Multiple factors to assist human-derived induced pluripotent stem cells to efficiently differentiate into midbrain dopaminergic neurons

Midbrain dopaminergic neurons play an important role in the etiology of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.They also represent a potential source of transplanted cells for therapeutic applications.In vitro differentiation of functional midbrain dopaminergic neurons provides an accessible platform to study midbrain neuronal dysfunction and can be used to examine obstacles to dopaminergic neuronal development.Emerging evidence and impressive advances in human induced pluripotent stem cells,with tuned neural induction and differentiation protocols,makes the production of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons feasible.Using SB431542 and dorsomorphin dual inhibitor in an induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural induction protocol,we obtained multiple subtypes of neurons,including 20%tyrosine hydroxylase-positive dopaminergic neurons.To obtain more dopaminergic neurons,we next added sonic hedgehog(SHH)and fibroblast growth factor 8(FGF8)on day 8 of induction.This increased the proportion of dopaminergic neurons,up to 75%tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons,with 15%tyrosine hydroxylase and forkhead box protein A2(FOXA2)co-expressing neurons.We further optimized the induction protocol by applying the small molecule inhibitor,CHIR99021(CHIR).This helped facilitate the generation of midbrain dopaminergic neurons,and we obtained 31-74%midbrain dopaminergic neurons based on tyrosine hydroxylase and FOXA2 staining.Thus,we have established three induction protocols for dopaminergic neurons.Based on tyrosine hydroxylase and FOXA2 immunostaining analysis,the CHIR,SHH,and FGF8 combined protocol produces a much higher proportion of midbrain dopaminergic neurons,which could be an ideal resource for tackling midbrain-related diseases.

Single-neuron neurodegeneration as a degenerative model for Parkinson’s disease

The positive effect of levodopa in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease,although it is limited in time and has severe side effects,has encouraged the scientific community to look for new drugs that can stop the neurodegenerative process or even regenerate the neuromelanin-containing dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons.Successful preclinical studies with coenzyme Q10,mitoquinone,isradipine,nilotinib,TCH346,neurturin,zonisamide,deferiprone,prasinezumab,and cinpanemab prompted clinical trials.However,these failed and after more than 50 years levodopa continues to be the key drug in the treatment of the disease,despite its severe side effects after 4–6 years of chronic treatment.The lack of translated successful results obtained in preclinical investigations based on the use of neurotoxins that do not exist in the human body as new drugs for Parkinson’s disease treatment is a big problem.In our opinion,the cause of these failures lies in the experimental animal models involving neurotoxins that do not exist in the human body,such as 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and 6-hydroxydopamine,that induce a very fast,massive and expansive neurodegenerative process,which contrasts with the extremely slow one of neuromelanin-containing dopaminergic neurons.The exceedingly slow progress of the neurodegenerative process of the nigrostriatal neurons in idiopathic Parkinson’s patients is due to(i)a degenerative model in which the neurotoxic effect of an endogenous neurotoxin affects a single neuron,(ii)a neurotoxic event that is not expansive and(iii)the fact that the neurotoxin that triggers the neurodegenerative process is produced inside the neuromelanin-containing dopaminergic neurons.The endogenous neurotoxin that fits this degenerative model involving one single neuron at a time is aminochrome,since it(i)is generated within neuromelanin-containing dopaminergic neurons,(ii)does not cause an expansive neurotoxic effect and(iii)triggers all the mechanisms involved in the neurodegenerative process of the nigrostriatal neurons in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.In conclusion,based on the hypothesis that the neurodegenerative process of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease corresponds to a single-neuron neurodegeneration model,we must search for molecules that increase the expression of the neuroprotective enzymes DT-diaphorase and glutathione transferase M2-2.It has been observed that the activation of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1/nuclear factor(erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 pathway is associated with the transcriptional activation of the DT-diaphorase and glutathione transferase genes.

One-step cell biomanufacturing platform:porous gelatin microcarrier beads promote human embryonic stem cell-derived midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cell differentiation in vitro and survival after transplantation in vivo

Numerous studies have shown that cell replacement therapy can replenish lost cells and rebuild neural circuitry in animal models of Parkinson’s disease.Transplantation of midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells is a promising treatment for Parkinson’s disease.However,transplanted cells can be injured by mechanical damage during handling and by changes in the transplantation niche.Here,we developed a one-step biomanufacturing platform that uses small-aperture gelatin microcarriers to produce beads carrying midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells.These beads allow midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cell differentiation and cryopreservation without digestion,effectively maintaining axonal integrity in vitro.Importantly,midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cell bead grafts showed increased survival and only mild immunoreactivity in vivo compared with suspended midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cell grafts.Overall,our findings show that these midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cell beads enhance the effectiveness of neuronal cell transplantation.

Tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells and dopaminergic neuronal function in human embryonic stem cells: An electrophysiological validation

BACKGROUND： Induced differentiation strategies and cytochemical properties of human embryonic stem ceils （hESCs） have been investigated. However, the electrophysiological functions of tyrosine hydroxylase （TH）-positive cells dedved from hESCs remain unclear. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the differentiation efficiency of TH-positive cells from hESCs in vitro using modified four-step culture methods, including embryoid body formation, and to examine the functional characteristics of the differentiated TH-positive cells using electrophysiological techniques. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Neuroelectrophysiology was performed at the Reproductive Medicine Center and Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, and the Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, Peking University, from September 2004 to August 2008. MATERIALS： The hESC line, PKU-1.1, a monoclonal cell line derived from a pre-implantation human blastocyst in the Reproductive Medical Center of Peking University Third Hospital. The patch clamp recording system was provided by the Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, Peking University. METHODS： The hESC line was induced to differentiate into TH-positive cells in vitro using a modified four-step culture method, including the formation of embryoid body, as well as the presence of sonic hedgehog and fibroblast growth factor 8. The cell karyotype was assessed by G-banding karyotype analysis techniques and specific markers were detected immunocytochemically. Whole-cell configuration was obtained after obtaining a tight seal of over 1 GΩ. Ionic currents were detected by holding the cells at -70 mV and stepping to test voltages between -80 and 40 mV in 10-mV increments in voltage-clamp configuration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： We measured the cell karyotype, specific cell markers, and the electrophysiological properties of the voltage-gated ion channels on the cell membrane of TH-positive dopaminergic cells differentiated from our hESCs line in vitro. RESULTS： The differentiated cells had a consistent appearance, and the majority of cells （〉 90%） expressed TH and β-tubulion, as well as the neural progenitor marker, nestino Cell karyotype analysis demonstrated that all of the hESCs had a stable and normal karyotype （46, XX） after differentiation. In addition, patch clamp recording showed that the 10 recorded TH-positive cells exhibited a fast inward current when the test voltage depolarized to -30 mV, and a delayed outward current when the test voltage depolarized to -10 mV. The peak of inward current was obtained at voltage between 10 mV and 0 mV, while the peak of outward current was obtained at 40 mV. The average peak of inward current density was （ -50.05 ± 15.50） pA/pF, and the average peak of outward current density was （41.98 ± 13.55） pA/pE CONCLUSION： More than 90% of the differentiated hESC-derived cells induced by the modified four-step culture method exhibit dopaminergic neuronal properties, including general electrophysiological functional properties, such as functional potassium and sodium channels.

NOX4 exacerbates Parkinson's disease pathology by promoting neuronal ferroptosis and neuroinflammation

Parkinson's disease is primarily caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra compacta.Ferroptosis,a novel form of regulated cell death characterized by iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation,plays a vital role in the death of dopaminergic neurons.However,the molecular mechanisms underlying ferroptosis in dopaminergic neurons have not yet been completely elucidated.NADPH oxidase 4 is related to oxidative stress,however,whether it regulates dopaminergic neuronal ferroptosis remains unknown.The aim of this study was to determine whether NADPH oxidase 4 is involved in dopaminergic neuronal ferroptosis,and if so,by what mechanism.We found that the transcriptional regulator activating transcription factor 3 increased NADPH oxidase 4 expression in dopaminergic neurons and astrocytes in an 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine-induced Parkinson's disease model.NADPH oxidase 4 inhibition improved the behavioral impairments observed in the Parkinson's disease model animals and reduced the death of dopaminergic neurons.Moreover,NADPH oxidase 4 inhibition reduced lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation in the substantia nigra of the Parkinson's disease model animals.Mechanistically,we found that NADPH oxidase 4 interacted with activated protein kinase Cαto prevent ferroptosis of dopaminergic neurons.Furthermore,by lowering the astrocytic lipocalin-2 expression,NADPH oxidase 4 inhibition reduced 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine-induced neuroinflammation.These findings demonstrate that NADPH oxidase 4 promotes ferroptosis of dopaminergic neurons and neuroinflammation,which contribute to dopaminergic neuron death,suggesting that NADPH oxidase 4 is a possible therapeutic target for Parkinson's disease.

Naringenin protects LPS-induced dopaminergic neurons damage through mediating NLRP3 inflammasome

OBJECTIVE To research the effect of naringenin(NAR) on LPS-induced dopaminergic neurons damage and its potential mechanism.METHODS Rats were randomly divided into the following six groups(n=10):control(0.9% NaCl),NAR alone(100 mg·kg-1),LPS(5 μg),LPS+NAR(50 mg·kg-1) and LPS+NAR(100 mg·kg-1).Rats were received a single LPS unilateral injection into the SN pars compacts,after seven daily intragastric administration of NAR,rats′ behavior was analyzed by rotarod test.Then,the expression of TH,IBA-1 and NLRP3 inflammasome were analyzed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence.In vitro experiments,BV-2 cel s were treated with different doses of NAR,and 1 h later,LPS(1 g·L^(-1)) was added to the medium for 24 h,then collect the culture medium and protein for later experiments.The production of IL-1β and IL-18 in culture medium were tested by ELISA,and the production of NO was detected by Griess reagent.The expression of IBA-1,NLRP3 and p-caspase 1 were detected by Western blotting.MN9 D cells were co-cultured with BV2 cells to mimic the animal experiments.MTT assay was used to analyzed the viability of MN9 D cells,and the expression of TH was detected by Western blotting.RESULTS NAR(100 mg · kg-1) could significantly improve the time of rats on the rotating(116.73 s vs 185.45 s,P<0.05).The result of the pathological analysis also suggested that NAR could decrease the activation of microglia as well as the expression of NLRP3 Inflammasome.In addition,NAR also could suppress the expression of pro-inflammatory factor levels,such as IL-1β(P<0.05),IL-18(P<0.05),and the protection of NAR could be inhibited by siR NA NLRP3.Moreover,an in vitro co-culture system with BV2 and MN9 D cells wasused to find the protection of NAR must via microglia,while there is no effect of NAR were directly added to MN9 D cells.CONCLUSION NAR protection of LPS-induced dopaminergic neurons damage might be through mediating NLRP3 inflammasome.

Thrombin-induced microglial activation contributes to the degeneration of nigral dopaminergic neurons in vivo

Objective To evaluate the role of thrombin-activated microglia in the neurodegeneration of nigral dopaminergic neurons in the rat substantia nigra （SN） in vivo. Methods After stereotaxic thrombin injection into unilateral SN of rats, immunostaining, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and biochemical methods were used to observe tyrosine hydroxylase （TH） irnmunoreactive positive cells, microglia activation, nitric oxide （NO） amount and inducible nitricoxide synthase （iNOS） expression. Results （1） Selective damage to dopaminergic neurons was produced after thrombin injection, which was evidenced by loss of TH imrnunostaining in time-dependent manner; （2） Strong microglial activation was observed in the SN; （3） RT-PCR demonstrated the early and transient expression of neurotoxic factors iNOS mRNA in the SN. Immunofluorescence results found that thrombin induced expression of iNOS in microglia. The NO production in the thrombininjected rats was significantly higher than that of controls （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion Thrombin intranigral injection can injure the dopaminergic neurons in the SN. Thrombin-induced microglia activation precedes dopaminergic neuron degeneration, which suggest that activation of microglia and release of NO may play important roles in dopaminergic neuronal death in the SN.

Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Into Dopaminergic Neuron-like Cells in vitro

To explore the way to induce mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons in vitro. Methods MSCs were obtained from rat bone marrow, cultured and passaged. MSCs used in this experiment had multipotency, which was indirectly proved by being induced to differentiate into chondrocytes and adipocytes. MSCs were cultured in medium containing 0.5 mmol/L IBMX for 2 days. Then the medium was replaced with induction medium, which contained GDNF, IL-1β, mesencephalic glial-cell-conditioned medium and flash-frozen mesencephalic membrane fragments. The surface markers of the differentiated neurons, such as NSE, nestin, MAP-2a, b and TH were detected by immunocytochemistry and Western blot after MSCs were cultured in induction medium for 7 days and 15 days. Results MSCs differentiated into neural progenitors and expressed nestin after MSCs were incubated with medium containing IBMX for 2 d. After the medium was replaced with induction medium containing many inducing agents, MSCs differentiated into neuron-like cells and dopaminergic neuron-like cells and expressed NSE, MAP-2a, b and TH. The percentage of NSE-positive cells, MAP-2a, b-positive cells and TH-positive cells was 30.032±2.489%, 41.580±5.101% and 34.958±5.534%, respectively after MSCs were induced in medium containing GDNF, IL-1β, mesencephalic glial-cell-conditioned medium and flash-frozen mesencephalic membrane fragments for 15 days. Conclusion MSCs can differentiate into dopaminergic neuron-like cells and are a new cell source for the treatment of neurodegeneration diseases and have a great potential for wide application

Ginsenoside Rb1 protects dopaminergic neurons from inflammatory injury induced by intranigral lipopolysaccharide injection

Accumulating studies suggest that neuroinflammation characterized by microglial overactivation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease.As such,inhibition of microglial overactivation might be a promising treatment strategy to delay the onset or slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease.Ginsenoside Rbl,the most active ingredient of ginseng,reportedly exerts neuroprotective effects by suppressing inflammation in vitro.The present study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of ginsenoside Rbl in a lipopolysaccharide-induced rat Parkinson’s disease model.Rats were divided into four groups.In the control group,sham-operated rats were intraperitoneally administered normal saline for 14 consecutive days.In the ginsenoside Rbl group,ginsenoside Rb1(20 mg/kg)was intraperitoneally injected for 14 consecutive days after sham surgery.In the lipopolysaccharide group,a single dose of lipopolysaccharide was unilaterally microinjected into the rat substantial nigra to establish the Parkinson’s disease model.Lipopolysaccharide-injected rats were treated with normal saline for 14 consecutive days.In the ginsenoside Rbl +lipopolysaccharide group,lipopolysaccharide was unilaterally microinjected into the rat substantial nigra.Subsequently,ginsenoside Rbl was intraperitoneally injected for 14 consecutive days.To investigate the therapeutic effects of ginsenoside Rbl,behavioral tests were performed on day 15 after lipopolysaccharide injection.We found that ginsenoside Rbl treatment remarkably reduced apomorphine-induced rotations in lipopolysaccharide-treated rats compared with the lipopolysaccharide group.To investigate the neurotoxicity of lipopolysaccharide and potential protective effect of ginsenoside Rbl,contents of dopamine and its metabolites in the striatum were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography.Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,ginsenoside Rbl obviously attenuated the lipopolysaccharide-induced depletion of dopamine and its metabolites in the striatum.To further explore the neuroprotective effect of ginsenoside Rbl against lipopolysaccharide-induced neurotoxicity,immunohistochemistry and western blot assay of tyrosine hydroxylase were performed to evaluate dopaminergic neuron degeneration in the substantial nigra par compacta.The results showed that lipopolysaccharide injection caused a large loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons in the substantia nigra and a significant decrease in overall tyrosine hydroxylase expression.However,ginsenoside Rb1 noticeably reversed these changes.To investigate whether the neuroprotective effect of ginsenoside Rbl was associated with inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced microglial activation,we examined expression of the microglia marker Iba-1.Our results confirmed that lipopolysaccharide injection induced a significant increase in Iba-1 expression in the substantia nigra;however,ginsenoside Rbl effectively suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced microglial overactivation.To elucidate the inhibitory mechanism of ginsenoside Rb1,we examined expression levels of inflammatory mediators(tumor necrosis factor-a,interleukin-1β,inducible nitric oxide synthase,and cyclooxygenase 2)and phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B signaling-related proteins(IκB,IKK)in the substantia nigra with enzyme-linked immunosorbent and western blot assays.Our results revealed that compared with the control group,phosphorylation and expression of inflammatory mediators IκB and IKK in the substantia nigra of lipopolysaccharide group rats were significantly increased;whereas,ginsenoside Rbl obviously reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced changes on the lesioned side of the substantial nigra par compacta.These findings confirm that ginsenoside Rbl can inhibit inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide injection into the substantia nigra and protect dopaminergic neurons,which may be related to its inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway.This study was approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Shandong University of China in April 2016(approval No.KYLL-2016-0148).

Differentiation of embryonic versus adult rat neural stem cells into dopaminergic neurons in vitro

BACKGROUND：It has been reported that the conversion of neural stem cells into dopaminergic neurons in vitro can be increased through specific cytokine combinations. Such neural stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons could be used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. However, little is known about the differences in dopaminergic differentiation between neural stem cells derived from adult and embryonic rats. OBJECTIVE： To study the ability of rat adult and embryonic-derived neural stem cells to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons in vitro. DESIGN： Randomized grouping design. SETTING： Department of Neurosurgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. MATERIALS： This experiment was performed at the Surgical Laboratory in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University （Guangzhou, Guangdong, China） from June to December 2007. Eight, adult, male, Sprague Dawley rats and eight, pregnant, Sprague Dawley rats （embryonic day 14 or 15） were provided by the Experimental Animal Center of Sun Yat-sen University. METHODS： Neural stem cells derived from adult and embryonic rats were respectively cultivated in serum-free culture medium containing epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor. After passaging, neural stem cells were differentiated in medium containing interleukin-1α, interleukin-11, human leukemia inhibition factor, and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor. Six days later, cells were analyzed by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Alterations in cellular morphology after differentiation of neural stem cells derived from adult and embryonic rats; and percentage of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the differentiated cells. RESULTS： Neural stem cells derived from adult and embryonic rats were cultivated in differentiation medium. Six days later, differentiated cells were immunoreactive for tyrosine hydroxylase. The percentage of tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons was （5.6 ± 2.8）% and （17.8 ± 4.2）% for adult and embryonic cells, respectively, with a significant difference between the groups （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Neural stem cells from embryonic rats have a higher capacity to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons than neural stem cells derived from adult rats.

Panax notoginseng saponins influence on transplantation of neural stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease

BACKGROUND： Dopaminergic neurons differentiated from neural stem cells have been successfully used in the treatment of rat models of Parkinson＇s disease; however, the survival rate of transplanted cells has been low. Most cells die by apoptosis as a result of overloaded intracellular calcium and the formation of oxygen free radicals. OBJECTIVE： To observe whether survival of transplanted cells, transplantation efficacy, and dopaminergic differentiation from neural stem cells is altered by Panax notoginseng saponins （PNS） in a rat model of Parkinson＇s disease. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Cellular and molecular biology experiments with randomized group design. The experiment was performed at the Animal Experimental Center, First Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from April to October 2007. MATERIALS： Thirty-two adult, healthy, male Sprague Dawley rats, and four healthy Sprague Dawley rat embryos at gestational days 14-15 were selected. The right ventral mesencephalon was injected with 6-hydroxydopamine to establish a model of Parkinson＇s disease. 6-hydroxydopamine and apomorphine were purchased from Sigma, USA. METHODS： Neural stem cells derived from the mesencephalon of embryonic rats were cultivated and passaged in serum-free culture medium. Lesioned animals were randomly divided into four groups （n = 8）： dopaminergic neuron, dopaminergic neuron ＋ PNS, PNS, and control. The dopaminergic neuron group was injected with 3 μL cell suspension containing dopaminergic neurons differentiated from neural stem cells. The dopaminergic neurons ＋ PNS group received 3 μ L dopaminergic cell suspension combined with PNS （250 mg/L）. The PNS group received 3 μL PNS （250 mg/L）, and the control group received 3 μL DMEM/F12 culture medium. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The rats were transcardially perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde at 60 days post-grafting for immunohistochemistry. The rats were intraperitoneally injected with apomorphine （0.5 mg/kg） to induce rotational behavior. RESULTS： Cell counts of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the dopaminergic neuron ＋ PNS group were （732±82.6） cells/400-fold field. This was significantly greater than the dopaminergic neuron group [（326 ± 34.8） cells/400-fold field, P 〈 0.01]. Compared to the control group, the rotational asymmetry of rats that received dopaminergic neuron transplants was significantly decreased, beginning at 20 days after operation （P 〈 0.01）. Rotational asymmetry was further reduced between 10-60 days post-surgery in the dopaminergic neuron ＋ PNS group, compared to the dopaminergic neuron group （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Panax notoginseng saponins can increase survival and effectiveness of dopaminergic neurons differentiated from neural stem cells for transplantation in a rat model of Parkinson＇s disease.

Effect of rifampicin pre-and post-treatment on rotenone-induced dopaminergic neuronal apoptosis and alpha-synuclein expression

BACKGROUND： Rifampicin inhibits the formation of a-synuclein multimer and protects against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyritine （MPTP）-induced PC12 cell apoptosis. OBJECTIVE： To compare the effect of rifampicin pre- and post-treatment on tyrosine hydroxylase and α-synuclein expression in substantia nigra pars compacta in a rat model of Parkinson＇s disease. DESIGN, TIME AND SE＇B＇ING： A randomized, controlled experiment was performed at the Experimental Animal Center of Sun Yat-sen University North Campus （China） from November 2006 to October 2008. MATERIALS： Rifampicin was purchased from MD, USA; rotenone was purchased from Sigma, USA; mouse anti-rat α-synuclein monoclonal antibody was purchased from B＆D, USA; and rabbit anti-rat tyrosine hydroxylase monoclonal antibody was purchased from Chemicon, USA. METHODS： A total of 72 male, Sprague Dawley rats, aged 8 weeks, were randomly assigned to 5 groups： blank control （n = 12）, rifampicin （n = 12）, rotenone （n = 16）, rifampicin pre-treatment （n = 16）, and rifampicin post-treatment （n = 16）. Parkinson＇s disease model rats were established via a subcutaneous injection of rotenone （1.5 mg/kg per day） in the three treatment groups, once a day for 3 successive weeks. Rifampicin （30 mg/kg per day） was intragastrically administered in the rifampicin pre-treatment group 3 days prior to rotenone induction and in the rifampicin post-treatment group 7 days after rotenone induction. Rats were treated with a subcutaneous injection of 1 mL/kg per day sunflower oil in the blank control group and an intragastric injection of 30 mg/kg per day rifampicin in the rifampicin group, once a day for 3 successive weeks in total. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Prior to treatment and in the end of the 3^rd week after treatment, the rats were evaluated using the modified neurological severity score. The substantia nigra from the rats was extracted for hematoxylin-eosin staining. Western blot analysis was performed to determine tyrosine hydroxylase and α-synuclein expression. RESULTS： Hematoxylin-eosin staining revealed a significant reduction in the number of substantia nigral neurons in the rotenone group, in addition to neurodegradation, hypopigmentation, and pyknosis. In the rifampicin pre-treatment and post-treatment groups, the number of dopaminergic neurons was significantly increased compared with the rotenone group （P 〈 0.01）, with slight neuronal damage. Compared with the rotenone group, substantia nigral tyrosine hydroxylase expression was significantly increased in the rifampicin pre-treatment and post-treatment groups （P 〈 0.01）, but α-synuclein expression and modified neurological severity scores were significantly decreased （P 〈 0.01）. In addition, the effect of rifampicin in the pre-treatment group was superior to the post-treatment group. There was no significant difference in tyrosine hydroxylase and α-synuclein expression, or in the modified neurological severity scores, between the blank control and rifampicin groups （P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Rifampicin significantly attenuated neuropathological and behavioral motor deficits induced by rotenone. Moreover, rifampicin enhanced tyrosine hydroxylase expression, but inhibited α-synuclein expression. The effect of rifampicin pre-treatment was superior to rifampicin post-treatment.

Long-term adenosine A1 receptor activation-induced sortilin expression promotes α-synuclein upregulation in dopaminergic neurons

Prolonged activation of adenosine A1 receptor likely leads to damage of dopaminergic neurons and subsequent development of neurodegenerative diseases.However,the pathogenesis underlying long-term adenosine A1 receptor activation-induced neurodegeneration remains unclear.In this study,rats were intraperitoneally injected with 5 mg/kg of the adenosine A1 receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine(CPA)for five weeks.The mobility of rats was evaluated by forced swimming test,while their cognitive capabilities were evaluated by Y-maze test.Expression of sortilin,α-synuclein,p-JUN,and c-JUN proteins in the substantia nigra were detected by western blot analysis.In addition,immunofluorescence staining of sortilin andα-synuclein was performed to detect expression in the substantia nigra.The results showed that,compared with adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine(5 mg/kg)+CPA co-treated rats,motor and memory abilities were reduced,surface expression of sortin andα-synuclein in dopaminergic neurons was reduced,and total sortilin and totalα-synuclein were increased in CPA-treated rats.MN9D cells were incubated with 500 nM CPA alone or in combination with 10μM SP600125(JNK inhibitor)for 48 hours.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of sortilin andα-synuclein mRNA levels in MN9D cells revealed upregulated sortilin expression in MN9D cells cultured with CPA alone,but the combination of CPA and SP600125 could inhibit this expression.Predictions made using Jasper,PROMO,and Alibaba online databases identified a highly conserved sequence in the sortilin promoter that was predicted to bind JUN in both humans and rodents.A luciferase reporter assay of sortilin promoter plasmid-transfected HEK293T cells confirmed this prediction.After sortilin expression was inhibited by sh-SORT1,expression of p-JUN and c-JUN was detected by western blot analysis.Long-term adenosine A1 receptor activation levels upregulatedα-synuclein expression at the post-transcriptional level by affecting sortilin expression.The online tool Raptor-X-Binding and Discovery Studio 4.5 prediction software predicted that sortilin can bind toα-synuclein.Co-immunoprecipitation revealed an interaction between sortilin andα-synuclein in MN9D cells.Our findings indicate that suppression of prolonged adenosine A1 receptor activation potently inhibited sortilin expression andα-synuclein accumulation,and dramatically improved host cognition and kineticism.This study was approved by the University Committee of Animal Care and Supply at the University of Saskatchewan(approval No.AUP#20070090)in March 2007 and the Animals Ethics Committee of University of South China(approval No.LL0387-USC)in June 2017.

Nanomolar concentration of alpha-synuclein enhances dopaminergic neuronal survival via Akt pathway

Although alpha-synuclein is generally thought to have a pathological role in Parkinson＇s disease, accumulative evidence exists that alpha-synuclein has a neuroprotective effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of extracellular alpha-synuclein on dopaminergic cell survival. We assessed cell viability using the 3-（4,5-dimethyt-thiazol-2-yt）-2,5-diphenyltertazolium bromide （MTT） assay both in undifferentiated SH-SY5Y （SHSY） cells and neuronally-differentiated SH-SY5Y （ndSHSY） cells after 24 hour treatment with monomeric alpha-synuclein at various concentrations （0 [control], 50, 100 nmol/L, 1 IJmol/L）. To determine whether cell viability assessed by MTT assay was affected by cell proliferation, 5-bromo-2＇-deoxyuridine （BrdU） incorporation assay was per- formed. Level of both Akt and phosphorylated Akt was measured using western blot method in ndSHSY cells with or without 24 hour alpha-synuclein treatment. Cell viability was increased in ndSHSY cells at the nanomolar concentration of alpha-synuclein, but not in SHSY cells. Proportion of BrdU-positive ndSHSY cells was decreased in alpha-synuclein-treated group compared with control group. Level of phosphorylated Akt in alpha-synuclein-treated group was higher compared with the control group. Our study shows that extracellular alpha-synuclein at nanomolar concentra- tion benefits dopaminergic cell survival via Akt pathway.

Intrastriatal glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factors for protecting dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of mice with Parkinson disease

BACKGROUND： Substantia nigra is deep in position and limited in range, the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor （GDNF） injection directly into substantia nigra has relatively greater damages with higher difficulty. GDNF injection into striatum, the target area of dopaminergic neuron, may protect the dopaminergic neurons in the compact part of substantia nigra through retrograde transport. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the protective effect of intrastriatal GDNF on dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of mice with Parkinson disease （PD）, and analyze the action pathway. DESIGN： A controlled observation. SETTING： Neurobiological Laboratory of Xuzhou Medical College. MATERIALS： Twenty-four male Kunming mice of 7 - 8 weeks old were used. GDNF, 1-methy1-4-pheny1-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine （MPTP） were purchased from Sigma Company （USA）; LEICAQWin image processing and analytical system. METHODS： The experiments were carded out in the Neurobiological Laboratory of Xuzhou Medical College from September 2005 to October 2006. The PD models were established in adult KunMing mice by intraperitoneal injection of MPTP. The model mice were were randomly divided into four groups with 6 mice in each group： GDNF 4-day group, phosphate buffer solution （PSB） 4-day group, GDNF 6-day group and PSB 6-day group. Mice in the GDNF 4 and 6-day groups were administrated with 1 μ L GDNF solution （20 μ g/L, dispensed with 0.01 mol/L PBS） injected into right striatum at 4 and 6 days after model establishment. Mice in the PSB 4 and 6-day groups were administrated with 0.01 mol/L PBS of the same volume to the same injection at corresponding time points. ② On the 12^th day after model establishment, the midbrain tissue section of each mice was divided into 3 areas from rostral to caudal sides. The positive neurons of tyroxine hydroxylase （TH） and calcium binding protein （CB） with obvious nucleolus and clear outline were randomly selected for the measurement, and the number of positive neurons in unit area was counted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Number of positive neurons of TH and CB in midbrain substantia nigra of mice in each group. RESULTS： All the 24 mice were involved in the analysis of results. The numbers of TH^＋ and CB^＋ neurons in the GDNF 4-day group （54.33±6.92, 46.33±5.54） were obviously more than those in the PBS 4-day group （27.67±5.01, 21.50±5.96, P 〈 0.01）. The numbers of TH^＋ and CB^＋ neurons in the GDNF 6-day group （75.67±5.39, 69.67±8.69） were obviously more than those in the PBS 6-day group （27.17±4.50, 21.33 ±5.72, P 〈 0.01） and those in the GDNF 4-day group （P 〈 0.01 ）. CONCLUSION： Intrastriatal GDNF can protect dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra of PD mice, and it may be related to the increase of CB expression.

Astrocytes protect dopaminergic neurons against aminochrome neurotoxicity

Astrocytes protect neurons by modulating neuronal function and survival.Astrocytes support neurons in several ways.They provide energy through the astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle,protect neurons from excitotoxicity,and internalize neuronal lipid droplets to degrade fatty acids for neuronal metabolic and synaptic support,as well as by their high capacity for glutamate uptake and the conversion of glutamate to glutamine.A recent reported astrocyte system for protection of dopamine neurons against the neurotoxic products of dopamine,such as aminochrome and other o-quinones,were generated under neuromelanin synthesis by oxidizing dopamine catechol structure.Astrocytes secrete glutathione transferase M2-2 through exosomes that transport this enzyme into dopaminergic neurons to protect these neurons against aminochrome neurotoxicity.The role of this new astrocyte protective mechanism in Parkinson´s disease is discussed.

Stress increases MHC-I expression in dopaminergic neurons and induces autoimmune activation in Parkinson’s disease

The expression of major histocompatibility complex class I(MHC-I),a key antigen-presenting protein,can be induced in dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra,thus indicating its possible involvement in the occurrence and development of Parkinson’s disease.However,it remains unclear whether oxidative stress induces Parkinson’s disease through the MHC-I pathway.In the present study,polymerase chain reaction and western blot assays were used to determine the expression of MHC-I in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium(MPP+)-treated SH-SY5Y cells and a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)-induced Parkinson’s disease mouse model.The findings revealed that MHC-I was expressed in both models.To detect whether the expression of MHC-I was able to trigger the infiltration of cytotoxic T cells,immunofluorescence staining was used to detect cytotoxic cluster of differentiation 8(CD8)+T cell infiltration in the substantia nigra of MPTP-treated mice.The results indicated that the presentation of MHC-I in dopaminergic neurons was indeed accompanied by an increase in the number of CD8+T cells.Moreover,in MPTP-induced Parkinson’s disease model mice,the genetic knockdown of endogenous MHC-I,which was caused by injecting specific adenovirus into the substantia nigra,led to a significant reduction in CD8+T cell infiltration and alleviated dopaminergic neuronal death.To further investigate the molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress-induced MHC-I presentation,the expression of PTEN-induced kinase 1(PINK1)was silenced in MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cells using specific small interfering RNA(siRNA),and there was more presentation of MHC-I in these cells compared with control siRNA-treated cells.Taken together,MPP+-/MPTP-induced oxidative stress can trigger MHC-I presentation and autoimmune activation,thus rendering dopaminergic neurons susceptible to immune cells and degeneration.This may be one of the mechanisms of oxidative stress-induced Parkinson’s disease,and implies the potential neuroprotective role of PINK1 in oxidative stress-induced MHC-I presentation.All animal experiments were approved by the Southern Medical University Ethics Committee(No.81802040,approved on February 25,2018).

Protective effects of a polysaccharide from Spirulina platensis on dopaminergic neurons in an MPT-Pinduced Parkinson's disease model in C57BL/6J mice

The present study aimed to determine whether a polysaccharide obtained fromSpirulina platensis shows protective effects on dopaminergic neurons. A Parkinson’s disease model was established through the intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyr-idine （MPTP） in C57BL/6J mice. Prior to the MPTP injection, some mice were pretreated with intraperitoneal injections of a polysaccharide derived fromSpirulina platensis once daily for 10 days. The results showed that the immunoreactive staining and mRNA expression of the dopa-mine transporter and tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine synthesis, in the substantia nigra, were signiifcantly increased in mice pretreated with 800 mg/kg of the poly-saccharide compared with those in MPTP-treated mice. The activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the serum and midbrain were also increased signiifcantly in mice injected with MPTP after pretreatment with the polysaccharide fromSpirulina platensis. By con-trast, the activity of monoamine oxidase B in serum and midbrain maintained unchanged. These experimental ifndings indicate that the polysaccharide obtained fromSpirulina platensis plays a protective role against the MPTP-induced loss of dopaminergic neurons in C57BL/6J mice, and that the antioxidative properties of this polysaccharide likely underlie its neuroprotective effect.

Nigral dopaminergic neuron replenishment in adult mice through VE-cadherin-expressing neural progenitor cells

The function of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra is of central importance to the coordination of movement by the brain＇s basal ganglia circuitry. This is evidenced by the loss of these neurons, resulting in the cardinal motor deficits associated with Parkinson＇s disease. In order to fully understand the physiology of these key neurons and develop potential therapies for their loss, it is essential to determine if and how dopaminergic neurons are replenished in the adult brain. Recent work has presented evidence for adult neurogenesis of these neurons by Nestin＋/Sox2 neural progenitor cells. We sought to further validate this finding and explore a potential atypical origin for these progenitor cells. Since neural progenitor cells have a proximal association with the vasculature of the brain and subsets of endothelial cells are Nestin＋, we hypothesized that dopaminergic neural progenitors might share a common cell lineage. Therefore, we employed a VE-cadherin promoter-driven CREERT2：TIlox/Tlox transgenic mouse line to ablate the tyrosine hydroxylase gene from endothelial cells in adult animals. After 26 weeks, but not 13 weeks, following the genetic blockade of tyrosine hydroxylase expression in VE-cadherin＋ cells, we observed a significant reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase＋ neurons in the substantia nigra. The results from this genetic lineage tracing study suggest that dopaminergic neurons are replenished in adult mice by a VE-cadherin＋ progenitor cell population potentially arising from an endothelial lineage.

Ketamine enhances structural plasticity in human dopaminergic neurons:possible relevance for treatment-resistant depression

Depression refers to a series of mental health issues characterized by loss of interest and enjoyment in everyday life,low mood and selected emotional,cognitive,physical and behavioral symptoms.Depression is a common disorder,affecting 5–15%of the general population.When diagnosed as major depressive disorder（MDD）,patients are currentlytreated with pharmacological agents such as serotonin or noradren- aline uptake inhibitors （SSRI or SNRI） or tricyclics.