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中国药学(英文版) ›› 2024, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (12): 1110-1117.DOI: 10.5246/jcps.2024.12.080

• 【研究论文】 • 上一篇    下一篇

α-半乳糖神经酰胺(α-Galcer)调节脑内炎症微环境改善Aβ1–42模型小鼠学习记忆功能的机制研究

景光婵2,#, 康静婷1,#, 纪超1,*()   

  1. 1. 中国医学科学院 基础医学研究所 北京协和医学院基础学院 基础医学国家级实验教学示范中心, 北京 100005
    2. 中国医学科学院 北京协和医院 中医科, 北京 100730
  • 收稿日期:2024-07-23 修回日期:2024-08-15 接受日期:2024-09-28 出版日期:2025-01-07 发布日期:2025-01-06
  • 通讯作者: 纪超

α-Galactosylceramide modulates the brain’s inflammatory microenvironment to counteract learning and memory dysfunction in Aβ1–42 model mice

Guangchan Jing2,#, Jingting Kang1,#, Chao Ji1,*()   

  1. 1 National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Education (Peking Union Medical College), Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
    2 Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
  • Received:2024-07-23 Revised:2024-08-15 Accepted:2024-09-28 Online:2025-01-07 Published:2025-01-06
  • Contact: Chao Ji
  • About author:

    # Guangchan Jing and Jingting Kang contributed equally to this work.

  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81100801).

摘要:

阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer’s disease, AD)是老年人群中最常见的神经退行性疾病。β-淀粉样蛋白(amyloid-β, Aβ)聚集诱导的神经炎症被认为是AD病理机制的关键因素。据报道, 选择性激活的(M2)巨噬细胞/小胶质细胞可以及时终止神经炎症, 从而在神经退行性疾病中发挥神经保护作用。本研究探讨了α-Galcer对AD模型小鼠学习记忆功能的改善作用及其机制。实验结果显示α-Galcer给药后诱导干扰素调节因子(IRF)5/IRF4的比值降低, 从而促进M2型小胶质细胞比例增加。α-Galcer的这些作用主要是通过影响AD模型小鼠脑内炎症相关细胞因子的表达, 从而诱导神经炎症反应的适时终止, 最终发挥认知功能的改善作用。

关键词: 阿尔茨海默氏病, α-半乳糖神经酰胺, M2型小胶质细胞/巨噬细胞, 神经炎症, 小胶质细胞极化

Abstract:

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder affecting the elderly. Among its pathological mechanisms, neuroinflammation triggered by amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation is considered a key contributor. Alternatively activated (M2) macrophages and microglia have been shown to play a pivotal role in curbing neuroinflammation, thereby offering neuroprotective effects in neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, we explored the therapeutic potential of α-galactosylceramide (α-Galcer) in enhancing learning and memory functions in AD model mice while delving into its underlying mechanisms. Our findings demonstrated that α-Galcer administration lowered the interferon regulatory factor (IRF)5/IRF4 ratio, leading to a higher proportion of M2 microglia and macrophages. These beneficial effects were achieved by modulating the expression of inflammation-related cytokines in the brains of AD model mice, thereby accelerating the resolution of neuroinflammation and ultimately enhancing cognitive performance.

Key words: Alzheimer’s disease, α-Galcer, M2 microglia/macrophage, Neuroinflammation, Microglial polarization

Supporting: