scholarly journals Induced Expression of kir6.2 in A1 Astrocytes Propagates Inflammatory Neurodegeneration via Drp1-dependent Mitochondrial Fission

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nanshan Song ◽  
Hong Zhu ◽  
Rong Xu ◽  
Jiaqi Liu ◽  
Yinquan Fang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dopaminergic Neurons ◽  
Mitochondrial Fission ◽  
Neuronal Loss ◽  
Mitochondrial Fragmentation ◽  
Abnormal Response ◽  
Inflammatory Stimuli ◽  
Inflammatory Processes ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Intensive Control

Glia-mediated inflammatory processes are crucial in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). As the most abundant cells of the brain and active participants in neuroinflammatory responses, astrocytes largely propagate inflammatory signals and amplify neuronal loss. Hence, intensive control of astrocytic activation is necessary to prevent neurodegeneration. In this study, we report that the astrocytic kir6.2, as a abnormal response after inflammatory stimuli, promotes the reactivity of A1 neurotoxic astrocytes. Using kir6.2 knockout (KO) mice, we find reversal effects of kir6.2 deficiency on A1-like astrocyte activation and death of dopaminergic neurons in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse models for PD. Further in vitro experiments show that aberrant kir6.2 expression induced by inflammatory irritants in astrocytes mediates the dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1)-dependent excessive mitochondrial fragmentation and results in mitochondrial malfunctions. By deleting kir6.2, astrocytic activation is reduced and astrocytes-derived neuronal injury is prevented. We therefore conclude that astrocytic kir6.2 can potentially elucidate the pathology of PD and promote the development of therapeutic strategies for PD.

scholarly journals Squamosamide Derivative FLZ Diminishes Aberrant Mitochondrial Fission by Inhibiting Dynamin-Related Protein 1

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanyu Yang ◽  
Lu Wang ◽  
Caixia Zang ◽  
Xu Yang ◽  
Xiuqi Bao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽  
Dopaminergic Neurons ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Mitochondrial Dynamics ◽  
Mitochondrial Fission ◽  
Mitochondrial Morphology ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Related Protein ◽  
Mitochondrial Fragmentation

Mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Mitochondrial morphology is dynamic and precisely regulated by mitochondrial fission and fusion machinery. Aberrant mitochondrial fragmentation, which can result in cell death, is controlled by the mitochondrial fission protein, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1). Our previous results demonstrated that FLZ could correct mitochondrial dysfunction, but the effect of FLZ on mitochondrial dynamics remain uncharacterized. In this study, we investigated the effect of FLZ and the role of Drp1 on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+)–induced mitochondrial fission in neurons. We observed that FLZ blocked Drp1, inhibited Drp1 enzyme activity, and reduced excessive mitochondrial fission in cultured neurons. Furthermore, by inhibiting mitochondrial fission and ROS production, FLZ improved mitochondrial integrity and membrane potential, resulting in neuroprotection. FLZ curtailed the reduction of synaptic branches of primary cultured dopaminergic neurons caused by MPP+ exposure, reduced abnormal fission, restored normal mitochondrial distribution in neurons, and exhibited protective effects on dopaminergic neurons. The in vitro research results were validated using an MPTP-induced PD mouse model. The in vivo results revealed that FLZ significantly reduced the mitochondrial translocation of Drp1 in the midbrain of PD mice, which, in turn, reduced the mitochondrial fragmentation in mouse substantia nigra neurons. FLZ also protected dopaminergic neurons in PD mice and increased the dopamine content in the striatum, which improved the motor coordination ability of the mice. These findings elucidate this newly discovered mechanism through which FLZ produces neuroprotection in PD.

scholarly journals Mitochondrial fission and mitophagy are independent mechanisms regulating ischemia/reperfusion injury in primary neurons

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony R. Anzell ◽  
Garrett M. Fogo ◽  
Zoya Gurm ◽  
Sarita Raghunayakula ◽  
Joseph M. Wider ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion Injury ◽  
Mitochondrial Dynamics ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Mitochondrial Fission ◽  
Conditional Knockout ◽  
Mitochondrial Morphology ◽  
Primary Neurons ◽  
Mitochondrial Fragmentation

AbstractMitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy are constitutive and complex systems that ensure a healthy mitochondrial network through the segregation and subsequent degradation of damaged mitochondria. Disruption of these systems can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and has been established as a central mechanism of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Emerging evidence suggests that mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy are integrated systems; however, the role of this relationship in the context of I/R injury remains unclear. To investigate this concept, we utilized primary cortical neurons isolated from the novel dual-reporter mitochondrial quality control knockin mice (C57BL/6-Gt(ROSA)26Sortm1(CAG-mCherry/GFP)Ganl/J) with conditional knockout (KO) of Drp1 to investigate changes in mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagic flux during in vitro I/R injury. Mitochondrial dynamics was quantitatively measured in an unbiased manner using a machine learning mitochondrial morphology classification system, which consisted of four different classifications: network, unbranched, swollen, and punctate. Evaluation of mitochondrial morphology and mitophagic flux in primary neurons exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and reoxygenation (OGD/R) revealed extensive mitochondrial fragmentation and swelling, together with a significant upregulation in mitophagic flux. Furthermore, the primary morphology of mitochondria undergoing mitophagy was classified as punctate. Colocalization using immunofluorescence as well as western blot analysis revealed that the PINK1/Parkin pathway of mitophagy was activated following OGD/R. Conditional KO of Drp1 prevented mitochondrial fragmentation and swelling following OGD/R but did not alter mitophagic flux. These data provide novel evidence that Drp1 plays a causal role in the progression of I/R injury, but mitophagy does not require Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission.

scholarly journals Modulator of apoptosis-1 is a potential therapeutic target in acute ischemic injury

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
pp. 2406-2418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Su Jing Chan ◽  
Hui Zhao ◽  
Kazuhide Hayakawa ◽  
Chou Chai ◽  
Chong Teik Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Infarct Volume ◽  
Neuronal Loss ◽  
Ischemic Injury ◽  
Glucose Deprivation ◽  
Artery Occlusion ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
The Brain

Modulator of apoptosis 1 (MOAP-1) is a Bax-associating protein highly enriched in the brain. In this study, we examined the role of MOAP-1 in promoting ischemic injuries following a stroke by investigating the consequences of MOAP-1 overexpression or deficiency in in vitro and in vivo models of ischemic stroke. MOAP-1 overexpressing SH-SY5Y cells showed significantly lower cell viability following oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) treatment when compared to control cells. Consistently, MOAP-1−/− primary cortical neurons were observed to be more resistant against OGD treatment than the MOAP-1+/+ primary neurons. In the mouse transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) model, ischemia triggered MOAP-1/Bax association, suggested activation of the MOAP-1-dependent apoptotic cascade. MOAP-1−/− mice were found to exhibit reduced neuronal loss and smaller infarct volume 24 h after tMCAO when compared to MOAP-1+/+ mice. Correspondingly, MOAP-1−/− mice also showed better integrity of neurological functions as demonstrated by their performance in the rotarod test. Therefore, both in vitro and in vivo data presented strongly support the conclusion that MOAP-1 is an important apoptotic modulator in ischemic injury. These results may suggest that a reduction of MOAP-1 function in the brain could be a potential therapeutic approach in the treatment of acute stroke.

Abstract 246: Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Reveal Mitophagy as an Essential Process Against Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang-Ging Ong ◽  
Won Hee Lee ◽  
Kazuki Kodo ◽  
Haodi Wu ◽  
Joseph C Wu
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Diabetic Cardiomyopathy ◽  
Mitochondrial Fission ◽  
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell ◽  
Mitochondrial Fragmentation ◽  
Normal Cells ◽  
Mitochondrial Pathology ◽  
Vitro Model ◽  
Induced Pluripotent

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a common consequence of diabetes and associated with mitochondrial pathology. Using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) as an in vitro model of diabetes, we sought to understand the role of mitophagy, a process that selectively degrades mitochondria through the autophagy-lysosome pathway as a crucial quality control pathway against diabetic cardiomyopathy. We first showed that iPSC-CMs exposed to a diabetic milieu demonstrated increased hypertrophy, impaired calcium signaling, and higher oxidative stress. Flow cytometry analysis of iPSC-CMs subjected to diabetic conditions revealed two distinct population of cells (normal and hypertrophied), suggesting a heterogeneous response to hyperglycemia. In these cells, hypertrophied iPSC-CMs were found to have reduced mitophagy compared to normal cells when exposed to hyperglycemia. In addition, we showed that mitochondrial fragmentation was also decreased in the hypertrophied iPSC-CMs compared to normal cells upon exposure to hyperglycemia, demonstrating a link between mitochondrial fragmentation and mitophagy. Surprisingly, pretreatment of iPSC-CMs with a non-selective antioxidant, N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine, not only failed to limit the deleterious effects of hyperglycemia, but actually led to increased hypertrophy and cell death. We found that mitophagy was significantly reduced in iPSC-CMs following antioxidant treatment, suggesting the need of mild oxidative stress as a trigger for mitophagy. Future studies are warranted to further investigate the association between oxidative stress, mitochondrial fragmentation, and mitochondrial fission as targets against diabetic cardiomyopathy.

scholarly journals Cyclophilin a as a Mediator of Tissue Injure and Nephrotoxicity

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-44
Author(s):  
Grace Moscoso-Solorzano ◽  
Gianna Mastroianni-Kirsztajn
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Tissue Injury ◽  
Cyclophilin A ◽  
Common Mechanism ◽  
Ppiase Activity ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Inflammatory Stimuli ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Inflammatory Processes

Cyclophilin A (CypA) belongs to the peptidyl-prolil isomerase (PPlase) family of proteins and it is also known as the cellular receptor for cyclosporine A (CsA). CsA binds to CypA and inhibits the PPIase activity, but the CypA-CsA complex also binds to calcineurin that promotes the expression of genes encoding cytokines and other proteins required for immune response. In addition, the polymorphism variation of CypA promoter seems to have an influence on the expression of CypA in in vitro studies. CypA was also implicated in inflammatory processes (such as, among others, those observed in rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerotic disease, nephrotoxicity) and it can be secreted by cells in response to inflammatory stimuli. CypA can also have a role in the molecular mechanisms by which CsA induces nephroxicity but these remain poorly understood. Recent studies suggest that CsA inhibition of CypA PPlase activity is a possible mechanism of this drug toxicity. In addition, CypA overexpression could be protective against CsA nephrotoxicity. Finally, the putative common mechanism by which CypA could be involved in CsA nephrotoxicity and tissue injury is related to its proinflammatory effects in cells.

scholarly journals TBK1 interacts with tau and enhances neurodegeneration in tauopathy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Measho H. Abreha ◽  
Shamsideen Ojelade ◽  
Eric B. Dammer ◽  
Zachary T. McEachin ◽  
Duc M. Duong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Loss ◽  
Postmortem Brain ◽  
Chromosome 17 ◽  
Phosphorylation Sites ◽  
Tau Hyperphosphorylation ◽  
Reciprocal Effect ◽  
Full Complement ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Brain Tissues

ABSTRACTOne of the defining pathological features of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the deposition of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) composed of hyperphosphorylated tau in the brain. Aberrant activation of kinases in AD has been suggested to enhance phosphorylation and toxicity of tau, making the responsible tau-directed kinases attractive therapeutic targets. The full complement of tau interacting kinases in AD brain and their activity in disease remains incompletely defined. Here, immunoaffinity enrichment coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) identified TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) as a tau-interacting partner in human AD cortical brain tissues. We validated this interaction in both human AD and familial frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17) caused by mutations in MAPT (R406W) postmortem brain tissues as well as human cell lines. Further, we document increased TBK1 activity in both AD and FTDP-17 and map the predominant TBK1 phosphorylation sites on tau based on in vitro kinase assays coupled to MS. Lastly, in a Drosophila tauopathy model, activating expression of a conserved TBK1 ortholog triggers tau hyperphosphorylation and enhanced neurodegeneration, whereas knockdown had the reciprocal effect, suppressing tau toxicity. Collectively, our findings suggest that increased TBK1 activity may promote tau hyperphosphorylation and neuronal loss in AD and related tauopathies.

scholarly journals Roles of Transcription Factors in the Development and Reprogramming of the Dopaminergic Neurons

2022 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 845
Author(s):  
Lulu Tian ◽  
Murad Al-Nusaif ◽  
Xi Chen ◽  
Song Li ◽  
Weidong Le
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Cell Therapy ◽  
Dopaminergic Neurons ◽  
Neuronal Loss ◽  
Human Movement ◽  
Dopamine Synthesis ◽  
Acid Decarboxylase ◽  
Wide Range

The meso-diencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons regulate various critical processes in the mammalian nervous system, including voluntary movement and a wide range of behaviors such as mood, reward, addiction, and stress. mdDA neuronal loss is linked with one of the most prominent human movement neurological disorders, Parkinson’s disease (PD). How these cells die and regenerate are two of the most hotly debated PD research topics. As for the latter, it has been long known that a series of transcription factors (TFs) involves the development of mdDA neurons, specifying cell types and controlling developmental patterns. In vitro and in vivo, TFs regulate the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase, a dopamine transporter, vesicular monoamine transporter 2, and L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase, all of which are critical for dopamine synthesis and transport in dopaminergic neurons (DA neurons). In this review, we encapsulate the molecular mechanism of TFs underlying embryonic growth and maturation of mdDA neurons and update achievements on dopaminergic cell therapy dependent on knowledge of TFs in mdDA neuronal development. We believe that a deeper understanding of the extrinsic and intrinsic factors that influence DA neurons’ fate and development in the midbrain could lead to a better strategy for PD cell therapy.

scholarly journals DsbA-L deficiency exacerbates mitochondrial dysfunction of tubular cells in diabetic kidney disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 134 (7) ◽  
pp. 677-694
Author(s):  
Peng Gao ◽  
Ming Yang ◽  
Xianghui Chen ◽  
Shan Xiong ◽  
Jiahao Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Diabetic Kidney Disease ◽  
Mitochondrial Dynamics ◽  
Mitochondrial Fission ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Mitochondrial Fragmentation ◽  
Diabetic Kidney ◽  
Tubular Cells ◽  
Gene And Protein Expression

Abstract Excessive mitochondrial fission has been identified as the central pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), but the precise mechanisms remain unclear. Disulfide-bond A oxidoreductase-like protein (DsbA-L) is highly expressed in mitochondria in tubular cells of the kidney, but its pathophysiological role in DKD is unknown. Our bioinformatics analysis showed that tubular DsbA-L mRNA levels were positively associated with eGFR but negatively associated with Scr and 24h-proteinuria in CKD patients. Furthermore, the genes that were coexpressed with DsbA-L were mainly enriched in mitochondria and were involved in oxidative phosphorylation. In vivo, knockout of DsbA-L exacerbated diabetic mice tubular cell mitochondrial fragmentation, oxidative stress and renal damage. In vitro, we found that DsbA-L was localized in the mitochondria of HK-2 cells. High glucose (HG, 30 mM) treatment decreased DsbA-L expression followed by increased mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) generation and mitochondrial fragmentation. In addition, DsbA-L knockdown exacerbated these abnormalities, but this effect was reversed by overexpression of DsbA-L. Mechanistically, under HG conditions, knockdown DsbA-L expression accentuated JNK phosphorylation in HK-2 cells. Furthermore, administration of a JNK inhibitor (SP600125) or the mtROS scavenger MitoQ significantly attenuated JNK activation and subsequent mitochondrial fragmentation in DsbA-L-knockdown HK-2 cells. Additionally, the down-regulation of DsbA-L also amplified the gene and protein expression of mitochondrial fission factor (MFF) via the JNK pathway, enhancing its ability to recruit DRP1 to mitochondria. Taken together, these results link DsbA-L to alterations in mitochondrial dynamics during tubular injury in the pathogenesis of DKD and unveil a novel mechanism by which DsbA-L modifies mtROS/JNK/MFF-related mitochondrial fission.

Mitochondrial Fusion Suppresses Tau Pathology-Induced Neurodegeneration and Cognitive Decline

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Luwen Wang ◽  
Mengyu Liu ◽  
Ju Gao ◽  
Amber M. Smith ◽  
Hisashi Fujioka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dynamics ◽  
Mitochondrial Fission ◽  
Neuronal Loss ◽  
Mitochondrial Fusion ◽  
Barnes Maze ◽  
Mitochondrial Fragmentation ◽  
Tau Pathology ◽  
Marked Suppression

Background: Abnormalities of mitochondrial fission and fusion, dynamic processes known to be essential for various aspects of mitochondrial function, have repeatedly been reported to be altered in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Neurofibrillary tangles are known as a hallmark feature of AD and are commonly considered a likely cause of neurodegeneration in this devastating disease. Objective: To understand the pathological role of mitochondrial dynamics in the context of tauopathy. Methods: The widely used P301S transgenic mice of tauopathy (P301S mice) were crossed with transgenic TMFN mice with the forced expression of Mfn2 specifically in neurons to obtain double transgenic P301S/TMFN mice. Brain tissues from 11-month-old non-transgenic (NTG), TMFN, P301S, and P301S/TMFN mice were analyzed by electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, immunoblot, histological staining, and immunostaining for mitochondria, tau pathology, and tau pathology-induced neurodegeneration and gliosis. The cognitive function was assessed by the Barnes maze. Results: P301S mice exhibited mitochondrial fragmentation and a consistent decrease in Mfn2 compared to age-matched NTG mice. When P301S mice were crossed with TMFN mice (P301S/TMFN mice), neuronal loss, as well as mitochondria fragmentation were significantly attenuated. Greatly alleviated tau hyperphosphorylation, filamentous aggregates, and thioflavin-S positive tangles were also noted in P301S/TMFN mice. Furthermore, P301S/TMFN mice showed marked suppression of neuroinflammation and improved cognitive performance in contrast to P301S mice. Conclusion: These in vivo findings suggest that promoted mitochondrial fusion suppresses toxic tau accumulation and associated neurodegeneration, which may protect against the progression of AD and related tauopathies.

scholarly journals Targeting α-synuclein by PD03 AFFITOPE® and Anle138b rescues neurodegenerative pathology in a model of multiple system atrophy: clinical relevance

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Lemos ◽  
Serena Venezia ◽  
Violetta Refolo ◽  
Antonio Heras-Garvin ◽  
Sabine Schmidhuber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple System Atrophy ◽  
Dopaminergic Neurons ◽  
Microglial Activation ◽  
Combined Therapy ◽  
Neuronal Loss ◽  
Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta ◽  
Vehicle Group ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Igg Binding ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Background Misfolded oligomeric α-synuclein plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of α-synucleinopathies including Parkinson’s disease and multiple system atrophy, and its detection parallels activation of microglia and a loss of neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Here we aimed to analyze the therapeutic efficacy of PD03, a new AFFITOPE® immunotherapy approach, either alone or in combination with Anle138b, in a PLP-α-syn mouse model. Methods The PLP-α-syn mice were treated with PD03 immunotherapy, Anle138b, or a combination of two. Five months after study initiation, the mice underwent behavioral testing and were sacrificed for neuropathological analysis. The treatment groups were compared to the vehicle group with regard to motor performance, nigral neuronal loss, microglial activation and α-synuclein pathology. Results The PLP-α-syn mice receiving the PD03 or Anle138b single therapy showed improvement of gait deficits and preservation of nigral dopaminergic neurons associated with the reduced α-synuclein oligomer levels and decreased microglial activation. The combined therapy with Anle138b and PD03 resulted in lower IgG binding in the brain as compared to the single immunotherapy with PD03. Conclusions PD03 and Anle138b can selectively target oligomeric α-synuclein, resulting in attenuation of neurodegeneration in the PLP-α-syn mice. Both approaches are potential therapies that should be developed further for disease modification in α-synucleinopathies.

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