Systemic inhibition of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase alters the brain-immune axis in experimental sepsis

Sci Rep. 2019 Dec 11;9(1):18788. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-55154-2.

Abstract

Tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) is a ubiquitous enzyme present in many cells and tissues, including the central nervous system. Yet its functions at the brain-immune axis remain unclear. The goal of this study was to use a novel small molecular inhibitor of TNAP, SBI-425, to interrogate the function of TNAP in neuroimmune disorders. Following intraperitoneal (IP) administration of SBI-425, mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the SBI-425 does not cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in healthy mice. To elucidate the role of TNAP at the brain-immune axis, mice were subjected to experimental sepsis and received either vehicle or SBI-425 (25 mg/kg, IP) daily for 7 days. While SBI-425 administration did not affect clinical severity outcomes, we found that SBI-425 administration suppressed CD4 + Foxp3+ CD25- and CD8 + Foxp3+ CD25- splenocyte T-cell populations compared to controls. Further evaluation of SBI-425's effects in the brain revealed that TNAP activity was suppressed in the brain parenchyma of SBI-425-treated mice compared to controls. When primary brain endothelial cells were treated with a proinflammatory stimulus the addition of SBI-425 treatment potentiated the loss of barrier function in BBB endothelial cells. To further demonstrate a protective role for TNAP at endothelial barriers within this axis, transgenic mice with a conditional overexpression of TNAP were subjected to experimental sepsis and found to have increased survival and decreased clinical severity scores compared to controls. Taken together, these results demonstrate a novel role for TNAP activity in shaping the dynamic interactions within the brain-immune axis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaline Phosphatase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / drug effects
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / drug effects
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / enzymology*
  • Brain / immunology
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Female
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / metabolism
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microglia / drug effects
  • Niacinamide / analogs & derivatives*
  • Niacinamide / metabolism
  • Niacinamide / pharmacology
  • Niacinamide / therapeutic use
  • Sepsis / drug therapy*
  • Sepsis / immunology
  • Sulfonamides / metabolism
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology*
  • Sulfonamides / therapeutic use
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • SBI-425
  • Sulfonamides
  • Niacinamide
  • Alkaline Phosphatase