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Survival Following Traumatic Brain Injury in Drosophila Is Increased by Heterozygosity for a Mutation of the NF-κB Innate Immune Response Transcription Factor Relish.

ABSTRACT: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) pathologies are caused by primary and secondary injuries. Primary injuries result from physical damage to the brain, and secondary injuries arise from cellular responses to primary injuries. A characteristic cellular response is sustained activation of inflammatory pathways commonly mediated by nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcription factors. Using a Drosophila melanogaster TBI model, we previously found that the main proximal transcriptional response to primary injuries is triggered by activation of Toll and Imd innate immune response pathways that engage NF-κB factors Dif and Relish (Rel), respectively. Here, we found by mass spectrometry that Rel protein level increased in fly heads at 4-8 hr after TBI. To investigate the necessity of Rel for secondary injuries, we generated a null allele, Rel ^del , by CRISPR/Cas9 editing. When heterozygous but not homozygous, the Rel ^del mutation reduced mortality at 24 hr after TBI and increased the lifespan of injured flies. Additionally, the effect of heterozygosity for Rel ^del on mortality was modulated by genetic background and diet. To identify genes that facilitate effects of Rel ^del on TBI outcomes, we compared genome-wide mRNA expression profiles of uninjured and injured +/+, +/Rel ^del , and Rel ^del /Rel ^del flies at 4 hr following TBI. Only a few genes changed expression more than twofold in +/Rel ^del flies relative to +/+ and Rel ^del /Rel ^del flies, and they were not canonical innate immune response genes. Therefore, Rel is necessary for TBI-induced secondary injuries but in complex ways involving Rel gene dose, genetic background, diet, and possibly small changes in expression of innate immune response genes.

SUBMITTER: Swanson LC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7768241 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundAfter traumatic brain injury (TBI), an acute, robust inflammatory cascade occurs that is characterized by the activation of resident cells such as microglia, the migration and recruitment of peripheral immune cells and the release of inflammatory mediators that induce secondary cell death and impede neurological recovery. In addition, neuroinflammation can alter blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Controlling inflammatory responses is considered a promising therapeutic approach for TBI. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has already been used clinically for decades, and it is still widely used to treat various autoimmune diseases. However, the effects of HCQ on inflammation and the potential mechanism after TBI remain to be defined. The aim of the current study was to elucidate whether HCQ could improve the neurological recovery of mice post-TBI by inhibiting the inflammatory response via the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.MethodsC57BL/6 mice were subjected to controlled cortical impact (CCI) and randomly divided into groups that received intraperitoneal HCQ or vehicle daily after TBI. TAK-242 (3.0 mg/kg), an exogenous TLR4 antagonist, was injected intraperitoneally 1 h before TBI. Behavioral assessments were performed on days 1 and 3 post-TBI, and the gene expression levels of inflammatory cytokines were analyzed by qRT-PCR. The presence of infiltrated immune cells was examined by flow cytometry and immunostaining. In addition, BBB permeability, tight junction expression and brain edema were investigated.ResultsHCQ administration significantly ameliorated TBI-induced neurological deficits. HCQ alleviated neuroinflammation, the activation and accumulation of microglia and immune cell infiltration in the brain, attenuated BBB disruption and brain edema, and upregulated tight junction expression. Combined administration of HCQ and TAK-242 did not enhance the neuroprotective effects of HCQ.ConclusionsHCQ reduced proinflammatory cytokine expression, and the underlying mechanism may involve suppressing the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, suggesting that HCQ is a potential therapeutic agent for TBI treatment.

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Survival Following Traumatic Brain Injury in Drosophila Is Increased by Heterozygosity for a Mutation of the NF-κB Innate Immune Response Transcription Factor Relish.

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