ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Transglutaminase 2 is an ubiquitously multifunctional enzyme and the most widely studied of the transglutaminase family. Consistent with its role in promoting post-translational modifications of proteins, Transglutaminase 2 is involved in many physiological processes such as apoptosis, signal transduction, and cellular adhesion. Several findings indicate that Transglutaminase 2 plays a role in the pathological processes of various inflammation-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. OBJECTIVE: We tested the potential modulatory effects on amyloid-ß-induced Transglutaminase 2 expression and activities of 2-pentadecyl-2-oxazoline, a plant-derived agent, which has shown effectiveness against chronic pain and associated neuropsychiatric disorders, both in mouse and human microglial cell lines. METHODS: We used biochemistry, molecular and cell biology techniques to evaluate the potential modulatory effects on amyloid-ß-induced Transglutaminase 2 expression and activities of 2- pentadecyl-2-oxazoline in mouse and human microglial cell lines. RESULTS: 2-pentadecyl-2-oxazoline was able to modulate amyloid-ß-induced Transglutaminase 2 expression and activities in mouse and human microglial cell lines. CONCLUSION: Transglutaminase 2 confirms its role as a neuroinflammation marker, the inhibition of which could be a potential preventive and therapeutic approach, while 2-pentadecyl-2-oxazoline is a potent modulator of the amyloid-ß-induced Transglutaminase 2 expression and activities in mouse and human microglial cell lines.