Ptprj-as1 mediates inflammatory injury after intracerebral hemorrhage by activating NF-κB pathway

Geniposide ameliorates brain injury in mice with intracerebral hemorrhage by inhibiting NF-κB signaling

BACKGROUND

Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress are critical players in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Geniposide is an active component of Gardenia that has anti-inflammatory effects. This study focused on the roles and mechanisms of geniposide in ICH.

METHODS

ICH was established by injecting collagenase IV into C57BL/6 mice. To determine the functions of geniposide and NF-κB inhibition in ICH model mice, geniposide (1, 25, or 50 mg/kg) or PDTC (a NF-κB inhibitor) was administered. Neurological functions were assessed with the modified neurological severity score (mNSS) test. Hematoxylin and eosin staining were performed to identify pathological changes. IL-1β and TNF-α levels were estimated with ELISA kits. NF-κB p65 localization was determined by immunofluorescence staining. Oxidative stress was analyzed by measuring ROS levels.

RESULTS

Geniposide alleviated cerebral edema and neurological deficits. Geniposide inhibited neuroinflammation and oxidative stress after ICH, and the inhibitory effects were enhanced by NF-κB inhibition. Additionally, geniposide inhibited NF-κB signaling.

CONCLUSION

Geniposide alleviates brain injury by suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress damage in experimental ICH models by inhibiting NF-κB signaling.

Inflammation and immune cell abnormalities in intracranial aneurysm subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH): Relevant signaling pathways and therapeutic strategies

Intracranial aneurysm subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a cerebrovascular disorder associated with high overall mortality. Currently, the underlying mechanisms of pathological reaction after aneurysm rupture are still unclear, especially in the immune microenvironment, inflammation, and relevant signaling pathways. SAH-induced immune cell population alteration, immune inflammatory signaling pathway activation, and active substance generation are associated with pro-inflammatory cytokines, immunosuppression, and brain injury. Crosstalk between immune disorders and hyperactivation of inflammatory signals aggravated the devastating consequences of brain injury and cerebral vasospasm and increased the risk of infection. In this review, we discussed the role of inflammation and immune cell responses in the occurrence and development of aneurysm SAH, as well as the most relevant immune inflammatory signaling pathways [PI3K/Akt, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), STAT, SIRT, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), NLRP3, TLR4/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and Keap1/nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)/ARE cascades] and biomarkers in aneurysm SAH. In addition, we also summarized potential therapeutic drugs targeting the aneurysm SAH immune inflammatory responses, such as nimodipine, dexmedetomidine (DEX), fingolimod, and genomic variation-related aneurysm prophylactic agent sunitinib. The intervention of immune inflammatory responses and immune microenvironment significantly reduces the secondary brain injury, thereby improving the prognosis of patients admitted to SAH. Future studies should focus on exploring potential immune inflammatory mechanisms and developing additional therapeutic strategies for precise aneurysm SAH immune inflammatory regulation and genomic variants associated with aneurysm formation.

Dexmedetomidine post-conditioning protects blood-brain barrier integrity by modulating microglia/macrophage polarization via inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway in intracerebral hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is one of the most devastating forms of stroke. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) has shown certain neuroprotective roles in ICH. Nevertheless, the details concerning the underlying molecular mechanism of DEX’s protective effects still need further elucidation. Herein, a model of ICH was established. The rats were randomly divided into the sham group, the ICH group, and the ICH + DEX group. Neurological outcomes, neuronal injury, and apoptosis were evaluated. Brain water content, Evans blue extravasation, and the expression of tight junction-associated proteins were also detected to assess the blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Subsequently, the microglia/macrophage polarization state and inflammatory cytokine levels were observed. To further explore the underlying mechanism, NF-κB signaling pathway-associated proteins were detected. The results showed that DEX exerted neuroprotective effects against ICH-induced neurological deficits. DEX significantly increased the numbers of the surviving neurons and ameliorated neuronal cell loss and apoptosis in ICH. The rats that received the DEX displayed a lower level of brain water content and EB extravasation, moreover, ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-5 were markedly increased by DEX. Additionally, DEX facilitated M2 microglia/macrophage polarization, the M1-associated markers were reduced by DEX, while the M2-associated identification significantly increased. We found that DEX dramatically diminished pro-inflammatory cytokines expression, simultaneously promoting anti-inflammatory cytokines expression. DEX inhibited nuclear translocation of NF-κB in ICH rats. Our data suggest that DEX post-conditioning protects BBB integrity by modulating microglia/macrophage polarization via inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway in ICH.

Comprehensive analysis of immune-related biomarkers and pathways in intracerebral hemorrhage using weighted gene co-expression network analysis and competing endogenous ribonucleic acid

The immune response is an important part of secondary brain injury following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and is related to neurological deficits and prognosis. The mechanisms underlying the immune response and inflammation are of great significance for brain injury and potential functional restoration; however, the immune-related biomarkers and competing endogenous ribonucleic acid (RNA) (ceRNA) networks in the peripheral blood of ICH patients have not yet been constructed. We collected the peripheral blood from ICH patients and controls to assess their ceRNA profiles using LCHuman ceRNA microarray, and to verify their expression with qRT-PCR. Two-hundred-eleven DElncRNAs and one-hundred-one DEmRNAs were detected in the ceRNA microarray of ICH patients. The results of functional enrichment analysis showed that the immune response was an important part of the pathological process of ICH. Twelve lncRNAs, ten miRNAs, and seven mRNAs were present in our constructed immune-related ceRNA network, combining weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Our study was the first to establish the network of the immune-related ceRNAs derived from WGCNA, and to identify leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and B cell lymphoma 2-like 13 (BCL2L13) as pivotal immune-related biomarkers in the peripheral blood of ICH patients, which are likely associated with PI3K-Akt, the MAPK signaling pathway, and oxidative phosphorylation. The MOXD2P-miR-211-3p -LIF and LINC00299-miR-198-BCL2L13 axes were indicated to participate in the immune regulatory mechanism of ICH. The goal of our study was to offer innovative insights into the underlying immune regulatory mechanism and to identify possible immune intervention targets for ICH.

Gabapentin Alleviates Brain Injury in Intracerebral Hemorrhage Through Suppressing Neuroinflammation and Apoptosis

Neuroinflammation plays an important role in brain tissue injury during intracerebral hemorrhage. Gabapentin can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress through inhibiting nuclear factor κB (NFκB) signals. Here, we showed that gabapentin reduced brain tissue injury in ICH through suppressing NFκB-mediated neuroinflammation. ICH was induced by injecting collagenase IV into the right striatum of Sprague-Dawley rats. PC12 and BV2 cells injury induced by Hemin were used to simulate ICH in vitro. Inflammation and apoptosis were assessed in rat brain tissue and in vitro cells. The neurobehavioral scores were significantly decreased in ICH rats compared with sham rats. Phosphorylated IκB-α and cleaved caspase3, and apoptosis rate were significantly higher in tissue surrounding the hematoma than in brain tissues from rats subjected to sham surgery. Furthermore, serum IL-6 levels in ICH rats were higher than in sham rats. Gabapentin treatment significantly improved the behavioral scores, decreased levels of phosphorylated IκB-α and cleaved caspase3, apoptosis rate, and serum IL-6 level in ICH rats. Hemin-treated BV2 cells displayed higher levels of phosphorylated IκB-α, cleaved caspase3, and IL-6 in the supernatant compared with vehicle-treated cells. Hemin treatment induced a significantly lower level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in BV2 cells. BV2-PC12 co-culture cells treated by hemin displayed higher levels of cleaved caspase3 in PC12 cells. Furthermore, gabapentin treatment could reduce these effects induced by hemin and the protective effects of gabapentin were significantly attenuated by PPARγ inhibitor. Therefore, gabapentin may reduce inflammation and apoptosis induced by the ICH through PPARγ-NFκB pathway.

LncRNA TCONS_00145741 Knockdown Prevents Thrombin-Induced M1 Differentiation of Microglia in Intracerebral Hemorrhage by Enhancing the Interaction Between DUSP6 and JNK

Background: The differentiation of microglia from M1 to M2 exerts a pivotal role in the aggression of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are associated with the differentiation of microglia. However, the underlying mechanism had not been fully clarified.

Methods: The expression profile of lncRNAs in thrombin-induced primary microglia was analyzed by RNA sequencing. Under thrombin treatment, the effect of lncRNA TCONS_00145741 on the differentiation of microglia was determined by immunofluorescence staining, quantitative real-time PCR, and Western blot. The potential mechanism and related signaling pathways of TCONS_00145741 in the M1 and M2 differentiation of microglia in ICH were assessed by Gene Ontology analysis, flow cytometry, RNA pull-down, RNA Immunoprecipitation, and RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization followed by immunofluorescence analysis.

Results: LncRNA TCONS_00145741 expression was elevated in the thrombin-induced primary microglia, and the interference with TCONS_00145741 restrained the M1 differentiation of microglia and facilitated the M2 differentiation under thrombin treatment. The interference with TCONS_00145741 restrained the activation of the JNK pathway in microglia under thrombin treatment and repressed the JNK phosphorylation levels by enhancing the interaction between DUSP6 and JNK. In vivo experiments further illustrated that the interference with TCONS_00145741 alleviated ICH.

Conclusion: LncRNA TCONS_00145741 knockdown prevented thrombin-induced M1 differentiation of microglia in ICH by enhancing the interaction between DUSP6 and JNK. This study might provide a promising target for the clinical treatment of ICH.

Long non-coding RNAs mediate cerebral vascular pathologies after CNS injuries

Central nervous system (CNS) injuries are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, accompanied with high medical costs and a decreased quality of life. Brain vascular disorders are involved in the pathological processes of CNS injuries and might play key roles for their recovery and prognosis. Recently, increasing evidence has shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which comprise a very heterogeneous group of non-protein-coding RNAs greater than 200 nucleotides, have emerged as functional mediators in the regulation of vascular homeostasis under pathophysiological conditions. Remarkably, lncRNAs can regulate gene transcription and translation, thus interfering with gene expression and signaling pathways by different mechanisms. Hence, a deeper insight into the function and regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs following CNS injury, especially cerebrovascular-related lncRNAs, could help in establishing potential therapeutic strategies to improve or inhibit neurological disorders. In this review, we highlight recent advancements in understanding of the role of lncRNAs and their application in mediating cerebrovascular pathologies after CNS injury.

Association Between rs12037447, rs146732504, rs151078858, rs55723436, and rs6094136 Polymorphisms and Kawasaki Disease in the Population of Polish Children

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute self-limited febrile vasculitis that mainly affects young children. Coronary artery involvement is the most serious complication in children with KD. It is currently the leading cause of acquired cardiac disease in children from developed countries. Literature data indicate a significant role of genetic susceptibility to KD. Objective: The aim of this study was to perform the first Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) in a population of Polish children with KD and identify susceptible genes involved in the pathogenesis of KD. Materials and Methods: The blood samples of Kawasaki disease patients (n = 119) were collected between 2016 and 2020, isolated and stored at the Department of Pediatrics, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Memorial Health Institute in Warsaw. The control group was based on Polish donors (n = 6,071) registered as the POPULOUS collection at the Biobank Lab of The Department of Molecular Biophysics in University of Lodz. DNA samples were genotyped for 558,231 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) using the 24 × 1 Infinium HTS Human Core Exome microarrays according to the protocol provided by the manufacturer. In order to discover and verify genetic risk-factors for KD, association analysis was carried out using PLINK 1.9. Results: Of all 164,395 variants, 5 were shown to occur statistically (p_adjusted < 0.05) more frequent in Kawasaki disease patients than in controls. Those are: rs12037447 in non-coding sequence (p_adjusted = 8.329 × 10^-4, OR = 8.697, 95% CI; 3.629-20.84) and rs146732504 in KIF25 (p_adjusted = 0.007354, OR = 11.42, 95% CI; 3.79-34.43), rs151078858 in PTPRJ (p_adjusted = 0.04513, OR = 8.116, 95% CI; 3.134-21.01), rs55723436 in SPECC1L (p_adjusted = 0.04596, OR = 5.596, 95% CI; 2.669-11.74), rs6094136 in RPN2 (p_adjusted = 0.04755, OR = 10.08, 95% CI; 3.385-30.01) genes. Conclusion: Polymorphisms of genes KIF25, PTRPJ, SPECC1L, RNP2 may be linked with the incidence of Kawasaki disease in Polish children.

LncRNAs Stand as Potent Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for Stroke

Stroke is a major public health problem worldwide with a high burden of neurological disability and mortality. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have attracted much attention in the past decades because of their newly discovered roles in pathophysiological processes in many diseases. The abundance of lncRNAs in the nervous system indicates that they may be part of a complex regulatory network governing physiology and pathology of the brain. In particular, lncRNAs have been shown to play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of stroke. In this article, we provide a review of the multifaceted functions of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage, highlighting their promising use as stroke diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutics. To this end, we discuss the potential of stem cells in aiding lncRNA applications in stroke.

Cross electro-nape-acupuncture ameliorates cerebral hemorrhage-induced brain damage by inhibiting necroptosis

BACKGROUND

Receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1)-mediated cell death, including apoptosis and necroptosis, belongs to programmed cell death. It has been reported that RIPK1-mediated necroptosis exists in lesions of cerebral hemorrhage (CH). Electroacupuncture, a treatment derived from traditional Chinese medicine, could improve neurological impairment in patients with brain injury.

AIM

To investigate the protective role of cross electro-nape acupuncture (CENA) in CH, and clarify the potential mechanism.

METHODS

CH rat models were established, and CENA was applied to the experimental rats. Neurological functions and encephaledema were then measured. Necrotic cells in the brain of rats with CH were evaluated by propidium iodide staining. Necroptosis was assessed by immunofluorescence. Activation of the necroptosis-related pathway was detected by western blot. Extraction of brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid and serum samples was conducted to measure the expression and secretion of inflammatory cytokines by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

The necroptotic marker p-MLKL was detectable in the brains of rats with CH. Next, we found that CENA could ameliorate neurological functions in rat models of CH. Moreover, the upregulation of RIPK1-mediated necroptosis-related molecules in the brains of rats with CH were inhibited by CENA. Further investigation revealed that CENA partially blocked the interaction between RIPK1 and RIPK3. Finally, in vivo assays showed that CENA decreased the expression of the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in CH rat models.

CONCLUSION

These findings revealed that CENA exerts a protective role in CH models by inhibiting RIPK1-mediated necroptosis.