Astrocytes in multiple sclerosis: A product of their environment

It has long been thought that astrocytes, like other glial cells, simply provide a support mechanism for neuronal function in the healthy and inflamed central nervous system (CNS). However, recent evidence suggests that astrocytes play an active and dual role in CNS inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Astrocytes not only have the ability to enhance immune responses and inhibit myelin repair, but they can also be protective and limit CNS inflammation while supporting oligodendrocyte and axonal regeneration. The particular impact of these cells on the pathogenesis and repair of an inflammatory demyelinating process is dependent upon a number of factors, including the stage of the disease, the type and microenvironment of the lesion, and the interactions with other cell types and factors that influence their activation. In this review, we summarize recent data supporting the idea that astrocytes play a complex role in the regulation of CNS autoimmunity.     

海洋来源真菌Penicillium citrinum的化学成分及其活性研究

为研究海洋来源真菌橘青霉（Penicillium citrinum）的次生代谢产物及其活性,采用凝胶柱层析、正相硅胶柱层析以及高效液相色谱等方法对菌株发酵液的乙酸乙酯提取物进行分离,通过LC-MS、NMR结构鉴定和文献数据对比等方法进行鉴定。结果表明,分离到的7个已知化合物经鉴定分别为3,3-二吲哚烷基-1,2-丙二醇（1）、robillafuran （2）、asperfuran A （3）、gamahorin （4）、7-羟基-5-甲氧基-4,6-二甲基-异苯并呋喃酮（5）、5-甲氧基-4,6-二甲基-7-氧-α-L-鼠李糖基-异苯并呋喃酮（6）、pestynol （7）。化合物1-7均为首次从青霉属真菌中分离得到,化合物1首次从真菌的次生代谢产物中发现。活性筛选结果表明,化合物7具有抗菌活性,化合物1和7对Marc-145细胞具有较强的细胞毒活性,半数致死浓度（Median Lethal Concentration,LC₅₀）值分别为57.397 μg/mL和35.386 μg/mL;在LPS诱导的BV-2细胞模型中,化合物2和4在浓度为12 μg/mL时,BV-2细胞的存活率分别为76.77%和69.69%,具有潜在的抗神经炎症活性。     

神经炎症与神经退行性疾病

 在脑损伤、感染等应激条件的诱导下,中枢神经系统中的小胶质细胞会迅速活化并促进神经炎症的发生。神经退行性疾病中同样存在广泛的慢性神经炎症,神经炎症还可能直接参与诱导了疾病的发生。对阿尔茨海默病等多种神经退行性疾病中炎症的活化机制,以及炎症如何诱导疾病发生和加重疾病进程的前沿研究进展进行了综述。提出找到那些靶向小胶质细胞活化关键位点,并具有良好血脑屏障通透性的药物是下一步的重点研究目标。     

芒柄花素保护前脑缺血再灌注损伤中的血脑屏障并抑制神经炎症

目的:观察黄芪在脑缺血再灌注损伤模型中异黄酮成分"芒柄花素"对前脑缺血再灌注损伤大鼠血脑屏障(BBB)的作用及抗神经炎症的效果.方法:大脑中动脉阻塞建立大鼠脑缺血模型,伊文思蓝渗透实验计算BBB通透性,原位明胶酶谱检测基质金属蛋白酶(MMPs)活性以及荧光定量PCR检测炎症因子mRNA表达.结果:芒柄花素可显著改善脑缺血再灌大鼠的神经功能缺损和BBB通透性,降低MMP-9的表达、脑内MMPs活性并减少诱导型一氧化氮合酶(i NOS)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和白介素(IL-1β)等炎症因子的mRNA在缺血脑片上的表达.结论:芒柄花素具有降低脑缺血再灌注损伤中的BBB通透性和抑制神经炎症的作用.