SIRT1-Dependent Upregulation of BDNF in Human Microglia Challenged with Aβ: An Early but Transient Response Rescued by Melatonin

In silico and In vivo protective effect of biochanin-A mitigating doxorubicin- induced cognitive deficits and neuroinflammation: Insights to the role of p-Tau and miR-132

Doxorubicin (DOX)-induced chemobrain has been reported in several studies. Its main culprit is the induction of massive amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS), hence triggering damage to brain tissues and thus leading to neuroinflammation. Biochanin A (BIO-A) is known to be an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective agent. An in silico study was designed to examine the potential neuroprotective effect of BIO-A. An in vivo study was used to evaluate the modulatory effect of BIO-A on cognitive impairment engendered by DOX. The insilico investigation proved the putative neuroprotective effect of BIO-A. In the in vivo study, BIO-A treatment counteracted DOX-induced memory deficits, as evidenced by improved spatial memory in rats compared to the DOX-only group. BIO-A also reversed DOX-triggered hippocampal neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, supported by a significant decrease in tissue contents of NF-κB (p65) by 32 % and NLRP3 by 36 % versus the DOX-only group. BIO-A also abrogated DOX-induced neurodegneration, as evidenced by increasing SIRT1 content by 2-fold and BDNF content by 2-fold versus the DOX-only group in hippocampal tissues. In addition, BIO-A ameliorated DOX-augmented apoptosis in the hippocampus, as evidenced by lowering caspase-3 content in the hippocampus by 26 % versus the DOX-only group. Regarding tauopathy, BIO-A reversed DOX-increased tauopathy by 35 % versus the DOX-only group. The neuroprotectant miR-132 was increased by BIO-A in hippocampal tissues by 4-fold, contrary to the DOX-only group. Thus, BIO-A treatment modulated DOX-induced behavioral, histological, and molecular changes in the hippocampi of rats. Further studies are recommended to evaluate BIO-A in early clinical trials for the purpose of protection against chemobrain in cancer patients.

The Role of SIRT1-BDNF Signaling Pathway in Fluoride-Induced Toxicity for Glial BV-2 Cells

Chronic fluorosis is often accompanied by neurological symptoms, leading to attention, memory and learning ability decline and causing tension, anxiety, depression, and other mental symptoms. In the present study, we analyzed the molecular mechanisms of SIRT1-BDNF regulation of PI3K-AKT, MAPK, and FOXO1A in F-treated BV2 cells. The cytotoxic effect of sodium fluoride (NaF) on BV2 cells was assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), crystal violet, and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining. Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were evaluated through flow cytometry and western blotting. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers were measured by ROS staining, microplate reader assays, and western blotting. The role of SIRT1 in fluoride-induced toxicity for glial cells was determined using the SIRT1 activator SRT1720. The experiments demonstrated that NaF was toxic to BV2 cells, inhibited their proliferative ability, halted their cell cycle progression, triggered cellular apoptosis, promoted cellular oxidative stress (detected by ROS, SOD, MDA, GSH-Px, T-AOC) and associated protein NQO-1 and HO-1, and elevated inflammatory mediator associated protein IL-1and IL-6 expression). The fluoride-exposed groups had reduced SIRT1, BDNF, TrkB, PI3K, AKT, and MAPK protein expression levels, and increased FOXO1A protein expression. SRT1720 mitigated the harmful effects of NaF, stimulated cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, decreased apoptosis, reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory factors, elevated SIRT1, BDNF, TrkB, PI3K, AKT, and MAPK protein levels, and suppressed FOXO1A protein expression. The results indicate that NaF potentially harms glial cells by suppressing SIRT1 activation, and SIRT1 significantly mitigated the damage. Furthermore, the SIRT1 signaling pathway might regulate the nerve damage caused by fluoride poisoning and may be a protective factor in treating fluoride-induced brain injury.

Age and duration of obesity modulate the inflammatory response and expression of neuroprotective factors in mammalian female brain

Obesity has become a global epidemic and is associated with comorbidities, including diabetes, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases, among others. While appreciable insight has been gained into the mechanisms of obesity-associated comorbidities, effects of age, and duration of obesity on the female brain remain obscure. To address this gap, adolescent and mature adult female mice were subjected to a high-fat diet (HFD) for 13 or 26 weeks, whereas age-matched controls were fed a standard diet. Subsequently, the expression of inflammatory cytokines, neurotrophic/neuroprotective factors, and markers of microgliosis and astrogliosis were analyzed in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex, along with inflammation in visceral adipose tissue. HFD led to a typical obese phenotype in all groups independent of age and duration of HFD. However, the intermediate duration of obesity induced a limited inflammatory response in adolescent females' hypothalamus while the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and visceral adipose tissue remained unaffected. In contrast, the prolonged duration of obesity resulted in inflammation in all three brain regions and visceral adipose tissue along with upregulation of microgliosis/astrogliosis and suppression of neurotrophic/neuroprotective factors in all brain regions, denoting the duration of obesity as a critical risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. Importantly, when female mice were older (i.e., mature adult), even the intermediate duration of obesity induced similar adverse effects in all brain regions. Taken together, our findings suggest that (1) both age and duration of obesity have a significant impact on obesity-associated comorbidities and (2) early interventions to end obesity are critical to preserving brain health.

Protective Activity of Melatonin Combinations and Melatonin-Based Hybrid Molecules in Neurodegenerative Diseases

The identification of protective agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases is the mainstay therapeutic goal to modify the disease course and arrest the irreversible disability progression. Pharmacological therapies synergistically targeting multiple pathogenic pathways, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation, are prime candidates for neuroprotection. Combination or synergistic therapy with melatonin, whose decline correlates with altered sleep/wake cycle and impaired glymphatic "waste clearance" system in neurodegenerative diseases, has a great therapeutic potential to treat inflammatory neurodegenerative states. Despite the protective outcomes observed in preclinical studies, mild or poor outcomes were observed in clinical settings, suggesting that melatonin combinations promoting synergistic actions at appropriate doses might be more suitable to treat multifactorial neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we first summarize the key melatonin actions and pathways contributing to cell protection and its therapeutic implication in Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). We remark the major controversies in the field, mostly generated by the lack of a common consensus for the optimal dosing, molecular targets, and toxicity. Then, we review the literature investigating the efficacy of melatonin combinations with approved or investigational neuroprotective agents and of melatonin-containing hybrid molecules, both in vitro and in animal models of AD, PD, and MS, as well as the efficacy of add-on melatonin in clinical settings. We highlight the rationale for such melatonin combinations with a focus on the comparison with single-agent treatment and on the assays in which an additive or a synergistic effect has been achieved. We conclude that a better characterization of the mechanisms underlying such melatonin synergistic actions under neuroinflammation at appropriate doses needs to be tackled to advance successful clinical translation of neuroprotective melatonin combination therapies or melatonin-based hybrid molecules.

Lipidomics Analysis of Human HMC3 Microglial Cells in an In Vitro Model of Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic endotoxemia (ME) is associated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin) and increased levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) in the bloodstream, causing systemic inflammation. ME usually accompanies obesity and a diet rich in fats, especially SFAs. Numerous studies confirm the effect of ME-related endotoxin on microglial activation. Our study aimed to assess lipid metabolism and immune response in microglia pre-stimulated with TNFα (Tumor Necrosis Factor α) and then with endotoxin and palmitic acid (PA). Using ELISA, we determined cytokines IL-1β, IL-10, IL-13 (interleukin-1β, -10, -13, and TGFβ (Transforming Growth Factor β) in the culture medium from microglial cells stimulated for 24 h with TNFα and then treated with LPS (10 ng/mL) and PA (200 µM) for 24 h. HMC3 (Human Microglial Cells clone 3) cells produced negligible amounts of IL-1β, IL-10, and IL-13 after stimulation but secreted moderate levels of TGFβ. Changes in lipid metabolism accompanied changes in TREM2 (Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2) expression. HMC3 stimulation with endotoxin increased TREM2 expression, while PA treatment decreased it. Endotoxin increased ceramide levels, while PA increased triglyceride levels. These results indicated that pre-stimulation of microglia with TNFα significantly affects its interactions with LPS and PA and modulates lipid metabolism, which may lead to microglial activation silencing and neurodegeneration.

Selenium supplementation via modulation of selenoproteins ameliorates binge drinking-induced oxidative, energetic, metabolic, and endocrine imbalance in adolescent rats' skeletal muscle

Adolescence is characterized by increased vulnerability to addiction and ethanol (EtOH) toxicity, particularly through binge drinking (BD), a favored acute EtOH-ingestion pattern among teenagers. BD, highly pro-oxidant, induces oxidative stress (OS), affecting skeletal muscle (SKM), where selenium (Se), an antioxidant element and catalytic center of selenoproteins, is stored, among other tissues. Investigating the effects of Se supplementation on SKM after BD exposure holds therapeutic promise. For this, we randomised 32 adolescent Wistar rats into 4 groups, exposed or not to intermittent i.p. BD [BD and control (C)] (3 g EtOH per kg per day), and supplemented with selenite [BDSe and CSe] (0.4 ppm). In SKM, we examined the oxidative balance, energy status (AMPK, SIRT-1), protein turnover (IRS-1, Akt1, mTOR, IGF-1, NF-κB p65, MAFbx, ULK1, pelF2α), serum myokines (myostatin, IL-6, FGF21, irisin, BDNF, IL-15, fractalkine, FSTL-1, FABP-3), and selenoproteins (GPx1, GPx4, SelM, SelP). In the pancreas, we studied the oxidative balance and SIRT-1 expression. Selenite supplementation mitigated BD-induced OS by enhancing the expression of selenoproteins, which restored oxidative balance, notably stimulating protein synthesis and normalizing the myokine profile, leading to improved SKM mass growth and metabolism, and reduced inflammation and apoptosis (caspase-3). Selenite restoration of SelP's receptor LRP1 expression, reduced by BD, outlines the crucial role of SKM in the SelP cycle, linking Se levels to SKM development. Furthermore, Se attenuated pancreatic OS, preserving insulin secretion. Se supplementation shows potential for alleviating SKM damage from BD, with additional beneficial endocrine effects on the pancreas, adipose tissue, liver, heart and brain that position it as a broad-spectrum treatment for adolescent alcohol consumption, preventing metabolic diseases in adulthood.

Physical Exercise-Induced Activation of NRF2 and BDNF as a Promising Strategy for Ferroptosis Regulation in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, may contribute to the progression of PD owing to an unbalanced brain redox status. Physical exercise is a complementary therapy that can modulate ferroptosis in PD by regulating the redox system through the activation of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling. However, the precise effects of physical exercise on ferroptosis in PD remain unclear. In this review, we explored how physical exercise influences NRF2 and BDNF signaling and affects ferroptosis in PD. We further investigated relevant publications over the past two decades by searching the PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases using keywords related to physical exercise, PD, ferroptosis, and neurotrophic factor antioxidant signaling. This review provides insights into current research gaps and demonstrates the necessity for future research to elucidate the specific mechanisms by which exercise regulates ferroptosis in PD, including the assessment of different exercise protocols and their long-term effects. Ultimately, exploring these aspects may lead to the development of improved exercise interventions for the better management of patients with PD.

Exercise mimetics: a novel strategy to combat neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's disease

Neuroinflammation is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), characterized by the stimulation of resident immune cells of the brain and the penetration of peripheral immune cells. These inflammatory processes facilitate the deposition of amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques and the abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau protein. Managing neuroinflammation to restore immune homeostasis and decrease neuronal damage is a therapeutic approach for AD. One way to achieve this is through exercise, which can improve brain function and protect against neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and synaptic dysfunction in AD models. The neuroprotective impact of exercise is regulated by various molecular factors that can be activated in the same way as exercise by the administration of their mimetics. Recent evidence has proven some exercise mimetics effective in alleviating neuroinflammation and AD, and, additionally, they are a helpful alternative option for patients who are unable to perform regular physical exercise to manage neurodegenerative disorders. This review focuses on the current state of knowledge on exercise mimetics, including their efficacy, regulatory mechanisms, progress, challenges, limitations, and future guidance for their application in AD therapy.

Alzheimer's genes in microglia: a risk worth investigating

Despite expressing many key risk genes, the role of microglia in late-onset Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology is somewhat ambiguous, with various phenotypes reported to be either harmful or protective. Herein, we review some key findings from clinical and animal model investigations, discussing the role of microglial genetics in mediating perturbations from homeostasis. We note that impairment to protective phenotypes may include prolonged or insufficient microglial activation, resulting in dysregulated metabolomic (notably lipid-related) processes, compounded by age-related inflexibility in dynamic responses. Insufficiencies of mouse genetics and aggressive transgenic modelling imply severe limitations in applying current methodologies for aetiological investigations. Despite the shortcomings, widely used amyloidosis and tauopathy models of the disease have proven invaluable in dissecting microglial functional responses to AD pathophysiology. Some recent advances have brought modelling tools closer to human genetics, increasing the validity of both aetiological and translational endeavours.

Non-Excitatory Amino Acids, Melatonin, and Free Radicals: Examining the Role in Stroke and Aging

The aim of this review is to explore the relationship between melatonin, free radicals, and non-excitatory amino acids, and their role in stroke and aging. Melatonin has garnered significant attention in recent years due to its diverse physiological functions and potential therapeutic benefits by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Melatonin has been found to mitigate ischemic brain damage caused by stroke. By scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidative damage, melatonin may help slow down the aging process and protect against age-related cognitive decline. Additionally, non-excitatory amino acids have been shown to possess neuroprotective properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in stroke and aging-related conditions. They can attenuate oxidative stress, modulate calcium homeostasis, and inhibit apoptosis, thereby safeguarding neurons against damage induced by stroke and aging processes. The intracellular accumulation of certain non-excitatory amino acids could promote harmful effects during hypoxia-ischemia episodes and thus, the blockade of the amino acid transporters involved in the process could be an alternative therapeutic strategy to reduce ischemic damage. On the other hand, the accumulation of free radicals, specifically mitochondrial reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, accelerates cellular senescence and contributes to age-related decline. Recent research suggests a complex interplay between melatonin, free radicals, and non-excitatory amino acids in stroke and aging. The neuroprotective actions of melatonin and non-excitatory amino acids converge on multiple pathways, including the regulation of calcium homeostasis, modulation of apoptosis, and reduction of inflammation. These mechanisms collectively contribute to the preservation of neuronal integrity and functions, making them promising targets for therapeutic interventions in stroke and age-related disorders.

Molecular Research on Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia worldwide [...].

Beyond the classical amyloid hypothesis in Alzheimer's disease: Molecular insights into current concepts of pathogenesis, therapeutic targets, and study models

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the progressive neurodegenerative disorders and the most common cause of dementia in the elderly worldwide causing difficulties in the daily life of the patient. AD is characterized by the aberrant accumulation of β-amyloid plaques and tau protein-containing neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain giving rise to neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, synaptic failure, and eventual neuronal cell death. The total cost of care in AD treatment and related health care activities is enormous and pharmaceutical drugs approved by Food and Drug Administration have not manifested sufficient efficacy in protection and therapy. In recent years, there are growing studies that contribute a fundamental understanding to AD pathogenesis, AD-associated risk factors, and pharmacological intervention. However, greater molecular process-oriented research in company with suitable experimental models is still of the essence to enhance the prospects for AD therapy and cell lines as a disease model are still the major part of this milestone. In this review, we provide an insight into molecular mechanisms, particularly the recent concept in gut-brain axis, vascular dysfunction and autophagy, and current models used in the study of AD. Here, we emphasized the importance of therapeutic strategy targeting multiple mechanisms together with utilizing appropriate models for the discovery of novel effective AD therapy. This article is categorized under: Neurological Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology.

Melatonin Activates Anti-Inflammatory Features in Microglia in a Multicellular Context: Evidence from Organotypic Brain Slices and HMC3 Cells

Melatonin (MEL) is a neurohormone endowed with neuroprotective activity, exerted both directly on neuronal cells and indirectly through modulation of responsive glial cells. In particular, MEL's effects on microglia are receptor-mediated and in part dependent on SIRT1 activation. In the present study, we exploited the highly preserved cytoarchitecture of organotypic brain cultures (OC) to explore the effects of MEL on hippocampal microglia in a 3D context as compared to a single cell type context represented by the human HMC3 cell line. We first evaluated the expression of MEL receptor MT1 and SIRT1 and then investigated MEL action against an inflammatory stimulation with LPS: OCs were cultured for a total of 2 weeks and during this time exposed to 0.1 μg/mL of LPS for 24 h either on day 1 (LPS 1°) or on day 11 (LPS 11°). MEL was added immediately after plating and kept for the entire experiment. Under these conditions, both MEL and LPS induced amoeboid microglia. However, the same round phenotype matched different polarization features. LPS increased the number of nuclear-NF-kB+ round cells and MEL alone or in combination with LPS increased BDNF+ round microglia. In addition, MEL contrasted LPS effects on NF-kB expression. Data from HMC3 microglia confirmed MEL's anti-inflammatory effects against LPS in terms of CASP1 induction and BDNF release, identifying SIRT1 as a mediator. However, no effects were evident for MEL alone on HMC3 microglia. Overall, our results point to the importance of the multicellular context for full MEL activity, especially in a preventive view, and support the use of OCs as a favorable model to explore inflammatory responses.

The Mechanisms Underlying the Pharmacological Effects of GuiPi Decoction on Major Depressive Disorder based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a common affective disorder. GuiPi decoction (GPD) is used to treat depression in China, Japan, and Korea. However, its effective ingredients and antidepressant mechanisms remain unclear. We attempted to reveal the potential mechanisms of GPD in the treatment of MDD by network pharmacology and molecular docking. In addition, we conducted an enzymatic activity assay to validate the results of molecular docking.

METHODS

GPD-related compounds and targets, and MDD-related targets were retrieved from databases and literature. The herb-compound-target network was constructed by Cytoscape. The protein- protein interaction network was built using the STRING database to find key targets of GPD on MDD. Enrichment analysis of shared targets was analyzed by MetaCore database to obtain the potential pathway and biological process of GPD on MDD. The main active compounds treating MDD were screened by molecular docking. The PDE4s inhibitors were screened and verified by an enzyme activity assay.

RESULTS

GPD contained 1222 ingredients and 190 potential targets for anti-MDD. Possible biological processes regulated by GPD were neurophysiological processes, blood vessel morphogenesis, Camp Responsive Element Modulator (CREM) pathway, and Androgen Receptor (AR) signaling crosstalk in MDD. Potential pathways in MDD associated with GPD include neurotransmission, cell differentiation, androgen signaling, and estrogen signaling. Fumarine, m-cresol, quercetin, betasitosterol, fumarine, taraxasterol, and lupeol in GPD may be the targets of SLC6A4, monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), DRD2, OPRM1, HTR3A, Albumin (ALB), and NTRK1, respectively. The IC50 values of trifolin targeting Phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4A and girinimbine targeting PDE4B1 were 73.79 μM and 31.86 μM, respectively. The IC50 values of girinimbine and benzo[a]carbazole on PDE4B2 were 51.62 μM and 94.61 μM, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Different compounds in GPD may target the same protein, and the same component in GPD can target multiple targets. These results suggest that the effects of GPD on MDD are holistic and systematic, unlike the pattern of one drug-one target.

Ozone at low concentration modulates microglial activity in vitro: A multimodal microscopy and biomolecular study

Oxygen-ozone (O₂ -O₃ ) therapy is an adjuvant/complementary treatment based on the activation of antioxidant and cytoprotective pathways driven by the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Many drugs, including dimethyl fumarate (DMF), that are used to reduce inflammation in oxidative-stress-related neurodegenerative diseases, act through the Nrf2-pathway. The scope of the present investigation was to get a deeper insight into the mechanisms responsible for the beneficial result of O₂ -O₃ treatment in some neurodegenerative diseases. To do this, we used an integrated approach of multimodal microscopy (bright-field and fluorescence microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy) and biomolecular techniques to investigate the effects of the low O₃ concentrations currently used in clinical practice in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated microglial cells human microglial clone 3 (HMC3) and in DMF-treated LPS-activated (LPS + DMF) HMC3 cells. The results at light and electron microscopy showed that LPS-activation induced morphological modifications of HMC3 cells from elongated/branched to larger roundish shape, cytoplasmic accumulation of lipid droplets, decreased electron density of the cytoplasm and mitochondria, decreased amount of Nrf2 and increased migration rate, while biomolecular data demonstrated that Heme oxygenase 1 gene expression and the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, Interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α augmented. O₃ treatment did not affect cell viability, proliferation, and morphological features of both LPS-activated and LPS + DMF cells, whereas the cell motility and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly decreased. This evidence suggests that modulation of microglia activity may contribute to the beneficial effects of the O₂ -O₃ therapy in patients with neurodegenerative disorders characterized by chronic inflammation. HIGHLIGHTS: Low-dose ozone (O₃ ) does not damage activated microglial cells in vitro Low-dose O₃ decreases cell motility and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in activated microglial cells in vitro Low-dose O₃ potentiates the effect of an anti-inflammatory drug on activated microglial cells.

Microglia Contributes to BAF-312 Effects on Blood–Brain Barrier Stability

Microglia, together with astrocytes and pericytes, cooperate to ensure blood–brain barrier (BBB) stability, modulating endothelial responses to inflammatory insults. Agonists of the sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P) receptors, such as siponimod (BAF-312), are important pharmacological tools in multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory diseases. Modulation of S1P receptors may result in a reduced inflammatory response and increased BBB stability. An in vitro BBB model was reproduced using human-derived endothelial cells, astrocytes and microglia. Co-cultures were exposed to inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, 10 UI and IFNγ, 5 UI) in the presence of BAF-312 (100 nM), and the BBB properties and microglia role were evaluated. The drug facilitated microglial migration towards endothelial/astrocyte co-cultures, involving the activity of the metalloprotease 2 (MMP2). Microglia actively cooperated with astrocytes in the maintenance of endothelial barrier stability: in the triple co-culture, selective treatment of microglial cells with BAF-312 significantly prevented cytokines’ effects on the endothelial barrier. In conclusion, BAF-312, modulating S1P receptors in microglia, may contribute to the reinforcement of the endothelial barrier at the BBB, suggesting an additional effect of the drug in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Aβ and Tau Regulate Microglia Metabolism via Exosomes in Alzheimer’s Disease

One of the most striking hallmarks shared by various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. The main pathological features of AD are extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and intracellular tau-containing neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide and tau protein are the primary components of the plaques and tangles. The crosstalk between microglia and neurons helps maintain brain homeostasis, and the metabolic phenotype of microglia determines its polarizing phenotype. There are currently many research and development efforts to provide disease-modifying therapies for AD treatment. The main targets are Aβ and tau, but whether there is a causal relationship between neurodegenerative proteins, including Aβ oligomer and tau oligomer, and regulation of microglia metabolism in neuroinflammation is still controversial. Currently, the accumulation of Aβ and tau by exosomes or other means of propagation is proposed as a regulator in neurological disorders, leading to metabolic disorders of microglia that can play a key role in the regulation of immune cells. In this review, we propose that the accumulation of Aβ oligomer and tau oligomer can propagate to adjacent microglia through exosomes and change the neuroinflammatory microenvironment by microglia metabolic reprogramming. Clarifying the relationship between harmful proteins and microglia metabolism will help people to better understand the mechanism of crosstalk between neurons and microglia, and provide new ideas for the development of AD drugs.

Inverse correlation between the expression of AMPK/SIRT1 and NAMPT in psoriatic skin: A pilot study

PURPOSE

Epidermal hyperplasia and the involvement of immune cells characterize the clinical picture of psoriasis. Among the several factors involved, attention has been focused on sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) - a deacetylase endowed with a variety of functions including the control of metabolic and inflammatory processes-, and on nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), important for SIRT1 activation and involved in inflammatory events. The aim of the study was to analyze changes of SIRT1 and NAMPT expression in psoriatic skin.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Samples from healthy controls and psoriatic patients were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTS

A strong downregulation of SIRT1 expression was observed in skin samples from psoriatic patients compared to healthy controls. This was accompanied by a parallel reduction of adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase (AMPK) expression and, more strikingly, by the disappearance of cells immunolabeled for its active, phosphorylated form (pAMPK). In both cases, analysis of the distribution of immunopositive cells revealed a shift towards reduced intensity of staining. In contrast, NAMPT expression was upregulated in psoriatic samples in line with its pro-inflammatory role. This was again more visible with an intensity-based distribution analysis that evidenced a shift towards more intensely immunostained cell populations.

CONCLUSIONS

The present data correlate in the same samples the expression of SIRT1, pAMPK/AMPK and NAMPT in psoriasis and open the way for novel pharmacological targets in the treatment of the disease.

Microglial polarization differentially affects neuronal vulnerability to the β-amyloid protein: Modulation by melatonin

Microglial cells play a central but yet debated role in neuroinflammatory events occurring in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We here explored how microglial features are modulated by melatonin following β-amyloid (Aβ42)-induced activation and examined the cross-talk with Aβ-challenged neuronal cells. Human microglial HMC3 cells were exposed to Aβ42 (200 nM) in the presence of melatonin (MEL; 1 μM) added since the beginning (MELco) or after a 72 h-exposure to Aβ42 (MELpost). In both conditions, MEL favored an anti-inflammatory activation and rescued SIRT1 and BDNF expression/release. Caspase-1 up-regulation and phospho-ERK induction following a prolonged exposure to Aβ42 were prevented by MEL. In addition, MEL partially restored proteasome functionality that was altered by long-term Aβ42 treatment, re-establishing both 20S and 26S chymotrypsin-like activity. Differentiated neuronal-like SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to Aβ42 (200 nM for 24 h) in basal medium or in the presence of conditioned medium (CM) collected from microglia exposed for different times to Aβ42 alone or in combination with MELco or MELpost. Aβ42 significantly reduced pre-synaptic proteins synaptophysin and VAMP2 and mean neuritic length. These effects were prevented by CM from anti-inflammatory microglia (Aβ42 for 6 h), or from MELco and MELpost microglia, but the reduction of neuritic length was not rescued when the SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 was added. In conclusion, our data add to the concept that melatonin shows a promising anti-inflammatory action on microglia that is retained even after pro-inflammatory activation, involving modulation of proteasome function and translating into neuroprotective microglial effects.

Role of melatonin in Alzheimer's disease: From preclinical studies to novel melatonin-based therapies

Melatonin and novel melatonin-based therapies such as melatonin-containing hybrid molecules, melatonin analogues, and melatonin derivatives have been investigated as potential therapeutics against Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. In this review, we examine the developmental trends of melatonin therapies for AD from 1997 to 2021. We then highlight the neuroprotective mechanisms of melatonin therapy derived from preclinical studies. These mechanisms include the alleviation of amyloid-related burden, neurofibrillary tangle accumulation, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired neuroplasticity and neurotransmission. We further illustrate the beneficial effects of melatonin on behavior in animal models of AD. Next, we discuss the clinical effects of melatonin on sleep, cognition, behavior, psychiatric symptoms, electroencephalography findings, and molecular biomarkers in patients with mild cognitive impairment and AD. We then explore the effectiveness of novel melatonin-based therapies. Lastly, we discuss the limitations of current melatonin therapies for AD and suggest two emerging research themes for future study.

Sirtuin-1 - Mediated NF-κB Pathway Modulation to Mitigate Inflammasome Signaling and Cellular Apoptosis is One of the Neuroprotective Effects of Intra-arterial Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy Following Ischemic Stroke

AIM

Stroke results in long term serious disability that affect millions across the globe. Several clinical and preclinical studies have reinforced the therapeutic use of stem cells in stroke patients to enhance their quality of life. Previous studies from our lab have demonstrated that 1*10⁵ allogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) when given intraarterially (IA) render neuroprotection by modulating the expression of inflammasomes. Sirtuins are a class of important deacylases having a significant role in cellular functioning. Sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1) is an important enzyme essential for regulating cellular metabolism, which is reduced following an ischemic episode. The present study aims to unviel the role of MSCs in regulating the brain SIRT-1 levels following stroke and the involvement of SIRT-1 in regulating inflammasome signaling to reduce cellular apoptosis towards rendering neuroprotection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

6 h post-reversible middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo), ovariectomized Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were infused intraarterially with 1*10⁵ MSCs. 24 h after MCAo animals were examined for functional and behavioral outcomes. Brains were collected for assessing size of infarct and neuronal morphology. Molecular and immunofluroscence studies were also performed for assessing changes in gene and protein expressions. Extent of apoptosis was also determined in different groups. Inhibition study with SIRT-1 specific inhibitor EX-527 was also performed.

RESULTS

A reduction in infarct size and improvement in motor functional and behavioral outcomes following infusion of MSCs IA at 6 h post-stroke was observed. Increase in average neuronal density and neuronal length was also seen. Increased expression of SIRT-1, BDNF and concomitant reduction in the expression of different inflammatory and apoptotic markers in the brain cortical regions were observed following MSCs treatment.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides a preliminary evidence that post-stroke IA MSCs therapy regulates SIRT-1 to modulate NF-κB pathway to mitigate inflammasome signaling and cellular apoptosis. This study using IA approach for administering MSCs is highly relevant clinically. Our study is the first to report that neuroprotective effects of IA MSCs in rodent focal ischemia is mediated by SIRT-1 regulation of inflammasome signaling.

Mechanism of chlorogenic acid in alveolar macrophage polarization in Klebsiella pneumoniae-induced pneumonia

Chlorogenic acid (CA) has been discovered to regulate macrophage polarization in pneumonia. This study aims to analyze the functional mechanism of CA in alveolar macrophage (AM) polarization and provide a theoretical basis for treatment of Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp)-induced pneumonia. Mice were infected with Kp, and treated with CA and silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) inhibitor (Selisistat). Mouse survival rate was recorded and bacterial burden was detected. AM polarization and pathologic change of lung tissues were evaluated. Expressions of SIRT1 and HMGB1 and cytokine levels were detected. MH-S cells were infected with Kp to establish the pneumonia cell model, followed by transfection of si-SIRT1 and HMGB1 overexpression vector. The HMGB1 expression in the nucleus and cytoplasm was detected. HMGB1 subcellular localization and HMGB1 acetylation level were detected. Kp led to high death rates, SIRT down-regulation and increases in inflammatory factor level and bacterial burden, and promoted M1 polarization. CA treatment improved mouse survival rate and promoted M2 polarization and SIRT1 expression. SIRT1 decreased HMGB1 acetylation level to inhibit nuclear to the cytoplasm translocation. Silencing SIRT1 or HMGB1 overexpression reversed the effect of CA on Kp-induced pneumonia. Overall, CA activated SIRT1 to inhibit HMGB1 acetylation level and nuclear translocation, thereby promoting M2 polarization in AMs and alleviating Kp-induced pneumonia.

Melatonin and Microglia

Melatonin interacts in multiple ways with microglia, both directly and, via routes of crosstalk with astrocytes and neurons, indirectly. These effects of melatonin are of relevance in terms of antioxidative protection, not only concerning free-radical detoxification, but also in prevention of processes that cause, promote, or propagate oxidative stress and neurodegeneration, such as overexcitation, toxicological insults, viral and bacterial infections, and sterile inflammation of different grades. The immunological interplay in the CNS, with microglia playing a central role, is of high complexity and includes signaling toward endothelial cells and other leukocytes by cytokines, chemokines, nitric oxide, and eikosanoids. Melatonin interferes with these processes in multiple signaling routes and steps. In addition to canonical signal transduction by MT₁ and MT₂ melatonin receptors, secondary and tertiary signaling is of relevance and has to be considered, e.g., via the upregulation of sirtuins and the modulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory microRNAs. Many details concerning the modulation of macrophage functionality by melatonin are obviously also applicable to microglial cells. Of particular interest is the polarization toward M2 subtypes instead of M1, i.e., in favor of being anti-inflammatory at the expense of proinflammatory activities, which is well-documented in macrophages but also applies to microglia.