| Title | Dopaminergic neurons lacking Caspase-3 avoid apoptosis but undergo necrosis after MPTP treatment inducing a Galectin-3-dependent selective microglial phagocytic response |
|---|---|
| Authors | García-Revilla J. , Ruiz R. , Espinosa-Oliva A.M. , Santiago M. , GARCÍA DOMÍNGUEZ, IRENE, Camprubí-Ferrer L. , Bachiller S. , Deierborg T. , Joseph B. , de Pablos R.M. , Rodríguez-Gómez J.A. , Venero J.L. |
| External publication | No |
| Means | Cell Death Dis. |
| Scope | Article |
| Nature | Científica |
| JCR Quartile | 1 |
| SJR Quartile | 1 |
| Web | https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85202916130&doi=10.1038%2fs41419-024-07014-9&partnerID=40&md5=7bbad8f73171851d94ce7b16d6173b45 |
| Publication date | 01/01/2024 |
| ISI | 001303266600001 |
| Scopus Id | 2-s2.0-85202916130 |
| DOI | 10.1038/s41419-024-07014-9 |
| Abstract | Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Apoptosis is thought to play a critical role in the progression of PD, and thus understanding the effects of antiapoptotic strategies is crucial for developing potential therapies. In this study, we developed a unique genetic model to selectively delete Casp3, the gene encoding the apoptotic protein caspase-3, in dopaminergic neurons (TH-C3KO) and investigated its effects in response to a subacute regime of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) administration, which is known to trigger apoptotic loss of SNpc dopaminergic neurons. We found that Casp3 deletion did not protect the dopaminergic system in the long term. Instead, we observed a switch in the cell death pathway from apoptosis in wild-type mice to necrosis in TH-C3KO mice. Notably, we did not find any evidence of necroptosis in our model or in in vitro experiments using primary dopaminergic cultures exposed to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium in the presence of pan-caspase/caspase-8 inhibitors. Furthermore, we detected an exacerbated microglial response in the ventral mesencephalon of TH-C3KO mice in response to MPTP, which mimicked the microglia neurodegenerative phenotype (MGnD). Under these conditions, it was evident the presence of numerous microglial phagocytic cups wrapping around apparently viable dopaminergic cell bodies that were inherently associated with galectin-3 expression. We provide evidence that microglia exhibit phagocytic activity towards both dead and stressed viable dopaminergic neurons through a galectin-3-dependent mechanism. Overall, our findings suggest that inhibiting apoptosis is not a beneficial strategy for treating PD. Instead, targeting galectin-3 and modulating microglial response may be more promising approaches for slowing PD progression. © The Author(s) 2024. |
| Keywords | 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; Animals; Apoptosis; Caspase 3; Dopaminergic Neurons; Galectin 3; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Microglia; Necrosis; Phagocytosis; 1,2,3,6 tetrahydro 1 methyl 4 phenylpyridine; caspase 3; dopamine; galectin 3; 1,2,3,6 tetrahydro 1 methyl 4 phenylpyridine; caspase 3; galectin 3; Lgals3 protein, mouse; animal cell; animal experiment; animal tissue; Article; cell body; cell death; controlled study; dopaminergic nerve cell; dopaminergic system; gene deletion; genetic model; in vitro study; male; microglia; mouse; necroptosis; nerve cell culture; nerve cell necrosis; neuroapoptosis; nigroneostriatal system; nonhuman; phagocytosis; phenotype; protein expression; ventral mesencephalon; wild type mouse; animal; apoptosis; C57BL mouse; drug effect; genetics; knockout mouse; metabolism; necrosis; pathology |
| Universidad Loyola members |