Dysregulation of LIMK‐1/cofilin‐1 pathway: A possible basis for alteration of neuronal morphology in experimental cerebral malaria

• Published in: Annals of neurology Vol. 82; no. 3; pp. 429 - 443
• Main Authors: Simhadri, Praveen Kumar, Malwade, Ruchi, Vanka, Ravisankar, Nakka, Venkata Prasuja, Kuppusamy, Gowthamarajan, Babu, Phanithi Prakash
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.09.2017
• Subjects: Actin; Actins - metabolism; Animals; Brain; Cell Shape - physiology; Cerebral Cortex - metabolism; Cerebral Cortex - pathology; Cofilin; Cofilin 1 - metabolism; Cognition; Cognitive ability; Coma; Cortex; Dendritic branching; Dendritic spines; Dendritic Spines - metabolism; Dendritic Spines - pathology; Density; Disease Models, Animal; Gene expression; Immunoblotting; Immunofluorescence; Learning; Lim Kinases - metabolism; Lysates; Malaria; Malaria, Cerebral - metabolism; Malaria, Cerebral - pathology; Memory; Mice; Morphology; Neurons - metabolism; Neurons - pathology; Polymerase chain reaction; Rods; Signal transduction; Signal Transduction - physiology; Spine; Vector-borne diseases
• DOI: 10.1002/ana.25028
• ISSN: 0364-5134

Objective Loss of cognition even after survival is the salient feature of cerebral malaria (CM). Currently, the fate of neuronal morphology is not studied at the ultrastructural level in CM. Recent studies suggest that maintenance of neuronal morphology and dendritic spine density (actin dynamics in particular) are essential for proper cognitive function. LIMK‐1/cofilin‐1 signaling pathway is known to be involved in the maintenance of actin dynamics through regulation of cofilin‐1, and in executing learning and memory functions. Methods Using an experimental mouse model, we analyzed the behavioral parameters of asymptomatic mice with CM by performing a rapid murine coma and behavior scale experiment. We performed Golgi–Cox staining to assess neuronal morphology, dendritic spine density, and arborization in brain cortex subjected to Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection compared to asymptomatic, anemic, and control groups. We studied the neural gene expression pattern of LIMK‐1, cofilin‐1, and β‐actin in all the experimental groups by semiquantitative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction followed by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Results We observed significant loss of dendritic spine density, abnormal spine morphology, reduced dendritic arborization, and extensive dendritic varicosities in the cortical neurons of CM‐infected brain. Furthermore, these observations correlated with diminished protein levels of LIMK‐1, cofilin‐1, phospho‐cofilin‐1, and β‐actin in the whole brain lysates as well as formation of actin–cofilin rods in the brain sections of symptomatic mice with CM. Interpretation Overall, our findings suggest that the altered neuronal morphology and dysregulation of LIMK‐1/cofilin‐1 pathway could affect the cognitive outcome after experimental CM. Therefore, this study could help to establish newer therapeutic strategies addressing long‐term cognitive impairment after CM. Ann Neurol 2017;82:429–443