Weichao Li1, Dianming Jiang2, Qiuxia Li3, Shaoping Yao4, Xianrun Sun5, Yong Yang6, Zengdong Meng6, Wei Liu6. 1. Faculty of Medical Science, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China.. Electronic address: liweichao0394@sina.com. 2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China. 3. Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. 4. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China.. Electronic address: gukeyshp@sina.com. 5. Faculty of Medical Science, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China. 6. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China.
Abstract
AIMS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced preconditioning protects neurons against traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in rats. This study sought to test whether Nrf2, a transcription factor, mediated LPS-induced preconditioning. MAIN METHODS: The TSCI model was established using a standardized NYU impactor on adult female rats. Rats were pretreated with LPS (0.2mg/kg, IP; 72h before injury). Nrf2 was silenced by injecting a lentivirus encoding RNAi against Nrf2 into injured spinal cords. Neurologic function was assessed by Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scores 6h, 12h, 24h, 48h, 72h, 7d and 14d after TSCI. Neuronal apoptosis was measured by a TUNEL staining. Ultrastructure was observed using transmission electron microscope (TEM). The protein expression of HO-1, NQO1 and GCLC was examined using immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. KEY FINDINGS: The injection of a lentivirus effectively transfected GFP into injured spinal cords. The expression of Nrf2 was significantly decreased in spinal cords receiving a lentivirus encoding RNAi against Nrf2. BBB scores showed that TSCI markedly impaired nervous function, which was markedly preserved by LPS pretreatment. Nrf2 knockdown significantly suppressed LPS pretreatment-induced protection of nervous function. TEM images and TUNEL staining showed an increase in apoptotic cells when Nrf2 was silenced. Moreover, immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting analysis exhibited that LPS pretreatment significantly upregulated the expression of anti-oxidative proteins including HO-1, NQO1 and GCLC, which was suppressed when Nrf2 expression was silenced in injured spinal cords. SIGNIFICANCE: LPS preconditioning effectively alleviates TSCI-induced impairment and preserves nervous function in a Nrf2-dependent manner.
AIMS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced preconditioning protects neurons against traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in rats. This study sought to test whether Nrf2, a transcription factor, mediated LPS-induced preconditioning. MAIN METHODS: The TSCI model was established using a standardized NYU impactor on adult female rats. Rats were pretreated with LPS (0.2mg/kg, IP; 72h before injury). Nrf2 was silenced by injecting a lentivirus encoding RNAi against Nrf2 into injured spinal cords. Neurologic function was assessed by Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scores 6h, 12h, 24h, 48h, 72h, 7d and 14d after TSCI. Neuronal apoptosis was measured by a TUNEL staining. Ultrastructure was observed using transmission electron microscope (TEM). The protein expression of HO-1, NQO1 and GCLC was examined using immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. KEY FINDINGS: The injection of a lentivirus effectively transfected GFP into injured spinal cords. The expression of Nrf2 was significantly decreased in spinal cords receiving a lentivirus encoding RNAi against Nrf2. BBB scores showed that TSCI markedly impaired nervous function, which was markedly preserved by LPS pretreatment. Nrf2 knockdown significantly suppressed LPS pretreatment-induced protection of nervous function. TEM images and TUNEL staining showed an increase in apoptotic cells when Nrf2 was silenced. Moreover, immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting analysis exhibited that LPS pretreatment significantly upregulated the expression of anti-oxidative proteins including HO-1, NQO1 and GCLC, which was suppressed when Nrf2 expression was silenced in injured spinal cords. SIGNIFICANCE: LPS preconditioning effectively alleviates TSCI-induced impairment and preserves nervous function in a Nrf2-dependent manner.
Authors: Camila M Freria; Faith H Brennan; David R Sweet; Zhen Guan; Jodie C Hall; Kristina A Kigerl; Daniel P Nemeth; Xiaoyu Liu; Steve Lacroix; Ning Quan; Phillip G Popovich Journal: J Neurosci Date: 2020-10-13 Impact factor: 6.167