Authors: Awadhesh K. Arya, Kinjal Sethuraman, Jaylyn Waddell, Yong Sung Cha, Yuanyuan Liang, Veena M. Bhopale, Abid R. Bhat, Zuha Imtiyaz, Alik Dakessian, Yoonsuk Lee, Stephen R. Thom
Published: 2025-02-07
Source: Full article
The mechanism for neurological deficits from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is unclear. In a series of 150 patients with CO poisoning, we found marked elevations of blood-borne inflammatory filamentous (F-) actin–coated microparticles (MPs), neutrophil activation, and a 90% reduction in the normal level of plasma gelsolin (pGSN), a protein capable of lysing F-actin–coated MPs. This led to studies in a murine model where the same events occur and cause neuroinflammation with cognitive dysfunction. All events are recapitulated when F-actin MPs are injected intravenously, which establishes a blood-to-brain-to-blood inflammatory cycle that persists for weeks. All changes, including cognitive dysfunction, can be abrogated by an injection of human recombinant pGSN within 2 weeks after CO poisoning. These findings demonstrate that CO-induced neurological injury has an inflammatory etiology. Because of MP-mediated communications between the brain and systemic circulation, CO-induced cognitive deficits may be reversible with a pharmaceutical intervention.