Scholarlink

<p>Chronic active lesions are a manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS) and have been associated with disease progression. While astrocytes are heavily implicated in MS, little is known about their role in lesions, particularly in the lesion core. Here, we sought to gain insight into the spatial relationship between astrocytes and defined regions of chronic active lesions, and to better understand the environment within the relatively understudied lesion core, an area primarily composed of astrocytes. We analyzed four defined protein panels, focusing on astrocytes, in postmortem fresh-frozen cortical white matter tissue using NanoString GeoMx spatial protein profiling to compare normal appearing white matter (NAWM), the chronic active perilesion, rim, and core. We then performed immunofluorescent microscopy to determine the localization patterns of identified proteins within astrocytes. The most significant differences were observed between the chronic active lesion core and both NAWM and the perilesion. Proteins upregulated in the core relative to NAWM or the perilesion included the MAPK signaling pathway, immune checkpoint proteins, and indicators of phagocytosis. Our data indicate that astrocytes in the lesion core are distinct and actively influence the microenvironment. We posit that the differentially upregulated astrocytic signaling pathways, namely MAPK, immune checkpoints, and debris engulfment, are indicative of reactive astrocytes providing support to demyelinated axons by tempering the inflammatory milieu and clearing debris within the lesion core.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Spatial protein profiling reveals active roles for astrocytes in the chronic active lesion core during multiple sclerosis

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月1日

查看全文
  • Brandon C. Smith,
  • Anthony Chomyk,
  • Maria L. Habean,
  • Benjamin C. Shaw,
  • Rachel A. Tinkey,
  • Bruce D. Trapp,
  • Jessica L. Williams

摘要

Chronic active lesions are a manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS) and have been associated with disease progression. While astrocytes are heavily implicated in MS, little is known about their role in lesions, particularly in the lesion core. Here, we sought to gain insight into the spatial relationship between astrocytes and defined regions of chronic active lesions, and to better understand the environment within the relatively understudied lesion core, an area primarily composed of astrocytes. We analyzed four defined protein panels, focusing on astrocytes, in postmortem fresh-frozen cortical white matter tissue using NanoString GeoMx spatial protein profiling to compare normal appearing white matter (NAWM), the chronic active perilesion, rim, and core. We then performed immunofluorescent microscopy to determine the localization patterns of identified proteins within astrocytes. The most significant differences were observed between the chronic active lesion core and both NAWM and the perilesion. Proteins upregulated in the core relative to NAWM or the perilesion included the MAPK signaling pathway, immune checkpoint proteins, and indicators of phagocytosis. Our data indicate that astrocytes in the lesion core are distinct and actively influence the microenvironment. We posit that the differentially upregulated astrocytic signaling pathways, namely MAPK, immune checkpoints, and debris engulfment, are indicative of reactive astrocytes providing support to demyelinated axons by tempering the inflammatory milieu and clearing debris within the lesion core.