LMP2 deficiency causes abnormal metabolism, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, myelin loss and neurobehavioral dysfunctions

Abstract

Background Substantial evidence suggests that immunoproteasome is implicated in the various neurological diseases such as stroke, multiple sclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases. However, whether the immunoproteasome itself deficiency causes brain disease is still unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the contribution of the immunoproteasome subunit low molecular weight protein 2 (LMP2) in neurobehavioral functions. Methods Male LMP2 gene completed knockout (LMP2-KO) and littermate wild type (WT) Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats aged 12-month-old were used for neurobehavioral testing and detection of proteins expression by western blotting and immunofluorescence. A battery of neurobehavioral test tools including Morris water maze (MWM), open field maze, elevated plus maze were used to evaluate the neurobehavioral changes in rats. Evans blue (EB) assay, Luxol fast blue (LFB) and Dihydroethidium (DHE) staining were applied to explore the blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity, brain myelin damage and brain intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, respectively. Results We firstly found that LMP2 gene deletion did not cause significantly difference in rats’ daily feeding activity, growth and development as well as blood routine, but it led to metabolic abnormalities including higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, uric acid and blood glucose in the LMP2-KO rats. Compared with the WT rats, LMP2-KO rats displayed obviously cognitive impairment and decreased exploratory activities, increased anxiety-like behavior and without strong effects on gross locomotor abilities. Furthermore, multiple myelin loss, increased BBB leakage, downregulation of tight junction proteins ZO-1, claudin-5 and occluding, and enhanced amyloid-β protein deposition were observed in brain regions of LMP2-KO rats. In addition, LMP2 deficiency significantly enhanced oxidative stress with elevated levels of ROS, caused the reactivation of astrocytes and microglials and markedly upregulated protein expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) compared to the WT rats, respectively. Conclusion These findings highlight LMP2 gene global deletion causes significant neurobehavioral dysfunctions. All these factors including metabolic abnormalities, multiple myelin loss, elevated levels of ROS, increased BBB leakage and enhanced amyloid-β protein deposition maybe work together and eventually led to chronic oxidative stress and neuroinflammation response in the brain regions of LMP2-KO rats, which contributed to the initial and progress of cognitive impairment.

Immunoproteasome deficiency results in age-dependent development of epilepsy

“…In addition, mice lacking LMP2 or LMP7 display substantial immunological deficiencies that may also contribute to the observed neurological phenotype. Recent studies suggest that both LMP7-deficient mice and LMP2-deficient rats have some neurobehavioural dysfunctions, 18 , 37 which may be even more pronounced in the absence of all three immunoproteasome subunits. Taken together, we conclude that all three immunoproteasome subunits, LMP2, MECL-1 and LMP7, are required in order to effectively protect the ageing brain from neurological disorders.…”

Potential Markers to Differentiate Uterine Leiomyosarcomas from Leiomyomas

“…LMP2/β1i is an immunoproteasome catalytic subunit 115 . Mice with LMP2/β1i gene deficiency were found to spontaneously develop ULMS through animal models 116 , 117 .…”

Brain-Permeable Immunoproteasome-Targeting Macrocyclic Peptide Epoxyketones for Alzheimer’s Disease

“…20 It should also be noted that the role of the iP on AD has been disputed, with conflicting results obtained from LMP2 knockout Sprague−Dawley rats, which displayed enhanced Aβ protein deposition and cognitive impairment compared to the wild-type rats. 21 Despite the discrepancy in the role of the iP in AD, the impacts of pharmacological inhibition of the iP in animal models of AD have not been investigated until recently.…”

“…Attenuated inflammation and ameliorated cognitive deficits were also observed in LMP2 knockout 5xFAD and APP/PS1 mice treated with inflammation-inducing agents such as Aβ or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) . It should also be noted that the role of the iP on AD has been disputed, with conflicting results obtained from LMP2 knockout Sprague–Dawley rats, which displayed enhanced Aβ protein deposition and cognitive impairment compared to the wild-type rats . Despite the discrepancy in the role of the iP in AD, the impacts of pharmacological inhibition of the iP in animal models of AD have not been investigated until recently.…”