OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) gene knockout on the behavior changes and cerebral morphology during aging in mice,and to compare that of young and aged mice between AQP4 knockout mice (AQP4(-/-)) and wild type mice (AQP4(+/+)).

METHODSFifty-eight CD-1 mice were divided into four groups: young (2-3 months old) AQP4(-/-), aged (17-19 months old) AQP4(-/-), young AQP4(+/+) and aged AQP4(+/+). The activity levels and exploring behavior of mice were tested in open field. The neurons were stained with toluidine blue and NeuN, the astrocytes and microglia were stained with GFAP and Iba-1, respectively. The morphological changes of neuron, astrocyte and microglia were then analyzed.

RESULTSCompared with young mice, the total walking distance in open field of aged AQP4(+/+) mice and aged AQP4(-/-) mice decreased 41.2% and 44.1%, respectively (P<0.05); while there was no difference in the ratio of distance and retention time in the central area of open field. The density of neuron in cortex of aged AQP4(+/+) mice and aged AQP4(-/-) mice decreased 19.6% and 15.8%, respectively (P<0.05), while there was no difference in the thickness of neuron cell body in hippocampus CA1 region. The density of astrocyte in hippocampus CA3 region of aged AQP4(+/+) mice and aged AQP4(-/-) mice increased 57.7% and 64.3%, respectively (P<0.001), while there was no difference in the area of astrocyte. The area of microglia in hippocampus CA3 region of aged AQP4(+/+) mice and aged AQP4(-/-) mice increased 46.9% and 52.0%, respectively (P<0.01), while there was no difference in the density of microglia. Compared with AQP4(+/+) mice, the young and aged AQP4(-/-) mice showed smaller area of astrocyte in hippocampus CA3 region, reduced 18.0% in young mice and 23.6% in aged mice. There was no difference between AQP4(+/+) mice and AQP4(-/-) mice for other observed indexes.

CONCLUSIONAQP4 may be involved in change of astrocyte and astrocyte-related behaviors during aging. AQP4 gene knockout may have limited effects on the change of neuron, microglia and most neuronal behaviors in aging process.

Aging ; pathology ; Animals ; Aquaporin 4 ; genetics ; Astrocytes ; pathology ; Behavior, Animal ; Brain ; pathology ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Microglia ; pathology ; Neurons ; pathology

OBJECTIVE To determine the roles of phosphorylated ubiquitin(pUb)on ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal(UPS)degradation activity,and the roles of pUb on neurodegeneration.METHODS We use PTEN induced kinase 1(PINK1)to phosphorylate ubiquitin.The Ub/S65A cannot be phosphorylated by PINK1,and was used to antagonize the roles of pUb.The Ub/S65E was used to mimic the roles of pUb.The roles of pUb on UPS degradation activity were determined by immunoflu-orescence,Western blot and TIRF microscope at cellular and protein level.The roles of pUb on neurodegeneration were determined by behavior tests,immunofluorescence,Golgi staining,TEM,Western blot and proteomics sacle in mouse.RESULTS The level of soluble PINK1(sPINK1)and pUb increased in the neurons of aged mouse brain,and in the cells upon the administration of MG132,a proteasome inhibitor.The elevation of sPINK1 and pUb was accompanied by protein aggregation upon aging or the proteasomal inhibition.The pink1 knockout alleviated proteasomal inhibition induced protein aggregation and association of ubiquitinated proteins with proteasome.The over-expression of sPINK1 increased pUb level in hippocampal neuron,which chronically induced protein aggregation,mitochondrial damage and damage the structure of neuronal spines.Such neuronal injury lead to cognitive impairment of mice.The roles of sPINK1 was reversed by co-expression with Ub/S65A,and was mimic by over-expression with Ub/S65E.CONCLUSION The phosphorylation of ubiquitin aggravates UPS degrada-tion,and accelerates neuronal degeneration upon the decline of proteasomal degradation in aging and age-related neuronal diseases.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the fluctuations in arterial leukocyte phospholipase D (PLD) activity during the perioperative period of open heart surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and the relationship between PLD activity and systemic inflammatory response induced by CPB.

METHODSArterial blood was obtained from 26 patients undergoing open heart surgery at 8 different time points during the perioperative period, from which leukocytes were isolated for determination of PLD activity, CD11b expression and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Plasma IL-6, IL-8 and C-reactive protein were also determined. The 26 cases were retrospectively divided into 3 groups according to perfusion time in order to detect the possible influences of CPB on PLD activity and IL-6 and IL-8 levels.

RESULTSWhen the ascending aorta was declamped, average arterial leukocyte PLD activity was 0.305 +/- 0.132 nmol choline.min(-1).mg(-1), 5.0 times higher of the pre-CPB value, and remained (5.4 times higher of the pre-CPB level) at 72 hours after CPB. Leukocyte CD11b expression and plasma IL-6 and IL-8 levels increased significantly at the end of CPB, while MPO activity and C-reactive protein concentration reached their peaks at 1 and 24 hours, respectively, after CPB. At the end of CPB, the arterial leukocyte PLD activity of patients whose CPB duration was longer than 90 minutes were 1.82- and 1.74-fold that of the other two groups with CPB lasting between 90 and 60 minutes and less than 60 minutes.

CONCLUSIONSArterial leukocyte PLD activity rises significantly in CPB and its elevation is earlier and more persistent than other inflammation-related indicators tested; longer CPB duration leads to higher leukocyte PLD activity at the end of CPB. These results imply that PLD could be a new target for prevention of systemic inflammatory response induced by CPB.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Interleukin-8 ; blood ; Leukocytes ; enzymology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phospholipase D ; blood ; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome ; enzymology

Receptor interacting proteins (RIPs) are a group of threonine/serine protein kinases, which have relatively conserved kinase domains and different non-kinase domains, and are involved in physiological and pathological processes including innate immune response and inflammation. In recent years, many studies have shown that RIPs mediate cell necroptosis and triggers inflammatory responses by participating in the formation of necrotic complexes, and RIP1 and RIP3 are particularly closely related to cell necrosis. Cell necroptosis is a well-regulated way of cell death. The death signal that transmit through the TNF signaling pathway and the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway can recruit and phosphorylate mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), and eventually leading to disintegration and death of cells, and the release of cells intercellular material after cell disintegration can trigger an inflammatory reaction. This review mainly focuses on the major signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms that are involved in the mediation of necrosis and inflammation by RIPs. It also highlights the importance of RIPs in the development of inflammatory diseases and their potentials as therapeutic targets for inflammatory diseases.
Apoptosis ; Humans ; Inflammation ; physiopathology ; Necrosis ; physiopathology ; Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Research ; Signal Transduction

G-protein-coupled receptor 17 (GPR17), an originally orphan receptor, was identified as a new uracil nucleotides/cysteinyl leukotriene receptor. However, whether GPR17 is really classified as a leukotriene receptor is a matter deserving further investigation. GPR17 is involved in many physiological and pathological processes including brain injury, spinal cord injury, and oligodendrocyte differentiation. GPR17 may become a new therapeutic target in these diseases. In this article, the research progress on the pharmacology and pathophysiological roles of GPR17 is reviewed.
Central Nervous System ; injuries ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Neurogenesis ; physiology ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; metabolism ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo examine the spatiotemporal profiles and localization of CysLT1R, CysLT2R and GPR17 in mice with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinson disease (PD).

METHODSPD model was induced by subcutaneous injection of MPTP (25 mg/kg) for 5 d in adult male C57BL/6 mice. At d10 after MPTP injection, the expression and cellular localization of CysLT1R, CysLT2R and GPR17 in the substantia nigra were detected by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.

RESULTSCysLT1R, CysLT22 and GPR17 were normally localized in TH-positive dopaminergic neurons and microglia, while CysLT2R was also expressed in astrocytes. In dopaminergic neurons, approximately 91% co-expressed GPR17, 77% co-expressed CysLT1R and 52% co-expressed CysLT2R. Compared with the control group, TH-positive cells in the substantia nigra were significantly reduced in PD mice. CysLT1R, CysLT2R and GPR17-positive cells were significantly reduced; and CysLT1R, CysLT2R, GPR17-positive dopaminergic neurons were also significantly reduced in the PD group. In the striatum, both CysLT1R and GPR17 were normally expressed in neurons; whereas CysLT2R was expressed in astrocytes. In PD striatum, CysLT1R and GPR17-positive cells were decreased, but CysLT2R expression was significantly increased which mainly expressed in the proliferating astrocytes.

CONCLUSIONCysLT1R, CysLT2R and GPR17 may be involved in the MPTP-induced PD damage in mice.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Parkinson Disease ; metabolism ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; metabolism ; Receptors, Leukotriene ; metabolism

The morbidity of neurodegenerative diseases are increased in recent years, however, the treatment is limited. Poly ADP-ribosylation (PARylation) is a post-translational modification of protein that catalyzed by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Studies have shown that PARylation is involved in many neurodegenerative diseases such as stroke, Parkinson's diseases, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and so on, by affecting intracellular translocation of protein molecules, protein aggregation, protein activity, and cell death. PARP inhibitors have showed neuroprotective efficacy for neurodegenerative diseases in pre-clinical studies and phase Ⅰ clinical trials. To find new PARP inhibitors with more specific effects and specific pharmacokinetic characteristics will be the new direction for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. This paper reviews the recent progress on PARylation in neurodegenerative diseases.
ADP-Ribosylation ; Humans ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; physiopathology ; Poly Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of CysLT receptor agonist leukotriene D4(LTD4) and antagonists on activation of microglia BV2 cells.

METHODSThe expression of CysLT1 and CysLT2 protein was determined by Western blotting and immunostaining in microglia BV2 cells. BV2 cells were pretreated with or without CysLT1 receptor selective antagonist montelukast, CysLT2 receptor selective antagonist HAMI 3379, or CysLT1/CysLT2 receptor dual antagonist BAY u9773 for 30 min, then the cells were treated with LTD4 for 24 h. Cell viability was detected by MTT reduction assay. Phagocytosis and mRNA expression of IL-6 were determined by fluorescent bead tracking and RT-PCR, respectively.

RESULTSIn BV2 cells, LTD4 did not affect proliferation but significantly enhanced phagocytosis and increased IL-6 mRNA expression in a concentration-dependent manner. LTD4 at 100 nmol/L induced a 1.4-fold increase of phagocytic index and a 2-fold up-regulation of IL-6 mRNA expression (P<0.01). HAMI 3379 and BAY u9773 (100 nmol/L) further increased LTD4-induced phagocytosis; BAY u9773 and montelukast decreased LTD4-induced IL-6 mRNA expression, while HAMI 3379 had no effect on that.

CONCLUSIONLTD4 activates BV2 cells in vitro and enhances IL-6 mRNA expression mediated by CysLT1 receptor, LTD4 induces phagocytosis which might be negatively regulated by CysLT2 receptor in BV2 cells.

Acetates ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Leukotriene Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Leukotriene D4 ; pharmacology ; Microglia ; cytology ; metabolism ; Phagocytosis ; Phthalic Acids ; pharmacology ; Quinolines ; pharmacology ; Receptors, Leukotriene ; metabolism ; SRS-A ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: : To determine the effects of cysteinyl leukotriene receptors (CysLTR and CysLTR) on phagocytosis of mouse BV2 microglial cells. METHODS: : BV2 cells were stimulated with microglial activators lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or CysLT receptor agonists LTD. The phagocytosis of BV2 cells was observed by immunofluorescence analysis and flow cytometry. The intracellular distributions of CysLTR and CysLTR in BV2 cells were examined with immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: : Both LPS and LTD could significantly enhance the phagocytosis of BV2 cells, and such effect could be inhibited by CysLTR selective antagonist Montelukast and CysLTR selective antagonist HAMI 3379. The activation of BV2 cells induced by LTD or LPS resulted in changes in intracellular distributions of CysLTR and CysLTR. CysLTR and CysLTR was co-localization with a similar distribution. CONCLUSIONS : CysLTR and CysLTR regulate the phagocytosis of mouse BV2 microglial cells with a synergistic effect.
Acetates ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids ; pharmacology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Microglia ; cytology ; Phagocytosis ; drug effects ; Phthalic Acids ; pharmacology ; Protein Binding ; drug effects ; Quinolines ; pharmacology ; Receptors, Leukotriene ; agonists ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: : To investigate the effect of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) inhibitor FK866 on the migration of human non-small cell cancer A549 cells and related mechanism. METHODS: : The inhibition effect of FK866 on A549 cells was tested by MTT assay. A549 cells were treated with 1.0 and 10.0 nmol/L FK866, and the cell migration was evaluated by modified wound scratch assay. The mRNA expression of E-cadherin and vimentin was detected by real-time RT-PCR, and the expression of ERK1/2 and pERK1/2 was determined by Western blotting. RESULTS: : FK866 inhibited the proliferation of A549 cells in a time-and concentration-dependent manner; after treatment for 72 h, the IC of FK866 was 9.55 nmol/L. When 1.0 nmol/L or 10.0 nmol/L FK866 was continuously applied 48 h before and 48 h after a scratch was made in wound scratch assay, the migration of A549 cells was significantly inhibited. However, when the FK866 was applied only 48 h after the scratch, the migration of A549 cells was inhibited by 10.0 nmol/L but not by 1.0 nmol/L FK866. The mRNA expression of E-cadherin and vimentin, and the activated ERK1/2 were significantly increased after 1.0 nmol/L FK866 treatment for 72 h. The pretreatment with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) precursor nicotinamide mononucleotide(1.0 mmol/L) or ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 (10.0 μmol/L) reversed the up-regulation of E-cadherin and vimentin expression induced by FK866. CONCLUSIONS s: Low concentration of FK866 decreases the migration of A549 cells through the inhibition of NAD level, activation of ERK1/2 and up-regulation of E-cadherin expression. However, it also up-regulates the expression of vimentin, indicating that it may have dual effects on the migration of tumor cells.
A549 Cells ; Cadherins ; genetics ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Morpholines ; pharmacology ; Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Piperazines ; pharmacology ; Vimentin ; genetics