Spinal cord pathology is ameliorated by P2X7 antagonism in a SOD1-mutant mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

In recent years there has been an increasing awareness of the role of P2X7, a receptor for extracellular ATP, in modulating physiopathological mechanisms in the central nervous system. In particular, P2X7 has been shown to be implicated in neuropsychiatry, chronic pain, neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Remarkably, P2X7 has also been shown to be a ‘gene modifier’ in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): the receptor is upregulated in spinal cord microglia in human and rat at advanced stages of the disease; in vitro, activation of P2X7 exacerbates pro-inflammatory responses in microglia that have an ALS phenotype, as well as toxicity towards neuronal cells. Despite this detrimental in vitro role of P2X7, in SOD1-G93A mice lacking P2X7, the clinical onset of ALS was significantly accelerated and disease progression worsened, thus indicating that the receptor might have some beneficial effects, at least at certain stages of disease. In order to clarify this dual action of P2X7 in ALS pathogenesis, in the present work we used the antagonist Brilliant Blue G (BBG), a blood-brain barrier permeable and safe drug that has already been proven to reduce neuroinflammation in traumatic brain injury, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, neuropathic pain and experimental autoimmune encephalitis. We tested BBG in the SOD1-G93A ALS mouse model at asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic and late pre-symptomatic phases of disease. BBG at late pre-onset significantly enhanced motor neuron survival and reduced microgliosis in lumbar spinal cord, modulating inflammatory markers such as NF-κB, NADPH oxidase 2, interleukin-1β, interleukin-10 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This was accompanied by delayed onset and improved general conditions and motor performance, in both male and female mice, although survival appeared unaffected. Our results prove the twofold role of P2X7 in the course of ALS and establish that P2X7 modulation might represent a promising therapeutic strategy by interfering with the neuroinflammatory component of the disease.KEY WORDS: ALS, Brilliant Blue G, Microglia, Motor neuron, P2X7     

Comparative insight into the Zn(II)-, Cd(II)- and Cu(I)-binding features of the protozoan Tetrahymena pyriformis MT1 metallothionein

Tetrahymena pyriformis MT1 (TpyMT1) is a model among ciliate metallothioneins (MTs). Here, we report on the analytic (ICP-AES, GC-FPD), spectroscopic (CD, UV-Vis, Raman) and spectrometric (ESI-MS) characterization of its recombinant Cd(II)-, Zn(II)- and Cu(I)-complexes, and of those formed during in vitro Zn/Cd and Zn/Cu replacement. In the presence of Cd(II), TpyMT1 renders a major Cd 11-TpyMT1 species, which is also the final step reached in the in vitro Zn/Cd exchange process in Zn 11-TpyMT1. Spectroscopic data supports a different folding of the isostoichiometric Cd 11- and Zn 11-TpyMT1 complexes. Unexpectedly, TpyMT1 biosynthesis in Zn(II)-rich cultures was sensitive to the aeration degree, so that high oxygenation rendered undermetalated, partially-oxidized, complexes (Zn9-TpyMT1). Biosynthesis in Cu(I)-rich media rendered extremely heterogeneous mixtures of CuxZny-species (x+y=8-20), where the higher the aeration, the higher the Zn(II) content. The complexity of these samples was reproduced during the Zn/Cu replacement, as the number of generated species increased gradually with the addition of copper to Zn(11)-TpyMT1. According to our results, a clear preference of TpyMT1 for Cd(II) binding, rather than for Zn(II), and especially Cu(I) can be postulated. This character is totally consistent with the induction pattern of the TpyMT1 gene and the postulated role of TpyMT1 in Cd-detoxification.     

Raman spectroscopy a promising technique for investigations of metallothioneins

Metallobiomolecules are highly elaborated coordination complexes, and their fundamental metal-ligand interactions are critical components of metalloprotein folding, assembly, stability, electrochemistry, and catalytic function. Herein, we have described the benefits in using Raman spectroscopy to define the metal-ion binding properties of MTs toward metal ions such as Zn(ii) and Cd(ii). In particular, this vibrational technique can shed light on the secondary structures eventually present in MTs and the ligands involved in metal coordination. The oxidation state of Cys residues and their participation in the metal chelation can be clearly defined, as well as the eventual involvement of His residues. With regards to exogenous metal ligands such as sulfide anions, their presence can be identified by some marker bands whose intensity is linearly correlated with sulfide/metal molar ratio. Finally, Raman can be also an useful tool for providing information on the favourite sites of the radical attack and radical-induced modification in protein folding. In conclusion, many advantages such as the capability of defining local regions in large complexes and detecting several structural features at the same time, the ability in supporting mechanisms, as well as the requirement of low sample amount, make to propose Raman spectroscopy, in coupling with analytical techniques such as atomic emission spectroscopy, gas chromatography, and circular dichroism, as one of the most promising experimental strategies in the research on structure-activity relationships in MTs.     

Radiation-induced reductive modifications of sulfur-containing amino acids within peptides and proteins

The complex scenario of radical stress reactions affecting peptides/proteins can be better elucidated through the design of biomimetic studies simulating the consequences of the different free radicals attacking amino acids. In this context, ionizing radiations allowed to examine the specific damages caused by H-atoms and electrons coupled with protons, thus establishing the molecular basis of reductive radical stress. This is an innovative concept that complements the well-known oxidative stress also in view of a complete understanding of the global consequences of radical species reactivities on living systems. This review summarizes the knowledge of the chemical changes present in sulfur-containing amino acids occurring in polypeptides under reductive radical conditions, in particular the transformation of Met and Cys residues into α-amino butyric acid and alanine, respectively. Reductive radical stress causing a desulfurization process, is therefore coupled with the formation of S-centered radicals, which in turn can diffuse apart and become responsible of the damage transfer from proteins to lipids. These reductive modifications assayed in different peptide/protein sequences constitute an integration of the molecular inventories that up to now take into account only oxidative transformations. They can be useful to achieve an integrated vision of the free radical reactivities in a multifunctional system and, overall, for wider applications in the redox proteomics field.     

Investigation of radical-based damage of RNase A in aqueous solution and lipid vesicles

The gamma-irradiation of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A) in aqueous solution were investigated at different doses by vibrational spectroscopy as well as enzymatic assay, electrophoresis, and HPLC analysis. Both functional and structural changes of the protein were caused by attack of H(*) atoms and (*)OH radicals. In particular, Raman spectroscopy was shown to be a useful tool in identifying conformational changes of the protein structure and amino acidic residues that are preferential sites of the radical attack (i.e., tyrosine and methionine). After partial structural changes by the initial radical attack, the internal sulfur-containing amino acid residues were rendered susceptible to transformation. By using the biomimetic model of dioleoyl phosphatidyl choline vesicle suspensions containing RNase A, the damage to methione residues could be connected to a parallel alteration of membrane unsaturated lipids. In fact, thiyl radical species formed from protein degradation can diffuse into the lipid bilayer and cause isomerization of the naturally occurring cis double bonds. As a consequence, trans unsaturated fatty acids are formed in vesicles and can be considered to be markers of this protein damage.     

Conjugated linoleic acid exhibits stimulatory and inhibitory effects on prostanoid production in human endothelial cells and platelets

In addition to their reported antitumorigenic properties, various conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers have also been shown to decrease prostanoid synthesis as a result of inhibiting the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme. We have previously reported that several CLA isomers inhibited both platelet aggregation and formation of thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)), a proaggregatory and vasoconstrictive agent. Since the interaction between platelets and vascular endothelial cells is essential to maintaining vascular homeostasis, we decided to investigate the effects of various CLA isomers on the production of endothelial prostacyclin (PGI(2)), a potent vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet function. Using interleukin 1-beta (IL1-beta)-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), we initially established that HUVECs of passage #2 should be used since these cells were most responsive to thrombin-induced conversion of endogenous arachidonic acid to PGI(2), as monitored by the formation of its stable, inactive metabolite, 6-ketoPGF(1alpha). In the first part of the study, the effects of CLA isomers in the free fatty acid form were tested. The 10(E), 12(Z)- and 9(Z), 11(E)-CLA isomers inhibited thrombin-induced 6-ketoPGF(1alpha) formation with I(50)'s of 2.6 and 5.5 microM, whereas the 9(Z), 11(Z)- and 9(E), 11(E)-CLA were ineffective at concentrations up to 60 microM. The inhibitory effect of the 10(E), 12(Z)-CLA was irreversible. Next, the effects of CLA incorporation into HUVECs on PGI(2) generation was determined. An average 8-fold stimulation of 6-ketoPGF(1alpha) formation was obtained with quiescent IL1-beta-exposed HUVECs pretreated for 18 h with 25 microM 9(Z), 11(Z)-CLA, whereas cells preincubated with the 10(E), 12(Z) isomer enhanced this eicosanoid 3-fold. Such IL1-beta-treated HUVECs prelabeled with 25 microM 9(Z), 11(Z)-CLA became refractory to thrombin stimulation, as measured by 6-ketoPGF(1alpha) production, whereas a small, statistically insignificant, inhibition was observed upon thrombin treatment of HUVECs prelabeled with the 10(E), 12(Z) isomer. Qualitative similar results were obtained with resting or thrombin-stimulated platelets containing these esterified CLA isomers indicating that these effects occur with cells that contain either the COX-1 or COX-2 isozymes. The results of this in vitro study indicate that the effects of CLA on cellular prostanoid formation in endothelial cells and platelets can be either inhibitory or stimulatory, and this seems to depend not only on the specific CLA isomer and whether or not the CLA is in the free fatty acid form or esterified into cellular lipids, but also whether cells are in the resting or stimulated state. These findings suggest that in vivo, CLA might have multiple, complex effects on vascular homeostasis.     

Experimental researches on the role of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C in 4-hydroxynonenal induced exocytosis

The action of 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), a chemotactic aldehyde produced by lipid peroxidation, was analysed on exocytosis in parallel with its effects on phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) both in undifferentiated HL-60 cells and in cells induced to differentiate toward the granulocytic cell line by 1.25% DMSO. Exocytosis was evaluated by the secretion of beta-glucuronidase from cells incubated at 37 degrees C for 10 min in the presence of various aldehyde concentrations. HNE action was more pronounced in DMSO-differentiated cells, where concentrations between 10(-8) and 10(-6) m were able both to trigger exocytosis and to strongly activate PLC; in both processes maximal stimulation was given by 10(-7) m. HNE-induced exocytosis was completely prevented by pertussis toxin and by the PLC inhibitor U73122. The comparison between HNE and formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), used as a positive control, showed that the tripeptide produced an higher stimulation of exocytosis than the aldehyde; by contrast HNE induced a stronger increase of PLC activity. Wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), strongly inhibited the exocytosis induced by fMLP, while it failed to induce a statistically significant inhibition of HNE action. We conclude that both compounds trigger exocytosis through a Ptx-sensitive G protein; the present data support the hypothesis that the lower ability of the aldehyde to trigger exocytosis as compared to fMLP might depend upon a low ability to activate PI3K, while PLC activation appears to play a key role in HNE-induced exocytosis.     

Neuronal adenosine A<Subscript>2A</Subscript> receptor overexpression is neuroprotective towards 3-nitropropionic acid-induced striatal toxicity: a rat model of Huntington’s disease

The A_2A adenosine receptor (A_2AR) is widely distributed on different cellular types in the brain, where it exerts a broad spectrum of pathophysiological functions, and for which a role in different neurodegenerative diseases has been hypothesized or demonstrated. To investigate the role of neuronal A_2ARs in neurodegeneration, we evaluated in vitro and in vivo the effect of the neurotoxin 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) in a transgenic rat strain overexpressing A_2ARs under the control of the neural-specific enolase promoter (NSEA_2A rats). We recorded extracellular field potentials (FP) in corticostriatal slice and found that the synaptotoxic effect of 3-NP was significantly reduced in NSEA_2A rats compared with wild-type animals (WT). In addition, after exposing corticostriatal slices to 3-NP 10 mM for 2 h, we found that striatal cell viability was significantly higher in NSEA_2A rats compared to control rats. These in vitro results were confirmed by in vivo experiments: daily treatment of female rats with 3-NP 10 mg/kg for 8 days induced a selective bilateral lesion in the striatum, which was significantly reduced in NSEA_2A compared to WT rats. These results demonstrate that the overexpression of the A_2AR selectively at the neuronal level reduced 3-NP-induced neurodegeneration, and suggest an important function of the neuronal A_2AR in the modulation of neurodegeneration.