Dabigatran Suppresses PAR-1/SphK/S1P Activation of Astrocytes in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model

Role of Thrombosis in Neurodegenerative Diseases: An Intricate Mechanism of Neurovascular Complications

Thrombosis, the formation of blood clots in arteries or veins, poses a significant health risk by disrupting the blood flow. It can potentially lead to major cardiovascular complications such as acute myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke (arterial thrombosis) and deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (venous thrombosis). Nevertheless, over the course of several decades, researchers have observed an association between different cardiovascular events and neurodegenerative diseases, which progressively harm and impair parts of the nervous system, particularly the brain. Furthermore, thrombotic complications have been identified in numerous clinical instances of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington's disease. Substantial research indicates that endothelial dysfunction, vascular inflammation, coagulation abnormalities, and platelet hyperactivation are commonly observed in these conditions, collectively contributing to an increased risk of thrombosis. Thrombosis can, in turn, contribute to the onset, pathogenesis, and severity of these neurological disorders. Hence, this concise review comprehensively explores the correlation between cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative diseases, elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms of thrombosis in these neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, a detailed discussion is provided on the commonly employed antithrombotic medications in the context of these neuronal diseases.

Dabigatran Combined With Benztropine Ameliorates Cobalt Chloride-Induced Parkinsonism in Rats, Restores Protease-Activated Receptor 1 (PAR1), and Mitigates Oxidative Stress

BACKGROUND

The presumed implication of thromboembolic and oxidative stress pathways in parkinsonism guided the current research toward the exploration of the anticoagulant dabigatran etexilate (DE) as a thrombin inhibitor in the cobalt chloride (CoCl2)-induced parkinsonism (CIP) model, a model of significance to industrial toxins-related health issues.

METHODS

Oral CoCl2 (12.5 mg/kg) was administered daily for 60 days, with the introduction of benztropine mesylate (BM) (10 mg/kg) and/or DE (3 mg/kg) on day 31. Rearing, postural instability, and pasta handling were evaluated, followed by histopathologic examination of the substantia nigra (SN) and striatum (STR). The expressions of brain dopamine receptor 2 (D2 ), adenosine receptor 1 (A1) and 2A (A2A), and protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1), as well as the brain levels of dopamine (DA), endothelin 1 (ET1), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH), were assessed.

RESULTS

BM+DE restored the number of rears to the control level, compared to being reduced in the CIP model. BM+DE restored the first, second, third, and average displacement distances to the control level, compared to being reduced in the CIP model. BM+DE was superior to either BM or DE in restoring the time to finish eating pasta and the number of adjustments of forepaws while eating to control levels after being affected in the CIP model. BM+DE restored DA to the control level and was superior to DE in restoring D2  to the control level. BM+DE was superior to BM in restoring A1 and A2A , increasing A1/A2A beyond the control level. BM+DE was superior to BM in restoring PAR1 and ET1 to control levels. BM+DE was superior to BM in restoring MDA to the control level and was superior to both BM and DE in increasing GSH beyond the control level. BM+DE exhibited the highest percentage of preserved neurons in SN, which was negatively correlated with MDA.

CONCLUSION

BM+DE offers a therapeutic potential for parkinsonism triggered by chronic exposure to CoCl2. The implication of thrombin-related factors and oxidative stress in the modulation of the dopaminergic-adenosinergic crosstalk is plausible.

Platelet signaling in immune landscape: comprehensive mechanism and clinical therapy

Platelets are essential for blood clotting and maintaining normal hemostasis. In pathological conditions, platelets are increasingly recognized as crucial regulatory factors in various immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Resting platelets are induced by various factors such as immune complexes through Fc receptors, platelet-targeting autoantibodies and other platelet-activating stimuli. Platelet activation in immunological processes involves the release of immune activation stimuli, antigen presentation and interaction with immune cells. Platelets participate in both the innate immune system (neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs) and Natural Killer (NK) cells and the adaptive immune system (T and B cells). Clinical therapeutic strategies include targeting platelet activation, platelet-immune cell interaction and platelet-endothelial cell interaction, which display positive development prospects. Understanding the mechanisms of platelets in immunity is important, and developing targeted modulations of these mechanisms will pave the way for promising therapeutic strategies.

Beyond Anticoagulation: A Comprehensive Review of Non-Vitamin K Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs) in Inflammation and Protease-Activated Receptor Signaling

Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have revolutionized anticoagulant therapy, offering improved safety and efficacy over traditional agents like warfarin. This review comprehensively examines the dual roles of NOACs-apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, and dabigatran-not only as anticoagulants, but also as modulators of inflammation via protease-activated receptor (PAR) signaling. We highlight the unique pharmacotherapeutic properties of each NOAC, supported by key clinical trials demonstrating their effectiveness in preventing thromboembolic events. Beyond their established anticoagulant roles, emerging research suggests that NOACs influence inflammation through PAR signaling pathways, implicating factors such as factor Xa (FXa) and thrombin in the modulation of inflammatory responses. This review synthesizes current evidence on the anti-inflammatory potential of NOACs, exploring their impact on inflammatory markers and conditions like atherosclerosis and diabetes. By delineating the mechanisms by which NOACs mediate anti-inflammatory effects, this work aims to expand their therapeutic utility, offering new perspectives for managing inflammatory diseases. Our findings underscore the broader clinical implications of NOACs, advocating for their consideration in therapeutic strategies aimed at addressing inflammation-related pathologies. This comprehensive synthesis not only enhances understanding of NOACs' multifaceted roles, but also paves the way for future research and clinical applications in inflammation and cardiovascular health.

Antiplatelet drugs: Potential therapeutic options for the management of neurodegenerative diseases

The blood platelet plays an important role but often remains under-recognized in several vascular complications and associated diseases. Surprisingly, platelet hyperactivity and hyperaggregability have often been considered the critical risk factors for developing vascular dysfunctions in several neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and multiple sclerosis. In addition, platelet structural and functional impairments promote prothrombotic and proinflammatory environment that can aggravate the progression of several NDDs. These findings provide the rationale for using antiplatelet agents not only to prevent morbidity but also to reduce mortality caused by NDDs. Therefore, we thoroughly review the evidence supporting the potential pleiotropic effects of several novel classes of synthetic antiplatelet drugs, that is, cyclooxygenase inhibitors, adenosine diphosphate receptor antagonists, protease-activated receptor blockers, and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors in NDDs. Apart from this, the review also emphasizes the recent developments of selected natural antiplatelet phytochemicals belonging to key classes of plant-based bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, and flavonoids as potential therapeutic candidates in NDDs. We believe that the broad analysis of contemporary strategies and specific approaches for plausible therapeutic treatment for NDDs presented in this review could be helpful for further successful research in this area.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound ameliorates glia-mediated inflammation and neuronal damage in experimental intracerebral hemorrhage conditions

BACKGROUND

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a condition associated with high morbidity and mortality, and glia-mediated inflammation is a major contributor to neurological deficits. However, there is currently no proven effective treatment for clinical ICH. Recently, low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), a non-invasive method, has shown potential for neuroprotection in neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects and potential mechanisms of LIPUS on glia-mediated inflammation in ICH.

METHODS

This study used 289 mice to investigate the effects of LIPUS on ICH. ICH was induced by injecting bacterial collagenase (type VII-S; 0.0375 U) into the striatum of the mice. LIPUS was applied noninvasively for 3 days, including a 2-h-delayed intervention to mimic clinical usage. The study evaluated neurological function, histology, brain water content, hemoglobin content, MRI, and protein expression of neurotrophic factors, inflammatory molecules, and apoptosis. In vitro studies investigated glia-mediated inflammation by adding thrombin (10 U/mL) or conditioned media to primary and cell line cultures. The PI3K inhibitor LY294002 was used to confirm the effects of PI3K/Akt signaling after LIPUS treatment.

RESULTS

LIPUS treatment improved neurological deficits and reduced tissue loss, edema, and neurodegeneration after ICH. The protective effects of LIPUS resulted from decreased glia-mediated inflammation by inhibiting PI3K/Akt-NF-κB signaling, which reduced cytokine expression and attenuated microglial activation-induced neuronal damage in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

LIPUS treatment improved neurological outcomes and reduced glia-mediated inflammation by inhibiting PI3K/Akt-NF-κB signaling after ICH. LIPUS may provide a non-invasive potential management strategy for ICH.

Interferon-γ Stimulates Interleukin-27 Derived from Dendritic Cells to Regulate Th9 Differentiation through STAT1/3 Pathway

The initiation and progression of allergic asthma (AA) are associated with complex interactions between inflammation and immune response. Herein, we report the specific mechanisms underlying the molecular action of interferon (IFN)-γ in AA regulation. We speculated that IFN-γ inhibits Th9 differentiation by regulating the secretion of interleukin (IL)-27 from dendritic cells (DCs), thereby suppressing airway inflammation in asthma. We constructed a mouse model of ovalbumin-induced AA and overexpressed IFN-γ to evaluate the effect on the IL-27/Th9 axis via the in vitro effect of IFN-γ on IL-27 secretion by DCs and their influence on Th9 differentiation and asthmatic inflammation. IFN-γ overexpression reduced the proportion of Th9 cells and DCs and altered lung morphology and cytokine production in AA-induced mice, thus suppressing the AA phenotype. In addition, exogenous IFN-γ stimulation promoted the secretion of IL-27 and suppressed Th9 differentiation of CD4+ T cells via signal transducer and activator of transcription 1/3 (STAT1/3) signaling in a time-dependent manner. This study aimed to clarify the regulatory effect and mechanism of the IFN-γ/DCs/IL-27/Th9 axis on AA and provide novel insights for effective targeted treatment of asthma.

Thinking outside the box: non-canonical targets in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system that causes demyelination, axonal degeneration and astrogliosis, resulting in progressive neurological disability. Fuelled by an evolving understanding of MS immunopathogenesis, the range of available immunotherapies for clinical use has expanded over the past two decades. However, MS remains an incurable disease and even targeted immunotherapies often fail to control insidious disease progression, indicating the need for new and exceptional therapeutic options beyond the established immunological landscape. In this Review, we highlight such non-canonical targets in preclinical MS research with a focus on five highly promising areas: oligodendrocytes; the blood-brain barrier; metabolites and cellular metabolism; the coagulation system; and tolerance induction. Recent findings in these areas may guide the field towards novel targets for future therapeutic approaches in MS.

lncENST Suppress the Warburg Effect Regulating the Tumor Progress by the Nkx2-5/ErbB2 Axis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The therapeutic efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) against liver cancer is often limited by proliferation and metastasis of residual tumor cells. These phenomena are closely associated with the Warburg effect, wherein ErbB2 is activated. While RFA inhibits the Warburg effect of residual tumor cells at the early stage, the specific mechanisms remain unclear. We explored the regulatory relationship between the long noncoding RNA ENST00000570843.1 (lncENST) and ErbB2 using lentiviral transfection of lncENST and ErbB2 overexpression/interference vectors in in vitro and in vivo models of hepatocellular carcinoma in the presence of sublethal heat at 50°C. ErbB2-mediated Warburg effect was suppressed by lncENST, as manifested by reduced glucose uptake and lactic acid production in SMMC-7721 cells. lncENST also increased tumor apoptosis and inhibited tumor progression in nude Balb/c mice for up to 28 days after RFA. Additionally, we predicted through bioinformatic analysis that the promoter of ErbB2 binds to the transcription factor Nkx2-5, resulting in a negative regulatory effect. This speculation was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation of the Nkx2-5 protein and ErbB2, indicating that ErbB2 transcription was curbed by Nkx2-5. We propose that lncENST downplays the Warburg effect in residual tumor cells by downregulating ErbB2 via Nkx2-5 activation. This study is aimed at providing molecular targets that can prevent residual tumor cell proliferation after RFA, with clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.

Potent Natural Antioxidant Carveol Attenuates MCAO-Stress Induced Oxidative, Neurodegeneration by Regulating the Nrf-2 Pathway

Ischemic stroke is a severe neurological disorder with a high prevalence rate in developed countries. It is characterized by permanent or transient cerebral ischemia and it activates syndrome of pathological events such as membrane depolarization, glutamate excitotoxicity, and intracellular calcium buildup. Carveol is widely employed as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant in traditional Chinese medicine. In the present study, the neuroprotective effects of post-treated carveol were demonstrated against transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) induced focal ischemic cerebral injury. Male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were subjected to two different experimental protocols to determine the dose and effects of carveol, and to demonstrate the underlying role of the nuclear factor E2-related factor (Nrf2) pathway. Our results showed that MCAO induced marked neuronal injury in the ipsilateral cortex and striatum associated with higher inflammatory cytokines expression, along with apoptotic markers such as caspase-3 and the phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Furthermore, MCAO induced a marked increase in oxidative stress as evidenced by high lipid peroxidase (LPO) content accompanied by the depressed antioxidant system. Carveol significantly reversed the oxidative stress and downregulated inflammatory cascades by enhancing endogenous antioxidant mechanisms including the Nrf2 gene, which critically regulates the expression of several downstream antioxidants. Further, to determine the possible involvement of Nrf2 in carveol mediated neuroprotection, we antagonized Nrf2 by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), and such treatment abrogated the protective effects of carveol accompanied with exaggerated neuronal toxicity as demonstrated by higher infarction area. The target effects of carveol were further supported by molecular docking analysis of drug-protein interactions. Together, our findings suggest that carveol could activate endogenous master anti-oxidant Nrf2, which further regulates the expression of downstream antioxidants, eventually ameliorating MCAO-induced neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.