Thiamine Deficiency and Neurodegeneration: The Interplay Among Oxidative Stress, Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, and Autophagy

Thiamine (vitamin B1) is an essential nutrient and indispensable for normal growth and development of the organism due to its multilateral participation in key biochemical and physiological processes. Humans must obtain thiamine from their diet since it is synthesized only in bacteria, fungi, and plants. Thiamine deficiency (TD) can result from inadequate intake, increased requirement, excessive deletion, and chronic alcohol consumption. TD affects multiple organ systems, including the cardiovascular, muscular, gastrointestinal, and central and peripheral nervous systems. In the brain, TD causes a cascade of events including mild impairment of oxidative metabolism, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration, which are commonly observed in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Huntington’s disease (HD). Thiamine metabolites may serve as promising biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases, and thiamine supplementations exhibit therapeutic potential for patients of some neurodegenerative diseases. Experimental TD has been used to model aging-related neurodegenerative diseases. However, to date, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying TD-induced neurodegeneration are not clear. Recent research evidence indicates that TD causes oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and autophagy in the brain, which are known to contribute to the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we discuss the role of oxidative stress, ER stress, and autophagy in TD-mediated neurodegeneration. We propose that it is the interplay of oxidative stress, ER stress, and autophagy that contributes to TD-mediated neurodegeneration

Spatiotemporal Expression of MANF in the Developing Rat Brain

Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is an evolutionarily conserved neurotrophic factor which exhibited neuroprotective properties. Recent studies suggested that MANF may play a role in the neural development of Drosophila and zebra fishes. In this study, we investigated the spatiotemporal expression of MANF in the brain of postnatal and adult rats. MANF expression appeared wide spread and mainly localized in neurons. In the cerebral cortex, neurons in layer IV and VI displayed particularly strong MANF immunoreactivity. In the hippocampus, intensive MANF expression was observed throughout the subfields of Cornu Amonis (CA1, CA2, and CA3) and the granular layer of the dentate gyrus (DG). In the substantia nigra, high MANF expression was shown in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). In the thalamus, the anterodorsal thalamic nucleus (ADTN) exhibited the highest MANF immunoreactivity. In the hypothalamus, intensive MANF immunoreactivity was shown in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN). In the cerebellum, MANF was localized in the external germinal layer (EGL), Purkinje cell layer (PCL), internal granule layer (IGL) and the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN). We examined the developmental expression of MANF on postnatal day (PD) 3, 5, 7, 9, 15, 21, 30 and adulthood. In general, the levels of MANF were high in the early PDs (PD3 and PD5), and declined gradually as the brain matured; MANF expression in the adult brain was the lowest among all time points examined. However, in some structures, such as PCL, IGL, SON, TMN and locus coeruleus (LC), high expression of MANF sustained throughout the postnatal period and persisted into adulthood. Our results indicated that MANF was developmentally regulated and may play a role in the maturation of the central nervous system (CNS)

Cdc42-Dependent Activation of NADPH Oxidase Is Involved in Ethanol-Induced Neuronal Oxidative Stress

It has been suggested that excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress play an important role in ethanol-induced damage to both the developing and mature central nervous system (CNS). The mechanisms underlying ethanol-induced neuronal ROS, however, remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of NADPH oxidase (NOX) in ethanol-induced ROS generation. We demonstrated that ethanol activated NOX and inhibition of NOX reduced ethanol-promoted ROS generation. Ethanol significantly increased the expression of p47phox and p67phox, the essential subunits for NOX activation in cultured neuronal cells and the cerebral cortex of infant mice. Ethanol caused serine phosphorylation and membrane translocation of p47phox and p67phox, which were prerequisites for NOX assembly and activation. Knocking down p47phox with the small interfering RNA was sufficient to attenuate ethanol-induced ROS production and ameliorate ethanol-mediated oxidative damage, which is indicated by a decrease in protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation. Ethanol activated cell division cycle 42 (Cdc42) and overexpression of a dominant negative (DN) Cdc42 abrogate ethanol-induced NOX activation and ROS generation. These results suggest that Cdc42-dependent NOX activation mediates ethanol-induced oxidative damages to neurons

Cyanidin-3-Glucoside inhibits ethanol-induced invasion of breast cancer cells overexpressing ErbB2

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ethanol is a tumor promoter. Both epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that ethanol may enhance the metastasis of breast cancer cells. We have previously demonstrated that ethanol increased the migration/invasion of breast cancer cells expressing high levels of ErbB2. Amplification of ErbB2 is found in 20-30% of breast cancer patients and is associated with poor prognosis. We sought to identify agents that can prevent or ameliorate ethanol-induced invasion of breast cancer cells. Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), an anthocyanin present in many vegetables and fruits, is a potent natural antioxidant. Ethanol exposure causes the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study evaluated the effect of C3G on ethanol-induced breast cancer cell migration/invasion.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>C3G attenuated ethanol-induced migration/invasion of breast cancer cells expressing high levels of ErbB2 (BT474, MDA-MB231 and MCF7^ErbB2) in a concentration dependent manner. C3G decreased ethanol-mediated cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) as well as the amount of focal adhesions and the formation of lamellipodial protrusion. It inhibited ethanol-stimulated phosphorylation of ErbB2, cSrc, FAK and p130^Cas, as well as interactions among these proteins. C3G abolished ethanol-mediated p130^Cas/JNK interaction.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>C3G blocks ethanol-induced activation of the ErbB2/cSrc/FAK pathway which is necessary for cell migration/invasion. C3G may be beneficial in preventing/reducing ethanol-induced breast cancer metastasis.</p

Buyang Huanwu Decoction Attenuates Infiltration of Natural Killer Cells and Protects Against Ischemic Brain Injury

Background/Aims: Natural killer (NK) cells are among the first immune cells that respond to an ischemic insult in human brains. The infiltrated NK cells damage blood-brain barrier (BBB) and exacerbate brain infarction. Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD), a classic Chinese traditional herbal prescription, has long been used for the treatment of ischemic stroke. The present study investigated whether BHD can prevent brain infiltration of NK cells, attenuate BBB disruption and improve ischemic outcomes. Methods: Transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced in rats by a 60-minute middle cerebral artery occlusion, and BHD was orally administrated at the onset of reperfusion, 12 hours later, then twice daily. Assessed parameters on Day 3 after ischemia were: neurological and motor functional deficits through neurological deficit score and rotarod test, respectively; brain infarction through TTC staining; BBB integrity through Evans blue extravasation; matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 activities through gelatin zymography; tight junction protein, nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) p65 and phospho-p65 levels through Western blotting; NK cell brain infiltration and CXCR3 levels on NK cells through flow cytometry; interferon-γ production through ELISA; CXCL10 mRNA levels through real-time PCR; CXCL10 expression and p65 nuclear translocation through immunofluorescence staining. Results: BHD markedly reduced brain infarction, improved rotarod performance, and attenuated BBB breakdown. Concurrently, BHD attenuated the upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 activities and the degradation of tight junction proteins in the ischemic brain. Infiltration of NK cells was observed in the ischemic hemisphere, and this infiltration was blunted by treatment with BHD. BHD suppressed brain ischemia-induced interferon-γ and chemokine CXCL10 production. Furthermore, BHD significantly reduced the expression of CXCR3 on brain-infiltrated NK cells. Strikingly, BHD did not affect NK cell levels or its CXCR3 expression in the spleen or peripheral blood after brain ischemia. The nuclear translocation of NF-kB p65 and phospho-p65 in the ischemic brain was inhibited by BHD. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that BHD prevents brain infiltration of NK cells, preserves BBB integrity and eventually improves ischemic outcomes. The inhibitory effects of BHD on NK cell brain invasion may involve its ability of suppressing NF-kB-associated CXCL10-CXCR3-mediated chemotaxis. Notably, BHD only suppresses NK cells and their CXCR3 expression in the ischemic brain, but not those in periphery

Pain sensitivity related to gamma oscillation of parvalbumin interneuron in primary somatosensory cortex in Dync1i1−/− mice

Cytoplasmic dynein is an important intracellular motor protein that plays an important role in neuronal growth, axonal polarity formation, dendritic differentiation, and dendritic spine development among others. The intermediate chain of dynein, encoded by Dync1i1, plays a vital role in the dynein complex. Therefore, we assessed the behavioral and related neuronal activities in mice with dync1i1 gene knockout. Neuronal activities in primary somatosensory cortex were recorded by in vivo electrophysiology and manipulated by optogenetic and chemogenetics. Nociception of mechanical, thermal, and cold pain in Dync1i1−/− mice were impaired. The activities of parvalbumin (PV) interneurons and gamma oscillation in primary somatosensory were also impaired when exposed to mechanical nociceptive stimulation. This neuronal dysfunction was rescued by optogenetic activation of PV neurons in Dync1i1−/− mice, and mimicked by suppressing PV neurons using chemogenetics in WT mice. Impaired pain sensations in Dync1i1−/− mice were correlated with impaired gamma oscillations due to a loss of interneurons, especially the PV type. This genotype-driven approach revealed an association between impaired pain sensation and cytoplasmic dynein complex

Micheliolide attenuates neuroinflammation to improve cognitive impairment of Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting NF-κB and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways

Inflammatory reaction in the brain activates glial cells, and over-activated glial cells secrete inflammatory mediators, which aggravates the inflammatory response in the brain and accelerates the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in turn. Numerous natural compounds from herbs can alleviate inflammation, and it is very promising to find anti-neuroinflammatory natural compounds. Micheliolide (MCL) is an asesquiterpene lactone. Studies have proved that MCL showed an obvious anti-inflammatory property. Nevertheless, whether MCL can treat AD has not been determined. In this research, AD model mice were fed with a diet supplemented MCL for 3 months, the cognitive ability and inflammatory state of mice were detected. We found that MCL raised the frequency of touching novel objects, cut down the escape latency, raised the number of crossing platform, inhibited the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the secretion of interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-12p40, IL-13, IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in peripheral blood samples, inhibited the hyperplasia of glial cells and the production of IL-1α, IL-4, G-CSF, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), MIP-1α and MIP-1β, and reduced the deposition of Aβ peptides in the brain of AD mice. We also concluded that MCL dropped the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and the phosphorylation of IκB, p65 and Akt in BV-2 cells. In conclusion, MCL alleviates the intensity of systemic inflammatory reaction via inhibiting nuclear transcription factor κ gene binding (NF-κB) and phosphoinositide-3-kinase/serine/threonine kinase (PI3K/Akt) pathways in glial cells, and improves the cognitive impairment of AD mice. Therefore, MCL could be a therapeutic candidate for AD