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Published on: January 30, 2014
SIRT1 activation by 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine alleviates neuroinflammation via inhibiting M1 microglia polarization
Yu Chen1, Fu Peng2, Chao Yang3
1State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
Background:
Neuroinflammation has been reported as a potential contributing factor to brain diseases, and is characterized by activated microglia with release of multiple inflammatory mediators. 2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) is an active alkaloid in Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. and has various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and neuroprotection properties. However, the anti-neuroinflammatory activity of TMP has been less studied and its potential molecular mechanisms in this field remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of TMP and its underlying mechanisms in neuroinflammation.
Methods:
In vitro, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglia were used to assess the effects of TMP on inflammatory cytokines as well as the components of the SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathway, which were measured by using ELISA, western blotting, qRT-qPCR and immunofluorescence. Moreover, LPS-induced acute neuroinflammation model in mice was performed to detect whether TMP could exert anti-neuroinflammatory effects in vivo, and the EX527, a SIRT1 inhibitor, were given intraperitoneally every two days prior to TMP treatment. Serums and spinal trigeminal nucleus (Sp5) tissues were collected for ELISA assay, and the Sp5 tissues were used for HE staining, Nissl staining, immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR and western blotting.
Results:
In vitro, TMP treatment significantly reduced the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and IL-6, promoted SIRT1 protein expression and inactivated NF-κB signaling pathway in LPS-induced neuroinflammation. Interestingly, pretreatment with EX527 blocked the therapeutic effects of TMP on neuroinflammation in vitro. Furthermore, TMP reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and prevented microglia from polarizing towards a pro-inflammatory state through activating SIRT1 and inhibiting NF-κB activation in LPS-induced neuroinflammation in mice. And EX527 reversed the beneficial effects of TMP against LPS exposure in mice.
Conclusion:
In summary, this study unravels that TMP could mitigate LPS-induced neuroinflammation via SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Insights
2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) reduces neuroinflammation by activating SIRT1 and inhibiting NF-κB signaling. This study demonstrates TMP
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
Background:
- Neuroinflammation, characterized by activated microglia and inflammatory mediators, is implicated in brain diseases.
- 2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), an alkaloid from *Ligusticum chuanxiong* Hort., exhibits anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.
- The anti-neuroinflammatory mechanisms of TMP remain largely unelucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of TMP.
- To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of TMP's action in neuroinflammation.
Main Methods:
- In vitro: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglia were used to assess TMP's effects on inflammatory cytokines and the SIRT1/NF-κB pathway via ELISA, western blotting, qRT-PCR, and immunofluorescence.
- In vivo: An LPS-induced acute neuroinflammation mouse model was employed.
- SIRT1 inhibition using EX527 was performed to validate the role of SIRT1 in TMP's effects.
Main Results:
- TMP significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) and inactivated the NF-κB pathway, while promoting SIRT1 expression in LPS-stimulated microglia.
- Pretreatment with the SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 blocked TMP's therapeutic effects in vitro.
- In vivo, TMP reduced inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, prevented pro-inflammatory microglia polarization by activating SIRT1 and inhibiting NF-κB, and EX527 reversed these benefits.
Conclusions:
- TMP mitigates LPS-induced neuroinflammation.
- The mechanism involves the activation of the SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathway.
- TMP demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for neuroinflammatory conditions.
