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Nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream effector heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) are commonly activated in response to cellular stresses. The elevated expression of HO-1 has been associated with markedly accelerated peripheral nerve regeneration. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a naturally occurring dietary Nrf2/HO-1 activator—sulforaphane (SFN)—on regeneration in a murine sciatic nerve crush model. The beneficial safety profile of SFN has been thoroughly investigated and confirmed several times. Here, SFN was administered daily, starting immediately after C57BL/6 mice were subjected to sciatic nerve crush injury. Injured sciatic nerves were excised at various time points post injury for molecular, immunohistochemical and morphometric analyses. Moreover, functional assessment was performed by grip strength analysis and electrophysiology. Following SFN treatment, the early response to injury includes a modulation of autophagic pathways and marked upregulation of Nrf2/HO-1 expression. This enhancement of HO-1 expression was maintained throughout the regeneration phase and accompanied by a significant increase in repair Schwann cells. In these cells, elevated proliferation rates were observed. Significant improvements in grip strength test performance, nerve conduction velocity and remyelination were also noted following SFN treatment. Collectively, SFN modulates cytoprotective and autophagic pathways in the injured nerve, increasing the number of repair Schwann cells and contributing to effective nerve regeneration. Given the availability of SFN as a nutritional supplement, this compound might constitute a novel regenerative approach with broad patient accessibility and further studies on this topic are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) comprise a broad spectrum of symptoms such as fatigue, general weakness, compromised attention and sleep or anxiety disorders. PASC represents a medical and socio-economic challenge. Objectives: Our study evaluated cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα) and cortisol levels in a cohort of typical patients with PASC, suffering concentration problems, fatigue and difficulties finding words. Design: This was a prospective cohort study. Four groups were analysed and compared: those who had never contracted SARS-CoV-2 (n = 13), infected but had no PASC (n = 34), infected with former PASC that resolved (n = 40) and patients with ongoing PASC after infection (n = 91). Methods: Cytokine and cortisol serum levels were determined in patients' blood samples. Results: Cytokine levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα and cortisol levels did not differ between groups analysed. Conclusion: This may indicate a non-organic/psychosomatic genesis of PASC; further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying causes of PACS, and non-organic causes should not be overlooked. Plain language summary: Without clear biological markers for people who will continue to present with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) should we now focus on psychological factors? Many people across the globe are still suffering from post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), commonly called post-COVID. Typical symptoms of PASC include severe tiredness (fatigue), concentration deficits (brain fog) or difficulty finding words. We need a better understanding of how these symptoms arise to find ways to help patients. Our team of researchers set out to explore this. We posed the question: could measurements of immune system activity provide an identifier for people who are susceptible to post-COVID? The participants in our study were divided into four groups: 1. A group of 13 people who had never contracted SARS-CoV-2. 2. A group of 34 people who had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 but had no PASC. 3. A group of 40 people who had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 and had already suffered from PASC that had now resolved. 4. A group of 91 people who were no longer sick with COVID-19 but were still suffering from PASC. Serum samples from all participants were taken to measure cytokine and cortisol levels. People with PASC could not be identified by testing their blood samples for cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα) or cortisol. No difference between the four groups was found on any marker. Measuring these cytokines or cortisol is, therefore, unlikely to be useful in predicting which patients will suffer from PASC. Continuation of symptoms long after COVID-19 has passed is distressing for many people worldwide. Psychological factors may play a role and need to be studied further in order to help this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a pleiotropic lipid messenger that addresses at least six specific G-protein coupled receptors. Accumulating evidence indicates a significant involvement of LPA in immune cell regulation as well as Schwann cell physiology, with potential relevance for the pathophysiology of peripheral neuroinflammation. However, the role of LPA signaling in inflammatory neuropathies has remained completely undefined. Given the broad expression of LPA receptors on both Schwann cells and cells of the innate and adaptive immune system, we hypothesized that inhibition of LPA signaling may ameliorate the course of disease in experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN).Methods: We induced active EAN by inoculation of myelin protein 2 peptide (P255-78) in female Lewis rats. Animals received the orally available LPA receptor antagonist AM095, specifically targeting the LPA1 receptor subtype. AM095 was administered daily via oral gavage in a therapeutic regimen from 10 until 28 days post-immunization (dpi). Analyses were based on clinical testing, hemogram profiles, immunohistochemistry and morphometric assessment of myelination.Results: Lewis rats treated with AM095 displayed a significant improvement in clinical scores, most notably during the remission phase. Cellular infiltration of sciatic nerve was only discretely affected by AM095. Hemogram profiles indicated no impact on circulating leukocytes. However, sciatic nerve immunohistochemistry revealed a reduction in the number of Schwann cells expressing the dedifferentiation marker Sox2 paralleled by a corresponding increase in differentiating Sox10-positive Schwann cells. In line with this, morphometric analysis of sciatic nerve semi-thin sections identified a significant increase in large-caliber myelinated axons at 28 dpi. Myelin thickness was unaffected by AM095.Conclusion: Thus, LPA1 signaling may present a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory neuropathies, potentially affecting regenerative responses in the peripheral nerve by modulating Schwann cell differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is - in certain aspects - regarded as an animal model of the human CNS autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS). While in EAE CNS-autoantigen-specific immunity is induced in a defined way, the initial processes leading to CNS autoimmunity in humans are so far unknown. Despite essential restrictions, which exist regarding the interpretation of EAE data towards MS, EAE might be a useful model to study certain basic aspects of CNS autoimmunity. Studies in MS have demonstrated that established autoimmune pathology can be critically influenced by environmental factors, in particular viral and bacterial infections. To investigate this interaction, EAE as an instrument to study CNS autoimmunity under defined conditions appears to be a suitable experimental tool. For this reason, we here investigated the influence of the Toll-like-receptor (TLR) ligand CpG oligonucleotide (CpG) on already established CNS autoimmunity in murine proteolipid protein (PLP)-induced EAE in SJL mice. CpG were found to co-stimulate PLPp-specific IFN-γ production in the peripheral immune system and in the CNS. However, CpG induced Interleukin (IL)-17 production in the inflamed CNS both alone and in combination with additional PLPp stimulation. These findings might indicate a mechanism by which systemic infections and the microbial stimuli associated with them may influence already existing CNS autoimmune pathology.