Insight into a neuron's preferential susceptibility to oxidative stress

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 1541-1545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen F.S. Bell

Neurons are more vulnerable to oxidative stress than astrocytes, the reasons for which have yet to be fully elucidated. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms which contribute to this enhanced vulnerability is key to efforts aimed at ameliorating neuronal health and resilience to oxidative stress, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative disease, which is characterized by progressive dysfunction and loss of neurons specifically, and in which oxidative stress is considered a central aetiological contributor. Biological factors which may influence neuronal susceptibility to oxidative stress, in normal and neurodegenerative contexts, are reviewed in the present article, with a focus on properties intrinsic to the neuronal cell type and on properties related to neuronal reliance on surrounding astrocytes.

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 1067-1076 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Thornton ◽  
Ana A. Baburamani ◽  
Anton Kichev ◽  
Henrik Hagberg

Birth asphyxia in term neonates affects 1–2/1000 live births and results in the development of hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy with devastating life-long consequences. The majority of neuronal cell death occurs with a delay, providing the potential of a treatment window within which to act. Currently, treatment options are limited to therapeutic hypothermia which is not universally successful. To identify new interventions, we need to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the injury. Here, we provide an overview of the contribution of both oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the development of neonatal brain injury and identify current preclinical therapeutic strategies.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A Gallegos ◽  
Melyssa Minto ◽  
Fang Liu ◽  
Mariah F Hazlett ◽  
S Aryana Yousefzadeh ◽  
...  

Parvalbumin-expressing (PV+) interneurons of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) play an essential role in the addictive-like behaviors induced by psychostimulant exposure. To identify molecular mechanisms of PV+ neuron plasticity, we isolated interneuron nuclei from the NAc of male and female mice following acute or repeated exposure to amphetamine (AMPH) and sequenced for cell type-specific RNA expression and chromatin accessibility. AMPH regulated the transcription of hundreds of genes in PV+ interneurons, and this program was largely distinct from that regulated in other NAc GABAergic neurons. Chromatin accessibility at enhancers predicted cell-type specific gene regulation, identifying transcriptional mechanisms of differential AMPH responses. Finally, we observed dysregulation of multiple PV-specific, AMPH-regulated genes in an Mecp2 mutant mouse strain that shows heightened behavioral sensitivity to psychostimulants, suggesting the functional importance of this transcriptional program. Together these data provide novel insight into the cell-type specific programs of transcriptional plasticity in NAc neurons that underlie addictive-like behaviors.


Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic S. A. Simpson ◽  
Peter L. Oliver

Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, are a global public health burden with poorly understood aetiology. Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress (OS) are undoubtedly hallmarks of neurodegeneration, contributing to disease progression. Protein aggregation and neuronal damage result in the activation of disease-associated microglia (DAM) via damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). DAM facilitate persistent inflammation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. However, the molecular mechanisms linking DAM activation and OS have not been well-defined; thus targeting these cells for clinical benefit has not been possible. In microglia, ROS are generated primarily by NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) and activation of NOX2 in DAM is associated with DAMP signalling, inflammation and amyloid plaque deposition, especially in the cerebrovasculature. Additionally, ROS originating from both NOX and the mitochondria may act as second messengers to propagate immune activation; thus intracellular ROS signalling may underlie excessive inflammation and OS. Targeting key kinases in the inflammatory response could cease inflammation and promote tissue repair. Expression of antioxidant proteins in microglia, such as NADPH dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), is promoted by transcription factor Nrf2, which functions to control inflammation and limit OS. Lipid droplet accumulating microglia (LDAM) may also represent a double-edged sword in neurodegenerative disease by sequestering peroxidised lipids in non-pathological ageing but becoming dysregulated and pro-inflammatory in disease. We suggest that future studies should focus on targeted manipulation of NOX in the microglia to understand the molecular mechanisms driving inflammatory-related NOX activation. Finally, we discuss recent evidence that therapeutic target identification should be unbiased and founded on relevant pathophysiological assays to facilitate the discovery of translatable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapeutics.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Hyung Im ◽  
In Jun Yeo ◽  
Seong Hee Jeon ◽  
Dong Hun Lee ◽  
Hyeon Joo Ham ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundParkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the early prominent death of dopaminergic neurons and a decrease of dopamine levels. Dopamine depletion leads to several motor dysfunctions, including resting tremor, muscular rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability. Our previous study determined that knockout of parkin, a gene of PD degrade p21, suppresses neurogenesis which is critical for a neurodegenerative disease. MethodsThus, we investigated the effect of UC2288, an inhibitor of p21, for its therapeutic effect on PD. We found that UC2288 attenuated 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced behavioral impairment in Rota-rod and Pole test as well as dopamine depletion.ResultsMoreover, UC2288 recovered the number of TH positive cells, but decreased the number of GFAP and Iba-1 positive cells accompanied the decrease of BAX and cleaved caspase3 as well as iNOS and COX-2 expression. In cultured neurons, UC2288 recovered MPP+-induced neuronal cell death in a concentration dependent manner. We also found that UC2288 decreased the p21 reactive cell number, oxidative neuronal damages, cytokines product in vivo and cultured neurons. In a mechanism study, we found that UC2288 significantly decreased the activation of ERK and p38 kinase pathway in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. In addition, 1-10 μM concentration of ERK kinase inhibitor U0126 recovered MPP+-induced neuronal cell death. However, ERK kinase inhibitor U0126 further decreased cell viability with the increase of H2O2.ConclusionThese results indicated that the administration of UC2288 exerted neuroprotective effects on the death of dopaminergic neurons through the suppression of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation via ERK pathway inhibition.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheng Feei Ma ◽  
Hongxia Zhang ◽  
Sue Siang Teh ◽  
Chee Woon Wang ◽  
Yutong Zhang ◽  
...  

Goji berries (Lycium fruits) are usually found in Asia, particularly in northwest regions of China. Traditionally, dried goji berries are cooked before they are consumed. They are commonly used in Chinese soups and as herbal tea. Moreover, goji berries are used for the production of tincture, wine, and juice. Goji berries are high antioxidant potential fruits which alleviate oxidative stress to confer many health protective benefits such as preventing free radicals from damaging DNA, lipids, and proteins. Therefore, the aim of the review was to focus on the bioactive compounds and pharmacological properties of goji berries including their molecular mechanisms of action. The health benefits of goji berries include enhancing hemopoiesis, antiradiation, antiaging, anticancer, improvement of immunity, and antioxidation. There is a better protection through synergistic and additive effects in fruits and herbal products from a complex mixture of phytochemicals when compared to one single phytochemical.


eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yilin Kang ◽  
Alexander J Anderson ◽  
Thomas Daniel Jackson ◽  
Catherine S Palmer ◽  
David P De Souza ◽  
...  

Human Tim8a and Tim8b are members of an intermembrane space chaperone network, known as the small TIM family. Mutations in TIMM8A cause a neurodegenerative disease, Mohr-Tranebjærg syndrome (MTS), which is characterised by sensorineural hearing loss, dystonia and blindness. Nothing is known about the function of hTim8a in neuronal cells or how mutation of this protein leads to a neurodegenerative disease. We show that hTim8a is required for the assembly of Complex IV in neurons, which is mediated through a transient interaction with Complex IV assembly factors, in particular the copper chaperone COX17. Complex IV assembly defects resulting from loss of hTim8a leads to oxidative stress and changes to key apoptotic regulators, including cytochrome c, which primes cells for death. Alleviation of oxidative stress with Vitamin E treatment rescues cells from apoptotic vulnerability. We hypothesise that enhanced sensitivity of neuronal cells to apoptosis is the underlying mechanism of MTS.


2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-252

In this review, we outline critical molecular processes that have been implicated by discovery of genetic mutations in autism. These mechanisms need to be mapped onto the neurodevelopment step(s) gone awry that may be associated with cause in autism. Molecular mechanisms include: (i) regulation of gene expression; (ii) pre-mRNA splicing; (iii) protein localization, translation, and turnover; (iv) synaptic transmission; (v) cell signaling; (vi) the functions of cytoskeletal and scaffolding proteins; and (vii) the function of neuronal cell adhesion molecules. While the molecular mechanisms appear broad, they may converge on only one of a few steps during neurodevelopment that perturbs the structure, function, and/or plasticity of neuronal circuitry. While there are many genetic mutations involved, novel treatments may need to target only one of few developmental mechanisms.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nimra Javaid ◽  
Muhammad Ajmal Shah ◽  
Azhar Rasul ◽  
Zunera Chauhdary ◽  
Uzma Saleem ◽  
...  

: Neurodegeneration is a multifactorial process involved the different cytotoxic pathways that lead towards neuronal cell death. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a persistent neurodegenerative disorder that normally has a steady onset yet later on it worsens. The documented evidence of AD neuropathology manifested the neuro-inflammation, increased reactive oxygen, nitrogen species and decreased antioxidant protective process; mitochondrial dysfunction as well as increased level of acetylcholinesterase activity. Moreover, enhanced action of proteins leads towards neural apoptosis which have a vital role in the degeneration of neurons. The inability of commercial therapeutic options to treat AD with targeting single mechanism leads the attraction towards organic drugs. Ellagic acid is a dimer of gallic acid, latest studies expressed that ellagic acid can initiate the numerous cell signaling transmission and decrease the progression of disorders, involved in the degeneration of neurons. The influential property of ellagic acid to protect the neurons in neurodegenerative disorders is due to its antioxidant effect, iron chelating and mitochondrial protective effect. The main goal of this review is to critically analyze the molecular mode of action of ellagic acid against neurodegeneration.


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