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A Triple Primary Cell Culture Model of the Human Blood-Brain Barrier for Studying Ischemic Stroke <em>In Vitro</em>

Ischemic stroke is a major cause of death and disability worldwide with limited therapeutic options. The neuropathology of ischemic stroke is ...

University of Miami

Inflammation and an increase in antioxidant responses mediated by oxidative stress play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute liver injury (ALI). We utilized in silico prediction of biological activity spectra for substances (PASS) analysis to estimate the potential biological activity profile of deethylated ethoxyquin (DEQ) and hypothesized that DEQ exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in a rat model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced ALI. Our results demonstrate that DEQ improved liver function which was indicated by the reduction of histopathological liver changes. Treatment with DEQ reduced CCl-induced elevation of gene expression, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes (AEs), as well as the expression of transcription factors  and . Furthermore, DEQ treatment inhibited apoptosis, downregulated gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines ( and ), cyclooxygenase 2 (), decreased glutathione (GSH) level and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in rats with ALI. Notably, DEQ treatment led to an inhibition of CCl-induced NLRP3-inflammasome activation which was indicated by the reduced protein expression of IL-1β, caspase-1, and NLRP3 in the liver. Our data suggest that DEQ has a hepatoprotective effect mediated by redox-homeostasis regulation, NLRP3 inflammasome, and apoptosis inhibition, which makes that compound a promising candidate for future clinical studies.

Novel Antioxidant, Deethylated Ethoxyquin, Protects against Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats by Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Apoptosis.

Neurological complications are common in patients affected by COVID-19 due to the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to infect brains. While the mechanisms of this process are not fully understood, it has been proposed that SARS-CoV-2 can infect the cells of the neurovascular unit (NVU), which form the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The aim of the current study was to analyze the expression pattern of the main SARS-CoV-2 receptors in naïve and HIV-1-infected cells of the NVU in order to elucidate a possible pathway of the virus entry into the brain and a potential modulatory impact of HIV-1 in this process.

Expression of SARS-CoV-2-related receptors in cells of the neurovascular unit: implications for HIV-1 infection.

The neurovascular units (NVU) are the minimal functional units of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), composed of endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, microglia, neurons, and the basement membrane. The BBB serves as an important interface for immune communication between the brain and peripheral circulation. Disruption of the NVU by the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) induces dysfunction of the BBB and triggers inflammatory responses, which can lead to the development of neurocognitive impairments collectively known as HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Methamphetamine (METH) use disorder is a frequent comorbidity among individuals infected with HIV-1. METH use may be associated not only with rapid HIV-1 disease progression but also with accelerated onset and increased severity of HAND. However, the molecular mechanisms of METH-induced neuronal injury and cognitive impairment in the context of HIV-1 infection are poorly understood. In this review, we summarize recent progress in the signaling pathways mediating synergistic impairment of the BBB and neuronal injury induced by METH and HIV-1, potentially accelerating the onset or severity of HAND in HIV-1-positive METH abusers. We also discuss potential therapies to limit neuroinflammation and NVU damage in HIV-1-infected METH abusers.

Synergistic Impairment of the Neurovascular Unit by HIV-1 Infection and Methamphetamine Use: Implications for HIV-1-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders.

Article	Year
Novel Antioxidant, Deethylated Ethoxyquin, Protects against Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats by Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Apoptosis. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)\| PubMed ID: 33467773	2021
Expression of SARS-CoV-2-related receptors in cells of the neurovascular unit: implications for HIV-1 infection. Journal of neuroinflammation\| PubMed ID: 34325716	2021
Synergistic Impairment of the Neurovascular Unit by HIV-1 Infection and Methamphetamine Use: Implications for HIV-1-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders. Viruses\| PubMed ID: 34578464	2021

Nikolai Fattakhov

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