NEIL1 stimulates neurogenesis and suppresses neuroinflammation after stress.

NEIL1 stimulates neurogenesis and suppresses neuroinflammation after stress. Free Radic Biol Med. 2019 Jun 05;: Authors: Yang B, Figueroa D, Hou Y, Babbar M, Baringer SL, Croteau DL, Bohr VA Abstract Cellular exposure to ionizing radiation leads to oxidatively generated DNA damage, which has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. DNA damage is repaired by the evolutionarily conserved BER system. Exposure of mice to ionizing radiation affects neurogenesis and neuroinflammation. However, the consequences of deficient DNA repair in adult neurogenesis and neuroinflammation are poorly understood despite their potential relevance for homeostasis. We previously reported that loss of NEIL1, an important DNA glycosylase involved in BER system, is associated with deficiencies in spatial memory, olfaction, and protection against ischemic stroke in mice. Here, we show that Neil1-/- mice display an anxiety-mediated behavior in the open field test, a deficient recognitive memory in novel object recognition and increased neuroinflammatory response under basal conditions. Further, mice lacking NEIL1 have decreased neurogenesis and deficient resolution of neuroinflammation following gamma irradiation (IR)-induced stress compared to WT mice. Neil1-/- IR-exposed mice also exhibit increased DNA damage and apoptosis in the hippocampus. Interestingly, behavioral tests two weeks after IR showed impaired stress response in the Neil1-/- mice. Our dat...
Source: Free Radical Biology and Medicine - Category: Biology Authors: Tags: Free Radic Biol Med Source Type: research