The neuroprotective effects of Galectin-1 on Parkinson's Disease via regulation of Nrf2 expression.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the neurodegenerative diseases. Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is expressed in the central nervous system. Our study sought to explore the neuroprotective effect of Gal-1 in 1‑methyl‑4‑phenyl pyridine ion (MPP+)-induced cytotoxicity on SH-SY5Y cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

SH-SY5Y cells were cultured in vitro, pretreated with Gal-1, and then exposed to MPP+. Thereafter, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in SH-SY5Y cells was investigated. The effects of Gal-1 on DNA breakage, cell damage (release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)), viability, and apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells were examined by comet assay, LDH assay, WST-1 assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. Additionally, the regulatory effect of Gal-1 on Nrf2 expression was examined by western blot. Zebrafish embryos were pretreated with Gal-1 and then exposed to MPP+. The locomotor ability of zebrafish larvae was then investigated.

RESULTS:

MPP+ induced the production of ROS in cells, which can be alleviated by pretreatment with Gal-1. Gal-1 protected cells from MPP+-induced cytotoxicity by preventing DNA breakage and cell injury. Gal-1 inhibited apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. The neuroprotective effect of Gal-1 could be abolished when Nrf2 expression knockdown. Moreover, exposure to MPP+ decreased the locomotor activity of zebrafish, which was attenuated by pretreatment with Gal-1.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our study demonstrated that the administration of Gal-1 could protect neurons from cellular stress by preventing apoptosis and eliminating ROS. Moreover, the neuroprotective effect of Gal-1 in neuronal cells could be related to the activation of Nrf2 expression. Therefore, Gal-1 could be a promising strategy for treating PD.

• Authors: H-B Liu, Q-Y Li, X-D Zhang, Y Shi, J-Y Li
• Journal: European review for medical and pharmacological sciences (Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci) Vol. 26 Issue 2 Pg. 623-636 (Jan 2022) ISSN: 2284-0729 [Electronic] Italy
• PMID: 35113438 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Galectin 1
• NF-E2-Related Factor 2
• Neuroprotective Agents
• Reactive Oxygen Species
• 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium

Topics

• 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (toxicity)
• Animals
• Apoptosis
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Survival
• Galectin 1 (genetics, metabolism, pharmacology)
• NF-E2-Related Factor 2 (metabolism)
• Neuroprotective Agents (pharmacology)
• Oxidative Stress
• Parkinson Disease (drug therapy, genetics)
• Reactive Oxygen Species (metabolism)
• Zebrafish (metabolism)