Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by progressive loss of upper and lower motor neurons leading to muscle paralysis and death. While a link between dysregulated lipid metabolism and ALS has been proposed, lipidome alterations involved in disease progression are still understudied. Using a rodent model of ALS overexpressing mutant human Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase gene (SOD1-G93A), we performed a comparative lipidomic analysis in motor cortex and spinal cord tissues of SOD1-G93A and WT rats at asymptomatic (~70 days) and symptomatic stages (~120 days). Interestingly, lipidome alterations in motor cortex were mostly related to age than ALS. In contrast, drastic changes were observed in spinal cord of SOD1-G93A 120d group, including decreased levels of cardiolipin and a 6-fold increase in several cholesteryl esters linked to polyunsaturated fatty acids. Consistent with previous studies, our findings suggest abnormal mitochondria in motor neurons and lipid droplets accumulation in aberrant astrocytes. Although the mechanism leading to cholesteryl esters accumulation remains to be established, we postulate a hypothetical model based on neuroprotection of polyunsaturated fatty acids into lipid droplets in response to increased oxidative stress. Implicated in the pathology of other neurodegenerative diseases, cholesteryl esters appear as attractive targets for further investigations.

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are potent anti-inflammatory compounds that have been extensively used in clinical practice for several decades. GCs effects on inflammation are generally mediated through GC receptors (GRs). Signal transduction through these nuclear receptors leads to dramatic changes in gene expression programs in different cell types, typically due to GR binding to DNA or to transcription modulators. During the last decade the view of GCs as exclusive anti-inflammatory molecules has been challenged. GR negative interference in pro-inflammatory gene expression was a landmark in terms of molecular mechanisms that suppress immune activity. In fact, GR can induce varied inhibitory molecules, including a negative regulator of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) pathway, or subject key transcription factors, such as NF-B and AP-1, to a repressor mechanism. In contrast, the expression of some acute-phase proteins (APPs) and other players of innate immunity generally requires GR signaling. Consequently, GRs must operate context-dependent inhibitory, permissive or stimulatory effects on host defense signaling triggered by pathogens or tissue damage. This review aims to disclose how contradictory or comparable effects on inflammatory gene expression can depend on pharmacological approach (including selective glucocorticoid receptor modulators; SEGRMs), cell culture, animal treatment or transgenic strategies used as models. Although the current view of GR-signaling integrated many advances in the field, some answers to important questions remain elusive.