Microglial Nitric Oxide Research Articles

Liver X receptor-dependent inhibition of microglial nitric oxide synthase 2.

BackgroundThe nuclear receptor liver X receptor (LXR) exerts transcriptional control over lipid metabolism and inflammatory response in cells of the myeloid lineage, suggesting that LXR may be a potential target in a number of chronic neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases where persistent microglial activation has been implicated in the pathogenesis.MethodsThe effect of LXR activation on microglia and central nervous system (CNS) inflammation was studied using a synthetic LXR agonist in cultured microglia, a microglial cell line and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of CNS inflammation.ResultsLXR activation inhibited nitric oxide synthase 2, inducible (Nos2) expression and nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglia. Inhibition of microglial activation in response to interferon-γ was less reliable. In LPS-stimulated cells, LXR activation did not inhibit nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB1 p50. Instead, LXR-dependent Nos2 repression was associated with inhibition of histone 4 acetylation and inhibition of NF-kappaB1 p50 binding at the Nos2 promoter. Histone acetylation and NF-kappaB1 p50 binding were mechanistically linked, and histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity appeared to be important for LXR-dependent transcriptional repression of Nos2. Analysis of CNS gene expression in animals undergoing EAE showed that the expressions of Lxr and LXR-dependent genes were downregulated during CNS inflammation. Nevertheless, administration of LXR agonist GW3965 during the effector phase of EAE delayed the onset of clinical disease and reversed the diminished expression of LXR-dependent reverse cholesterol transport genes. However, the CNS expressions of Nos2 and other inflammatory genes were not significantly inhibited by LXR activation in EAE, and clinical disease severity was comparable to vehicle controls at later time points in LXR agonist treated animals.ConclusionsLXR can be targeted to modulate microglial activation. LXR-dependent repression of inflammatory genes may be stimulus-dependent and impaired by HDAC inhibition. Endogenous LXR activity does not appear to modulate CNS inflammation, but LXR activity can be partially restored in the CNS by administration of exogenous LXR agonist with an impact on clinical disease severity at early, but not late, time points in EAE.

TRPM2 contributes to LPS/IFNγ-induced production of nitric oxide via the p38/JNK pathway in microglia

Microglia are immune cells that maintain brain homeostasis at a resting state by surveying the environment and engulfing debris. However, in some pathological conditions, microglia can produce neurotoxic factors such as pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) that lead to neuronal degeneration. Inflammation-induced calcium (Ca2+) signaling is thought to underlie this abnormal activation of microglia, but the mechanisms are still obscure. We previously showed that combined application of lipopolysaccharide and interferon γ (LPS/IFNγ) induced-production of NO in microglia from wild-type (WT) mice is significantly reduced in microglia from transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2)-knockout (KO) mice. Here, we found that LPS/IFNγ produced a late-onset Ca2+ signaling in WT microglia, which was abolished by application of the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodonium (DPI) and ML-171. In addition, pharmacological blockade or gene deletion of TRPM2 channel in microglia did not show this Ca2+ signaling. Furthermore, pharmacological manipulation and Western blotting revealed that Ca2+ mobilization, the proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) contributed to TRPM2-mediated LPS/IFNγ-induced activation, while the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) did not. These results suggest that LPS/IFNγ activates TRPM2-mediated Ca2+ signaling, which in turn increases downstream p38 MAPK and JNK signaling and results in increased NO production in microglia.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induces microglial nitric oxide production and subsequent rat primary cortical neuron apoptosis through p38/JNK MAPK pathway

It has been widely accepted that microglia, which are the innate immune cells in the brain, upon activation can cause neuronal damage. In the present study, we investigated the role of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in regulating microglial nitric oxide production and its role in causing neuronal damage. The study revealed that TCDD stimulates the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) as well as the production of nitric oxide (NO) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Further, a rapid activation of p38 and JNK MAPKs was found in HAPI microglia following TCDD treatment. Blockage of p38 and JNK kinases with their specific inhibitors, SB202190 and SP600125, significantly reduced TCDD-induced iNOS expression and NO production. In addition, it was demonstrated through treating rat primary cortical neurons with media conditioned with TCDD treated microglia that microglial iNOS activation mediates neuronal apoptosis. Lastly, it was also found that p38 and JNK MAPK inhibitors could attenuate the apoptosis of rat cortical neurons upon exposure to medium conditioned by TCDD-treated HAPI microglial cells. Based on these observations, we highlight that the p38/JNK MAPK pathways play an important role in TCDD-induced iNOS activation in rat HAPI microglia and in the subsequent induction of apoptosis in primary cortical neurons.

Bradykinin decreases nitric oxide release from microglia via inhibition of cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling

Bradykinin (BK) is a major potent inflammatory mediator outside the central nervous system. In Alzheimer's disease, BK release and BK receptor expression in brain tissues are upregulated relatively early during the course of the disease. Hence, BK was believed to promote neuroinflammation. However, BK was recently reported to possess anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective roles. Exposure of BV2 microglial cell line to BK lead to a decrease in NO release from unstimulated cells as well as a dose-dependent attenuation, mediated by both B1 and B2 receptors, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production. In this study we examined whether cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling is involved in BK-mediated effect in microglial nitric oxide (NO) production. A protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor mimicked the effects of BK, while cAMP elevating agents antagonized BK-mediated NO decrease. Moreover, BK inhibited the activation of cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB). In addition, BK protected microglial cells from death triggered by combinations of LPS and each of the cAMP elevating agents. Finally, the addition of Gαi protein inhibitor abrogated the effects of BK on NO release, and the expression of Gαi protein in the plasma membrane was induced by BK. These results suggest that BK-mediated reduction in microglial NO production depends on coupling to Gi protein and also involves inhibition of cAMP-PKA-CREB signaling.

124. A comparative examination of the anti-inflammatory effects of SSRI and SNRI antidepressants on microglia

Selective serotonin and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSRI; SNRI) are the frontline pharmacological treatment options for major depression. While these drugs have long been assumed to exert their antidepressant effects because of their ability to alter central monoamine levels, they have also been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects. Recently it has become apparent that these drugs can also exert anti-inflammatory effects on microglia, the principal cells within the CNS that regulate and respond to inflammatory factors. From a pharmacological standpoint, much critical information remains unknown. In particular, the relative efficacy of these drugs in modulating microglial responses is yet to be determined. To address these issues, we evaluated the ability of different SSRIs (fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine and citalopram) and one SNRI (venlafaxine) to suppress microglial responses to an inflammatory stimulus. Specifically, we examined their ability to alter tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitric oxide (NO) production after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Our results indicated that the SSRIs potently inhibited microglial TNF-alpha and NO production. We then investigated whether these effects might involve either beta-adrenoceptor or cAMP signalling. Using the protein kinase A inhibitor Rp-CAMPs, we found evidence to suggest that cAMP signalling may be partially involved in regulating the anti-inflammatory response. Findings such as these could suggest that antidepressants may owe at least some of their therapeutic effectiveness to their anti-inflammatory properties.

Inhibitory role of kinins on microglial nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-α production

Brain inflammation is sustained by chronic activation of microglia and the over-production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide (NO), which in turn can be highly neurotoxic. Microglial activation can be regulated by neuropeptides such as bradykinin (BK) and other members of the kinin family. Kinins are well known inflammatory regulators outside the CNS. Although the kinin system is well distributed throughout the brain, the precise role of BK in the CNS is not yet clear. The aim of this study was to examine and characterize the effects of BK and related kinins on the production of NO and TNF-α in microglia. We found that BK and selective agonists for both B1 and B2 receptors, attenuated both NO and TNF-α levels in the media of BV2 microglial cells that had been stimulated with LPS. The effects of BK that were observed in BV2 cells were confirmed in primary neonatal rat microglial cells as well. In addition, all kinin agonists reduced the expression of iNOS and TNF-α protein and mRNA levels in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. Also, while LPS activated the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway, BK inhibited NF-κB activation by preventing degradation of the κB protein (IκB) inhibitor, abolishing translocation of p65 and p50 subunits to the nucleus and inhibiting NF-κB transcription activity. These results suggest a role for bradykinin in modulation of glial inflammation, as evidenced by attenuation of NO and TNF-α synthesis pathways in activated microglial cells.

A comparative examination of the anti-inflammatory effects of SSRI and SNRI antidepressants on LPS stimulated microglia

Selective serotonin and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSRI; SNRI) are the first choice pharmacological treatment options for major depression. It has long been assumed that the primary therapeutic mechanism of action of these drugs involves the modulation of monoaminergic systems. However, contemporary investigations have revealed that depression is linked with inflammation, and that SSRI/SNRIs possess significant anti-inflammatory actions. While these anti-inflammatory properties initially only related to work undertaken on cells of the peripheral immune system, it has recently become apparent that these drugs also exert anti-inflammatory effects on microglia, the principal cells within the CNS that regulate and respond to inflammatory factors. The aim of the current study was to compare SSRI/SNRIs in terms of their anti-inflammatory potency, and to determine the specific mechanisms through which these effects are mediated. Accordingly, the current study evaluated the ability of five different SSRIs (fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine and citalopram) and one SNRI (venlafaxine) to suppress microglial responses to an inflammatory stimulus. Specifically, we examined their ability to alter tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO) production after 4 and 24 h stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Our results indicated that the SSRIs potently inhibited microglial TNF-α and NO production. We then investigated whether these effects might involve either β-adrenoceptor or cAMP signalling. Using the protein kinase A inhibitor Rp-CAMPs, we found evidence to suggest that cAMP signalling is involved in regulating the anti-inflammatory response. These findings suggest that antidepressants may owe at least some of their therapeutic effectiveness to their anti-inflammatory properties.

Glycine enhances microglial intracellular calcium signaling. A role for sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporters

The inhibitory neurotransmitter glycine is known to enhance microglial nitric oxide production. However, up to now, the mechanism is undocumented. Since calcium is an important second messenger in both immune and glial cells, we studied the effects of glycine on intracellular calcium signaling. We found that millimolar concentrations of glycine enhance microglial intracellular calcium transients induced by 100μM ATP or by 500nM thapsigargin. This modulation was unaffected by the glycine receptor antagonist strychnine and could not be mimicked by glycine receptor agonists such as taurine or β-alanine, indicating glycine receptor independency. The modulation of calcium responses could be mimicked by several structurally related amino acids (e.g., serine, alanine, or glutamine) and was inhibited in the presence of the neutral amino acid transporter substrate α-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB). We correlated these findings to immunofluorescence glycine uptake experiments which showed a clear glycine uptake which was inhibited by AIB. Furthermore, all amino acids that were shown to modulate calcium responses also evoked AIB-sensitive inward currents, mainly carried by sodium, as demonstrated by patch clamp experiments. Based on these findings, we propose that sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporters are responsible for the observed glycine modulation of intracellular calcium responses.

Stimulation of glucocorticoid‐induced tumor necrosis factor receptor family‐related protein ligand (GITRL) induces inflammatory activation of microglia in culture

Glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor family-related protein ligand (GITRL) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF) and is known to act as a costimulator in the immune system by binding to GITR. GITRL is expressed in endothelial cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells, but it is not known whether GITRL is expressed in brain microglia cells. Here, we investigated the expression of GITR and GITRL and their potential role in microglia cells. Using BV-2 mouse microglia cells and mouse primary microglia cultures, we have demonstrated that 1) both GITR and GITRL are expressed in microglia cells; 2) stimulation of GITRL induces inflammatory activation of microglia on the basis of production of nitric oxide (NO) and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, CD40, and matrix metalloproteinase-9; 3) GITRL-mediated microglial NO production partially depends on p38 MAPK, JNK, and nuclear factor-kappaB pathways; and 4) GITRL stimulation also induces microglia cell death. These results indicate that GITR and GITRL are functionally expressed on brain microglia and that the stimulation of GITRL can induce inflammatory activation of microglia. The GITR/GITRL system may play an important role in neuroinflammation.

Obovatol attenuates microglia‐mediated neuroinflammation by modulating redox regulation

Obovatol isolated from the medicinal herb Magnolia obovata exhibits a variety of biological activities. Here, the effect of obovatol and its mechanism of action on microglial activation, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration were investigated. In microglial BV-2 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we measured nitric oxide (NO) and cytokine production, and activation of intracellular signalling pathways by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blots. Cell death was assayed in co-cultures of activated microglia (with bacterial LPS) and neurons and in LPS- induced neuroinflammation in mice in vivo. Obovatol inhibited microglial NO production with an IC50 value of 10 mM. Obovatol also inhibited microglial expression of proinflammatory cytokines and inducible nitric-oxide synthase, which was accompanied by the inhibition of multiple signalling pathways such as nuclear factor kappa B, signal transducers and activators of transcription 1, and mitogen-activated protein kinases. In addition, obovatol protected cultured neurons from microglial toxicity and inhibited neuroinflammation in mice in vivo. One molecular target of obovatol in microglia was peroxiredoxin 2 (Prx2), identified by affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry. Obovatol enhanced the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging activity of Prx2 in vitro, thereby suppressing proinflammatory signalling pathways of microglia where ROS plays an important role. Obovatol is not only a useful chemical tool that can be used to investigate microglial signalling, but also a promising drug candidate against neuroinflammatory diseases. Furthermore, our results indicate that Prx2 is a novel drug target that can be exploited for the therapeutic modulation of neuroinflammatory signalling.

Inhibitory effect of fucoidan on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide‐activated primary microglia

1. Microglial activation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases by producing various pro-inflammatory cytokines. Microglia-derived nitric oxide (NO) is critical for the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced selective loss of dopaminergic neurons. 2. Fucoidan is a sulphated polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweeds. It has a variety of biological actions, including anticoagulant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of fucoidan on LPS-induced cellular activation in microglia and to evaluate the inhibitory mechanisms involved. 3. To investigate the effects of fucoidan on LPS-induced cellular activation in microglia, primary microglial cells were preincubated with fucoidan (31.25, 62.5 and 125 microg/mL) for 10 min, followed by stimulation with LPS (0.01 microg/mL). Then, cell shape and NO production were determined 24 h after LPS stimulation, whereas inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA and protein expression were determined at 6 and 18 h after LPS stimulation, respectively. To evaluate the inhibitory mechanisms involved, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation was also evaluated. 4. Lipopolysaccharide transformed cells into an amoeboid shape, whereas 62.5 microg/mL fucoidan inhibited this activation. Moreover, 125 microg/mL fucoidan significantly inhibited microglial NO production to 75% of that in LPS-treated group and also significantly diminished the expression of iNOS mRNA and protein by nearly 50%. Fucoidan (125 microg/mL) also suppressed phosphorylation of p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) by approximately 50%, but not that of c-Jun N-terminal kinase. 5. The results provide the first evidence that fucoidan has a potent inhibitory effect against LPS-induced NO production by microglia. The results also suggest that this inhibitory action of fucoidan involves suppression of p38 and ERK phosphorylation.

Sphingosine kinase 1 regulates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide in activated microglia

Microglial activation has been implicated as one of the causative factors for neuroinflammation in various neurodegenerative diseases. The sphingolipid metabolic pathway plays an important role in inflammation, cell proliferation, survival, chemotaxis, and immunity in peripheral macrophages. In this study, we demonstrate that sphingosine kinase1 (SphK1), a key enzyme of the sphingolipid metabolic pathway, and its receptors are expressed in the mouse BV2 microglial cells and SphK1 alters the expression and production of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide in microglia treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS treatment increased the SphK1 mRNA and protein expression in microglia as revealed by the RT–PCR, Western blot and immunofluorescence. Suppression of SphK1 by its inhibitor, N, N Dimethylsphingosine (DMS), or siRNA resulted in decreased mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and iNOS and release of TNF-α and nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-activated microglia. Moreover, addition of sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P), a breakdown product of sphingolipid metabolism, increased the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and iNOS and production of TNF-α and NO in activated microglia. Hence to summarize, suppression of SphK1 in activated microglia inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines and NO and the addition of exogenous S1P to activated microglia enhances their inflammatory responses. Since the chronic proinflammatory cytokine production by microglia has been implicated in neuroinflammation, modulation of SphK1 and S1P in microglia could be looked upon as a future potential therapeutic method in the control of neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases.

Synergistic dopaminergic neurotoxicity of manganese and lipopolysaccharide: differential involvement of microglia and astroglia

Overexposure to manganese is known to cause damage to basal ganglial neurons and the development of movement abnormalities. Activation of microglia and astrocytes has increasingly been associated with the pathogenesis of a variety of neurological disorders. We have recently shown that microglial activation facilitates manganese chloride (MnCl2, 10-300 microM)-induced preferential degeneration of dopamine (DA) neurons. In this study, we report that combinations of MnCl2 (1-30 microM) and endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.5-2 ng/mL), at minimally effective concentrations when used alone, induced synergistic and preferential damage to DA neurons in rat primary neuron-glia cultures. Mechanistically, MnCl2 significantly potentiated LPS-induced release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta in microglia, but not in astroglia. MnCl2 and LPS were more effective in inducing the formation of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide in microglia than in astroglia. Furthermore, MnCl2 and LPS-induced free radical generation, cytokine release, and DA neurotoxicity was significantly attenuated by pre-treatment with potential anti-inflammatory agents minocycline and naloxone. These results demonstrate that the combination of manganese overexposure and neuroinflammation is preferentially deleterious to DA neurons. Moreover, these findings not only shed light on the understanding of manganese neurotoxicity but may also bear relevance to the potentially multifactorial etiology of Parkinson's disease.

A novel anti-neuroinflammatory pyridylimidazole compound KR-31360

Excessive microglial activation with overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress products is linked to the progression of several neurodegenerative diseases; therefore, suppression of microglial activation is a potential therapeutic approach against these diseases. Since nitric oxide (NO) is one of the major inflammatory mediators that are produced by activated microglia, inhibitory effects of novel synthetic compounds on microglial NO production were investigated. From the mouse microglia cell-based assays, an imidazo [4,5-b] pyridine compound KR-31360 was identified as an inhibitor of microglial NO production with an IC 50 value of 2 μM. Structure–activity relationship study indicated that 5-position of imidazo [4,5-b] pyridine ring is critical for the activity. KR-31360 also inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and transcription of TNF-α, interleukin-1 beta, and inducible nitric oxide synthase as well as activation of nuclear factor kappa B and mitogen-activated protein kinases. KR-31360 was neuroprotective by suppressing microglial neurotoxicity in a microglia–neuron coculture. The neuroprotective activity of the compound was most effective when microglia were pretreated with the compound prior to LPS challenge. The inhibitory effect of KR-31360 on microglial activation was further demonstrated in a mouse neuroinflammation model in vivo: compared to vehicle-injected animals, KR-31360 injection attenuated LPS-induced microglial activation as evidenced by isolectin B4 staining and proinflammatory gene expression of brain sections. DNA microarray analysis supported that KR-31360 targeted Toll-like receptor 4 pathways. In addition to being a new drug candidate against neuroinflammatory diseases, the compound may be a powerful tool for the better understanding of microglia biology and neuroinflammation.

Delayed treatments for stroke influence neuronal death in rat organotypic slice cultures subjected to oxygen glucose deprivation

A major limitation of current stroke therapies is the need to treat candidate patients within 3 h of stroke onset. Human umbilical cord blood cell (HUCBC) and the sigma receptor agonist 1,3, di-o-tolylguanidine (DTG) administration both caused significant reductions in brain damage in the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model of stroke when administered at delayed timepoints. In vivo, these treatments suppress the infiltration of peripheral lymphocytes into the brain in addition to decreasing neurodegeneration. An ex vivo organotypic slice culture (OTC) model was utilized to characterize the efficacy of these treatments in mitigating neurodegeneration in ischemic brain tissue in the absence of the peripheral immune system. Slice cultures subjected to oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) had significantly elevated levels of degenerating neurons and microglial nitric oxide production when compared to their normoxic counterparts. In cultures subjected to OGD, HUCBC but not DTG treatment reduced the number of degenerating neurons and the production of microglial derived nitric oxide back to levels detected in normoxic controls. These data show that HUCBC treatment can mediate direct neuroprotection and suppress innate inflammation in ischemic brain tissue in the absence of the peripheral immune system, whereas DTG requires peripheral effects to mediate neuroprotection. These experiments yield insight into the mechanisms by which these neuroprotective treatments function at delayed timepoints following stroke.

Chloride channel blockers inhibit iNOS expression and NO production in IFNγ-stimulated microglial BV2 cells

Microglial cells play an important role during neuroinflammation in the central nervous system. Among other factors, activated microglia produce nitric oxide (NO), which is toxic to neurons and excessive microglial activation and NO production contribute to the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases. Chloride channels have previously been shown to participate in microglial activation. Here we investigate the effects of established chloride channel blockers with different chemical structures on interferon-γ (IFNγ)-induced activation of the murine microglial cell line, BV2. IFNγ-induced NO production was effectively reduced by NPPB, IAA-94, tamoxifen, NS3728 and NS1652, with NS1652 being the most potent. In contrast, DIDS reduced NO production only at cytotoxic concentrations. Furthermore, NS1652 reduced the protein and mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), without altering STAT1 phosphorylation. These observations suggest a microglial chloride conductance as a critical permissive factor downstream in the IFNγ-induced iNOS cascade. The nature of the underlying channel is unknown, but the pharmacological profile appears incompatible with the involvement of the volume activated anion conductance (VRAC).

Regulation of glial inflammatory mediators synthesis: Possible role of endothelins

Endothelins are well known as modulators of inflammation in the periphery, but little is known about their possible role in brain inflammation. Stimulation of astrocyte prostaglandin, an inflammatory mediator, synthesis was shown so far only by endothelin 3 (ET-3). By contrast, several studies showed no change or slight decrease of basal nitric oxide synthesis after treatment of astrocytes with endothelin 1 (ET-1) and ET-3. However, a significant increase in astrocytic and microglial nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was observed after exposure to ET-1 and ET-3 in a model of forebrain ischaemia. Here we demonstrate that all three endothelins (ET-1, ET-2, ET-3) significantly enhanced the synthesis of prostaglandin E 2 and nitric oxide in glial cells. Each of the selective antagonists for ETA and ETB receptors (BQ123 and BQ788 respectively), significantly inhibited endothelins-induced production of both nitric oxide and prostaglandin E 2. These results suggest a regulatory mechanism of endothelins, interacting with both endothelin receptors, on glial inflammation. Therefore, inhibition of endothelin receptors may have a therapeutic potential in pathological conditions of the brain, when an uncontrolled inflammatory response is involved.

Complementary roles of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma in inducible microglial nitric oxide generation

Proinflammatory cytokines and pathogen components activate microglia to release several substances such as nitric oxide (NO) produced after the induction of type II nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The present study was designed to elucidate the interaction between the proinflammatory cytokines interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) on iNOS expression and NO production in microglial cells. In primary mouse microglial cells exposure to IFN-γ (5 and 10 ng/ml; 48 h) or TNF-α (20 ng/ml; 48 h) alone were unable to induce iNOS expression; however, when cells were exposed to both cytokines together, the expression of this enzyme and the NO production in culture media were found significantly increased. In the BV-2 microglial cell line, IFN-γ and TNF-α were shown to cooperate in nuclear factor κ B (NF-κB) activation, an essential transcription factor for iNOS gene transcription. Importantly, IFN-γ induced NF-κB binding to DNA was totally dependent on the endogenous TNF-α released via MEK/ERK signalling pathway. Thus, exposure of BV-2 cells to IFN-γ in the presence of the selective MEK inhibitor U0126 or a neutralizing anti-TNF-α antibody significantly reduced IFN-γ dependent NF-κB activation and iNOs expression. In addition, by activating the Jak/STAT pathway IFN-γ potentiated TNF-α induced NF-κB binding to DNA and activated additional transcription factors (i.e. IRF-1) known to be essential for iNOs gene expression. The present findings demonstrate that the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α have complementary roles on iNOS expression in microglial cells and this might be relevant to understand the molecular mechanisms of microglial activation associated with the pathogenesis of several neuroinflammatory disorders in which increased levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α have been reported.

Hydroxy-1-aryl-isochromans: protective compounds against lipid peroxidation and cellular nitrosative stress

Hydroxy-1-aryl-isochromans are a novel class of polyphenolic heterocyclic compounds with potent antioxidative potential. Here we investigated the protective effects of hydroxy-1-aryl-isochroman derivatives against lipid peroxidation and nitrosative stress as a function of their degree of hydroxylation. Measurements of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in rat brain mitochondria, nitric oxide analysis in microglia cultures, and cell viability analysis were performed. We found that hydroxyl-1-aryl-isochroman derivatives with two, three, and four hydroxyl groups (ISO-2, ISO-3, and ISO-4, respectively) display a higher activity against mitochondrial lipid peroxidation than the corresponding derivative without hydroxyl groups (ISO-0) as well as the reference antioxidant Trolox. However, ISO-0 strongly reduced microglial nitric oxide production, whereas ISO-2 and ISO-4 had a less pronounced effect and ISO-3 was even ineffective. ISO-0 and ISO-3 increased the cell viability of activated microglia, whereas a minor effect of ISO-2 and no significant increase after treatment with ISO-4 could be observed. In conclusion, hydroxy-1-aryl-isochromans exhibit cytoprotective properties, besides their action against reactive oxygen/nitrogen species.

Phospholipids modulate superoxide and nitric oxide production by lipopolysaccharide and phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate-activated microglia

Microglial activation and inflammatory processes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of neurodegenerative disorders. Recently, peroxynitrite (ONOO −), the reaction product of superoxide ( O 2 −) and nitric oxide (NO) both of which can be generated by activated microglia, has been demonstrated to act as a major mediator in the neurotoxicity induced by activated microglia. On the other hand, phospholipids such as phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) have been reported to modulate the immune function of phagocytes. We therefore evaluated the effects of liposomes which comprise both PS and PC (PS/PC liposomes) or PC only (PC liposomes) regarding the production of both O 2 − and NO by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-activated microglia using electron spin resonance (ESR) spin trap technique with a DEPMPO and Griess reaction, respectively. Pretreatment with PS/PC liposomes or PC liposomes considerably inhibited the signal intensity of O 2 − adduct associated with LPS/PMA-activated microglia in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, pretreatment with PS/PC liposomes also significantly reduced LPS/PMA-induced microglial NO production. In contrast, pretreatment with PC liposomes had no effect on the NO production. These results indicate that PS/PC liposomes can inhibit the microglial production of both NO and O 2 −, and thus presumably prevent a subsequent formation of ONOO −. Therefore, PS/PC liposomes appear to have both neuroprotective and anti-oxidative properties through the inhibition of microglial activation.