Microglial MT1 activation inhibits LPS-induced neuroinflammation via regulation of metabolic reprogramming

Chao Gu1,2,3, Fen Wang2, Yu-Ting Zhang1,2

  • 1Department of Neurology, Suzhou Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.

Aging Cell
|May 8, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Melatonin receptor 1 (MT1) activation in microglia reduces neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease models. MT1 regulates microglial metabolism, suppressing harmful inflammation and protecting dopaminergic neurons.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Metabolism

Background:

  • Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis involves microglia-mediated neuroinflammation.
  • Melatonin receptor 1 (MT1) is present in substantia nigra glia and neurons.
  • The role of microglial MT1 in PD is largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the role of microglial MT1 in PD pathogenesis.
  • Determine if MT1 activation impacts microglial metabolism and neuroinflammation.
  • Explore MT1's potential as a therapeutic target for PD.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induced PD mouse model.
  • Examined MT1 expression in microglia from the substantia nigra.
  • Assessed the effects of MT1 activation/loss on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation and microglial metabolism.
  • Investigated MT1's regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase alpha 1 (PDHA1) expression.
  • Evaluated the impact of MT1 activation on dopaminergic cell viability in vitro and in vivo.

Main Results:

  • MT1 expression was reduced in microglia of MPTP-treated mice.
  • MT1 activation inhibited LPS-induced neuroinflammation, while MT1 loss aggravated it.
  • MT1 activation reversed LPS-induced metabolic changes, including excessive aerobic glycolysis and impaired oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS).
  • MT1 positively regulated PDHA1 expression, enhancing OXPHOS and suppressing glycolysis.
  • MT1 activation reduced conditioned media toxicity to dopaminergic cells and showed anti-inflammatory effects in an LPS-stimulated mouse model.

Conclusions:

  • MT1 activation in microglia suppresses neuroinflammation by reprogramming microglial metabolism.
  • MT1 regulates microglial metabolic pathways, specifically enhancing OXPHOS and reducing glycolysis via PDHA1.
  • Microglial MT1 represents a potential therapeutic target for mitigating neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease.

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