Person:
Leza Cerro, Juan Carlos

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First Name
Juan Carlos
Last Name
Leza Cerro
Affiliation
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Faculty / Institute
Medicina
Department
Farmacología y Toxicología
Area
Farmacología
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UCM identifierORCIDScopus Author IDDialnet IDGoogle Scholar ID

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 10
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    Paliperidone reverts Toll-like receptor 3 signaling pathway activation and cognitive deficits in a maternal immune activation mouse model of schizophrenia
    (Neuropharmacology, 2017) Mac-Dowell Mata, Karina Soledad; Munarriz Cuezva, Eva; Caso Fernández, Javier Rubén; Muñoz Madrigal, José Luis; Zabala, Arantzazu; Meana, J. Javier; García Bueno, Borja; Leza Cerro, Juan Carlos
    The pathophysiology of psychotic disorders is multifactorial, including alterations in the immune system caused by exogenous or endogenous factors. Epidemiological and experimental studies indicate that infections during the gestational period represent a risk factor to develop schizophrenia (SZ) along lifetime. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the antipsychotic paliperidone regulates immune-related brain effects in an experimental model of SZ. A well described prenatal immune activation model of SZ in mice by maternal injection of the viral mimetic poly(I:C) during pregnancy was used. Young-adult offspring animals (60PND) received paliperidone ip (0.05 mg/kg) for 21 consecutive days. One day after last injection, animals were submitted to a cognitive test and brain frontal cortex (FC) samples were obtained for biochemical determinations. The adults showed an activated innate immune receptor TLR-3 signaling pathway, oxidative/nitrosative stress and accumulation of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nuclear transcription factors (i.e., NFκB) and inducible enzymes (i.e., iNOS) in FC. Chronic paliperidone blocked this neuroinflammatory response possibly by the synergic activation and preservation of endogenous antioxidant/anti-inflammatory mechanisms such as NRF2 and PPARγ pathways, respectively. Paliperidone administration also stimulated the alternative polarization of microglia to the M2 anti-inflammatory profile. In addition, paliperidone treatment improved spatial working memory deficits of this SZ-like animal model. In conclusion, chronic administration of paliperidone to young-adult mice prenatally exposed to maternal immune (MIA) challenge elicits a general preventive anti-inflammatory/antioxidant effect at both intracellular and cellular polarization (M1/M2) level in FC, as well as ameliorates specific cognitive deficits.
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    Paliperidone Prevents Brain Toll-Like Receptor 4 Pathway Activation and Neuroinflammation in Rat Models of Acute and Chronic Restraint Stress
    (International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 2015) Mac-Dowell Mata, Karina Soledad; Caso Fernández, Javier Rubén; Martín Hernández, D.; Muñoz Madrigal, José Luis; Leza Cerro, Juan Carlos; García Bueno, Borja
    Background: Alterations in the innate immune/inflammatory system have been proposed to underlie the pathophysiology of psychotic disease, but the mechanisms implicated remain elusive. The main agents of the innate immunity are the family of toll-like receptors (TLRs), which detect circulating pathogen-associated molecular patterns and endogenous damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPS). Current antipsychotics are able to modulate pro- and anti-inflammatory pathways, but their actions on TLRs remain unexplored. Methods: This study was conducted to elucidate the effects of paliperidone (1mg/Kg i.p.) on acute (6 hours) and chronic (6 hours/day during 21 consecutive days) restraint stress-induced TLR-4 pathway activation and neuroinflammation, and the possible mechanism(s) related (bacterial translocation and/or DAMPs activation). The expression of the elements of a TLR-4-dependent proinflammatory pathway was analyzed at the mRNA and protein levels in prefrontal cortex samples. Results: Paliperidone pre-treatment prevented TLR-4 activation and neuroinflammation in the prefrontal cortices of stressed rats. Regarding the possible mechanisms implicated, paliperidone regulated stress-induced increased intestinal inflammation and plasma lipopolysaccharide levels. In addition, paliperidone also prevented the activation of the endogenous activators of TLR-4 HSP70 and HGMB-1. Conclusions: Our results showed a regulatory role of paliperidone on brain TLR-4, which could explain the therapeutic benefits of its use for the treatment of psychotic diseases beyond its effects on dopamine and serotonin neurotransmission. The study of the mechanisms implicated suggests that gut-increased permeability, inflammation, and bacterial translocation of Gram-negative microflora and HSP70 and HGMB1 expression could be potential adjuvant therapeutic targets for the treatment of psychotic and other stress-related psychiatric pathologies.
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    Noradrenaline in Alzheimer's Disease: A New Potential Therapeutic Target
    (2022) Muñoz Madrigal, José Luis; López Gutiérrez, Irene; Dello Russo, Cinzia; Novellino, Fabiana; Caso Fernández, Javier Rubén; García Bueno, Borja; Leza Cerro, Juan Carlos
    A growing body of evidence demonstrates the important role of the noradrenergic system in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative processes, especially Alzheimer’s disease, due to its ability to control glial activation and chemokine production resulting in anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Noradrenaline involvement in this disease was first proposed after finding deficits of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus from Alzheimer’s disease patients. Based on this, it has been hypothesized that the early loss of noradrenergic projections and the subsequent reduction of noradrenaline brain levels contribute to cognitive dysfunctions and the progression of neurodegeneration. Several studies have focused on analyzing the role of noradrenaline in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. In this review we summarize some of the most relevant data describing the alterations of the noradrenergic system normally occurring in Alzheimer’s disease as well as experimental studies in which noradrenaline concentration was modified in order to further analyze how these alterations affect the behavior and viability of different nervous cells. The combination of the different studies here presented suggests that the maintenance of adequate noradrenaline levels in the central nervous system constitutes a key factor of the endogenous defense systems that help prevent or delay the development of Alzheimer’s disease. For this reason, the use of noradrenaline modulating drugs is proposed as an interesting alternative therapeutic option for Alzheimer’s disease.
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    Microglial CX3CR1 production increases in Alzheimer's disease and is regulated by noradrenaline
    (Glia, 2021) Muñoz Madrigal, José Luis; González Prieto, Marta; López Gutiérrez, Irene; García Bueno, Borja; Caso Fernández, Javier Rubén; Leza Cerro, Juan Carlos; Ortega Hernández, Adriana; Gómez Garre, Dulcenombre
    The loss of noradrenergic neurons and subsequent reduction of brain noradrenaline (NA) levels are associated with the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This seems to be due mainly to the ability of NA to reduce the activation of microglial cells. We previously observed that NA induces the production of the chemokine Fractalkine/CX3CL1 in neurons. The activation of microglial CX3CR1, sole receptor for CX3CL1, reduces the activation of microglia, which is known to largely contribute to the neuronal damage characteristic of AD. Therefore, alterations of CX3CR1 production in microglia could translate into the enhancement or inhibition of CX3CL1 anti-inflammatory effects. In order to determine if microglial CX3CR1 production is altered in AD and if NA can control it, CX3CR1 expression and synthesis were analyzed in 5xFAD mice and human AD brain samples. In addition, the effects of NA and its reuptake inhibitor reboxetine were analyzed in microglial cultures and mice respectively. Our results indicate that in AD CX3CR1 production is increased in the brain cortex and that reboxetine administration further increases it and enhances microglial reactivity toward amyloid beta plaques. However, direct administration of NA to primary rat microglia or human HMC3 cells inhibits CX3CR1 production, suggesting that microglia responses to NA may be altered in the absence of CX3CL1-producing neurons or other nonmicroglial external factors.
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    Risperidone normalizes increased inflammatory parameters and restores anti-inflammatory pathways in a model of neuroinflammation
    (International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 2013) Mac-Dowell Mata, Karina Soledad; García Bueno, Borja; Muñoz Madrigal, José Luis; Parellada, Mara; Arango López, Celso; Micó, Juan A.; Leza Cerro, Juan Carlos; Parellada Redondo, María José
    Inflammation, caused by both external and endogenous factors, has been implicated as a main pathophysiological feature of chronic mental illnesses, including schizophrenia. An increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines has been described both in experimental models and in schizophrenia patients. However, not much is known about the effects that antipsychotic drugs have on intra- and intercellular mechanisms controlling inflammation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible anti-inflammatory effect of a standard schizophrenia treatment not only at the level of soluble mediators, but also at intra- and intercellular inflammatory pathways. The present study was conducted in a model of mild neuroinflammation using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge that was not an endotoxaemic dose (0.5 mg/kg i.p.) in young adult rats. Main results: single doses of risperidone (0.3–3.0 mg/kg i.p.) prevented increased inflammatory parameters induced by LPS in brain cortex [expression of inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1β and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, activity of the inducible inflammatory enzymes nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and inflammatory nuclear transcription factor κB] and restored anti-inflammatory pathways decreased by LPS challenge (deoxyprostaglandins and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ). This is the first study demonstrating that risperidone elicits a preventive effect on the anti-inflammatory arm of the homeostatic mechanism controlling inflammation in a model of mild encephalitis in rats. Our findings suggest a possible protective effect of risperidone on brain cells.
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    Neuroplasticity and inflammatory alterations in the nucleus accumbens are corrected after risperidone treatment in a schizophrenia-related developmental model in rats
    (Schizophrenia Research, 2021) Tendilla Beltrán, Hiram; Coatl Cuaya, Heriberto; Meneses Prado, Silvia; Vázquez Roque, Ruben Antonio; Brambila, Eduardo; Tapia Rodríguez, Miguel; Martín Hernández, David; Garcés Ramírez, Linda; Muñoz Madrigal, José Luis; Leza Cerro, Juan Carlos; Flores, Gonzalo
    Increased dopaminergic activity in the striatum underlies the neurobiology of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia (SZ). Beyond the impaired connectivity among the limbic system, the excess of dopamine could lead to inflammation and oxidative/nitrosative stress. It has been suggested that atypical antipsychotic drugs attenuate psychosis not only due to their modulatory activity on the dopaminergic/serotonergic neurotransmission but also due to their anti-inflammatory/antioxidant effects. In such a manner, we assessed the effects of the atypical antipsychotic risperidone (RISP) on the structural neuroplasticity and biochemistry of the striatum in adult rats with neonatal ventral hippocampus lesion (NVHL), which is a developmental SZ-related model. RISP administration (0.25 mg/kg, i.p.) ameliorated the neuronal atrophy and the impairments in the morphology of the dendritic spines in the spiny projection neurons (SPNs) of the ventral striatum (nucleus accumbens: NAcc) in the NVHL rats. Also, RISP treatment normalized the pro-inflammatory pathways and induced the antioxidant activity of the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) in this model. Our results point to the neurotrophic, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant effects of RISP, together with its canonical antipsychotic mechanism, to enhance striatum function in animals with NVHL.
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    Reboxetine Treatment Reduces Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration in the 5xFAD Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease: Role of CCL2
    (Molecular Neurobiology, 2019) López Gutiérrez, Irene; García Bueno, Borja; Caso Fernández, Javier Rubén; García Bueno, Borja; Leza Cerro, Juan Carlos; Muñoz Madrigal, José Luis
    The reduction of brain noradrenaline levels is associated to the initiation of Alzheimer’s disease and contributes to its progression. This seems to be due mainly to the anti-neuroinflammatory actions of noradrenaline. The analysis of noradrenaline effects on brain cells demonstrates that it also regulates the production of the chemokine CCL2. In the present study, we analyzed the effect of the selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, reboxetine, on the inflammatory and neurodegenerative alterations present in 5xFAD mice, and how the genetic removal of CCL2 affects reboxetine actions. We observed that the removal of CCL2 reduced the memory impairments in 5xFAD mice as well as the neuroinflammatory response, the accumulation of amyloid beta plaques, and the degeneration of neurons in the brain cortex. The administration of reboxetine with osmotic pumps for 28 days also resulted in anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective changes in 5xFAD mice, even in the absence of CCL2. Yet, 6-month-old CCL2KO mice presented a significant degree of neuroinflammation and neuronal damage. These findings indicate that reboxetine treatment prevents the brain alterations caused by prolonged overproduction of amyloid beta, being these effects independent of CCL2, which is a mediator of the damage caused by amyloid beta in the brain cortex, but necessary for the prevention of the development of neurodegeneration in normal healthy conditions.
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    CCL2 Inhibition of Pro-Resolving Mediators Potentiates Neuroinflammation in Astrocytes
    (International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022) López Gutiérrez, Irene; Novellino, Fabiana; Caso Fernández, Javier Rubén; García Bueno, Borja; Leza Cerro, Juan Carlos; Muñoz Madrigal, José Luis
    The chemokine CCL2 participates in multiple neuroinflammatory processes, mainly through the recruitment of glial cells. However, CCL2 has also been proven to exert different types of actions on these cells, including the modification of their response to inflammatory stimuli. In the present study we analyzed the effect of CCL2 on the resolution of inflammation in astrocytes. We observed that genetic removal of CCL2 increases the expression of the enzymes responsible for the synthesis of specialized pro-resolving mediators arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase and arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase in the brain cortex of 5xFAD mice. The expression of FPR2 receptor, known to mediate the activity of pro-resolving mediators was also increased in mice lacking CCL2.The downregulation of these proteins by CCL2 was also observed in cultured astrocytes. This suggests that CCL2 inhibition of the resolution of inflammation could facilitate the progression of neuroinflammatory processes. The production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta by astrocytes was analyzed, and allowed us to confirm that CCL2 potentiates the activation of astrocytes trough the inhibition of pro-resolving pathways mediated by Resolvin D1. In addition, the analysis of the expression of TNFalpha, MIP1alpha and NOS2 further confirmed CCL2 inhibition of inflammation resolution in astrocytes.
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    Noradrenaline in Alzheimer’s Disease: A New Potential Therapeutic Target
    (International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022) López Gutiérrez, Irene; Novellino, Fabiana; Caso Fernández, Javier Rubén; García Bueno, Borja; Leza Cerro, Juan Carlos; Muñoz Madrigal, José Luis
    A growing body of evidence demonstrates the important role of the noradrenergic system in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative processes, especially Alzheimer’s disease, due to its ability to control glial activation and chemokine production resulting in anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Noradrenaline involvement in this disease was first proposed after finding deficits of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus from Alzheimer’s disease patients. Based on this, it has been hypothesized that the early loss of noradrenergic projections and the subsequent reduction of noradrenaline brain levels contribute to cognitive dysfunctions and the progression of neurodegeneration. Several studies have focused on analyzing the role of noradrenaline in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. In this review we summarize some of the most relevant data describing the alterations of the noradrenergic system normally occurring in Alzheimer’s disease as well as experimental studies in which noradrenaline concentration was modified in order to further analyze how these alterations affect the behavior and viability of different nervous cells. The combination of the different studies here presented suggests that the maintenance of adequate noradrenaline levels in the central nervous system constitutes a key factor of the endogenous defense systems that help prevent or delay the development of Alzheimer’s disease. For this reason, the use of noradrenaline modulating drugs is proposed as an interesting alternative therapeutic option for Alzheimer’s disease.
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    Toll-like 4 receptor inhibitor TAK-242 decreases neuroinflammation in rat brain frontal cortex after stress
    (Journal of Neuroinflammation, 2014) Gárate, Iciar; García Bueno, Borja; Muñoz Madrigal, José Luis; Caso Fernández, Javier Rubén; Alou Cervera, Luis; Gómez-Lus Centelles, María Luisa; Leza Cerro, Juan Carlos
    Background The innate immune response is the first line of defence against invading microorganisms and it is also activated in different neurologic/neurodegenerative pathological scenarios. As a result, the family of the innate immune toll-like receptors (TLRs) and, in particular, the genetic/pharmacological manipulation of the TLR-4 signalling pathway emerges as a potential therapeutic strategy. Growing evidence relates stress exposure with altered immune responses, but the precise role of TLR-4 remains partly unknown. Methods The present study aimed to elucidate whether the elements of the TLR-4 signalling pathway are activated after acute stress exposure in rat brain frontal cortex and its role in the regulation of the stress-induced neuroinflammatory response, by means of its pharmacological modulation with the intravenous administration of the TLR-4 specific inhibitor TAK-242. Considering that TLR-4 responds predominantly to lipopolysaccharide from gram-negative bacteria, we checked whether increased intestinal permeability and a resultant bacterial translocation is a potential regulatory mechanism of stress-induced TLR-4 activation. Results Acute restraint stress exposure upregulates TLR-4 expression both at the mRNA and protein level. Stress-induced TLR-4 upregulation is prevented by the protocol of antibiotic intestinal decontamination made to reduce indigenous gastrointestinal microflora, suggesting a role for bacterial translocation on TLR-4 signalling pathway activation. TAK-242 pre-stress administration prevents the accumulation of potentially deleterious inflammatory and oxidative/nitrosative mediators in the brain frontal cortex of rats. Conclusions The use of TAK-242 or other TLR-4 signalling pathway inhibitory compounds could be considered as a potential therapeutic adjuvant strategy to constrain the inflammatory process taking place after stress exposure and in stress-related neuropsychiatric diseases.