Neuroprotective role of bradykinin because of the attenuation of pro-inflammatory cytokine release from activated microglia

J Neurochem. 2007 Apr;101(2):397-410. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.04339.x.

Abstract

Bradykinin (BK) has been reported to be a mediator of brain damage in acute insults. Receptors for BK have been identified on microglia, the pathologic sensors of the brain. Here, we report that BK attenuated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta from microglial cells, thus acting as an anti-inflammatory mediator in the brain. This effect was mimicked by raising intracellular cAMP or stimulating the prostanoid receptors EP2 and EP4, while it was abolished by a cAMP antagonist, a prostanoid receptor antagonist, or by an inhibitor of the inducible cyclooxygenase (cyclooxygenase-2). BK also enhanced formation of prostaglandin E(2) and expression of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase. Expression of BK receptors and EP2/EP4 receptors were also enhanced. Using physiological techniques, we identified functional BK receptors not only in culture, but also in microglia from acute brain slices. BK reduced LPS-induced neuronal death in neuron-microglia co-cultures. This was probably mediated via microglia as it did not affect TNF-alpha-induced neuronal death in pure neuronal cultures. Our data imply that BK has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in the central nervous system by modulating microglial function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alprostadil / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / immunology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / metabolism
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Bradykinin / immunology
  • Bradykinin / metabolism*
  • Bradykinin / pharmacology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Cytoprotection / immunology*
  • Encephalitis / immunology
  • Encephalitis / metabolism*
  • Encephalitis / physiopathology
  • Gliosis / chemically induced
  • Gliosis / immunology
  • Gliosis / metabolism
  • Interleukin-1beta / immunology
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microglia / immunology
  • Microglia / metabolism*
  • Nerve Degeneration / immunology
  • Nerve Degeneration / metabolism*
  • Nerve Degeneration / physiopathology
  • Organ Culture Techniques
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, Bradykinin / drug effects
  • Receptors, Bradykinin / metabolism
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E / metabolism
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Ptger4 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Bradykinin
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Alprostadil
  • Bradykinin