Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 promotes microglial activation, proliferation, and matrix metalloproteinase-9-mediated

Tiina M Kauppinen1, Raymond A Swanson

  • 1Department of Neurology, University of California, and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA.

Insights

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) activation drives microglial neurotoxicity by increasing NF-kappaB and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) release. Inhibiting PARP-1 or MMP-9 reduces this cell death in neurological disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Activated microglia contribute to central nervous system (CNS) cell death in neurodegenerative and ischemic disorders.
  • Microglial activation is regulated by nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB), with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) enhancing NF-kappaB DNA binding.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of PARP-1 in microglia-mediated neurotoxicity.
  • To determine the involvement of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in PARP-1-driven microglial activation and neurotoxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized microglia from wild-type (wt), PARP-1-/-, and MMP-9-/- mice.
  • Stimulated microglia with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and assessed cell proliferation, morphology, and neuronal toxicity.
  • Administered PARP inhibitors (3,4-dihydro-5-[4-(1-piperidinyl)butoxy]-1(2h)-isoquinolinone) and NF-kappaB inhibitors ((E)-3-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-propenenenitrile).
  • Measured MMP-9 release and used MMP inhibitors (ilomastat).

Main Results:

  • TNF-alpha-induced wt microglial activation and neurotoxicity were significantly attenuated in PARP-1-/- microglia and when treated with PARP or NF-kappaB inhibitors.
  • TNF-alpha-stimulated MMP-9 release was blocked in PARP-1-/- microglia and by PARP inhibition.
  • Mice lacking MMP-9 or treated with an MMP inhibitor exhibited reduced microglial neurotoxicity.

Conclusions:

  • PARP-1 activation is essential for TNF-alpha-induced microglial activation.
  • PARP-1 mediates neurotoxicity through the induction of MMP-9 release.
  • Targeting PARP-1 or MMP-9 may offer therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders involving microglial activation.

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