| 1. |
- Clausen, Bettina Hjelm, et al.
(författare)
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Fumarate decreases edema volume and improves functional outcome after experimental stroke
- 2017
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Ingår i: Experimental Neurology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0014-4886. ; 295, s. 144-154
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Oxidative stress and inflammation exacerbate tissue damage in the brain after ischemic stroke. Dimethyl-fumarate (DMF) and its metabolite monomethyl-fumarate (MMF) are known to stimulate anti-oxidant pathways and modulate inflammatory responses. Considering these dual effects of fumarates, we examined the effect of MMF treatment after ischemic stroke in mice. Methods Permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) was performed using adult, male C57BL/6 mice. Thirty minutes after pMCAO, 20 mg/kg MMF was administered intravenously. Outcomes were evaluated 6, 24 and 48 h after pMCAO. First, we examined whether a bolus of MMF was capable of changing expression of kelch-like erythroid cell-derived protein with CNC homology-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf)2 in the infarcted brain. Next, we studied the effect of MMF on functional recovery. To explore mechanisms potentially influencing functional changes, we examined infarct volumes, edema formation, the expression of heat shock protein (Hsp)72, hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 2 (Hcar2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the infarcted brain using real-time PCR and Western blotting. Concentrations of a panel of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IFNγ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, TNF) were examined in both the infarcted brain tissue and plasma samples 6, 24 and 48 h after pMCAO using multiplex electrochemoluminiscence analysis. Results Administration of MMF increased the protein level of Nrf2 6 h after pMCAO, and improved functional outcome at 24 and 48 h after pMCAO. MMF treatment did not influence infarct size, however reduced edema volume at both 24 and 48 h after pMCAO. MMF treatment resulted in increased Hsp72 expression in the brain 6 h after pMCAO. Hcar2 mRNA levels increased significantly 24 h after pMCAO, but were not different between saline- and MMF-treated mice. MMF treatment also increased the level of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in the brain and plasma 6 h after pMCAO, and additionally reduced the level of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-12p70 in the brain at 24 and 48 h after pMCAO. Conclusions A single intravenous bolus of MMF improved sensory-motor function after ischemic stroke, reduced edema formation, and increased the levels of the neuroprotective protein Hsp72 in the brain. The early increase in IL-10 and reduction in IL-12p70 in the brain combined with changes in systemic cytokine levels may also contribute to the functional recovery after pMCAO.
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| 2. |
- Fex Svenningsen, Åsa, et al.
(författare)
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Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) modulates trophic signaling through interaction with serine protease HTRA1
- 2017
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Ingår i: Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences (CMLS). - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1420-682X .- 1420-9071. ; 24, s. 4561-4572
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a small conserved protein, is abundant in the immune- and central nervous system (CNS). MIF has several receptors and binding partners that can modulate its action on a cellular level. It is upregulated in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer although its function is far from clear. Here, we report the finding of a new binding partner to MIF, the serine protease HTRA1. This enzyme cleaves several growth factors, extracellular matrix molecules and is implicated in some of the same diseases as MIF. We show that the function of the binding between MIF and HTRA1 is to inhibit the proteolytic activity of HTRA1, modulating the availability of molecules that can change cell growth and differentiation. MIF is therefore the first endogenous inhibitor ever found for HTRA1. It was found that both molecules were present in astrocytes and that the functional binding has the ability to modulate astrocytic activities important in development and disease of the CNS.
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| 3. |
- Hjæresen, Simone, et al.
(författare)
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High temperature requirement A1 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor in the cerebrospinal fluid; a potential marker of conversion from relapsing-remitting to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of the Neurological Sciences. - 0022-510X .- 1878-5883. ; 457
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Predictive and prognostic biomarkers for multiple sclerosis (MS) remain a significant gap in MS diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Currently, there are no timely markers to diagnose the transition to secondary progressive MS (SPMS). Objective: This study aims to evaluate the discriminatory potential of the High temperature requirement serine protease (HTRA1)/Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ratio in distinguishing relapsing-remitting (RRMS) patients from SPMS patients. Methods: The MIF and HTRA1 CSF levels were determined using ELISA in healthy controls (n = 23), RRMS patients before (n = 22) and after 1 year of dimethyl fumarate treatment (n = 11), as well as in SPMS patients before (n = 11) and after 2 years of mitoxantrone treatment (n = 7). The ability of the HTRA1/MIF ratio to discriminate the different groups was determined using receiver operating curve (ROC) analyses. Results: The ratio was significantly increased in treatment naïve RRMS patients while decreased again in SPMS patients at baseline. Systemic administrated disease modifying treatment (DMT) only significantly affected the ratio in RRMS patients. ROC analysis demonstrated that the ratio could discriminate treatment naïve RRMS patients from SPMS patients with 91% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Conclusion: The HTRA1/MIF ratio is a strong candidate as a MS biomarker for SPMS conversion.
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| 4. |
- Kovacs, Katalin T., et al.
(författare)
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Change in autoantibody and cytokine responses during the evolution of neuromyelitis optica in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus : A preliminary study
- 2016
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Ingår i: Multiple Sclerosis Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 1352-4585 .- 1477-0970. ; 22:9, s. 1192-1201
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO)-systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) association is a rare condition characterized by multiple autoantibodies. Objective: To examine if, during the evolution of NMO, anti-AQP4 responses are part of polyclonal B cell activation, and if T cell responses contribute. Methods: In 19 samples of six patients who developed NMO during SLE, we examined the correlation of AQP4-IgG1 and IgM with (i) anti-MOG IgG and IgM, (ii) anti-nuclear, anti-nucleosome and anti-dsDNA IgG antibodies, (iii) cytokines and chemokines in the serum and (iv) longitudinal relation to NMO relapses/remission. Results: AQP4-IgG1 was present 1-2-5 years before the first NMO relapse. During relapse, AQP4-IgG1, ANA, anti-dsDNA and anti-nucleosome antibodies were elevated. Anti-MOG IgG/IgM and AQP4-IgM antibodies were not detected. AQP4-IgG1 antibodies correlated with concentration of anti-nucleosome, IFN-γ,interferon-gamma-induced CCL10/IP-10 and CCL17/TARC (p
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| 5. |
- Molnar, Tihamer, et al.
(författare)
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Severe fatigue and memory impairment are associated with lower serum level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in patients with Post-COVID symptoms
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Medicine. - : MDPI. - 2077-0383. ; 10:19, s. 4337-4337
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Post-COVID manifestation is defined as persistent symptoms or long-term complications beyond 4 weeks from disease onset. Fatigue and memory impairment are common post-COVID symptoms. We aimed to explore associations between the timeline and severity of post-COVID fatigue and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.Methods: Fatigue and memory impairment were assessed in a total of 101 post-COVID subjects using the Chalder fatigue scale (CFQ-11) and a visual analogue scale. Using the bimodal scoring system generated from CFQ-11, a score ≥4 was defined as severe fatigue. Serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike (anti-S-Ig) and nucleocapsid (anti-NC-Ig) antibodies were examined at two time points: 4-12 weeks after onset of symptoms, and beyond 12 weeks.Results: The serum level of anti-S-Ig was significantly higher in patients with non-severe fatigue compared to those with severe fatigue at 4-12 weeks (p = 0.006) and beyond 12 weeks (p = 0.016). The serum level of anti-NC-Ig remained high in patients with non-severe fatigue at both time points. In contrast, anti-NC-Ig decreased significantly in severe fatigue cases regardless of the elapsed time (4-12 weeks: p = 0.024; beyond 12 weeks: p = 0.005). The incidence of memory impairment was significantly correlated with lower anti-S-Ig levels (-0.359, p < 0.001).Conclusion: The systemic immune response reflected by antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 is strongly correlated with the severity of post-COVID fatigue.
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| 6. |
- Oji, Satoru, et al.
(författare)
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Experimental Neuromyelitis Optica Induces a Type I Interferon Signature in the Spinal Cord
- 2016
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE. - 1932-6203. ; 11:3, s. e0151244-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an acute inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) which predominantly affects spinal cord and optic nerves. Most patients harbor pathogenic autoantibodies, the so-called NMO-IgGs, which are directed against the water channel aquaporin 4 (AQP4) on astrocytes. When these antibodies gain access to the CNS, they mediate astrocyte destruction by complement-dependent and by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. In contrast to multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who benefit from therapies involving type I interferons (I-IFN), NMO patients typically do not profit from such treatments. How is I-IFN involved in NMO pathogenesis? To address this question, we made gene expression profiles of spinal cords from Lewis rat models of experimental neuromyelitis optica (ENMO) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We found an upregulation of I-IFN signature genes in EAE spinal cords, and a further upregulation of these genes in ENMO. To learn whether the local I-IFN signature is harmful or beneficial, we induced ENMO by transfer of CNS antigen-specific T cells and NMO-IgG, and treated the animals with I-IFN at the very onset of clinical symptoms, when the blood-brain barrier was open. With this treatment regimen, we could amplify possible effects of the I-IFN induced genes on the transmigration of infiltrating cells through the blood brain barrier, and on lesion formation and expansion, but could avoid effects of I-IFN on the differentiation of pathogenic T and B cells in the lymph nodes. We observed that I-IFN treated ENMO rats had spinal cord lesions with fewer T cells, macrophages/activated microglia and activated neutrophils, and less astrocyte damage than their vehicle treated counterparts, suggesting beneficial effects of I-IFN.
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| 7. |
- Petzold, Axel, et al.
(författare)
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Diagnosis and classification of optic neuritis
- 2022
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Ingår i: Lancet Neurology. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. - 1474-4422 .- 1474-4465. ; 21:12, s. 1120-1134
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- There is no consensus regarding the classification of optic neuritis, and precise diagnostic criteria are not available. This reality means that the diagnosis of disorders that have optic neuritis as the first manifestation can be challenging. Accurate diagnosis of optic neuritis at presentation can facilitate the timely treatment of individuals with multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease. Epidemiological data show that, cumulatively, optic neuritis is most frequently caused by many conditions other than multiple sclerosis. Worldwide, the cause and management of optic neuritis varies with geographical location, treatment availability, and ethnic background. We have developed diagnostic criteria for optic neuritis and a classification of optic neuritis subgroups. Our diagnostic criteria are based on clinical features that permit a diagnosis of possible optic neuritis; further paraclinical tests, utilising brain, orbital, and retinal imaging, together with antibody and other protein biomarker data, can lead to a diagnosis of definite optic neuritis. Paraclinical tests can also be applied retrospectively on stored samples and historical brain or retinal scans, which will be useful for future validation studies. Our criteria have the potential to reduce the risk of misdiagnosis, provide information on optic neuritis disease course that can guide future treatment trial design, and enable physicians to judge the likelihood of a need for long-term pharmacological management, which might differ according to optic neuritis subgroups.
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| 8. |
- Szabó, Tamás, et al.
(författare)
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Stability and dye inclusion of graphene oxide/polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer self-assembled films in saline, acidic and basic aqueous solutions
- 2017
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Ingår i: Carbon. - : Elsevier. - 0008-6223 .- 1873-3891. ; 111, s. 350-357
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We demonstrate that a simple spectrophotometric method can be efficiently applied for the characterization of structural and chemical stability and adsorption properties of composite graphene oxide (GO) films in various solutions. The immersion stability of GO layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembled with a polycation into ultrathin multilayered films was studied in water and in concentrated salty, acidic and basic solutions by UV-visible spectroscopy. These films were found to retain both their chemical stability and physical integrity in water, salt and HCl solutions with a slight rearrangement of the nanoscale structure as shown by the change in their visible spectrum. However, immersion into NaOH solutions above molar concentration led to the deconstruction of the multilayer structure by base-induced deoxygenation of GO. The adsorption of methylene blue on polymer/GO LbL films of various thicknesses revealed that the multilayers are largely impermeable towards this cationic dye.
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| 9. |
- Tsymala, Irina, et al.
(författare)
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Induction of aquaporin 4-reactive antibodies in Lewis rats immunized with aquaporin 4 mimotopes
- 2020
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Ingår i: Acta neuropathologica communications. - : BMC. - 2051-5960. ; 8:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Most cases of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) harbor pathogenic autoantibodies against the water channel aquaporin 4 (AQP4). Binding of these antibodies to AQP4 on astrocytes initiates damage to these cells, which culminates in the formation of large tissue destructive lesions in the central nervous system (CNS). Consequently, untreated patients may become permanently blind or paralyzed. Studies on the induction and breakage of tolerance to AQP4 could be of great benefit for NMOSD patients. So far, however, all attempts to create suitable animal models by active sensitization have failed. We addressed this challenge and identified peptides, which mimic the conformational AQP4 epitopes recognized by pathogenic antibodies of NMOSD patients. Here we show that these mimotopes can induce the production of AQP4-reactive antibodies in Lewis rats. Hence, our results provide a conceptual framework for the formation of such antibodies in NMOSD patients, and aid to improve immunization strategies for the creation of animal models suitable for tolerance studies in this devastating disease.
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