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Nox2 contributes to age-related oxidative damage to neurons and the cerebral vasculature
Lampson M. Fan, … , Keith M. Channon, Jian-Mei Li
Lampson M. Fan, … , Keith M. Channon, Jian-Mei Li
Published August 1, 2019; First published July 22, 2019
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2019;129(8):3374-3386. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI125173.
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Categories: Research Article Aging Neuroscience

Nox2 contributes to age-related oxidative damage to neurons and the cerebral vasculature

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Abstract

Oxidative stress plays an important role in aging-related neurodegeneration. This study used littermates of WT and Nox2-knockout (Nox2KO) mice plus endothelial cell–specific human Nox2 overexpression–transgenic (HuNox2Tg) mice to investigate Nox2-derived ROS in brain aging. Compared with young WT mice (3–4 months), aging WT mice (20–22 months) had obvious metabolic disorders and loss of locomotor activity. Aging WT brains had high levels of angiotensin II (Ang II) and ROS production; activation of ERK1/2, p53, and γH2AX; and losses of capillaries and neurons. However, these abnormalities were markedly reduced in aging Nox2KO brains. HuNox2Tg brains at middle age (11–12 months) already had high levels of ROS production and activation of stress signaling pathways similar to those found in aging WT brains. The mechanism of Ang II–induced endothelial Nox2 activation in capillary damage was examined using primary brain microvascular endothelial cells. The clinical significance of Nox2-derived ROS in aging-related loss of cerebral capillaries and neurons was investigated using postmortem midbrain tissues of young (25–38 years) and elderly (61–85 years) adults. In conclusion, Nox2 activation is an important mechanism in aging-related cerebral capillary rarefaction and reduced brain function, with the possibility of a key role for endothelial cells.

Authors

Lampson M. Fan, Li Geng, Sarah Cahill-Smith, Fangfei Liu, Gillian Douglas, Chris-Anne Mckenzie, Colin Smith, Gavin Brooks, Keith M. Channon, Jian-Mei Li

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Figure 3

Nox2 subunit expression and activation of stress signaling pathways in mouse midbrain tissues detected by Western blot.

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Nox2 subunit expression and activation of stress signaling pathways in m...
(A) Nox subunit expression. (B) Phosphorylation of p47phox and MARCKS. ODs of protein bands were quantified and normalized to α-tubulin detected in the same sample. (C) MAPK activation and DNA damage marker expression. The phospho-bands (P) were quantified and normalized to the total bands (T) of the same protein detected in the same samples, are expressed as OD P/T. The p53 bands were quantified and normalized to α-tubulin detected in the same sample. n = 6 mice/group. *P < 0.05 for indicated values versus young values in the same genetic group; †P < 0.05 for indicated values versus aging WT values. Statistical analysis was performed using 1-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni’s post hoc tests.
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