Manual acupuncture relieves microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in a rat model of traumatic brain injury by inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK2 pathway

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 426-434
Author(s):  
Ming-min Zhu ◽  
Ji-huan Lin ◽  
Peng Qing ◽  
Liu Pu ◽  
Shu-lian Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Inflammatory Factors ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Manual Acupuncture ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
M1 Polarization ◽  
Immunofluorescence Labeling

Objective: To investigate the regulatory mechanism of manual acupuncture (MA) on microglial polarization–mediated neuroinflammation after traumatic brain injury (TBI), focusing on the RhoA/Rho-associated coiled coil-forming protein kinase (ROCK2) pathway. Methods: Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were used to generate a TBI model using Feeney’s freefall epidural impact method. MA was performed on half of the TBI model rats, while the others remained untreated. Acupuncture was administered at GV15, GV16, GV20, GV26, and LI4. At the end of the intervention, rat brain tissue samples were collected, and the microglial M1 polarization status was observed by immunofluorescence labeling of CD86, an M1 microglia-specific protein. RhoA/ROCK2 signaling components were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the expression levels of inflammatory factors. Results: Compared with normal rats, the CD86 expression density in the untreated TBI model rats was high and showed an aggregated expression pattern. The genes and proteins of the RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathway were highly expressed, and inflammatory factors were significantly increased. The CD86 expression density in TBI rats after MA was reduced compared to that in untreated TBI rats and showed a scattered distribution. The expression of RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathway genes and proteins was also significantly reduced, and inflammatory factors were decreased. Conclusion: These results show that MA may inhibit M1 polarization of microglia by regulating the RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathway, thereby reducing neuroinflammation in TBI.

scholarly journals Electroacupuncture Improved Hippocampal Neurogenesis following Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice through Inhibition of TLR4 Signaling Pathway

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuqin Ye ◽  
Yongxiang Yang ◽  
Chen Chen ◽  
Ze Li ◽  
Yanfeng Jia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Tlr4 Signaling ◽  
Tlr4 Signaling Pathway

The protective role of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment in diverse neurological diseases such as ischemic stroke is well acknowledged. However, whether and how EA act on hippocampal neurogenesis following traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the effect of EA on hippocampal neurogenesis and neurological functions, as well as its underlying association with toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling in TBI mice. BrdU/NeuN immunofluorescence was performed to label newborn neurons in the hippocampus after EA treatment. Water maze test and neurological severity score were used to evaluate neurological function posttrauma. The hippocampal level of TLR4 and downstream molecules and inflammatory cytokines were, respectively, detected by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. EA enhanced hippocampal neurogenesis and inhibited TLR4 expression at 21, 28, and 35 days after TBI, but the beneficial effects of EA on posttraumatic neurogenesis and neurological functions were attenuated by lipopolysaccharide-induced TLR4 activation. In addition, EA exerted an inhibitory effect on both TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB and TLR4/TRIF/NF-κB pathways, as well as the inflammatory cytokine expression in the hippocampus following TBI. In conclusion, EA promoted hippocampal neurogenesis and neurological recovery through inhibition of TLR4 signaling pathway posttrauma, which may be a potential approach to improve the outcome of TBI.

scholarly journals SHED-Derived Exosomes Regulate Microglial Polarization in the Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats via miR-330-5p

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ye Li ◽  
Xinxin Wang ◽  
Xiaoyu Cao ◽  
Na Li ◽  
Sun Meng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Structural Damage ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Deciduous Teeth ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
M2 Polarization ◽  
M1 Polarization

Abstract Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes structural damage and impairs motor and cognitive function of the brain. Our previous study suggested that exosomes (EXs) secreted by stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) extenuated motor damage in TBI rats by regulating microglia. The molecular mechanism of SHED-EXs was investigated in the present study. Methods: The miRNA array was performed to determine the differential miRNA expression in SHED-EXs treating microglia. The key miRNA was selected. Flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Griess assay were performed to detect the function of key miRNA. Real-time PCR, Western blotting and dual luciferase reporter assay were used to confirm the relationship between key miRNA and the target gene. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) was performed to determine the downstream pathway of EXs-miRNA. Traumatic brain injury rat model was established and local injection of EXs-miRNA was performed to evaluate the effect.Results: SHED-EXs delivery of miR-330-5p was the key in the regulation of microglia polarization by inhibiting M1 polarization and promoting M2 polarization. Mechanistically, miR-330-5p had an inhibitory effect on Ehmt2, and miR-330-5p/Ehmt2 promoted the transcription of CXCL14 through H3K9me2. In vivo data showed that SHED-EXs/miR-330-5p reduced neuro-inflammation and repaired neurological function of TBI rats. Conclusions: SHED-EXs/miR-330-5p improved the motor function of rats after TBI by inhibiting M1 polarization and promoting M2 polarization of microglia through Ehmt2/H3K9me2/CXCL14 pathway.

Protective effects of icariin on traumatic brain injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anni Du ◽  
Rui Cai ◽  
Jingshan Shi ◽  
Qin Wu
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Cerebral Cortex ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Chinese Herb ◽  
Inflammatory Factors ◽  
Therapeutic Drug ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Expression Levels

Background: Neuroinflammation is central to the pathology of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Icariin (ICA) is a flavonoid derived from the genus Epimedium which is a traditional Chinese herb, a potential therapeutic drug for TBI. This study aims to explore the protective effect of ICA on TBI and its mechanism Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to controlled cortical impact to produce a neuroinflammatory response. The treatment groups received ICA (15 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg), while the sham group was gavaged with equal volumes of saline. The beam-balance testing and prehensile traction test were used for neurological scoring. Pathological changes were observed by H&E staining. The protein expression levels of inflammatory factors were measured by Western blot analysis Results: It was found that ICA significantly improved the neuroethology function and alleviated the pathological injury in TBI rats. The protein expression levels of inflammatory factors COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α and its regulatory proteins p-NF-κB-p65, p-ERK1/2, p-JNK, and p-p38 were increased in the cerebral cortex injured by TBI. The protein expression levels of inflammatory cytokines were markedly decreased in cerebral cortex of TBI rats when administrated with ICA. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that ICA may be a promising therapeutic strategy for reducing inflammation in TBI.

scholarly journals Effect of Acupuncture on the Tlr2/4-Nf-κB Signalling Pathway in a Rat Model of Traumatic Brain Injury

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 247-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu-jun Lin ◽  
Lu-xi Cao ◽  
Shao-bing Cheng ◽  
Qiu-fu Dai ◽  
Ji-huan Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Normal Group ◽  
Signalling Pathway ◽  
Manual Acupuncture ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Mrna And Protein Expression

Objective To study the effect of acupuncture on the TLR2/4-NF-κB signalling pathway in the cortex of Sprague-Dawley rats following traumatic brain injury (TBI), and investigate the possible mechanism underlying the effects of acupuncture on scar repair. Methods TBI was established using Feeney's free-falling epidural percussion model. In total, 108 rats were randomly divided into a normal group (n=18), untreated TBI model group (TBI group, n=36) and manual acupuncture-treated TBI group (TBI+MA, n=36). Each group of rats was subdivided into three time groups: 3-day (3d), 7-day (7d) and 14-day (14d). No treatment was given to rats in the normal and TBI groups. The TBI+MA group received manual acupuncture at GV20, GV26, GV16 through GV15, and bilateral LI4. mRNA expression of TLR2, TLR4, NF-κB and protein in the rat cortices was quantified using real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blot analyses. Results The modified neurological severity score (mNSS) scores of the TBI+MA group were improved compared with baseline scores 12 hours after modelling, and improved at 7d and 14d compared with the TBI group (P<0.05), while the score of the TBI group did not improve until 14d compared to baseline. mRNA and protein expression of TLR2, TLR4 and NF-κB in the TBI group were higher than the normal group at 3d (P<0.05), reached a peak at 7d, then began to decrease at 14d. mRNA and protein expression of TLR2, TLR4 and NF-κB were higher in the TBI+MA group compared with the TBI group at 3d (P<0.05), were significantly down-regulated at 7d (P<0.01), and decreased to normal levels at 14d. Conclusions Acupuncture has a bidirectional regulatory effect on the TLR2/4-NF-κB signalling pathway-related genes TLR2, TLR4 and NF-κB in the TBI rat cortex, promoting their expression in the early stage and inhibiting it in the later stage.

scholarly journals Influence of Glutamine on Intestinal Inflammatory Response, Mucosa Structure Alterations and Apoptosis following Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats

2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 644-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Feng ◽  
W Xu ◽  
G Chen ◽  
C Hang ◽  
H Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Glutamine Supplementation ◽  
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Weight Drop ◽  
Factor Α

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can induce a persistent inflammatory response, histopathological changes and apoptosis in the intestine. Glutamine has been shown to reduce bacterial translocation and maintain intestine mucosal integrity, but its effects on the inflammatory response, structural alterations and apoptosis in intestinal mucosa following TBI have not been previously investigated. Using the weight-drop method, a right parietal cortical contusion was induced in rats and, for the next 5 days, they were fed either chow alone or chow mixed with glutamine. Intestinal tissue samples were then removed for analysis. Following TBI, glutamine supplementation was found to: decrease intestinal concentrations of interleukin (IL) −1β, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-6; downregulate intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression; attenuate TBI-induced damage to the intestine structure; and reduce apoptosis. These results suggest that post-TBI glutamine administration could suppress intestinal inflammation, protect intestinal mucosal structure and reduce mucosal apoptosis.

scholarly journals The Absence of TLR4 Prevents Fetal Brain Injury in the Setting of Intrauterine Inflammation

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 1082-1093 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia M. Tulina ◽  
Amy G. Brown ◽  
Guillermo O. Barila ◽  
Michal A. Elovitz
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Notch Signaling ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Fetal Brain ◽  
Notch Signaling Pathway ◽  
Mouse Strains ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Tlr4 Signaling ◽  
Tlr4 Signaling Pathway

Background: Exposure to intrauterine inflammation during pregnancy is linked to brain injury and neurobehavioral disorders in affected children. Innate immunity, specifically Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathways are present throughout the reproductive tract as well as in the placenta, fetal membranes, and fetus. The TLR pathways are mechanistically involved in host responses to foreign pathogens and may lead to brain injury associated with prenatal inflammation. Objective: We aimed to determine whether the activation of the TLR4 signaling pathway, in the mother and fetus, is critical to fetal brain injury in the setting of intrauterine inflammation. Methods: A mini-laparotomy was performed on time pregnant C57B6 mice and 2 knockout mouse strains lacking the function of the Tlr4 and Myd88 genes on embryonic day 15. Intrauterine injections of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide or saline were administered as described previously. Dams were killed 6 hours postsurgery, and placental, amniotic fluid, and fetal brain tissue were collected. To assess brain injury, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis was performed on multiple components of the NOTCH signaling pathway, including Hes genes. Interleukin (IL) IL6, IL1β, and CCL5 expression was assessed using qPCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Using an established mouse model of intrauterine inflammation, we demonstrate that the abrogation of TLR4 signaling eliminates the cytokine response in mother and fetus and prevents brain injury associated with increased expression of transcriptional effectors of the NOTCH signaling pathway, Hes1 and Hes5. Conclusions: These data show that the activation of the TLR4 signaling pathway is necessary for the development of fetal brain injury in response to intrauterine inflammation.

scholarly journals Effects of Shugan-Jianpi Recipe on the Expression of the p38 MAPK/NF-κB Signaling Pathway in the Hepatocytes of NAFLD Rats

Medicines ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanjun Deng ◽  
Kairui Tang ◽  
Runsen Chen ◽  
Yajie Liu ◽  
Huan Nie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
P38 Mapk ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Inflammatory Factors ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Model Group ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Tnf Α

Background: In traditional Chinese medicine, the Shugan-Jianpi recipe is often used in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to explore the mechanism of the Shugan-Jianpi recipe in relation to rats with NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet. Methods: Rats were randomly divided into eight groups: normal group (NG), model group (MG), low-dose Chaihu–Shugan–San group (L-CG), high-dose Chaihu–Shugan–San group (H-CG), low-dose Shenling–Baizhu–San group (L-SG), high-dose Shenling–Baizhu–San group (H-SG), low dose of integrated-recipes group (L-IG), and high dose of integrated-recipes group (H-IG). After 26 weeks, a lipid profile, aspartate, and alanine aminotransferases in serum were detected. The serum levels of inflammatory factors including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were analyzed using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Hepatic pathological changes were observed with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and oil red O staining. The expression of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway was detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. Results: A pathological section revealed that NAFLD rats have been successfully reproduced. Compared with the model group, each treatment group had different degrees of improvement. The Shugan-Jianpi recipe can inhibit the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in NAFLD rats. The expression of mRNA and a protein related to the p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway were markedly decreased as a result of the Shugan-Jianpi recipe. Conclusions: The Shugan-Jianpi recipe could attenuate NAFLD progression, and its mechanism may be related to the suppression of the p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway in hepatocytes.

Amyloid-β Protein and Neuroglobin Protein as Biomarkers on Brainstem Following Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenhe Li ◽  
Haijun Zhu ◽  
Yue Liang ◽  
Fang Tong ◽  
Yiwu Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Neuronal Damage ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Amyloid Β Protein ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Western Blot Assay ◽  
Weight Drop

Abstract Background: Biomarkers play an important role in accurate diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Due to the complexity and diversity of TBI, it is likely that a single biomarker will not be used for exactly diagnose. Amyloid-beta (Aβ) protein is generated by sequential cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by β- and γ-secretase, which may exert its toxic effects by increasing reactive oxygen species and neuroinflammation in the brain as damage factor of TBI. Its use in diagnosis for TBI is becoming more widespread. Neuroglobin (NGB) protein is great potential to diminish neuronal damage. Most epidemiological evidence suggested that Aβ and NGB may be used as biomarkers on brainstem (BS) following TBI. The aim of this study was to investigate the trend of Aβ and NGB on BS of rats with TBI and to analyze comprehensively them as potential biomarkers. Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to the modified weight-drop model of closed TBI. Biologic behavior observation, histopathological assessments and western blot assay were performed. Aβ and NGB expression indicated temporal changes in BS after TBI. Their accuracy and efficiency of performing these tasks were calculated and statistical comparisons performed.Results: The results of Aβ enable us to speculate that the time points of 3 h, 6 h and 12 h may be crucial points for the diagnosis of TBI. NGB expression in the injured had obvious difference versus the control, the points of 1 h and 3 h were apparently higher than the control, and the groups of 12 h and 48 h were two peaks in the present study. Furthermore, the immunofluorescence assay results supported that Aβ and NGB co-localization in the neuros of BS, and the NGB specific expression in the BS of neurons.Conclusions: Therefore, the expression and change rules of Aβ and NBG in the BS may provide an important foundation for the diagnosis of TBI, damage assessment and therapeutic intervention.

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