Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science

Author Of 1 Presentation

Neuroprotection, Regeneration and/or Remyelination Oral Presentation

PS02.05 - Nanomodulation of microRNAs in Macrophages

Speakers
Presentation Number
PS02.05
Presentation Topic
Neuroprotection, Regeneration and/or Remyelination
Lecture Time
11:09 - 11:21

Abstract

Background

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is characterized by central nervous system infiltration of peripheral immune cells, the largest fraction of which are macrophages. The macrophage role in MS is multifaceted, in a pro-inflammatory or ‘M1’ state instructing demyelination and axonal loss, while the anti-inflammatory ‘M2’ state holds a key role in tissue repair and regeneration. Previously, we have identified that IL-10 inhibition of miR-155 is a prominent mechanism utilized by macrophages to maintain an M2 state. Moreover, using a miR-155 floxed x LysMCre model, where miR-155 is specifically deleted from myeloid cells, there was reduced disease onset and less lesion burden in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) animal model. Thus, we hypothesize miR-155 inhibition may favorably modulate the macrophage population to an ‘M2’ or pro-repair phenotype, reducing inflammation, alleviating disease progression, mimicking an IL-10 mediated effect.

Objectives

To investigate the therapeutic potential of a miR-155 anti-miRNA oligonucleotide (AMO) packaged in nanoparticle-based carriers to enhance uptake into macrophages.

Methods

4 AMOs were investigated for their ability to inhibit mir-155 in Raw 264.7 and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). The downstream effect of macrophage pro-inflammatory function in response to mir-155 inhibition was examined by measuring a range of macrophage polarisation parameters, including pro-inflammatory cytokine and nitric oxide (NO) production, expression of M2 markers Arginase-1 and CD206, two markers intricately tied with metabolism in the context of polarisation. PLGA and novel star-shaped polypeptides were also assessed for in vitro macrophage delivery.

Results

A locked nucleic acid (LNA) modified AMO showed the most promising results for mir-155 inhibition in both Raw 264.7 and BMDM. In further studies we show changes in expression of mir-155 target genes that mimic an IL-10 mediated phenotype, while mir-155 independent increases in M2 marker Arginase-1 suggest a more M2 like phenotype. Additionally, star-shaped polypeptides demonstrate the capacity for AMO delivery to BMDM.

Conclusions

mir-155 inhibition can be achieved through delivery of an AMO, and mimics crucial aspects of an IL-10 mediated macrophage phenotype. Star polypeptides represent a promising avenue towards macrophage-specific uptake and future in vivo delivery in MS animal models.

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Author Of 1 Presentation

Neuroprotection, Regeneration and/or Remyelination Poster Presentation

P0778 - IL-10 promotes myelin repair in an ex vivo model of remyelination and microRNA signatures of ex vivo remyelination (ID 1761)

Speakers
Presentation Number
P0778
Presentation Topic
Neuroprotection, Regeneration and/or Remyelination

Abstract

Background

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by peripheral immune infiltration of the CNS and subsequent demyelination of axons, leading in turn to neuron damage and death. This damage can be repaired, however, via a process of remyelination of previous damaged neurons. The cytokine IL-10 has been shown to promote a micro-environment conducive to myelin repair, however the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. MicroRNAs are known to play a central role in regulating remyelination, and represent a potential means by which IL-10 may influence remyelination. For example, we have previously shown that IL-10 can inhibit the microRNA miR-155 and may influence this process.

Objectives

To investigate the role of IL-10 in promoting remyelination and to profile global miRNA expression in an ex vivo model of remyelination.

Methods

Remyelination was modelled ex vivo by application of the demyelinating drug lysolecithin to cultured organotypic cerebellum and brain stem cultures, then treated with LPS and/or IL-10. The extent of remyelination was assessed using immunofluorescent microscopy and Image J analysis. Additionally, we used a custom designed OpenArray to assess microRNA expression in the demyelination and remyelination phases of this model. The expression of several microRNAs of interest were verified using RT-PCR.

Results

Demyelinated slices treated with a combination of LPS and IL-10 show greater remyelination than slices left untreated or that received only one of these stimuli. Moreover, brain slices obtained from miR-155 knockout mice displayed greater basal levels of remyelination, absent of any stimuli and suggest a mechanism by which IL-10 may mediate this effect. Additionally, from the OpenArray, we identified altered expression of several microRNAs across the phases of demyelination and remyelination in the brain slice model. One such microRNA, miR-448, was upregulated at the remyelination phase, and we further illustrate that several targets of this microRNAs are impacted.

Conclusions

IL-10 supports remyelination when combined with the inflammatory stimulus LPS, and possibly may work via miR-155 to promote repair. Several other miRNAs like miR-448 are also modulated during remyelination and may be worth exploring further.

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