P2X7 Receptors in Neurodegeneration: Potential Therapeutic Applications From Basic to Clinical Approaches

High Concentrations

Purinergic receptors play important roles in central nervous system (CNS), where the bulk of these receptors are implicated in neuroinflammatory responses and regulation of cellular function of neurons, microglial and astrocytes. Within the P2X receptor family, P2X7 receptor is generally known for its inactivity in normal conditions and activation by moderately high concentrations (>100 μM) of extracellular adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) released from injured cells as a result of brain injury or pathological conditions. Activation of P2X7R contributes to the activation and proliferation of microglia and directly contribute to neurodegeneration by provoking microglia-mediated neuronal death, glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation that results in initiation, maturity and release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines and generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. These components of the inflammatory response play important roles in many neural pathologies and neurodegeneration disorders. In CNS, expression of P2X7R on microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes are upregulated under neuroinflammatory conditions. Several in vivo studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of the P2X7 receptor antagonists in animal model systems of neurodegenerative diseases. A number of specific and selective P2X7 receptor antagonists have been developed, but only few of them have shown efficient brain permeability. Finding potent and selective P2X7 receptor inhibitors which are also CNS penetrable and display acceptable pharmacokinetics (PK) has presented challenges for both academic researchers and pharmaceutical companies. In this review, we discuss the role of P2X7 receptor function in neurodegenerative diseases, the pharmacological inhibition of the receptor, and PET radiopharmaceuticals which permit non-invasive monitoring of the P2X7 receptor contribution to neuroinflammation associated with neurodegeneration.

Functional Coupling between the P2X7 Receptor and Pannexin-1 Channel in Rat Trigeminal Ganglion Neurons

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22115978 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (11) ◽

pp. 5978

Author(s):

Hiroyuki Inoue ◽

Hidetaka Kuroda ◽

Wataru Ofusa ◽

Sadao Oyama ◽

Maki Kimura ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trigeminal Ganglion ◽

P2x7 Receptor ◽

P2x Receptor ◽

Functional Coupling ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

High Concentration ◽

Receptor Antagonists ◽

P2x7 Receptors ◽

Pannexin 1 ◽

Ganglion Neurons

The ionotropic P2X receptor, P2X7, is believed to regulate and/or generate nociceptive pain, and pain in several neuropathological diseases. Although there is a known relationship between P2X7 receptor activity and pain sensing, its detailed functional properties in trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons remains unclear. We examined the electrophysiological and pharmacological characteristics of the P2X7 receptor and its functional coupling with other P2X receptors and pannexin-1 (PANX1) channels in primary cultured rat TG neurons, using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. Application of ATP and Bz-ATP induced long-lasting biphasic inward currents that were more sensitive to extracellular Bz-ATP than ATP, indicating that the current was carried by P2X7 receptors. While the biphasic current densities of the first and second components were increased by Bz-ATP in a concentration dependent manner; current duration was only affected in the second component. These currents were significantly inhibited by P2X7 receptor antagonists, while only the second component was inhibited by P2X1, 3, and 4 receptor antagonists, PANX1 channel inhibitors, and extracellular ATPase. Taken together, our data suggests that autocrine or paracrine signaling via the P2X7-PANX1-P2X receptor/channel complex may play important roles in several pain sensing pathways via long-lasting neuronal activity driven by extracellular high-concentration ATP following tissue damage in the orofacial area.

Pharmacological Blocker of NF-κb and Mitochondrial Ros Restrict NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Rescue Dopaminergic Neurons in Vitro and in Vivo Parkinson’s Disease

10.21203/rs.3.rs-260478/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sahabuddin Ahmed ◽

Samir Ranjan Panda ◽

Mohit Kwatra ◽

Bidya Dhar Sahu ◽

VGM Naidu

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Free Radicals ◽

Nlrp3 Inflammasome ◽

Nuclear Translocation ◽

Inflammasome Activation ◽

Mitochondrial Ros ◽

Abstract Several activators of NLRP3 inflammasome have been described; however, the central mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in brain microglia, especially at the activating step through free radical generation, still require further clarification. Hence the present study aimed to investigate the role of free radicals in activating NLRP3 inflammasome driven neurodegeneration and elucidated the neuroprotective role of perillyl alcohol (PA) in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson’s disease. Initial priming of microglial cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) following treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induces NF-κB translocation to nucleus with robust generation of free radicals that act as Signal 2 in augmenting NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and its downstream targets. PA treatment suppresses nuclear translocation of NF-κB and maintains cellular redox homeostasis in microglia that limits NLRP3 inflammasome activation along with processing active caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18. To further correlates the in vitro study with in vivo MPTP model, treatment with PA also inhibits the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and downregulates the NLRP3 inflammasome activation. PA administration upregulates various antioxidant enzymes levels and restored the level of dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the striatum of the mice brain with improved behavioural activities. Additionally, treatment with Mito-TEMPO (a mitochondrial ROS inhibitor) was also seen to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome and rescue dopaminergic neuron loss in the mice brain. Therefore, we conclude that NLRP3 inflammasome activation requires a signal from damaged mitochondria for its activation. Further pharmacological scavenging of free radicals restricts microglia activation and simultaneously supports neuronal survival via targeting NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in Parkinson’s disease.

Kaempferol Alleviates Corneal Transplantation Rejection by Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Macrophage M1 Polarization via Promoting Autophagy

10.21203/rs.3.rs-368448/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Huiwen Tian ◽

Shumei Lin ◽

Jing Wu ◽

Ming Ma ◽

Jian Yu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nlrp3 Inflammasome ◽

Macrophage Polarization ◽

Corneal Transplantation ◽

Inflammasome Activation ◽

M1 Polarization ◽

M1 Macrophage ◽

Transplantation Rejection

Abstract Corneal transplantation rejection remains a major threat to the success rate in high-risk patients. Given the many side effects presented by traditional immunosuppressants, there is an urgency to clarify the mechanism of corneal transplantation rejection and to identify new therapeutic targets. Kaempferol is a natural flavonoid that has been proven in various studies to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties. However, the relationship between kaempferol and corneal transplantation remains largely unexplored. To address this, both in vivo and in vitro, we established a model of corneal allograft transplantation in Wistar rats and an LPS-induced inflammatory model in THP-1 derived human macrophages. In the transplantation experiments, we observed an enhancement in the NLRP3 / IL-1 β axis and in M1 macrophage polarization post-operation. In groups to which kaempferol intraperitoneal injections were administered, this response was effectively reduced. However, the effect of kaempferol was reversed after the application of autophagy inhibitors. Similarly, in the inflammatory model, we found that different concentrations of kaempferol can reduce the LPS-induced M1 polarization and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Moreover, we confirmed that kaempferol induced autophagy and that autophagy inhibitors reversed the effect in macrophages. In conclusion, we found that kaempferol can inhibit the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasomes by inducing autophagy, thus inhibiting macrophage polarization, and ultimately alleviating corneal transplantation rejection. Thus, our study suggests that kaempferol could be used as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of allograft rejection.

ASC deglutathionylation is a checkpoint for NLRP3 inflammasome activation

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.20202637 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 218 (9) ◽

Author(s):

Shuhang Li ◽

Linlin Wang ◽

Zhihao Xu ◽

Yuanyuan Huang ◽

Rufeng Xue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Control ◽

Nlrp3 Inflammasome ◽

Inflammasome Activation ◽

Mitochondrial Ros ◽

Multiple Molecules ◽

Excessive Activation

Activation of NLRP3 inflammasome is precisely controlled to avoid excessive activation. Although multiple molecules regulating NLRP3 inflammasome activation have been revealed, the checkpoints governing NLRP3 inflammasome activation remain elusive. Here, we show that activation of NLRP3 inflammasome is governed by GSTO1-promoted ASC deglutathionylation in macrophages. Glutathionylation of ASC inhibits ASC oligomerization and thus represses activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages, unless GSTO1 binds ASC and deglutathionylates ASC at ER, under control of mitochondrial ROS and triacylglyceride synthesis. In macrophages expressing ASCC171A, a mutant ASC without glutathionylation site, activation of NLRP3 inflammasome is GSTO1 independent, ROS independent, and signal 2 less dependent. Moreover, AscC171A mice exhibit NLRP3-dependent hyperinflammation in vivo. Our results demonstrate that glutathionylation of ASC represses NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and GSTO1-promoted ASC deglutathionylation at ER, under metabolic control, is a checkpoint for activating NLRP3 inflammasome.

The Essential Oil of Artemisia argyi H.Lév. and Vaniot Attenuates NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in THP-1 Cells

Frontiers in Pharmacology ◽

10.3389/fphar.2021.712907 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Pengxiao Chen ◽

Qi Bai ◽

Yanting Wu ◽

Qiongzhen Zeng ◽

Xiaowei Song ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Oil ◽

Nlrp3 Inflammasome ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Inflammasome Activation ◽

Caspase 1 ◽

Artemisia Argyi ◽

Long Time

Artemisia argyi H. Lév. and Vaniot is a traditional medical herb that has been used for a long time in China and other Asian counties. Essential oil is the main active fraction of Artemisia argyi H. Lév. and Vaniot, and its anti-inflammatory potential has been observed in vitro and in vivo. Here, we found that the essential oil of Artemisia argyi H. Lév. and Vaniot (EOAA) inhibited monosodium urate (MSU)- and nigericin-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. EOAA suppressed caspase-1 and IL-1β processing and pyroptosis. NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and translocation were also inhibited. In addition, EOAA suppressed nigericin-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation without blocking ASC oligomerization, suggesting that it may inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation by preventing caspase-1 processing. Our study thus indicates that EOAA inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation and has therapeutic potential against NLRP3-driven diseases.

Vaspin Alleviates Osteoarthritis by Inhibiting NLRP3-mediated Inflammation

10.21203/rs.3.rs-285169/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Xianjie Zhu ◽

Shiyou Dai ◽

Baohua Xia ◽

Jianbao Gong ◽

Bingzheng Ma

Keyword(s):

Nlrp3 Inflammasome ◽

Wistar Rat ◽

Cartilage Degradation ◽

Pathological Process ◽

Inflammasome Activation ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Collagen Formation ◽

Abstract Background:Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint bone disease characterized by cartilage degradation. Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) is associated with the inflammatory and metabolic responses to OA. However, the underlying mechanisms of the pathological process of OA are not clear. The aim of the present study was to examine the protective effects of vaspin both in vitro and in vivo.Methods:Monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced Wistar rat model of OA was used to assess the in vivo effects of vaspin administered for 12 weeks. The characteristics of OA were evaluated by haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and safranin O/fast green staining. The anti-inflammatory effect of vaspin was assessed using immunohistochemical, qRT-PCR, and western blotting analysis. Parallel experiments to detect the molecular mechanism through which vaspin prevents OA were performed using LPS-treated chondrocytes.Results:Our results showed that the degeneration of cartilage and upregulated expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-13 were ameliorated by vaspin. Additionally, vaspin suppressed the activation of TXNIP/NLRP3 and secretion of tumor necrosis factor ɑ and interleukin-1β in vivo. It was further confirmed that vaspin could also suppress LPS-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and reduce collagen formation in chondrocytes. Moreover, vaspin inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation by suppressing the ROS/TXNIP pathway.Conclusions: Vaspin inhibited OA by repressing TXNIP/NLRP3 activation in in vitro and in vivo models of OA, thus providing a novel therapeutic strategy for OA.

Galacto-oligosaccharides alleviate lung inflammation by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vivo and in vitro

Journal of Advanced Research ◽

10.1016/j.jare.2021.10.013 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yang Cai ◽

Myrthe S. Gilbert ◽

Walter J.J. Gerrits ◽

Gert Folkerts ◽

Saskia Braber

Keyword(s):

Nlrp3 Inflammasome ◽

Lung Inflammation ◽

Inflammasome Activation ◽

Astragaloside IV Suppresses High Glucose-Induced NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB and CaSR

Mediators of Inflammation ◽

10.1155/2019/1082497 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Bin Leng ◽

Yingjie Zhang ◽

Xinran Liu ◽

Zhen Zhang ◽

Yang Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nlrp3 Inflammasome ◽

High Glucose ◽

Inflammasome Activation ◽

Astragaloside Iv ◽

Caspase 1 ◽

Endothelial Inflammation ◽

Anti Inflammatory

Long-term exposure to high glucose induces vascular endothelial inflammation that can result in cardiovascular disease. Astragaloside IV (As-IV) is widely used for anti-inflammatory treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, its mechanism of action is still not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of As-IV on high glucose-induced endothelial inflammation and explored its possible mechanisms. In vivo, As-IV (40 and 80 mg/kg/d) was orally administered to rats for 8 weeks after a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg). In vitro, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with high glucose (33 mM glucose) in the presence or absence of As-IV, NPS2143 (CaSR inhibitor), BAY 11-7082 (NF-κB p65 inhibitor), and INF39 (NLRP3 inhibitor), and overexpression of CaSR was induced by infection of CaSR-overexpressing lentiviral vectors to further discuss the anti-inflammatory property of As-IV. The results showed that high glucose increased the expression of interleukin-18 (IL-18), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), NLRP3, caspase-1, and ASC, as well as the protein level of TLR4, nucleus p65, and CaSR. As-IV can reverse these changes in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, NPS2143, BAY 11-7082, and INF39 could significantly abolish the high glucose-enhanced NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-18, and IL-1β expression in vitro. In addition, both NPS2143 and BAY 11-7082 attenuated high glucose-induced upregulation of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-18, and IL-1β expression. In conclusion, this study suggested that As-IV could inhibit high glucose-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and subsequent secretion of proinflammatory cytokines via inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and CaSR, which provides new insights into the anti-inflammatory activity of As-IV.

Fyn kinase regulates misfolded α-synuclein uptake and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in microglia

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.20182191 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 216 (6) ◽

pp. 1411-1430 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Nikhil Panicker ◽

Souvarish Sarkar ◽

Dilshan S. Harischandra ◽

Matthew Neal ◽

Tae-In Kam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nlrp3 Inflammasome ◽

Nuclear Translocation ◽

Scavenger Receptor ◽

Lewy Bodies ◽

Inflammasome Activation ◽

Signaling Mechanism ◽

In Vivo Experiments ◽

Fyn Kinase ◽

Persistent microglia-mediated neuroinflammation is a major pathophysiological contributor to the progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD), but the cell-signaling mechanisms governing chronic neuroinflammation are not well understood. Here, we show that Fyn kinase, in conjunction with the class B scavenger receptor CD36, regulates the microglial uptake of aggregated human α-synuclein (αSyn), which is the major component of PD-associated Lewy bodies. αSyn can effectively mediate LPS-independent priming and activation of the microglial NLRP3 inflammasome. Fyn kinase regulates both of these processes; it mediates PKCδ-dependent NF-κB–p65 nuclear translocation, leading to inflammasome priming, and facilitates αSyn import into microglia, contributing to the generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and consequently to inflammasome activation. In vivo experiments using A53T and viral-αSyn overexpression mouse models as well as human PD neuropathological results further confirm the role of Fyn in NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Collectively, our study identifies a novel Fyn-mediated signaling mechanism that amplifies neuroinflammation in PD.

Modulation of the Neuroprotective and Anti-inflammatory Activities of the Flavonol Fisetin by the Transition Metals Iron and Copper

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox9111113 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 1113

Author(s):

Pamela Maher

Keyword(s):

Transition Metals ◽

Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Copper Binding ◽

Drug Candidates ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Dose Dependent

Alterations occur in the homeostasis of the transition metals iron (Fe2+) and copper (Cu2+) during aging and these are further amplified in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These observations suggest that the most effective drug candidates for AD might be those that can reduce these alterations. The flavonoid fisetin has both neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activity both in vitro and in vivo and can bind both iron and copper suggesting that its chelating activity might play a role in its beneficial effects. To test this idea, the effects of iron and copper on both the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities of fisetin were examined. It is shown that while fisetin can reduce the potentiation of cell death by iron and copper in response to treatments that lower glutathione levels, it is much less effective when the metals are combined with other inducers of oxidative stress. In addition, iron but not copper reduces the anti-inflammatory effects of fisetin in a dose-dependent manner. These effects correlate with the ability of iron but not copper to block the induction of the antioxidant transcription factor, Nrf2, by fisetin. In contrast, although the flavanone sterubin also binds iron, the metal has no effect on sterubin’s ability to induce Nrf2 or protect cells from toxic or pro-inflammatory insults. Together, these results suggest that while iron and copper binding could contribute to the beneficial effects of neuroprotective compounds in the context of neurodegenerative diseases, the consequences of this binding need to be fully examined for each compound.