Journal of Translational Medicine
·
2025
·
IF 7.5
Xiaoying Ma,Weibo Shi,Zhen Wang,Shujin Li,Rufei Ma,Weihao Zhu,Lin Wu,Xiaowei Feng,Bin Cong,Yingmin Li
Background Depression is closely associated with stress-induced hippocampal damage and dysfunction. Emerging evidence demonstrates that the gut microbiota and its metabolites, acting as probiotics or prebiotics, can modulate brain structure and function via the gut-brain axis, thereby offering therapeutic potential for ameliorating related neurological and psychiatric disorders. This study delves into the contribution of the gut microbiota and its metabolites to stress-induced ferroptosis of hippocampal neurons and the associated molecular pathways. Methods This study used time-course stress paradigms combined with ferroptosis inhibitors to identify hippocampal neuronal ferroptosis. Fecal microbiota transplantation were conducted to analyze the role of gut microbiota in this process. Subsequently, 16 S rDNA sequencing and metabolomics techniques were applied to identify key gut microbiota and metabolites. Metabolites intervention were performed to examine their causal relationship with neuronal ferroptosis. Finally, we used histochemical and molecular assays to assess both intestinal and blood-brain barrier integrity as well as inflammation in peripheral blood and hippocampal tissue, along with GPR41/RhoA/Rock1 pathway changes, to preliminarily investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying stress-induced hippocampal neuronal ferroptosis. Results We demonstrated that stress triggered hippocampal neuronal ferroptosis and subsequent depressive-like behaviors in mice. Fecal microbiota transplantation successfully replicated the ferroptosis phenotype. Butyric acid and valeric acid were identified as key metabolites significantly reduced in the serum of acutely and chronically stressed mice, respectively. Intervention with these metabolites markedly alleviated ferroptosis. Furthermore, valerate intervention increased hippocampal GPR41 expression and significantly suppressed the pro-inflammatory RhoA/Rock1 pathway in chronically stressed mice, thereby reducing neuroinflammation and ameliorating neuronal ferroptosis. However, butyrate intervention showed no significant effect on the GPR41/RhoA/Rock1 pathway. Conclusion Stress induces ferroptosis in hippocampal neurons, where reduced abundance of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria plays a key role. Key metabolites butyric acid and valeric acid alleviate neuroinflammation to improve ferroptosis via the gut-brain axis in acute and chronic stress, respectively. Specifically, valeric acid exerts neuroprotective effect through the GPR41/RhoA/Rock1 pathway, whereas butyric acid-mediated protection likely operates through alternative mechanisms. Graphical abstract Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-025-06950-0.
研究领域:
神经科学
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精神病学
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微生物学
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代谢组学
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药理学
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分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ACS Chemical Neuroscience
·
2021
·
IF 4.418
Yang Zhang,Kexin Li,Xiangyi Wang,Yanyu Ding,Zhiruo Ren,Jinglong Fang,Tao Sun,Yan Guo,Zhiwu Chen,Jiyue Wen
The effect of cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE)-derived hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on the reactive proliferation of astrocytes and neural functional recovery over 30 d after acute cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) was determined by applying wild-type (WT) and CSE knockout (KO) mice. The changes of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression in hippocampal tissues was tested. Besides, we assessed the changes of mice spatial learning memory ability, neuronal damage, RhoA, Rho kinase 2 (ROCK2), and myelin basic protein (MBP) expressions in hippocampal tissues. The results revealed that cerebral I/R resulted in obvious increase of GFAP expression in hippocampal tissues. Besides, we found the neuronal damage, learning, and memory deficits of mice induced by cerebral I/R as well as revealed the upregulation of RhoA and ROCK2 expressions and reduced MBP expression in hipppcampal tissues of mice following cerebral I/R. Not surprisingly, the GFAP expression and cerebral injury as well as the upregulation of the RhoA/ROCK2 pathway were more remarkable in CSE KO mice, compared with those in WT mice over 30 d following acute cerebral I/R, which could be blocked by NaHS treatment, a donor of exogenous H2S. In addition, the ROCK inhibitor Fasudil also inhibited the reactive proliferation of astrocytes and ameliorated the recovery of neuronal function over 30 d after cerebral I/R. For the purpose of further confirmation of the role of H2S on the astrocytes proliferation following cerebral I/R, the immunofluorescence double staining: bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and GFAP was evaluated. There was a marked upregulation of BrdU-labeled cells coexpressed with GFAP in hippocampal tissues at 30 d after acute cerebral I/R; however, the increment of astrocytes proliferation could be ameliorated by both NaHS and Fasudil. These findings indicated that CSE-derived H2S could inhibit the reactive proliferation of astrocytes and promote the recovery of mice neural functional deficits induced by a cerebral I/R injury via inhibition of the RhoA/ROCK2 signal pathway.
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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细胞生物学
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
BIOMATERIALS
·
2024
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IF 12.8
Tao Song,Fengxin Zhao,Ling Yan,Puxin Liu,Jirong Yang,Changshun Ruan,Dongxiao Li,Yumei Xiao,Xingdong Zhang
Injectable hydrogels are promising for treatment of bone defects in clinic owing to their minimally invasive procedure. Currently, there is limited emphasis on how to utilize injectable hydrogels to mobilize body's regenerative potential for enhancing bone regeneration. Herein, an injectable bone-mimicking hydrogel (BMH) scaffold assembled from nanocomposite microgel building blocks was developed, in which a highly interconnected microporous structure and an inorganic/organic (methacrylated hydroxyapatite and methacrylated gelatin) interweaved nano structure were well-designed. Compared with hydrogels lacking micro-nano structures or only showing microporous structure, the BMH scaffold enhanced the ingrowth of vessels and promoted the formation of dense cellular networks (including stem cells and M2 macrophages), across the entire scaffold at early stage after subcutaneous implantation. Moreover, the BMH scaffold could not only directly trigger osteogenic differentiation of the infiltrated stem cells, but also provided an instructive osteo-immune microenvironment by inducing macrophages into M2 phenotype. Mechanistically, our results reveal that the nano-rough structure of the BMH plays an essential role in inducing macrophage M2 polarization through activating mechanotransduction related RhoA/ROCK2 pathway. Overall, this work offers an injectable hydrogel with micro-nano structure driven bio-responsive abilities, highlighting harnessing body's inherent regenerative potential to realize bone regeneration.
研究领域:
生物材料
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组织工程
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再生医学
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生物医学工程
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
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2016
·Vol. 39
·期 4
·1391-1403
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IF 4.652
Zhang Lei,Jiang Guoliang,Zhao Xueling,Gong Yuekun
Background/Aims: We investigated the role of dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG) in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) osteogenesis mediated by RhoA/ROCK. Methods: BMSCs were cultured with and without DMOG and/or Y-27632 (ROCK1 inhibitor). Cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, and calcium deposits were determined. The expression of Runx2, OSX, p-cofilin, RhoA, and GTP-bound RhoA was determined by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot. Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) activity was determined by measuring the phosphorylation of myosin-binding subunit of myosin phosphatase using an ELISA kit. Actin morphology was observed by immunofluorescence. Results: After 24 h, DMOG (0.5 mM) increased the expression of GTP-bound RhoA (+141%, P < 0.001) and enhanced ROCK activity (315%, P < 0.001). DMOG (0.5 mM) enhanced ALP levels after 3, 7, and 21 days of osteogenic induction (all P < 0.001) and strengthened calcium deposition (P < 0.001). In addition, compared with controls, DMOG (0.5 mM) increased the mRNA levels of osteogenesis genes RUNX2 and OSX (all P < 0.001). Furthermore, compared with controls, DMOG increased the expression of p-cofilin (+57%, P < 0.001), which resulted in rearrangement of actin filaments. All these effects were abolished, at least in part, by Y-27632. Conclusion: DMOG promotes BMSC osteogenic differentiation via activation of RhoA/ROCK, suggesting clues for future therapies using BMSCs
研究领域:
干细胞生物学
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骨骼生物学
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细胞信号传导
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分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
·
2025
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IF 19
Genjiang Zheng,Chen Yang,Wei Yu,Ye Tian,Zeng Xu,Jia Liu,Shatong He,Yunhao Wang,Zhihao Yue,Xiaodong Wu,Hongyu Zhou,Bo Hu,Wei-En Yuan,Huajiang Chen
Paralysis resulting from spinal cord injury (SCI) arises from the limited regenerative capacity of axons. Mechanical factors have recently emerged as crucial regulators of axon regeneration, complementing or even surpassing chemical cues. In this study, we demonstrated that extracellular matrix stiffness, a key mechanical signal, not only modulated the regenerative capacity of neuronal axons in spinal cord with aging, but significantly fine-tuned axon pathfinding through negative-durotaxis pattern. So, it is imperative to develop a scaffold with biomimetic mechanical guidance properties to promote neural axon regeneration after SCI. Strikingly, inspired by the robust adhesive mechanism of mussels, we developed a facile strategy to synthesize catechol-modified HAMA hydrogel (HAMA@CA) that mimics native spinal cord tissue properties, effectively modulates the biomechanical microenvironment, enhances tissue–implant adhesion, and ultimately promotes spinal cord integration after SCI. Mechanistically, HAMA@CA hydrogel regulates neuronal axon pathfinding following a negative durotaxis pattern, coinciding with changes in mechanosensitive signaling and actomyosin contractility via the Piezo1/RhoA/MLC pathway. RNA-seq analysis also confirms mechanical-mediated SCI repairing by HAMA@CA. These results demonstrates that HAMA@CA rationally combined with mechanical and biochemical cues create promising tissue-engineered strategies to facilitate the repair of SCI. This innovative strategy holds significant promise for future clinical applications in the field.
研究领域:
神经科学
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生物医学工程
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组织工程
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机械生物学
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再生医学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
CELL
·
2022
·
IF 66.85
Shu-Hsien Sheu,Srigokul Upadhyayula,Vincent Dupuy,Song Pang,Fei Deng,Jinxia Wan,Deepika Walpita,H. Amalia Pasolli,Justin Houser,Silvia Sanchez-Martinez,Sebastian E. Brauchi,Sambashiva Banala,Melanie Freeman,C. Shan Xu,Tom Kirchhausen,Harald F. Hess,Luke Lavis,Yulong Li,Séverine Chaumont-Dubel,David E. Clapham
Summary Chemical synapses between axons and dendrites mediate neuronal intercellular communication. Here, we describe a synapse between axons and primary cilia: the axo-ciliary synapse. Using enhanced focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy on samples with optimally preserved ultrastructure, we discovered synapses between brainstem serotonergic axons and the primary cilia of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Functionally, these cilia are enriched in a ciliary-restricted serotonin receptor, the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 6 (5-HTR6). Using a cilia-targeted serotonin sensor, we show that opto- and chemogenetic stimulation of serotonergic axons releases serotonin onto cilia. Ciliary 5-HTR6 stimulation activates a non-canonical G αq/11 -RhoA pathway, which modulates nuclear actin and increases histone acetylation and chromatin accessibility. Ablation of this pathway reduces chromatin accessibility in CA1 pyramidal neurons. As a signaling apparatus with proximity to the nucleus, axo-ciliary synapses short circuit neurotransmission to alter the postsynaptic neuron’s epigenetic state.
研究领域:
神经科学
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细胞生物学
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分子生物学
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
·
2024
·
IF 5.4
Xiangyu Dong,Shan Su,Qian Sun,Peng Wang,Qian Hu,Qiang Wei
The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a crucial role in regulating cellular behaviors and functions. However, the impact of ECM topography on muscle cell adhesion and differentiation remains poorly understood from a mechanosensing perspective. In this study, we fabricated aligned and random electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers to mimic the structural characteristics of ECM. Mechanism investigations revealed that the orientation of nanofibers promoted C2C12 polarization and myogenesis through Rac-related signaling pathways. Conversely, cells cultured on random fibers exhibited spreading behavior mediated by RhoA/ROCK pathways, resulting in enhanced stress fiber formation but reduced capacity for myogenic differentiation. Our findings highlight the critical role of an ECM structure in muscle regeneration and damage repair, providing novel insights into mechanosensing mechanisms underlying muscle injury diseases.
研究领域:
生物医学工程
·
细胞生物学
·
组织工程
·
再生医学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
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