BDNF基因工程细胞对帕金森大鼠纹状体多巴胺及其代谢物影响的研究

目的:观察经侧脑室移植pIRESneo-EGFP-BDNF修饰骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs)对帕金森病(PD)大鼠纹状体多巴胺(DA)及代谢产物的影响。方法:采用电穿孔法将pIRESneo-EGFP-BDNF转染至骨髓MSCs;制备PD大鼠模型,随机分为Sham组,PD组,MSCs组,脑源性神经生长因子(BDNF)组,经侧脑室移植MSCs或pIRESneo-EGFP-BDNF修饰骨髓MSCs,术后2周,4周,8周,腹腔注射阿朴吗啡(APO)诱导PD大鼠旋转行为;应用高效液相色谱测定各组大鼠纹状体内多巴胺(DA)、高香草酸(HVA)及二羟苯乙酸(DOPAC)。结果:移植术后2周,4周,8周BDNF组、MSCs组大鼠与PD组比较旋转次数明显减少(P<0.05),以BDNF组改善更为明显。移植细胞干预PD模型8周后BDNF组、MSCs组大鼠纹状体DA、HVA、DOPAC较PD组明显提高(P<0.01),以BDNF组更为显著。结论:经侧脑室移植pIRESneo-EGFP-BDNF修饰的骨髓MSCs干预PD大鼠模型,显著降低PD大鼠纹状体内DA代谢率,提高DA水平,改善PD大鼠的行为能力。     

骨髓间充质干细胞黑质内移植对帕金森病大鼠的治疗作用

目的探索骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）移植到帕金森病（Parkinson’s disease,PD）大鼠毁损侧黑质内,PD模型大鼠的姿势不对称性和黑质及纹状体内酪氨酸羟化酶（tyrosinehy droxylase,TH）表达的改变,以及BM—SCs在大鼠脑内的存活、分化情况。方法黑质、前脑内侧束两点法注射6一羟多巴胺（6-OHDH）并行为学分析筛选PD模型大鼠。将PD模型大鼠随机分为移植组和对照组。BMSCs移植术后4周和8周,观察大鼠姿势不对称性,免疫组织化学及免疫荧光显色方法检测黑质和纹状体酪氨酸羟化酶（tyrosine hydroxylase,TH）的表达变化以及BMSCs在大鼠体内的存活、迁移及分化情况。结果BMSCs黑质内移植可使PD模型大鼠的转动频率由（10．62±2．97）r／min降至（4．65±1．08）r／min（P〈0．01）,显著增加毁损侧黑质TH阳性细胞数量和纹状体内TH阳性纤维密度。BMSCs在大鼠黑质内可以存活至少8周,部分细胞分化为神经干细胞、神经元和神经胶质细胞。结论黑质内移植BMSCs对PD模型大鼠有一定的治疗作用。     

AAV介导的α-synuclein基因过表达致多巴胺能神经元损伤-一种制作轻度帕金森病大鼠模型的新方法

目的：研究过表达α-synuclein基因是否导致大鼠黑质纹状体选择性损伤,为帕金森病（parkinson’s disease, PD）大鼠模型的制备提供一种新的方法。方法:用腺相关病毒(adeno-associated virus, AAV)做载体,将人野生型α突触核蛋白(α-synuclein, NACP)引入大鼠脑内,观察大鼠行为学的改变,通过免疫组织化学染色观察其对黑质多巴胺能神经元细胞的影响,高效液相色谱（HPLC）检测纹状体多巴胺（DA）的含量。结果:α-synuclein基因过表达后大鼠出现自发性活动减少、爬行活动减慢、暂时性躯干震颤、竖毛等类似PD初期的症状和体征;大鼠脑黑质TH阳性神经元细胞随时间的延长出现数目减少,并且纹状体DA含量也出现减少,并且出现α-synuclein的积聚。结论:上述结果表明α-synuclein基因的过表达引起黑质多巴胺能神经元细胞的死亡,对大鼠的运动行为有一定的影响,产生类似于PD早期的症状与体征,与化学毒素（如6-OHDA, MPTP）诱导的动物模型相比,此法制作的动物模型可模拟PD缓慢发展的进程,为研究PD的病程进展及发病机制提供一个理想的动物模型。     

骨髓间充质干细胞源神经细胞移植治疗帕金森病大鼠模型

目的探讨骨髓间充质干细胞（mesenchymal stemcells,MSCs）源神经细胞脑内移植对帕金森病（Parkinson s disease,PD）大鼠的治疗作用。方法贴壁培养法分离、培养大鼠骨髓MSCs,脑匀浆上清诱导第3代MSCs向神经细胞分化,采用免疫细胞化学法鉴定诱导分化后细胞的性质,激光共聚焦显微镜检测诱导前后细胞Ca2＋浓度变化,6只PD大鼠行纹状体内MSCs源神经细胞移植作为细胞移植组,6只PD大鼠作为对照组。细胞移植术后4周检测PD大鼠的行为变化,观察移植细胞在脑内的分布情况。结果倒置显微镜下可见MSCs呈纺锤形和多角形,有1～2个核仁,MSCs经脑匀浆上清诱导后其胞体折光性增强,发出数个细长突起,互相交织成网,有的似轴突。诱导后细胞表达神经元特异性标志物神经元特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）和神经丝蛋白（NF）,胞质Ca2＋荧光强度显著增强,可推测诱导后的细胞为MSCs源神经细胞,将BrdU标记的MSCs源神经细胞移植到PD大鼠纹状体治疗4周后,可见细胞散在分布于注射侧脑组织,有少量细胞可迁移到对侧脑组织,PD大鼠的旋转行为得到显著改善。结论MSCs源神经细胞移植治疗帕金森病大鼠可使其旋转行为得到改善。     

脂多糖对大鼠多巴胺能神经元毒性作用的研究

目的　建立新的帕金森病 (Parkinson’sdisease ,PD)动物模型 ,探讨其发病机制。方法　在大鼠脑黑质(substantianigra ,SN)内注射脂多糖 (Lipopolysaccharide ,LPS)后 ,按大鼠不同存活期用高效液相色谱 (HPLC)来测定脑内多巴胺 (Dopamine,DA)及其代谢产物的含量 ;用免疫组化法观察酪氨酸羟化酶 (Tyrosinehydroxylase ,TH)阳性神经细胞、小胶质细胞的形态及数量变化。结果　DA及其代谢产物的含量在LPS注射侧随时间不同有不同程度下降 ,于第 14天达到最低 (P <0 0 1) ;注射侧黑质TH阳性神经元可以达到全部消失 ,该处可见大量被激活并有形态改变的小胶质细胞。结论　LPS可导致大鼠黑质多巴胺能神经元的损害     

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。     

帕金森病模型大鼠脑内多巴胺与铁含量的关系

实验采用原子吸收分光光度法,快速周期伏安法,高效液相电化学检测等方法,研究以6－羟基多巴（6－OHDA）制备的帕金森病（PD）模型大鼠黑质内铁含量的变化。铁对多巴胺（DA）能神经元的直接毒性作用以及铁离子螯合剂甲磺酸去铁胺的神经保护作用。结果发现：（1）PD大鼠损毁侧黑质内铁含量为非标准PD大鼠的3倍左右;（2）PD大鼠损毁侧纹状体内铁含量无明显改变;（3）单纯注射6－OHDA的大鼠其损毁侧纹状体（CPu)DA的释放量和含量均明显降低;（4）侧脑室预先注射甲磺酸去铁胺,再重复上述实验,损毁侧CPu DA释放量和含量均无明显改变;（5）单侧黑质内注射40ug FeCl3后,大鼠损毁侧CPu内DA释放量和含量显著降低。上述结果提示,6－OHDA可导致CPu DA释放量及含量减少,此过程有铁的参与。由于铁可导致DA神经元死亡,因此铁含量的增加可能是DA含量减少的原因之一,甲磺酸去铁胺具有保护DA神经元的作用。     

雌激素对6-羟基多巴胺损伤黑质多巴胺能神经元的保护作用

本研究以P50听觉诱发电位(P50 auditory evoked potential, P50)和酪氨酸羟化酶(tyrosine hydroxylase, TH)阳性细胞计数作为黑质功能和形态学指标,动态追踪研究雌激素对6-羟基多巴胺(6-hydroxydopamine, 6-OHDA)损伤黑质多巴胺(dopamine, DA)能神经元的作用.将大鼠分为4组:(1)正常雌性大鼠对照组;(2)单纯帕金森氏病(Parkinson's disease, PD)模型组;(3)双侧去卵巢PD模型组;(4)去卵巢回补3d雌激素的PD模型组.在大鼠清醒和安静的生理状态下连续14d记录黑质的P50,并检测黑质TH 细胞数目的变化.结果显示:单纯PD模型大鼠黑质P50的T/C值较正常雌鼠降低40.60%(P<0.01),其损伤侧黑质TH 细胞数目减少64.74%(P<0.01);去卵巢PD模型大鼠黑质P50的T/C值较单纯PD模型大鼠进一步降低45.88%(P<0.01),同时其黑质TH 细胞数目值也进一步减少57.26%(P<0.01),表明急性缺乏生理水平性腺雌激素将增大6-OHDA损伤黑质DA能神经元的程度,同时使黑质的感觉门控(sensory gating, SG)功能明显受损;去卵巢后回补3d生理剂量雌激素,可明显改善大鼠黑质的SG功能,提高TH 细胞数量(与去卵巢PD模型大鼠比较,P<0.01),其黑质损伤程度与单纯PD模型大鼠相当.以上结果提示,生理水平的雌激素具有提高黑质DA能神经元对伤害性刺激耐受性的神经保护作用.缺乏性腺源性的雌激素时,及时给予生理剂量的雌激素可以减轻神经毒素6-OHDA对黑质DA能神经元结构和功能的损伤.     

永生化转基因成纤维细胞治疗帕金森病

将SV40大T抗原的基因（LTAg）转染大鼠原代成纤维细胞并筛选到永生化成纤维细胞（RFLT）,将此细胞皮下植入裸鼠和大鼠脑内均无致瘤性,植入脑内时LTAg基因即停止表达,3个月后取出细胞培养时LTAg基因又会重新表达,将RFLT细胞分别转入酪氨酸羟化酶（TH）、GTP环水解酶－1（GCH）的基因,筛选出稳定表达姝。混合培养的这两种细胞经HPLC－ECD法测出多巴胺（DA）,将它们移植入帕金森病（PD）大鼠模型可明显改善动物的旋转行为（近4个月）,在脑切片中观察到TH和增强型绿色荧光蛋白（EGFP）基因的表达产物,本细胞株的建立为人类PD的基因治疗提供了一种获得新的适用的效应细胞的方法。     

甲基苯丙胺中毒大鼠相关脑区多巴胺能神经毒性研究

目的：探讨MA中毒多巴胺能神经毒性的损伤机制。方法：将Wistar大鼠40只,随机分成对照组10只和实验组30只（实验组分成三个亚组,分为末次给药后1天组、4天组和7天组,n=10）。实验组给予20mg/kg的MA腹腔注射,对照组给予同样剂量的生理盐水,每天注射一次,注射时间为20：00,连续注射4天。分别于末次给药后1天,7天,14天处死实验大鼠,用免疫组织化学染色法（S-P法）和荧光分光光度计法检测大鼠中脑黑质致密区（SNC）、中脑腹侧被盖区（VTA）、前额叶皮质（PFC）以及纹状体（CPu）四个脑区的多巴胺神经元细胞的形态和数量的变化,对神经纤维进行灰度值分析。结果：1、黑质致密区和腹侧被盖区TH阳性细胞图像分析结果与细胞计数分析结果一致：与对照组相比,各实验组TH免疫反应阳性降低,差异具显著性（P〈0.05）,d1组开始降低（P〈0.05）,d7组达到低谷（P〈0.01）,d14天组黑质致密区和腹侧被盖区TH免疫反应阳性有不同程度的恢复（P〈0.05）。2、纹状体和前额叶皮质TH阳性纤维图像定量分析结果：各实验组TH免疫反应阳性均减低（P〈0.05）,d7组阳性反应最弱（P〈0.01）,d14组仍未恢复（P〈0.05）。3、黑质致密区、腹侧被盖区、纹状体及前额叶皮质荧光分光光度计检测DA递质含量结果：与上述免疫组化结果基本一致。结论：1、大鼠各脑区TH阳性表达和DA含量,均出现不同程度的减低。2、MA中毒大鼠各脑区DA递质含量的变化与TH的变化结果基本一致。     

Can mesenchymal stem cells reduce vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra to oxidative insult in individuals at risk to Parkinson's disease?

PD (Parkinson's disease) is characterized by the selective loss of DA (dopaminergic) neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain region, but not in the ventral tegmental area and other catecholaminergic cell group areas. The aetiology of PD is attributed both to environmental and genetic causes, and certain population of individuals may be classified as at risk of developing PD later in life. However, there are as yet no therapy regimens that can help to delay or prevent the onset of the disease to realize long-term benefits from this early diagnosis. In PD, a vicious cycle gets initiated in the substantia nigra, because of which susceptible neurons continue to degenerate whereas damaged neurons do not get enough support for regeneration. This happens primarily because of the local environment of oxidative damage brought about by the dual presence of dopamine and high levels of iron, decline in cellular detoxification systems and low density of glial cells surrounding the DA neurons in the mesencephalic region. To enhance the defence mechanism of the substantia nigra in this situation, it is necessary to combat the oxidative insult while providing trophic factors for the survival and regeneration of the damaged neurons. In light of in vitro and in vivo studies, MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells) as candidates for cell-based therapies in PD have greater scope than as mere replacement of cell type, since they can be used as a cellular system for the detoxification of ROS (reactive oxygen species) as well as a supplier of neurotrophic factors to modulate the local environment. Building on progress in unravelling the multipronged effect of MSCs, we therefore hypothesize that MSCs could be used as a prophylactic strategy to delay or prevent the onset of PD in at-risk individuals, and to slow down the progression of the disease.     

Functional integration of grafted neural stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons monitored by optogenetics in an in vitro Parkinson model

Intrastriatal grafts of stem cell-derived dopamine (DA) neurons induce behavioral recovery in animal models of Parkinson''s disease (PD), but how they functionally integrate in host neural circuitries is poorly understood. Here, Wnt5a-overexpressing neural stem cells derived from embryonic ventral mesencephalon of tyrosine hydroxylase-GFP transgenic mice were expanded as neurospheres and transplanted into organotypic cultures of wild type mouse striatum. Differentiated GFP-labeled DA neurons in the grafts exhibited mature neuronal properties, including spontaneous firing of action potentials, presence of post-synaptic currents, and functional expression of DA D₂ autoreceptors. These properties resembled those recorded from identical cells in acute slices of intrastriatal grafts in the 6-hydroxy-DA-induced mouse PD model and from DA neurons in intact substantia nigra. Optogenetic activation or inhibition of grafted cells and host neurons using channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) and halorhodopsin (NpHR), respectively, revealed complex, bi-directional synaptic interactions between grafted cells and host neurons and extensive synaptic connectivity within the graft. Our data demonstrate for the first time using optogenetics that ectopically grafted stem cell-derived DA neurons become functionally integrated in the DA-denervated striatum. Further optogenetic dissection of the synaptic wiring between grafted and host neurons will be crucial to clarify the cellular and synaptic mechanisms underlying behavioral recovery as well as adverse effects following stem cell-based DA cell replacement strategies in PD.     

A novel strategy for intrastriatal dopaminergic cell transplantation: Sequential “nest” grafting influences survival and behavioral recovery in a rat model of Parkinson's disease

Neural transplantation in experimental parkinsonism (PD) is limited by poor survival of grafted embryonic dopaminergic (DA) cells. In this proof-of-principle study we hypothesized that a first regular initial graft may create a “dopaminergic” environment similar to the perinatal substantia nigra and consequently stimulate a subsequent graft. Therefore, we grafted ventral mesencephalic neurons sequentially at different time intervals into the same target localization. Rats with a unilateral lesion of the dopamine neurons produced by injections of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) received E14 ventral mesencephalon derived grafts into the DA-depleted striatum. In the control group we grafted all 6 deposits on the first day (d0). The other 4 groups received four graft deposits distributed over 2 implantation tracts followed by a second engraftment injected into the same site 3, 6, 14 and 21 days later. Quantitative assessment of the survival of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons and graft volume revealed best results for those DA grafts implanted 6 days after the first one. In the present study, a model of short-interval sequential transplantation into the same target-site, so called “nest” grafts were established in the 6-OHDA rat model of PD which might become a useful tool to further elucidate the close neurotrophic and neurotopic interactions between the immediate graft vicinity and the cell suspension graft. In addition, we could show that the optimal milieu was established around the sixth day after the initial transplantation. This may also help to further optimize current transplantation strategies to restore the DA system in patients with PD.     

Dopamine release via the vacuolar ATPase V0 sector c-subunit,confirmed in N18 neuroblastoma cells,results in behavioral recovery in hemiparkinsonian mice

A 16-kDa proteolipid, mediatophore, in Torpedo electric organs mediates Ca²⁺-dependent acetylcholine release. Mediatophore is identical to the pore-forming stalk c-subunit of the V0 sector of vacuolar proton ATPase (ATP6V0C). The function of ATP6V0C in the mammalian central nervous system is not clear. Here, we report transfection of adeno-associated viral vectors harboring rat ATP6V0C into the mouse substantia nigra, in which high potassium stimulation increased overflow of endogenous dopamine (DA) measured in the striatum by in vivo microdialysis. Next, in the striatum of 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned mice, a model of Parkinson’s disease (PD), human tyrosine hydroxylase, aromatic l-amino-acid decarboxylase and guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1, together with or without ATP6V0C, were expressed in the caudoputamen for rescue. Motor performance on the accelerating rotarod test and amphetamine-induced ipsilateral rotation were improved in the rescued mice coexpressing ATP6V0C. [³H]DA, taken up into cultured N18 neuronal tumor cells transformed to express ATP6V0C, was released by potassium stimulation. These results indicated that ATP6V0C mediates DA release from nerve terminals in the striatum of DA neurons of normal mice and from gene-transferred striatal cells of parkinsonian mice. The results suggested that ATP6V0C may be useful as a rescue molecule in addition to DA-synthetic enzymes in the gene therapy of PD.     

Gene therapy using AAV

AAV (adeno-associated virus) vectors are considered to be promising gene-delivery vehicles for gene therapy, because they are derived from non-pathogenic virus, efficiently transduce non-dividing cells, and cause long-term gene expression. Appropriate AAV serotypes are utilized depending on the type of target cells. Among various neurological disorders, Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most promising candidates of gene therapy. PD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that predominantly affects dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. One of the major approaches to gene therapy of PD is the intrastriatal expression of dopamine (DA)-synthesizing enzyme genes. As for the initial step of clinical application, AAV vector-mediated AADC (aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase; the enzyme converting L-DOPA to DA) gene transfer in combination with oral administration of L-DOPA would be appropriate, since DA production can be regulated by adjusting the dose of L-DOPA. Second, intramuscular injection of AAV vectors is appropriate to protein-supplement gene therapy. Monogenic diseases such as hemophilia and Fabry disease are suitable candidates. Regarding cancer gene therapy, AAV vectors may be utilized to inhibit tumor angiogenesis, metastasis, and invasion. When long-term transgene expression in stem cells is needed, a therapeutic gene should be introduced with a minimal risk of insertional mutagenesis. To this end, site-specific integration into the AAVS1 locus on the chromosome 19 (19q13.4) by using the integration machinery of AAV would be particularly valuable.     

Alpha-synuclein aggregation and cell death triggered by energy deprivation and dopamine overload are counteracted by D2/D3 receptor activation

Progressive degeneration and intraneuronal Lewy bodies made of filamentous α-synuclein (α-syn) in dopaminergic cells of the nigrostriatal system are characteristics of Parkinson's disease (PD). Glucose uptake is reduced in some of the brain regions affected by PD neurodegenerative changes. Defects in mitochondrial activity in the substantia nigra have been observed in the brain of patients affected by PD and substantia nigra lesions can induce the onset of a secondary parkinsonism. Thus, energy starvation and consequently metabolic impairment to dopaminergic neurons may be related to the onset of PD. On this line, we evaluated the effect of nutrient starvation, reproduced ' in vitro ' by glucose deprivation (GD), in primary mesecephalic neuronal cultures and dopaminergic-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells, to evaluate if decreased glucose support to dopaminergic cells can lead to mitochondrial damage, neurodegeneration and α-syn misfolding. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of dopamine (DA) treatment in the presence of a DA-uptake inhibitor or of the D₂/D₃ receptor (D₂R/D₃R) agonist quinpirole on GD-treated cells, to evaluate the efficacy of these therapeutic compounds. We found that GD induced the formation of fibrillary aggregated α-syn inclusions containing the DA transporter in dopaminergic cells. These alterations were accompanied by dopaminergic cell death and were exacerbated by DA overload. Conversely, the block of DA uptake and D₂R/D₃R agonist treatment exerted neuroprotective effects. These data indicate that glucose starvation is likely involved in the induction of PD-related pathological changes in dopaminergic neurons. These changes may be counteracted by the block of DA uptake and by dopaminergic agonist treatment.     

Intrastriatal grafts of mesenchymal stem cells in adult intact rats can elevate tyrosine hydroxylase expression and dopamine levels

MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells) derived from the bone marrow have shown to be a promising source of stem cells in a therapeutic strategy of neurodegenerative disorder. Also, MSCs can enhance the TH (tyrosine hydroxylase) expression and DA (dopamine) content in catecholaminergic cells by in vitro co‐culture system. In the present study, we investigated the effect of intrastriatal grafts of MSCs on TH protein and gene levels and DA content in adult intact rats. When MSCs were transplanted into the striatum of normal rats, the grafted striatum not only had significantly higher TH protein and mRNA levels, but also significantly higher DA content than the untransplanted striatum. Meanwhile, the grafted MSCs differentiated into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes; however, TH‐positive cells could not be detected in our study. These experimental results offer further evidence that MSCs are a promising candidate for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.     

Protection by pioglitazone in the MPTP model of Parkinson's disease correlates with I kappa B alpha induction and block of NF kappa B and iNOS activation

Inflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). In the chronic 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) model of PD, inducible NO synthase (iNOS) derived nitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator of dopaminergic cell death. Ligands of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) exert anti-inflammatory effects. We here investigated whether pioglitazone, a PPARgamma agonist, protected mice from MPTP-induced dopaminergic cell loss, glial activation, and loss of catecholamines in the striatum. As shown by western blot, PPARgamma was expressed in the striatum and the substantia nigra of vehicle- and MPTP-treated mice. Oral administration of 20 mg/(kg day) of pioglitazone protected tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive substantia nigra neurons from death induced by 5 x 30 mg/kg MPTP. However, the decrease of dopamine in the striatum was only partially prevented. In mice treated with pioglitazone, there were a reduced activation of microglia, reduced induction of iNOS-positive cells and less glial fibrillary acidic protein positive cells in both striatum and substantia nigra pars compacta. In addition, treatment with pioglitazone almost completely blocked staining of TH-positive neurons for nitrotyrosine, a marker of NO-mediated cell damage. Because an increase in inhibitory protein-kappa-Balpha (IkappaBalpha) expression and inhibition of translocation of the nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) subunit p65 to the nucleus in dopaminergic neurons, glial cells and astrocytes correlated with the protective effects of pioglitazone, our results suggest that pioglitazone sequentially acts through PPARgamma activation, IkappaBalpha induction, block of NFkappaB activation, iNOS induction and NO-mediated toxicity. In conclusion, treatment with pioglitazone may offer a treatment opportunity in PD to slow the progression of disease that is mediated by inflammation.