ACE2 activator diminazene modulates astrocyte-mediated neuroinflammation via miR-224-5p/NLRP3 pathway and offers neuroprotection in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
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ABSTRACT: Objective: The protective components ACE2/Ang(1-7)/MasR of the renin-angiotensin system has been verified to play a role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our previous study revealed that enhancement of brain ACE2 activity, an important effector of RAS, by diminazene aceturate (DIZE) ameliorated Alzheimer's disease-like neuropathology and attenuated neuroinflammation in the brain of SAMP8 mice. However, the potential molecular mechanisms by which DIZE modulates neuroinflammation in AD remain unclear. Materials and Methods: APP/PS1 mice were injected intraperitoneally with DIZE (once a day for 30 consecutive days). Cognitive functions, neuronal and synaptic integrity, and inflammation-related markers were assessed by Morris water maze, Nissl staining, Western blot and ELISA, respectively. Since astrocytes played a crucial role in AD-related neuroinflammation whilst miRNAs were reported to participate in modulating inflammatory responses, astrocytes of APP/PS1 mice were then isolated for high-throughput miRNAs sequencing to identify the most differentially expressed miRNA following DIZE treatment. Afterward, the downstream pathway of this miRNA in the anti-inflammatory action of DIZE was investigated using primary astrocytes. Results: The results showed that DIZE alleviated cognitive impairment and neuronal and synaptic damage in APP/PS1 mice. Simultaneously, DIZE suppressed the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome. Importantly, miR-224-5p was significantly up-regulated in the astrocytes of APP/PS1 mice treated by DIZE, and NLRP3 is one of the targets of miR-224-5p. Upregulation of miR-224-5p inhibited the expression of NLRP3 in Aβ1–42-stimulated cells, whereas miR-224-5p downregulation reversed this effect. Furthermore, the inhibition of miR-224-5p could reverse the inhibitory effect of DIZE on astrocytic NLRP3 inflammasome. Conclusion: These results firstly suggested that DIZE inhibits astrocyte-mediated neuroinflammation via miR-224-5p/NLRP3 pathway. Moreover, these results reveal the underlying mechanisms by which DIZE inhibits neuroinflammation under AD condition and uncovers the potential of DIZE in AD treatment.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE199028 | GEO | 2023/04/26
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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