肌萎缩侧索硬化症病程中骨骼肌内铁沉积及其调节

目的 研究肌萎缩侧索硬化症(amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS)小鼠模型骨骼肌中铁沉积及相关转运蛋白的表达变化,探讨铁调节蛋白1(IRP1)的可能调节作用。方法 选取携带人源SOD1G93A突变基因小鼠(ALS鼠)和同窝野生型小鼠(WT鼠)为动物模型,分别收集发病前期(70d)、发病早期(95d)、发病期(108d)、发病后期(122d)模型鼠腓肠肌,以普鲁士蓝染色法检测骨骼肌内铁沉积;Western blot技术检测铁转入蛋白二价金属离子转运蛋白1(DMT1)、铁转出蛋白ferropotin1(FPN1)和IRP1的表达变化。结果 在ALS鼠发病期及发病后期腓肠肌内检测到铁沉积。与同窝WT小鼠相比,随病程进展ALS鼠腓肠肌中DMT1表达增高;FPN1水平除70d有增高趋势外,其他时间点ALS组均较WT组呈现降低趋势,但差异无统计学意义。IRP1在70d和95d表达显著降低,随病程进展较WT组呈现上升趋势。结论 ALS病程中腓肠肌内铁转运调节失衡可导致腓肠肌内铁沉积。IRP1部分参与铁转运蛋白的表达调节。     

MPTP致空间学习记忆障碍小鼠脑内NSF表达变化

目的:观察1-甲基-4-苯基-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶(MPTP)致空间学习记忆障碍小鼠脑内N-乙基马来酰亚胺敏感融合蛋白(NSF)表达变化。方法:C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为2组(n=24),包括对照组和MPTP处理组,雌雄各半。MPTP处理组给予C57BL/6J小鼠MPTP(20 mg/0.2 ml/(kg·d),s.c.)连续8 d,每天一次,对照组给予等量的生理盐水用同样方法处理。第9天起采用水迷宫实验,连续4 d检测C57BL/6J小鼠空间学习记忆的改变,水迷宫实验测试结束后,采用免疫组化和Western blot方法检测小鼠脑内NSF表达改变。结果:每组选取小鼠24只进行水迷宫测试,与对照组相比,MPTP处理组小鼠出现空间学习记忆障碍;每组选取小鼠5只进行免疫组化检测,同时每组选取5只小鼠进行Western blot检测,海马CA1区NSF免疫反应活性明显减弱(P0.01),前额叶皮层NSF的免疫反应活性(P0.01)和蛋白表达(P0.05)都明显增高。结论:MPTP致空间学习记忆障碍小鼠脑内NSF表达出现异常,可能参与MPTP致空间学习记忆障碍的发病机制。     

雌激素干扰亚急性MPTP小鼠PD模型黑质纹状体DRP1表达

探究1-甲基-4-苯基-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶(MPTP)诱导的亚急性帕金森病(PD)模型小鼠黑质纹状体神经元动力相关蛋白1(DRP1)的表达以及在雌激素的干预下所发生的变化,从而进一步探讨雌激素对帕金森病的保护作用以及在线粒体动力学方面的作用机制和原理。本研究将C57/BL小鼠随机分配为4组:模型组(MPTP)、对照组(生理盐水)、干预组(Estrogen+MPTP)、干预对照组(Estrogen),腹腔注射一定浓度的MPTP,造模成功后,灌胃给药戊酸雌二醇,一段时间后观察小鼠行为学变化,采用双标免疫荧光检测各组的DRP1和GFAP在小鼠脑黑质纹状体神经元的表达差异,以及采用免疫组织化学和免疫蛋白印迹法检测PD小鼠黑质纹状体DRP1表达的变化以及给予雌激素干预后对上述变化的影响。研究显示,与对照组相比,模型组(MPTP)小鼠表现出典型的PD症状,脑黑质纹状体神经元DRP1明显增多;经雌激素干预处理后,小鼠PD症状有所减轻,免疫组织化学和免疫蛋白印迹法检测的各组脑黑质纹状体DRP1的表达的变化趋势一致,干预组的DRP1表达量明显低于模型组,高于干预对照组,并且对照组和干预组的DRP1表达量无显著性差异。说明一定浓度的雌激素对正常的小鼠无明显作用,而对患PD的小鼠,雌激素能明显改善其病症,因此,雌激素对帕金森病起着一定的保护作用,其潜在的机制可能与雌激素降低了黑质纹状体神经元DRP1的表达从而减少了线粒体异常分裂有关,但是具体的原理还需要进一步的深入研究。     

铁过载抑制神经细胞Rab8A蛋白表达

铁广泛存在于脑组织中,适宜浓度的铁为神经细胞呼吸链传递、神经递质生成和髓鞘化所必需。年龄的增长往往伴随着脑内铁沉积的增加,在老年痴呆症(Alzheimer's disease,AD)患者和帕金森症(Parkinson's disease,PD)患者的脑中铁含量异常升高,导致氧化应激和内质网胁迫。Rab蛋白参与了细胞内多种膜转运途径,是连接多种膜转运途径的关键分子。Rab8A蛋白是众多Rab蛋白中的一种,参与葡萄糖转运,视紫红质的运输等过程。本研究发现,神经细胞中铁过量时,导致Rab8a的表达减少,其表达变化具有时间和浓度效应,可能是AD和PD的致病机制之一。     

肥胖对小鼠十二指肠 DMT1和 FPN1表达的影响

目的：观察肥胖对小鼠十二指肠二价金属离子转运体（divalent metal transporter 1,DMT1）mRNA、膜铁转运蛋白（ferroportin1,FPN1）mRNA及蛋白表达的变化,探讨肥胖影响铁吸收的机制。方法 C57BL／6J小鼠随机分为正常对照组和肥胖模型组,每组6只,通过喂养高脂饲料喂养建立肥胖模型,对照组采用普通饲料饲养,实验干预期14周。建模完成后,采用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测小鼠十二指肠DMT1、FPN1 mRNA 的表达,用Western blot检测小鼠十二指肠FPN1蛋白表达。结果与对照组小鼠相比,肥胖模型组小鼠十二指肠DMT1、FPN1 mRNA表达以及FPN1蛋白表达水平降低,差异具有统计学意义（ P ＜0.05）。结论肥胖会下调机体十二指肠DMT1、FPN1的表达,导致铁吸收不良,为进一步研究肥胖引起铁缺乏机制提供理论和实验依据。     

人参皂甙Rg1对去卵巢帕金森病模型大鼠黑质多巴胺能神经元的保护作用

目的：探讨人参皂甙Rg1对6-羟基多巴（6-OHDA）制备的去卵巢（OVX）帕金森病（PD）模型大鼠黑质（SN）多巴胺能神经元的保护作用及其可能机制。方法：应用6-OHDA制备的OVX PD模型大鼠,侧脑室给予Rg1或雌激素。免疫组织化学染色酪氨酸羟化酶（TH）阳性神经元和Bcl-2蛋白。Perls’铁染色检测SN铁含量。结果：①Rg1或雌激素可抑制阿朴吗啡诱导的PD大鼠旋转行为;②在损毁侧SN,Rg1或雌激素用药组TH阳性神经元数量较6-OHDA组显著增多;③6-OHDA组损毁侧SN内铁含量较健侧明显升高,应用Rg1或雌激素后,SN铁含量较模型组明显减少;④与6-OHDA模型组相比,Rg1及雌激素均可增加损毁侧大鼠SN内Bcl-2蛋白表达。结论：人参皂甙Rg1具有类雌激素样作用,对OVX PD模型大鼠黑质DA能神经元有明显的保护作用,其作用机制可能与降低铁负载和抗凋亡有关。     

MPTP慢性帕金森病小鼠纹状体差异蛋白质的研究

目的分离、鉴定MPTP诱导慢性帕金森病模型小鼠纹状体差异表达的蛋白质,对MPTP慢性PD动物模型的特异性蛋白质组进行初步探讨,为PD的发病机制提供一定的蛋白质组学依据。方法成功建立MPTP诱导慢性帕金森病小鼠模型,提取模型组和对照组小鼠脑纹状体蛋白质,分别以固相pH梯度等电聚焦为第一向,SDS-PAGE垂直电泳为第二向进行2-DE。图像分析软件PDQUEST8.0分析电泳图谱找出差异表达蛋白,运用MALDI-TOF MS质谱鉴定;其肽质量指纹图（PMF）经MS Fit检索。结果比较MPTP诱导慢性PD模型小鼠和正常对照小鼠纹状体二向电泳图,发现12个蛋白表达异常,最终鉴定出其中4个蛋白质：线粒体裂殖调节因子1（mitochondrial fission regulator 1）、类泛素样蛋白3前体（ubiquitin-like protein 3 precursor）表达下调;S100蛋白A10（proteinS100-A10）、Lin-7 homolog B为新出现点。结论初步鉴定出MPTP慢性PD模型小鼠纹状体部分差异表达蛋白,所发现4个表达异常的蛋白质与帕金森病线粒体的损伤和兴奋性神经毒性密切相关,与PD的发病机制相符,为深入研究帕金森病病理机制奠定了基础。     

MPTP诱导的帕金森病小鼠模型黑质脑组织DNA甲基化研究

为研究DNA甲基化在帕金森病发病机制中的作用,本研究用环境毒素1-甲基-4-苯基-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶(MPTP)连续腹腔给药诱导小鼠帕金森病(Parkison's disease,PD)模型,应用ELISA检测小鼠黑质脑组织总体甲基化水平,应用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测DNA甲基转移酶表达水平,探讨MPTP诱导的小鼠PD模型黑质部位是否存在DNA甲基化异常.进一步应用甲基化DNA免疫共沉淀结合DNA甲基化芯片方法,构建MPTP诱导的小鼠PD模型黑质脑组织DNA甲基化谱,并寻找DNA甲基化修饰异常的PD相关基因对其进行验证.结果表明,模型组小鼠黑质脑组织DNA总体甲基化水平较对照组显著降低,Dnmt1的表达水平显著增高.利用DNA甲基化芯片在全基因组内筛选出甲基化差异修饰位点共48个,涉及44个基因,这些甲基化差异基因参与信号转导、分子转运、转录调控、发育、细胞分化、凋亡调控、氧化应激、蛋白质降解等生物学过程.在甲基化差异修饰基因中,对Uchl1基因及Arih2基因进行了甲基化水平以及表达水平的验证.结果表明,模型组小鼠黑质脑组织Uchl1启动子区域甲基化水平较对照组增高,m RNA及蛋白质表达水平降低,Arih2启动子区域甲基化水平较对照组降低,m RNA及蛋白质表达水平增高.实验结果进一步证实,DNA甲基化修饰异常在帕金森病发病机制中有重要作用,环境因素(如MPTP)可以通过改变DNA甲基化修饰参与帕金森病的发生发展.     

隔日禁食对帕金森病模型小鼠肠道屏障的保护作用及机制

【背景】帕金森病是一种神经退行性疾病,常伴有胃肠功能障碍等非运动症状。肠道菌群紊乱与肠上皮通透性增强是引起肠道屏障功能障碍的主要因素。饮食限制可改善肠道菌群的构成、维持肠上皮稳态。本文假设隔日禁食对帕金森病模型小鼠肠道屏障有保护作用,其机制可能与纠正肠道菌群的失调以及促进肠紧密连接蛋白的表达有关。【目的】探究隔日禁食对帕金森病模型小鼠肠道屏障的保护作用及其机制。【方法】32只C57BL/6小鼠随机分成生理盐水+自由饮食组(NS+AL组,n=8)、生理盐水+隔日禁食组(NS+ADF组,n=8)、MPTP+自由饮食组(MPTP+AL组,n=8)、MPTP+隔日禁食组(MPTP+ADF组,n=8)共4组。隔日禁食方案以48 h为一个实验周期,前24 h采取禁食,后24 h采取自由摄食,在第12?14个周期内连续5 d给予小鼠腹腔注射1-甲基-4苯基-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶(1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrathydropyridine,MPTP)建立帕金森病模型。在隔日禁食17个周期结束后收集小鼠粪便,通过16S rRNA基因高通量测序检测小鼠肠道菌群的变化;小鼠行为学测试后收集其空肠组织,通过HE染色观察肠道病理组织学变化,通过RT-qPCR方法检测AMPK、Occludin、ZO-1的mRNA表达水平(Prkaa1、Ocln、Tjp1),通过Western blotting方法检测ZO-1的蛋白表达水平。【结果】行为学测试结果显示,与NS+AL组相比,MPTP+AL组小鼠运动能力显著下降(P<0.01),而MPTP+ADF组小鼠运动障碍有所改善(P<0.01)。HE染色可见NS+AL组小鼠空肠绒毛结构完整、排列紧密,MPTP+AL组空肠绒毛破碎甚至脱落,而MPTP+ADF组则显示出空肠绒毛相对完整、排列紧密。肠道菌群测序结果显示,MPTP+AL组相较于NS+AL组,肠道菌群的丰度和多样性显著升高(P<0.001),而相较于MPTP+ADF组并无显著变化;各组间小鼠的肠道菌群构成具有显著差异,相对物种丰度在科水平的检测结果显示,与NS+AL组相比,MPTP+AL组艾克曼菌科(Akkermansiaceae)丰度明显升高(P<0.05),而MPTP+ADF组相较于MPTP+AL组该科菌的丰度显著下降(P<0.01)。RT-qPCR检测结果发现,相较于NS+AL组,MPTP+AL组小鼠空肠Prkaa1 (P<0.01)、Ocln (P<0.01)、Tjp1 (P<0.01)表达水平显著降低,其中,MPTP+ADF组与MPTP+AL组小鼠相比Prkaa1 (P<0.01)和Tjp1 (P<0.01)表达水平均有显著升高,MPTP+ADF组的Ocln表达水平也比MPTP+AL组高,但差异无显著性。Western blotting结果显示,ZO-1在MPTP+ADF组小鼠表达水平相较于MPTP+AL组显著上升(P<0.05)。【结论】隔日禁食对帕金森病模型小鼠空肠屏障具有保护作用,其机制可能与维持肠道菌群艾克曼菌科相对丰度及菌群稳态、提高空肠紧密连接表达有关。     

单核巨噬细胞铁代谢相关蛋白的表达调控

人类机体的铁代谢表现为受限制的对外界铁的吸收和有效的机体内的铁的再循环利用,单核巨噬细胞系统通过吞噬衰老的红细胞,储存和释放铁,在机体铁的循环再利用方面起到了重要的作用。因此,单核巨噬细胞系统对整个机体铁稳态的维持非常重要。近年来,随着转铁蛋白受体1(transferrin receptor1,TfR1)、铁蛋白(ferritin,Fn)、二价金属离子转运蛋白1(divalent metal transporter1,DMT1)、膜铁转运蛋白1(ferroportin1,FPN1),以及铁调素(hepcidin)等在单核巨噬细胞系统中功能和调控机制研究的不断深入,日益加深了人们对单核巨噬细胞系统的铁代谢过程和调控机制的了解。该文综述了铁水平、NO以及炎症等因素对单核巨噬细胞系统TfR1、Fn、DMT1、FPN1、hepcidin等蛋白表达的调控及其机制研究的最新进展。     

Proteomic analysis of the neuroprotective mechanisms of acupuncture treatment in a Parkinson's disease mouse model

Acupuncture is frequently used as an alternative therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD), and it attenuates dopaminergic (DA) neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra (SN) in PD animal models. Using proteomic analysis, we investigated whether acupuncture alters protein expression in the SN to favor attenuation of neuronal degeneration. In C57BL/6 mice treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP, 30 mg/kg/day), intraperitoneal (i.p.) for 5 days, 2 or 100 Hz electroacupuncture (EA) was applied at the effective and specific acupoint, GB34, once a day for 12 consecutive days from the first MPTP treatment. Both treatments in MPTP mice led to restoration of behavioral impairment and rescued tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive DA neurodegeneration. Using peptide fingerprinting MS, we identified changes in 22 proteins in the SN following MPTP treatment, and nine of these proteins were normalized by EA. They were involved in cell death regulation, inflammation, or restoration from damage. The levels of cyclophilin A (CypA), which is a neuroprotective agent, were unchanged by MPTP treatment but were increased in MPTP-EA mice. These results suggest that acupoint GB34-specific EA changes protein expression profiles in the SN in favor of DA neuronal survival in MPTP-treated mice, and that EA treatment may be an effective therapy for PD patients.     

Rg1 protects iron‐induced neurotoxicity through antioxidant and iron regulatory proteins in 6‐OHDA‐treated MES23.5 cells

Ginsenoside‐Rg1 is one of the pharmacologically active components isolated from ginseng. It was reported that Rg1 protected dopamine (DA) neurons in 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA)‐induced Parkinson's disease (PD) models in vivo and in vitro. Our previous study also demonstrated that iron accumulation was involved in the toxicity of 6‐OHDA. However, whether Rg1 could protect DA neurons against 6‐OHDA toxicity by modulating iron accumulation and iron‐induced oxidative stress is not clear. Therefore, the present study was carried out to elucidate this effect in 6‐OHDA‐treated MES23.5 cells and the possible mechanisms were also conducted. Findings showed Rg1 restored iron‐induced decrease in mitochondrial transmembrane potential in MES23.5 cells, and increased ferrous iron influx was found in 6‐OHDA‐treated cells. Rg1 pretreatment could decrease this iron influx by inhibiting 6‐OHDA‐induced up‐regulation of an iron importer protein divalent metal transporter 1 with iron responsive element (DMT1 + IRE). Furthermore, findings also showed that the effect of Rg1 on DMT1 + IRE expression was due to its inhibition of iron regulatory proteins (IRPs) by its antioxidant effect. These results suggested that the neuroprotective effect of Rg1 against iron toxicity in 6‐OHDA‐treated cells was to decrease the cellular iron accumulation and attenuate the improper up‐regulation of DMT1 + IRE via IRE/IRP system. This provides new insight to understand the pharmacological effects of Rg1 on iron‐induced degeneration of DA neurons. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 1537–1545, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Dopaminergic cell death precedes iron elevation in MPTP-injected monkeys

Though increasing lines of evidence suggest that iron accumulation and iron-induced oxidative stress might be important pathological factors responsible for substantia nigra (SN) cell death in Parkinson's disease (PD), it is still unknown whether iron accumulation is a primary cause or consequence of nigral cell death. Using nuclear microscopy, iron histochemistry, TUNEL method for apoptosis detection, and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry, the present study investigated possible changes in iron contents in the SN and correlations of dopaminergic cell death progression with the process of iron accumulation in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)-induced parkinsonian monkey from 1 d to 18 months after MPTP administration. Our study demonstrated that apoptosis occurred in the ipsilateral SN at 1 d after MPTP injection and the number of TH-positive cells decreased significantly from 1 week onward. However, iron content was significantly increased in the ipsilateral SN from 4.5 months to 18 months after MPTP injection, and the iron increase was significantly correlated to the extent of dopaminergic cell death. These results suggest that dopaminergic cell death induced by MPTP administration might lead to iron accumulation in the monkey SN, and increased iron might contribute to the progression of nigral degeneration.     

L-DOPA Neurotoxicity Is Mediated by Up-Regulation of DMT1?IRE Expression

Background

The mechanisms underlying neurotoxicity caused by L-DOPA are not yet completely known. Based on recent findings, we speculated that the increased expression of divalent metal transporter 1 without iron-response element (DMT1−IRE) induced by L-DOPA might play a critical role in the development of L-DOPA neurotoxicity. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM) and siRNA DMT-IRE on L-DOPA neurotoxicity in cortical neurons.

Methods and Findings

We demonstrated that neurons treated with L-DOPA have a significant dose-dependent decrease in neuronal viability (MTT Assay) and increase in iron content (using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer), DMT1−IRE expression (Western blot analysis) and ferrous iron (55Fe(II)) uptake. Neurons incubated in ACM with or without L-DOPA had no significant differences in their morphology, Hoechst-33342 staining or viability. Also, ACM significantly inhibited the effects of L-DOPA on neuronal iron content as well as DMT1−IRE expression. In addition, we demonstrated that infection of neurons with siRNA DMT-IRE led to a significant decrease in DMT1−IRE expression as well as L-DOPA neurotoxicity.

Conclusion

The up-regulation of DMT1−IRE and the increase in DMT1−IRE-mediated iron influx play a key role in L-DOPA neurotoxicity in cortical neurons.     

星形胶质细胞在MPTP帕金森小鼠脑内的变化研究

目的：研究神经毒素1-甲基-4-苯基-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶（1-methy-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahy-dropyridine,MPTP）对小鼠脑内星形胶质细胞及肿瘤坏死因子-α（Tunlomecrosis factor alpha,TNF-α）的影响,了解MPTP致帕金森病发病机制。方法：将神经毒素MPTP注入C57BL／6小鼠腹腔内,制备帕金森病动物模型。观察注药后小鼠行为学变化,免疫组化检测各时间点多巴胺能神经元缺失和星形胶质细胞增生与激活情况,以及TNF-α表达水平的变化。结果：MPTP组黑质多巴胺（dopamine,DA）能神经元的数量随注射天数增加而持续减少,星形胶质细胞数量明显增高,GFAP及TNF-α在模型组黑质内有中强阳性表达,与对照组相比差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：MPTP可诱导星形胶质细胞的激活和增生,启动脑内炎症反应而介导DA神经元死亡。     

DMT1 expression is increased in the lungs of hypotransferrinemic mice

Despite a lack of transferrin, hypotransferrinemic (Hp) mice demonstrate an accumulation of iron in peripheral organs including the lungs. One potential candidate for such transferrin-independent uptake of iron is divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT1), an established iron transporter. We tested the hypothesis that increased concentrations of iron in the lungs of Hp mice are associated with elevations in DMT1 expression. With the use of inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy, measurements of nonheme iron confirmed significantly elevated concentrations in the lung tissue of Hp mice relative to the wild-type mice. Western blot analyses for the expression of two isoforms of DMT1 in the Hp mice relative to the wild-type animals demonstrated an elevation for the isoform that lacks an iron-responsive element (IRE) with significant decrements in the expression of +IRE DMT1. With the use of immunohistochemistry, -IRE DMT1 was localized to both airway epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages in wild-type mice. Staining appeared increased in both types of cells in the Hp mice. Elevated concentrations of both tissue nonheme iron and expression of -IRE DMT1 in the Hp mice were associated with increased quantities of -IRE mRNA. There was no difference between wild-type and homozygotic Hp mice in the amount of mRNA for DMT1 +IRE. We conclude that differences between Hp and wild-type mice in nonheme iron concentrations were accompanied by increases in the expression of -IRE DMT1. Increased expression of -IRE DMT1 in the lungs of the Hp mice could be responsible for elevated concentrations of the metal in these tissues.     

Acupuncture enhances the synaptic dopamine availability to improve motor function in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is caused by the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) and the depletion of striatal dopamine (DA). Acupuncture, as an alternative therapy for PD, has beneficial effects in both PD patients and PD animal models, although the underlying mechanisms therein remain uncertain. The present study investigated whether acupuncture treatment affected dopamine neurotransmission in a PD mouse model using 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). We found that acupuncture treatment at acupoint GB34 improved motor function with accompanying dopaminergic neuron protection against MPTP but did not restore striatal dopamine depletion. Instead, acupuncture treatment increased dopamine release that in turn, may lead to the enhancement of dopamine availability in the synaptic cleft. Moreover, acupuncture treatment mitigated MPTP-induced abnormal postsynaptic changes, suggesting that acupuncture treatment may increase postsynaptic dopamine neurotransmission and facilitate the normalization of basal ganglia activity. These results suggest that the acupuncture-induced enhancement of synaptic dopamine availability may play a critical role in motor function improvement against MPTP.     

1B/(-)IRE DMT1 expression during brain ischemia contributes to cell death mediated by NF-κB/RelA acetylation at Lys310

The molecular mechanisms responsible for increasing iron and neurodegeneration in brain ischemia are an interesting area of research which could open new therapeutic approaches. Previous evidence has shown that activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) through RelA acetylation on Lys310 is the prerequisite for p50/RelA-mediated apoptosis in cellular and animal models of brain ischemia. We hypothesized that the increase of iron through a NF-κB-regulated 1B isoform of the divalent metal transporter-1 (1B/DMT1) might contribute to post-ischemic neuronal damage. Both in mice subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and in neuronally differentiated SK-N-SH cells exposed to oxygen-glucose-deprivation (OGD), 1A/DMT1 was only barely expressed while the 1B/DMT1 without iron-response-element (-IRE) protein and mRNA were early up-regulated. Either OGD or over-expression of 1B/(-)IRE DMT1 isoform significantly increased iron uptake, as detected by total reflection X-ray fluorescence, and iron-dependent cell death. Iron chelation by deferoxamine treatment or (-)IRE DMT1 RNA silencing displayed significant neuroprotection against OGD which concomitantly decreased intracellular iron levels. We found evidence that 1B/(-)IRE DMT1 was a target gene for RelA activation and acetylation on Lys310 residue during ischemia. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis of the 1B/DMT1 promoter showed there was increased interaction with RelA and acetylation of H3 histone during OGD exposure of cortical neurons. Over-expression of wild-type RelA increased 1B/DMT1 promoter-luciferase activity, the (-)IRE DMT1 protein, as well as neuronal death. Expression of the acetylation-resistant RelA-K310R construct, which carried a mutation from lysine 310 to arginine, but not the acetyl-mimic mutant RelA-K310Q, down-regulated the 1B/DMT1 promoter, consequently offering neuroprotection. Our data showed that 1B/(-)IRE DMT1 expression and intracellular iron influx are early downstream responses to NF-κB/RelA activation and acetylation during brain ischemia and contribute to the pathogenesis of stroke-induced neuronal damage.     

Pro-inflammatory cytokines modulate iron regulatory protein 1 expression and iron transportation through reactive oxygen/nitrogen species production in ventral mesencephalic neurons

Both inflammatory processes associated with microglia activation and abnormal iron deposit in dopaminergic neurons are involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the relationship between neuroinflammation and iron accumulation was not fully elucidated. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) released by microglia, could affect cellular iron transportation in primary cultured ventral mesencephalic (VM) neurons. The results showed that IL-1β or TNF-α treatment led to increased ferrous iron influx and decreased iron efflux in these cells, due to the upregulation of divalent metal transporter 1 with the iron response element (DMT1 + IRE) and downregulation of ferroportin1 (FPN1). Increased levels of iron regulatory protein 1 (IRP1), transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) and hepcidin were also observed in IL-1β or TNF-α treated VM neurons. IRP1 upregulation could be fully abolished by co-administration of radical scavenger N-acetyl-l-cysteine and inducible NO synthetase inhibitor N_ω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride. Further experiments demonstrated that IL-1β and TNF-α release was remarkably enhanced by iron load in activated microglia triggered by lipopolysaccharide or 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺). In 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-intoxicated mice, salicylate application could not block DMT1 + IRE upregulation in dopaminergic neurons of substantia nigra. These results suggested that IL-1β and TNF-α released by microglia, especially under the condition of iron load, might contribute to iron accumulation in VM neurons by upregulating IRP1 and hepcidin levels through reactive oxygen/nitrogen species production. This might provide a new insight into unraveling that microglia might aggravate this iron mediated neuropathologies in PD.