MAIR‐II deficiency ameliorates cardiac remodelling post‐myocardial infarction by suppressing TLR9‐mediated macrophage activation

Macrophages are fundamental components of inflammation in post‐myocardial infarction (MI) and contribute to adverse cardiac remodelling and heart failure. However, the regulatory mechanisms in macrophage activation have not been fully elucidated. Previous studies showed that myeloid‐associated immunoglobulin–like receptor II (MAIR‐II) is involved in inflammatory responses in macrophages. However, its role in MI is unknown. Thus, this study aimed to determine a novel role and mechanism of MAIR‐II in MI. We first identified that MAIR‐II–positive myeloid cells were abundant from post‐MI days 3 to 5 in infarcted hearts of C57BL/6J (WT) mice induced by permanent left coronary artery ligation. Compared to WT, MAIR‐II–deficient (Cd300c2 ^−/−) mice had longer survival, ameliorated cardiac remodelling, improved cardiac function and smaller infarct sizes. Moreover, we detected lower pro‐inflammatory cytokine and fibrotic gene expressions in Cd300c2 ^−/−‐infarcted hearts. These mice also had less infiltrating pro‐inflammatory macrophages following MI. To elucidate a novel molecular mechanism of MAIR‐II, we considered macrophage activation by Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 9–mediated inflammation. In vitro, we observed that Cd300c2 ^−/− bone marrow–derived macrophages stimulated by a TLR9 agonist expressed less pro‐inflammatory cytokines compared to WT. In conclusion, MAIR‐II may enhance inflammation via TLR9‐mediated macrophage activation in MI, leading to adverse cardiac remodelling and poor prognosis.     

Gradual centriole maturation associates with the mitotic surveillance pathway in mouse development

Centrosomes, composed of two centrioles and pericentriolar material, organize mitotic spindles during cell division and template cilia during interphase. The first few divisions during mouse development occur without centrioles, which form around embryonic day (E) 3. However, disruption of centriole biogenesis in Sas‐4 null mice leads to embryonic arrest around E9. Centriole loss in Sas‐4 ^−/− embryos causes prolonged mitosis and p53‐dependent cell death. Studies in vitro discovered a similar USP28‐, 53BP1‐, and p53‐dependent mitotic surveillance pathway that leads to cell cycle arrest. In this study, we show that an analogous pathway is conserved in vivo where 53BP1 and USP28 are upstream of p53 in Sas‐4 ^−/− embryos. The data indicate that the pathway is established around E7 of development, four days after the centrioles appear. Our data suggest that the newly formed centrioles gradually mature to participate in mitosis and cilia formation around the beginning of gastrulation, coinciding with the activation of mitotic surveillance pathway upon centriole loss.     

Aging impairs the essential contributions of non‐glial progenitors to neurorepair in the dorsal telencephalon of the Killifish Nothobranchius furzeri

The aging central nervous system (CNS) of mammals displays progressive limited regenerative abilities. Recovery after loss of neurons is extremely restricted in the aged brain. Many research models fall short in recapitulating mammalian aging hallmarks or have an impractically long lifespan. We established a traumatic brain injury model in the African turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri), a regeneration‐competent vertebrate that evolved to naturally age extremely fast. Stab‐wound injury of the aged killifish dorsal telencephalon unveils an impaired and incomplete regeneration response when compared to young individuals. In the young adult killifish, brain regeneration is mainly supported by atypical non‐glial progenitors, yet their proliferation capacity clearly declines with age. We identified a high inflammatory response and glial scarring to also underlie the hampered generation of new neurons in aged fish. These primary results will pave the way to unravel the factor age in relation to neurorepair, and to improve therapeutic strategies to restore the injured and/or diseased aged mammalian CNS.     

5‐Fluorouracil efficacy requires anti‐tumor immunity triggered by cancer‐cell‐intrinsic STING

5‐Fluorouracil (5‐FU) is a widely used chemotherapeutic drug, but the mechanisms underlying 5‐FU efficacy in immunocompetent hosts in vivo remain largely elusive. Through modeling 5‐FU response of murine colon and melanoma tumors, we report that effective reduction of tumor burden by 5‐FU is dependent on anti‐tumor immunity triggered by the activation of cancer‐cell‐intrinsic STING. While the loss of STING does not induce 5‐FU resistance in vitro, effective 5‐FU responsiveness in vivo requires cancer‐cell‐intrinsic cGAS, STING, and subsequent type I interferon (IFN) production, as well as IFN‐sensing by bone‐marrow‐derived cells. In the absence of cancer‐cell‐intrinsic STING, a much higher dose of 5‐FU is needed to reduce tumor burden. 5‐FU treatment leads to increased intratumoral T cells, and T‐cell depletion significantly reduces the efficacy of 5‐FU in vivo. In human colorectal specimens, higher STING expression is associated with better survival and responsiveness to chemotherapy. Our results support a model in which 5‐FU triggers cancer‐cell‐initiated anti‐tumor immunity to reduce tumor burden, and our findings could be harnessed to improve therapeutic effectiveness and toxicity for colon and other cancers.     

Tripartite Motif-Containing Protein 30 Modulates TCR-Activated Proliferation and Effector Functions in CD4+ T Cells

To avoid excessive activation, immune signals are tightly controlled by diverse inhibitory proteins. TRIM30, a tripartite motif (TRIM)-containing protein is one of such inhibitors known to function in macrophages. To define the roles of TRIM30, we generated Trim30 knockout (Trim30 ^−/−) mice. Trim30 deletion caused no major developmental defects in any organs, nor showed any discernable defect in the activation of macrophages. But, Trim30 ^−/− mice showed increased CD4/CD8 ratio when aged and Trim30 ^−/− CD4⁺ T cells exhibited an abnormal response upon TCR activation, in particular in the absence of a costimulatory signal. Adoptive transfer of wild-type and Trim30 ^−/− CD4⁺ T cells together into lymphopenic hosts confirmed higher proliferation of the Trim30 ^−/− CD4⁺ T cells in vivo. Despite the enhanced proliferation, Trim30 ^−/− T cells showed decreased levels of NF-κB activation and IL-2 production compared to wild-type cells. These results indicate a distinct requirement for TRIM30 in modulation of NF-κB activation and cell proliferation induced by TCR stimulation.     

Identification of a small molecule SR9009 that activates NRF2 to counteract cellular senescence

The senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP) is a striking characteristic of senescence. Accumulation of SASP factors causes a pro‐inflammatory response linked to chronic disease. Suppressing senescence and SASP represents a strategy to prevent or control senescence‐associated diseases. Here, we identified a small molecule SR9009 as a potent SASP suppressor in therapy‐induced senescence (TIS) and oncogene‐induced senescence (OIS). The mechanism studies revealed that SR9009 inhibits the SASP and full DNA damage response (DDR) activation through the activation of the NRF2 pathway, thereby decreasing the ROS level by regulating the expression of antioxidant enzymes. We further identified that SR9009 effectively prevents cellular senescence and suppresses the SASP in the livers of both radiation‐induced and oncogene‐induced senescence mouse models, leading to alleviation of immune cell infiltration. Taken together, our findings suggested that SR9009 prevents cellular senescence via the NRF2 pathway in vitro and in vivo, and activation of NRF2 may be a novel therapeutic strategy for preventing cellular senescence.     

Berberine Protects against Neuronal Damage via Suppression of Glia-Mediated Inflammation in Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) triggers a series of neuroinflammatory processes that contribute to evolution of neuronal injury. The present study investigated the neuroprotective effects and anti-inflammatory actions of berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, in both in vitro and in vivo TBI models. Mice subjected to controlled cortical impact injury were injected with berberine (10 mg·kg⁻¹) or vehicle 10 min after injury. In addition to behavioral studies and histology analysis, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and brain water content were determined. Expression of PI3K/Akt and Erk signaling and inflammatory mediators were also analyzed. The protective effect of berberine was also investigated in cultured neurons either subjected to stretch injury or exposed to conditioned media with activated microglia. Berberine significantly attenuated functional deficits and brain damage associated with TBI up to day 28 post-injury. Berberine also reduced neuronal death, apoptosis, BBB permeability, and brain edema at day 1 post-injury. These changes coincided with a marked reduction in leukocyte infiltration, microglial activation, matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity, and expression of inflammatory mediators. Berberine had no effect on Akt or Erk 1/2 phosphorylation. In mixed glial cultures, berberine reduced TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling. Berberine also attenuated neuronal death induced by microglial conditioned media; however, it did not directly protect cultured neurons subjected to stretch injury. Moreover, administration of berberine at 3 h post-injury also reduced TBI-induced neuronal damage, apoptosis and inflammation in vivo. Berberine reduces TBI-induced brain damage by limiting the production of inflammatory mediators by glial cells, rather than by a direct neuroprotective effect.     

PECAM‐1 supports leukocyte diapedesis by tension‐dependent dephosphorylation of VE‐cadherin

Leukocyte extravasation is an essential step during the immune response and requires the destabilization of endothelial junctions. We have shown previously that this process depends in vivo on the dephosphorylation of VE‐cadherin‐Y731. Here, we reveal the underlying mechanism. Leukocyte‐induced stimulation of PECAM‐1 triggers dissociation of the phosphatase SHP2 which then directly targets VE‐cadherin‐Y731. The binding site of PECAM‐1 for SHP2 is needed for VE‐cadherin dephosphorylation and subsequent endocytosis. Importantly, the contribution of PECAM‐1 to leukocyte diapedesis in vitro and in vivo was strictly dependent on the presence of Y731 of VE‐cadherin. In addition to SHP2, dephosphorylation of Y731 required Ca²⁺‐signaling, non‐muscle myosin II activation, and endothelial cell tension. Since we found that β‐catenin/plakoglobin mask VE‐cadherin‐Y731 and leukocyte docking to endothelial cells exert force on the VE‐cadherin–catenin complex, we propose that leukocytes destabilize junctions by PECAM‐1‐SHP2‐triggered dephosphorylation of VE‐cadherin‐Y731 which becomes accessible by actomyosin‐mediated mechanical force exerted on the VE‐cadherin–catenin complex.     

Disruption of ER‐mitochondria tethering and signalling in C9orf72‐associated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia

Hexanucleotide repeat expansions in C9orf72 are the most common cause of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The mechanisms by which the expansions cause disease are not properly understood but a favoured route involves its translation into dipeptide repeat (DPR) polypeptides, some of which are neurotoxic. However, the precise targets for mutant C9orf72 and DPR toxicity are not fully clear, and damage to several neuronal functions has been described. Many of these functions are regulated by signalling between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria. ER‐mitochondria signalling requires close physical contacts between the two organelles that are mediated by the VAPB‐PTPIP51 ‘tethering’ proteins. Here, we show that ER‐mitochondria signalling and the VAPB‐PTPIP51 tethers are disrupted in neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from patients carrying ALS/FTD pathogenic C9orf72 expansions and in affected neurons in mutant C9orf72 transgenic mice. In these mice, disruption of the VAPB‐PTPIP51 tethers occurs prior to disease onset suggesting that it contributes to the pathogenic process. We also show that neurotoxic DPRs disrupt the VAPB‐PTPIP51 interaction and ER‐mitochondria contacts and that this may involve activation of glycogen synthase kinases‐3β (GSK3β), a known negative regulator of VAPB‐PTPIP51 binding. Finally, we show that these DPRs disrupt delivery of Ca²⁺ from ER stores to mitochondria, which is a primary function of the VAPB‐PTPIP51 tethers. This delivery regulates a number of key neuronal functions that are damaged in ALS/FTD including bioenergetics, autophagy and synaptic function. Our findings reveal a new molecular target for mutant C9orf72‐mediated toxicity.     

PI3KC2β inactivation stabilizes VE‐cadherin junctions and preserves vascular integrity

Endothelium protection is critical, because of the impact of vascular leakage and edema on pathological conditions such as brain ischemia. Whereas deficiency of class II phosphoinositide 3‐kinase alpha (PI3KC2α) results in an increase in vascular permeability, we uncover a crucial role of the beta isoform (PI3KC2β) in the loss of endothelial barrier integrity following injury. Here, we studied the role of PI3KC2β in endothelial permeability and endosomal trafficking in vitro and in vivo in ischemic stroke. Mice with inactive PI3KC2β showed protection against vascular permeability, edema, cerebral infarction, and deleterious inflammatory response. Loss of PI3KC2β in human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells stabilized homotypic cell–cell junctions by increasing Rab11‐dependent VE‐cadherin recycling. These results identify PI3KC2β as a potential new therapeutic target to prevent aggravating lesions following ischemic stroke.     

Epac‐2 ameliorates spontaneous colitis in Il‐10 −/− mice by protecting the intestinal barrier and suppressing NF‐κB/MAPK signalling

Intestinal barrier dysfunction and intestinal inflammation interact in the progression of Crohn''s disease (CD). A recent study indicated that Epac‐2 protected the intestinal barrier and had anti‐inflammatory effects. The present study examined the function of Epac‐2 in CD‐like colitis. Interleukin‐10 gene knockout (Il‐10 ^−/−) mice exhibit significant spontaneous enteritis and were used as the CD model. These mice were treated with Epac‐2 agonists (Me‐cAMP) or Epac‐2 antagonists (HJC‐0350) or were fed normally (control), and colitis and intestinal barrier structure and function were compared. A Caco‐2 and RAW 264.7 cell co‐culture system were used to analyse the effects of Epac‐2 on the cross‐talk between intestinal epithelial cells and inflammatory cells. Epac‐2 activation significantly ameliorated colitis in mice, which was indicated by reductions in the colitis inflammation score, the expression of inflammatory factors and intestinal permeability. Epac‐2 activation also decreased Caco‐2 cell permeability in an LPS‐induced cell co‐culture system. Epac‐2 activation significantly suppressed nuclear factor (NF)‐κB/mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling in vivo and in vitro. Epac‐2 may be a therapeutic target for CD based on its anti‐inflammatory functions and protective effects on the intestinal barrier.     

Partial depletion and repopulation of microglia have different effects in the acute MPTP mouse model of Parkinson’s disease

ObjectivesParkinson''s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive and selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. Microglial activation and neuroinflammation are associated with the pathogenesis of PD. However, the relationship between microglial activation and PD pathology remains to be explored.Materials and MethodsAn acute regimen of MPTP was administered to adult C57BL/6J mice with normal, much reduced or repopulated microglial population. Damages of the dopaminergic system were comprehensively assessed. Inflammation‐related factors were assessed by quantitative PCR and Multiplex immunoassay. Behavioural tests were carried out to evaluate the motor deficits in MPTP‐challenged mice.ResultsThe receptor for colony‐stimulating factor 1 inhibitor PLX3397 could effectively deplete microglia in the nigrostriatal pathway of mice via feeding a PLX3397‐formulated diet for 21 days. Microglial depletion downregulated both pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory molecule expression at baseline and after MPTP administration. At 1d post‐MPTP injection, dopaminergic neurons showed a significant reduction in PLX3397‐fed mice, but not in control diet (CD)‐fed mice. However, partial microglial depletion in mice exerted little effect on MPTP‐induced dopaminergic injuries compared with CD mice at later time points. Interestingly, microglial repopulation brought about apparent resistance to MPTP intoxication.ConclusionsMicroglia can inhibit PD development at a very early stage; partial microglial depletion has little effect in terms of the whole process of the disease; and microglial replenishment elicits neuroprotection in PD mice.     

Adult neurogenic process in the subventricular zone‐olfactory bulb system is regulated by Tau protein under prolonged stress

ObjectivesThe area of the subventricular zone (SVZ) in the adult brain exhibits the highest number of proliferative cells, which, together with the olfactory bulb (OB), maintains constant brain plasticity through the generation, migration and integration of newly born neurons. Despite Tau and its malfunction is increasingly related to deficits of adult hippocampal neurogenesis and brain plasticity under pathological conditions [e.g. in Alzheimer''s disease (AD)], it remains unknown whether Tau plays a role in the neurogenic process of the SVZ and OB system under conditions of chronic stress, a well‐known sculptor of brain and risk factor for AD.Materials and methodsDifferent types of newly born cells in SVZ and OB were analysed in animals that lack Tau gene (Tau‐KO) and their wild‐type littermates (WT) under control or chronic stress conditions.ResultsWe demonstrate that chronic stress reduced the number of proliferating cells and neuroblasts in the SVZ leading to decreased number of newborn neurons in the OB of adult WT, but not Tau‐KO, mice. Interestingly, while stress‐evoked changes were not detected in OB granular cell layer, Tau‐KO exhibited increased number of mature neurons in this layer indicating altered neuronal migration due to Tau loss.ConclusionsOur findings suggest the critical involvement of Tau in the neurogenesis suppression of SVZ and OB neurogenic niche under stressful conditions highlighting the role of Tau protein as an essential regulator of stress‐driven plasticity deficits.     

Knockout of Atg5 delays the maturation and reduces the survival of adult-generated neurons in the hippocampus

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved lysosomal degradation pathway that plays important roles in cell maintenance, expansion and differentiation. Removal of genes essential for autophagy from embryonic neural stem and precursor cells reduces the survival and inhibits neuronal differentiation of adult-generated neurons. No study has modified autophagy within the adult precursor cells, leaving the cell-autonomous role of autophagy in adult neurogenesis unknown. Here we demonstrate that autophagic flux exists in the adult dividing progenitor cells and their progeny in the dentate gyrus. To investigate the role of autophagy in adult hippocampal neurogenesis, we genetically deleted Autophagy-related gene 5 (Atg5) that reduced autophagic flux and the survival of the progeny of dividing progenitor cells. This significant reduction in survival of adult-generated neurons is accompanied by a delay in neuronal maturation, including a transient reduction in spine density in the absence of a change in differentiation. The delay in cell maturation and loss of progeny of the Atg5-null cells was not present in mice that lacked the essential pro-apoptotic protein Bax (Bcl-2-associated X protein), suggesting that Atg5-deficient cells die through a Bax-dependent mechanism. In addition, there was a loss of Atg5-null cells following exposure to running, suggesting that Atg5 is required for running-induced increases in neurogenesis. These findings highlight the cell-autonomous requirement of Atg5 in the survival of adult-generated neurons.In the adult brain, neurogenesis allows for the continuous development of adult-generated neurons in response to physiological and pathological stimuli. The neural progenitor cells (NPCs) within the neurogenic niche of the subventricular zone (SVZ) and subgranular zone (SGZ) give rise to adult-generated neurons within the olfactory bulb and dentate, respectively.^{1, 2, 3} The ability of the NPCs to proliferate, differentiate and integrate into circuitry to modify behavior makes understanding these cells and the factors that regulate these processes critical to develop new therapies. This is especially important for a number of diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson''s and Huntington''s diseases that are associated with reduced adult neurogenesis, as well as regenerative medicine strategies for recovery after stroke.^{4, 5, 6}Two groups have found that in vivo macroautophagy (hereafter referred to as autophagy) can regulate adult neurogenesis by examining the effect of deleting autophagy-related genes (Atgs). Yazdankhah et al.⁷ found that Ambra1 and Beclin1 heterozygous embryonic knockout mice have less proliferating NPCs in the SVZ and an associated reduction in neurogenesis in the olfactory bulb. Wang et al.⁸ found that conditional removal of FIP200 (focal adhesion kinase (FAK) family interacting protein of M_r 200 K, also known as ULK1, an Atg1 homologue-interacting protein) from embryonic NPCs progressively depletes the number of postnatal NPCs, as well as reduces neurogenesis and increases astrogenesis. In contrast in the embryo, Lv et al.⁹ showed that a specific knockdown of the Autophagy-related gene 5 (Atg5) increases proliferation and inhibits neuronal differentiation of embryonic NPCs during cortical development. These data suggest that embryonic and adult NPCs are altered when autophagy-related genes are deleted in the embryo. However, it remains unknown whether autophagy, independent of effects in the embryo, is directly required for NPCs and their progeny in the adult.Here we tested the functional role of autophagy specifically in the adult brain by removing Atg5 from dividing NPCs. We found that autophagic flux occurs in adult NPCs and that removal of Atg5 is associated with a reduction in autophagic flux. In addition, we find that Atg5-null cells have a significant reduction in survival, as well as a delay in neuronal maturation. The reduction in neurogenesis occurred in the absence of altering proliferation or cell lineage. Furthermore, removal of Bax (Bcl-2-associated X protein) restored neurogenesis in the absence of Atg5, implicating Bax functions downstream of Atg5 to regulate the survival of adult-generated neurons. Finally, we showed that Atg5-dependent signaling is required for running-induced increases in the survival of the adult developing NPCs.