Targeting the Blood-Brain Barrier to Prevent Sepsis-Associated Cognitive Impairment

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory disease resulting from an infection. This disorder affects 750 000 people annually in the United States and has a 62% rehospitalization rate. Septic symptoms range from typical flu-like symptoms (eg, headache, fever) to a multifactorial syndrome known as sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). Patients with SAE exhibit an acute altered mental status and often have higher mortality and morbidity. In addition, many sepsis survivors are also burdened with long-term cognitive impairment. The mechanisms through which sepsis initiates SAE and promotes long-term cognitive impairment in septic survivors are poorly understood. Due to its unique role as an interface between the brain and the periphery, numerous studies support a regulatory role for the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in the progression of acute and chronic brain dysfunction. In this review, we discuss the current body of literature which supports the BBB as a nexus which integrates signals from the brain and the periphery in sepsis. We highlight key insights on the mechanisms that contribute to the BBB’s role in sepsis which include neuroinflammation, increased barrier permeability, immune cell infiltration, mitochondrial dysfunction, and a potential barrier role for tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP). Finally, we address current drug treatments (eg, antimicrobials and intravenous immunoglobulins) for sepsis and their potential outcomes on brain function. A comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms may enable clinicians to target specific aspects of BBB function as a therapeutic tool to limit long-term cognitive impairment in sepsis survivors

Genotoxicity of multi-walled carbon nanotubes at occupationally relevant doses

Carbon nanotubes are commercially-important products of nanotechnology; however, their low density and small size makes carbon nanotube respiratory exposures likely during their production or processing. We have previously shown mitotic spindle aberrations in cultured primary and immortalized human airway epithelial cells exposed to single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT). In this study, we examined whether multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) cause mitotic spindle damage in cultured cells at doses equivalent to 34 years of exposure at the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL). MWCNT induced a dose responsive increase in disrupted centrosomes, abnormal mitotic spindles and aneuploid chromosome number 24 hours after exposure to 0.024, 0.24, 2.4 and 24 μg/cm2 MWCNT. Monopolar mitotic spindles comprised 95% of disrupted mitoses. Three-dimensional reconstructions of 0.1 μm optical sections showed carbon nanotubes integrated with microtubules, DNA and within the centrosome structure. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated a greater number of cells in S-phase and fewer cells in the G2 phase in MWCNT-treated compared to diluent control, indicating a G1/S block in the cell cycle. The monopolar phenotype of the disrupted mitotic spindles and the G1/S block in the cell cycle is in sharp contrast to the multi-polar spindle and G2 block in the cell cycle previously observed following exposure to SWCNT. One month following exposure to MWCNT there was a dramatic increase in both size and number of colonies compared to diluent control cultures, indicating a potential to pass the genetic damage to daughter cells. Our results demonstrate significant disruption of the mitotic spindle by MWCNT at occupationally relevant exposure levels

Mice deficient in TNF receptors are protected against dopaminergic neurotoxicity: Implications for Parkinson’s disease

The pathogenic mechanisms underlying idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD) remain enigmatic. Recent findings suggest that inflammatory processes are associated with several neurodegenerative disorders, including PD. Enhanced expression of the proinflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, has been found in association with glial cells in the substantia nigra of patients with PD. To determine the potential role for TNF-α in PD, we examined the effects of the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), a dopaminergic neurotoxin that mimics some of the key features associated with PD, using transgenic mice lacking TNF receptors. Administration of MPTP to wild-type (+/+) mice resulted in a time-dependent expression of TNF-α in striatum, which preceded the loss of dopaminergic markers and reactive gliosis. In contrast, transgenic mice carrying homozygous mutant alleles for both the TNF receptors (TNFR-DKO), but not the individual receptors, were completely protected against the dopaminergic neurotoxicity of MPTP. The data indicate that the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α is an obligatory component of dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Moreover, because TNF-α is synthesized predominantly by microglia and astrocytes, our findings implicate the participation of glial cells in MPTPinduced neurotoxicity. Similar mechanisms may underlie the etiopathogenesis of PD

Deficiency of TNF receptors suppresses microglial activation and alters the susceptibility of brain regions to MPTP-induced neurotoxicity: role of TNF-α

Enhanced expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α, is associated with the neuropathological effects underlying disease-, trauma- and chemically induced neurodegeneration. Previously, we have shown that deficiency of TNF receptors protects against MPTP-induced striatal dopaminergic neurotoxicity, findings suggestive of a role for TNF-α in neurodegeneration. Here, we demonstrate that deficiency of TNF receptors suppresses microglial activation and alters the susceptibility of brain regions to MPTP. MPTPinduced expression of microglia-derived factors, TNF-α, MCP-1, and IL-1α, preceded the degeneration of striatal dopaminergic nerve terminals and astrogliosis, as assessed by loss of striatal dopamine and TH, and an increase in striatal GFAP. Pharmacological neuroprotection with the dopamine reuptake inhibitor, nomifensine, abolished striatal dopaminergic neurotoxicity and associated microglial activation. Similarly, in mice lacking TNF receptors, microglial activation was suppressed, findings consistent with a role for TNF-α in striatal MPTP neurotoxicity. In the hippocampus, however, TNF receptor-deficient mice showed exacerbated neuronal damage after MPTP, as evidenced by Fluoro Jade-B staining (to identify degenerating neurons) and decreased microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2) immunoreactivity. These effects were not accompanied by microglial activation, but were associated with increased oxidative stress (nitrosylation of tyrosine residues). These findings suggest that TNF-α exerts a neurotrophic/ neuroprotective effect in hippocampus. The marked differences we observed in the regional density, distribution and/or activity of microglia and microgliaderived factors may influence the region-specific role for this cell type. Taken together, our results are indicative of a region-specific and dual role for TNF-α in the brain: a promoter of neurodegeneration in striatum and a protector against neurodegeneration in hippocampus.OSriram, K., Matheson, J. M., Benkovic, S. A., Miller, D. B., Luster, M. I., O\u27Callaghan, J. P. Deficiency of TNF receptors suppresses microglial activation and alters the susceptibility of brain regions to MPTP-induced neurotoxicity: role of TNF-α

Inhibition of HIV budding by a genetically selected cyclic peptide targeting the Gag?TSG101 interaction

The egress of HIV particles from virus-infected cells is accomplished by the recruitment of proteins that normally mediate host cell endocytic functions. This process requires interaction of the HIV Gag protein with the host protein TSG101 (tumor susceptibility gene 101). Here, we report the use of a bacterial reverse two-hybrid system to identify cyclic peptides that interfere with the Gag?TSG101 interaction and the finding that a five amino acid peptide discovered by this approach can disrupt the interaction and consequently inhibit HIV egress. The inhibiting molecule, which was selected from a cyclic peptide library containing 3.2 × 106 members, differs in primary sequence from the interacting sites of either TSG101 or Gag. Addition of cyclic peptide tagged with an HIV Tat sequence, which previously has been shown to enhance protein translocation across plasma membranes, to cultured human cells inhibited the production of virus-like particles (VLPs) by these cells (IC50 of 7 ?M), and this inhibition occurred in the absence of adverse affects on normal endocytic functions mediated by TSG101. A mutant Gag protein not dependent on TSG101 for release was unaffected by the cyclic peptide. Our findings, which suggest that interference with the TSG101?Gag interaction by cyclic peptides may be of practical use in the treatment of HIV infections, identify a specific cyclic peptide that reduces VLP release by this mechanism; they also demonstrate that the efficiency of interference with protein?protein interactions by cyclic peptides can be enhanced by tagging the peptides with translocation-promoting sequences. Collectively our results support the notion that small molecule therapeutics that inhibit specific interactions between viral and host proteins may have general applicability in antiviral therapy.<br/

MitoNEET (CISD1) Knockout Mice Show Signs of Striatal Mitochondrial Dysfunction and a Parkinson\u27s Disease Phenotype

Mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to play a significant role in neurodegeneration observed in Parkinson’s disease (PD), yet the mechanisms underlying this pathology remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that loss of mitoNEET (CISD1), an iron–sulfur containing protein that regulates mitochondrial bioenergetics, results in mitochondrial dysfunction and loss of striatal dopamine and tyrosine hydroxylase. Mitochondria isolated from mice lacking mitoNEET were dysfunctional as revealed by elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced capacity to produce ATP. Gait analysis revealed a shortened stride length and decreased rotarod performance in knockout mice, consistent with the loss of striatal dopamine. Together, these data suggest that mitoNEET KO mice exhibit many of the characteristics of early neurodegeneration in PD and may provide a novel drug discovery platform to evaluate compounds for enhancing mitochondrial function in neurodegenerative disorders

Targeting the Blood-Brain Barrier to Prevent Sepsis-Associated Cognitive Impairment

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory disease resulting from an infection. This disorder affects 750 000 people annually in the United States and has a 62% rehospitalization rate. Septic symptoms range from typical flu-like symptoms (eg, headache, fever) to a multifactorial syndrome known as sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). Patients with SAE exhibit an acute altered mental status and often have higher mortality and morbidity. In addition, many sepsis survivors are also burdened with long-term cognitive impairment. The mechanisms through which sepsis initiates SAE and promotes long-term cognitive impairment in septic survivors are poorly understood. Due to its unique role as an interface between the brain and the periphery, numerous studies support a regulatory role for the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in the progression of acute and chronic brain dysfunction. In this review, we discuss the current body of literature which supports the BBB as a nexus which integrates signals from the brain and the periphery in sepsis. We highlight key insights on the mechanisms that contribute to the BBB’s role in sepsis which include neuroinflammation, increased barrier permeability, immune cell infiltration, mitochondrial dysfunction, and a potential barrier role for tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP). Finally, we address current drug treatments (eg, antimicrobials and intravenous immunoglobulins) for sepsis and their potential outcomes on brain function. A comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms may enable clinicians to target specific aspects of BBB function as a therapeutic tool to limit long-term cognitive impairment in sepsis survivors

Vacuolar Leukoencephalopathy with Widespread Astrogliosis in Mice Lacking Transcription Factor Nrf2

NFE2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), an oxidant-activated CNC bZip transcription factor, has been implicated in defense against oxidative stress and chemical insults in a range of cell and tissue types, including the central nervous system. Here, we report that deletion of the Nrf2 gene in mice caused vacuolar (spongiform) leukoencephalopathy with widespread astrogliosis. The leukoencephalopathy was present in all Nrf2-null mice more than 10 months of age, was characterized by vacuolar degeneration involving all major brain regions, and was most apparent in the white tracts of the cerebellum and pons. Vacuolar degeneration in white tracts was attributable to myelin unwinding and intramyelinic cysts, and double-label immunofluorescence for 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and myelin basic protein localized free-radical-induced oxidative damage to the myelin sheath. Moreover, the brains of Nrf2-null mice exhibited widespread astrocyte activation with profusion of glial fibrillary acidic protein-immunoreactive glial processes. The study uncovered a possible physiological role for Nrf2 in maintaining central nervous system myelin. If this role is confirmed, it may suggest new approaches to treating genetically and chemically induced myelin degenerative diseases