMID: 36873284 PMCID: PMC9976751 DOI: 10.1093/burnst/tkac054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is an incurable trauma that frequently results in partial or complete loss of motor and sensory function. Massive neurons are damaged after the initial mechanical insult. Secondary injuries, which are triggered by immunological and inflammatory responses, also result in neuronal loss and axon retraction. This results in defects in the neural circuit and a deficiency in the processing of information. Although inflammatory responses are necessary for spinal cord recovery, conflicting evidence of their contributions to specific biological processes have made it difficult to define the specific role of inflammation in SCI. This review summarizes our understanding of the complex role of inflammation in neural circuit events following SCI, such as cell death, axon regeneration and neural remodeling. We also review the drugs that regulate immune responses and inflammation in the treatment of SCI and discuss the roles of these drugs in the modulation of neural circuits. Finally, we provide evidence about the critical role of inflammation in facilitating spinal cord neural circuit regeneration in zebrafish, an animal model with robust regenerative capacity, to provide insights into the regeneration of the mammalian central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Jin
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products,Nantong University, Nantong 226006, China.,School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
| | - Yixing Song
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products,Nantong University, Nantong 226006, China
| | - Jiaqi Lin
- School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226006, China
| | - Tianqing Liu
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Guicai Li
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products,Nantong University, Nantong 226006, China
| | - Biqin Lai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510275, China.,Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226006, China
| | - Yun Gu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products,Nantong University, Nantong 226006, China
| | - Gang Chen
- School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226006, China
| | - Lingyan Xing
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products,Nantong University, Nantong 226006, China
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20
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Harmon JS, Khaing ZZ, Hyde JE, Hofstetter CP, Tremblay-Darveau C, Bruce MF. Quantitative tissue perfusion imaging using nonlinear ultrasound localization microscopy. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21943. [PMID: 36536012 PMCID: PMC9763240 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24986-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) is a recent advancement in ultrasound imaging that uses microbubble contrast agents to yield vascular images that break the classical diffraction limit on spatial resolution. Current approaches cannot image blood flow at the tissue perfusion level since they rely solely on differences in velocity to separate tissue and microbubble signals; lower velocity microbubble echoes are removed during high pass wall filtering. To visualize blood flow in the entire vascular tree, we have developed nonlinear ULM, which combines nonlinear pulsing sequences with plane-wave imaging to segment microbubble signals independent of their velocity. Bubble localization and inter-frame tracking produces super-resolved images and, with parameters derived from the bubble tracks, a rich quantitative feature set that can describe the relative quality of microcirculatory flow. Using the rat spinal cord as a model system, we showed that nonlinear ULM better resolves some smaller branching vasculature compared to conventional ULM. Following contusion injury, both gold-standard histological techniques and nonlinear ULM depicted reduced in-plane vessel length between the penumbra and contralateral gray matter (-16.7% vs. -20.5%, respectively). Here, we demonstrate that nonlinear ULM uniquely enables investigation and potential quantification of tissue perfusion, arguably the most important component of blood flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonah S. Harmon
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105 USA
| | - Zin Z. Khaing
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105 USA
| | - Jeffrey E. Hyde
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105 USA
| | - Christoph P. Hofstetter
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105 USA
| | | | - Matthew F. Bruce
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105 USA
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21
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Zhang W, Ye F, Xiong J, He F, Yang L, Yin F, Peng J, Wang X. Silencing of miR-132-3p protects against neuronal injury following status epilepticus by inhibiting IL-1β-induced reactive astrocyte (A1) polarization. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22554. [PMID: 36111973 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200110rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is one of the most common refractory epilepsies and is usually accompanied by a range of brain pathological changes, such as neuronal injury and astrocytosis. Naïve astrocytes are readily converted to cytotoxic reactive astrocytes (A1) in response to inflammatory stimulation, suppressing the polarization of A1 protects against neuronal death in early central nervous system injury. Our previous study found that pro-inflammatory cytokines and miR-132-3p (hereinafter referred to as "miR-132") expression were upregulated, but how miR-132 affected reactive astrocyte polarization and neuronal damage during epilepsy is not fully understood. Here, we aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of miR-132 on A1 polarization. Our results confirmed that A1 markers were significantly elevated in the hippocampus of MTLE rats and IL-1β-treated primary astrocytes. In vivo, knockdown of miR-132 by lateral ventricular injection reduced A1 astrocytes, neuronal loss, mossy fiber sprouting, and remitted the severity of status epilepticus and the recurrence of spontaneous recurrent seizures. In vitro, the neuronal cell viability and axon length were reduced by additional treatment with A1 astrocyte conditioned media (ACM), and downregulation of astrocyte miR-132 rescued the inhibition of cell activity by A1 ACM, while the length of axons was further inhibited. The regulation of miR-132 on A1 astrocytes may be related to its target gene expression. Our results show that interfering with astrocyte polarization may be a breakthrough in the treatment of refractory epilepsy, which may extend to the research of other astrocyte polarization-mediated brain injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Fanghua Ye
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Juan Xiong
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Fang He
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Pediatrics, Changsha, China
| | - Fei Yin
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Pediatrics, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Peng
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Pediatrics, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaole Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Pediatrics, Changsha, China
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22
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Liu S, Tian H, Niu Y, Yu C, Xie L, Jin Z, Niu W, Ren J, Fu L, Yao Z. Combined cell grafting and VPA administration facilitates neural repair through axonal regeneration and synaptogenesis in traumatic brain injury. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2022; 54:1289-1300. [PMID: 36148950 PMCID: PMC9828309 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2022123] [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] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal regeneration and functional recovery are severely compromised following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Treatment options, including cell transplantation and drug therapy, have been shown to benefit TBI, although the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, neural stem cells (NSCs) are transplanted into TBI-challenged mice, together with olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) or followed by valproic acid (VPA) treatment. Both OEC grafting and VPA treatment facilitate the differentiation of NSCs into neurons (including endogenous and exogenous neurons) and significantly attenuate neurological functional defects in TBI mice. Combination of NSCs with OECs or VPA administration leads to overt improvement in axonal regeneration, synaptogenesis, and synaptic plasticity in the cerebral cortex in TBI-challenged mice, as shown by retrograde corticospinal tract tracing, electron microscopy, growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43), and synaptophysin (SYN) analyses. However, these beneficial effects of VPA are reversed by local delivery of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) into tissues surrounding the injury epicenter in the cerebral cortex, accompanied by a pronounced drop in axons and synapses in the brain. Our findings reveal that increased axonal regeneration and synaptogenesis evoked by cell grafting and VPA fosters neural repair in a murine model of TBI. Moreover, VPA-induced neuroprotective roles are antagonized by exogenous NMDA administration and its concomitant decrease in the number of neurons of local brain, indicating that increased neurons induced by VPA treatment mediate axonal regeneration and synaptogenesis in mice after TBI operation. Collectively, this study provides new insights into NSC transplantation therapy for TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujuan Liu
- Department of Anatomy and EmbryologySchool of Basic Medical ScienceTianjin Medical UniversityTianjin300070China
| | - Haili Tian
- School of KinesiologyShanghai University of SportShanghai200438China
| | - Yanmei Niu
- Department of RehabilitationSchool of Medical TechnologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjin300070China
| | - Chunxia Yu
- Department of Physiology and PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medical ScienceTianjin Medical UniversityTianjin300070China
| | - Lingjian Xie
- Department of Physiology and PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medical ScienceTianjin Medical UniversityTianjin300070China
| | - Zhe Jin
- Tianjin Yaohua Binhai SchoolTianjin300000China
| | - Wenyan Niu
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education)Department of ImmunologySchool of Basic Medical ScienceTianjin Medical UniversityTianjin300070China
| | - Jun Ren
- Department of CardiologyZhongshan Hospital Fudan UniversityShanghai Institute of Cardiovascular DiseasesShanghai200032China,Department of Laboratory Medicine and PathologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWA98195USA,Correspondence address. Tel: +86-22-83336819; (Z.Y.) / Tel: +86-22-83336107; (L.F.) / Tel: +86-21-64041990; (J.R.) @
| | - Li Fu
- Department of RehabilitationSchool of Medical TechnologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjin300070China,Department of Physiology and PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medical ScienceTianjin Medical UniversityTianjin300070China,Correspondence address. Tel: +86-22-83336819; (Z.Y.) / Tel: +86-22-83336107; (L.F.) / Tel: +86-21-64041990; (J.R.) @
| | - Zhi Yao
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education)Department of ImmunologySchool of Basic Medical ScienceTianjin Medical UniversityTianjin300070China,Correspondence address. Tel: +86-22-83336819; (Z.Y.) / Tel: +86-22-83336107; (L.F.) / Tel: +86-21-64041990; (J.R.) @
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23
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Tang B, Han J, Wang F, Li X, Zhao C. GR-α and GR-β mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of acute myelitis patients can assist in the identification of glucocorticoid sensitivity and are correlated with glucocorticoid therapeutic effect. Ann Hum Genet 2022; 86:268-277. [PMID: 35730764 DOI: 10.1111/ahg.12472] [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: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Acute myelitis (AM) is a rare neuro-immune spinal cord disease. This study sought to explore the transcription level of glucocorticoid (GC) receptors α and β (GR-α/GR-β) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and their correlation with GC efficacy and sensitivity in AM patients. AM patients were grouped into the GC-sensitive group (N = 80) and GC-refractory group (N = 67). The GR-α and GR-β mRNA levels in PBMCs were detected. The differentiating value of GR-α, GR-β, and GR-α + GR-β on GC sensitivity and resistance in AM patients was assessed. The independent correlation between GR-α and GR-β mRNA levels and GC sensitivity in AM patients,t and the correlation between GR-α and GR-β mRNA levels and spinal function after GC treatment were analyzed. GR-α mRNA level in PBMCs of GC-refractory patients was lower than that of GC-sensitive patients, while GR-β mRNA level was higher than that of GC-sensitive patients. GR-α + GR-β mRNA had a high diagnostic value for GC sensitivity and resistance in AM patients (area under the ROC curve = 0.881, sensitivity = 79.1%, specificity = 85.0%). GR-α and GR-β mRNA levels were independently correlated with GC sensitivity. GR-α and GR-β mRNA levels were correlated with the spinal function of AM patients after GC treatment. Overall, GR-α and GR-β mRNA levels in PBMCs of AM patients can assist in the identification of GC sensitivity and are correlated with GC efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolin Tang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
| | - Jun Han
- Department of Neurology, Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
| | - Fen Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
| | - Chaoyang Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
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24
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Intranasal Methylprednisolone Ameliorates Neuroinflammation Induced by Chronic Toluene Exposure. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14061195. [PMID: 35745768 PMCID: PMC9230943 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14061195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhalants are chemical substances that induce intoxication, and toluene is the main component of them. Increasing evidence indicates that a dependence on inhalants involves a state of chronic stress associated to the activation of immune cells in the central nervous system and release of proinflammatory mediators, especially in some brain areas such as the nucleus accumbens and frontal cortex, where the circuits of pleasure and reward are. In this study, anti-neuroinflammatory treatment based on a single dose of intranasal methylprednisolone was assessed in a murine model of chronic toluene exposure. The levels of proinflammatory mediators, expression levels of Iba-1 and GFAP, and histological changes in the frontal cortex and nucleus accumbens were evaluated after the treatment. The chronic exposure to toluene significantly increased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and NO, the expression of GFAP, and induced histological alterations in mouse brains. The treatment with intranasally administered MP significantly reduced the expression of TNF-α and NO and the expression of GFAP (p < 0.05); additionally, it reversed the central histological damage. These results indicate that intranasally administered methylprednisolone could be considered as a treatment to reverse neuroinflammation and histological damages associated with the use of inhalants.
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25
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Wang H, Xia Y, Li B, Li Y, Fu C. Reverse Adverse Immune Microenvironments by Biomaterials Enhance the Repair of Spinal Cord Injury. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:812340. [PMID: 35646849 PMCID: PMC9136098 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.812340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe and traumatic disorder that ultimately results in the loss of motor, sensory, and autonomic nervous function. After SCI, local immune inflammatory response persists and does not weaken or disappear. The interference of local adverse immune factors after SCI brings great challenges to the repair of SCI. Among them, microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes, astrocytes, and the release of various cytokines, as well as the destruction of the extracellular matrix are mainly involved in the imbalance of the immune microenvironment. Studies have shown that immune remodeling after SCI significantly affects the survival and differentiation of stem cells after transplantation and the prognosis of SCI. Recently, immunological reconstruction strategies based on biomaterials have been widely explored and achieved good results. In this review, we discuss the important factors leading to immune dysfunction after SCI, such as immune cells, cytokines, and the destruction of the extracellular matrix. Additionally, the immunomodulatory strategies based on biomaterials are summarized, and the clinical application prospects of these immune reconstructs are evaluated.
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26
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Pang QM, Chen SY, Xu QJ, Zhang M, Liang DF, Fu SP, Yu J, Liu ZL, Zhang Q, Zhang T. Effects of astrocytes and microglia on neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury and related immunomodulatory strategies. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 108:108754. [PMID: 35397392 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic event which is still without adequate therapies. Neuroinflammation is the main pathogenesis of secondary damage post-SCI, leading to tissue loss and neurological dysfunction. Previous studies have shown that microglia and astrocytes are the major immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS) and play a crucial role in modulating neuroinflammatory responses. In this study, we mainly review the effects of neuroinflammation in SCI, focusing on the contributions of microglia and astrocytes and their cross-talk. Furthermore, we will also discuss therapeutic strategies on how to regulate their immunophenotype to suppress robust inflammation and facilitate injury prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Ming Pang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China; Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Si-Yu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Qi-Jing Xu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Da-Fei Liang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Sheng-Ping Fu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China; Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Jiang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Zu-Lin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China.
| | - Tao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China; Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China.
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27
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Microglia Polarization from M1 toward M2 Phenotype Is Promoted by Astragalus Polysaccharides Mediated through Inhibition of miR-155 in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2021:5753452. [PMID: 34976303 PMCID: PMC8720009 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5753452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Activated microglia is considered to be major mediators of the neuroinflammatory environment in demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). Activated microglia are mainly polarized into M1 type, which plays a role in promoting inflammation and demyelinating. However, the proportion of microglia polarized into M2 type is relatively low, which cannot fully play the role of anti-inflammatory and resistance to demyelinating. Our previous study found that Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) has an immunomodulatory effect and can inhibit neuroinflammation and demyelination in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), which is a classic animal model of CNS demyelinating disease. In this study, we found that APS was effective in treating EAE mice. It restored microglia balance by inhibiting the polarization of microglia to M1-like phenotype and promoting the polarization of microglia to M2-like phenotype in vivo and in vitro. miR-155 is a key factor in regulating microglia polarization. We found that APS could inhibit the expression level of miR-155 in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we performed transfection overexpression and blocking experiments. The results showed that miR-155 mediated the polarization of microglia M1/M2 phenotype, while the selective inhibitor of miR-155 attenuated the inhibition of APS on microglia M1 phenotype and eliminated the promotion of APS on microglia M2 phenotype. Microglia can secrete IL-1α, TNF-α, and C1q after polarizing into M1 type and induce the activation of A1 neurotoxic astrocytes, further aggravating neuroinflammation and demyelination. APS reduced the secretion of IL-1α, TNF-α, and C1q by activated microglia, thus inhibited the formation of A1 neurotoxic astrocytes. In summary, our study suggests that APS regulates the polarization of microglia from M1 to M2 phenotype by inhibiting the miR-155, reduces the secretion of inflammatory factors, and inhibits the activation of neurotoxic astrocytes, thus effectively treating EAE.
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28
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Pang QM, Chen SY, Fu SP, Zhou H, Zhang Q, Ao J, Luo XP, Zhang T. Regulatory Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Secondary Inflammation in Spinal Cord Injury. J Inflamm Res 2022; 15:573-593. [PMID: 35115806 PMCID: PMC8802142 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s349572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Ming Pang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province and Regenerative Medicine Centre, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Si-Yu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province and Regenerative Medicine Centre, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sheng-Ping Fu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province and Regenerative Medicine Centre, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hui Zhou
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun Ao
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Ping Luo
- Key Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province and Regenerative Medicine Centre, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province and Regenerative Medicine Centre, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Tao Zhang; Qian Zhang, Email ;
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29
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Wang X, Zhang Z, Zhu Z, Liang Z, Zuo X, Ju C, Song Z, Li X, Hu X, Wang Z. Photobiomodulation Promotes Repair Following Spinal Cord Injury by Regulating the Transformation of A1/A2 Reactive Astrocytes. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:768262. [PMID: 34795557 PMCID: PMC8593167 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.768262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
After spinal cord injury (SCI), reactive astrocytes can be classified into two distinctive phenotypes according to their different functions: neurotoxic (A1) astrocytes and neuroprotective (A2) astrocytes. Our previous studies proved that photobiomodulation (PBM) can promote motor function recovery and improve tissue repair after SCI, but little is known about the underlying mechanism. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether PBM contributes to repair after SCI by regulating the activation of astrocytes. Male rats subjected to clip-compression SCI were treated with PBM for two consecutive weeks, and the results showed that recovery of motor function was improved, the lesion cavity size was reduced, and the number of neurons retained was increased. We determined the time course of A1/A2 astrocyte activation after SCI by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and verified that PBM inhibited A1 astrocyte activation and promoted A2 astrocyte activation at 7 days postinjury (dpi) and 14 dpi. Subsequently, potential signaling pathways related to A1/A2 astrocyte activation were identified by GO function analysis and KEGG pathway analysis and then studied in animal experiments and preliminarily analyzed in cultured astrocytes. Next, we observed that the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) was upregulated by PBM and that both factors contributed to the transformation of A1/A2 astrocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, we found that PBM reduced the neurotoxicity of A1 astrocytes to dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. In conclusion, PBM can promote better recovery after SCI, which may be related to the transformation of A1/A2 reactive astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuankang Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhihao Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhijie Zhu
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhuowen Liang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaoshuang Zuo
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Cheng Ju
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhiwen Song
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Hospital of People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force, Dalian, China
| | - Xueyu Hu
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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