Thermal cycling protects SH-SY5Y cells against hydrogen peroxide and β-amyloid-induced cell injury through stress response mechanisms involving Akt pathway

PLoS One. 2020 Oct 1;15(10):e0240022. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240022. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are becoming a major threat to public health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The most common form of NDDs is Alzheimer's disease (AD), boasting 60-70% share. Although some debates still exist, excessive aggregation of β-amyloid protein (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles has been deemed one of the major causes for the pathogenesis of AD. A growing number of evidences from studies, however, have suggested that reactive oxygen species (ROS) also play a key role in the onset and progression of AD. Although scientists have had some understanding of the pathogenesis of AD, the disease still cannot be cured, with existing treatment only capable of providing a temporary relief at best, partly due to the obstacle of blood-brain barrier (BBB). The study was aimed to ascertain the neuroprotective effect of thermal cycle hyperthermia (TC-HT) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and Aβ-induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. Treating cells with this physical stimulation beforehand significantly improved the cell viability and decreased the ROS content. The underlying mechanisms may be due to the activation of Akt pathway and the downstream antioxidant and prosurvival proteins. The findings manifest significant potential of TC-HT in neuroprotection, via inhibition of oxidative stress and cell apoptosis. It is believed that coupled with the use of drugs or natural compounds, this methodology can be even more effective in treating NDDs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / toxicity*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / toxicity*
  • Hyperthermia, Induced*
  • Insulysin / metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases / metabolism
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
  • Heat-Shock Proteins
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • NFE2L2 protein, human
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases
  • Insulysin
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants from Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST 108-2112-M-002-016 and 105-2112-M-002-006-MY3 to CYC) and Ministry of Education (MOE 106R880708 to CYC) of the Republic of China. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.