Back to Search
Start Over
Slc6a3-dependent expression of a CAPS-associated Nlrp3 allele results in progressive behavioral abnormalities and neuroinflammation in aging mice.
- Source :
-
Journal of neuroinflammation [J Neuroinflammation] 2020 Jul 17; Vol. 17 (1), pp. 213. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Jul 17. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Background: An association between neuroinflammation and age-related neurologic disorders has been established but the molecular mechanisms and cell types involved have not been thoroughly characterized. Activity of the proinflammatory NLRP3 inflammasome is implicated in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and our recent studies in patients suggest that dopaminergic neurons within the degenerating mesencephalon express NLRP3 throughout the progression of PD. Here, we directly test the impact of enhanced inflammasome activity in mesencephalic neurons by characterizing motor function, tissue integrity, and neuroinflammation in aging mice harboring hyperactivating mutations within the endogenous murine Nlrp3 locus, enabled only in cells expressing the dopaminergic neuron-specific Slc6a3 promoter.<br />Methods: We compared mice harboring inducible alleles encoding the cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome activating mutations Nlrp3 <superscript>A350V</superscript> and Nlrp3 <superscript>L351P</superscript> inserted into the endogenous mouse Nlrp3 locus. Tissue specific expression was driven by breeding these animals with mice expressing Cre recombinase under the control of the dopaminergic neuron-specific Slc6a3 promoter. The experimental mice, designed to express hyperactive NLRP3 only when the endogenous mouse Nlrp3 promotor is active in dopaminergic neurons, were analyzed throughout 18 months of aging using longitudinal motor function assessments. Biochemical and histologic analyses of mesencephalic tissues were conducted in 1- and 18-month-old animals.<br />Results: We observed progressive and significant deficits in motor function in animals expressing Nlrp3 <superscript>L351P</superscript> , compared with animals expressing Nlrp3 <superscript>WT</superscript> and Nlrp3 <superscript>A350V</superscript> . Age-dependent neuroinflammatory changes in the mesencephalon were noted in all animals. Analysis of GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes in the substantia nigra revealed a significant increase in astrocyte number in animals expressing Nlrp3 <superscript>L351P</superscript> compared with Nlrp3 <superscript>WT</superscript> and Nlrp3 <superscript>A350V</superscript> . Further analysis of Nlrp3 <superscript>L351P</superscript> striatal tissues indicated genotype specific gliosis, elevated Il1b expression, and both morphologic and gene expression indicators of proinflammatory A1 astrocytes.<br />Conclusions: Dopaminergic neurons have the potential to accumulate NLRP3 inflammasome activators with age, including reactive oxygen species, dopamine metabolites, and misfolded proteins. Results indicate the Nlrp3 locus is active in dopaminergic neurons in aging mice, and that the hyperactive Nlrp3 <superscript>L351P</superscript> allele can drive neuroinflammatory changes in association with progressive behavioral deficits. Findings suggest neuronal NLRP3 inflammasome activity may contribute to neuroinflammation observed during normal aging and the progression of neurologic disorders.
- Subjects :
- Aging genetics
Aging pathology
Alleles
Animals
Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes genetics
Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes pathology
Disease Progression
Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins genetics
Dopaminergic Neurons metabolism
Dopaminergic Neurons pathology
Gene Expression
Inflammation genetics
Inflammation metabolism
Inflammation pathology
Mice
Mice, Transgenic
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein genetics
Aging metabolism
Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes metabolism
Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins biosynthesis
Inflammation Mediators metabolism
Motor Activity physiology
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein biosynthesis
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1742-2094
- Volume :
- 17
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of neuroinflammation
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 32680528
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-020-01866-6