Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis and fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 mediate cerebral ischemia-induced poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 activation and neuronal death

Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and its receptor Fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) are expressed in neurons. Here we demonstrate that TWEAK induces a dose-dependent increase in neuronal death and that this effect is independent of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and mediated by nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway activation. Incubation with TWEAK induces apoptotic cell death in wild-type (Wt) but not in Fn14 deficient (Fn14−/−) neurons. Intracerebral injection of TWEAK induces accumulation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymers (PAR) in Wt but not in Fn14−/− mice. Exposure to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) conditions increases TWEAK and Fn14 mRNA expression in Wt neurons, and decreases cell survival in Wt but not in Fn14−/− or TWEAK deficient (TWEAK−/−) neurons. Experimental middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) increases the expression of TWEAK and Fn14 mRNA and active caspase-3, and the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) with accumulation of PAR in the ischemic area in Wt but not Fn14−/− mice. Together, these results suggest a model where in response to hypoxia/ischemia the interaction between TWEAK and Fn14 in neurons induces PARP-1 activation with accumulation of PAR polymers and cell death via NF-κB pathway activation. This is a novel pathway for hypoxia/ischemia-induced TWEAK-mediated cell death and a potential therapeutic target for ischemic stroke.

Research Highlights▶Our work demonstrates that the interaction between TWEAK and Fn14 in neurons induces cell death via a TNF-α-independent mechanism. This is a novel pathway for neuronal death. ▶Our manuscript describes the finding that TWEAK induces PARP-1 activation and that this event mediates the effect of TWEAK on NF-kB activation and cell death. ▶The results presented here have an important translational component with potential therapeutic implications for patients with acute cerebral ischemia. Accordingly, our in vitro experiments are supported by in vivo studies in an animal model of cerebral ischemia.