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Published on: May 16, 2013
Cuproptosis-driven astrocyte reactivity exacerbates experimental cerebral malaria pathogenesis
Xinpeng Hou1,2, Xiumei Mo1, Xiaoran Zhang1
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Bioactive Substances, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China.
Cuproptosis, a copper-dependent cell death, worsens cerebral malaria (CM) by increasing astrocyte reactivity. Modulating copper levels may offer a new therapeutic strategy for CM.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cerebral malaria (CM) is a lethal complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection, marked by blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption.
- Astrocytes are key components of the BBB, but their role in CM pathogenesis is unclear.
- Altered copper homeostasis and astrocyte reactivity are observed in CM patients, suggesting a link to cuproptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cuproptosis, a copper-dependent cell death pathway, in experimental cerebral malaria (ECM).
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of modulating copper homeostasis using disulfiram (DSF) and tetrathiomolybdate (TTM).
Main Methods:
- An experimental CM (ECM) model using Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) in C57BL/6 mice.
- Pharmacological modulation with copper ionophore disulfiram (DSF) and copper chelator tetrathiomolybdate (TTM).
- In vitro studies using astrocytes stimulated with PbA-infected red blood cells (iRBCs) or soluble antigen (PbAg) under DSF-CuCl2 or TTM-CuCl2 treatment.
Main Results:
- ECM mice showed increased cerebral copper, cuproptosis markers, and BBB disruption.
- DSF treatment worsened ECM, while TTM treatment ameliorated pathological manifestations.
- DSF induced astrocyte reactivity and cuproptosis marker colocalization, effects reversed by TTM.
- In vitro, DSF-CuCl2 increased astrocyte reactivity and pro-inflammatory mediators, while TTM-CuCl2 reversed these effects.
Conclusions:
- Cuproptosis exacerbates ECM pathogenesis by promoting astrocyte reactivity.
- Modulating copper homeostasis represents a potential therapeutic strategy for CM.
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