Research Insights

Neuroinflammation is a driving force contributing to neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). Microglia are the primary immune cell of the brain and are among the first responders to infection, toxic insult and aggregated proteins and contribute significantly to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. The microglial inflammatory response, including inflammasome activation, has been demonstrated to be significantly associated with PD. Paraquat (PQ) is a commonly used herbicide that has been linked to increased risk for PD. PQ-induced neurodegeneration is tightly coupled to the activation of microglia and appears to require priming of the microglial response. Therefore, factors that modulate the microglial inflammatory response could lead to neuroprotection and slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. However, to date, no antiinflammatory drugs have proven successful in human clinical trials necessitating research on new targets. Hv1 (HVCN1) is a voltage-gated proton channel highly expressed on microglia in the brain and in other immune cells in the body. This proton channel regulates the activity of NADPH oxidase and production of reactive oxygen species in immune cells and especially microglia. Our preliminary data demonstrate that PQ directly increases Hv1 levels in microglia, possibly through an epigenetic mechanism involving histone acetylation. Further, our data demonstrate effects of PQ on the NLRP3 inflammasome that appear to be regulated by Hv1, providing a potential mechanism contributing to PQ-induced microglial priming. This proposal seeks to test the hypothesis that Hv1 regulates priming of microglia following PQ exposure through the NLRP3 inflammasome, leading to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. The Specific Aims of this project are to 1) Determine mechanisms of Hv1 regulation following paraquat exposure 2) Define the role of Hv1 in regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome following paraquat exposure and 3) Determine the contribution of microglial Hv1 and the NLRP3 inflammasome in regulating neurodegeneration following paraquat exposure. Completion of these Aims will define regulatory mechanisms for Hv1 and determine the role of Hv1 in regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome activation and their role in PQ-induced neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity. Together, these Aims will provide crucial information on the function of a novel regulator of neuroinflammation, Hv1, and determine whether targeting Hv1 may be a viable therapeutic strategy in toxicant-induced neurodegeneration. We will use the regional scale model as boundary conditions for two high resolution mine-specific models (Mission and Amelia mines). We will use these models to estimate impacts of mining on groundwater flows, water table elevations, and the dispersal of solutes under future climate scenarios.

If available, we will review the hydrologic model(s) prepared by Twin Pines’ consultants in order to understand key assumptions, model construction, and data sets and to possibly guide enhancements of our model.

Funder: National Institutes of Health 

Amount: $625,498 

PI: Jason Richardson, College of Veterinary Medicine