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Savulescu-Fiedler I, Dorobantu-Lungu LR, Dragosloveanu S, Benea SN, Dragosloveanu CDM, Caruntu A, Scheau AE, Caruntu C, Scheau C. The Cross-Talk Between the Peripheral and Brain Cholesterol Metabolisms. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2025; 47:115. [PMID: 39996836 PMCID: PMC11853762 DOI: 10.3390/cimb47020115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2024] [Revised: 01/30/2025] [Accepted: 02/07/2025] [Indexed: 02/26/2025] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol is an essential element for the development and normal function of the central nervous system. While peripheral cholesterol is influenced by liver metabolism and diet, brain cholesterol metabolism takes place in an isolated system due to the impermeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). However, cross-talk occurs between the brain and periphery, specifically through metabolites such as oxysterols that play key roles in regulating cholesterol balance. Several neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease are considered to be affected by the loss of this balance. Also, the treatment of hypercholesterolemia needs to consider these discrete interferences between brain and peripheral cholesterol and the possible implications of each therapeutic approach. This is particularly important because of 27-hydroxycholesterol and 24-hydroxycholesterol, which can cross the BBB and are involved in cholesterol metabolism. This paper examines the metabolic pathways of cholesterol metabolism in the brain and periphery and focuses on the complex cross-talk between these metabolisms. Also, we emphasize the regulatory role of the BBB and the need for an integrated approach to cholesterol management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilinca Savulescu-Fiedler
- Department of Internal Medicine, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Coltea Clinical Hospital, 030167 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Luiza-Roxana Dorobantu-Lungu
- Department of Cardiology, Emergency Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases “C.C. Iliescu”, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Serban Dragosloveanu
- Department of Orthopaedics, “Foisor” Clinical Hospital of Orthopaedics, Traumatology and Osteoarticular TB, 021382 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Serban Nicolae Benea
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Departament of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Balș”, 021105 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Christiana Diana Maria Dragosloveanu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Dentistry, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Ophthalmology, Clinical Hospital for Ophthalmological Emergencies, 010464 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ana Caruntu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, “Carol Davila” Central Military Emergency Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Titu Maiorescu” University, 031593 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Andreea-Elena Scheau
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Constantin Caruntu
- Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Dermatology, “Prof. N.C. Paulescu” National Institute of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, 011233 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristian Scheau
- Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, “Foisor” Clinical Hospital of Orthopaedics, Traumatology and Osteoarticular TB, 021382 Bucharest, Romania
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Dai L, Wang J, Meng L, Zhang X, Xiao T, Deng M, Chen G, Xiong J, Ke W, Hong Z, Bu L, Zhang Z. The cholesterol 24-hydroxylase CYP46A1 promotes α-synuclein pathology in Parkinson's disease. PLoS Biol 2025; 23:e3002974. [PMID: 39964974 PMCID: PMC11835240 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 12/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2025] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the formation of Lewy bodies that are composed of aggregated α-synuclein (α-Syn). However, the factors that regulate α-Syn pathology and nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration remain poorly understood. Previous studies demonstrate cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CYP46A1) increases the risk for PD. Moreover, 24-hydroxycholesterol (24-OHC), a brain-specific oxysterol that is catalyzed by CYP46A1, is elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid of PD patients. Herein, we show that the levels of CYP46A1 and 24-OHC are elevated in PD patients and increase with age in a mouse model. Overexpression of CYP46A1 intensifies α-Syn pathology, whereas genetic removal of CYP46A1 attenuates α-Syn neurotoxicity and nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration in the brain. Moreover, supplementation with exogenous 24-OHC exacerbates the mitochondrial dysfunction induced by α-Syn fibrils. Intracerebral injection of 24-OHC enhances the spread of α-Syn pathology and dopaminergic neurodegeneration via elevated X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) and lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG3) levels. Thus, elevated CYP46A1 and 24-OHC promote neurotoxicity and the spread of α-Syn via the XBP1-LAG3 axis. Strategies aimed at inhibiting the CYP46A1-24-OHC axis and LAG3 could hold promise as disease-modifying therapies for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Dai
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiannan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lanxia Meng
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xingyu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tingting Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Deng
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Guiqin Chen
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Xiong
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Ke
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhengyuan Hong
- PET-CT/MRI Center, Molecular Imaging Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lihong Bu
- PET-CT/MRI Center, Molecular Imaging Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhentao Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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3
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Incontro S, Musella ML, Sammari M, Di Scala C, Fantini J, Debanne D. Lipids shape brain function through ion channel and receptor modulations: physiological mechanisms and clinical perspectives. Physiol Rev 2025; 105:137-207. [PMID: 38990068 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00004.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Lipids represent the most abundant molecular type in the brain, with a fat content of ∼60% of the dry brain weight in humans. Despite this fact, little attention has been paid to circumscribe the dynamic role of lipids in brain function and disease. Membrane lipids such as cholesterol, phosphoinositide, sphingolipids, arachidonic acid, and endocannabinoids finely regulate both synaptic receptors and ion channels that ensure critical neural functions. After a brief introduction on brain lipids and their respective properties, we review here their role in regulating synaptic function and ion channel activity, action potential propagation, neuronal development, and functional plasticity and their contribution in the development of neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases. We also provide possible directions for future research on lipid function in brain plasticity and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Malika Sammari
- UNIS, INSERM, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
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4
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Wheless JW, Rho JM. Role of cholesterol in modulating brain hyperexcitability. Epilepsia 2025; 66:33-46. [PMID: 39487852 PMCID: PMC11742637 DOI: 10.1111/epi.18174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2024] [Revised: 10/15/2024] [Accepted: 10/15/2024] [Indexed: 11/04/2024]
Abstract
Cholesterol is a critical molecule in the central nervous system, and imbalances in the synthesis and metabolism of brain cholesterol can result in a range of pathologies, including those related to hyperexcitability. The impact of cholesterol on disorders of epilepsy and developmental and epileptic encephalopathies is an area of growing interest. Cholesterol cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, and thus the brain synthesizes and metabolizes its own pool of cholesterol. The primary metabolic enzyme for brain cholesterol is cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CH24H), which metabolizes cholesterol into 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24HC). Dysregulation of CH24H and 24HC can affect neuronal excitability through a range of mechanisms. 24HC is a positive allosteric modulator of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and can increase glutamate release via tumor necrosis factor-α-dependent pathways. Increasing cholesterol metabolism can lead to dysfunction of excitatory amino acid transporter 2 and impair glutamate reuptake. Finally, overstimulation of NMDA receptors can further activate metabolism of cholesterol, leading to a vicious cycle of overactivation. All of these mechanisms increase extracellular glutamate and can lead to hyperexcitability. For these reasons, the cholesterol pathway represents a new potential mechanistic target for antiseizure medications. CH24H inhibition has been shown to decrease seizure behavior and improve survival in multiple animal models of epilepsy and could be a promising new mechanism of action for the treatment of neuronal hyperexcitability and developmental and epileptic encephalopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W. Wheless
- Division of Pediatric NeurologyUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Jong M. Rho
- Department of Neurosciences, Pediatrics and PharmacologyUniversity of California San Diego School of MedicineSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
- Rady Children's Hospital–San DiegoSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
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5
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Devraj K, Kulkarni O, Liebner S. Regulation of the blood-brain barrier function by peripheral cues in health and disease. Metab Brain Dis 2024; 40:61. [PMID: 39671124 PMCID: PMC11645320 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-024-01468-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 12/14/2024]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is formed by microvascular endothelial cells which are ensembled with pericytes, astrocytes, microglia and neurons in the neurovascular unit (NVU) that is crucial for neuronal function. Given that the NVU and the BBB are highly dynamic and regulated structures, their integrity is continuously challenged by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Herein, factors from peripheral organs such as gonadal and adrenal hormones may influence vascular function also in CNS endothelial cells in a sex- and age-dependent manner. The communication between the periphery and the CNS likely takes place in specific areas of the brain among which the circumventricular organs have a central position due to their neurosensory or neurosecretory function, owing to physiologically leaky blood vessels. In acute and chronic pathological conditions like liver, kidney, pulmonary disease, toxins and metabolites are generated that reach the brain via the circulation and may directly or indirectly affect BBB functionality via the activation of the immunes system. For example, chronic kidney disease (CKD) currently affects more than 840 million people worldwide and is likely to increase along with western world comorbidities of the cardio-vascular system in continuously ageing societies. Toxins leading to the uremic syndrome, may further lead to neurological complications such as cognitive impairment and uremic encephalopathy. Here we summarize the effects of hormones, toxins and inflammatory reactions on the brain vasculature, highlighting the urgent demand for mechanistically exploring the communication between the periphery and the CNS, focusing on the BBB as a last line of defense for brain protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavi Devraj
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, Hyderabad, 500078, Telangana, India.
| | - Onkar Kulkarni
- Metabolic Disorders and Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, Hyderabad, 500078, Telangana, India
| | - Stefan Liebner
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Partner Site Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany.
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Gray SM, Dai J, Smith AC, Beckley JT, Rahmati N, Lewis MC, Quirk MC. Changes in 24(S)-Hydroxycholesterol Are Associated with Cognitive Performance in Early Huntington's Disease: Data from the TRACK and ENROLL HD Cohorts. J Huntingtons Dis 2024; 13:449-465. [PMID: 39269850 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-240030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is evidence for dysregulated cholesterol homeostasis in Huntington's disease (HD). The brain-specific cholesterol metabolite 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol (24(S)-OHC) is decreased in manifest HD. 24(S)-OHC is an endogenous positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, suggesting lower 24(S)-OHC may contribute to NMDA receptor hypofunction in HD. We hypothesized changes in 24(S)-OHC would be associated with cognitive impairment in early HD. OBJECTIVE To determine the interactions between oxysterols (24(S)-OHC, 25-OHC, and 27-OHC) at the NMDA receptor, the plasma levels of these oxysterols, and how these levels relate to cognitive performance. METHODS An in vitro competition assay was used to evaluate interactions at the NMDA receptor, liquid chromatography coupled tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to measure plasma 24(S)-OHC, 25-OHC, and 27-OHC levels, and correlation analyses investigated their relationship to performance on cognitive endpoints in TRACK and ENROLL-HD (NCT01574053). RESULTS In vitro, 25-OHC and 27-OHC attenuated the PAM activity of 24(S)-OHC on the NMDA receptor. Lower plasma 24(S)-OHC levels and 24(S)/25-OHC ratios were detected in participants with early HD. Moderate and consistent associations were detected between plasma 24(S)/25-OHC ratio and performance on Stroop color naming, symbol digit modality, Trails A/B, and emotion recognition. Little association was observed between the ratio and psychiatric or motor endpoints, suggesting specificity for the relationship to cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support growing evidence for dysregulated CNS cholesterol homeostasis in HD, demonstrate a relationship between changes in oxysterols and cognitive performance in HD, and propose that NMDA receptor hypofunction may contribute to cognitive impairment in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jing Dai
- Sage Therapeutics Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
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7
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Shi Y, Xu M, Zhang X, Han Y, Xi G, Mao H, Deng J, Gao Q, Ji Y, Ma X, Li M, Cheng C, Fang X, Wang F. Interaction Between DHCR24 and hsa_circ_0015335 Facilitates Cognitive Impairment in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Patients. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e70131. [PMID: 39578712 PMCID: PMC11584349 DOI: 10.1111/cns.70131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2024] [Revised: 10/21/2024] [Accepted: 11/08/2024] [Indexed: 11/24/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS The study attempted to determine the underlying role and regulation mechanism of 3β-hydroxysterol-Δ24 reductase (DHCR24) in the pathophysiology of cerebral small vessel disease-associated cognitive impairment (CSVD-CI). An RNA high-throughput sequencing and independent verification were conducted to identify potential circRNAs becoming the upstream regulator. METHODS RNA sequencing was performed in whole-blood samples in cohort 1 (10 CSVD-CI and 8 CSVD with cognitively normal [CSVD-CN] patients). The DHCR24 and candidate circRNAs were verified in an independent cohort 2 (45 CSVD-CI participants and 37 CSVD-CN ones). The study also analyzed comprehensive cognitive assessments, plasma molecular index, and brain structure imaging. RESULTS The expression of DHCR24 and has_circ_0015335 in whole-blood samples of CSVD-CI patients was significantly reduced compared to CSVD-CN patients in RNA sequencing and independent verification. Furthermore, the levels of DHCR24 and has_circ_0015335 were significantly related to global cognitive impairment in CSVD-CI patients. Meanwhile, DHCR24 could regulate the correlation between has_circ_0015335 expression and alterations in brain cortex in surface area, thickness, and volume in CSVD-CI patients. Additionally, hsa_circ_0015335 interacted with DHCR24 for plasma 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol levels among CSVD-CI patients. CONCLUSION Interaction between DHCR24 and hsa_circ_0015335 cognitively impaired CSVD by affecting brain cholesterol metabolism and brain structural changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yachen Shi
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical CenterNanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
- Department of Interventional Neurology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical CenterNanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
| | - Min Xu
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical CenterNanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
| | - Xiaoxuan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical CenterNanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
| | - Yan Han
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical CenterNanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
- Department of Interventional Neurology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical CenterNanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
| | - Guangjun Xi
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical CenterNanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
- Department of Interventional Neurology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical CenterNanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
| | - Haixia Mao
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical CenterNanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
| | - Jingyu Deng
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical CenterNanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
- Department of Interventional Neurology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical CenterNanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
| | - Qianqian Gao
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical CenterNanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
| | - Yi Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical CenterNanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
| | - Xuemei Ma
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical CenterNanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
- Department of Interventional Neurology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical CenterNanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
| | - Mingyu Li
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical CenterNanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
| | - Chao Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical CenterNanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
| | - Xiangming Fang
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical CenterNanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical CenterNanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
- Department of Interventional Neurology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical CenterNanjing Medical UniversityWuxiChina
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Hasegawa S, Watanabe S, Fujimoto S, Kondo S, Nishi T. Characterization of soticlestat, a novel cholesterol 24-hydroxylase inhibitor, in acute and chronic neurodegeneration models. Neurosci Res 2024; 208:29-38. [PMID: 38897234 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2024.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
We investigated whether soticlestat (TAK-935), a newly discovered cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CH24H) inhibitor now in phase 3 clinical trials for Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes, has effects on neurodegeneration in both chronic and acute animal models associated with glutamate hyperexcitation. Soticlestat was administered at doses that approximately halve 24S-hydroxycholesterol in both experiments. In the kainic acid (KA)-induced acute hippocampal degeneration model, soticlestat ameliorated inflammatory cytokine expression, hippocampal degeneration, and memory impairment. We ruled out the possibility that soticlestat directly interferes with KA binding to the KA receptor, or that 24S-hydroxycholesterol modulates KA receptor signaling, by conducting receptor binding and cell death assays. In the PS19 chronic degeneration model of tauopathy, treatment effects were observed in neurodegeneration markers. Notably, there was a significant correlation between the levels of brain 24S-hydroxycholesterol and a proinflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-α, which is implicated in cognitive decline and lowering of seizure threshold. This is the first study demonstrating that CH24H inhibition can alleviate neurodegeneration concomitant with neuroinflammation. Herein, we discuss the interplay among 24S-hydroxycholesterol production, neuroinflammation, and excitotoxicity. Effects on neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation demonstrated in two preclinical models suggest that soticlestat is effective in ameliorating seizures and addressing cognitive dysfunction in seizure disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeo Hasegawa
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 2-26-1 Muraoka Higashi, Fujisawa 251-8555, Japan.
| | - Sayuri Watanabe
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 2-26-1 Muraoka Higashi, Fujisawa 251-8555, Japan.
| | - Shinji Fujimoto
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 2-26-1 Muraoka Higashi, Fujisawa 251-8555, Japan.
| | - Shinichi Kondo
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 2-26-1 Muraoka Higashi, Fujisawa 251-8555, Japan.
| | - Toshiya Nishi
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 2-26-1 Muraoka Higashi, Fujisawa 251-8555, Japan.
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9
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Guasp M, Dalmau J. Predicting the future of autoimmune encephalitides. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2024; 180:862-875. [PMID: 39277478 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2024.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024]
Abstract
The concept that many neurologic and psychiatric disorders of unknown cause are immune-mediated has evolved fast during the past 20 years. The main contribution to the expansion of this field has been the discovery of antibodies that attack neuronal or glial cell-surface proteins or receptors, directly modifying their structure and function. These antibodies facilitate the diagnosis and prompt treatment of patients who often improve with immunotherapy. The identification of this group of diseases, collectively named "autoimmune encephalitides", was preceded by many years of investigations on other autoimmune CNS disorders in which the antibodies are against intracellular proteins, occur more frequently with cancer, and associate with cytotoxic T-cell responses that are less responsive to immunotherapy. Here, we first trace the recent history of the autoimmune encephalitides and address how to assess the clinical value and implement in our practice the rapid pace of autoantibody discovery. In addition, we review recent developments in the post-acute stage of the two main autoimmune encephalitides (NMDAR and LGI1) focusing on symptoms that are frequently overlooked or missed, and therefore undertreated. Because a better understanding of the pathophysiology of these diseases relies on animal models, we examine currently available studies, recognizing the existing needs for better and all-inclusive neuro-immunobiological models. Finally, we assess the status of biomarkers of disease outcome, clinical scales, current treatment strategies, and emerging therapies including CAR T-cell technology. Altogether, this overview is intended to identify gaps of knowledge and provide suggestions for improvement and insights for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Guasp
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)-CaixaResearch Institute, Barcelona, Spain; Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
| | - J Dalmau
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)-CaixaResearch Institute, Barcelona, Spain; Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain; Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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10
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Hosseini E. Ubiquitous extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields induces anxiety-like behavior: mechanistic perspectives. Electromagn Biol Med 2024; 43:220-235. [PMID: 39074042 DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2024.2380305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Anxiety is an adaptive condition characterized by heightened uneasiness, which in the long term can cause complications such as reducing the quality of life and problems related to the mental and physical health. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential dangers of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) ranging from 3 to 3000 Hz, which are omnipresent in our daily lives and there have been studies about the anxiogenic effects of these fields. Studies conducted in this specific area has revealed that ELF-EMF can have an impact on various brain regions, such as the hippocampus. In conclusion, studies have shown that ELF-EMF can interfere with hippocampus-prefrontal cortex pathway, inducing anxiety behavior. Also, ELF-EMF may initiate anxiety behavior by generating oxidative stress in hypothalamus and hippocampus. Moreover, ELF-EMF may induce anxiety behavior by reducing hippocampus neuroplasticity and increasing the NMDA2A receptor expression in the hippocampus. Furthermore, supplementation with antioxidants could serve as an effective protective measure against the adverse effects of FLF-FMF in relation to anxiety behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Hosseini
- Division of Physiology, Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
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11
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Sun H, Yang T, Simon RP, Xiong ZG, Leng T. Role of Cholesterol Metabolic Enzyme CYP46A1 and Its Metabolite 24S-Hydroxycholesterol in Ischemic Stroke. Stroke 2024; 55:2492-2501. [PMID: 39224978 PMCID: PMC11421972 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.124.047803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For several decades, it has been recognized that overactivation of the glutamate-gated N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and subsequent Ca2+ toxicity play a critical role in ischemic brain injury. 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24S-HC) is a major cholesterol metabolite in the brain, which has been identified as a potent positive allosteric modulator of NMDAR in rat hippocampal neurons. We hypothesize that 24S-HC worsens ischemic brain injury via its potentiation of the NMDAR, and reducing the production of 24S-HC by targeting its synthetic enzyme CYP46A1 provides neuroprotection. METHODS We tested this hypothesis using electrophysiological, pharmacological, and transgenic approaches and in vitro and in vivo cerebral ischemia models. RESULTS Our data show that 24S-HC potentiates NMDAR activation in primary cultured mouse cortical neurons in a concentration-dependent manner. At 10 µmol/L, it dramatically increases the steady-state currents by 51% and slightly increases the peak currents by 20%. Furthermore, 24S-HC increases NMDA and oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced cortical neuronal injury. The increased neuronal injury is largely abolished by NMDAR channel blocker MK-801, suggesting an NMDAR-dependent mechanism. Pharmacological inhibition of CYP46A1 by voriconazole or gene knockout of Cyp46a1 dramatically reduces ischemic brain injury. CONCLUSIONS These results identify a new mechanism and signaling cascade that critically impacts stroke outcome: CYP46A1 → 24S-HC → NMDAR → ischemic brain injury. They offer proof of principle for further development of new strategies for stroke intervention by targeting CYP46A1 or its metabolite 24S-HC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huawei Sun
- Department of Neurobiology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Tao Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Roger P Simon
- Department of Neurobiology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Zhi-Gang Xiong
- Department of Neurobiology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Tiandong Leng
- Department of Neurobiology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
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12
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Bialer M, Johannessen SI, Koepp MJ, Perucca E, Perucca P, Tomson T, White HS. Progress report on new medications for seizures and epilepsy: A summary of the 17th Eilat Conference on New Antiepileptic Drugs and Devices (EILAT XVII). II. Drugs in more advanced clinical development. Epilepsia 2024; 65:2858-2882. [PMID: 39171993 DOI: 10.1111/epi.18075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
The 17th Eilat Conference on New Antiepileptic Drugs and Devices took place in Madrid, Spain on May 5-8, 2024. As usual, the core part of the conference consisted of presentations on investigational drugs at various stages of development for epilepsy-related indications. Summaries of information on compounds in preclinical or early clinical development are included in an accompanying publication (Part I). In this article, we provide summaries for five compounds in more advanced clinical development, i.e. compounds for which some information on antiseizure activity in individuals with epilepsy is available. These investigational treatments include azetukalner (XEN1101), a potent, KV7.2/7.3-specific potassium channel opener in development for the treatment of focal seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and major depressive disorder; bexicaserin (LP352), a selective 5-HT2C receptor superagonist in development for the treatment of seizures associated with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies; radiprodil, a selective negative allosteric modulator of NR2B subunit-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptors, in development for the treatment of seizures and behavior manifestations associated with disorders caused by gain-of-function mutations in the GRIN1, -2A, -2B, or -2D genes; soticlestat (TAK-935), a selective inhibitor of cholesterol 24-hydroxylase in development for the treatment of seizures associated with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome; and STK-001, an antisense oligonucleotide designed to upregulate Nav1.1 protein expression and improve outcomes in individuals with Dravet syndrome. The diversity in mechanisms of action of these agents illustrates different approaches being pursued in the discovery of novel treatments for seizures and epilepsy. For two of the compounds discussed in this report (azetukalner and soticlestat), clinical evidence of efficacy has already been obtained in a randomized placebo-controlled adjunctive-therapy trial. For the other compounds, adequately powered placebo-controlled efficacy trials have not been completed to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meir Bialer
- Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine and David R. Bloom Center for Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Svein I Johannessen
- National Center for Epilepsy, Sandvika, Norway
- Oslo University Hospital, member of the European Reference Network EpiCare, Oslo, Norway
- Section for Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Matthias J Koepp
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, University College London Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Emilio Perucca
- Department of Medicine (Austin Health), University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Piero Perucca
- Department of Medicine (Austin Health), University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Bladin-Berkovic Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Department of Neurology, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Torbjörn Tomson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - H Steve White
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Epilepsy Drug Discovery, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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13
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Barker-Haliski M, Hawkins NA. Innovative drug discovery strategies in epilepsy: integrating next-generation syndrome-specific mouse models to address pharmacoresistance and epileptogenesis. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:1099-1113. [PMID: 39075876 PMCID: PMC11390315 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2384455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although there are numerous treatment options already available for epilepsy, over 30% of patients remain resistant to these antiseizure medications (ASMs). Historically, ASM discovery has relied on the demonstration of efficacy through the use of 'traditional' acute in vivo seizure models (e.g. maximal electroshock, subcutaneous pentylenetetrazol, and kindling). However, advances in genetic sequencing technologies and remaining medical needs for people with treatment-resistant epilepsy or special patient populations have encouraged recent efforts to identify novel compounds in syndrome-specific models of epilepsy. Syndrome-specific models, including Scn1a variant models of Dravet syndrome and APP/PS1 mice associated with familial early-onset Alzheimer's disease, have already led to the discovery of two mechanistically novel treatments for developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs), namely cannabidiol and soticlestat, respectively. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors discuss how it is likely that next-generation drug discovery efforts for epilepsy will more comprehensively integrate syndrome-specific epilepsy models into early drug discovery providing the reader with their expert perspectives. EXPERT OPINION The percentage of patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy has remained unchanged despite over 30 marketed ASMs. Consequently, there is a high unmet need to reinvent and revise discovery strategies to more effectively address the remaining needs of patients with specific epilepsy syndromes, including drug-resistant epilepsy and DEEs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole A Hawkins
- Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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14
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Yin W, Mitra P, Copalu V, Marbury TC, Rondon JC, Lawitz EJ, Lloyd V, Baratta M, Asgharnejad M, Hui T, Khan Y. Phase 1 pharmacokinetic and safety study of soticlestat in participants with mild or moderate hepatic impairment or normal hepatic function. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2024; 12:e1213. [PMID: 38993008 PMCID: PMC11239955 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.1213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
This phase 1, open-label, three-arm study (NCT05098054) compared the pharmacokinetics and safety of soticlestat (TAK-935) in participants with hepatic impairment. Participants aged ≥18 to <75 years had moderate (Child-Pugh B) or mild (Child-Pugh A) hepatic impairment or normal hepatic function (matched to hepatic-impaired participants by sex, age, and body mass index). Soticlestat was administered as a single oral 300 mg dose. Pharmacokinetic parameters of soticlestat and its metabolites TAK-935-G (M3) and M-I were assessed and compared by group. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and other safety parameters were also monitored. The pharmacokinetic analyses comprised 35 participants. Participants with moderate hepatic impairment had lower proportions of bound and higher proportions of unbound soticlestat than participants with mild hepatic impairment and normal hepatic function. Total plasma soticlestat pharmacokinetic parameters (maximum observed concentration [Cmax], area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 to time of last quantifiable concentration [AUClast], and AUC from time 0 to infinity [AUC∞]) were approximately 115%, 216%, and 199% higher with moderate and approximately 45%, 35%, and 30% higher with mild hepatic impairment, respectively, than healthy matched participants. Moderate hepatic impairment decreased the liver's ability to metabolize soticlestat to M-I; glucuronidation to M3 was also affected. Mild hepatic impairment resulted in a lower total plasma M-I exposure, but glucuronidation was unaffected. TEAEs were similar across study arms, mild, and no new safety findings were observed. A soticlestat dose reduction is required for individuals with moderate but not mild hepatic impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yin
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc.CambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Pranab Mitra
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc.CambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Veronique Copalu
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc.CambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | | | | | - Eric J. Lawitz
- The Texas Liver InstituteUniversity of Texas Health San AntonioSan AntonioTexasUSA
| | - Valerie Lloyd
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc.CambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Mike Baratta
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc.CambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | | | - Tom Hui
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc.CambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Yasir Khan
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc.CambridgeMassachusettsUSA
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15
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Pai SK. Why women may be more prone to Alzheimer's disease. AGING BRAIN 2024; 6:100121. [PMID: 39044776 PMCID: PMC11263948 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbas.2024.100121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sadashiva K Pai
- Science Mission LLC, Founder & CEO, 3424 Canyon Lake Dr, Little Elm, TX 75068, United States
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16
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Maudes E, Jamet Z, Marmolejo L, Dalmau JO, Groc L. Positive Allosteric Modulation of NMDARs Prevents the Altered Surface Dynamics Caused by Patients' Antibodies. NEUROLOGY(R) NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION 2024; 11:e200261. [PMID: 38771989 PMCID: PMC11111324 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000200261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A positive allosteric modulator of the NMDAR, SGE-301, has been shown to reverse the alterations caused by the antibodies of patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis (NMDARe). However, the mechanisms involved beyond receptor modulation are unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate how this modulator affects NMDAR membrane dynamics. METHODS Cultured hippocampal neurons were treated with SGE-301 or vehicle, alongside with immunoglobulins G (IgG) from patients with NMDARe or healthy controls. NMDAR surface dynamics were assessed with single-molecule imaging by photoactivated localization microscopy. RESULTS NMDAR trajectories from neurons treated with SGE-301 were less confinement, with increased diffusion coefficients. This effect mainly occurred at synapses because extrasynaptic diffusion and confinement were minimally affected by SGE-301. Treatment with patients' IgG reduced NMDAR surface dynamics and increased their confinement. Remarkably, SGE-301 incubation antagonized patients' IgG effects in both synaptic and extrasynaptic membrane compartments, restoring diffusion and confinement values similar to those from neurons exposed to control IgG. DISCUSSION We demonstrate that SGE-301 upregulates NMDAR surface diffusion and antagonizes the pathogenic effects of patients' IgG on NMDAR membrane organization. These findings suggest a potential therapeutic strategy for NMDARe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estibaliz Maudes
- From the Neuroimmunology Program (E.M., L.M., J.O.D.), Fundació Clinic per la Recerca Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (FCRB-IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Spain; and University of Bordeaux (Z.J., L.G.), CNRS, Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, IINS, UMR 5297, Bordeaux, France
| | - Zoë Jamet
- From the Neuroimmunology Program (E.M., L.M., J.O.D.), Fundació Clinic per la Recerca Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (FCRB-IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Spain; and University of Bordeaux (Z.J., L.G.), CNRS, Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, IINS, UMR 5297, Bordeaux, France
| | - Laura Marmolejo
- From the Neuroimmunology Program (E.M., L.M., J.O.D.), Fundació Clinic per la Recerca Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (FCRB-IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Spain; and University of Bordeaux (Z.J., L.G.), CNRS, Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, IINS, UMR 5297, Bordeaux, France
| | - Josep O Dalmau
- From the Neuroimmunology Program (E.M., L.M., J.O.D.), Fundació Clinic per la Recerca Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (FCRB-IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Spain; and University of Bordeaux (Z.J., L.G.), CNRS, Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, IINS, UMR 5297, Bordeaux, France
| | - Laurent Groc
- From the Neuroimmunology Program (E.M., L.M., J.O.D.), Fundació Clinic per la Recerca Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (FCRB-IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Spain; and University of Bordeaux (Z.J., L.G.), CNRS, Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, IINS, UMR 5297, Bordeaux, France
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17
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Koenig A, Lewis M, Wald J, Li S, Varoglu M, Dai J, Sankoh A, Paumier K, Doherty J, Quirk M. Dalzanemdor (SAGE-718), a novel, investigational N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor positive allosteric modulator: Safety, tolerability, and clinical pharmacology in randomized dose-finding studies in healthy participants and an open-label study in participants with Huntington's disease. Clin Transl Sci 2024; 17:e13852. [PMID: 38988035 PMCID: PMC11236904 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) represent a potential therapeutic strategy for cognitive impairment in disorders associated with NMDAR hypofunction, including Huntington's disease (HD) and Alzheimer's disease. Dalzanemdor (SAGE-718) is a novel, investigational NMDAR PAM being evaluated for the potential treatment of cognitive impairment in these disorders. We report first-in-human, phase I, double-blind, dose-finding studies to assess the safety, tolerability, and clinical pharmacology of dalzanemdor. A single-ascending dose study (dalzanemdor 0.35, 0.75, 1.5, or 3.0 mg vs. placebo) was conducted in healthy participants and included food effects. A multiple-ascending dose study (14 days) was conducted in healthy participants (dalzanemdor 0.5 or 1.0 mg vs. placebo) and HD participants (open-label dalzanemdor 1.0 mg) and included exploratory pharmacodynamics on cognitive performance. Dalzanemdor was generally well tolerated with no adverse events leading to discontinuation. Dalzanemdor exhibited pharmacokinetic parameters appropriate for once-daily dosing. Following single and multiple doses in healthy participants, median terminal half-life was 8-118 h, and the median time to reach maximum plasma concentration was 4-7 h. Exposures were dose-proportional after single dose (6-46 ng/mL) and more than dose-proportional after multiple doses (6-41 ng/mL). With multiple dosing, a steady state was achieved after 11 days in healthy participants and 13 days in HD participants. Dalzanemdor exposure decreased slightly with food. In HD participants, results suggest that dalzanemdor may improve cognitive performance on tests of executive function. These results support continued clinical development of dalzanemdor for the potential treatment of cognitive impairment in disorders of NMDAR hypofunction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jeff Wald
- Sage Therapeutics, IncCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Sigui Li
- Sage Therapeutics, IncCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | | | - Jing Dai
- Sage Therapeutics, IncCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | | | | | | | - Mike Quirk
- Sage Therapeutics, IncCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
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18
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Mast N, Butts M, Pikuleva IA. Unbiased insights into the multiplicity of the CYP46A1 brain effects in 5XFAD mice treated with low dose-efavirenz. J Lipid Res 2024; 65:100555. [PMID: 38719151 PMCID: PMC11176809 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2024.100555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Cytochrome P450 46A1 (CYP46A1) is the CNS-specific cholesterol 24-hydroxylase that controls cholesterol elimination and turnover in the brain. In mouse models, pharmacologic CYP46A1 activation with low-dose efavirenz or by gene therapy mitigates the manifestations of various brain disorders, neurologic, and nonneurologic, by affecting numerous, apparently unlinked biological processes. Accordingly, CYP46A1 is emerging as a promising therapeutic target; however, the mechanisms underlying the multiplicity of the brain CYP46A1 activity effects are currently not understood. We proposed the chain reaction hypothesis, according to which CYP46A1 is important for the three primary (unifying) processes in the brain (sterol flux through the plasma membranes, acetyl-CoA, and isoprenoid production), which in turn affect a variety of secondary processes. We already identified several processes secondary to changes in sterol flux and herein undertook a multiomics approach to compare the brain proteome, acetylproteome, and metabolome of 5XFAD mice (an Alzheimer's disease model), control and treated with low-dose efavirenz. We found that the latter had increased production of phospholipids from the corresponding lysophospholipids and a globally increased protein acetylation (including histone acetylation). Apparently, these effects were secondary to increased acetyl-CoA production. Signaling of small GTPases due to their altered abundance or abundance of their regulators could be affected as well, potentially via isoprenoid biosynthesis. In addition, the omics data related differentially abundant molecules to other biological processes either reported previously or new. Thus, we obtained unbiased mechanistic insights and identified potential players mediating the multiplicity of the CYP46A1 brain effects and further detailed our chain reaction hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Mast
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Makaya Butts
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Irina A Pikuleva
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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19
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Kellner S, Berlin S. Rescuing tri-heteromeric NMDA receptor function: the potential of pregnenolone-sulfate in loss-of-function GRIN2B variants. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:235. [PMID: 38795169 PMCID: PMC11127902 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05243-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024]
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs emerging from GRIN genes) are tetrameric receptors that form diverse channel compositions in neurons, typically consisting of two GluN1 subunits combined with two GluN2(A-D) subunits. During prenatal stages, the predominant channels are di-heteromers with two GluN1 and two GluN2B subunits due to the high abundance of GluN2B subunits. Postnatally, the expression of GluN2A subunits increases, giving rise to additional subtypes, including GluN2A-containing di-heteromers and tri-heteromers with GluN1, GluN2A, and GluN2B subunits. The latter emerge as the major receptor subtype at mature synapses in the hippocampus. Despite extensive research on purely di-heteromeric receptors containing two identical GRIN variants, the impact of a single variant on the function of other channel forms, notably tri-heteromers, is lagging. In this study, we systematically investigated the effects of two de novo GRIN2B variants (G689C and G689S) in pure, mixed di- and tri-heteromers. Our findings reveal that incorporating a single variant in mixed di-heteromers or tri-heteromers exerts a dominant negative effect on glutamate potency, although 'mixed' channels show improved potency compared to pure variant-containing di-heteromers. We show that a single variant within a receptor complex does not impair the response of all receptor subtypes to the positive allosteric modulator pregnenolone-sulfate (PS), whereas spermine completely fails to potentiate tri-heteromers containing GluN2A and -2B-subunits. We examined PS on primary cultured hippocampal neurons transfected with the variants, and observed a positive impact over current amplitudes and synaptic activity. Together, our study supports previous observations showing that mixed di-heteromers exhibit improved glutamate potency and extend these findings towards the exploration of the effect of Loss-of-Function variants over tri-heteromers. Notably, we provide an initial and crucial demonstration of the beneficial effects of GRIN2B-relevant potentiators on tri-heteromers. Our results underscore the significance of studying how different variants affect distinct receptor subtypes, as these effects cannot be inferred solely from observations made on pure di-heteromers. Overall, this study contributes to ongoing efforts to understand the pathophysiology of GRINopathies and provides insights into potential treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shai Kellner
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 1 Efron Bat Galim, Haifa, 3525433, Israel
| | - Shai Berlin
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 1 Efron Bat Galim, Haifa, 3525433, Israel.
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20
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Beckley JT, Aman TK, Ackley MA, Kazdoba TM, Lewis MC, Smith AC, Farley BJ, Dai J, Deats W, Hoffmann E, Robichaud AJ, Doherty JJ, Quirk MC. Pharmacological characterization of SAGE-718, a novel positive allosteric modulator of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:1028-1050. [PMID: 37698384 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Select neuroactive steroids tune neural activity by modulating excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, including the endogenous cholesterol metabolite 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol (24(S)-HC), which is an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor positive allosteric modulator (PAM). NMDA receptor PAMs are potentially an effective pharmacotherapeutic strategy to treat conditions associated with NMDA receptor hypofunction. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Using in vitro and in vivo electrophysiological recording experiments and behavioural approaches, we evaluated the effect of SAGE-718, a novel neuroactive steroid NMDA receptor PAM currently in clinical development for the treatment of cognitive impairment, on NMDA receptor function and endpoints that are altered by NMDA receptor hypoactivity and assessed its safety profile. KEY RESULTS SAGE-718 potentiated GluN1/GluN2A-D NMDA receptors with equipotency and increased NMDA receptor excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) amplitude without affecting decay kinetics in striatal medium spiny neurons. SAGE-718 increased the rate of unblock of the NMDA receptor open channel blocker ketamine on GluN1/GluN2A in vitro and accelerated the rate of return on the ketamine-evoked increase in gamma frequency band power, as measured with electroencephalogram (EEG), suggesting that PAM activity is driven by increased channel open probability. SAGE-718 ameliorated deficits due to NMDA receptor hypofunction, including social deficits induced by subchronic administration of phencyclidine, and behavioural and electrophysiological deficits from cholesterol and 24(S)-HC depletion caused by 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase inhibition. Finally, SAGE-718 did not produce epileptiform activity in a seizure model or neurodegeneration following chronic dosing. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These findings provide strong evidence that SAGE-718 is a neuroactive steroid NMDA receptor PAM with a mechanism that is well suited as a treatment for conditions associated with NMDA receptor hypofunction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Teresa K Aman
- Sage Therapeutics Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | - Anne C Smith
- Sage Therapeutics Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Jing Dai
- Sage Therapeutics Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wayne Deats
- Sage Therapeutics Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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21
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Ling E, Nemesh J, Goldman M, Kamitaki N, Reed N, Handsaker RE, Genovese G, Vogelgsang JS, Gerges S, Kashin S, Ghosh S, Esposito JM, Morris K, Meyer D, Lutservitz A, Mullally CD, Wysoker A, Spina L, Neumann A, Hogan M, Ichihara K, Berretta S, McCarroll SA. A concerted neuron-astrocyte program declines in ageing and schizophrenia. Nature 2024; 627:604-611. [PMID: 38448582 PMCID: PMC10954558 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07109-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Human brains vary across people and over time; such variation is not yet understood in cellular terms. Here we describe a relationship between people's cortical neurons and cortical astrocytes. We used single-nucleus RNA sequencing to analyse the prefrontal cortex of 191 human donors aged 22-97 years, including healthy individuals and people with schizophrenia. Latent-factor analysis of these data revealed that, in people whose cortical neurons more strongly expressed genes encoding synaptic components, cortical astrocytes more strongly expressed distinct genes with synaptic functions and genes for synthesizing cholesterol, an astrocyte-supplied component of synaptic membranes. We call this relationship the synaptic neuron and astrocyte program (SNAP). In schizophrenia and ageing-two conditions that involve declines in cognitive flexibility and plasticity1,2-cells divested from SNAP: astrocytes, glutamatergic (excitatory) neurons and GABAergic (inhibitory) neurons all showed reduced SNAP expression to corresponding degrees. The distinct astrocytic and neuronal components of SNAP both involved genes in which genetic risk factors for schizophrenia were strongly concentrated. SNAP, which varies quantitatively even among healthy people of similar age, may underlie many aspects of normal human interindividual differences and may be an important point of convergence for multiple kinds of pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emi Ling
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - James Nemesh
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Melissa Goldman
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nolan Kamitaki
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nora Reed
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert E Handsaker
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giulio Genovese
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan S Vogelgsang
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sherif Gerges
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Seva Kashin
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sulagna Ghosh
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Daniel Meyer
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alyssa Lutservitz
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher D Mullally
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alec Wysoker
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Liv Spina
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anna Neumann
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marina Hogan
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kiku Ichihara
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sabina Berretta
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Steven A McCarroll
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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22
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Yin W, Facius A, Asgharnejad M, Lahu G, Vakilynejad M. Population pharmacokinetics, enzyme occupancy, and pharmacodynamic modeling of soticlestat in patients with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. Clin Transl Sci 2024; 17:e13722. [PMID: 38445548 PMCID: PMC10915720 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Soticlestat (TAK-935) is a first-in-class, selective inhibitor of cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CH24H) under phase III development for the treatment of the developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs), Dravet syndrome (DS), and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). A previous model characterized the pharmacokinetics (PKs), CH24H enzyme occupancy (EO), and pharmacodynamics (PDs) of soticlestat in healthy volunteers. The present study extended this original model for patients with DEEs and investigated sources of variability. Model-based simulations were carried out to optimize dosing strategies for use in clinical trials. Data from eight phase I and II trials of healthy volunteers or patients with DEEs receiving oral soticlestat 15-1350 mg were included, encompassing 218 individuals for population PK (PopPK) analyses and 306 individuals for PK/PD analyses. Dosing strategies were identified through model-based simulations. The final mixed-effect PopPK/EO/PD model consisted of a two-compartment PK model and an effect-site compartment in the PK/EO model; soticlestat concentrations at the effect site were linked to 24S-hydroxycholesterol plasma concentrations using a semimechanistic inhibitory indirect response model. Covariates were included to account for sources of variability. Pediatric dosing strategies were developed for four body weight bands (10 to <15, 15 to <30, 30 to <45, and 45-100 kg) to account for covariate effects by body weight. The final PopPK and PK/EO/PD models accurately described PK, EO, and PD profiles of soticlestat in healthy volunteers and patients with DEEs. Covariate analyses and model-based simulations facilitated optimization of phase III trial dosing strategies for patients with DS or LGS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yin
- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd.CambridgeMassachusettsUSA
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23
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Shu HJ, Ziolkowski LH, Salvatore SV, Benz AM, Wozniak DF, Yuede CM, Paul SM, Zorumski CF, Mennerick S. Effects of Complete and Partial Loss of the 24S-Hydroxycholesterol-Generating Enzyme Cyp46a1 on Behavior and Hippocampal Transcription in Mouse. Biomolecules 2024; 14:254. [PMID: 38540675 PMCID: PMC10968171 DOI: 10.3390/biom14030254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 12/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Brain cholesterol metabolic products include neurosteroids and oxysterols, which play important roles in cellular physiology. In neurons, the cholesterol oxidation product, 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24S-HC), is a regulator of signaling and transcription. Here, we examined the behavioral effects of 24S-HC loss, using global and cell-selective genetic deletion of the synthetic enzyme CYP46A1. Mice that are globally deficient in CYP46A1 exhibited hypoactivity at young ages and unexpected increases in conditioned fear memory. Despite strong reductions in hippocampal 24S-HC in mice with selective loss of CYP46A1 in VGLUT1-positive cells, behavioral effects were not recapitulated in these conditional knockout mice. Global knockout produced strong, developmentally dependent transcriptional effects on select cholesterol metabolism genes. These included paradoxical changes in Liver X Receptor targets. Again, conditional knockout was insufficient to recapitulate most changes. Overall, our results highlight the complex effects of 24S-HC in an in vivo setting that are not fully predicted by known mechanisms. The results also demonstrate that the complete inhibition of enzymatic activity may be needed for a detectable, therapeutically relevant impact on gene expression and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Jin Shu
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA (S.V.S.); (D.F.W.); (C.M.Y.); (S.M.P.)
| | - Luke H. Ziolkowski
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA (S.V.S.); (D.F.W.); (C.M.Y.); (S.M.P.)
| | - Sofia V. Salvatore
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA (S.V.S.); (D.F.W.); (C.M.Y.); (S.M.P.)
| | - Ann M. Benz
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA (S.V.S.); (D.F.W.); (C.M.Y.); (S.M.P.)
| | - David F. Wozniak
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA (S.V.S.); (D.F.W.); (C.M.Y.); (S.M.P.)
- Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatry Research, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Carla M. Yuede
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA (S.V.S.); (D.F.W.); (C.M.Y.); (S.M.P.)
| | - Steven M. Paul
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA (S.V.S.); (D.F.W.); (C.M.Y.); (S.M.P.)
- Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatry Research, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Charles F. Zorumski
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA (S.V.S.); (D.F.W.); (C.M.Y.); (S.M.P.)
- Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatry Research, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Steven Mennerick
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA (S.V.S.); (D.F.W.); (C.M.Y.); (S.M.P.)
- Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatry Research, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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24
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Latorre-Leal M, Rodriguez-Rodriguez P, Franchini L, Nikolidakis O, Daniilidou M, Delac L, Varshney MK, Arroyo-García LE, Eroli F, Winblad B, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Kivipelto M, Pacciarini M, Wang Y, Griffiths WJ, Björkhem I, Matton A, Nalvarte I, Merino-Serrais P, Cedazo-Minguez A, Maioli S. CYP46A1-mediated cholesterol turnover induces sex-specific changes in cognition and counteracts memory loss in ovariectomized mice. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj1354. [PMID: 38266095 PMCID: PMC10807813 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj1354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The brain-specific enzyme CYP46A1 controls cholesterol turnover by converting cholesterol into 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24OH). Dysregulation of brain cholesterol turnover and reduced CYP46A1 levels are observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we report that CYP46A1 overexpression in aged female mice leads to enhanced estrogen signaling in the hippocampus and improved cognitive functions. In contrast, age-matched CYP46A1 overexpressing males show anxiety-like behavior, worsened memory, and elevated levels of 5α-dihydrotestosterone in the hippocampus. We report that, in neurons, 24OH contributes to these divergent effects by activating sex hormone signaling, including estrogen receptors. CYP46A1 overexpression in female mice protects from memory impairments induced by ovariectomy while having no effects in gonadectomized males. Last, we measured cerebrospinal fluid levels of 24OH in a clinical cohort of patients with AD and found that 24OH negatively correlates with neurodegeneration markers only in women. We suggest that CYP46A1 activation is a valuable pharmacological target for enhancing estrogen signaling in women at risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Latorre-Leal
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Patricia Rodriguez-Rodriguez
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Luca Franchini
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Orestis Nikolidakis
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Makrina Daniilidou
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ljerka Delac
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mukesh K. Varshney
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Luis E. Arroyo-García
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Francesca Eroli
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bengt Winblad
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM), Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Miia Kivipelto
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Theme Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Yuqin Wang
- Swansea University Medical School, SA2 8PP Swansea, UK
| | | | - Ingemar Björkhem
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Anna Matton
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ivan Nalvarte
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Paula Merino-Serrais
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Departamento de Neurobiología Funcional y de Sistemas, Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Laboratorio Cajal de Circuitos Corticales, Centro de Tecnología Biomédica, UPM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Angel Cedazo-Minguez
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Silvia Maioli
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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25
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Ling E, Nemesh J, Goldman M, Kamitaki N, Reed N, Handsaker RE, Genovese G, Vogelgsang JS, Gerges S, Kashin S, Ghosh S, Esposito JM, French K, Meyer D, Lutservitz A, Mullally CD, Wysoker A, Spina L, Neumann A, Hogan M, Ichihara K, Berretta S, McCarroll SA. Concerted neuron-astrocyte gene expression declines in aging and schizophrenia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.07.574148. [PMID: 38260461 PMCID: PMC10802483 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.07.574148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Human brains vary across people and over time; such variation is not yet understood in cellular terms. Here we describe a striking relationship between people's cortical neurons and cortical astrocytes. We used single-nucleus RNA-seq to analyze the prefrontal cortex of 191 human donors ages 22-97 years, including healthy individuals and persons with schizophrenia. Latent-factor analysis of these data revealed that in persons whose cortical neurons more strongly expressed genes for synaptic components, cortical astrocytes more strongly expressed distinct genes with synaptic functions and genes for synthesizing cholesterol, an astrocyte-supplied component of synaptic membranes. We call this relationship the Synaptic Neuron-and-Astrocyte Program (SNAP). In schizophrenia and aging - two conditions that involve declines in cognitive flexibility and plasticity 1,2 - cells had divested from SNAP: astrocytes, glutamatergic (excitatory) neurons, and GABAergic (inhibitory) neurons all reduced SNAP expression to corresponding degrees. The distinct astrocytic and neuronal components of SNAP both involved genes in which genetic risk factors for schizophrenia were strongly concentrated. SNAP, which varies quantitatively even among healthy persons of similar age, may underlie many aspects of normal human interindividual differences and be an important point of convergence for multiple kinds of pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emi Ling
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - James Nemesh
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Melissa Goldman
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nolan Kamitaki
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nora Reed
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Robert E. Handsaker
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Giulio Genovese
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jonathan S. Vogelgsang
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Sherif Gerges
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Seva Kashin
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sulagna Ghosh
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | | | - Daniel Meyer
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alyssa Lutservitz
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Christopher D. Mullally
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alec Wysoker
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Liv Spina
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Anna Neumann
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Marina Hogan
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kiku Ichihara
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sabina Berretta
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Steven A. McCarroll
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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26
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Masson EAY, Serrano J, Leger-Charnay E, Acar N. Cholesterol and oxysterols in retinal neuron-glia interactions: relevance for glaucoma. FRONTIERS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY 2024; 3:1303649. [PMID: 38983043 PMCID: PMC11182186 DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2023.1303649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Cholesterol is an essential component of cellular membranes, crucial for maintaining their structural and functional integrity. It is especially important for nervous tissues, including the retina, which rely on high amounts of plasma membranes for the transmission of the nervous signal. While cholesterol is by far the most abundant sterol, the retina also contains cholesterol precursors and metabolites, especially oxysterols, which are bioactive molecules. Cholesterol lack or excess is deleterious and some oxysterols are known for their effect on neuron survival. Cholesterol homeostasis must therefore be maintained. Retinal glial cells, especially Müller cells, the principal glial cells of the vertebrate retina, provide mechanical, nutritional, and metabolic support for the neighboring neurons. Several pieces of evidence indicate that Müller cells are major actors of cholesterol homeostasis in the retina, as it is known for other glial cells in the brain. This process is based on a close cooperation with neurons, and sterols can be signaling molecules participating in glia-neuron interactions. While some implication of cholesterol in age-related macular degeneration is now recognized, based on epidemiological and laboratory data, evidence for its role in glaucoma is still scarce. The association between cholesterolemia and glaucoma is controversial, but experimental data suggest that sterols could take part in the pathological processes. It has been demonstrated that Müller glial cells are implicated in the development of glaucoma through an ambivalent reactive retinal gliosis process. The early steps contribute to maintaining retinal homeostasis and favor the survival of ganglion cells, which are targeted during glaucoma. If gliosis persists, dysregulation of the neuroprotective functions, cytotoxic effects of gliotic Müller cells and disruption of glia-neuron interactions lead to an acceleration of ganglion cell death. Sterols could play a role in the glial cell response to glaucomatous injury. This represents an understudied but attractive topic to better understand glaucoma and conceive novel preventive or curative strategies. The present review describes the current knowledge on i) sterol metabolism in retinal glial cells, ii) the potential role of cholesterol in glaucoma, and iii) the possible relationships between cholesterol and oxysterols, glial cells and glaucoma. Focus is put on glia-neuron interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie A Y Masson
- Eye and Nutrition Research Group, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Jeanne Serrano
- Eye and Nutrition Research Group, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
- Sensory Perception, Glia/Neuron Interaction Research Group, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Elise Leger-Charnay
- Eye and Nutrition Research Group, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Niyazi Acar
- Eye and Nutrition Research Group, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
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27
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Du J, Chen Z, Chen X, Zhang J, Wang Y, Zhao T, Wang D, Wang C, Chen Y, Meng Q, Sun H, Liu K, Wu J. Inhibition of Glycyrrhiza Polysaccharide on Human Cytochrome P450 46A1 in vitro and in vivo: Implications in Treating Neurological Diseases. Curr Drug Metab 2024; 25:227-234. [PMID: 38797896 DOI: 10.2174/0113892002305873240520072802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 46A1, also known as cholesterol 24S-hydroxylase, is essential for maintaining the homeostasis of cholesterol in the brain and serves as a therapeutic target of neurodegenerative disorders and excitatory neurotoxicity. N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is a prototypical receptor for the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate and can be specifically regulated by 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24S-HC). Glycyrrhiza is one of the most widely used herbs with broad clinical applications, which has several pharmacological activities, such as clearing heat and detoxifying, moistening the lung and relieving cough, analgesic, neuroprotective outcomes, and regulating a variety of drug activities. Glycyrrhiza is a commonly used herb for the treatment of epileptic encephalopathy. However, whether glycyrrhiza can interfere with the activity of CYP46A1 remains unknown. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the regulating effects of glycyrrhiza polysaccharides (GP) on CYP46A1-mediated cholesterol conversion, as well as in the modulation of related proteins. MATERIALS AND METHODS The effects of glycyrrhiza polysaccharide (GP) on the activity of CYP46A1 were investigated in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, the potential regulatory effects of GP on the expressions of CYP46A1, HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR), and NMDAR were also detected. RESULTS The in vitro results demonstrated that glycyrrhiza polysaccharide (GP), as the main water-soluble active component of glycyrrhiza, remarkably inhibited the activity of CYP46A1 in a non-competitive mode with a Ki value of 0.7003 mg/ml. Furthermore, the in vivo experiments verified that GP markedly decreased the contents of 24S-HC in rat plasma and brain tissues as compared to the control. More importantly, the protein expressions of CYP46A1, GluN2A, GluN2B, and HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) in rat brains were all downregulated, whereas the mRNA expressions of CYP46A1 and HMGCR were not significantly changed after treatment with GP. CONCLUSION GP exhibits a significant inhibitory effect on CYP46A1 activity in vitro and in vivo, and the protein expressions of CYP46A1, HMGCR, and NMDAR are also inhibited by GP, which are of considerable clinical significance for GP's potential therapeutic role in treating neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Du
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Zujia Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Xiaodong Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Jiahui Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Yaojun Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Tingting Zhao
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Dalong Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Changyuan Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Pharmacokinetics and Transport, Liaoning Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Yanwei Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Qiang Meng
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Pharmacokinetics and Transport, Liaoning Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Huijun Sun
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Pharmacokinetics and Transport, Liaoning Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Kexin Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Pharmacokinetics and Transport, Liaoning Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Jingjing Wu
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Pharmacokinetics and Transport, Liaoning Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
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Hanson JE, Yuan H, Perszyk RE, Banke TG, Xing H, Tsai MC, Menniti FS, Traynelis SF. Therapeutic potential of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor modulators in psychiatry. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:51-66. [PMID: 37369776 PMCID: PMC10700609 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01614-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors mediate a slow component of excitatory synaptic transmission, are widely distributed throughout the central nervous system, and regulate synaptic plasticity. NMDA receptor modulators have long been considered as potential treatments for psychiatric disorders including depression and schizophrenia, neurodevelopmental disorders such as Rett Syndrome, and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. New interest in NMDA receptors as therapeutic targets has been spurred by the findings that certain inhibitors of NMDA receptors produce surprisingly rapid and robust antidepressant activity by a novel mechanism, the induction of changes in the brain that well outlast the presence of drug in the body. These findings are driving research into an entirely new paradigm for using NMDA receptor antagonists in a host of related conditions. At the same time positive allosteric modulators of NMDA receptors are being pursued for enhancing synaptic function in diseases that feature NMDA receptor hypofunction. While there is great promise, developing the therapeutic potential of NMDA receptor modulators must also navigate the potential significant risks posed by the use of such agents. We review here the emerging pharmacology of agents that target different NMDA receptor subtypes, offering new avenues for capturing the therapeutic potential of targeting this important receptor class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse E Hanson
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Hongjie Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Riley E Perszyk
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Tue G Banke
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Hao Xing
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Ming-Chi Tsai
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Frank S Menniti
- MindImmune Therapeutics, Inc., The George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA.
| | - Stephen F Traynelis
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
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Petrov AM. Oxysterols in Central and Peripheral Synaptic Communication. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1440:91-123. [PMID: 38036877 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-43883-7_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Cholesterol is a key molecule for synaptic transmission, and both central and peripheral synapses are cholesterol rich. During intense neuronal activity, a substantial portion of synaptic cholesterol can be oxidized by either enzymatic or non-enzymatic pathways to form oxysterols, which in turn modulate the activities of neurotransmitter receptors (e.g., NMDA and adrenergic receptors), signaling molecules (nitric oxide synthases, protein kinase C, liver X receptors), and synaptic vesicle cycling involved in neurotransmitters release. 24-Hydroxycholesterol, produced by neurons in the brain, could directly affect neighboring synapses and change neurotransmission. 27-Hydroxycholesterol, which can cross the blood-brain barrier, can alter both synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Increased generation of 25-hydroxycholesterol by activated microglia and macrophages could link inflammatory processes to learning and neuronal regulation. Amyloids and oxidative stress can lead to an increase in the levels of ring-oxidized sterols and some of these oxysterols (4-cholesten-3-one, 5α-cholestan-3-one, 7β-hydroxycholesterol, 7-ketocholesterol) have a high potency to disturb or modulate neurotransmission at both the presynaptic and postsynaptic levels. Overall, oxysterols could be used as "molecular prototypes" for therapeutic approaches. Analogs of 24-hydroxycholesterol (SGE-301, SGE-550, SAGE718) can be used for correction of NMDA receptor hypofunction-related states, whereas inhibitors of cholesterol 24-hydroxylase, cholestane-3β,5α,6β-triol, and cholest-4-en-3-one oxime (olesoxime) can be utilized as potential anti-epileptic drugs and (or) protectors from excitotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey M Petrov
- Laboratory of Biophysics of Synaptic Processes, Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Federal Research Center "Kazan Scientific Center of RAS", Kazan, RT, Russia.
- Kazan State Medial University, Kazan, RT, Russia.
- Kazan Federal University, Kazan, RT, Russia.
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30
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Messedi M, Makni-Ayadi F. 24S-Hydroxycholesterol in Neuropsychiatric Diseases: Schizophrenia, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1440:293-304. [PMID: 38036886 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-43883-7_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric diseases (NPDs) are severe, debilitating psychiatric conditions that affect the nervous system. These are among the most challenging disorders in medicine. Some examples include Alzheimer's, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. NPDs represent an ever-increasing burden on public health and are prevalent throughout the world. For most of these diseases, the particular etiopathogeneses are still enigmatic. NPDs are also associated with structural and functional changes in the brain, along with altered neurotransmitter and neuroendocrine systems.Approximately 25% of the total human body cholesterol is located in the brain. Its involvement in neuronal functions starts in the early growth stages and remains important throughout adulthood. It is also an integral part of the neuronal membrane, ensuring membrane lipid organization and regulating membrane fluidity. The main mechanism for removing cholesterol from the brain is cholesterol 24-hydroxylation by cytochrome P450 46A1 (CYP46A1), an enzyme specifically found in the central nervous system. Although research on 24S-OHC and its role in neuropsychiatric diseases is still in its early stages, this oxidized cholesterol metabolite is thought to play a crucial role in the etiology of NPDs. 24S-OHC can affect neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and vascular cells. In addition to regulating the homeostasis of cholesterol in the brain, this oxysterol is involved in neurotransmission, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The role of 24S-OHC in NPDs has been found to be controversial in terms of the findings so far. There are several intriguing discrepancies in the data gathered so far regarding 24S-OHC and NPDs. In fact, 24S-OHC levels were reported to have decreased in a number of NPDs and increased in others.Hence, in this chapter, we first summarize the available data regarding 24S-OHC as a biomarker in NPDs, including schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, and bipolar disorder. Then, we present a brief synopsis of the pharmacological targeting of 24S-OHC levels through the modulation of CYP46A1 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meriam Messedi
- Research Laboratory "Molecular Basis of Human Diseases", LR19ES13, Sfax Medicine School, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Fatma Makni-Ayadi
- Research Laboratory "Molecular Basis of Human Diseases", LR19ES13, Sfax Medicine School, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
- Department of Clinical biochemistry, Habib Bourguiba Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
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31
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Urano Y, Noguchi N. Enzymatically Formed Oxysterols and Cell Death. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1440:193-211. [PMID: 38036881 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-43883-7_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
The side-chain hydroxylation of cholesterol by specific enzymes produces 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, 27-hydroxycholesterol, and other products. These enzymatically formed side-chain oxysterols act as intermediates in the biosynthesis of bile acids and serve as signaling molecules that regulate cholesterol homeostasis. Besides these intracellular functions, an imbalance in oxysterol homeostasis is implicated in pathophysiology. Furthermore, growing evidence reveals that oxysterols affect cell proliferation and cause cell death. This chapter provides an overview of the pathophysiological role of side-chain oxysterols in developing human diseases. We also summarize our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of various forms of cell death by side-chain oxysterols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuomi Urano
- Department of Medical Life Systems, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Noriko Noguchi
- Department of Medical Life Systems, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Kyoto, Japan
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Pappolla MA, Refolo L, Sambamurti K, Zambon D, Duff K. Hypercholesterolemia and Alzheimer's Disease: Unraveling the Connection and Assessing the Efficacy of Lipid-Lowering Therapies. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 101:S371-S393. [PMID: 39422957 DOI: 10.3233/jad-240388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2024]
Abstract
This article examines the relationship between cholesterol levels and Alzheimer's disease (AD), beginning with the early observation that individuals who died from heart attacks often had brain amyloid deposition. Subsequent animal model research proved that high cholesterol could hasten amyloid accumulation. In contrast, cholesterol-lowering treatments appeared to counteract this effect. Human autopsy studies reinforced the cholesterol-AD connection, revealing that higher cholesterol levels during midlife significantly correlated with higher brain amyloid pathology. This effect was especially pronounced in individuals aged 40 to 55. Epidemiological data supported animal research and human tissue observations and suggested that managing cholesterol levels in midlife could reduce the risk of developing AD. We analyze the main observational studies and clinical trials on the efficacy of statins. While observational data often suggest a potential protective effect against AD, clinical trials have not consistently shown benefit. The failure of these trials to demonstrate a clear advantage is partially attributed to multiple factors, including the timing of statin therapy, the type of statin and the appropriate selection of patients for treatment. Many studies failed to target individuals who might benefit most from early intervention, such as high-risk patients like APOE4 carriers. The review addresses how cholesterol is implicated in AD through various biological pathways, the potential preventive role of cholesterol management as suggested by observational studies, and the difficulties encountered in clinical trials, particularly related to statin use. The paper highlights the need to explore alternate therapeutic targets and mechanisms that escape statin intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Pappolla
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Lorenzo Refolo
- Translational Research Branch, Division of Neuroscience, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kumar Sambamurti
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Daniel Zambon
- Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Karen Duff
- Karen Duff, UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, London, UK
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Constantinescu CC, Brown T, Wang S, Yin W, Barret O, Jennings D, Tauscher J. Clinical Characterization of [ 18F]T-008, a Cholesterol 24-Hydroxylase PET Ligand: Dosimetry, Kinetic Modeling, Variability, and Soticlestat Occupancy. J Nucl Med 2023; 64:1972-1979. [PMID: 37770111 PMCID: PMC10690114 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.123.265912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
This series of studies characterized [18F]T-008, a PET radiotracer for imaging cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CH24H), in healthy volunteers (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02497235). Assessments included radiation dosimetry, kinetic modeling, test-retest variability (TRT) evaluation, and a dose occupancy evaluation using soticlestat, a selective CH24H inhibitor. Soticlestat is currently in phase 3 development for the treatment of seizures in Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Methods: In the dosimetry study, 5 participants (3 men) underwent serial whole-body scans to estimate organ-absorbed doses and effective doses of [18F]T-008 using OLINDA/EXM 1.1. For the kinetic modeling and TRT study, 6 participants (all men) underwent two 210-min dynamic [18F]T-008 PET scans with arterial blood sampling. The regional total volume of distribution was estimated using a 1-tissue-compartment model, a 2-tissue-compartment model, and Logan graphic analysis. In the dose occupancy study, 11 participants (all men) underwent 120-min scans at baseline and 2 time points (peak and trough) after receiving single oral doses of soticlestat (50-600 mg). The relationship between effect-site soticlestat concentration and brain occupancy was evaluated with a specially developed pharmacokinetic model and a saturable maximal occupancy model. Results: The estimated mean whole-body effective dose was 0.0292 mSv/MBq (SD, 0.00147 mSv/MBq). [18F]T-008 entered the brain rapidly, with a distribution consistent with known CH24H distribution densities. The 2-tissue-compartment model and Logan graphic analysis best described the tracer kinetics. The mean TRT for estimating total volume of distribution was 7%-15%. Single doses of soticlestat in the range 50-600 mg resulted in occupancies of 64%-96% at 2 h and 11%-79% at 24 h. The estimated half-maximal effect-site concentration of soticlestat was 5.52 ng/mL. Conclusion: [18F]T-008 is a suitable PET radiotracer for quantitatively analyzing CH24H in the human brain. Using [18F]T-008 and PET, we demonstrated that soticlestat was brain-penetrant and established target engagement by displacing [18F]T-008 in a dose-dependent manner in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Terry Brown
- Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Shining Wang
- Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Wei Yin
- Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Cambridge, Massachusetts
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Goikolea J, Latorre-Leal M, Tsagkogianni C, Pikkupeura S, Gulyas B, Cedazo-Minguez A, Loera-Valencia R, Björkhem I, Rodriguez Rodriguez P, Maioli S. Different effects of CYP27A1 and CYP7B1 on cognitive function: Two mouse models in comparison. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2023; 234:106387. [PMID: 37648096 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2023.106387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
The oxysterol 27-hydroxycholesterol (27OHC) is produced by the enzyme sterol 27-hydroxylase (Cyp27A1) and is mainly catabolized to 7α-Hydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholestenoic acid (7-HOCA) by the enzyme cytochrome P-450 oxysterol 7α-hydroxylase (Cyp7B1). 27OHC is mostly produced in the liver and can reach the brain by crossing the blood-brain barrier. A large body of evidence shows that CYP27A1 overexpression and high levels of 27OHC have a detrimental effect on the brain, causing cognitive and synaptic dysfunction together with a decrease in glucose uptake in mice. In this work, we analyzed two mouse models with high levels of 27OHC: Cyp7B1 knock-out mice and CYP27A1 overexpressing mice. Despite the accumulation of 27OHC in both models, Cyp7B1 knock-out mice maintained intact learning and memory capacities, neuronal morphology, and brain glucose uptake over time. Neurons treated with the Cyp7B1 metabolite 7-HOCA did not show changes in synaptic genes and 27OHC-treated Cyp7B1 knock-out neurons could not counteract 27OHC detrimental effects. This suggests that 7-HOCA and Cyp7B1 deletion in neurons do not mediate the neuroprotective effects observed in Cyp7B1 knock-out animals. RNA-seq of neuronal nuclei sorted from Cyp7B1 knock-out brains revealed upregulation of genes likely to confer neuroprotection to these animals. Differently from Cyp7B1 knock-out mice, transcriptomic data from CYP27A1 overexpressing neurons showed significant downregulation of genes associated with synaptic function and several metabolic processes. Our results suggest that the differences observed in the two models may be mediated by the higher levels of Cyp7B1 substrates such as 25-hydroxycholesterol and 3β-Adiol in the knock-out mice and that CYP27A1 overexpressing mice may be a more suitable model for studying 27-OHC-specific signaling. We believe that future studies on Cyp7B1 and Cyp27A1 will contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease and may lead to potential new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julen Goikolea
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Latorre-Leal
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christina Tsagkogianni
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sonja Pikkupeura
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Balazs Gulyas
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Angel Cedazo-Minguez
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Raul Loera-Valencia
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Stockholm, Sweden; Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Chihuahua, Mexico
| | - Ingemar Björkhem
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Patricia Rodriguez Rodriguez
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Silvia Maioli
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Stockholm, Sweden.
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35
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Sun Z, Yang J, Zhou J, Zhou J, Feng L, Feng Y, He Y, Liu M, Li Y, Wang G, Li R. Tissue-Specific Oxysterols as Predictors of Antidepressant (Escitalopram) Treatment Response in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 3:663-672. [PMID: 37881566 PMCID: PMC10593904 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There is growing evidence that disturbances in cholesterol metabolism may be involved in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, it is not known if cholesterol metabolites present in the brain and periphery can be used to diagnose and predict an MDD patient's response to antidepressant treatment. Methods A total of 176 subjects (85 patients with MDD and 91 healthy control subjects) were included in this study. The expression of peripheral and brain-specific oxysterols and related gene polymorphisms were investigated in all subjects. The severity of depression was measured using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms-Self-Report, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for all patients with MDD before and after 12 weeks of antidepressant treatment. Results Patients with MDD expressed higher plasma levels of 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol (24OHC) (mainly secreted from the brain) compared with healthy control subjects, and the higher levels of 24OHC were associated with 24OHC synthetase (CYP46A1) gene polymorphisms. In patients with MDD, an improved response to the 12-week antidepressant treatment was associated with a reduction of both 24OHC and 27OHC (mainly secreted from the peripheral system) levels relative to baseline levels. Nonresponders exhibited increased levels of oxysterols at the end of treatment compared with baseline. The superior reduction in oxysterol levels correlated with better outcomes from the antidepressant treatment. Conclusions These data suggest a potential role for oxysterols as diagnostic and treatment response-related indicators for MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuoli Sun
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Yang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Zhou
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingjing Zhou
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Feng
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Feng
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi He
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Min Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhong Li
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Gang Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Rena Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Valenza M, Birolini G, Cattaneo E. The translational potential of cholesterol-based therapies for neurological disease. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:583-598. [PMID: 37644213 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00864-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Cholesterol is an important metabolite and membrane component and is enriched in the brain owing to its role in neuronal maturation and function. In the adult brain, cholesterol is produced locally, predominantly by astrocytes. When cholesterol has been used, recycled and catabolized, the derivatives are excreted across the blood-brain barrier. Abnormalities in any of these steps can lead to neurological dysfunction. Here, we examine how precise interactions between cholesterol production and its use and catabolism in neurons ensures cholesterol homeostasis to support brain function. As an example of a neurological disease associated with cholesterol dyshomeostasis, we summarize evidence from animal models of Huntington disease (HD), which demonstrate a marked reduction in cholesterol biosynthesis with clinically relevant consequences for synaptic activity and cognition. In addition, we examine the relationship between cholesterol loss in the brain and cognitive decline in ageing. We then present emerging therapeutic strategies to restore cholesterol homeostasis, focusing on evidence from HD mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Valenza
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
- Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare 'Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi', Milan, Italy.
| | - Giulia Birolini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare 'Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi', Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Cattaneo
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
- Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare 'Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi', Milan, Italy.
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37
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van der Heijden AR, Houben T. Lipids in major depressive disorder: new kids on the block or old friends revisited? Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1213011. [PMID: 37663599 PMCID: PMC10469871 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1213011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a psychiatric mood disorder that results in substantial functional impairment and is characterized by symptoms such as depressed mood, diminished interest, impaired cognitive function, and vegetative symptoms such as disturbed sleep. Although the exact etiology of MDD is unclear, several underlying mechanisms (disturbances in immune response and/or stress response) have been associated with its development, with no single mechanism able to account for all aspects of the disorder. Currently, about 1 in 3 patients are resistant to current antidepressant therapies. Providing an alternative perspective on MDD could therefore pave the way for new, unexplored diagnostic and therapeutic solutions. The central nervous system harbors an enormous pool of lipids and lipid intermediates that have been linked to a plethora of its physiological functions. The aim of this review is therefore to provide an overview of the implications of lipids in MDD and highlight certain MDD-related underlying mechanisms that involve lipids and/or their intermediates. Furthermore, we will also focus on the bidirectional relationship between MDD and the lipid-related disorders obesity and type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tom Houben
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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38
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Ratcliffe S, Arkilo D, Asgharnejad M, Bhattacharya S, Harden RN. Randomized controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of soticlestat as adjunctive therapy in adults with complex regional pain syndrome. PAIN MEDICINE (MALDEN, MASS.) 2023; 24:872-880. [PMID: 36538782 PMCID: PMC10321763 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnac198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective was to investigate the efficacy and safety of soticlestat as adjunctive therapy in participants with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). DESIGN A proof-of-concept phase 2a study, comprising a 15-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study (part A), and an optional 14-week open-label extension (part B). METHODS Twenty-four participants (median age 44.5 years [range, 18-62 years]; 70.8% female) with chronic CRPS were randomized (2:1) to receive oral soticlestat or placebo. Soticlestat dosing started at 100 mg twice daily and was titrated up to 300 mg twice daily. In part B, soticlestat dosing started at 200 mg twice daily and was titrated up or down at the investigator's discretion. Pain intensity scores using the 11-point Numeric Pain Scale (NPS) were collected daily. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)-29, Patients' Global Impression of Change (PGI-C), and CRPS Severity Score (CSS) were completed at screening and weeks 15 and 29. RESULTS From baseline to week 15, soticlestat treatment was associated with a mean change in 24-hour pain intensity NPS score (95% confidence interval) of -0.75 (-1.55, 0.05) vs -0.41 (-1.41, 0.59) in the placebo group, resulting in a non-significant placebo-adjusted difference of -0.34 (-1.55, 0.88; P = .570). Statistically non-significant numerical changes were observed for the PROMIS-29, PGI-C, and CSS at weeks 15 and 29. CONCLUSIONS Adjunctive soticlestat treatment did not significantly reduce pain intensity in participants with chronic CRPS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimitrios Arkilo
- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Mahnaz Asgharnejad
- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | | | - R Norman Harden
- Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy and Human Movement Science, , Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
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Zorumski CF, Mennerick SJ. The Taylor Family Institute at Washington University: Novel Treatments in Psychiatry. MISSOURI MEDICINE 2023; 120:299-305. [PMID: 37609459 PMCID: PMC10441266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Efforts to develop more effective treatments for psychiatric illnesses will require innovative approaches that address changes in brain networks underlying cognition, emotion and motivation, cardinal symptoms that cut across all psychiatric disorders. This effort will include new molecular entities that modulate neuronal excitability, synapses, cellular stress and inflammation. Other opportunities will come from repurposing existing treatments. This overview highlights current and future goals in treatment development in the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research at Washington University.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles F Zorumski
- Professor, Department of Psychiatry, and the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research and Silvio O. Conte Neuroscience Center at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Steven J Mennerick
- Professor, Department of Psychiatry, and the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research and Silvio O. Conte Neuroscience Center at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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Dong B, Yue Y, Dong H, Wang Y. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor hypofunction as a potential contributor to the progression and manifestation of many neurological disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1174738. [PMID: 37396784 PMCID: PMC10308130 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1174738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDA) are glutamate-gated ion channels critical for synaptic transmission and plasticity. A slight variation of NMDAR expression and function can result in devastating consequences, and both hyperactivation and hypoactivation of NMDARs are detrimental to neural function. Compared to NMDAR hyperfunction, NMDAR hypofunction is widely implicated in many neurological disorders, such as intellectual disability, autism, schizophrenia, and age-related cognitive decline. Additionally, NMDAR hypofunction is associated with the progression and manifestation of these diseases. Here, we review the underlying mechanisms of NMDAR hypofunction in the progression of these neurological disorders and highlight that targeting NMDAR hypofunction is a promising therapeutic intervention in some neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Dong
- Department of Geriatrics, Jilin Geriatrics Clinical Research Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yang Yue
- School of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Han Dong
- Department of Geriatrics, Jilin Geriatrics Clinical Research Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuehui Wang
- Department of Geriatrics, Jilin Geriatrics Clinical Research Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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41
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Izumi Y, Ishikawa M, Nakazawa T, Kunikata H, Sato K, Covey DF, Zorumski CF. Neurosteroids as stress modulators and neurotherapeutics: lessons from the retina. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:1004-1008. [PMID: 36254981 PMCID: PMC9827771 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.355752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurosteroids are rapidly emerging as important new therapies in neuropsychiatry, with one such agent, brexanolone, already approved for treatment of postpartum depression, and others on the horizon. These steroids have unique properties, including neuroprotective effects that could benefit a wide range of brain illnesses including depression, anxiety, epilepsy, and neurodegeneration. Over the past 25 years, our group has developed ex vivo rodent models to examine factors contributing to several forms of neurodegeneration in the retina. In the course of this work, we have developed a model of acute closed angle glaucoma that involves incubation of ex vivo retinas under hyperbaric conditions and results in neuronal and axonal changes that mimic glaucoma. We have used this model to determine neuroprotective mechanisms that could have therapeutic implications. In particular, we have focused on the role of both endogenous and exogenous neurosteroids in modulating the effects of acute high pressure. Endogenous allopregnanolone, a major stress-activated neurosteroid in the brain and retina, helps to prevent severe pressure-induced retinal excitotoxicity but is unable to protect against degenerative changes in ganglion cells and their axons under hyperbaric conditions. However, exogenous allopregnanolone, at a pharmacological concentration, completely preserves retinal structure and does so by combined effects on gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors and stimulation of the cellular process of macroautophagy. Surprisingly, the enantiomer of allopregnanolone, which is inactive at gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors, is equally retinoprotective and acts primarily via autophagy. Both enantiomers are also equally effective in preserving retinal structure and function in an in vivo glaucoma model. These studies in the retina have important implications for the ongoing development of allopregnanolone and other neurosteroids as therapeutics for neuropsychiatric illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukitoshi Izumi
- Department of Psychiatry and Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Makoto Ishikawa
- Department of Ophthalmic Imaging and Information Analytics; Department of Ophthalmology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Toru Nakazawa
- Department of Ophthalmic Imaging and Information Analytics; Department of Ophthalmology; Department of Retinal Disease Control; Department of Advanced Ophthalmic Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kunikata
- Department of Ophthalmology; Department of Retinal Disease Control, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kota Sato
- Department of Ophthalmic Imaging and Information Analytics; Department of Advanced Ophthalmic Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Douglas F Covey
- Department of Psychiatry and Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research; Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Charles F Zorumski
- Department of Psychiatry and Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Alavi MS, Karimi G, Ghanimi HA, Roohbakhsh A. The potential of CYP46A1 as a novel therapeutic target for neurological disorders: An updated review of mechanisms. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 949:175726. [PMID: 37062503 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Cholesterol is a key component of the cell membrane that impacts the permeability, fluidity, and functions of membrane-bound proteins. It also participates in synaptogenesis, synaptic function, axonal growth, dendrite outgrowth, and microtubule stability. Cholesterol biosynthesis and metabolism are in balance in the brain. Its metabolism in the brain is mediated mainly by CYP46A1 or cholesterol 24-hydroxylase. It is responsible for eliminating about 80% of the cholesterol excess from the human brain. CYP46A1 converts cholesterol to 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24HC) that readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and reaches the liver for the final elimination process. Studies show that cholesterol and 24HC levels change during neurological diseases and conditions. So, it was hypothesized that inhibition or activation of CYP46A1 would be an effective therapeutic strategy. Accordingly, preclinical studies, using genetic and pharmacological interventions, assessed the role of CYP46A1 in main neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, spinocerebellar ataxias, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In addition, its role in seizures and brain injury was evaluated. The recent development of soticlestat, as a selective and potent CYP46A1 inhibitor, with significant anti-seizure effects in preclinical and clinical studies, suggests the importance of this target for future drug developments. Previous studies have shown that both activation and inhibition of CYP46A1 are of therapeutic value. This article, using recent studies, highlights the role of CYP46A1 in various brain diseases and insults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohaddeseh Sadat Alavi
- Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Karimi
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Ali Roohbakhsh
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Design and synthesis of novel GluN2A NMDAR positive allosteric modulators via scaffold hopping strategy as anti-stroke therapeutic agents. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 83:117236. [PMID: 36934527 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
NMDA receptor subunits have differential roles in mediating excitotoxic neuronal death both in vitro and in vivo . Activation of NR2A-containing NMDA receptors promotes neuronal survival and exerts a neuroprotective action, whereas over activating GluN2B-containing receptor results in excitotoxicity, increasing neuronal apoptosis. Our previous study has identified Npam 43 as a NMDAR positive allosteric modulators. However, the cis-trans isomerization impedes the development of Npam 43 as potential neuroprotective agents. To discover more potent and selective GluN2A NMDAR positive allosteric modulators, 38 derivatives were synthesized and evaluated their neuroprotective effect on glutamate-exposed PC-12 cells. The allosteric activities of compounds were evaluated using calcium imaging approaches. Among them, compound 5c exhibit GluN1/2A selectivity over GluN1/2B and show neuroprotective activity in vitro and in vivo. This study reported a series of GluN1/2A positive allosteric modulators as neuroprotective agents, and provided a potential opportunity to discover new drugs for stroke treatment.
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Ehtezazi T, Rahman K, Davies R, Leach AG. The Pathological Effects of Circulating Hydrophobic Bile Acids in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2023; 7:173-211. [PMID: 36994114 PMCID: PMC10041467 DOI: 10.3233/adr-220071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent clinical studies have revealed that the serum levels of toxic hydrophobic bile acids (deoxy cholic acid, lithocholic acid [LCA], and glycoursodeoxycholic acid) are significantly higher in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) when compared to control subjects. The elevated serum bile acids may be the result of hepatic peroxisomal dysfunction. Circulating hydrophobic bile acids are able to disrupt the blood-brain barrier and promote the formation of amyloid-β plaques through enhancing the oxidation of docosahexaenoic acid. Hydrophobic bile acid may find their ways into the neurons via the apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter. It has been shown that hydrophobic bile acids impose their pathological effects by activating farnesoid X receptor and suppressing bile acid synthesis in the brain, blocking NMDA receptors, lowering brain oxysterol levels, and interfering with 17β-estradiol actions such as LCA by binding to E2 receptors (molecular modelling data exclusive to this paper). Hydrophobic bile acids may interfere with the sonic hedgehog signaling through alteration of cell membrane rafts and reducing brain 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol. This article will 1) analyze the pathological roles of circulating hydrophobic bile acids in the brain, 2) propose therapeutic approaches, and 3) conclude that consideration be given to reducing/monitoring toxic bile acid levels in patients with AD or aMCI, prior/in combination with other treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Touraj Ehtezazi
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Khalid Rahman
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Rhys Davies
- The Walton Centre, NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Andrew G Leach
- School of Pharmacy, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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24-Hydroxycholesterol Induces Tau Proteasome-Dependent Degradation via the SIRT1/PGC1α/Nrf2 Pathway: A Potential Mechanism to Counteract Alzheimer’s Disease. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12030631. [PMID: 36978879 PMCID: PMC10044740 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12030631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Considerable evidence indicates that cholesterol oxidation products, named oxysterols, play a key role in several events involved in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis. Although the majority of oxysterols causes neuron dysfunction and degeneration, 24-hydroxycholesterol (24-OHC) has recently been thought to be neuroprotective also. The present study aimed at supporting this concept by exploring, in SK-N-BE neuroblastoma cells, whether 24-OHC affected the neuroprotective SIRT1/PGC1α/Nrf2 axis. We demonstrated that 24-OHC, through the up-regulation of the deacetylase SIRT1, was able to increase both PGC1α and Nrf2 expression and protein levels, as well as Nrf2 nuclear translocation. By acting on this neuroprotective pathway, 24-OHC favors tau protein clearance by triggering tau ubiquitination and subsequently its degradation through the ubiquitin–proteasome system. We also observed a modulation of SIRT1, PGC1α, and Nrf2 expression and synthesis in the brain of AD patients with the progression of the disease, suggesting their potential role in neuroprotection. These findings suggest that 24-OHC contributes to tau degradation through the up-regulation of the SIRT1/PGC1α/Nrf2 axis. Overall, the evidence points out the importance of avoiding 24-OHC loss, which can occur in the AD brain, and of limiting SIRT1, PGC1α, and Nrf2 deregulation in order to prevent the neurotoxic accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau and counteract neurodegeneration.
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Chakraborty P, Dey A, Gopalakrishnan AV, Swati K, Ojha S, Prakash A, Kumar D, Ambasta RK, Jha NK, Jha SK, Dewanjee S. Glutamatergic neurotransmission: A potential pharmacotherapeutic target for the treatment of cognitive disorders. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 85:101838. [PMID: 36610558 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In the mammalian brain, glutamate is regarded to be the primary excitatory neurotransmitter due to its widespread distribution and wide range of metabolic functions. Glutamate plays key roles in regulating neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, neurite outgrowth, and neuron survival in the brain. Ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors, neurotransmitters, neurotensin, neurosteroids, and others co-ordinately formulate a complex glutamatergic network in the brain that maintains optimal excitatory neurotransmission. Cognitive activities are potentially synchronized by the glutamatergic activities in the brain via restoring synaptic plasticity. Dysfunctional glutamate receptors and other glutamatergic components are responsible for the aberrant glutamatergic activity in the brain that cause cognitive impairments, loss of synaptic plasticity, and neuronal damage. Thus, controlling the brain's glutamatergic transmission and modifying glutamate receptor function could be a potential therapeutic strategy for cognitive disorders. Certain drugs that regulate glutamate receptor activities have shown therapeutic promise in improving cognitive functions in preclinical and clinical studies. However, several issues regarding precise functional information of glutamatergic activity are yet to be comprehensively understood. The present article discusses the scope of developing glutamatergic systems as prospective pharmacotherapeutic targets to treat cognitive disorders. Special attention has been given to recent developments, challenges, and future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratik Chakraborty
- Advanced Pharmacognosy Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Abhijit Dey
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632014, India
| | - Kumari Swati
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, Bihar, India
| | - Shreesh Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Anand Prakash
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, Bihar, India
| | - Dhruv Kumar
- School of Health Sciences & Technology, UPES University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India
| | - Rashmi K Ambasta
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Delhi 110042, India
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, UP, India; School of Bioengineering & Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India.
| | - Saurabh Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, UP, India; Department of Biotechnology Engineering and Food Technology, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, India; Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied & Life Sciences (SALS), Uttaranchal University, Dehradun 248007, India.
| | - Saikat Dewanjee
- Advanced Pharmacognosy Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India.
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Lin J, de Rezende VL, de Aguiar da Costa M, de Oliveira J, Gonçalves CL. Cholesterol metabolism pathway in autism spectrum disorder: From animal models to clinical observations. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 223:173522. [PMID: 36717034 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a persistent impairment of social skills, including aspects of perception, interpretation, and response, combined with restricted and repetitive behavior. ASD is a complex and multifactorial condition, and its etiology could be attributed to genetic and environmental factors. Despite numerous clinical and experimental studies, no etiological factor, biomarker, and specific model of transmission have been consistently associated with ASD. However, an imbalance in cholesterol levels has been observed in many patients, more specifically, a condition of hypocholesterolemia, which seems to be shared between ASD and ASD-related genetic syndromes such as fragile X syndrome (FXS), Rett syndrome (RS), and Smith- Lemli-Opitz (SLO). Furthermore, it is known that alterations in cholesterol levels lead to neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, impaired myelination and synaptogenesis. Thus, the aim of this review is to discuss the cholesterol metabolic pathways in the ASD context, as well as in genetic syndromes related to ASD, through clinical observations and animal models. In fact, SLO, FXS, and RS patients display early behavioral markers of ASD followed by cholesterol disturbances. Several studies have demonstrated the role of cholesterol in psychiatric conditions and how its levels modulate brain neurodevelopment. This review suggests an important relationship between ASD pathology and cholesterol metabolism impairment; thus, some strategies could be raised - at clinical and pre-clinical levels - to explore whether cholesterol metabolism disturbance has a generally adverse effect in exacerbating the symptoms of ASD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Lin
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Victória Linden de Rezende
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Maiara de Aguiar da Costa
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Jade de Oliveira
- Laboratory for Research in Metabolic Disorders and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Cinara Ludvig Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
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Tang W, Beckley JT, Zhang J, Song R, Xu Y, Kim S, Quirk MC, Robichaud AJ, Diaz ES, Myers SJ, Doherty JJ, Ackley MA, Traynelis SF, Yuan H. Novel neuroactive steroids as positive allosteric modulators of NMDA receptors: mechanism, site of action, and rescue pharmacology on GRIN variants associated with neurological conditions. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:42. [PMID: 36645496 PMCID: PMC10644378 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04667-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) play vital roles in normal brain functions (i.e., learning, memory, and neuronal development) and various neuropathological conditions, such as epilepsy, autism, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and traumatic brain injury. Endogenous neuroactive steroids such as 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol (24(S)-HC) have been shown to influence NMDAR activity, and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) derived from 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol scaffold can also enhance NMDAR function. This study describes the structural determinants and mechanism of action for 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol and two novel synthetic analogs (SGE-550 and SGE-301) on NMDAR function. We also show that these agents can mitigate the altered function caused by a set of loss-of-function missense variants in NMDAR GluN subunit-encoding GRIN genes associated with neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. We anticipate that the evaluation of novel neuroactive steroid NMDAR PAMs may catalyze the development of new treatment strategies for GRIN-related neuropsychiatric conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiting Tang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | | | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Rui Song
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Yuchen Xu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Sukhan Kim
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Center for Functional Evaluation of Rare Variants (CFERV), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | | | | | - Eva Sarai Diaz
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Scott J Myers
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Center for Functional Evaluation of Rare Variants (CFERV), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | | | | | - Stephen F Traynelis
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Center for Functional Evaluation of Rare Variants (CFERV), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
| | - Hongjie Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Center for Functional Evaluation of Rare Variants (CFERV), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
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Barker-Haliski M, Nishi T, White HS. Soticlestat, a novel cholesterol 24-hydroxylase inhibitor, modifies acute seizure burden and chronic epilepsy-related behavioral deficits following Theiler's virus infection in mice. Neuropharmacology 2023; 222:109310. [PMID: 36341806 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Temporal lobe epilepsy is the most common form of acquired epilepsy and can arise due to multiple inciting events, including central nervous system (CNS) infection. CNS infection with the Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) in male C57Bl/6J mice leads to acute, drug-resistant handling-induced seizures. Cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CH24H) is a brain-specific enzyme that converts cholesterol into 24S-hydroxycholesterol; the primary mechanism of cholesterol catabolism in the brain. The novel CH24H inhibitor, soticlestat (SOT; or TAK-935), demonstrates the potential to restore excitatory/inhibitory balance in multiple preclinical models of hyperexcitability. This study thus sought to characterize the anticonvulsant potential of SOT in the TMEV model. Treatment with SOT (30 mg/kg, p.o.; n = 30) 0-7 days post-infection (DPI) reduced overall seizure burden and severity. SOT administration significantly delayed onset of infection-induced Racine stage 5 seizures, from 8.6 ± 0.6 (VEH-treated) to 10.8 ± 0.8 (SOT-treated) observation sessions. Infected mice were then allowed 36 days treatment-free recovery before assessing impact of earlier drug administration on epilepsy-related cognitive and behavioral comorbidities, including a non-habituated open field (OF) task. Total OF distance traveled was significantly less in SOT-treated mice compared to VEH-treated mice, suggesting attenuated TMEV-induced spatial memory deficits, or reduced chronic hyperexcitability. Mice with history of SOT treatment also spent significantly more time and traveled farther in the OF center, indicative of reduced epilepsy-induced anxiety-like behavior. These studies suggest that SOT is a mechanistically novel agent for symptomatic seizure control. Moreover, acute SOT administration during an epileptogenic insult may attenuate the resulting long-term behavioral comorbidities of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Toshiya Nishi
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Fujisawa, 251-8555, Japan; Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
| | - H Steve White
- University of Washington, Department of Pharmacy, Seattle, WA, USA
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50
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Wang Y, Meng W, Liu Z, An Q, Hu X. Cognitive impairment in psychiatric diseases: Biomarkers of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:1046692. [DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1046692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric diseases, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and major depressive disorder, place a huge health burden on society. Cognitive impairment is one of the core characteristics of psychiatric disorders and a vital determinant of social function and disease recurrence in patients. This review thus aims to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of cognitive impairment in major psychiatric disorders and identify valuable biomarkers for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of patients.
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