Molecular Mimicry between Toxoplasma gondii B-Cell Epitopes and Neurodevelopmental Proteins: An Immunoinformatic Approach.

Epidemiological studies and meta-analyses have shown a strong association between high seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and schizophrenia. Schizophrenic patients showed higher levels of anti-Toxoplasma immunoglobulins M and G (IgM and IgG) when compared to healthy controls. Previously, in a rat model, we demonstrated that the progeny of mothers immunized with T. gondii lysates before gestation had behavioral and social impairments during adulthood. Therefore, we suggested that T. gondii infection can trigger autoreactivity by molecularly mimicking host brain proteins. Here, we aimed to identify the occurrence of antigenic mimicry between T. gondii epitopes and host brain proteins. Using a bioinformatic approach, we predicted T. gondii RH-88 B cell epitopes and compared them to human cell-surface proteins involved in brain development and differentiation (BrainS). Five different algorithms for B-cell-epitope prediction were used and compared, resulting in 8584 T. gondii epitopes. We then compared T. gondii predicted epitopes to BrainS proteins by local sequence alignments using BLASTP. T. gondii immunogenic epitopes significantly overlapped with 42 BrainS proteins. Among these overlapping proteins essential for brain development and differentiation, we identified HSP90 and NOTCH receptors as the proteins most likely to be targeted by the maternally generated pathogenic antibodies due to their topological overlap at the extracellular region of their sequence. This analysis highlights the relevance of pregestational clinical surveillance and screening for potential pathogenic anti-T. gondii antibodies. It also identifies potential targets for the design of vaccines that could prevent behavioral and cognitive impairments associated with pre-gestational T. gondii exposure.

Modulation of Kynurenic Acid Production by N-acetylcysteine Prevents Cognitive Impairment in Adulthood Induced by Lead Exposure during Lactation in Mice.

Lead (Pb2+) exposure during early life induces cognitive impairment, which was recently associated with an increase in brain kynurenic acid (KYNA), an antagonist of NMDA and alpha-7 nicotinic receptors. It has been described that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) favors an antioxidant environment and inhibits kynurenine aminotransferase II activity (KAT II, the main enzyme of KYNA production), leading to brain KYNA levels decrease and cognitive improvement. This study aimed to investigate whether the NAC modulation of the brain KYNA levels in mice ameliorated Pb2+-induced cognitive impairment. The dams were divided into four groups: Control, Pb2+, NAC, and Pb2++NAC, which were given drinking water or 500 ppm lead acetate in the drinking water ad libitum, from 0 to 23 postnatal days (PNDs). The NAC and Pb2++NAC groups were simultaneously fed NAC (350 mg/day) in their chow from 0 to 23 PNDs. At PND 60, the effect of the treatment with Pb2+ and in combination with NAC on learning and memory performance was evaluated. Immediately after behavioral evaluation, brain tissues were collected to assess the redox environment; KYNA and glutamate levels; and KAT II activity. The NAC treatment prevented the long-term memory deficit exhibited in the Pb2+ group. As expected, Pb2+ group showed redox environment alterations, fluctuations in glutamate levels, and an increase in KYNA levels, which were partially avoided by NAC co-administration. These results confirmed that the excessive KYNA levels induced by Pb2+ were involved in the onset of cognitive impairment and could be successfully prevented by NAC treatment. NAC could be a tool for testing in scenarios in which KYNA levels are associated with the induction of cognitive impairment.

Mechanisms Associated with Cognitive and Behavioral Impairment Induced by Arsenic Exposure.

Arsenic (As) is a metalloid naturally present in the environment, in food, water, soil, and air; however, its chronic exposure, even with low doses, represents a public health concern. For a long time, As was used as a pigment, pesticide, wood preservative, and for medical applications; its industrial use has recently decreased or has been discontinued due to its toxicity. Due to its versatile applications and distribution, there is a wide spectrum of human As exposure sources, mainly contaminated drinking water. The fact that As is present in drinking water implies chronic human exposure to this metalloid; it has become a worldwide health problem, since over 200 million people live where As levels exceed safe ranges. Many health problems have been associated with As chronic exposure including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal disturbances, and brain dysfunctions. Because As can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the brain represents a target organ where this metalloid can exert its long-term toxic effects. Many mechanisms of As neurotoxicity have been described: oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, and mitochondrial dysfunction; all of them can converge, thus leading to impaired cellular functions, cell death, and in consequence, long-term detrimental effects. Here, we provide a current overview of As toxicity and integrated the global mechanisms involved in cognitive and behavioral impairment induced by As exposure show experimental strategies against its neurotoxicity.

Pregestational Exposure to T. gondii Produces Maternal Antibodies That Recognize Fetal Brain Mimotopes and Induces Neurochemical and Behavioral Dysfunction in the Offspring.

The activation of the maternal immune system by a prenatal infection is considered a risk factor for developing psychiatric disorders in the offspring. Toxoplasma gondii is one of the pathogenic infections associated with schizophrenia. Recent studies have shown an association between high levels of IgG anti-T. gondii from mothers and their neonates, with a higher risk of developing schizophrenia. The absence of the parasite and the levels of IgGs found in the early stages of life suggest a transplacental transfer of the anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies, which could bind fetal brain structures by molecular mimicry and induce alterations in neurodevelopment. This study aimed to determine the maternal pathogenic antibodies formation that led to behavioral impairment on the progeny of rats immunized with T. gondii. Female rats were immunized prior to gestation with T. gondii lysate (3 times/once per week). The anti-T. gondii IgG levels were determined in the serum of pregestational exposed females' previous mating. After this, locomotor activity, cognitive and social tests were performed. Cortical neurotransmitter levels for dopamine and glutamate were evaluated at 60 PND in the progeny of rats immunized before gestation (Pregestational group). The maternal pathogenic antibodies were evidenced by their binding to fetal brain mimotopes in the Pregestational group and the reactivity of the serum containing anti-T. gondii IgG was tested in control fetal brains (non-immunized). These results showed that the Pregestational group presented impairment in short and long-term memory, hypoactivity and alteration in social behavior, which was also associated with a decrease in cortical glutamate and dopamine levels. We also found the IgG antibodies bound to brain mimotopes in fetuses from females immunized with T. gondii, as well as observing a strong reactivity of the serum females immunized for fetal brain structures of fetuses from unimmunized mothers. Our results suggest that the exposure to T. gondii before gestation produced maternal pathogenic antibodies that can recognize fetal brain mimotopes and lead to neurochemical and behavioral alterations in the offspring.

Redox and Anti-Inflammatory Properties from Hop Components in Beer-Related to Neuroprotection.

Beer is a fermented beverage widely consumed worldwide with high nutritional and biological value due to its bioactive components. It has been described that both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer have several nutrients derived from their ingredients including vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and antioxidants that make beer a potential functional supplement. Some of these compounds possess redox, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties making the benefits of moderate beer consumption an attractive way to improve human health. Specifically, the hop cones used for beer brewing provide essential oils, bitter acids and flavonoids that are potent antioxidants and immune response modulators. This review focuses on the redox and anti-inflammatory properties of hop derivatives and summarizes the current knowledge of their neuroprotective effects.

Cognitive Impairment Induced by Lead Exposure during Lifespan: Mechanisms of Lead Neurotoxicity.

Lead (Pb) is considered a strong environmental toxin with human health repercussions. Due to its widespread use and the number of people potentially exposed to different sources of this heavy metal, Pb intoxication is recognized as a public health problem in many countries. Exposure to Pb can occur through ingestion, inhalation, dermal, and transplacental routes. The magnitude of its effects depends on several toxicity conditions: lead speciation, doses, time, and age of exposure, among others. It has been demonstrated that Pb exposure induces stronger effects during early life. The central nervous system is especially vulnerable to Pb toxicity; Pb exposure is linked to cognitive impairment, executive function alterations, abnormal social behavior, and fine motor control perturbations. This review aims to provide a general view of the cognitive consequences associated with Pb exposure during early life as well as during adulthood. Additionally, it describes the neurotoxic mechanisms associated with cognitive impairment induced by Pb, which include neurochemical, molecular, and morphological changes that jointly could have a synergic effect on the cognitive performance.

Subchronic N-acetylcysteine Treatment Decreases Brain Kynurenic Acid Levels and Improves Cognitive Performance in Mice.

The tryptophan (Trp) metabolite kynurenic acid (KYNA) is an α7-nicotinic and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist. Elevated brain KYNA levels are commonly seen in psychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases and may be related to cognitive impairments. Recently, we showed that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibits kynurenine aminotransferase II (KAT II), KYNA's key biosynthetic enzyme, and reduces KYNA neosynthesis in rats in vivo. In this study, we examined if repeated systemic administration of NAC influences brain KYNA and cognitive performance in mice. Animals received NAC (100 mg/kg, i.p.) daily for 7 days. Redox markers, KYNA levels, and KAT II activity were determined in the brain. We also assessed the effect of repeated NAC treatment on Trp catabolism using brain tissue slices ex vivo. Finally, learning and memory was evaluated with and without an acute challenge with KYNA's bioprecursor L-kynurenine (Kyn; 100 mg/kg). Subchronic NAC administration protected against an acute pro-oxidant challenge, decreased KYNA levels, and lowered KAT II activity and improved memory both under basal conditions and after acute Kyn treatment. In tissue slices from these mice, KYNA neosynthesis from Trp or Kyn was reduced. Together, our data indicate that prolonged treatment with NAC may enhance memory at least in part by reducing brain KYNA levels.

On the Antioxidant Properties of L-Kynurenine: An Efficient ROS Scavenger and Enhancer of Rat Brain Antioxidant Defense.

L-kynurenine (L-KYN) is an endogenous metabolite, that has been used as a neuroprotective strategy in experimental models. The protective effects of L-KYN have been attributed mainly to kynurenic acid (KYNA). However, considering that L-KYN is prone to oxidation, this redox property may play a substantial role in its protective effects. The aim of this work was to characterize the potential impact of the redox properties of L-KYN, in both synthetic and biological systems. First, we determined whether L-KYN scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) and prevents DNA and protein oxidative degradation in synthetic systems. The effect of L-KYN and KYNA (0.1-100 µM) on redox markers (ROS production, lipoperoxidation and cellular function) was compared in rat brain homogenates when exposed to FeSO4 (10 µM). Then, the effect of L-KYN administration (75 mg/kg/day for 5 days) on the GSH content and the enzymatic activity of glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was determined in rat brain tissue. Finally, brain homogenates from rats pretreated with L-KYN were exposed to pro-oxidants and oxidative markers were evaluated. The results show that L-KYN is an efficient scavenger of ●OH and ONOO-, but not O2●- or H2O2 and that it prevents DNA and protein oxidative degradation in synthetic systems. L-KYN diminishes the oxidative effect induced by FeSO4 on brain homogenates at lower concentrations (1 µM) when compared to KYNA (100 µM). Furthermore, the sub-chronic administration of L-KYN increased the GSH content and the activity of both GR and GPx, and also prevented the oxidative damage induced by the ex vivo exposure to pro-oxidants. Altogether, these findings strongly suggest that L-KYN can be considered as a potential endogenous antioxidant.

Alternative kynurenic acid synthesis routes studied in the rat cerebellum.

Kynurenic acid (KYNA), an astrocyte-derived, endogenous antagonist of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine and excitatory amino acid receptors, regulates glutamatergic, GABAergic, cholinergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission in several regions of the rodent brain. Synthesis of KYNA in the brain and elsewhere is generally attributed to the enzymatic conversion of L-kynurenine (L-KYN) by kynurenine aminotransferases (KATs). However, alternative routes, including KYNA formation from D-kynurenine (D-KYN) by D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) and the direct transformation of kynurenine to KYNA by reactive oxygen species (ROS), have been demonstrated in the rat brain. Using the rat cerebellum, a region of low KAT activity and high DAAO activity, the present experiments were designed to examine KYNA production from L-KYN or D-KYN by KAT and DAAO, respectively, and to investigate the effect of ROS on KYNA synthesis. In chemical combinatorial systems, both L-KYN and D-KYN interacted directly with peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) and hydroxyl radicals (OH•), resulting in the formation of KYNA. In tissue homogenates, the non-specific KAT inhibitor aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA; 1 mM) reduced KYNA production from L-KYN and D-KYN by 85.1 ± 1.7% and 27.1 ± 4.5%, respectively. Addition of DAAO inhibitors (benzoic acid, kojic acid or 3-methylpyrazole-5-carboxylic acid; 5 µM each) attenuated KYNA formation from L-KYN and D-KYN by ~35% and ~66%, respectively. ONOO(-) (25 µM) potentiated KYNA production from both L-KYN and D-KYN, and these effects were reduced by DAAO inhibition. AOAA attenuated KYNA production from L-KYN + ONOO(-) but not from D-KYN + ONOO(-). In vivo, extracellular KYNA levels increased rapidly after perfusion of ONOO(-) and, more prominently, after subsequent perfusion with L-KYN or D-KYN (100 µM). Taken together, these results suggest that different mechanisms are involved in KYNA production in the rat cerebellum, and that, specifically, DAAO and ROS can function as alternative routes for KYNA production.

Antioxidant properties of xanthones from Calophyllum brasiliense: prevention of oxidative damage induced by FeSO4.

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important mediators in a number of degenerative diseases. Oxidative stress refers to the imbalance between the production of ROS and the ability to scavenge these species through endogenous antioxidant systems. Since antioxidants can inhibit oxidative processes, it becomes relevant to describe natural compounds with antioxidant properties which may be designed as therapies to decrease oxidative damage and stimulate endogenous cytoprotective systems. The present study tested the protective effect of two xanthones isolated from the heartwood of Calophyllum brasilienses against FeSO4-induced toxicity. METHODS: Through combinatory chemistry assays, we evaluated the superoxide (O2·â»), hydroxyl radical (OH·), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and peroxynitrite (ONO⁻) scavenging capacity of jacareubin (xanthone III) and 2-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-1,3,5,6-tetrahydroxyxanthone (xanthone V). The effect of these xanthones on murine DNA and bovine serum albumin degradation induced by an OH· generator system was also evaluated. Additionally, we investigated the effect of these xanthones on ROS production, lipid peroxidation and glutathione reductase (GR) activity in FeSO4-exposed brain, liver and lung rat homogenates. RESULTS: Xanthone V exhibited a better scavenging capacity for O2·â», ONOO⁻ and OH· than xanthone III, although both xanthones were unable to trap H2O2. Additionally, xanthones III and V prevented the albumin and DNA degradation induced by the OH· generator system. Lipid peroxidation and ROS production evoked by FeSO4 were decreased by both xanthones in all tissues tested. Xanthones III and V also prevented the GR activity depletion induced by pro-oxidant activity only in the brain. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, the collected evidence suggests that xanthones can play a role as potential agents to attenuate the oxidative damage produced by different pro-oxidants.

Selenium-induced antioxidant protection recruits modulation of thioredoxin reductase during excitotoxic/pro-oxidant events in the rat striatum.

Selenium (Se) is a crucial element exerting antioxidant and neuroprotective effects in different toxic models. It has been suggested that Se acts through selenoproteins, of which thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) is relevant for reduction of harmful hydroperoxides and maintenance of thioredoxin (Trx) redox activity. Of note, the Trx/TrxR system remains poorly studied in toxic models of degenerative disorders. Despite previous reports of our group have demonstrated a protective role of Se in the excitotoxic/pro-oxidant model induced by quinolinic acid (QUIN) in the rat striatum (Santamaría et al., 2003, 2005), the precise mechanism(s) by which Se is inducing protection remains unclear. In this work, we characterized the time course of protective events elicited by Se as pretreatment (Na(2)SO(3), 0.625 mg/kg/day, i.p., administered for 5 consecutive days) in the toxic pattern produced by a single infusion of QUIN (240 nmol/µl) in the rat striatum, to further explore whether TrxR is involved in the Se-induced protection and how is regulated. Se attenuated the QUIN-induced early reactive oxygen species formation, lipid peroxidation, oxidative damage to DNA, loss of mitochondrial reductive capacity and morphological alterations in the striatum. Our results also revealed a novel pattern in which QUIN transiently stimulated an early TrxR cellular localization/distribution (at 30 min and 2 h post-lesion, evidenced by immunohistochemistry), to further stimulate a delayed protein activation (at 24 h) in a manner likely representing a compensatory response to the oxidative damage in course. In turn, Se induced an early stimulation of TrxR activity and expression in a time course that "matches" with the reduction of the QUIN-induced oxidative damage, suggesting that the Trx/TrxR system contributes to the resistance of nerve tissue to QUIN toxicity.