Title | Gx-50 Inhibits Neuroinflammation via α7 nAChR Activation of the JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/AKT Pathways. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2016 |
Authors | Shi, S, Liang, D, Bao, M, Xie, Y, Xu, W, Wang, L, Wang, Z, Qiao, Z |
Journal | J Alzheimers Dis |
Volume | 50 |
Issue | 3 |
Pagination | 859-71 |
Date Published | 2016 |
ISSN | 1875-8908 |
Keywords | Acrylamides, alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor, Amyloid beta-Peptides, Analysis of Variance, Animals, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Cell Line, Transformed, Cytokines, Enzyme Inhibitors, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Gene Expression Regulation, Janus Kinase 2, Mice, Microglia, Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases, Protein Binding, RNA, Messenger, Signal Transduction |
Abstract | Recent studies have revealed that the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) is a critical link between inflammation and neurodegeneration, which is closely associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways contribute to the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of α7nAChR. Our previous studies have shown that treatment with gx-50 improves cognitive function and is neuroprotective. Here, we investigated the effect of gx-50 on α7 nAChR and Aβ-induced inflammation in microglia. First, the binding affinity of gx-50 to α7 nAChR was examined using the fluorescence-based Octet RED system, and the expression of α7 nAChR was detected using real-time PCR and western blotting. We also investigated downstream events of α7 nAChR activity, including the translocation of p-STAT3 and the phosphorylation of JAK2, STAT3, PI3K, and AKT. Finally, the effect of gx-50 on Aβ-induced inflammation via α7 nAChR-mediated signaling pathways was investigated using cytokine assays. The results showed that gx-50 is able to act as a specific ligand to activate α7 nAChR, which then upregulates the JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways to inhibit the secretions of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β. In conclusion, the results suggest that gx-50 could inhibit the Aβ-induced inflammatory response in microglia via α7 nAChR activity, which might be a successful therapeutic target against AD. |
DOI | 10.3233/JAD-150963 |
Alternate Journal | J. Alzheimers Dis. |
PubMed ID | 26836188 |