Journal of Neuroimmunology 2014-11-15

Gold drug auranofin could reduce neuroinflammation by inhibiting microglia cytotoxic secretions and primed respiratory burst.

Jocelyn M Madeira, Ekta Bajwa, Maegan J Stuart, Sadayuki Hashioka, Andis Klegeris

Index: J. Neuroimmunol. 276(1-2) , 71-9, (2014)

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Abstract

Neuroinflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. Anti-inflammatory treatments could potentially be used to slow down the progression of these diseases. We studied the anti-neuroinflammatory activity of gold compounds which have been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Non-toxic concentrations of auranofin (0.1-1 μM) significantly reduced the cytotoxic secretions by primary human microglia and microglia-like THP-1 promonocytic cells. Auranofin inhibited primed NADPH-oxidase dependent respiratory burst and secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and nitric oxide by monocytic cells. It had a direct neuroprotective effect on SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. Auranofin could have a novel application in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.