Search

Macrophages are active contributors to the innate immune defense system. As macrophage activation is clearly affected by the surrounding microenvironment, the present study investigated the effect of sulforaphane (SFN) on the bactericidal activity of macrophages and the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in this process. Human THP‑1‑derived macrophages, primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cell‑derived macrophages, and primary mouse bone marrow derived‑macrophages (BMDMs) pretreated with SFN or DMSO were utilized in a model of Staphylococcus aureus infection. The results suggested that SFN pretreatment of macrophages effectively repressed the intracellular survival of S. aureus through modulation of p38/JNK signaling and decreased S. aureus‑induced caspases‑3/7‑dependent cell apoptosis, potentially through downregulation of microRNA (miR)‑142‑5p and miR‑146a‑5p. As SFN is a well‑known activator of nuclear factor erythroid 2‑related factor 2 (Nrf2), Nrf2‑/‑ BMDMs were used to demonstrate that the SFN‑mediated inhibitory effect was independent of Nrf2. Nevertheless, an increase in intracellular bacterial survival in Nrf2‑deficient macrophages was observed. In addition, SFN pretreatment suppressed S. aureus‑induced transcriptional expression of genes coding for the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‑1β, IL‑6, and tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF‑α), as well as for the M1 markers C‑C motif chemokine receptor 7, IL‑23 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Western blot analysis indicated that S. aureus challenge activated p38 mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) (p38) and c‑Jun N‑terminal kinase (JNK) MAPK signaling pathways, while SFN pretreatment prevented p38 and JNK phosphorylation. Pretreatment with 2 specific inhibitors of p38 and JNK, SB203580 and SP600125, respectively, resulted in a decrease in S. aureus‑induced proinflammatory gene expression levels compared with those observed in the SFN‑pretreated macrophages. Furthermore, THP‑1‑derived macrophages pretreated with SB203580 or SP600125 prior to bacterial infection exhibited a significant inhibition in intracellular S. aureus survival. In conclusion, we hypothesize that concomitant targeting of the p38/JNK‑inflammatory response and the S. aureus‑induced apoptosis with SFN may be a promising therapeutic approach in S. aureus infection.

With 4 billion people in lockdown in the world, COVID-19 outbreak may result in excessive sedentary time, especially in the population of vulnerable and disabled subjects. In many chronic disorders and diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension, cardiovascular and immune beneficial effects of exercise interventions should be reminded.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a promising, innovative, and non-invasive therapy used clinically. Efficacy of rTMS has been demonstrated to ameliorate psychiatric disorders and neuropathic pain through neuromodulation of affected neural circuits. However, little is known about the mechanisms and the specific neural circuits via which rTMS facilitates these functional effects. The aim of this study was to begin revealing the mechanisms by which rTMS may tap into existing neural circuits, by using a well characterized spinal motor circuit – the phrenic circuit. Here we hypothesized that rTMS can be used to enhance phrenic motoneuron excitability in anesthetized Sprague Dawley rats. Multiple acute rTMS protocols were used revealing 10 Hz rTMS protocol induced a robust, long-lasting increase in phrenic motoneuron excitability, functionally evaluated by diaphragm motor evoked potentials (59.1 ± 21.1 % of increase compared to baseline 60 min after 10 Hz protocol against 6.0 ± 5.8 % (p = 0.007) for Time Control, −5.8 ± 7.4 % (p < 0.001) for 3 Hz, and 5.2 ± 12.5 % (p = 0.008) for 30 Hz protocols). A deeper analyze allowed to discriminate “responder” and “non-responder” subgroups among 10 Hz rTMS treated animals. Intravenous injections of GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptor agonists prior to 10 Hz rTMS treatment, abolished the enhanced phrenic motoneuron excitability, suggesting GABAergic input plays a mechanistic role in rTMS-induced phrenic excitability. These data demonstrate that a single high frequency rTMS protocol at 10 Hz increases phrenic motoneuron excitability, mediated by a local GABAergic “disinhibition”. By understanding how rTMS can be used to affect neural circuits non-invasively we can begin to harness the therapeutic potential of this neuromodulatory strategy to promote recovery after disease or injury to the central nervous system.

Cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) results in permanent life-altering motor and respiratory deficits. Other than mechanical ventilation for respiratory insufficiency secondary to cervical SCI, effective treatments are lacking and the development of animal models to explore new therapeutic strategies are needed. The aim of this work was to demonstrate the feasibility of using a mouse model of partial cervical spinal hemisection at the second cervical metameric segment (C2) to investigate the impact of 6 weeks training on forced exercise wheel system on locomotor/respiratory plasticity muscles. To measure run capacity locomotor and respiratory functions, incremental exercise tests and diaphragmatic electromyography were done. In addition, muscle fiber type composition and capillary distribution were assessed at 51 days following chronic C2 injury in diaphragm, extensor digitorum communis (EDC), tibialis anterior (TA) and soleus (SOL) muscles. Six-week exercise training increased the running capacity of trained SCI mice. Fiber type composition in EDC, TA and SOL muscles was not modified by our protocol of exercise. The vascularization was increased in all muscle limbs in SCI trained group. No increase in diaphragmatic electromyography amplitude of the diaphragm muscle on the side of SCI was observed, while the contraction duration was significantly decreased in sedentary group compared to trained group. Cross-sectional area of type IIa myofiber in the contralateral diaphragm side of SCI was smaller in trained group. Fiber type distribution between contralateral and ipsilateral diaphragm in SCI sedentary group was affected, while no difference was observed in trained group. In addition, the vascularization of the diaphragm side contralateral to SCI was increased in trained group. All these results suggest an increase in fatigue resistance and a contribution to the running capacity in SCI trained group. Our exercise protocol could be a promising non-invasive strategy to sustain locomotor and respiratory muscle plasticity following SCI.

International audience; Inflammation plays a crucial role in the defense response of the innate immune system against pathogen infection. In this study, we selected 4 compounds for their potential or proven anti-inflammatory and/or anti-microbial properties to test on our in vitro model of bacteria-infected THP-1-derived macrophages. We first compared the capacity of sulforaphane (SFN), wogonin (WG), oltipraz (OTZ), and dimethyl fumarate (DMF) to induce the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a key regulator of the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory response pathways. Next, we performed a comparative evaluation of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacies of the 4 selected compounds. THP-1-derived macrophages and LPS-stimulated macrophages were treated with each compound and expression levels of genes coding for inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were quantified by RT-qPCR. Moreover, expression levels of genes coding for M1 (IL-23, CCR7, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and M2 (PPARγ, MRC1, CCL22, and IL-10) markers were determined in classically-activated M1 macrophages treated with each compound. Finally, the effects of each compound on the intracellular bacterial survival of gram-negative E. coli and gram-positive S. aureus in THP-1-derived macrophages and PBMC-derived macrophages were examined. Our data confirmed the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of SFN, WG, and DMF on LPS-stimulated THP-1-derived macrophages. In addition, SFN or WG treatment of classically-activated THP-1-derived macrophages reduced expression levels of M1 marker genes, while SFN or DMF treatment upregulated the M2 marker gene MRC1. This decrease in expression of M1 marker genes may be correlated with the decrease in intracellular S. aureus load in SFN- or DMF-treated macrophages. Interestingly, an increase in intracellular survival of E. coli in SFN-treated THP-1-derived macrophages that was not observed in PBMC-derived macrophages. Conversely, OTZ exhibited pro-oxidant and proinflammatory properties, and affected intracellular survival of E. coli in THP-1-derived macrophages. Altogether, we provide new potential therapeutic alternatives in treating inflammation and bacterial infection.

Mycobacterium abscessusis a pathogenic, rapidly growing mycobacterium responsible for pulmonary and cutaneous infections in immunocompetent patients and in patients with Mendelian disorders, such as cystic fibrosis (CF).Mycobacterium abscessusis known to transition from a smooth (S) morphotype with cell surface-associated glycopeptidolipids (GPL) to a rough (R) morphotype lacking GPL. Herein, we show thatM. abscessusS and R variants are able to grow inside macrophages and are present in morphologically distinct phagosomes. The S forms are found mostly as single bacteria within phagosomes characterized by a tightly apposed phagosomal membrane and the presence of an electron translucent zone (ETZ) surrounding the bacilli. By contrast, infection with the R form leads to phagosomes often containing more than two bacilli, surrounded by a loose phagosomal membrane and lacking the ETZ. In contrast to the R variant, the S variant is capable of restricting intraphagosomal acidification and induces less apoptosis and autophagy. Importantly, the membrane of phagosomes enclosing the S forms showed signs of alteration, such as breaks or partial degradation. Although not frequently encountered, these events suggest that the S form is capable of provoking phagosome–cytosol communication. In conclusion,M. abscessusS exhibits traits inside macrophages that are reminiscent of slow-growing mycobacterial species.

High cervical spinal cord injuries lead to permanent respiratory deficits. One preclinical model of respiratory insufficiency in adult rats is the C2 partial injury which causes unilateral diaphragm paralysis. This model allows the investigation of a particular population of respiratory bulbospinal axons which cross the midline at C3-C6 spinal segment, namely the crossed phrenic pathway. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique that can be used to study supraspinal descending respiratory pathways in the rat. Interestingly, a lateral C2 injury does not affect the amplitude and latency of the largest motor-evoked potential recorded from the diaphragm (MEPdia) ipsilateral to the injury in response to a single TMS pulse, compared to a sham animal. Although the rhythmic respiratory activity on the contralateral diaphragm is preserved at 7 days post-injury, no diaphragm activity can be recorded on the injured side. However, a profound reorganization of the MEPdia evoked by TMS can be observed. The MEPdia is reduced on the non-injured rather than the injured side. This suggests an increase in ipsilateral phrenic motoneurons excitability. Moreover, correlations between MEPdia amplitude and spontaneous contralateral diaphragmatic activity were observed. The larger diaphragm activity correlated with a larger MEPdia on the injured side, and a smaller MEPdia on the non-injured side. This suggests, for the first time, the occurrence of a functional neuroplasticity process involving changes in motoneuron excitability balance between the injured and non-injured sides at a short post-lesional delay.

Respiratory related diseases associated with the neuronal control of breathing represent life-threatening issues and to date, no effective therapeutics are available to enhance the impaired function. The aim of this study was to determine whether a preclinical respiratory model could be used for further studies to develop a non-invasive therapeutic tool applied to rat diaphragmatic neuronal circuitry. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was performed on adult male Sprague-Dawley rats using a human figure-of-eight coil. The largest diaphragmatic motor evoked potentials (MEPdia) were recorded when the center of the coil was positioned 6 mm caudal from Bregma, involving a stimulation of respiratory supraspinal pathways. Magnetic shielding of the coil with mu metal reduced magnetic field intensities and improved focality with increased motor threshold and lower amplitude recruitment curve. Moreover, transynaptic neuroanatomical tracing with pseudorabies virus (applied to the diaphragm) suggest that connections exist between the motor cortex, the periaqueductal grey cell regions, several brainstem neurons and spinal phrenic motoneurons (distributed in the C3-4 spinal cord). These results reveal the anatomical substrate through which supraspinal stimulation can convey descending action potential volleys to the spinal motoneurons (directly or indirectly). We conclude that MEPdia following a single pulse of TMS can be successfully recorded in the rat and may be used in the assessment of respiratory supraspinal plasticity. Supraspinal non-invasive stimulations aimed to neuromodulate respiratory circuitry will enable new avenues of research into neuroplasticity and the development of therapies for respiratory dysfunction associated with neural injury and disease (e.g. spinal cord injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

Cell adhesion can be divided into cell-cell adhesion mediated by three major structures, tight junctions, adherens junctions, desmosomes, and cell-matrix adhesion, which is for the most part integrin-based. Cell-cell interactions play an important role in the maintenance and integrity of tissues and organs but similar to cell-matrix complexes may also transduce cell signaling. While this is the basics for understanding cell adhesion and its function, the role of cell adhesion proteins in disease, especially tumorigenesis, is far more diverse. A summary is given in the paper presented by Dr. Andl in this issue where she also focuses on recently discovered cell adhesion components and the regulation of cell adhesion molecules by miRNAs. In cancer, cell adhesion molecules are generally thought to be deactivated in order to aid in cancer cell dissemination and dispersal. However, aside from the loss of function, various gain-of-function events occur during induction and progression of cancer that can be mediated by cell adhesion molecules. Many of the molecules involved in these processes, such as the components of desmosomes, were initially identified as targets of autoimmune diseases. This special issue outlines the latest findings in research and review articles. Tight junctions mediate apical cell-cell adhesion and regulate epithelial cell polarity. Members of the claudin family are involved in a number of diseases including cancer; however, little is known regarding the mechanisms behind their pathophysiological function. Drs. Singh, Sharma, and Dhawan give an overview of the current state of knowledge in this issue. To identify cell transformation mechanisms other than previously described, Lynch et al. investigated the effect of MMP-7 mediated cleavage of E-cadherin. They demonstrate that loss of cell-cell adhesion is induced following E-cadherin processing, which results in increased cell migration, loss of polarization, and activation of RhoA. Interactions of cell adhesion molecules with their environment are central to their regulation and to cell migration and invasion. In the tumor context, the array of integrin receptors expressed causes the cells to differentially respond to external signals, resist the effects of cytotoxic drugs, and facilitate growth and invasion through a range of different tissue environments encountered by invasive cancer cells. In particular, the regulation of integrin receptor interaction with the extracellular matrix is thought to be critical for those cancers that invade and metastasize using a mesenchymal mode of migration. Jossen et al. show a novel prostate cancer bone metastatic model to assay drug sensitivity in three-dimensional cultures that mimic the preclinical or clinical setting more accurately. In here, they show that prostate cells revert to more epithelial cells, mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) in the presence of bone stroma modeling later stages of metastatic colonization, and are sensitized to radiation treatment when blocking E-cadherin or α-integrin. Mesenchymal migration as a therapeutic target for glioblastoma is discussed by Zhong et al. Another potential therapeutic agent, a Src inhibitor, is described by Yaseem et al. Comparison of SKI-606 and Iressa effects, Src/Abl and EGFR inhibitors, respectively, on cervical cancer cell lines shows inhibition of cell proliferation. Additionally, SKI-606 decreases cell migration and invasion through MET accompanied by the re-expression of E-cadherin and the recruitment of β-catenin to the cell membrane. Hironobu Yamashita et al. demonstrate that lysophosphatidic acid, a phospholipid growth factor, induces the stimulation of lamellipodia formation and enhanced cell migration through the upregulation of the TGFβ1 target gene Laminin-322. The role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation in the dynamic regulation of integrin-based adhesions and cellular migration is shown in a paper by Hamadi et al. Upon pervanadate-induced phosphorylation, FAK delocalizes from focal adhesions to newly formed membrane ruffles in a src-dependent event. Finally, advances in nanotechnology that allow the study of cellular transformation in engineered cellular environments are introduced by Siti Hawa Ngalmi et al. Such cross-disciplinary approaches have begun to advance our knowledge of how adhesion signaling is organized and how cells relay information regarding the composition and structure of the external environment into biological activity. In particular, these advances are being driven by novel microscopy technologies and the continuing development of new techniques that allow us to visualize the intricate workings of adhesion-dependent signaling processes. This synopsis gives a glimpse at the current leading edge science published in this special issue of the Journal of Oncology. We hope that these papers inspire interest in multidisciplinary approaches as well as in the identification of novel therapeutics. Claudia D. Andl Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa Therese B. Deramaudt Geraldine M. O'Neill