G protein-coupled Estrogen Receptor Activation Exerts Protective Effects via Modulating Brain and Gut NLRP3 Inflammasome in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with neuroinflammation and gut dysfunction. The G protein-coupled Estrogen receptor (GPER) has showed therapeutic potential in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), yet its role and underlying mechanisms in PD remain unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the role and mechanisms of GPER in protecting PD. Female mice underwent bilateral ovariectomies (OVX) and were treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) to induce PD, followed by administration of GPER agonist G1. The expressions of Tyrosine Hydroxylase (TH) and α-synuclein (α-syn), as well as activations of inflammatory cells and NLRP3 inflammasome in the brain and ileum were evaluated. BV2 cells were pretreated with G1 and/or the antagonist G15, then treated with LPS and ATP to activate NLRP3 inflammasome. Activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in BV2 cells was assessed. Results demonstrated that G1 treatment increased TH expression, reduced α-syn expression, and suppressed inflammation and NLRP3 inflammasome in both the midbrain and ileum of MPTP-treated OVX mice. Pretreatment with G1 suppressed the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in BV2 cells, while the effect was reversed by G15. These findings indicate that GPER activation exerts a protective effect in MPTP-induced OVX mice by modulating NLRP3 inflammasome in both brain and gut, which might provide novel insights into the pathogenesis and therapy of PD.

G protein-coupled estrogen receptor; Gut-brain axis; NLRP3 inflammasome; Ovariectomy; Parkinson’s disease.