Effects of in vitro exposure of perfluorooctanoic acid and monocrotophos on astroglia SVG p12 cells.

Glia cells provide supportive functions to the central nervous system and can be compromised by environmental contaminants. The primary objective of this study was to characterize the effects of in vitro exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid, a persistent environmental contaminant and/or monocrotophos (MCP), a neurotoxic organophosphate that is rapidly metabolized, to astroglia SVG p12 cells. The endpoints evaluated include cell viability, intracellular glutamate levels as a marker of astrocyte homeostasis function, differential gene expression for selected proteins, which include inflammatory markers (tachykinin), astrocytosis (nestin), S100B, and metabolism enzymes (CYP1A1). The results from cell viability revealed significant differences from the controls at some of the concentrations tested. Also, intracellular glutamate levels were elevated at the 10-µM concentration for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) as well as the 10-µM PFOA/5-µM MCP concentration. Gene expression results at 80-µM PFOA concentration revealed a significant increase in the expression of S100B, tachykinin and CYP1A1. A combination of 10-µM PFOA/20-µM MCP caused a significant decrease in the expression of tachykinin. Gene expression for MCP exposures produced a decrease at the 20-µM MCP concentration. Immunofluorescence results indicated an increase in nestin protein expression for the 20-µM concentration of MCP, which contradicted the gene expression at the same concentration tested. The results indicate that toxicity to glia cells can compromise critical glia functions and could be implicated in neurodegenerative diseases.

S100B promotes injury-induced vascular remodeling through modulating smooth muscle phenotype.

S100B is a biomarker of nervous system injury, but it is unknown if it is also involved in vascular injury. In the present study, we investigated S100B function in vascular remodeling following injury. Balloon injury in rat carotid artery progressively induced neointima formation while increasing S100B expression in both neointimal vascular smooth muscle (VSMC) and serum along with an induction of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Knockdown of S100B by its shRNA delivered by adenoviral transduction attenuated the PCNA expression and neointimal hyperplasia in vivo and suppressed PDGF-BB-induced VSMC proliferation and migration in vitro. Conversely, overexpression of S100B promoted VSMC proliferation and migration. Mechanistically, S100B altered VSMC phenotype by decreasing the contractile protein expression, which appeared to be mediated by NF-κB activity. S100B induced NF-κB-p65 gene transcription, protein expression and nuclear translocation. Blockade of NF-κB activity by its inhibitor reversed S100B-mediated downregulation of VSMC contractile protein and increase in VSMC proliferation and migration. It appeared that S100B regulated NF-κB expression through, at least partially, the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End products (RAGE) because RAGE inhibitor attenuated S100B-mediated NF-κB promoter activity as well as VSMC proliferation. Most importantly, S100B secreted from VSMC impaired endothelial tube formation in vitro, and knockdown of S100B promoted re-endothelialization of injury-denuded arteries in vivo. These data indicated that S100B is a novel regulator for vascular remodeling following injury and may serve as a potential biomarker for vascular damage or drug target for treating proliferative vascular diseases.

The Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Oxidative Stress Response Following Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion in Rats and the Expression of Intracellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and S100B.

BACKGROUND Ischemia-reperfusion injury of whole brain involves a complicated pathophysiology mechanism. Dexmedetomidine (Dex) has been shown to have neuro protective functions. This study observed the effect of Dex on serum S100B and cerebral intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in a rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. MATERIAL AND METHODS Healthy Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (males, 7 weeks old) were randomly divided into sham, model, and Dex groups (n=20 each). A cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model was prepared by clipping of the bilateral common carotid artery combined with hypotension. Dex (9 µg/kg) was infused intravenously immediately after reperfusion in the Dex group, while the other two groups received an equal volume of saline. Neural defect score (NDS) was measured at 6 hours, 24 hours, and 72 hours after surgery, with pathological observation of brain tissues. ELISA was then used to test serum S100B protein level. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were assayed by spectrometry. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) and ICAM-1 levels were determined by real-time (RT)-PCR. RESULTS Model rats had significant injury in the hippocampal CA1 region as shown by elevated NDS, S100B, and MDA levels, higher NF-κB and ICAM-1 mRNA expression, and lower SOD levels (p<0.05). Dex treatment improved pathological injury, decreased NDS, S100B, and MDA levels, decreased expression of mRNA of NF-κB and ICAM-1, and increased SOD levels. CONCLUSIONS Dex alleviated ischemia-reperfusion damage to rat brains, and inhibited NF-κB and ICAM-1 expression in brain tissues, possibly via inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory response.

Expansion in microcarrier-spinner cultures improves the chondrogenic potential of human early mesenchymal stromal cells.

BACKGROUND AIMS: Cartilage tissue engineering with human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSC) is promising for allogeneic cell therapy. To achieve large-scale hMSC propagation, scalable microcarrier-based cultures are preferred over conventional static cultures on tissue culture plastic. Yet it remains unclear how microcarrier cultures affect hMSC chondrogenic potential, and how this potential is distinguished from that of tissue culture plastic. Hence, our study aims to compare the chondrogenic potential of human early MSC (heMSC) between microcarrier-spinner and tissue culture plastic cultures. METHODS: heMSC expanded on either collagen-coated Cytodex 3 microcarriers in spinner cultures or tissue culture plastic were harvested for chondrogenic pellet differentiation with empirically determined chondrogenic inducer bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2). Pellet diameter, DNA content, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen II production, histological staining and gene expression of chondrogenic markers including SOX9, S100ß, MMP13 and ALPL, were investigated and compared in both conditions. RESULTS: BMP2 was the most effective chondrogenic inducer for heMSC. Chondrogenic pellets generated from microcarrier cultures developed larger pellet diameters, and produced more DNA, GAG and collagen II per pellet with greater GAG/DNA and collagen II/DNA ratios compared with that of tissue culture plastic. Moreover, they induced higher expression of chondrogenic genes (e.g., S100ß) but not of hypertrophic genes (e.g., MMP13 and ALPL). A similar trend showing enhanced chondrogenic potential was achieved with another microcarrier type, suggesting that the mechanism is due to the agitated nature of microcarrier cultures. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study demonstrating that scalable microcarrier-spinner cultures enhance the chondrogenic potential of heMSC, supporting their use for large-scale cell expansion in cartilage cell therapy.

Venlafaxine ameliorates the depression-like behaviors and hippocampal S100B expression in a rat depression model.

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence has indicated that S100B may be involved in the pathophysiology of depression. No published study has examined the effect of the antidepressant drug venlafaxine on S100B in animal models of depression. This study investigated S100B expression in the hippocampus and assessed the effect of venlafaxine on S100B mRNA level and protein expression in rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups as control, 0, 5 and 10 mg venlafaxine groups. The venlafaxine groups were exposed to CUMS from day 2 to day 43. Venlafaxine 0, 5 and 10 mg/kg were then administered from day 23 to day 43. We performed behavioral assessments with weight change, open-field and sucrose preference, and analyzed S100B protein expression and mRNA level in the hippocampus. RESULTS: The CUMS led to a decrease in body weight, locomotor activity and sucrose consumption, but venlafaxine treatment (10 mg) reversed these CUMS-induced decreases Also, CUMS increased S100B protein expression and mRNA level in the hippocampus, but venlafaxine treatment (10 mg) significantly decreased S100B protein expression and mRNA level, which were significantly lower than the other treatment groups, without significant difference between the 10 mg venlafaxine and the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that venlafaxine treatment (10 mg) may improve the depression-like behaviors and decrease over-expression of S100B protein and mRNA in the hippocampus in a rat model of depression.

TRIB2 as a biomarker for diagnosis and progression of melanoma.

Malignant melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. There is a critical need to identify the patients that could be successfully treated by surgery alone and those that require adjuvant treatment. In this study, we demonstrate that the expression of tribbles2 (TRIB2) strongly correlates with both the presence and progression of melanocyte-derived malignancies. We examined the expression of TRIB2 in addition to 12 previously described melanoma biomarkers across three independent full genome microarray studies. TRIB2 expression was consistently and significantly increased in benign nevi and melanoma, and was highest in samples from patients with metastatic melanoma. The expression profiles for the 12 biomarkers were poorly conserved throughout these studies with only TYR, S100B and SPP1 showing consistently elevated expression in metastatic melanoma versus normal skin. Strikingly we confirmed these findings in 20 freshly obtained primary melanoma tissue samples from metastatic lesions where the expression of these biomarkers were evaluated revealing that TRIB2 expression correlated with disease stage and clinical prognosis. Our results suggest that TRIB2 is a meaningful biomarker reflecting diagnosis and progression of melanoma, as well as predicting clinical response to chemotherapy.

Minocycline reduces spontaneous hemorrhage in mouse models of cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a common cause of recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage in the elderly. Previous studies have shown that CAA induces inflammation and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (gelatinases) in amyloid-laden vessels. Here, we inhibited both using minocycline in CAA mouse models to determine whether spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage could be reduced. METHODS: Tg2576 (n=16) and 5xFAD/ApoE4 knockin mice (n=16), aged 17 and 12 months, respectively, were treated with minocycline (50 mg/kg, IP) or saline every other day for 2 months. Brains were extracted and stained with X-34 (to quantify amyloid), Perls' blue (to quantify hemorrhage), and immunostained to examined ß-amyloid peptide load, gliosis (glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP], Iba-1), and vascular markers of blood-brain barrier integrity (zonula occludins-1 [ZO-1] and collagen IV). Brain extracts were used to quantify mRNA for a variety of inflammatory genes. RESULTS: Minocycline treatment significantly reduced hemorrhage frequency in the brains of Tg2576 and 5xFAD/ApoE4 mice relative to the saline-treated mice, without affecting CAA load. Gliosis (GFAP and Iba-1 immunostaining), gelatinase activity, and expression of a variety of inflammatory genes (matrix metalloproteinase-9, NOX4, CD45, S-100b, and Iba-1) were also significantly reduced. Higher levels of microvascular tight junction and basal lamina proteins were found in the brains of minocycline-treated Tg2576 mice relative to saline-treated controls. CONCLUSIONS: Minocycline reduced gliosis, inflammatory gene expression, gelatinase activity, and spontaneous hemorrhage in 2 different mouse models of CAA, supporting the importance of matrix metalloproteinase-related and inflammatory pathways in intracerebral hemorrhage pathogenesis. As a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug, minocycline might be considered for clinical trials to test efficacy in preventing CAA-related intracerebral hemorrhage.

Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells increase endogenous neurogenesis in the rat subventricular zone acutely after 6-hydroxydopamine lesioning.

BACKGROUND AIMS: In Parkinson's disease (PD), neurogenesis in the subventricular zone (SVZ)-olfactory bulb (OB) axis is affected as the result of the lack of dopaminergic innervations reaching the SVZ. This aberrant network has been related to the hyposmia of PD patients, which is an early diagnostic marker of the disease. Consequently, much interest arose in finding mechanisms to modulate the SVZ-OB axis. Direct modulation of this axis could be achieved by transplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC), as it has been shown in rat and mouse PD models. However, the neurogenic effect of MSC in PD was thus far only analyzed weeks after transplantation, and little is known about effects immediately after transplantation. METHODS: We assessed the acute neuroprotective and neurogenic effects of adipose-derived MSC transplanted into the rat substantia nigra in the 6-hydroxydopamine model of PD. RESULTS: Three days after transplantation, subventricular neurogenesis was significantly increased in MSC-transplanted versus non-transplanted animals. Most MSC were found in the region of the substantia nigra and the surrounding arachnoid mater, expressing S100ß and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, whereas some MSC showed an endothelial phenotype and localized around blood vessels. CONCLUSIONS: The acute neurogenic effects and neurotrophic factor expression of MSC could help to restore the SVZ-OB axis in PD.

S100B and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein as Indexes to Monitor Damage Severity in an In Vitro Model of Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading and rising cause of death and disability worldwide. There is great interest in S100B and Glial Fibrillary Acid Protein (GFAP) as candidate biomarkers of TBI for diagnosis, triage, prognostication and drug development. However, conflicting results especially on S100B hamper their routine application in clinical practice. To try to address this question, we mimicked TBI damage utilizing a well-validated, simplified in vitro model of graded stretch injury induced in rat organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSC). Different severities of trauma, from mild to severe, have been tested by using an equi-biaxial stretch of the OHSCs at a specified Lagrangian strain of 0 (controls), 5, 10, 20 and 50 %. OHSC were analysed at 3, 6, 18, 24, 48 and 96 h post-injury. Cell death, gene expressions and release into the culture medium of S100B and GFAP were determined at each time point. Gene expression and release of S100B slightly increased only in 20 and 50 % stretched OHSC. GFAP over-expression occurred in 10, 20 and 50 % and was inversely correlated with time post-injury. GFAP release significantly increased with time at any level of injury (p < 0.01 with respect to controls). Consequently, the total amount of GFAP released showed a strong linear relationship with the severity of injury (R(2) = 0.7662; p < 0.001). Under these experimental conditions, S100B seems to be useful in diagnosing only moderate to severe TBI-like injuries. Differently, GFAP demonstrates adequate biomarker requisites since its cellular release is affected by all grades of injury severity.

Isolation of dendritic-cell-like S100ß-positive cells in rat anterior pituitary gland.

S100ß-protein-positive cells in the anterior pituitary gland appear to possess multifunctional properties. Because of their pleiotropic features, S100ß-positive cells are assumed to be of a heterogeneous or even a non-pituitary origin. The observation of various markers has allowed these cells to be classified into populations such as stem/progenitor cells, epithelial cells, astrocytes and dendritic cells. The isolation and characterization of each heterogeneous population is a prerequisite for clarifying the functional character and origin of the cells. We attempt to isolate two of the subpopulations of S100ß-positive cells from the anterior lobe. First, from transgenic rats that express green fluorescent protein (GFP) driven by the S100ß protein promoter, we fractionate GFP-positive cells with a cell sorter and culture them so that they can interact with laminin, a component of the extracellular matrix. We observe that one morphological type of GFP-positive cells possesses extended cytoplasmic processes and shows high adhesiveness to laminin (process type), whereas the other is round in shape and exhibits low adherence to laminin (round type). We successfully isolate cells of the round type from the cultured GFP-positive cells by taking advantage of their low affinity to laminin and then measure mRNA levels of the two cell types by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The resultant data show that the process type expresses vimentin (mesenchymal cell marker) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (astrocyte marker). The round type expresses dendritic cell markers, CD11b and interleukin-6. Thus, we found a method for isolating dendritic-cell-like S100ß-positive cells by means of their property of adhering to laminin.

Vatairea macrocarpa lectin (VML) induces depressive-like behavior and expression of neuroinflammatory markers in mice.

Lectins are proteins capable of reversible binding to the carbohydrates in glycoconjugates that can regulate many physiological and pathological events. Galectin-1, a ß-galactoside-binding lectin, is expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and exhibits neuroprotective functions. Additionally, lectins isolated from plants have demonstrated beneficial action in the CNS. One example is a lectin with mannose-glucose affinity purified from Canavalia brasiliensis seeds, ConBr, which displays neuroprotective and antidepressant activity. On the other hand, the effects of the galactose-binding lectin isolated from Vatairea macrocarpa seeds (VML) on the CNS are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to verify if VML is able to alter neural function by evaluating signaling enzymes, glial and inflammatory proteins in adult mice hippocampus, as well as behavioral parameters. VML administered by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) route increased the immobility time in the forced swimming test (FST) 60 min after its injection through a carbohydrate recognition domain-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, under the same conditions, VML caused an enhancement of COX-2, GFAP and S100B levels in mouse hippocampus. However, phosphorylation of Akt, GSK-3ß and mitogen-activated protein kinases named ERK1/2, JNK1/2/3 and p38(MAPK), was not changed by VML. The results reported here suggest that VML may trigger neuroinflammatory response in mouse hippocampus and exhibit a depressive-like activity. Taken together, our findings indicate a dual role for galactose binding lectins in the modulation of CNS function.

Identification of Macrophage Polarization-Related Genes as Biomarkers of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Based on Bioinformatics Analyses.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by lung inflammation and remodeling. Macrophage polarization is associated with inflammation and tissue remodeling, as well as immunity. Therefore, this study attempts to investigate the diagnostic value and regulatory mechanism of macrophage polarization-related genes for COPD by bioinformatics analysis and to provide a new theoretical basis for experimental research. METHODS: The raw gene expression profile dataset (GSE124180) was collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Next, a weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) was conducted to screen macrophage polarization-related genes. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the COPD and normal samples were generated using DESeq2 v3.11 and overlapped with the macrophage polarization-related genes. Moreover, functional annotations of overlapped genes were conducted by Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) Bioinformatics Resource. The immune-related genes were selected, and their correlation with the differential immune cells was analyzed by Pearson. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to verify the diagnostic value of genes. RESULTS: A total of 4922 coexpressed genes related to macrophage polarization were overlapped with the 203 DEGs between the COPD and normal samples, obtaining 25 genes related to COPD and macrophage polarization. GEM, S100B, and GZMA of them participated in the immune response, which were considered the candidate biomarkers. GEM and S100B were significantly correlated with marker genes of B cells which had a significant difference between the COPD and normal samples. Moreover, GEM was highly associated with the genes in the PI3K/Akt/GSK3ß signaling pathway, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, and calcium signaling pathway based on a Pearson correlation analysis of the candidate genes and the genes in the B cell receptor signaling pathway. PPI network analysis also indicated that GEM might participate in the regulation of the PI3K/Akt/GSK3ß signaling pathway. The ROC curve showed that GEM possessed an excellent accuracy in distinguishing COPD from normal samples. CONCLUSIONS: The data provide a transcriptome-based evidence that GEM is related to COPD and macrophage polarization likely contributes to COPD diagnosis. At the same time, it is hoped that in-depth functional mining can provide new ideas for exploring the COPD pathogenesis.

S100B is selectively expressed by gray matter protoplasmic astrocytes and myelinating oligodendrocytes in the developing CNS.

Studies on the development of central nervous system (CNS) primarily rely on the use of specific molecular markers for different types of neural cells. S100B is widely being used as a specific marker for astrocytes in the CNS. However, the specificity of its expression in astrocyte lineage has not been systematically investigated and thus has remained a lingering issue. In this study, we provide several lines of molecular and genetic evidences that S100B is expressed in both protoplasmic astrocytes and myelinating oligodendrocytes. In the developing spinal cord, S100B is first expressed in the ventral neuroepithelial cells, and later in ALDH1L1+/GS+ astrocytes in the gray matter. Meanwhile, nearly all the S100B+ cells in the white matter are SOX10+/MYRF+ oligodendrocytes. Consistent with this observation, S100B expression is selectively lost in the white matter in Olig2-null mutants in which oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) are not produced, and dramatically reduced in Myrf-conditional knockout mutants in which OPCs fail to differentiate. Similar expression patterns of S100B are observed in the developing forebrain. Based on these molecular and genetic studies, we conclude that S100B is not a specific marker for astrocyte lineage; instead, it marks protoplasmic astrocytes in the gray matter and differentiating oligodendrocytes.

C1 Esterase Inhibitor Reduces BBB Leakage and Apoptosis in the Hypoxic Developing Mouse Brain.

Inflammatory pathways involved in blood-brain barrier (BBB) vulnerability and hypoxic brain oedema in models of perinatal brain injury seem to provide putative therapeutic targets. To investigate impacts of C1-esterase inhibitor (C1-INH; 7.5-30 IU/kg, i.p.) on functional BBB properties in the hypoxic developing mouse brain (P7; 8% O2 for 6 h), expression of pro-apoptotic genes (BNIP3, DUSP1), inflammatory markers (IL-1ß, TNF-alpha, IL-6, MMP), and tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1, -5), and S100b protein concentrations were analysed after a regeneration period of 24 h. Apoptotic cell death was quantified by CC3 immunohistochemistry and TUNEL staining. In addition to increased apoptosis in the parietal cortex, hippocampus, and subventricular zone, hypoxia significantly enhanced the brain-to-plasma albumin ratio, the cerebral S100b protein levels, BNIP3 and DUSP1 mRNA concentrations as well as mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, TNF-alpha). In response to C1-INH, albumin ratio and S100b concentrations were similar to those of controls. However, the mRNA expression of BNIP3 and DUSP1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as the degree of apoptosis were significantly decreased compared to non-treated controls. In addition, occludin mRNA levels were elevated in response to C1-INH (p < 0.01). Here, we demonstrate for the first time that C1-INH significantly decreased hypoxia-induced BBB leakage and apoptosis in the developing mouse brain, indicating its significance as a promising target for neuroprotective therapy.

Comparison of the effect of propofol and desflurane on S-100ß and GFAP levels during controlled hypotension for functional endoscopic sinus surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Although surgical field visualization is important in functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), the complications associated with controlled hypotension for surgery should be considered. Intraoperative hypotension is associated with postoperative stroke, leading to subsequent hypoxia with potential neurologic injury. We investigated the effect of propofol and desflurane anesthesia on S-100ß and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels which are early biomarkers for cerebral ischemic change during controlled hypotension for FESS. METHODS: For controlled hypotension during FESS, anesthesia was maintained with propofol/remifentanil in propofol group (n = 30) and with desflurane/remifentanil in desflurane group (n = 30). For S-100ß and GFAP assay, blood samples were taken at base, 20 and 60 minutes after achieving the target range of mean arterial pressure, and at 60 minutes after surgery. RESULTS: The base levels of S-100ß were 98.04 ±â€Š78.57 and 112.61 ±â€Š66.38 pg/mL in the propofol and desflurane groups, respectively. The base levels of GFAP were 0.997 ±â€Š0.486 and 0.898 ±â€Š0.472 ng/mL in the propofol and desflurane groups, respectively. The S-100ß and GFAP levels were significantly increased in the study period compared to the base levels in both groups (P ≤ .001). There was no significant difference at each time point between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: On comparing the effects of propofol and desflurane anesthesia for controlled hypotension on the levels of S-100ß and GFAP, we noted that there was no significant difference in S-100ß and GFAP levels between the 2 study groups. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Available at: http://cris.nih.go.kr, KCT0002698.

S100B Is a Potential Disease Activity Marker in Nonsegmental Vitiligo.

Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition characterized by progressive depigmentation of the skin. S100B is a damage-associated molecular pattern protein expressed in melanocytes that has been proposed as a marker of melanocyte cytotoxicity. Although the use of S100B as a biomarker in melanoma is well established, to our knowledge its association with vitiligo activity has not yet been investigated. Here, we show that S100B serum levels were significantly increased in patients with active nonsegmental vitiligo and strongly correlated with the affected body surface area. Prospective follow-up showed a predictive value of serum S100B levels on disease progression. In vitro experiments using repeated freeze-thaw procedures showed an intracellular up-regulation of S100B in normal and vitiligo melanocytes before an extensive release in the environment. This phenomenon may explain the increased S100B serum values in the active phase of vitiligo. In a monobenzone-induced vitiligo mouse model we could show the potential of S100B inhibition as a therapeutic strategy in vitiligo. In conclusion, this report shows the possible use of S100B as a biomarker for disease activity in vitiligo. Our data suggest that this damage-associated molecular pattern protein could play a substantial role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo and may be a potential new target for treatment.

Hemin protects against hippocampal damage following orthotopic autologous liver transplantation in adult rats.

AIMS: Induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has been widely accepted to be neuro-protective. This study aimed to examine whether hemin (a HO-1 inducer) attenuates neuronal damage in the hippocampus induced by orthotopic autologous liver transplantation (OALT) in adult rats. MAIN METHODS: Rats were randomly allocated into four groups (n=8 each): (i) Sham control group; (ii) OALT model group; (iii) Hemin+OALT group, with intra-peritoneal (i.p.) injection of hemin (5 mg/kg) 24 hours (h) before the OALT; and (iv) ZnPP (a HO-1 inhibitor)+OALT group, with i.p. injection of ZnPP (32 mg/kg) 24h before the OALT. Twenty four hours after the surgery, the hippocampal tissues were collected for electron microscopic examination and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) analysis. The levels of hippocampal HO-1 protein and serum S-100ß, the concentrations of regional tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukins (IL-6, IL-10), as well as the status of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the hippocampus were assessed. KEY FINDINGS: Rats suffered severe neuronal damage in the hippocampus after OALT, mainly in apoptosis. Pre-treatment with hemin obviously alleviated the damage; up-regulated the HO-1 protein level; inhibited the release of TNF-α, IL-6 and MDA; and promoted the activities of SOD, CAT and IL-10; however, pre-treatment with ZnPP did not exhibit the opposite effect, except that a marked increase in serum S-100ß level was detected. SIGNIFICANCE: Hemin up-regulated the expression of HO-1 and attenuated hippocampal neuronal damage induced by OALT.

Distribution and development of peripheral glial cells in the human fetal cochlea.

The adult human cochlea contains various types of peripheral glial cells that envelop or myelinate the three different domains of the spiral ganglion neurons: the central processes in the cochlear nerve, the cell bodies in the spiral ganglia, and the peripheral processes in the osseous spiral lamina. Little is known about the distribution, lineage separation and maturation of these peripheral glial cells in the human fetal cochlea. In the current study, we observed peripheral glial cells expressing SOX10, SOX9 and S100B as early as 9 weeks of gestation (W9) in all three neuronal domains. We propose that these cells are the common precursor to both mature Schwann cells and satellite glial cells. Additionally, the peripheral glial cells located along the peripheral processes expressed NGFR, indicating a phenotype distinct from the peripheral glial cells located along the central processes. From W12, the spiral ganglion was gradually populated by satellite glial cells in a spatiotemporal gradient. In the cochlear nerve, radial sorting was accomplished by W22 and myelination started prior to myelination of the peripheral processes. The developmental dynamics of the peripheral glial cells in the human fetal cochlea is in support of a neural crest origin. Our study provides the first overview of the distribution and maturation of peripheral glial cells in the human fetal cochlea from W9 to W22.

Effects of restraint stress on glial activity in the rostral ventromedial medulla.

Stress affects brain activity and promotes long-term changes in multiple neural systems. Exposure to stressors causes substantial effects on the perception and response to pain. In several animal models, chronic stress produces lasting hyperalgesia. Postmortem studies of patients with stress-related psychiatric disorders have demonstrated a decrease in the number of astrocytes and the level of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker for astrocyte, in the cerebral cortex. Since astrocytes play vital roles in maintaining neuroplasticity via synapse maintenance and secretion of neurotrophins, damage of astrocytes is thought to be involved in the neuropathology. In the present study we examined GFAP, S100ß and CD11b protein levels in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) after the subacute and chronic restraint stresses to clarify changes in descending pain modulatory system in the rat with stress-induced hyperalgesia. Chronic restraint stress (6h/day for 3 weeks), but not subacute restraint stress (6h/day for 3 days), caused a marked mechanical hypersensitivity. Subacute and chronic restraint stresses induced a significant decrease of GFAP protein level in the RVM (21.9 ± 3.6%, p<0.01 and 18.2 ± 5.1%, p<0.05 vs. control group, respectively). In the chronic stress group, the GFAP protein level in the RVM was positively correlated with the mechanical threshold (p<0.05). The immunohistochemical analysis revealed that chronic restraint stress induced a significant decrease in GFAP-immunoreactivity in the nucleus raphe magnus, a part of the RVM, compared to subacute restraint stress. In contrast there was no significant difference in the S100ß and CD11b protein levels between the control and stress groups. These findings suggest that the long-lasting decrease of GFAP protein induced by chronic restraint stress causes dysfunction of astrocytes, which may be involved in the impairment of the RVM that plays pivotal roles in pain modulation.

Chronic fluoxetine treatment changes S100B expression during postnatal rat brain development.

BACKGROUND: Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, is approved for treatment of childhood depression. In rats, fluoxetine influences neuronal development, but it is unclear whether it also influences glia development. S100B is a glia-derived calcium-binding protein, which may influence the development of serotonergic fibers and, vice versa, serotonin may influence the expression of S100B. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether fluoxetine treatment influences the expression of S100B during postnatal development, and whether potential changes are regionally dependent upon the time frame of drug administration. METHODS: S100B gene expression and S100B protein expression in three different brain regions (frontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum) were studied by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry, respectively. First, a short-term effect, 24 hours after a 14 day fluoxetine treatment (5 mg/kg/bw s.c.) of rats either from postnatal day (PD) 1 to 15, 21 to 35, or 50 to 64, was investigated. Then, the same treatment was used to analyze S100B gene and protein levels at PD 90 (long-term effect). RESULTS: At PD 90, a significant increase of gene and protein expression was observed in all regions if rats were treated during PDs 21-35, whereas treatment during other periods had no long-term effects. A short-term effect 24 hours after fluoxetine treatment was found for almost all development stages and regions, demonstrated by a significant increase of S100B. CONCLUSIONS: These results support recent research indicating a highly drug-sensitive period (i.e., periadolescence) of rat brain development. Therefore, further clinical studies should be performed to clarify whether such a sensitive period also exists in children.