Protective effect of scorpion venom heat-resistant synthetic peptide against PM2.5-induced microglial polarization via TLR4-mediated autophagy activating PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway

• Published in: Journal of neuroimmunology 2021-06, Vol.355, p.577567-577567, Article 577567
• Main Authors: Xu, Xin, Xu, Henggui, Ren, Fei, Huang, Lanyi, Xu, Jingbin, Li, Fasheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Autophagy; PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway; PM2.5; Polarization; Scorpion venom heat-resistant synthetic peptide; TLR4
• ISSN: 0165-5728; 1872-8421
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2021.577567

There is growing evidence that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a considerable risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. Scorpion venom heat-resistant synthetic peptide (SVHRSP) plays a neuroprotective effect by promoting neurogenesis and neuron axon growth. In this study, SVHRSP inhibited the level of TLR4, autophagy and PM2.5-induced microglia M1 polarization, thereby promoting Phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT, inhibiting the expression of NF-κB. Moreover, SVHRSP suppressed the cytotoxic factors and increased the cytoprotective factor. This research demonstrates that SVHRSP relieves PM2.5-induced microglial polarization via TLR4-mediated autophagy activating PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway, which provides new insights for the treatment of PM2.5-induced neurodegenerative diseases. [Display omitted] •Scorpion venom heat-resistant synthetic peptide inhibits PM2.5-induced M1 polarization of microglia.•Scorpion venom heat-resistant synthetic peptide inhibits microglial autophagy induced by PM2.5.•TLR4-mediated autophagy activating PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway to attenuate microglial M1 polarization.•Scorpion venom heat-resistant synthetic peptide inhibits the release of cytotoxic factors from microglia.