CUL1基因对MPP+诱导的SH-SY5Y细胞存活和NLRP3炎症体通路的影响

摘要 目的：探究Cullin1（CUL1）基因对1-甲基-4-苯基吡啶离子（MPP+）诱导的SH-SY5Y细胞存活和核苷酸结合寡聚化结构域样受体3（NLRP3）炎症体通路的影响。方法：（1）将SH-SY5Y细胞分为NC组、NC-sh组、CUL1-sh组、NC-OE组和CUL1-OE组。使用Lipofectamine 2000试剂对细胞转染相应的慢病毒。（2）将SH-SY5Y细胞分为Control组、MPP+组和MPP++CUL1-OE组。MPP+组和MPP++CUL1-OE组细胞使用1 mmol/L的MPP+处理48 h,Control组细胞正常培养。通过MTT法检测细胞增殖,通过Annexin V-FITC/PI双染色法和TUNEL染色法检测细胞凋亡,通过qRT-PCR检测CUL1的mRNA水平,通过Western blot检测CUL1、NLRP3、凋亡相关斑点样蛋白（ASC）、cleaved caspase-1、白细胞介素（IL）-1β和IL-18蛋白水平。通过ELISA法检测细胞培养上清液中IL-1β和IL-18水平。结果：（1）与NC组和NC-sh组比较,CUL1-sh组CUL1的mRNA和蛋白相对表达量降低,相对细胞活力降低,Annexin V-FITC/PI阳性率和TUNEL阳性率升高,NLRP3、ASC、cleaved caspase-1、IL-1β和IL-18蛋白相对表达量以及细胞培养上清液中IL-1β和IL-18水平升高（P<0.05）。与NC组和NC-OE组比较,CUL1-OE组CUL1的mRNA和蛋白相对表达量升高,相对细胞活力升高,Annexin V-FITC/PI阳性率和TUNEL阳性率降低,NLRP3、ASC、cleaved caspase-1、IL-1β和IL-18蛋白相对表达量以及细胞培养上清液中IL-1β和IL-18水平降低（P<0.05）。（2）与Control组比较,MPP+组CUL1的mRNA和蛋白相对表达量降低,相对细胞活力降低,Annexin V-FITC/PI阳性率和TUNEL阳性率升高,NLRP3、ASC、cleaved caspase-1、IL-1β和IL-18蛋白相对表达量以及细胞培养上清液中IL-1β和IL-18水平升高（P<0.05）。与MPP+组比较,MPP++CUL1-OE组CUL1的mRNA和蛋白相对表达量升高,相对细胞活力升高,Annexin V-FITC/PI阳性率和TUNEL阳性率降低,NLRP3、ASC、cleaved caspase-1、IL-1β和IL-18蛋白相对表达量以及细胞培养上清液中IL-1β和IL-18水平降低（P<0.05）。结论：CUL1可能通过抑制NLRP3炎症体激活促进MPP+诱导的SH-SY5Y细胞存活。     

红景天苷通过PINK1-Parkin 通路在MPP+诱导的SH-SY5Y细胞中维持线粒体形态和功能

目的:研究红景天苷(Salidroside,Sal)对在MPP+诱导SH-SY5Y细胞线粒体形态和功能的影响及其机制。方法:采用3-(4,5-二甲基噻唑-2)-2,5-二苯基四氮唑溴盐(3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide,MTT)检测细胞活性,Mito Tracker Red CMXRos进行线粒体染色,四甲基罗丹明乙酯(Tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester,TMRE)检测线粒体膜电位,Western blot检测PINK1和Parkin蛋白表达水平。结果:单纯Sal处理24 h对细胞活性、线粒体形态和MMP无影响(P0.05)。MPP+(500μM)处理SH-SY5Y细胞24 h后,与正常组比较,细胞活性、MMP水平均降低,线粒体长度减短(P0.01),并发生碎片化。Sal(25μM)预处理24 h可以显著抑制MPP+诱导的细胞活性降低(P0.01),并维持线粒体长度和增加MMP水平(P0.01)。而且,Sal(25μM)预处理24 h可以显著恢复MPP+诱导的PINK1和Parkin蛋白表达水平下降(P0.01)。结论:体外实验证实Sal可以保护MPP+诱导的SH-SY5Y细胞活性降低、线粒体形态和功能异常,而PINK1-Parkin通路可能是其机制之一,为进一步临床开发Sal治疗PD的新药提供实验依据。     

色钉菇粗多糖对MPP~+损伤的SH-SY5Y细胞的保护作用

本文旨在研究色钉菇(Chroogomphus rutilus)粗多糖对多巴胺能神经元的保护作用。用浓度为200、400和800μg/mL的色钉菇粗多糖对SH-SY5Y细胞进行预处理后,加入1-甲基-4-苯基吡啶离子(1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium,MPP+)处理48h。采用MTT法检测MPP+损伤的SH-SY5Y细胞的存活率,用Annexin V-FITC染色和流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率。结果显示,400μg/mL和800μg/mL的色钉菇粗多糖预处理可显著提高MPP+损伤的SH-SY5Y细胞存活率,降低细胞凋亡率。为了排除色钉菇粗多糖通过直接结合来降低MPP+实际浓度的可能性,将多糖洗净后,再予以细胞MPP+处理,MTT结果显示800μg/mL的色钉菇粗多糖预处理仍可提高细胞存活率。以上结果提示,色钉菇粗多糖对SH-SY5Y细胞起到有效的保护作用,其保护作用的大部分与多糖和MPP+的直接结合无明显关系,而是源于多糖对细胞的直接作用,因此色钉菇多糖有开发成防治帕金森病药物的应用前景。     

TET酶的生物学功能及相关机制的研究进展

DNA甲基化（DNA methylation）及去甲基化属于常见的表观遗传修饰,可介导多种生理和病理过程。DNA甲基化及去甲基化修饰参与基因的表达调控,且二者的动态平衡可以维持遗传表达稳定性。DNA甲基转移酶（DNA methyltransferase,DNMT）主要包括DNMT1、DNMT3A、DNMT3B、DNMT3L,DNA去甲基化酶（DNA demethylase）主要指10-11易位蛋白（ten-eleven-translocation protein,TET）家族,包括TET1、TET2、TET3,是调节DNA甲基化和去甲基化的重要酶类。TET酶是目前发现的调节DNA去甲基化（DNA demethylation）过程中最重要的酶。综述了TET酶在DNA去甲基化修饰中的作用机制,探讨了DNA去甲基化酶在生长发育和疾病中的关键作用,以期为今后表观遗传学的相关研究提供新思路。     

Parkin基因过表达质粒和细胞模型的构建

目的:构建Parkin基因过表达质粒并转染SH-SY5Y细胞,为进一步研究帕金森病的发病机制及中药的作用环节奠定基础。方法:首先构建Parkin基因过表达质粒,采用脂质体转导技术,将Parkin过表达质粒应用Lipo3000转染SH-SY5Y细胞。荧光显微镜观察细胞绿色荧光蛋白的表达;RT-PCR检测其Parkin mRNA的表达;Western Blot技术检测其Parkin蛋白的表达。结果:转染组可观测到较多的绿色荧光蛋白表达;Parkin过表达细胞Parkin mRNA和蛋白的表达均显著提高(P0.01)。结论:通过脂质体转导技术,应用Lipo3000可将Parkin过表达质粒成功转染入SH-SY5Y细胞,转染的基因和蛋白表达均较高,提示此法可成功构建Parkin基因过表达的细胞模型。     

稳定表达β-synuclein的SH-SY5Y细胞株的构建

目的构建稳定表达β-synuclein的SH-SY5Y细胞株。方法利用脂质体转染技术将质粒pcD-NA3.1-β-synuclein转染SH-SY5Y细胞,通过Zeocin进行抗性筛选。采用原位免疫荧光、免疫组织化学染色及Western blot杂交检测β-synuclein在SH-SY5Y细胞中的表达情况;通过MTT比色法检测β-synuclein稳定表达对SH-SY5Y细胞增殖的影响。结果原位免疫荧光、免疫组织化学染色及Western blot检测结果显示β-synuclein在SH-SY5Y细胞中的表达水平较对照组明显升高;稳定表达β-synuclein的细胞增殖程度较对照组明显增高(P<0.05)。结论β-synuclein在SH-SY5Y细胞中稳定表达,为后续的研究提供有用的细胞模型。为进一步研究β-sy-nuclein对帕金森病发病神经保护作用的研究奠定了良好的基础。     

Beclin-1 shRNA对低氧诱导的SH-SY5Y细胞自噬的影响

目的：构建Beclin-1基因短发夹干扰RNA（shRNA）慢病毒载体,感染人SH-SY5Y细胞,观察沉默Beclin-1基因后低氧对SH-SY5Y细胞自噬的影响。方法：构建特异性靶向Beclin-1基因的shRNA慢病毒表达载体和阴性对照序列慢病毒载体;再将载体转染入SH-SY5Y细胞;RT-PCR检测Beclin-1的mRNA表达;Western blot检测Beclin-1蛋白表达;CCK-8法测定Beclin-1 shRNA对SH-SY5Y细胞活力的影响。再将空白对照、阴性对照、转染型三种细胞分别以21%常氧及5%低氧培养,Western blot检测各组细胞LC3蛋白表达;电镜观察自噬小体。结果：Beclin-1 shRNA能明显抑制SH-SY5Y细胞Beclin-1的mRNA及蛋白的表达;沉默Beclin-1基因后,Beclin-1 shRNA组细胞存活率与阴性对照组相比无差异;成功建立了稳定表达Beclin-1 shRNA的SH-SY5Y细胞。5%低氧处理后,与阴性对照组相比较,Beclin-1 shRNA组细胞中LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ比值下调,细胞内自噬小体数量减少。结论：慢病毒介导的Beclin-1shRNA对SH-SY5Y细胞的活力无影响,但可以抑制低氧诱导的自噬。     

稳定表达GFP-Parkin融合蛋白的SH-SY5Y细胞系的建立和功能初探

目的:建立稳定表达GFP-Parkin的SH-SY5Y细胞系,并检测Parkin对MPP~+引起的SH-SY5Y细胞损伤的保护作用。方法:将Parkin编码序列克隆到载体pEGFP-C1中,构建重组质粒pEGFP-Parkin,转染SH-SY5Y细胞,通过G418筛选,建立稳定表达GFP-Parkin的SH-SY5Y细胞系;荧光显微镜和Western印迹鉴定Parkin表达,MTT法检测Parkin对MPP~+致细胞损伤的保护作用。结果:酶切鉴定及测序结果表明重组质粒pEGFP-Parkin构建正确;荧光显微镜下可见细胞内有GFP-Parkin的融合表达,Western印迹检测发现相对分子质量79×103的蛋白条带;MTT结果显示Parkin能够减弱MPP~+对SH-SY5Y细胞的损伤,与对照组相比,存活率高约15%,差异显著(P0.05)。结论:构建了稳定表达GFP-Parkin的SH-SY5Y细胞系,为进一步研究Parkin的细胞保护作用和其他功能机制奠定了基础。     

TIMP-1基因缄默削弱SH-SY5Y细胞的增殖潜能并诱导其凋亡增强

前期研究发现,人基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂-1(tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1,TIMP-1)在唐氏综合征（Down’s syndrome ,DS)胎儿脑组织内表达下调．为了探讨TIMP-1表达下调参与DS脑病变发生的可能机制,本研究以人神经母细胞瘤细胞（SH-SY5Y）为模型,观察TIMP-1基因沉默后对其增殖和凋亡的影响．应用LipofectaminTM2000将TIMP-1特异性短发卡 RNA( short hairpin RNA,shRNA)导入SH-SY5Y细胞,经嘌呤霉素筛选获得稳定表达TIMP-1-shRNA细胞株;应用RT-PCR、real-time PCR和Western 印迹对干扰效率进行鉴定：与SH-SY5Y细胞相比,无论在mRNA水平还是蛋白水平,SH-SY5Y-TIMP-1-shRNA细胞中TIMP-1的表达显著下调（下调率接近100%）．结果显示,已成功构建了TIMP-1基因沉默的SH-SY5Y细胞模型．在此基础上,通过MTT检测发现,TIMP-1基因沉默后SH-SY5Y细胞增殖减慢;流式细胞仪和荧光显微镜凋亡检测显示,TIMP-1基因沉默后SH-SY5Y细胞凋亡明显增加．这些研究结果表明,TIMP-1基因沉默能削弱SH-SY5Y细胞的增殖能力并增强SH-SY5Y的凋亡效应,提示TIMP-1可能是通过影响神经细胞的增殖和凋亡参与DS智力低下的发病过程．     

硝普钠对SH-SY5Y细胞中F-box富含亮氨酸重复蛋白5和铁调节蛋白2表达的调节作用（英文）

帕金森病(Parkinson’s disease,PD)患者早期铁选择性聚集在黑质致密带,残存的多巴胺能神经元内铁含量增高,说明铁升高可能是PD发生的一个关键因素。铁调节蛋白(iron regulatory proteins,IRPs)IRP1和IRP2可与铁转运和储存蛋白中的铁反应元件相结合,对维持细胞铁稳态起重要作用。F-box富含亮氨酸重复蛋白5(F-box and leucine-rich repeat protein 5,FBXL5)通过泛素蛋白酶体途径降解IRP2而参与铁代谢的调控。有研究显示一氧化氮(nitric oxide,NO)能够增强IRP1的活性,但对IRP2的表达影响尚未明确。本研究选择NO的供体硝普纳(sodium nitroprusside,SNP)作为处理药物,研究其对体外培养的SH-SY5Y细胞内FBXL5和IRP2蛋白表达的影响。细胞活力检测结果显示SNP可剂量依赖性地损伤SH-SY5Y细胞,降低细胞存活率。流式细胞术结果显示,经过100和300μmol/L的SNP处理后,细胞线粒体膜电位分别降低45%和60%。此外,Western blotting结果显示300μmol/L SNP能够引起细胞内FBXL5的蛋白表达量升高39%,而使IRP2的蛋白表达量降低46%。以上结果提示,SNP可造成SH-SY5Y细胞的线粒体功能障碍,并上调FBXL5的表达和下调IRP2的表达。     

Down-Regulation of ID2-AS1 Alleviates the Neuronal Injury Induced by 1-Methy1-4-Phenylpyridinium in Human Neuroblastoma Cell Line SH-SY5Y Cells Through Regulating miR-199a-5p/IFNAR1/JAK2/STAT1 Axis

We aimed to illustrate the roles and molecular mechanisms of ID2-AS1 in parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods: qRT-PCR detected the expression of ID2-AS1. CCK-8, LDH release assays the effect of ID2-AS1 knockdown on PD cells. Flow cytometry and Western Blot were used to detect the effect of ID2-AS1 inhibition on PD cell apoptosis. ELISA analysis showed that ID2-AS1 inhibition can reduce the inflammation of PD cells. ROS activity assay showed that inhibiting ID2-AS1 attenuated the oxidative stress induced by 1-methy1-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation assay showed that ID2-AS1 is mainly located in the cytoplasm. The luciferase reporter assay is used to verify the interaction. In our study, ID2-AS1 was concentration-dependently and time-dependently up-regulated in MPP+?-treated human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. ID2-AS1 knockdown enhanced cell proliferation and decreased cell death in PD cells. Knockdown of ID2-AS1 attenuates MPP+?-induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. ID2-AS1 is a sponge of miR-199a-5p. IFNAR1 is a target of miR-199a-5p. Inhibition of miR-199a-5p and overexpression of IFNAR1 alleviate the inhibitory effect of ID2-AS1 knockdown on MPP+?triggered neuronal injury. Inhibition of miR-199a-5p and overexpression of IFNAR1 alleviate the inhibitory effect of ID2-AS1 knockdown on MPP+?-triggered JAK2/STAT1 activation. Overall, down-regulation of ID2-AS1 alleviated the neuronal injury in PD through regulating miR-199a-5p/IFNAR1/JAK2/STAT1 axis.

     

ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener iptakalim protected against the cytotoxicity of MPP+ on SH-SY5Y cells by decreasing extracellular glutamate level

Mounting evidence reveals that ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel openers (KCOs) exert significant neuroprotection in vivo and in vitro in several models of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we demonstrated that SH-SY5Y cells expressed mRNA and proteins for Kir6.1, Kir6.2, SUR1 and SUR2 subunits of K(ATP) channels. Moreover, our results showed that 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium ion (MPP+) induced up-regulation of mRNA for the Kir6.2 subunit and down-regulation of SUR1. It was further found that pretreatment with iptakalim, a novel K(ATP) channel opener, could attenuate increased extracellular glutamate level and decreased cell survival in SH-SY5Y cell culture after exposure to MPP+. Trans-pyrrolidine-2, 4-dicarboxylic acid (t-PDC), a glutamate transporter inhibitor, partially blocked the effect of iptakalim decreasing extracellular glutamate level. Additionally, iptakalim prevented MPP+-induced inhibition of glutamate uptake in primary cultured astrocytes. The beneficial effects of iptakalim on glutamate uptake of astrocytes were abolished by selective mitochondrial K(ATP) (mitoK(ATP)) channel blocker 5-HD. These results suggest (i) K(ATP) channel dysfunction may be involved in the mechanisms of MPP+-induced cytotoxicity and (ii) iptakalim may modulate glutamate transporters and subsequently alleviate the increase of extracellular glutamate levels induced by MPP+ through opening mitoK(ATP) channels, thereby protecting SH-SY5Y cells against MPP+-induced cytotoxicity.     

MiR-193b deregulation is associated with Parkinson's disease

PGC-1α/FNDC5/BDNF has found to be a critical pathway in neurodegeneration. MicroRNAs (miR(NA)s) are non-coding regulatory RNAs whose dysregulation has been observed in multiple neurological disorders, and miRNA-mediated gene deregulation plays a decisive role in PD. Here, candidate miRNA was chosen based on the literature survey and in silico studies. Chronic and acute models of PD were created using MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Twenty PD patients and 20 healthy volunteers were recruited. RT-qPCR was performed to assess the expression of miRNA and genes. Severe mitochondrial dysfunction induced by acute MPP+ treatment instigated compensatory mechanisms through enhancing expression of PGC-1α/FNDC5/BDNF pathway genes, while chronic MPP+ toxicity led to down-regulated levels of the genes in SH-SY5Y cells. PD peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) also showed decreased expression of target genes. There were significant changes in the level of miR-193b in both models, as well as PD PBMCs. Moreover, miR-193b overexpression significantly affected PGC-1α, FNDC5 and TFAM levels. Interestingly, down-regulations of PGC-1α, FNDC5, BDNF and TFAM were inversely correlated with miR-193b up-regulation in PD PBMCs. This study showed the deregulation of PGC-1α/FNDC5/BDNF pathway in PD models and PBMCs, verifying its importance in neurodegeneration. Our findings also revealed that miR-193b functions in PD development, possibly through regulating PGC-1α/FNDC5/BDNF pathway, suggesting miR-193b as a potential biomarker for PD diagnosis.     

MPP+ inhibits proliferation of PC12 cells by a p21(WAF1/Cip1)-dependent pathway and induces cell death in cells lacking p21(WAF1/Cip1).

The molecular and biochemical mode of cell death of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD) is uncertain. In an attempt at further clarification we studied the effects of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), the active metabolite of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), on dopaminergic PC12 cells. In humans and nonhuman primates MPTP/MPP+ causes a syndrome closely resembling PD. MPP+ toxicity is thought to be mediated by the block of complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Treatment of undifferentiated PC12 cells with MPP+ primarily inhibited proliferation of PC12 cells and secondarily led to cell death after the depletion of all energy substrates by glycolysis. This cell death showed no morphological characteristics of apoptosis and was not blocked by treatment with caspase inhibitors. The inhibition of cell growth was not dependent on an inhibition of complex I activity since MPP+ also inhibited cell proliferation in SH-SY5Y cells lacking mitochondrial DNA and complex I activity (p0 cells). As shown by flow cytometric analysis, MPP+ induced a block in the G0/G1 to S phase transition that correlated with increased expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(WAF1/Cip1) and growth arrest. Since treatment with 1 microM MPP+ caused apoptotic cell death in p21(WAF1/Cip1)-deficient (p21(-/-)) but not in parental (p21(+/+)) mouse embryo fibroblasts, our data suggest that in an early phase MPP+-induced p21(WAF1/Cip1) expression leads to growth arrest and prevents apoptosis until energy depletion finally leads to a nonapoptotic cell death.     

DNA Demethylation by DNMT3A and DNMT3B in vitro and of Methylated Episomal DNA in Transiently Transfected Cells

The DNA methylation program in vertebrates is an essential part of the epigenetic regulatory cascade of development, cell differentiation, and progression of diseases including cancer. While the DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are responsible for the in vivo conversion of cytosine (C) to methylated cytosine (5mC), demethylation of 5mC on cellular DNA could be accomplished by the combined action of the ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes and DNA repair. Surprisingly, the mammalian DNMTs also possess active DNA demethylation activity in vitro in a Ca²⁺- and redox conditions-dependent manner, although little is known about its molecular mechanisms and occurrence in a cellular context. In this study, we have used LC-MS/MS to track down the fate of the methyl group removed from 5mC on DNA by mouse DNMT3B in vitro and found that it becomes covalently linked to the DNA methylation catalytic cysteine of the enzyme. We also show that Ca²⁺ homeostasis-dependent but TET1/TET2/TET3/TDG-independent demethylation of methylated episomal DNA by mouse DNMT3A or DNMT3B can occur in transfected human HEK 293 and mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. Based on these results, we present a tentative working model of Ca²⁺ and redox conditions-dependent active DNA demethylation by DNMTs. Our study substantiates the potential roles of the vertebrate DNMTs as double-edged swords in DNA methylation-demethylation during Ca²⁺-dependent physiological processes.     

Kynurenic acid attenuates MPP(+)-induced dopaminergic neuronal cell death via a Bax-mediated mitochondrial pathway

Kynurenic acid (KYNA), a tryptophan metabolite in the kynurenine pathway, is protective against various insults. However, the molecular mechanism of this protective effect has not been identified. In this study, we examined the protective effects of KYNA against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)), the best-characterized toxin inducing pathological changes resembling Parkinson's disease (PD), using SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells. Pre-treatment of KYNA attenuated MPP(+)-induced neuronal cell death in SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH cells. MPP(+)-induced cell death was preceded by increases in Bax expression and mitochondrial dysfunction, such as collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)), release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytoplasm, and increases in caspase-9/-3 activities. KYNA effectively inhibited all of these mitochondrial apoptotic processes. Our results indicate that KYNA plays a protective role by down-regulating Bax expression and maintaining mitochondrial function in MPP(+)-induced neuronal cell death, and suggest that KYNA may have therapeutic potential in PD.     

Neuroprotective potentials of neurotrophin rich olfactory ensheathing cell's conditioned media against 6OHDA-induced oxidative damage

Abstract

On the basis of recent reports, we propose that impaired neurotrophin signaling (PI3k/Akt), low antioxidant levels, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) conjointly participate in the progressive events responsible for the dopaminergic cell loss in Parkinson's disease (PD). In the present study we tried to target these deficits collectively through multiple neurotrophic factors (NTFs) support in the form of Olfactory Ensheathing Cell's Conditioned Media (OEC CM) using human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line exposed to 6 hydroxydopamine (6OHDA). 6OHDA exposure induced, oxidative stress-mediated apoptotic cell death viz. enhanced ROS generation, diffused cytosolic cytochrome c (cyt c), impaired Bcl-2: Bax levels along with decrease in GSH content. These changes were accompanied by loss in Akt phosphorylation and TH levels in SH-SY5Y cells. OEC CM significantly checked apoptotic cell death by preserving pAkt levels which coincided with enhanced GSH and suppressed oxidative injury. Functional integrity of OEC CM supported cells was evident by maintained tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression. Intercepting Akt signaling by specific inhibitor LY294002 blocked the protective effect. Taken together our findings provide important evidence that the key to protective effect of multiple NTF support via OEC CM is enhanced Akt survival signaling which promotes antioxidant defense leading to suppression of oxidative damage.     

SH-SY5Y and LUHMES cells display differential sensitivity to MPP+, tunicamycin,and epoxomicin in 2D and 3D cell culture

SH-SY5Y and LUHMES cell lines are widely used as model systems for studying neurotoxicity. Most of the existing data regarding the sensitivity of these cell lines to neurotoxicants have been recorded from cells growing as two-dimensional (2D) cultures on the surface of glass or plastic. With the emergence of 3D culture platforms designed to better represent native tissue, there is a growing need to compare the toxicology of neurons grown in 3D environments to those grown in 2D to better understand the impact that culture environment has on toxicant sensitivity. Here, a simple 3D culture method was used to assess the impact of growth environment on the sensitivity of SH-SY5Y cells and LUHMES cells to MPP+, tunicamycin, and epoxomicin, three neurotoxicants that have been previously used to generate experimental models for studying Parkinson's disease pathogenesis. SH-SY5Y cell viability following treatment with these three toxicants was significantly lower in 2D cultures as compared to 3D cultures. On the contrary, LUHMES cells did not show significant differences between growth conditions for any of the toxicants examined. However, LUHMES cells were more sensitive to MPP+, tunicamycin, and epoxomicin than SH-SY5Y cells. Thus, both the choice of cell line and the choice of growth environment must be considered when interpreting in vitro neurotoxicity data.     

Angiogenin in Parkinson Disease Models: Role of Akt Phosphorylation and Evaluation of AAV-Mediated Angiogenin Expression in MPTP Treated Mice

The angiogenic factor, angiogenin, has been recently linked to both Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson Disease (PD). We have recently shown that endogenous angiogenin levels are dramatically reduced in an alpha-synuclein mouse model of PD and that exogenous angiogenin protects against cell loss in neurotoxin-based cellular models of PD. Here, we extend our studies to examine whether activation of the prosurvival Akt pathway is required for angiogenin''s neuroprotective effects against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), as observed in ALS models, and to test the effect of virally-mediated overexpression of angiogenin in an in vivo PD model. Using a dominant negative Akt construct, we demonstrate that inhibition of the Akt pathway does not reduce the protective effect of angiogenin against MPP+ toxicity in the dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cell line. Furthermore, an ALS-associated mutant of angiogenin, K40I, which fails to induce Akt phosphorylation, was similar to wildtype angiogenin in protection against MPP+. These results confirm previous work showing neuroprotective effects of angiogenin against MPP+, and indicate that Akt is not required for this protective effect. We also investigated whether adeno-associated viral serotype 2 (AAV2)-mediated overexpression of angiogenin protects against dopaminergic neuron loss in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model. We found that angiogenin overexpression using this approach does not reduce the MPTP-induced degeneration of dopaminergic cells in the substantia nigra, nor limit the depletion of dopamine and its metabolites in the striatum. Together, these findings extend the evidence for protective effects of angiogenin in vitro, but also suggest that further study of in vivo models is required to translate these effects into meaningful therapies.