DHA-H and HPA restore impaired neurogenic phenotypes and BDNF-TrkB signaling in Ts65Dn neurospheres and hippocampus - 07/11/26
, Joan Cabot a, b, 2, Margalida Suau-Fullana a, Ain Justin Santillan a, Guillermo Vicens Gomez a, Paula Férnandez-García b, 3, Victoria Llado a, b, 4, Pablo V. Escribá a, b, 5, Manuel Torres a, ⁎, 6 
Abstract |
Impaired neurogenesis is a hallmark of neurodevelopmental disorders, including Down syndrome, and contributes to long-lasting deficits in brain structure and function. Membrane lipid composition is emerging as a critical regulator of cell fate decisions in the developing and adult brain. Here we investigate the pro-neurogenic potential of the synthetic PUFA DHA-H (2-hydroxylated DHA) and its immediate metabolite HPA (Heneicosapentaenoic acid) in cellular and tissue models derived from the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome, using DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) as a reference pro-neurogenic ω-3 PUFA. In primary neurospheres, DHA-H and HPA increased the expression of neural stem and progenitor cell markers, including Sox2, Ki67, and Nestin, and stimulated proliferative activity, accompanied by a parallel upregulation of early neuronal differentiation markers such as Doublecortin and PSA-NCAM. Notably, both compounds promoted the recovery of these markers in Ts65Dn neurospheres, with HPA achieving restoration to wild-type levels for several markers, while DHA-H exerted beneficial effects that varied across the evaluated parameters. These improvements were associated with enhanced BDNF production and TrkB phosphorylation, highlighting the BDNF-TrkB signaling axis as a potential molecular mediator of their pro-neurogenic effects. In vivo, administration of DHA-H and HPA increased BDNF and phospho-TrkB protein levels, together with the number of proliferating cells and mature neurons in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, suggesting enhanced activity of the adult neurogenic niche and potential neuroprotective effects. Together, our findings identify DHA-H and HPA as promising modulators of neural progenitor dynamics and neurogenesis in a trisomic context, revealing a lipid-dependent mechanism of neurodevelopmental plasticity and supporting their therapeutic potential for ameliorating impaired neurogenic programs in Down syndrome and related disorders.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Graphical Abstract |
The graphical abstract was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. AI was used solely for image generation and/or visual refinement. The authors reviewed and approved the final graphical abstract and take full responsibility for its content and scientific accuracy
The graphical abstract was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. AI was used solely for image generation and/or visual refinement. The authors reviewed and approved the final graphical abstract and take full responsibility for its content and scientific accuracy Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.
Highlights |
• | 72 h treatment with DHA-H, and HPA, restored Ts65Dn neurosphere proliferation and neuronal differentiation to wild-type levels. |
• | Chronic oral treatment (4 months) increased proliferating cells and mature neurons in the dentate gyrus of Ts65Dn mice. |
• | BDNF levels and TrkB phosphorylation were fully restored inTs65Dn hippocampus, suggesting improved signaling efficiency. |
• | In the Radial Arm Maze test, treated Ts65Dn mice made significantly fewer memory errors, approaching wild-type performance. |
Abbreviations : DS, NSPC, BDNF, BBB, DCX, PSA-NCAM, RAM, WME, RME, PUFA, DHA, DHA-H, HPA
Keywords : Down syndrome, BDNF, NSPC, Neurogenesis, Synthetic lipids, PUFAs
Plan
Vol 204
Article 120021- novembre 2026 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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