Chia-Chen Lu | PubMed Health

PubMed2026

The investigation of human cerebrospinal fluid exosome in spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to severe neurological and functional impairments, yet reliable biomarkers for assessing injury severity and predicting recovery remain limited. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is in direct contact with the central nervous system and provides a valuable source for detecting molecular changes after SCI. Although exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) and proteins are increasingly recognized as mediators of intercellular communication, the role of human CSF exosomes in SCI has not been systematically investigated. To identify exosome-based biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets, we analyzed CSF and serum exosomes from patients with acute SCI using RNA sequencing and proteomic profiling. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified 6 gene modules significantly associated with injury severity and neurological recovery at 3 months. Proteomic analysis revealed a 5-protein panel that distinguished complete from incomplete SCI and a 4-protein panel that predicted neurological improvement. Additionally, 15 CSF-specific and 9 serum-specific exosomal miRNAs were identified independent of injury severity. Among 10 tested miRNAs associated with neurological recovery, 7 regulated astrocyte proliferation, and 6 promoted neurite extension and synapse formation. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive characterization of CSF exosomal miRNAs and proteins in human SCI and identifies molecular signatures associated with injury severity and recovery.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

Parabacteroides goldsteinii mitigates parkinsonism in LRRK2 mutant mice by reducing neuroinflammation through Gut-Brain axis.

INTRODUCTION: Alterations in the gut microbiota accompanied by intestinal inflammation are early features of Parkinson's disease (PD). Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene represent a common genetic risk factor for PD and inflammatory bowel disease. Parabacteroides goldsteinii has been reported to alleviate intestinal and systemic inflammation. However, whether modulation of the gut microenvironment at early disease stage can attenuate PD progression remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of P. goldsteinii colonization prior to the onset of motor dysfunction on PD progression. METHODS: We established a germ-free PD mouse model carrying the LRRK2 G2019S mutation and administered P. goldsteinii orally at the pre-symptomatic stage to evaluate its effects on motor performance and PD-related neuropathology. Spatial and bulk RNA transcriptomic analyses of brain tissue, together with cytokine profiling, were conducted to assess central changes. To investigate gut immunomodulatory mechanisms, we performed intestinal bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing, spectral flow cytometry as well as cellular bioenergetic analyses. RESULTS: Germ-free conditions partially alleviated PD-like phenotypes in LRRK2 G2019S mice. Colonization with P. goldsteinii at 5-months of age, prior to motor symptom onset, further improved locomotor performance, reduced neuronal α-synuclein aggregations, and mitigated microglial activation and dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Neuroprotection was mediated through enhanced noncanonical neuronal IL-12 receptor-dependent neurotrophic support without activating the canonical STAT4 phosphorylation pathway, along with suppression of microglial activation and downregulation of LRRK2 kinase activity. At the intestinal level, P. goldsteinii suppressed TLR4-driven inflammation, expanded anti-inflammatory intraepithelial CD4+CD8αα+ T cells, promoted dendritic cell and macrophage differentiation, upregulated epithelial tight-junction genes, and improved mitochondrial bioenergetics in intestinal cells. CONCLUSION: P. goldsteinii colonization attenuates the progression of LRRK2-associated parkinsonism by restoring intestinal homeostasis and reducing neuroinflammation. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of modulating the gut-immune-brain axis during the prodromal stage of PD.

Animals↗